Hello World,

Last week when I was among those who watched the legendary gospel group The Winans perform time-tested hits such as “Tomorrow” and “It’s Time” at the 20th Annual Super Bowl Gospel Celebration, I had no idea that within a couple of days of that awesome performance, I would have the chance to interview Carvin Winans! But as Koryn Hawthorne, who also performed at the celebration, saaangs, “Won’t He Do It?!” But back to Carvin, who will be releasing his first solo album “In the Softest Way,” on March 1… The first single “Once in a Lifetime” from Carvin’s album has been released and made #25 on Billboard!

However, if you are unfamiliar with the illustrious history of Carvin Winans, as they say, let me present him to some and introduce him to others…

Following in the footsteps of his parents who were very powerful singers, Carvin Winans started singing at the tender age of four. The third of 10 extremely talented children and a twin, Carvin quickly showed an extraordinary gift for writing and singing. His love for God transcended in the beautiful songs that he wrote.

A devoted and loving father of six (including OWN’s Greenleaf’s Deborah Joy Winans), the Detroit native made his musical debut in 1981 as a member of the world-renowned Winans family. He has been in the music industry for more than 30 successful years. He first debuted with his brothers on Light Records with the release of “Introducing The Winans,” which was nominated for a Grammy. The group followed up with the release of “Long-time Coming,” which also was nominated for a Grammy.

In 1985, Carvin was recognized with the most prestigious accolade in the industry when he won a Grammy Award for the album “Tomorrow” as he wrote the title track. He and the brothers signed with Quincy Jones at Quest records in 1986 where they recorded six albums, four of which were Grammy Award winners. These include “Live at Carnegie Hall” and “The Winans Return” — the latter of which was certified GOLD. As a group, “The Winans” have been nominated for a Grammy a total of nine times! Carvin also has received several NAACP Image awards, Soul Train awards, Dove awards, and Stellar awards, as a member of The Winans.

Below is my interview with Carvin:

I have always wanted to do a solo album, but I was waiting on God’s timing.  After my brother Ronald passed, I really didn’t want to sing anymore, but after my last album with my brothers Marvin and Bebe, my desire came back and my wife encouraged me to go for it!

I chose a different genre because I wanted to reach a larger audience and spread the message of love to everyone, not just those who listen to gospel or attend church — not that I don’t value that audience.  My goal is to lead people to Jesus through the power of song as Jesus didn’t just preach to the church; he ministered to the saved and the unsaved.  When you listen to the words in my songs on this new album, I’m sure it won’t offend anyone.

My favorite song is “You Blow My Mind (A Song for Chérie). I wrote this song for my beautiful wife Chérie for our wedding. I had never felt such love before when it came to a relationship. I just wanted people to feel in song what my heart was feeling all along.

Stevie and I have worked together before on The Winans song “Everyday the Same” and I consider him a dear friend. I reached out to him, and he loved the song and was kind enough to play harmonica on there for me.  He brought my song “If You Only Knew My Heart”  to another level and I’m so very thankful!  Kenny G has also worked with me before on my song “When You Cry.” He added his gift to the title track “In the Softest Way” without hesitation. This was my first time working with Jam & Lewis; they are truly such amazing producers. My wife got a kick out of being in the studio, knowing that Janet had sat there before. Lol!

The first song on the album is a duet with my twin brother Marvin. We complement each other and feed off each other so well. I’ve been singing with him pretty much all of my life. I hope one day God will bless us to do a twin album together.

I am working on some opportunities to tour this year so I can connect with my fans all over the world.

7.   Your daughter Deborah Joy Winans stars on my favorite drama on TV’s “Greenleaf.” What is it like to see your daughter in the role of “Charity,” especially as she is carrying on the family legacy in a slightly different way? 

I’m proud of her and her accomplishments.  She worked hard in college and honed in on her craft, which is blessing her in her career today.

I would like to give thanks to God for all that He has done for me and the people He has placed in my life to bring my project to life. Thank you to Jeff Walter for all of his support on this project. I am really looking forward to hearing from my fans after the release of my album on March 1; they will hear a sound different to my music in the past. I hope it blesses them.

The post Legendary The Winans’ Member Carvin Winans to Release First Solo Album March 1! (INTERVIEW) appeared first on After the Altar Call.

Tonight, eyes will roll back in their heads, John Boehner will sue the president and Michael Jackson and Tupac will release a new album together when “Black Jesus” premieres on Adult Swim at 11 p.m. Yes, the world will go berserk when Jesus is portrayed as a…wait for it…a black man…

If you haven’t seen the trailer for the “Black Jesus,” which was created by Aaron McGruder, take a look at it here…

Yep, folks are losing their religion over this trailer too…Here are just a few below…

One Million Moms…

Shreveport Religious Leaders…

A Petition on Change.org….

I’ve only recently tuned into the chatter, but I have to wonder what’s so offensive about “Black Jesus?” Is it the black part or is it because he has a “bad habit of bogarting other people’s joints, and a running story line involves his efforts to turn an abandoned lot into a community garden whose vegetables will feed the people as well as hide the marijuana plants” according to The New York Times article “A Holy Guy Keeps His Worldly, Common Touch.”

The funny thing about the Jesus of the actual Bible is that he was offensive to many of His contemporaries.  I’m just guessing as to what many of them thought, but I’m thinking they may have asked – How is a man trained as a carpenter going to save us from our sins? How is a man that doesn’t like any of the popular religious leaders actually the son of God? How is a man that revels in the company of whores and tax collectors calling Himself holy?

And let’s keep it real…If Jesus showed up today, He may be trained as a plumber…shun megachurches…chill in 12-step meetings…I’m just speculating…Anywho, I’m saying all of this to say, watch the show and then be mad…but keep in mind, if a donkey can be used by God, surely a comedy about a black Jesus could do the same thing…

I’m not saying I approve of the show, but I’m willing to at least check it out on gp (general principle)…

Any thoughts?

The post What’s So Offensive About ‘Black Jesus?’ appeared first on After the Altar Call.

Hello World,

I know many Christians are against celebrating Halloween…In fact, my folks didn’t allow me and my brothers to celebrate Halloween as children…Instead we attended Hallelujah events and were given candy without the benefit of trick or treating…in a word LAME…Now that I’m an adult, I choose to partake in Halloween festivities in my own special way…To that end, I have comprised a list of Top Seven List of Halloween Jams that are sure to get you in a “boo”tiful mood….WAHAHAHAHA….my lame attempt at a Vincent Price evil laugh

1. Speaking of Vincent Price, I have to give the top honor to the King of Pop Michael Jackson. (I still can’t believe he is gone…) If you want to be scared and get your groove on at the same time, “Thriller” is the jam for you…And this video is still one of the best music videos ever made….

2. If you are a rap fan and came of age in the ’90s, then you’ve got to know about “Mind Playing Tricks On Me” by the Geto Boys…This song has a serious message, but the beat is so bangin’ it’s easy to ignore how truly poetic this jam is…”This year Halloween fell on a weekend, me and Geto Boys went trick or treatin'”…you know, the rest…

3. If you wore jelly shoes and collected “The Smurfs” figurines, then you probably loved the ’80s hit movie “Ghostbusters.” From that movie came Ray Parker Jr.’s hit “Ghostbusters,” which was on the movie soundtrack…This song is my third favorite Halloween Jam…

4. Will Smith is probably more well-known for his acting but back in the day, the Fresh Prince and DJ Jazzy Jeff delivered hit songs…One of their hits was “Nightmare on My Street” which is obviously their homage to the crazy scary movie “A Nightmare on Elm Street.”

5. Rockwell was a one-hit wonder in my opinion as the only song I know sung by him was his jam “Somebody’s Watching Me” which came out in 1983…Just a little trivia: What blockbuster singer actually lent background vocals on this song? Michael Jackson!  Extra side note: Rockwell and Stony Jackson, the actor, may have been separated at birth they look so much alike…

6. The Michael Myers’ theme song from the “Halloween” movies is sure to cause goosebumps…I LOVE scary movies…especially the campy ones….

7. This song probably shouldn’t have been made, but it was…M.C. Hammer’s remake of “The Addams Family” theme song for the  1991 movie “The Addams Family” movie based on the popular television show series….Did you see the movie?

What’s your fave Halloween Jam?

Any thoughts?

The post My Top Seven List of Halloween Jams! appeared first on After the Altar Call.