I have to say that this week’s Stellar Week for me, lived up to and surpassed what I was expecting. It started out with the Central South Radio Announcer’s Awards. I Co-hosted with David Mann and John Gray.
It was the first time I'd met David Mann, and he was laid back and cool
back stage, but somewhere between the time that I went out to introduce
him, he changed into his Mr. Brown get up. So, as soon as I say his
name and he walks onto the stage, the audience breaks into immediate
laughter. He was silly for sho and his wife (Tamela) was a sweet heart.
CSD SHOWCASE -The
showcase began with Jason Nelson, Micah Stampley, and Terry Wood’s
sister (sorry, I don’t remember her name) taking us into the presence
of the Lord through what sounded like angelic Praise and Worship -
Anointed Producer, Aaron Lindsey (Producer of “I Believe, “Never Could Have Made It“, and all the New Breed hits) played
the piano. The Spirit was really high in the place, and I believe that
was a big part of the reason why the night seemed to run from one
awesome anointed moment to another. It’d take all day to describe each
one, but imagine this David & Nicole Binion, Jason Nelson, Micah Stampley, William Murphy, Martha Munizzi, and Gerard Woods who sing like his very life dependent upon it. Then, he and Terry had a touching Five Heartbeat moment
on stage.
The audience recognized that they were witnessing something
special. His Brother, Terry, was crying like Ms. Celie at the end of “The Color Purple”, but he was fighting to hold it in like a thug at a funeral. But
it was very touching watching two brothers have a genuine moment in
front of a packed audience. Orangeburg's own Brian Williams blessed the
audience. It was his triumphant return since taking a break to graduate
from college, and pursue a Master's Degree from Princeton
University. Marvin Winans Jr and Antoine Stanley, and some other
notable Artist did their thing in closing down the first half of a
lengthy showcase. I got the chance to debut the “Gas 2 High Remix” which
was very well received by the "Industry" and the audience alike. I
think they were shocked by how hot the track was (Shout to Tracklayer).
Off the chain.
At 10 pm, I turned it over to the “Loose Cannon of Christian Comedy” John Gray. John
brought the tiring audience to laugh out loud level, as he went through
the audience talking about Artist, Audience Members, and Stage
Dressing. He smashed Marvin Winans Jr, (hilarious). John Gray
is a straight up nut, and he was still going when Terry came out, and
told him to introduce Canton Jones and Mr. Del. At that point, it was
over. Canton and Del came out, did two crunk songs, and was about to
leave until Canton did what I’ve seen him do on many a night, and shift the atmosphere in the room taking
the audience into some radical worship. He stopped the music and went
to preaching and prophesying bringing all of us to our feet. Nobody
expected what was going on, but it was obvious that he’d tapped into
the Spirit of the house, because what he was saying was hitting home on
so many levels. The next thing I know, John was back on stage in
ministry mode, as a couple of musicians sensed the anointing and jumped
on the keyboard and drums. Then, Canton, Del, and John went into a sort
of Holy Ghost freestyle, as they asked each other questions and
seemed to speak directly from the Spirits of people in the audience. It
was an unusual moment proving the validity of this genre of Gospel.
After
a while, Canton and Del reluctantly turned the stage back over to the
schedule, and Detrick Haddon, Ziel, and other notables closed the night
out in grand fashion. It was truly a memorable night and I was sho nuff
glad to be apart of it.
STELLAR TAPING – What I do for The Stellars is
what is known in the television industry as "Warm Up". My job is to
keep the crowd alert and energetic during the television
taping. Staging and wardrobe changes happen between each performance.
And though the ceremony will air at only 2 hours in length, the taping
takes from 3 to 4 hours, and I keep the audience hyped and laughing
during the lulls in between taping. This was my 2nd year, and I had a
blast.
They
were many awesome highlights - great performance after great
performance - too many to mention. Everybody did his or her thang so
make sure you watch when it airs. Pastor Marvin Sapp and Kirk Franklin
were my personal favorites. Noel Jones' choir was awesome also. Oh
yeah, Ricky Dillard was bananas - wait till you see the show. My boy,
Dewayne Woods won big and The Rance Allen Group took home their first
award in 37 years. What? Long over due. The Clark Sisters and Tramaine
Hawkins were great and inspirational.
Backstage, Kirk, Cece, and Byron Cage
Co-hosted and were extremely nice and easy going. Cece was as sweet as
you'd think she'd be, Byron was mad cool, and Kirk will talk to
anybody. The "Diva Award" goes to Jennifer Lewis (Diary of a Mad Black Woman) who came out in a dress reminiscent of Star Wars and was on some straight "Diva" stuff. She was silly.
Once the show ended, I hit the Press Room to shoot Back Stage Passes segments, and one of the reporters went off on me cause she thought I was trying to pull Tasha Smith (Why Did I Get Married?) out
of her interview, but that was untrue. Tasha was trying to get over to
me cause were both comedians, so she gestured to me in the middle of
the other woman's interview. That wasn't my fault - I wouldn't do
something rude like that. So, the woman decided to check me. So, I got
her straight, real quick letting her know she was wrong and out of line
for talking to me like that. Paparazzi...
The "Partner In Praise" Tony Gee, Thelicia Cayce, and Monica Washington joined me in th press room, and although Monica was about to pass out from hunger, we had a ball. Rance Allen, Bishop Noel Jones, Detrick and Damita Haddon, as well as many others stopped by and answered silly questions and serious ones.
We
then, headed over to the After Set where Kirk jumped back on stage back
with a full band and celebrity background singers, and rocked the house
doing many of the cuts on his latest CD. Off the chain. I mixed and
mingled while enjoying the concert. Kirk did his thang! Pastor Marvin
Sapp closed with an awesome prayer. Did you know he had 3
churches? Wow, 3 churches, and the longest running number 1 song in the
history of Gospel music. "Never Could Have Made It" - yeah,
without the Lord, I never could have made it through 2 long nights
hosting of ceremonies. Afterwards, I had dinner with my Manager and
Publicist before finally making it back to my hotel room real late. I
went to asleep around 4 or so.
