Gospel Pages Magazine Spring 2012

SPRING 2012

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BROOKS PUBLICATIONS, INC.

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Jumping and Running Pastor Lawson gives us an inside look at Jumping Run church.

Bishop Long’s Divorce Bishop Long adds divorce to his troubles.

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Book Review

editor’s note Happy New Year! We are back with one of our hardest-hitting issues ever! Thank you to all our fans and supporters, we could never have done it without you.

We are happy to welcome a new member to our staff, our graphic artist Rocksand Ham. With her help and your support, we will make Gospel Pages the best source for local gospel information around the Kinston area.

Visit us at www. gospelpagesmag.com!

We have online subscriptions and exclusive content, plus the latest gospel news and events.

- Curtis Brooks

These books offer an escape from reality and a dose of faith.

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Albums The top gospel albums that will annoint your ears and your soul.

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The Gospel Consulators The Consulators talk about their lives singing for the Lord.

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United Gospel Community Choir The Choir spreads the Word both near and far.

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Recipes Bringing together some old favorites and new creations.

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Ardra Brooks President Gospel Pages

Herman Cain’s Campaign Herman Cain suspended the campaign...but is it really over?

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[founder] curtis brooks [president] ardra brooks [senior writer] pete gour [staff writer] keyatta brooks [graphic artist] rocksand ham [circulation] danielle kinsey [ad director] porcha brooks [published by] brooks publications, inc.

In loving memory of Eldress Lizzie Joyce Dawson Brooks, 1944-2010.

Pastor Anthony Lawson, 56, has been has been preaching at Jumping Run Church in La Grange for over 24 years. He sat down with us to give us the inside story behind his faith, the church, and the events that brought the ministry to where it is today. His consistent presence in the church has certainly provided a stable foundation for faith to flourish, and he and his wife are a testament to the power of the Lord working through believers.

Pastor Lawson tells all in an exclusive interview Pastor Lawson received his bachelor’s degree in speech and communication from NC A&T in Greensboro in 1977. He also received a master’s degree in counseling from ECU in 1983.

Q A Q A Q A Q A Q A Q A

Why did you decide to become a pastor?

I was called on by the Lord, so I responded to that call. I thought about it for a year; I meditated prayed about it.

What church did you attend as a child?

Antioch Free Will Baptist in Kinston.

Where are you from originally?

I was raised in Kinston. I was born in the Bronx; my mother was living in Kinston but she went up to the Bronx for my birth.

How long has Jumping Run existed as a congregation?

This church has existed as a congregation for well over 100 years - based in the Institute Township.

Was your family heavily involved in the church when you were a child?

My family went to church but I wouldn’t say they were deeply involved, but they were members and attended services regularly.

How did you come to be the pastor at Jumping Run? Their pastor resigned to go to another church; they started a search committee. I preached there several times, and the congregation elected me as pastor. Jumping Run was a Free Will Baptist church then, but it is now independent.

Story continued on page 8.

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egachurch leader Bishop Eddie Long is going to take some time off from his Atlanta-based church, his spokesman announced Sunday. Long says he plans on focusing on his family, especially after his wife, Vanessa Long, filed for divorce Thursday, Dec. 1, 2011.

Eddie Long’s divorce drama is only the latest in a long line of controversies for the preacher.

...JUST ONE ISSUE OF MANY FOR THIS TROUBLED BISHOP

Bishop Eddie Long is surely glad to say goodbye to 2011 In May, Eddie Long, pastor of the 25,000 member New Birth Missionary Church in Lithonia, Georgia, settled out of court with four young men who had accused him of sexual misconduct. The allegations included claims that Long, then a married father of four, had abused his spiritual authority to seduce [teenage boys] with cars, money, clothes, jewelry, international trips and access to celebrities. The settlement with the men included a non-disclosure agreement.

The couple has been married for 21 years and Mrs. Long planned on withdrawing her divorce petition Friday morning, but later changed her mind to go through with the decision.

Eddie Long, who has been in the news for allegedly sexually abusing four young men in his youth ministry, has no specific date of when he plans on returning to his megachurch ministry.

Vanessa Long first filed a petition When the allegations first for divorce Thursday. After emerged, Long admitted in a reports Friday that she would sermon that he was not a perfect withdraw the petition, her lawyer man but added that he planned said she was indeed moving to fight what he said were false forward with divorce proceedings. accusations.

As AP explained:

Left Top: Bishop Long sheds tears in front of many, but the only thing most people noticed in this display was the toupee he was wearing.

Left Center: Eddie long preaching to his congregation.

Left Bottom: Bishop Long embraces a friend in September of 2010.

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Eddie Long is also being sued, (as reported by the Wall Street Journal in October) by ten members of his congregation who say they lost more than $1 million in fraudulent investment schemes orchestrated by the pastor.

Long’s wife filed a petition for divorce Thursday in DeKalb County Superior Court to end her 21 year marriage to the embattled minister. The church sent out a press release Friday morning saying Vanessa Long planned to withdraw her petition, but her attorney said later in the Long’s wife is an elder at New Birth, day that she had changed her having been confirmed, according mind. to the church’s website, by divine appointment in October 2004. In her petition, Vanessa Long She runs the women’s ministry, indicated that the marriage is Heart to Heart, and has hosted a irretrievably broken and that there number of women’s conferences. was no hope of reconciliation of

the parties. She asked the court for temporary and permanent alimony, as well as attorney’s fees and an equitable division of marital and non-marital property.

“Vanessa and I are working together in seeking Gods will in our current circumstances,” Eddie Long said in a written statement.

According to the divorce petition, the couple is currently living in a bona fide state of separation.

The pastor had hoped that settling a sex scandal lawsuit for an undisclosed amount against allegations that he used influence, trips, gifts and jobs to coerce young males into sexual relations would close the lid on the matter.

But the mess won’t subside and trouble keeps on coming: Long’s wife has just filed for divorce, the church coffers and membership keep shrinking, and he is now stepping down temporarily from his bully pulpit.

bishops pedophilic penchant for pubescent boys, whom he calls “spiritual sons.”

The pressure for Long to step down at New Birth, some would argue, has been more about And, sadly, some parishioners the church losing money than just didn’t care. “What he does its loose morals concerning the in his personal time, he does,” safety of children. said Adrian Jackson, a New Birth member for 21 years. “As And in tackling the moral long as he’s in there preaching, aspect of Long’s transgression, that’s what matters to me.” too many black Christian conservatives have confused Long, like too many African- same-gender sexual violence American ministers on the with homosexuality, thinking “down low,” has erected his purging the pulpit of homosexual bully pulpit denouncing gays preachers will resolve the while using his clerical authority problem. to court and to covet vulnerable young fatherless males.

“Bishop Eddie Long must go! End the awful Sodom and Gomorrah During his infamous anti-gay practices in the Black Pulpit!” march in December 2004 stated a protest flyer the titled “Stop the Silence,” which Commission Holding Religious denounced same-sex marriage, Institutions to Sacred Trust Long stated, “In essence, (CHRIST) located in Memphis, God made Eve to help Adam Tennessee, disturbed outside of replenish the Earth. Woman has the church. the canal ... everything else is an exit. ...Cloning, homosexuality “End the rising epidemic and lesbianism are spiritual feminization of young black abortions. Homosexuality is males! For his sins, crimes a manifestation of the fallen against black male humanity, man.” obstruction of justice, and

Casting himself as the underdog, first as the biblical David up against the Goliath, and now as Moses who had to keep his hands raised against the iniquities of his adversaries, Long would have done better to cast himself as an unregistered and unrepentant pedophile.

Who among us would not flinch at the thought of a “holy man” preying on children instead of praying with them?

And what faith can anyone have in a church that says it stands on the teachings of Jesus yet violates his biblical mandate stated in Mark 10:14: “Let the children come to me; do not try to stop them; for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these.”

But for those inside Long’s stained-glass closet at New Birth Missionary Baptist Church, many have known of the www.gospelpagesmag.com | SPRING 2012 | GOSPEL PAGES MAGAZINE

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for using $25 million dollars of tithe money to pay off an attempted cover-up of his practices of pederasty -Sodom and Gomorrah from the pulpit of the Full Gospel New Birth Missionary Church, where he perpetrated it against young vulnerable, impressionistic black males.”

both on the victims and their families. Therefore, churches -- like the Catholic Church and New Birth -- close their eyes in taking full responsibility and accountability for the abuse.

Some in the church deflect attention from this issue by raising fallacious questions about causality between As an institution that vows pedophilia and homosexuality. to protect the old, the sick, However, in the face of the downtrodden, and all of overwhelming evidence by God’s children, New Birth has behavioral scientists to refute not only failed at it’s earthly such a harmful and homophobic mission, but it has also failed claim, the belief persists. at recognizing one of the places where it needs healing Pedophilia is a form of sexual -- sexual violence. violence.

And as such, pedophilia is the expression One of the reasons many of anger through sexual churches -- Protestant and exploitation. It is the abuse Catholic -- avoid implementing of power and the use of a zero-tolerance policy for their force, such as manipulation, pedophilic clerics is because physical violence, emotional the church neither sees nor coercion and extortion, which understands pedophilia as is expressed through sexual a form of sexual violence. acts. Pedophilia is a violation to It’s pervasiveness within the ones sense of bodily integrity, church, from it’s seminarians to and it is maintained within it’s bishops, has anesthetized ecclesiastical institutions when church officials to the severity an ongoing cycle of abuse of the crime and it’s effects, goes on unaccounted for and

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unexamined.

While the commonly held belief these days, given the media frenzy, is that gay Catholic priests and closeted Protestant clerics have a patent on this form of sexual violence, pedophilia is not specific to one’s gender, race, class, sexual orientation, vocation or religion. Viewed as a sin and not a crime by most clerics, pedophilia maintains itself in ecclesiastical institutions in our churches through a culture of silence, deception and shame. And pedophilia is also believed to be overcome by daily offerings of prayers and penance -- but not prosecution.

And while pedophilia is a sin within a theological view because it is an ongoing act that exercises control in the life of the pedophile to the point that it enslaves the person and relegates him to a fallen state, pedophilia is also a crime within a legal view.

Mickey Howard has been the Sales Manager of GM Vehicles and Pre-Owned Cars at Sale Automall for 13 years.

Starting in 1998, Howard said the biggest change he’s noticed over the years is the quality of the staff.

“The quality of our entire staff has done nothing but rise over the last decade,” Howard said. “The quality of managers, service reps, our service department, office staff, mechanics, service writers - luckily we’ve hired some good people and thankfully they’ve stayed with us.”

Howard said the internet has also helped increase sales.

Malibus and Impalas.

“We offer GM, Chevrolet, Buick - all of which get aver 32mpg. We have 8 different cars that get over 30mpg,” Howard said. “GM offers the Chevy Volt, which is an electirc car. In the not too distant future customers will be able to order the Volt directly from us with a starting price around $38,000.”

According to Howard, Sale Auto Mall employs 17 full-time salesmen.

“Our busiest time of day is around lunch, then from 5:30 “Probably 12 - 15% of our business comes from the to 8 p.m.,” Howard said. “We’re open during the week from internet,” Howard said. “The website has definitely brought 8:30 a.m. 8 pm. at night, and on weekends we’re open from people to us from out of town; these aren’t people that are 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday.” finding us on their way home from work. Beach weather is really good for business; the increased traffic on U.S. 70.”

Howard said Sale Auto Mall is currently selling more fuel efficient vehicles than anything else.

Howard said the dealership benifitted from President Obama’s “cash for clunkers” program.

“Even our sports cars - Corvettes, Camaros - even they get 27/28 mpg on the open highway,” Howard said. “We want “That program encouraged alot of people to trade in for more of our hometown people to come in and shop with us cars with better gas mileage,” Howard said. that’s what we’re really looking for. We feel that we’re very competitive with other dealers. People don’t have to go out Howard said GM is currently offering great incentives on of town to get a good deal on a car.”

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Join us online today! And may God bless you. www.gospelpagesmag.com | SPRING 2012 | GOSPEL PAGES MAGAZINE

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[Story continued from page 3.]

Q A Q A Q A

When will the new church in Kinston open?

The new church will open sometime in May.

Q A

How large is the current congregation?

Attendance is about 400 regularly. We’ve just added another church in Kinston, located at 601 West Road. We have services at the West Road church on Wednesday nights and Saturday nights at 7 p.m. We offer services at our main location on Thursday nights at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday morning at 10 a.m. I’ll be preaching all four services.

How many buildings have been called “Jumping Run Church”?

This is probably the same piece of land but the 4th building, same location. We added on to the last church, which was built in 1965 - built a building when I got there and 5 years ago built new sanctuary.

Wynn Odom Ford has been serving great deals on all Ford cars and trucks across Eastern NC for decades. We have one of the best selections of used cars and trucks in the La Grange, Snow Hill, Goldsboro and Kinston area. Wynn Odom Ford as well has a full service department that can maintain all foreign and domestic cars and trucks. Please browse our website to learn about our commitment to you – THE CUSTOMER!

Q A Q A

Are there any other church activities you’d like to discuss?

We have a youth ministry called J.U.M.P. - Juveniles Under the Master’s Plan, which will put on a free skating event at Galaxy of Sports in Kinston on April 27th, from 7 p.m. - 10 p.m. My son, William Lawson III, is our youth minister. At this event last year we had over 500 teens in attendance. We rent the rink that night and we provide Christian music, games, prizes, and at the end of the evening, my son preaches a message.

Why did you decide to go independent?

It was just the leading of the Lord that inspired us to go independent.

How far away do people come to hear you preach?

They come from Kinston, La Grange, Snow Hill, Goldsboro, and Greenville. One couple comes from Clayton, they are about the furthest.

Greene and Duplin counties. Wynn Odom Ford is proud to be one of the original Blue Oval Certified dealers with one of the highest customer satisfaction scores in both sales and service in all of North Carolina.

Currently, our year-to-date Voice of Customer Index (customer satisfaction score) is above 95 percent. That means that over 90 percent would DEFINITELY RECOMMEND our dealership as a place to purchase or service a Ford car Wynn Odom Ford, Inc. is a family owned Ford dealership or truck. We are as well very proud that almost the entire which has been in operation for over 25 years. We are remaining 10 percent balance have scored us as VERY the oldest, continually operating Ford Franchise in the SATISFIED. four counties we primarily serve which are Lenior, Wayne, 8 GOSPEL PAGES MAGAZINE | SPRING 2012 | www.gospelpagesmag.com

Book Review DIVINE [karen kingsbury]

Best-selling author Karen Kingsbury weaves another dramatic story of tragedy and redemption!

Mary Madison was a child of unspeakable horrors, a young woman society wanted to forget. Now a divine power has set Mary free to bring lifechanging hope and love to battered and abused women living in the shadow of the nation’s capital.

Mary is educated and redeemed, a powerful voice in Washington, D.C., both to the politically elite and to other women like her. But she also has a past that shamed polite society. Her experiences created in her paralyzing fear, faithlessness, addiction, and promiscuity. At the crossroads of her life, only one power set Mary free and gave her a lifetime of love and hope.

A power that could only be divine.

Karen Kingsbury is currently America’s best-selling inspirational author.

She has written more than 30 life-changing fiction titles and has nearly 5 million books in print. Dubbed by Time magazine as the Queen of Christian Fiction, her fiction has made her one of the country’s favorite storytellers, and one of her novels Gideon’s Gift, is under production for an upcoming major motion picture release. Her emotionally gripping titles include the popular Redemption series, the Firstborn series, Divine, One Tuesday Morning, Beyond Tuesday Morning, Oceans Apart, and A Thousand Tomorrows. Karen and her husband, Don, live in the Pacific Northwest and are parents to one girl and five boys, including three adopted from Haiti.

THE SECOND MESSIAH [glenn meade] Archaeology fascinates in Second Messiah by Glenn Meade.

Glenn Meade’s latest offering is a modern geopolitical thriller that mixes ancient beliefs, historic texts, and age-old power struggles, reflecting recent headlines and tapping political and religious hot buttons.

Archeologist Jack Crane is working at a Qumran dig, near the site where his late parents worked twenty years earlier, when his team discovers a 2,000-year-old parchment. Initial translations suggest potentially scandalous inscriptions regarding an imposter Jesus Christ—a second messiah. Before the document can be completely translated, the head archaeologist is murdered and the parchment stolen. Investigators name Jack the primary suspect.

Despite having Israeli policewoman Lela Raul, an old friend who also knew his parents, questioning him in the murder investigation, Jack pursues the manuscript from Qumran to Syria to Rome and back to Israel. His search for the scroll—and for truth—takes him into ancient Roman catacombs and secret Vatican libraries. It also places him in the cross hairs of dangerous men with much to lose should he recover and publicize the scroll. www.gospelpagesmag.com | SPRING 2012 | GOSPEL PAGES MAGAZINE

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Weeks before Jack’s surreptitious journey takes him to Rome, the Eternal City had celebrated the election of a new pope. Formerly the American priest John Becket, Pope Celestine VI seeks a new era of honesty, openness, and confession within the Catholic Church. He proposes, to the horror of many church leaders, to open the vaults containing both ancient and recent records—financial, theological, and historical alike. If he is successful in this quest, he risks revealing his own secrets, ones that have haunted him for twenty years. But the behind-the-scenes power brokers don’t want any secrets revealed, personal or private, and newly discovered scrolls that might cast doubt on foundational doctrines of the church are fair game in this deadly winner-take-all.

Meade knows how to entangle, and untangle, an exciting array of characters and plots guaranteed to keep the reader hooked. What does the scroll really say? How exactly did Jack’s parents die? How does the new pope connect to them? Will this controversy truly threaten a worldwide, 2,000-year-old institution?

The mysterious, fascinating realm of biblical archaeology invites the reader into a wilderness simmering with anticipation and possibilities.

Meade successfully paints a sunny, hot, and dusty desert that, despite it’s inherent discomforts, captivates lovers of antiquity for all the treasures it hides beneath it’s sandy surface. A talented storyteller, he sets the scene quickly before taking off on a rollicking ride that keeps the pages turning.

It’s a hard book to put down. Seamlessly mixing fact with fiction, Meade leaves the reader wondering how much of the story could possibly be true. His author’s note reveals surprising and extensive research.

Characters and their motives are well developed. The romance, not so much. While he lays the foundation for Jack and Lela to move beyond mere friendship, Meade’s attempts at romantic dialogue and emotion are stilted at best. The characters’ relationship disappoints in the end.

But individually, they shine. The story doesn’t need romance anyway— it stands beautifully on the tension that fairly twangs as Jack races to mediate between truth and power.

Source: http://www.crosswalk.com/culture/books/fiction/archaeologyfascinates-in-i-second-messiah-i.html

INVISIBLE [lorena mccourtney] She’s not your average crime fighter! Ivy Malone has a curiosity that sometimes gets her into trouble, and it’s only aggravated by her discovery that she can easily escape the public eye.

So when vandals romp through the local cemetery, she takes advantage of her newfound anonymity and it’s unforeseen advantages as she launches her own unofficial investigation. Despite her oddball humor and unconventional snooping, Ivy soon becomes discouraged by her failure to turn up any solid clues. And after Ivy witnesses something ominous and unexplained, she can’t resist putting her investigative powers to work again.

Even the authorities’ attempts to keep Ivy out of danger and her nosy neighbor’s match-making schemes can’t slow her down. But will the determination that fuels this persistent, quirky sleuth threaten her very safety?

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WATER’S EDGE [robert whitlow] Water’s Edge a kinder, gentler law thriller. By specializing in ethicallyminded legal novels set in the South, it’s not hard to see why North Carolina attorney Robert Whitlow has drawn comparisons to John Grisham.

Of course, that’s a little hyperbolic, but still in the same arena.

Water’s Edge, Whitlow’s latest, is heavier on the ethics and lighter on the legalese than most of Grisham’s work, so it becomes a kinder, gentler law thriller whose mystery develops at a modest pace under the guidance of a competent hand. It’s a quick, but nonetheless compelling, read which asks some real questions about the relevance of an ancient faith in the modern world.

The novel follows Atlanta attorney Tom Crane, who in one day loses both his high-profile job and his girlfriend (as well as his cat). He’s scheduled to return home to his hometown of Bethel, Georgia, to close out the business of his late father, also a lawyer, and when he gets there, Crane begins to discover some things don’t add up about his father’s last months, or his death in what was termed a drowning during a fishing trip. In the process of investigating, Crane recommits to the Christian faith of his father, thanks to the influence of his uncle Elias, and reawakens a relationship with his high school girlfriend Tiffany.

However, Crane’s faith is immediately tested by both the investigation and the new relationship. Through the twists and turns of the plot, Whitlow maintains a good degree of mystery about the outcome of Crane’s investigation. He adds a nice twist near the novel’s end, but it resolves itself a bit too tidily to gain maximum impact.

Whitlow wisely forgoes placing the country-versus-city dilemma which is suggested by the novel’s cover art front and center. Instead, the heart of the story lies not in the legal arena, but the spiritual one. This becomes a more sophisticated conflict. Since Crane’s conversion occurs early, it allows time for him to wrestle with the implications of a total commitment to Christ. Once he returns to the faith of his father, he is faced with new dilemmas. These aren’t the standard do-the-right-thing-against-all-odds type of decisions, but more gray.

Setting is both one of the novel’s greatest strengths and it’s weaknesses.

Whitlow’s descriptions of northwest Georgia’s terrain and the mood which it creates are obviously borne out of experience, and rendered lovingly to give the place an otherworldly quality. One striking example of this is the creation of Austin’s Pond, the spot where Tom’s father died, which takes on a great significance. However, in spots, Whitlow seems to make Bethel a bit too clean.

It’s hard to imagine such a place as Bethel, where everyone Crane encounters is decent, and well-mannered, and the food is out of this world, existing in the twenty-first century. It seems like it belongs to another time, which saps a bit of the novel’s verisimilitude.

Regardless of this, Water’s Edge remains a success, offering probing spiritual questions and a nice puzzle of a plot. It is definitely directed squarely at a Christian audience, but goes below the surface to pose questions for readers maturing in their faith. And it’s admonition to walk in the “ancient paths” is a timeless message indeed.

Source: http://www.crosswalk.com/culture/books/fiction/i-water-sedge-i-a-kinder-gentler-law-thriller.html

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COURAGEOUS [randy alcorn] Been there, seen that in Courageous. Courageous starts off with a bang: Nathan Hayes has just moved back to his hometown of Albany, Georgia, when a simple stop for gas turns into a carjacking. Nathan’s not about to let the thieves get away—he leaps onto the truck, dangling from the driver’s door like Indiana Jones as the carjackers speed away. Without thought for his own safety, Nathan risks life and limb to save not his truck, but his young son tucked into a car seat in the back. It’s a terrific beginning.

Unfortunately, it’s all pretty much downhill from there. If I had to describe Courageous in one word, it would be “wholesome.” Randy Alcorn is to be commended for taking a formulaic story (from the screenplay by Fireproof creators Alex & Stephen Kendrick) and turning it into a readable book. He has a nice ear for dialogue and his descriptions build clear mental pictures.

He’s even good at making the preachy parts palatable. Be advised, there are plenty of sermons tucked in these pages on topics ranging from the dangers of drug abuse to “true love waits” anti-abortion activism and more.

It’s not the messages themselves that is the problem, it’s the “been there, seen that” aspect of it all. There’s just nothing new here. Here’s the story in a nutshell: crime-fighting dads (they work in the sheriff’s department) realize that being a dad is scarier than taking down bad guys.

They band together in an accountability program—which actually sounds terrific, by the way—and go on to become better fathers. As the tag line says, “Honor begins at home.” No quarrel with that here; it’s just all so Lifetime movie of the week. The guys get their acts together, their kids respond exactly the way they should, and they all live happily ever after.

Oh, there’s one dad who gets busted for doing something he shouldn’t and suffers the consequences, but even that worn-out plot device can’t freshen up this story.

It’s a fairy tale for fathers, designed to hit every emotional button. Our cast is carefully assembled—black guy who made something of himself after growing up on the wrong side of town, likeable and hardworking white guys, and a poor but honest Hispanic immigrant. There’s even that staple of southern police shows, the big-bellied Bubba who throws his considerable weight around in pursuit of what he considers justice. There’s the daughter who may be falling for the wrong boy, the son heading down the wrong path, the new hire at Headquarters who’s making deputies’ lives miserable, the unforeseen tragedy that strikes close to home . . . we’ve seen it all before in countless movies and TV shows. It’s a testament to Alcorn’s skill that he makes these stock characters and situations almost believable.

The movie version of Courageous has been released. Despite its failings, if the book that shares its name helps men become better fathers then it’s worth reading through a little déjà vu.

Source: http://www.crosswalk.com/culture/books/fiction/been-thereseen-that-in-i-courageous-i.html

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Albums

SOMETHING BIG [mary mary]

Mary Mary still knows how to make an entrance, opening their sixth album with a raucous stomper -- the album’s title track -- that samples the Jackson 5’s “Mama’s Pearl.” The following track, “Something Bigger,” increases the energy with super-charged marching-band percussion.

When Warryn Campbell’s production work isn’t quite as in-the-face, the duo does not exactly dull their message; the sleek mid tempo track “Blind,” for instance, isn’t merely humble but verbally self-lacerating. Although “Walking” sounds surprisingly punchless for a track that replays elements of Crystal Waters’ club classic “Gypsy Woman,” it just about towers over the album’s second half, which sags with plaintively strummed acoustic guitars and churning electric guitars.

These relatively dry songs lack the edge of the album’s first half. One exception is the closing “Homecoming Glory,” rich folk-soul gospel with striking harmonies.

AS WE WORSHIP [william mcdowell]

On gospel singer/songwriter William McDowell’s ambitious two-CD set “As We Worship Live,” by far his favorite word is “generation,” a word he repeats time and again in his songs of praise and worship. “Give us your heart for this generation,” he implores God at the outset. Nowhere does he quote President Kennedy’s inaugural address, “The torch has been passed to a new generation,” but he might as well have, since he is claiming to speak for a new generation of Christian worshippers. On their behalf, he tends to convey the same old message in the same old terms, but he emphasizes the significance it has to a younger audience.

“This is a generation of world changers,” he declares in “Give Us Your Heart.”

In his introduction to the song, he compares himself to David, called to fight Goliath, but he defines the Goliaths he intends to fight as poverty, homelessness, loneliness, and abortion. McDowell is a soft-spoken preacher and a smoothvoiced tenor singer as he takes the traditional call-and-response leads over his choir. But this musical prayer session is anything but sedate; rather, it is a call to action. And as far as McDowell is concerned, that action is being inspired by God in contemporary terms. “He wants to download His heart to us so we can go and change the world,” according to McDowell, who seems ready to lead his congregation out the church door to do God’s work, as the singer/preacher perceives it.

HELLO FEAR [kirk franklin]

Last go-round, Kirk Franklin was dark and cathartic for “The Fight of My Life,” but for 2011’s Hello Fear, despite the title, Franklin sounds much more positive (but still dedicated). On the cover, he stands at the edge of a rocky cliff, looking serious, ready to confront any obstacle. After all, saying hello to fear is a welcome and not a withdrawal. Inside, although Franklin definitely sounds a sober note during his spoken word narrative “The Story of Fear,” the music is different: hopeful, inspired, encouraging. The album title is especially ironic given that Hello Fear features some of the most uplifting material Franklin has written in several years, including “Give Me,” “Today,” and the lead single “I Smile.” Elsewhere, he reprises his 1998 classic “Something About the Name Jesus” with a part two that includes contributions from Rance Allen, Marvin Winans, and John P. Kee, and welcomes Marvin Sapp for “The Altar.”

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TRIUMPHANT [vashawn mitchell]

Singer, songwriter, and choral director Vashawn Mitchell makes his EMI Gospel debut with “Triumphant,” recorded live at his Higher Living Church in Atlanta, Georgia. Mitchell is possessed by a smooth, light baritone that he uses to croon ballads like “Nobody Greater” and “Be Fruitful,” but he is just as interested in playing his part at the head of the choir, serving as a cheerleader who plays to the congregation along with the recording machines.

“I like this part!” he exclaims as the bridge approaches on the lead-off track, “Conqueror,” later adding, “Make some noise!” as if this were a hip-hop concert instead of a religious service. Mitchell’s gospel music is heavily influenced by ‘70s and ‘80s R&B, and he particularly suggests Lionel Richie on “I Need You” and “Earth, Wind & Fire” on “Just Another Day.” But he can turn more traditional, notably on “You Reign” and “His Blood Still Works,” stepping aside on the latter to turn the microphone over to an exuberant Lisa Page Brooks, whose cries of “Oh, the blood!” can be more disturbing than inspiring. Of course, that’s the blood of Jesus she means. Elsewhere, Mitchell maintains his call-and-response relationship with his singers, reciting the lyrics just before they sing them and exhorting the faithful: “Get those hands up for real!” he commands at one point, at another asking, “Can the worshipers join in?” The worshipers can be heard here and there, even though this is not a traditional live recording. In fact, the tracks often fade out at the end, or rather, the volume drops suddenly for the last few seconds, thus de-emphasizing the live aspect. But then, this is not a concert, even if Mitchell and his musicians and singers often work things up to a considerable froth.

HERE I AM [marvin sapp]

Marvin Sapp insists he is a preacher who sings rather than a singer who preaches, but regardless of his sense of self-identity in such matters, it is his strong and soulful vocals that make his albums work far more than the praise and worship themes and lyrics he favors. What he says, obviously, comes into play for his many fans on the contemporary gospel scene (and there are enough of those fans so that “Here I Am” debuted higher in the Billboard charts than any gospel album in the past 50 years), but he’s not conveying concepts that are exactly startling revelations in this field. No, it’s that voice that carries the day: a strong, husky, impassioned, and -- above all else -- undeniably soulful vehicle that blasts through these busy arrangements like an alto sax.

The songs themselves are fairly interchangeable, with a backup choir and full trap kit mixed high in most of them, giving each the feel of tremendous energy.

Toss in Sapp’s assertive vocals and you’ve got some rockin’ preaching going on, but in the end, it’s really how Sapp says things more than what he says that is left in one’s memory. “Here I Am” (recorded live in 2009) is a bit more uptempo and diverse than Sapp’s previous album, “Thirsty,” but it ís cut from the same cloth, opening with the very danceable “I Came” and following with similar energy through to the gorgeous praise ballad “The Best in Me,” which is arguably the best track here. He may be a preacher who sings, but it’s the singing that truly resonates, and on “The Best in Me,” Sapp puts the whole package together.

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“W

e’re just enjoying what we’re doing, and seeing the joy it brings to those we perform for is amazing. You can’t beat word of mouth.”

The Gospel Consulators Although Charles Fuller has directed the Gospel Consulators for 17 years, the group has been in existence for 51 years.

Along with Fuller on bass and vocals, the Gospel Consulators feature Joycelyn Green on drums, George Williams and Ellen Rouse on vocals, Lynwood Cotton on drums, and a variety of guitarists.

us to play for the sick and the elderly for free at nursing homes; we don’t While most musicians saturate the charge for performing at those types internet with Facebook, Twitter and of venues.”

Reverb Nation postings, the Gospel Consolators have decided to spread When the Gospel Consolators perform, their message the old fashioned way face to face. they usually feature an opening act.

“After the openers are finsihed, we put on a show filled with mostly traditional Gospel music,” Fuller said. “We mostly “We’ve recently performed in perform at different churches, but as Chocowinity, Rosewood and Clayton,” of late we’ve been performing at a lot Fuller said. “For our recent show at of men’s day celebrations and nursing the Snow Hill Community Center, we homes in Greenville, Goldsboro and charged $10 for admission. This allows Kinston.”

“We don’t have any websites or recordings,” Fuller said. “We’re just enjoying what we’re doing, and seeing the joy it brings to those we perform for is amazing. You can’t beat word of mouth.”

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United Gospel Community Choir Marcus Monroe, 35, has been the director of the United Gospel Community Choir for four years.

The choir - which is based in eastern North Carolina - celebrates a milestone in September.

“This September marks our fourth anniversary,” Monroe said. “We’re currently performing five or six shows per month.”

but usually we have fundraisers to cover the expense of traveling long distances.”

While the United Gospel Community Choir mainly focuses on live performances, they have recorded a CD single that is available for purchase at their shows.

“The name of the song is ‘Lord, You Are,’” Monroe said. “We might get around to recording While the choir is based in eastern North a full album at some point, but right now we’re Carolina, Monroe says the choir spreads the focused on getting in front of people and making gospel in areas far away from their home base. a connection; we want them to be blessed.”

“We’ve performed in Washington D.C., Durham, Raleigh, Elizabethtown - we go wherever the For more information on the United Gospel Lord wants us to go,” Monroe said.

Community Choir, visit http://www.ugcc07. org/home.

While the United Gospel Community Choir receive requests from all sorts of organizations and businesses, Monroe said they try to avoid secular functions. As if anyone needed further evidence that the choir’s intentions were pure, you may be shocked to find out they don’t charge for their services.

“We’re out there to bless somebody,” Monroe said. “We’ve got shows coming up at the Greenville Community Center, Saint Delight, and several family reunions. We may take up a love offering to cover transportation costs,

“R

ight now we’re focused on getting in front of people and making a connection; we want them to be blessed.”

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Recipes

CAJUN DEEP FRIED TURKEY Makes: 1 servings Prep Time: 45 minutes Cook Time: 45 minutes Ready In: 1 hour, 30 minutes

Ingredients: • 12-15 pounds turkey • 1 1/2 cup Italian dressing • 1 stick butter • 1 handful Cajun seasonings • peanut oil, amount depending on size of turkey • garlic powder and onion powder to taste Two days prior to cooking: Defrost turkey. Although not recommended by the FDA, if you forget to take it out early enough, some people choose to thaw it in warm water in the sink, draining and refilling as water turns cool.

Evening prior: Strain Italian dressing to catch items too big for the injector needle. Melt a stick of butter and add to the strained dressing.

Take a handful of your favorite Cajun seasonings and add to marinade (we prefer Tony Chachere’s (TM) Creole seasoning, Chef Paul Prudhomme’s blackened seasoning, Zatarain’s Creole seasoning, Cajun Shake seasonings, and any Cajun spice we can get our hands on).

Add onion powder and garlic powder to taste. You can also purchase Cajun injector seasoning from the store.

needed. Oil should just cover the top of turkey. Ensure you have a hole at the top of the plastic bag, otherwise the bag will expand with air and you will not get an accurate reading.

Take turkey out of oil and place back in cooler.

An alternative is to use water the previous day prior to seasoning/injecting turkey. Place turkey in a plastic bag and then place in the pot. Pour water into pot until bagged turkey is fully submerged. Remove turkey, mark the water level, empty water, dry and pour oil to that spot.

Heat oil to 375-400°F. It takes approximately 30 minutes.

Remove turkey from plastic wrap and place in oil. Oil should drop to 350°. Ensure you keep the temperature between 325°-350°F, but the closer to 350°F the better. Cook 2-3 minutes per pound. Never, ever cover pot with a lid! You will have much more on your hands than a smokin’ Cajun turkey!

Use injector to inject marinade into the breasts, thighs, and wings. Stick the needle all the way in. As you slowly pull out, slowly press and inject spices into the turkey. Inject from multiple angles for maximum coverage. The more you use, the juicier the turkey will be when you cook it. Also, rub seasoning on the outside of the turkey, under the skin, and You may cook a larger turkey, but most cookers can’t handle the inside cavity. more than 20 pounds. Anything over 20 pounds will be hard to fit in the pot and will make cooking the very tip extremely Place turkey, legs up, on holder and place inside plastic oven tricky. roasting bag. Keep overnight in an ice chest with a little ice.

Remove and let the turkey rest before carving. According to Morning of: Emeril, the best way to carve is to pull the legs, wings and Fill fryer approximately 1/3 with oil (You don’t need peanut thighs off; then undercut the breast following the bone to oil, but once you try it, you won’t use anything else. It also the center and then slice. smokes less).

Dip turkey while in the plastic bag in oil and fill or drain as www.gospelpagesmag.com | SPRING 2012 | GOSPEL PAGES MAGAZINE

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DEVILED EGGS

Ingredients: • 6 eggs, hard boiled • 1 tablespoon mustard • 1 to 3 tablespoon mayonnaise (adjust as needed - see directions) • 1/2 teaspoon dill weed • 1/4 cup chopped onion (optional) • 1/4 cup FINELY chopped celery (optional) • 1/4 tablespoon salt (adjust to taste) • 1/4 tablespoon black pepper • 1 and 1/2 teaspoons sweet pickle relish, all liquid pressed out (optional) • Dash paprika Evening prior: Strain Italian dressing to catch items too big for the injector needle. Melt a stick of butter and add to the strained dressing. Take a handful of your favorite Cajun seasonings and add to marinade.

Makes 12 stuffed eggs.

Directions: 1. Cook eggs per instructions below (How to Make Perfect Boiled Eggs) 2. Allow eggs to cool. Peel eggs then slice boiled eggs lengthwise.

2. Carefully remove yokes from eggs into a mixing bowl. Set egg halves (white shells) aside.

4. Add all remaining ingredients, except paprika, to egg yolks and mash into a paste with a fork.

Note: Add mayonnaise 1 tablespoon at a time until you get the consistency you want. You may need more or less mayo.

5. Gently, stuff the egg white halves with the egg yolk mixture.

6. Shake a light dusting of paprika on the top of the stuffed eggs.

Combine with Barbecue Ribs and Potato Salad for a perfect lunch or dinner.

How to Make Perfect Boiled Eggs Every Time 1. Place eggs in a sauce pan and cover eggs with 2 inches of COLD water.

2. Bring water to a rolling boil.

3. Turn off heat and cover pot with a tight lid.

3. Allow to sit undisturbed for 12 minutes.

4. While waiting, prepare an ice bath by placing ice in a large bowl of water.

5. After the 12 minute wait, remove eggs from pot and place in ice bath.

6. Allow to sit in ice bath until cool enough to handle comfortably with bare hands.

The Easy Way to Peel Boiled Eggs: 1. After eggs have cooled, tap egg ends on hard surface to crack egg shell.

2. Still on a hard surface, lay egg on it’s side and roll egg back and forth with gentle but firm pressure. Your goal is to loosen the thin membrane between the shell and the egg without breaking the egg inside. This may take a little practice.

4. Peel egg, watching for the membrane under the shell. As soon as you get the membrane coming off with the shell, it will peel easily.

Source: http://www.olsouthrecipes.com/stuffedeggs.html

BANANA SPLIT CAKE

Ingredients: • 18.25 ounce package yellow cake mix • 2 (3.5 ounce) packages instant vanilla pudding mix • 8 ounce package cream cheese • 1 1/2 cups milk • 3 ripe bananas • 2 (8 ounce) cans crushed pineapple, drained • 16 ounce package frozen whipped topping, thawed • 4 ounce jar maraschino cherries, drained • 1/4 cup chopped walnuts

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Directions: 1. Bake cake as directed on package. Cool completely.

2. In a medium bowl, combine pudding, cream cheese and milk. Beat until smooth. Spread on cake.

3. Slice bananas thin and arrange on top of pudding mixture. Spread drained pineapple on top of bananas.

4. Cover entire cake with whipped topping.

Garnish with cherries and chopped walnuts.

SOUTHERN FRIED CHICKEN Ingredients: • Fresh, cut-up chicken • 2 cups flour • 2 tablespoons salt • 1/2 tablespoon black pepper • 1 whole egg • 3/4 cup buttermilk • Cooking oil as required (see directions)

Probably the number one main course served in the South, Southern Fried Chicken is a mainstay of Southern Cooking.

The golden brown, crispy crust is what distinguishes Southern Fried Chicken from ordinary fried chicken. Use the following tips to ensure your Southern Fried Chicken is a success every time.

mix well.

4. On a large plate, combine flour, salt, pepper, mix well.

5. Wash chicken parts, pat dry.

6. Dip each chicken part in the egg-milk wash, then roll in flour mix to coat on all sides 7. Place chicken parts back in the egg wash again and then in the flour mix again to coat a second time.

Tips: 8. Check oil temperature (place handle of wooden spoon • Do not use skinless chicken. Although the skin adds fat it in oil. You should get bubbles rising around the handle also provides the crispy crust essential for Southern fried immediately.) chicken. You will not get a good crust without the skin. Also, 9. Place chicken parts in frying pan (should not be touching the double dip (step 7 below) is important to achieve that each other). special crust.

10. Fry chicken on first side 2 minutes then turn to other • Use a cast iron skillet if possible. It just seems to make side. better fried foods.

11. REDUCE HEAT TO MEDIUM • Use an oil that handles high heat. We recommend refined 12. Continue to fry on each side until golden brown. peanut, avocado or safflower oil. (Must be “Refined”).

• Be sure the skillet and oil are hot before placing chicken in Note: Even though you have a golden brown crust on the the pan. The first few minutes of frying is what seals in the outside, the inside of the thicker pieces may not be fully flavor and gives a good crust. Use the wooden handle test in cooked, especially if you are using frozen chicken which you step 8 to make sure oil is hot enough before adding chicken. defrosted. The best (and safest) test for doneness is to use • Use thongs to turn chicken. Do not use a fork or other a meat thermometer. Place it in the thigh or thickest part utensil that will puncture the chicken skin. of the chicken, without touching the bone. You should read • After removing cooked chicken from skillet, never cover a minimum temperature of 165 degrees F. If you do not chicken. Covering will affect the crispness of the crust. If you have a meat thermometer, cut deep into one of the thickest need to keep chicken warm to serve later, put it in an oven pieces with a sharp knife and observe for any pink coloring. set on low.

If pink, continue cooking. There should be no pink! If you are • For very tender chicken, soak overnight in buttermilk in the concerned about the chicken cooking through (or if you live refrigerator. at an altitude over 1,000 feet), you can boil the chicken first • You may substitute your favorite chicken parts for the for 20-30 minutes, then fry per the instruction above. whole chicken in the recipe below.

Leftover chicken should be refrigerated within 2 hours of Directions: cooking. You may keep refrigerated leftovers for 2 to 3 days.

1. Using a large frying pan (cast iron works best), fill with Although it will lose it’s crunchiness, cold Southern fried enough cooking oil to cover at least half the thickness of the chicken is very tasty the next day. Goes well with fried okra chicken (about 2-3 inches oil depth in the pan). and green beans.

2. Place frying pan on stove top burner on medium-high heat.

3. In a medium size mixing bowl, combine egg and buttermilk, Source: http://www.olsouthrecipes.com/friedchicken.html

SUMMER FRUIT PUNCH Ingredients: • • • •

2 2 2 1

cups diced stone fruit, (apricots, plums, peaches, nectarines) cups apricot juice cups sparkling wine cup seltzer

Preparation: Combine diced fruit, apricot juice, sparkling cider and seltzer. Divide among 4 ice-filled glasses. www.gospelpagesmag.com | SPRING 2012 | GOSPEL PAGES MAGAZINE

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Herman Cain

The End of His Campaign?

“I had a dream that Herman Cain came back to the race,” wrote one person.

“Caucus and primary, write in Herman Cain!” wrote another.

Herman Cain suspended his presidential campaign early this month, but he’s not going away quietly. A new YouTube video, a reinvigorated Twitter feed and a redesigned website are just some of the signs that Cain wants to keep his message in front of conservative voters.

Cain was using social media to promote public appearances long before he ran for president, and it looks like he’ll be doing it long after.

Cain, who dropped out amid allegations of sexual harassment and a long extramarital affair, paused his promotional efforts for about a week after his departure from the race. But by mid-December, he was inching his way back into the spotlight.

On Dec. 12, he posted to Twitter and Facebook, announcing an appearance on the Sean Hannity Show. A few days later, he uploaded a new video titled “It’s Christmas in America” to his YouTube channel.

The four-minute ad features Cain holding hands with his wife, Gloria, while reading aloud from the Bible in front of a roaring fire.

It also includes Christmas greetings from Cain supporters, footage of snowy towns with flags and twinkle lights and a song called “Christmas in America” sung by a woman cradling an infant while swaying behind a microphone.

Cain’s website, meanwhile, is still recruiting people to join the “Cain Train,” still collecting money and still promoting his signature 9-9-9 tax plan.

“Cain supporters, stay tuned,” he wrote on his website on December 11. “We’re still going to get the job done. We’re going to have to do it from the outside, and I will lead the way and be the people’s voice.

Campaign logos still adorn his Facebook page, and a December 16

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post announcing an upcoming TV appearance received 744 comments, 1,834 likes and 47 shares.

“I had a dream that Herman Cain came back to the race,” wrote one person.

“Caucus and primary, write in Herman Cain!” wrote another.

Also still live: The lavender-themed Women for Cain website on which female supporters shared comments like “Dear Mr. Cain, I fully support you” and “I don’t believe any of these vicious lies.” The site was launched in the days after allegations of an affair became public.

The last update, however, was posted on December 2, two days before Cain dropped out.

album news

TOP GOSPEL ALBUMS

Amber Bullock’s debut release “Thank You” enters atop the Billboard Top Gospel Charts. The album also enters at #10 on the Independent Albums Charts and #145 on the Billboard Top 200 Charts. Le’Andria Johnson’s “The Awakening of Le’Andria Johnson” holds to the #2 position on this week’s charts. “Arise: The Live Worship Experience” from William McDowell moves to the #3 spot followed by “Hello Fear” from Kirk Franklin which enters at the #4 position. “Rehab from Lecrae” rounds out the week’s top five albums. In other chart news, the compilations effort “Coco Brother Presents: Gospel Mix Volume V” jumps ten places to #12.

In the world of radio, “I Need Your Glory” from Earnest Pugh spends its eleventh consecutive week at the top of the radio charts. Isaac Carree’s “In The Middle” holds to the #2 spot while “Spiritual” from Donald Lawrence & Company maintains the #3 position. “Still Able” from James Fortune & FIYA moves to the #4 spot while Kirk Franklin’s “I Smile” rounds out the week’s top five songs.

artist news

MARY MARY

Sisterly duo and Columbia/My Block recording artists Mary Mary have chosen to cancel their scheduled “Have A Mary Mary Christmas Tour” as a result of the impending birth of duo member Erica Campbell’s child. The eight city tour was scheduled to kick off in Austin, Texas on December 8.

Mary Mary are headed to primetime TV with a brand new reality show. Currently titled “Mary Mary,” the new show will chronicle the lives of the sisters Erica & Tina Campbell as they fill both their personal and professional roles. Look for the new series to debut on Mar. 29, 2012 on the WE TV network, which is also home to other reality series including “Bridezillas” and “Braxton Family Values.” The duo also won the Soul Train Music Award for Best Gospel Performance for the track “Walking.” The awards aired on BET & Centric on Nov. 27, 2011. Other nominees for the category included Kirk Franklin, Trin-i-tee 5:7, James Fortune & FIYA, and CeCe Winans. The duo also participated in the evening’s tribute to Gladys Knight performing the legendary track “Midnight Train to Georgia.”

artist news

JESSY DIXON PASSES

Gospel legend Jessy Dixon passed away at his Chicago home on September 26, 2011, at the age of 73. Dixon, born in Texas, came to prominence in Chicago, first as a session keyboardist for Chess Records, then later in front of the Chicago Community Choir, an offshoot of the Thompson Community Singers, with his choir recording several albums on Savoy Records.

Dixon went on to record several solo projects, as well as write songs that were recorded by several mainstream artists, including Diana Ross and Paul Simon, and garnered a top 10 hit of his own in the 1990’s, “I Am Redeemed.” In later years, Dixon was known for his work as a member of The Gaither Singers, being a mainstay in Gaither recordings, videos and concerts, performing the legendary track “Midnight Train to Georgia.”

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