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At the beginning of 2005, I decided I wanted to write a column about what to expect from the Detroit Gospel music community in 2005. With almost ½ the year over, I’m finally sitting down to write the column that I’ve been thinking about since January (thanks to my friend Keith Crosby for reminding me to get this done!).

Detroit has been known for being the birthplace of great gospel artists. The 50’s and 60’s were the eras of James Cleveland and the Voices of Tabernacle, Mattie Moss Clark and the Southwest Michigan State Choir, Harold Smith and the Majestic, and Elma Parham and CYE (even the Gospel Music Workshop of America was born in Detroit). The 70’s gave way to Charles Nicks and the St. James Adult Choir, the Donald Vails Choraleers and Donald Vails’ Voices of Deliverance, the Thomas Whitfield Company and Tessie Hill. In the 80’s and 90’s the world fell in love with the Winans, the Clark Sisters, Commissioned, Fred Hammond, Witness, BeBe & CeCe, and we can’t forget the Ron Winans Family and Friends projects and Michael Brooks Young Artists for Christ.

The following I believe will keep Detroit Gospel Music alive in 2005:

Recording Labels
Two new Detroit gospel labels are breathing new life into the market place. Entheos Records is the home of Ron Winans Family and Friends, Michael Fletcher and the Fletcher Chorale, Jacky Clark Chilsom, and Antun Foster and Chemistry.

Majestic Records, founded by Detroit gospel artists Herman Harris and Michael Mindingall, currently has the legendary Craig Brothers in the market place. Soon to be released on Majestic an instrumental project by label co-founder Michael Mindingall.

Greg Pierson (co-founder of Inner Court Music Group), Brandon Holland (of the Stuntmen), Shawn Lewis and Tim Dye during the PAB Singers Recording Session

Musicians, Songwriters and Producers
Two young men that are the best-kept secrets in Detroit are Brandon Holland and Byron Stanfield. Calling themselves “The Stuntmen,” they are the Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis of the Detroit gospel music scene. They have been featured musicians on recordings by Jacky Clark Chilsom, Antun Foster and Chemistry, Chris Jones and Word of Praise, Detroit Sings Nu Hymns, and also Ernest Lee and the Spirit of David. They are co-composers of the song “So Long” featured on the #1 release “I Owe You” by Kierra Sheard. [Writer's Note: The Stuntmen also created the track for a single that I co-wrote with Brandon Holland “Let Them See Jesus” featuring the PAB Singers]

Pastor Tolan J. Morgan is both the Pastor of New St. Paul Missionary Baptist Church and a songwriter and singer extraordinaire. He first came to the attention of the Detroit market place with his composition, “When You Pray,” from Flint’s Bethlehem Temple Youth Choir. James Moore and Darius Twyman have featured him on projects. He’s a featured soloist and arranger on Michael Fletcher’s and Derrick Milan’s latest recordings which are to be released later this year

Darius Twyman and Destiny's next release is entitled, "Just One Word"

Choir and Ensembles
This year we can expect new recordings from Darius Twyman and Destiny, Michael Fletcher and the Michael Fletcher Chorale, Chris Jones and the Word of Praise, Derrick Milan and the Krew, Ernest Lee and the Spirit of David, and Antun Foster and Chemistry. Already in stores are Darryl Weathers and Spiritual Sisters and a Brother, the Whitfield Music Group, and Ron Winans Family and Friends V. Dietrick Haddon is also talking about doing another Detroit Sings project.

One of my favorite choirs hails from the city of Flint. Kenneth Martin and the Voices in Praise have just released their new project, “Season Of Worship,” produced by Kenneth Martin and Tyrone Dickerson. This project is a must have for gospel music lovers and choir directors looking for Sunday morning songs.

Groups
The groups to be on the look out for in 2005: Hot Sauce (R&B group with a spiritual message) Jes’Us (hailing from Christian Tabernacle in Southfield). The 4 young ladies of Jes’Us’ first release, “Called, Chosen, Consecrated,” is in stores now. The ladies of another dynamic female group, Prezence, have been perfecting their gift by performing all over the United States. 21:03, the latest group from the PAJAM production crew, featured on “WOW Gospel 2005,” are continuing the tradition started by the Winans and Commissioned.

Urban Hip Hop
Artists creating buzz on the urban hip hop gospel scene include Brandon Perry “The Psalmist,” the Convictor, LaRue Hill, God’s Army, Good Son and Emazin, The Quest International and Kiwi.

Sonnie Day and Eric Deon

Other Up-N-Coming artists to watch for:
Former Derrick Starks and New Generation members are pursing solo careers: Eric Deon (The Superman of Gospel), Eric “The Bishop” Taylor, and Derrick’s sister, Lena Starks (currently featured on Ron Winans latest release). Derrick Starks, now in Atlanta, GA, also says to expect something new this year.

Other Detroit artists who have released strong independent recordings include Sonnie Day, and David Miller.

DG.com's Carl B. with Lexi

Established Artists With New or Upcoming Releases:
Lexi (“Praise In The Valley” in stores now), Byron Cage (recorded live in Atlanta), Dorinda Clark Cole (recorded live in Houston with New Direction), and Karen Clark Sheard (recorded live in Detroit and produced by Israel Houghton and Aaron Lindsey).

Detroit Gospel.com's, Keith Crosby, says to expect great things from local artists The Whitfield Music Group, Sonnie Day, and David Miller.