Seeing yourself on television is a weird thing. But - praise God!- at least I didn't come off looking like an idiot. Actually, my intense self-criticism aside, it all went very well. I found myself being myself - which is totally important to me. Integrity is very important to me in this process and I want it evident every time I perform. There should never be an occasion when people see me perform and get something other than who I really am. Sometimes artists are challenged to transform into someone else when they perform on television. This was my first time facing that challenge. It looks like I met the challenge and won. Hallelujah!!

I just got great news... and I'm not going to do the GEICO thing... Music Choice will be adding "Join In This Praise" to their Praise and Worship program that airs on Sunday Mornings between 9 and 11 AM. This is HUGE!!! Music Choice feeds cable and satellite companies across the country. This will expose thousands of people to my music. Praise God!! The song will begin airing on their network somewhere around mid-May on the Contemporary Christian channel. Another major plus with this development is that the music is now crossing over into the Contemporary Christian genre. You talk about major - that is MAJOR!!

Sharon and I are celebrating our 12th Wedding Anniversary. We were married on a gorgeous April 23rd afternoon in Atlanta. It was right in the middle of "Freaknik" and we had no idea what Freaknik was. What a rude introduction. We couldn't find hotel rooms for family members; the streets, roads and interstates were in total gridlock; it was a mess - but we were so happy!! As we were leaving the reception - Sharon in her gown and me in my tux - cars were at a total stop on the interstate and young college students were dancing on the highway. But as they recognized the gown and tux and saw "Just Married" on the car, they started cheering for us and cut a path through the sea of cars so that we could journey on to our destination. God has been parting seas for us ever since. Sharon is the most wonderful woman a man could have. And I am totally in love with her. She is so loving, compassionate, tender, strong and GORGEOUS!! It has been a fantastic 12 years. Te adoro - my Boo.

We took Cain to the vet this weekend. This little tiny puppy that we found in South Carolina that could fit in my two hands is now 43.8 pounds!! The vet thinks Cain has a mix of German Shepherd, Hound (probably blood hound) and Rottweiller. He is less then 5 months old and growing like crazy. He is going to be HUGE! They think he will reach about 100 pounds. WOW! But Rocky still has him in check. Rocky lets there be no mistaking that he is the boss and Cain is the new kid on the block.

Okay - that's enough for now. I'm chilling this week with my wife as we continue to celebrate. Until next week - Shalom.

Sharon: I checked your blog and you haven't updated it lately.
Michael: Okay - you're right. I need to do that today.

A few days later... after mowing my lawn... which, by the way, is prettier and greener than ever... HALLELUJAH!!!... and coming in for some down time while Sharon is out shopping... I remember... UPDATE YOUR BLOG!!!

I apologize for not updating during the tour as I had planned. It got so busy that I couldn' t. So, here is the update... day by day.

Day 2 - Friday...
Sharon and I got up early that morning to go to the radio station for an 8AM interview. The radio personality was wonderful and made us feel very welcome. We had a great time with him. Thanks WVGB!! After leaving there we went to find a bank... which required us going to Parris Island. It was very cool driving through and seeing the sights of this legendary base. Then we went back to the hotel and checked out. We went to our hotel in Summerville, checked in, then shortly thereafter left for the music store to pick up the sound system that we rented for that evening's concert. Then we went to the church.

While in route, I got a call from a radio station in Charleston to do a phone interview before the concert for additional publicity. Now, this gets funny... I needed to call the station at a certain time on a particular phone line for the live phone interview. A little before we arrived at the church it was time to call the station. I called the station and was waiting for them to put me on the air. As we approached the church, I started losing the signal. And as much as I complain about my cellphone service, I couldn't even blame it on my service... nobody else could even get a signal at all. I had to let them unload the sound system and the other items from the vehicle so I could drive back down the road far enough to get a signal and call the station. None the less... it was a great interview! Thanks WXTC!!

That night's concert was in my hometown... Huger, SC. I had cousins, classmates, schoolmates, one of my school teachers and others that worked at my school when I was attending Cainhoy High School (Class of '82!!). It was a homecoming. The concert was amazing! It was, again, as if God put His face in the building. After singing, "Look Where You Brought Me From," we had to stop and take a praise break. People were dancing and shouting all over the building. Then I turned around and all of my background singers were dancing. I just had to wait until everyone got that praise out before we could move on and finish the last song. It was so awesome!!

After the concert they fed us well!! Oh my God... the food was so good! Thank you Stewart Chapel!! I love you!!

Day 3 - Saturday...
We didn't have to get up as early - thank God!! We went to one of the local record stores for a CD Signing. It was very cool - thank you Rev. Heyward!! Then we dropped off the sound system and I took the group on a drive-thru tour of the beautiful city of Charleston, SC. They all loved the gorgeous new Cooper River Bridge. We went through The Battery. I took them through the neighborhood where I grew up. It was a quick 40 minute drive through because I didn't have time to give them the full and complete package. Charleston ROCKS!!

We stopped for lunch, then it was off to Eutawville. We got there and did the sound check... then went and checked into the hotel... got dressed... and went to the church for the final concert. Now, this one was really special. I had forgotten that I sang and preached in Eutawville the week the CD was released and that I sold lots of CDs there. I was pleasantly surprised to have the audience singing every song with us... word for word... lead parts included. It was such a cool feeling. These people know how to have a Holy Ghost Party!! We danced up a storm in there. It was so awesome. There was an awesome band there for one of the choirs that opened for us. "Fight For Me" was our last song. I did a reprise to the song with the band and the audience. They ROCKED IT!! Then they wouldn't let it go... it was so much fun. The minister of music started singing it again. Then the bishop started singing it. It was so cool!! I believe they got the message of the song.

So, that night we rested well in our hotel rooms. We all took our time waking up the next morning. We took out time driving home that day. We stopped and shopped at the Tanger Outlet in North Carolina. I even picked up a few items myself.

Once we were back we had to immediately start preparing for the "Spread A Little Sunshine" TV Show appearance on this Sunday. We taped for it on Thursday. That was an interesting experience. I am used to singing to a crowd - but singing on a closed set to a camera? That was different. I'll see how I did in the morning when the show comes on - at 5:00 AM. Well, I guess I'll really see how I did when I watch the video recording of the 5AM show. I really don't think I'm going to be awake to see it. Then, again, who knows.

Can you say AMAZING!! Tonight was the first night of the tour. We sang at Bethesda Temple of Saint Joseph Baptist Church on Saint Helena Island in Beaufort, SC. It was so amazing. The crowd was an interesting mix of youth and adults. There were lots of children there as their praise dance and mime teams ministered before we took the stage. They were fantastic. Then a saxaphonist played a medley of songs and he was incredible!! The atmosphere was set and primed for worship. When we took the stage it was so easy to go forth in worship. The people were right with us every step of the way.

And can I tell you - these background singers sang their tails off!!! Oh my God! They were amazing. We did a medley that allowed each of them to solo a part. They ate it up! I guess it was easy and natural for them since each of them are worship leaders.

God blessed tremendously. I'll give you the review of tomorrow night's performance after the concert.

Don't forget to keep us in your prayers.

Shalom!!

Micah 7:8

I won! I won!! I really won!!!

Okay - enough with the dramatics. But I couldn't wait to let you know that all of your voting didn't go in vain. Tonight - well last night, since it is 12:45 AM - I received the Praise and Worship Album Of The Year award from the Inspirational Gospel Music Awards. It was a fun night. I met some pretty cool people and saw some very interesting things. Hmmm. :-)

We also got to perform tonight at the ceremony. It was awesome. The group did an awesome job. I am getting the hang of working my soundtracks. I didn't think I'd like singing to tracks because I've seen many artists do such a poor job with it. But I am learning how to keep the energy level pretty high and keep the crowd involved. It has a lot to do with timing.

This week is all about preparing for the tour. It is so exciting!! But now - I'm going to bed. I have to be at Discover Life Bookstore & Cafe tomorrow morning at 8:45 until 3:00 PM for a CD signing. Prayerfully, we will sell about 200 CDs.

Blessings to you all!!