Monday, February 27, 2006

Preaching The Gossip



Well, in the last couple of weeks, the infamous PRAYZEHYMN praze report (blog) has been labeled the gospel industry's gossip spot. Not a good image for a blog that reports various subjects, events, and covers artists, album releases, promotions and other goodies within gospel music and abroad. Not only that, has been known to report the facts. But one of the most craziest reports to hit the Internet without seeing any coverage from the PRAYZEHYMN Offical Blog (exclude the many questions on the Message Board) is the false reports from an unknown and unfamiliar media source from Mediatakeout.com reporting Hezekiah Walker would be stepping down as pastor because of a person's accusations of his sexual orientation.

The reports were revealed to be false and Pastor Hezekiah Walker, who is known by many as the "Pastor of Hip Hop" and manages the Love Fellowship Tabernacle in New York, spoke regarding the craziness. Don't believe it? Well, check it out for yourself.

Regardless of what, being a freelance writer and one whom has studied the in's and out's of essays, articles and press releases, I basically knew the article was a hoax. Now, whether any of the information is totally fabricated or partially factual, it has yet to be seen. But the article didn't mention any valuable sources, didn't quote any statements from Walker at all and didn't even feature the writer of the article's name. So sad.

Journalism can be a b****. In this case, we have seen how bad and how terrible the media can be. What's even depressing is how the saints jump on the bandwagon to entertain such gossip. And to set the record the straight, PRAYZEHYMN and this blog in particular reports the news. If it's in the media, that's what I report. Whether one likes it or not. But I urge the believers in Christ Jesus to continue pressing toward the mark. Let's preach the good news; the Gospel. And don't be ashamed of it either.

[AND THE INDUSTRY RESPONDS...]
Hezekiah Walker Speaks Out (Gospelcity.com)
Hezekiah Walker Rumors Prove To Be Propoganda (Gospelcity.com)
Hezekiah Walker and Gay Affair Story False (Gospelcity.com)
The Article That Started it All (MediaTakeout.com)

Monday, February 20, 2006

More On Tonex': Not Enough Space



BREAKING NEWS...AGAIN!

It is known that Anthony C. Williams, II, better known as Tonex', created a blog/webpage for his fellow supporters and fans on MySpace.com, a popular online community which is highly supported by major celebrities including TV personality Carson Daly and Kierra "KiKi" Sheard. He provided weekly updates featuring audio blogcasts, commentary and even responses to his viewers. After the big upset of his retirement from the industry, Tonex' commented and began to let out his tension in a very suitable fashion. Thousands of newcomers visited the site and joined MySpace.com just to get a closer encounter with Mr. Tonex and to express their sentiments regarding his career move. Even Kirk Franklin jumped aboard the bandwagon to respond to Tonex's retirement announcement and his page on MySpace.com. This week, a major shocker provides yet another stone of drama to the recent Tonex' transfiguration: the MySpace.com site has been removed. There is no factual knowledge as to why the page was discontinued, but the site features this statement:


Invalid Friend ID. This user has either cancelled their membership, or their account has been deleted.


The saddest revelation of all of this may very well be found in the top message on his official website. Even though his website barely features any links to bio info, products or anything into a virtual dimension of Tonex's presence, it does mention at the top:
"Under Re-construction"

Could this be a sign of a possible return of Tonex or is it just a regular notice proclaiming Tonex's site is a work in process. In music history's timeline, he is known to morph or transfigure into a different being. Maybe this is just a season of change. Or maybe not. Only the future holds the answer.

In the meantime, the hundreds of supporters, fans and groupies of Tonex' whom joined MySpace.com and frequently visited and interacted with Gospel's version of Prince are left without a virtual home to turn to.

[MORE OF THE TONEX SOAP OPERA]

Tuesday, February 14, 2006

Valentines' Blogcast



Seems like the PRAYZEHYMN blogcasts are getting popular and popular. Maybe it's my voice or my personality. Not really sure. But here's another one...just in time for Valentines' Day. Wishing all of the PRAYZEHYMN Family much love on this special day.

BTW, the music in the background is a loop from one of my favorite love songs, "Girl, It's True Yes I'll Always Love You)", from the late great Barry White, on the "Can't Get Enough" album. Yeah, I went way back on yall'.

Another cheap down-south low-budget cheesy J. Matt production. LOL.

PRAYZEHYMN Blogcast (Feb. 14)

Saturday, February 11, 2006

Bynum-Weeks Takeover: Atlanta Edition



Ok. All jokes aside.

Prophetess Juanita Bynum is taking her Global Destiny crusade to Atlanta starting March 5th - this time she is committing to pastoring fulltime. That's right, pastoring. Even though Atlanta is flooded with plenty of pastors and churches and many people within the Greater Atlanta community may wonder if it is even necessary to have another high-profiled preacher in the Hotlanta city limits, Bynum along with her teammate - I meant helpmate - Dr. Thomas Weeks III will be setting up their brand of ministry, full of heavy-dosed preaching, wailing and dangerous bucking, in Atlanta.



For awhile, this was presented around the World Wide Web as a rumor. Dr. Weeks confirmed those rumors on his website and is allowing the First Lady the distinctive opportunity and priviledge to pastor in one of the largest and fast-growing cities in the entire South. Let's just hope the church hoppers from Ma$e's former church won't start a riot over this piece of news. Seems like everyone wants a piece of Atlanta. Who's next to dominate? Elder Bernice King?

Purposed Church Schedule:
Wed:
5 pm. and 7 p.m.
Sun:
Prayer - 5 a.m.,
Services: 6 a.m., 8 a.m., 10 a.m.
[MORE INFO...]
My Global Destiny.com (Official Website)

Wednesday, February 08, 2006

Grammys Recap



The winners have been announced and in the GRAMMYs way, the televised celebration of the 48th Annual Grammy Awards was full of highs and lows. The closest to a live gospel or spiritual performance included Mariah Carey singing her soulful jolts and belting high notes on her "We Belong Together" performance, while jumping into an emotional "Fly Like A Bird", backed up by three-time Grammy nominee Hezekiah Walker & the Love Fellowship Choir. Closing the event was a soulful tribute to the late Wilson Pickett, featuring the Soulman himself Sam Moore (of the legendary Sam & Dave duo) and Yolanda Adams on background vocals with country superstar Bonnie Raitt. It may have been an uncomfortable situation for the gospel diva singing "In The Midnight Hour", but we are certain she could relate.

Of course, while the tough press continues to beat against Kanye West, he left with only Best Rap Album and a major performance with actor/singer Jamie Foxx on "Golddigger" after receiving a bulk of nominations this year. Big winners in other categories included American Idol winner Kelly Clarkson, U2, Mariah Carey and John Legend. The late Luther Vandross' posthumous tribute album also was a big favorite (two wins), while performances from jazz great Herbie Hancock and pop sensation Christina Agulleria spawned major applause and was probably the most memorable of all the performances. Even though Shirley Caesar didn't go home with her Grammy (as spoken of in her album's title cut), Donnie, Yolanda and CeCe took home the trophies; proving once again the popular your name, the greater the chance of winning.

And the gospel winners are:

Gospel Choir or Gospel Chorus: "One Voice," Gladys Knight, choir director.

Nominees: "I Speak Life," Donald Lawrence & Co., "Live At The Fellowship," VIP Mass Choir, "One Church," The Choir Of Life (USA, Japan) and the Kurt Carr Singers, "20/85 The Experience," Hezekiah Walker & LFC

Best Contemporary Soul Gospel Album: "Purified," CeCe Winans.
Nominees: "Day By Day," Yolanda Adams, "Mary Mary," Mary Mary, "The J. Moss Project," J. Moss, "Dream," BeBe Winans

Best Gospel Performance: "Pray," CeCe Winans.
Nominees: "Looking For You," Kirk Franklin, "Lift Him Up," Hezekiah Walker & LFC, "I Call You Faithful," Donnie McClurkin, "Be Blessed," Yolanda Adams

Best Gospel Song: "Be Blessed," Yolanda Adams, James Harris III, Terry Lewis and James Q. Wright, (Yolanda Adams).
Nominees: "Lift Him Up," Hezekiah Walker & LFC, "We Must Praise," J. Moss, "Again I Say Rejoice," Israel & New Breed, "Heaven," Mary Mary

Best Traditional Soul Gospel Album: "Psalms, Hymns & Spiritual Songs," Donnie McClurkin. Nominees: "I Know The Truth," Shirley Caesar, "Be Exalted," Marvin Sapp, "The Rose of Gospel: Live From Houston," Dorinda Clark-Cole, "Say The Name," Martha Munizzi, "Singing The Old Time Way," Bishop G.E. Patterson & Congregation

Friday, February 03, 2006

Friday Night Live Blogcast



Thank God It's Friday. I'm sick right now (with a lil' cold), but steadily getting ovah it. Well, you get a chance to hear me in the latest blog post. From the Stellars to Tonex's present meltdown over the industry, catch up on the latest. And it's two full installments.

PRAYZEHYMN Blogcast - Part I (Feb. 2)
PRAYZEHYMN Blogcast - Part II (Feb. 2)