Up-close-and personal with a great living legend PANAM PERCY PAUL

Bakulipanam Percy Paul Mokungah, known worldwide as Panam Percy Paul has been a blessing to different people with his songs. After 40 long years on the music scene, it is safe to say he has risen to the pedestal of an icon. DUPE AYINLA-OLASUKANMI spoke to him at Westown Hotel, Opebi on his involvement in a new reality TV gospel talent hunt called Stars4Christ, his music ministry, family and other sundry issues.

 

HOW did the journey into music ministry started?

 

I spent my early life in various parts of Nigeria because my father was an officer (Major) in the Nigerian Army, and he was always on assignment. My parents are members of the Lutheran Church. My mother was a composer. Whenever my father was transferred to a new place, we would go to church there. My mother would join the women’s choir or women’s fellowship of that church and would write Christian songs for them to sing. My father liked music too, especially the American “country western” music, and he had a big collection of gramophone records made by singers such as Jim Reeves. I used to listen to these records and imagine that I was the singer.

 

Apart from singing, do you also play musical instruments?

 

Yes. I played my first musical instrument, the harmonica, in 1961. My father taught me how to play the organ. I started playing the guitar in 1975. Even the man who actually taught me how to play the guitar did not even believe that I learnt it from him. My teacher, Mr. Saidi was teaching a fellow student how to play the guitar… and I saw how the student was arranging his fingers on the guitar and looking at the chord chart, and I became interested. So after a while he had the need to go to the bathroom and so I picked it up and within 15 minutes, I was already playing the C, F, and G notes and singing. I later asked my father to buy me a guitar, so he bought a cheap acoustic guitar for me. I taught myself to play and would try to mimic the song and play along on my father’s records. Later, I would entertain my parents, brothers and sisters by playing the guitar and singing along my renditions. They would all laugh, but my mother would encourage me saying, “Son, keep it up. Something good is going to come out of that.” One year later I entered for a music competition, but my preparation was insufficient. Facing the crowd, I became so nervous that my performance was woeful. I did not know what to do so my father walked up and dragged me off the stage. I was humiliated, but I was not discouraged. I practiced diligently, entered the competition again the next year and took first position.

 

Why did you agree to be one of the judges for Stars4Christ reality talent show?

 

You see, that man (Christ) gave me the opportunity to sing songs that are evergreen. Songs that have been there for about 25-30 years, they are still doing fine today as if they were released just yesterday. These are some of the things that I will like to pass across to these people, that you can be so talented, even if it just a singing ability. But we want to go beyond the singing talent, into the ministry, into the proper talents. You have discovered your talent, work it with purpose, which is what stars are supposed to do in the life of the Christian youth.

 

You have refused to pattern your songs after current trends. Why?

 

You see the thing with trends is that they always come and go. So if you pattern your music after a trend, that trend will go. And it may interest you to know that trends never last longer than 12 months, they just go.

 

Why have you not done songs with secular artistes like some other gospel acts?

 

That can never happen, and will never happen.

 

Why?

 

It is because you can never reach out to the world without being contaminated. Once you do a collaboration with someone that is not sanctified, that does not even belong to the kingdom, I mean what are you doing with such a person? When the substance itself is messed up, whoever is going to receive it, will receive a messed up material. So I can never do a musical collaboration with an unbeliever. What has an unbeliever got, that I don’t have? Is it money? I have it. So what I’m I looking for? Is it fame? I have it. So what has that person got, that will add to what I have? Nothing! If they ask me to do collaboration with them, I will do because they know I have influence over them. If a secular person says, come and do with me, then you are influential, which means, you have influence over such person. But if you say to an unbeliever come and do collaboration with me, it means that person exerts an influence you.

 

Have you had any request from secular acts to do collaborations with them?

 

No, they are actually afraid of me. I cannot do collaboration with anybody and such a person will not get born again.

 

We do not get to hear much about you recently, are you slowing down?

 

No, I am more into developing people. I ran a college of music in Jos called Panam College located at Osei within Jos North and South. I teach music, sound engineering and music management, just for the music ministry to be versatile.

 

When was this established?

 

Since 1998, and we have graduated over 2000 student so far.

 

You have been in Jos for over 30 years without relocating, any reason?

 

You see everybody has a foundation, a place they call home. Jos is home and I can not run away from my home and go to another place, it will be strange. Besides, if you are living and being led by the Holy Spirit, you just don’t leave anyhow. So because there is a chaotic situation in Jos, does not mean that I should leave Jos. If God found it necessary to keep me there and build me to the status he has built me, and now that I have attained this level, does not mean I should leave my root. If He decides to post me, then I will follow the posting.

But as long as He has not transferred me, I will still stay where I am. What I have discovered is that Jesus Christ never traveled more than 250 kilometers from where He was born. But His fame went far. So it is your fame that goes far and not the person. So what will make you famous? It is that thing that you know how to do easily and excellently. So for me it is music. I have remained in Jos and my music has become famous all over Nigeria, Europe, America, if I were to physically traveled to all these places, I would have spent lot of money and worn myself out, and yet achieve nothing.

 

Being a public figure, have you had an encounter with any of the warring factions in Jos?

 

Interestingly no, however attempts have been made to destroy my office but I always have military personnel around. We have moved out of there since it was a temporary place to a permanent site, which is dominated by Christians. Whenever anything wants to happen, the Lord always have a way of taking me out of there. So I have not witnessed any of the crises.

 

Exactly, where are you from?

 

I am actually from Numan, in Adamawa State. People assume that I am from Jos; because I have lived in Jos for 35 years and it was there that I first came to limelight. Also Panam, sounds like a Plateau name, but I have been associated with them for a long time and I am proud to be there.

 

How have you managed to keep your musical talent fresh after 40years?

 

What I actually do is to be myself. The greatest thing I have done is to be myself and be original. I love Panam, and believe I love being Panam. I cannot be somebody else, I hate been a photocopy, I mean copying people. I love to learn, and I learn from people everyday. Once I learn, I Panamise it. I make it positive by infusing it into my ability and make it so original to me, that when you see it next time, you would not know I learnt it from you, unless I say I got this from you and this is how I used it to suit my ability. There is nothing better than originality because it makes you stand out.

 

How many albums do you have to your name?

 

They are about 12 presently. Before the Bring Down The Glory series, they were other albums. But that was the praise worship album that exploded all over the world, both Nigeria and abroad. So many people thought and still think that Bring Down The Glory album, volume 1, was my very first recording. My first album was released in 1976.

 

Is any member of your family taking after your footsteps?

 

All my family members both married and single are all into music. My first daughter read law, and cinematography. She is married with three sons; my second is in the UK, the third is the only boy, and now the director of Panam Music, and one of the finest drummers you can find in the country. And all of them sing. The last is a girl, Lauren and she is an incredible singer. And they all sing with me. They started from the age of nine, when they started singing in my studio. So whenever I do a studio recording, they are always there until they grew up. When we did Bring Down the Glory, Volume 4, they were there.

 

Credits to THE NATION (DUPE AYINLA-OLUSUKANMI)

Sore throath home remedies

A sore throat can be the first sign of a cold, a side effect of strained vocal cords, or an indication of something more serious (like strep throat).or even tonsillities
I can imagine doing things with your voice e.g talking, singing....and you cant all because you have a sore throath. Gush!!! So discouraging. Here are tips that can help you send that sore throat packing.

Rest/sleep
Sugar cane
Gargle with warm water and salt solution
Drink cidar vinegar- you can mix it with honey and warm water
Lemon/Lime
Drink a lot of water

Just to mention a few. So go ahead and do what you love doing with your voice. Cheers!

The story behinde the hymn "it is well with my soul"

HAVE YOU EVER WONDERED WHO WROTE THE HYMN "IT IS WELL WITH MY SOUL" AND WHY?

In the late 1860s life was good for Horatio G. Spafford and his wife Anna. They were living in a north side suburb of Chicago with their five children, Annie, Maggie, Bessie, Tanetta and Horatio, Jr. He had a successful law practice in Chicago. The doors of the Spaffords' home were always open as a place for activists to meet during the reform movements of the time. Horatio G. Spafford was quite active in the abolitionist movement. Frances E. Willard, president of the National Women's Christian Temperance Union as well as evangelical leaders like Dwight L. Moody were often guests in their home. Spafford was a Presbyterian church elder and a dedicated Christian.

Until now Horatio and Anna Spafford had led a charmed life. They had everything going their way. However, in 1870 their faith was tested by tragedy. Their four year old son, Horatio, Jr., died of scarlet fever. The Spaffords were devastated. In October of 1871 when the Great Chicago Fire broke out Horatio faced another test of his faith. A few months before the Great Chicago Fire, Spafford being a wealthy man, had invested much of his wealth in real estate by the shore of Lake Michigan. Not only did the Great Chicago Fire destroy most of Chicago but most of Spafford's holdings were destroyed. 250 people died in the Great Chicago Fire and 90,000 were left homeless.

The Spaffords did not despair. Their home had been spared and they had their family. God had been good. Even though their finances were mostly depleted, Anna and Horatio used what resources they had left to feed the hungry, help the homeless, care for the sick and injured and comfort their grief stricken neighbors. The Great Chicago Fire was a great American tragedy; the Spaffords used it to show the love of the Christ to those in need.

In 1873 Anna Spafford's health was failing and hoping to put behind the tragic loss of their son and the fire and to benefit Anna's health, the Spaffords planned a trip to Europe. They would sail on the French steamer Ville du Havre to Europe with their four daughters. Spafford not only wanted to visit Europe but he wanted to assist Evangelists Dwight L. Moody and Ira D. Sankey in a revival they were conducting in England.

Moody and Sankey had met at a convention of the Young Men's Christian Association in Indianapolis in 1870. After hearing Sankey sing, Moody at once invited him to come to Chicago and assist him in his evangelist work there. Ira D. Sankey considered Moody's invitation and after much thought and prayer, decided to accept. Six months later he joined Moody in Chicago.

Dwight L. Moody and Ira Sankey were in the middle of a revival meeting when the Great Chicago Fire broke out in 1871. Moody and Sankey barely escaped Chicago with their lives. It is said that Sankey was on a row boat a long distance out in Lake Michigan where he watched as Chicago burned. With most of Chicago having been destroyed, Moody and Sankey decided to accept an invitation to visit England. In 1873 Moody and Sankey started a work in England. Moody and Sankey made such a profound impression in England their names became household words all over Europe.

The Spaffords planed to leave in November on their voyage to Europe. As sometimes happens, God had other plans for Horatio G. Spafford. The day they were to sail for Europe Spafford had a business emergency and could not leave. Not wanting to disappoint his wife Anna and their daughters he sent them on ahead and planned to follow on another ship in a few days. Accompanying Anna Spafford were her French governess, Emma Lorriaux, several friends and several ministers.

On November 22, 1873 the steamer Ville du Havre was struck by a British iron sailing ship, the Lockhearn. The steamer Ville du Havre, with Anna Spafford and her daughters aboard, sank within twelve minutes in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean. Only 81 of the 307 passengers and crew members survived this tragic shipwreck.

Even though the Lockhearn was in danger of sinking the unconscious Anna Spafford was picked up from floating debris by the crew of the Lockhearn. An American cargo sailing vessel, the Trimountain, arrived in time to save the survivors of the Ville du Havre and the Lockhearn. Anna Spafford was taken to Cardiff, Wales where she telegraphed her husband Horatio. Anna's cable was brief and heartbreaking, "Saved alone. What shall I do..." Horatio and Anna's four daughters had drowned. As soon as he received Anna's telegram, Horatio left Chicago without delay to bring his wife home. Sailing across the Atlantic Ocean the captain of the ship called Horatio to the bridge. He informed Horatio that "A careful reckoning has been made and I believe we are now passing the place where the Ville du Havre was wrecked. The water is three miles deep." That night, alone in his cabin Horatio G. Spafford penned the words to his famous hymn, "It Is Well With My Soul."

Horatio's faith in God never faltered. He later wrote Anna's half-sister, "On Thursday last we passed over the spot where she went down, in mid-ocean, the waters three miles deep. But I do not think of our dear ones there. They are safe, folded, the dear lambs."

The following account is taken from the Christian History Institute.
"Anna Spafford later spoke of being sucked violently downward. Baby Tanetta was torn from her arms by a collision with some heavy debris, with a blow so violent that Anna's arm was severely bruised. She flailed at the water trying to catch her baby. Anna caught Tanetta's gown for just a moment before another smashing blow tore the little girl out of her arms forever. Reaching out again, all she could find was a man's leg in corduroy trousers. Anna, barely conscious, was then swirled about in a whirlpool before surfacing near the Loch Earn. She instinctively clung on to a small plank and the next thing she recalled was the splash of an oar as she lay at the bottom of a small boat. Bruised and sick, her long hair was matted with salt and her dressing gown shredded. But the pain in her body was nothing compared to the pain in her heart as she realized that her four daughters had been lost in the disaster. A young male passenger, afloat on a piece of wood, came upon Maggie and Annie, the two oldest Spafford children. At his direction, each girl grasped one of his side pockets as he tried to find a board large enough to support all three of them. After about 30 or 40 minutes in the water, he found a piece of wreckage and struggled to help the two young girls climb atop the board. But as he watched, their weary arms weakened, and he saw their eyes close. Their lifeless forms floated away from his own fatigue-paralyzed arms. No clues ever surfaced about the fate of little Bessie."

After Anna was rescued, Pastor Nathaniel Weiss, one of the ministers traveling with Anna and Horatio's group remembered hearing Anna say, "God gave me four daughters. Now they have been taken from me. Someday I will understand why." Anna was utterly devastated. Many of the survivors watched Anna closely, fearing she may try to take her life. In her grief and despair, Anna heard a soft voice speaking to her, "You were saved for a purpose!" It was then Anna remembered something a friend had once said, "It's easy to be grateful and good when you have so much, but take care that you are not a fair-weather friend to God."

Following their reunion in Europe, Horatio and Anna returned to Chicago to begin their lives again. God blessed Anna and Horatio with three children. They had a son in 1876, again called "Horatio." Not so much for his father but for their lost son. In 1878 their daughter Bertha was born. Tragically, when little Horatio reached the age of 4 just as his brother before him, he died from scarlet fever. In 1880 Anna and Horatio had another daughter they called Grace. After the loss of little Horatio, the Spaffords decided to leave their home in America and settle in Jerusalem. In September of 1881 the Spaffords and a few of their friends left America for Israel.

The group settled in the old part of Jerusalem and started a work which later became known as the "American Colony." There they served the needy, helped the poor, cared for the sick and took in homeless children. Their only cause was to show those living about them the love of Jesus. Swedish novelist Selma Ottiliana Lovisa Lagerlõf wrote of this colony of Christians in her two volume Nobel Prize winning work "Jerusalem."

A Christian historian wrote of Anna and Horatio: "Moved by a series of profound tragic losses, Chicago natives Anna and Horatio Spafford led a small American contingent in 1881 to Jerusalem to form a Christian utopian society known as the 'American Colony.'"
Bertha Spafford Vester, wrote the following in her book "Our Jerusalem."
"In Chicago, Father searched his life for explanation. Until now, it had flowed gently as a river. Spiritual peace and worldly security had sustained his early years, his family life and his home....... All around him people were asking the unvoiced question; 'What guilt had brought this sweeping tragedy to Anna and Hoaratio Spafford?'.... Father became convinced that God was kind and that he would see his children again in heaven. This thought calmed his heart, but it was to bring Father into open conflict with what was then the Christian world.... To Father, this was a passing through the "valley of the shadow of death," but his faith came through triumphant and strong. On the high seas, near the place where his children perished, he wrote the hymn that was to give comfort to so many:"
It Is Well With My Soul

When peace, like a river, attendeth my way,
When sorrows like sea billows roll;
Whatever my lot, Thou has taught me to say,
It is well, it is well, with my soul.
It is well, with my soul,
It is well, with my soul,
It is well, it is well, with my soul.
Though Satan should buffet, though trials should come,
Let this blest assurance control,
That Christ has regarded my helpless estate,
And hath shed His own blood for my soul.
(refrain)
My sin, oh, the bliss of this glorious thought!
My sin, not in part but the whole,
Is nailed to the cross, and I bear it no more,
Praise the Lord, praise the Lord, O my soul!
(refrain)
And Lord, haste the day when my faith shall be sight,
The clouds be rolled back as a scroll;
The trump shall resound, and the Lord shall descend,
Even so, it is well with my soul.
It is well, with my soul,
It is well, with my soul,
It is well, it is well, with my soul.

In 1876 P.P. Bliss put Horatio Spafford's words to music. This hymn is still sung in Protestant churches today. "It Is Well With My Soul" was first sung in public by P.P. Bliss on November 24, 1876 before an assembly of ministers hosted by Dwight L. Moody in Chicago's Farewell Hall. Ironically, one month later, P.P. Bliss and his wife were killed in a horrific train wreck. It is believed that Horatio took the words "It is well" from the words of the Shunammite woman who lost her only son but was later raised from the dead by Elisha. (II Kings 4:26 )

Horatio G. Spafford was born on October 20, 1828 in Lansingburgh, New York and died of Malaria on October 16, 1888 in Jerusalem. Anna Spafford continued to work in the surrounding areas of Jerusalem until her death in 1923. The Spaffords were laid to eternal rest in Jerusalem. It can be said that "It Is Well With Their Souls."

Written by Jane Winstead from Yahoo voices. Brought to you by Jobuesi musik

Get up-close with Donald lawrence



Donald Lawrence 

The creatively righteous mind of Grammy Award-winning producer, composer and recording artist Donald Lawrence has set the standard for excellence in the gospel music field over the last two decades with signature #1 radio smashes such as
“Back II Eden,”
“Encourage Yourself” and
“The Blessing of Abraham”
 which spent 18 weeks at #1 on Billboard magazine’s Hot Gospel Songs radio chart. On his third solo and latest masterwork, YRM (Your Righteous Mind), Lawrence blends the classicism of traditional gospel music and retro soul grooves with uplifting, messages of self-affirmation and daily How-To-Faith lessons on the fourteen-track set.

The album opens with the upbeat mantra “YRM (Your Righteous Mind)” that features Dorinda Clark Cole of the legendary Clark Sisters. Throughout the set, the songs speak to the heart of mankind and address life’s everyday challenges. Lawrence put his touch on popular songs such as gospel pioneer Walter Hawkins’ “When the Battle Is Over” and Chaka Khan’s “Through the Fire” and assumes the role of teacher on new compositions such as “Second Wind;” “We Agree,” which features gold-selling praise and worship artist Israel Houghton; “The I Am Factor;” and “Spiritual” – an open prayer to become a spiritually minded person.

Lawrence learned his spiritual principles from an aunt who raised him in Gastonia, NC – not far from Charlotte. A fan of the music of Walter Hawkins and Thomas Whitfield, Lawrence taught himself to play the piano by the age of fifteen and put himself through the prestigious Cincinnati Conservatory of Music as a musical theater major. He and his Professor, Worth Gardner, wrote the 1986 musical revue, “Sing Hallelujah!” that played across the country - including an off Broadway stint at the Village Gate that earned praise from The New York Times. Lawrence eventually returned to North Carolina and joined the music staff of Jim & Tammy Baker’s PTL Club television program. However, word soon spread about his talent and Lawrence was recruited as a vocal coach for En Vogue and, in the early nineties, became music director for R&B star Stephanie Mills.
Mills’ manager signed Lawrence’s urban inspirational group, Company, to Giant Records and they released the Devotion CD in 1993. During that same period, Lawrence had been feeding his songs to the Tri-City Singers (comprised of singers from the Carolina cities of Charlotte, Gastonia and Spartanburg) through his pal Richard Odom, who was a member of Company and also of the choir. The choir’s members enjoyed the songs so much that Lawrence was eventually asked to shepherd the group. Their debut CD, A Songwriter’s Point of View was released on Gospcentric Records. Fueled by cameo performances from R&B crooner Peabo Bryson and Stephanie Mills, the album peaked at #2 on Billboard’s Top Gospel Albums chart.

With the success of the CD, the choir’s national career was launched and as its mastermind, Donald Lawrence was in the spotlight. Adorned in Afro-centric garb, the choir stood out among gospel choirs visually, and Lawrence’s unique blend of Hip Hop and other dynamic rhythms made their gospel music equally inimitable. Over the next dozen years, Lawrence took the choir to new heights with signatures hits such as “When Sunday Comes;” “Message To The Saints;” “Never Seen The Righteous,” and “The Best Is Yet To Come.” Lawrence retired the group at the zenith of its popularity in 2006 with a sold-out cross-country concert tour and a smash hit Finale CD/DVD project that featured the two biggest hits of the choir’s existence - “Encourage Yourself” and “The Blessing of Abraham.”

As Lawrence’s stature as a producer increased, requests poured in for him to collaborate with artists as diverse as Mary J. Blige; jazz pianist Ramsey Lewis; Hezekiah Walker & the Love Fellowship Choir (cutting his #1 smash “Souled Out”) and the legendary Clark Sisters on their Grammy Award winning comeback CD, Live: One Last Time. However, he also set time aside to carve out a career as a solo artist with backing by his group, Co. His 2004 solo CD debut I Speak Life featured the radio hits “You Covered Me” and the rousing anthem, “Healed.”

Since 2001, Lawrence has lived in Chicago, IL where he ventured to in pursuit of a master’s degree at Columbia College. The fine arts institution ended up offering him a faculty position where he has intermittently instructed students on the business of music. He visited the Living Word Christian Center where he fell in love with Pastor Bill Winston’s common sense teachings. That wisdom inspired Lawrence’s second solo CD, The Law of Confession Part 1, which was released in 2009. “A law is simply a principle, based on the predictable consequence of an act,” Lawrence said at the time. “Confession in the Greek language is homo-logeo which means to say what has been said. There is a spiritual law for confession: you just say what God has already said...`Speak The Word.’” Evangelists all over the country preached sermons based on the musical messages found in the CD. The initial radio single “Back II Eden” shot to #1 on Billboard’s Hot Gospel Songs chart and paved the way for follow-up singles “Let The Word Do The Work” and “There Is A King In You.”

The music industry has taken note of Lawrence’s majestic career and Verizon Wireless tapped him as its spokesman for its How Sweet The Sound (HSTS) national gospel choir talent competition in 2007. He has served as the face of the promotion in national television commercials, print advertising and as emcee of the actual events ever since. He also spent a year as musical mentor for BET’s “Sunday Best” television talent competition. It’s all a part of Lawrence’s future goals of expanding his career into television, film and more musical theatre.

In the meantime, he’s ready to unveil the YRM (Your Righteous Mind) CD, which is a continuum of what he’s been preaching through music for years. “This project really doesn't differ from my past ones,” he says. “I want to continue to teach, through song, spiritual principles and laws based on scriptures.”

I wish to add that his songs are not just for special occassions, concert songs, but they minister life,to every aspect of life e.g health, finance, marraige... all based on what the Word of God has to say about it.

Shirley Caeser releases new album- Good God.

SHIRLEY CAESAR : NO SIGN OF RETIRING SOON, STILL DOING IT FOR GOD

This ia an obvious difference some people don't know about, it's the difference between a gospel artist and a circular artist. I'm talking about Maamaa Shirley Caesar!! Most people think that there's retirement as a singer when you grow old, but Maamaa is still pulling it strong and steady.

The bible makes us to understand that our strenght will be renewed as that of the eagle... When we don't believe the God we serve and how he needs our worship, He puts every thing in place for you to keep worshiping him, even your strenght. If the Word of God in the inside of you is fresh, Then the outside is settled! Even when challenges come, the amount of Jesus in the inside radiates on the outside.

Shirley Caeser has just released a new album titled 'Good God' (light records and eOne Music; march 26) The Queen of Gospel Music is still holding it strong. Ride on Ma!!

Are there still differences between a Gospel Music video and a Circular music video?

Gospel music videos VS Circular music videos

If you watch a gospel music video, and turn down the volume, do you still think they are singing gospel?
People these days accept gosple music by its WORDS AND FORGET THE SPIRITUAL ASPECT OF IT.Gosple music has lost its SPIRITUALITY because the focus now is making money,and so all the secular rhythms has been attached to draw attention. If gosple music and secular music play the same tunes where is the difference?
Now-a-days, you watch gospel music videos with lots of ladies not properly dressed singing "Jesus is real"
Do we still want to genuinely pass the message, or sing so that circular record labels can sign us on? Come on! I still feel strongly that if we don't watch it, gospel musicians will never be heard. Gospel artists should watch how they dress (I'm sure we know that we'll be addressed by the way we dress). I know that most marketers and record labels, even video directors want the best for the general public/pockets too, but there should be a great difference between a circular artist and a gospel artist. NEVER allow your producer to misinterprete your song by adding a popular circular beat beacause it's in vogue. NEVER allow your video director to misinterprete your song by making your video nothing different from a circular music videos because " let's make it marketable". Even if record labells don't sign you on because its not hip-hop, you don't wear dark glasses like them, you cant sing like Rihana or whoever, as long as your given it your BEST, and its who you are, God will make a way for you.
Don't forget, his grace is surficient, annointing makes the difference, and it is not of him that willeth nor of him that runneth it is of God that showeth mercy.
Remain blessed!!
Don't forget, its not all about the message, Let's not allow THE IN THING to take us away from our calling. I watched a gospel music video from a nigerian gospel artist (music title-if God is dead), the back up singers were dressed in short tube gowns. I just lowered the volume of the song. Because i bought the VCD myself, and i know who sang the song, i wouldn't have known that the song i was watching was a gospel song. No wonder why people buy gospel music cds and don't feel anything reminding them about Heaven. God help us!!

INTERVIEW WITH HADUNNI OLUWAWA OF NIGERIA

COMMING SOON!!

 

We sing God's word to the world

Hadunni Oluwawa is the presenter of little things count on NTA, She is an inspirational singer, song writer, and coach.The coordinator of various help ministry, and empowerment initiatives: MINDS, IGNITEE, A SMILE, KIDNEY REJOICE, and PRAISE N RAISE CONCERTS in Nigeria. A great vessel of God for this time and season.
She is happily married with lots of evidence

INTERVIEW WITH DAVE MOR.

 

 

HYMN FOR THIS SEASON

Special hymns for you. Sing along!

All hail the power of Jesus’ Name! Let angels prostrate fall;
Bring forth the royal diadem, and crown Him Lord of all.
Bring forth the royal diadem, and crown Him Lord of all.

Let highborn seraphs tune the lyre, and as they tune it, fall
Before His face Who tunes their choir, and crown Him Lord of all.
Before His face Who tunes their choir, and crown Him Lord of all.

Crown Him, ye morning stars of light, Who fixed this floating ball;
Now hail the strength of Israel’s might, and crown Him Lord of all.
Now hail the strength of Israel’s might, and crown Him Lord of all.

Crown Him, ye martyrs of your God, who from His altar call;
Extol the Stem of Jesse’s Rod, and crown Him Lord of all.
Extol the Stem of Jesse’s Rod, and crown Him Lord of all.

Ye seed of Israel’s chosen race, ye ransomed from the fall,
Hail Him Who saves you by His grace, and crown Him Lord of all.
Hail Him Who saves you by His grace, and crown Him Lord of all.

Hail Him, ye heirs of David’s line, Whom David Lord did call,
The God incarnate, Man divine, and crown Him Lord of all,
The God incarnate, Man divine, and crown Him Lord of all.

Sinners, whose love can ne’er forget the wormwood and the gall,
Go spread your trophies at His feet, and crown Him Lord of all.
Go spread your trophies at His feet, and crown Him Lord of all.

Let every tribe and every tongue before Him prostrate fall
And shout in universal song the crownèd Lord of all.
And shout in universal song the crownèd Lord of all.

Your voice is your power box

 

1. RELAXATION: If you are tense, stressed, or upset it causes your vocal cords to become tight and to shorten. When your vocal cords become shorten and tense you can't sing correctly, you can't sing your full range, you lose resonance. It is important that you practice relaxation exercises as a daily routine so that you can condition yourself, or simply WILL-YOURSELF to become relaxed. You should be able to become relaxed at the snap of a finger. You can't do this, unless you practice relaxation exercises consistently. Here are simple daily exercises you should practice a few minutes through out the day. Sit down in a comfortable chair. Tighten up your fists, now suddenly relax it, let it go limp. Now do the same thing with the leg muscles. Tense them up and then purposely take control over these muscles and make them go limp, relaxed, and totally under your control. The most important tension / relaxation exercise is the jaw muscle. Do the same procedure with the jaw muscles.

Another exercise is to create a big smile on your face and hold it for one full minute. That's a real challenge, most people want to let it go after about 15 seconds. Can you keep it going for a full minute. You will notice that the smile actually creates a sense of relaxation over your body. You will also notice that this prolong smile will actually cause your brain to secrete endorphins which make you feel good. This is why singers come out onto the stage smiling. They try to smile as much as possible, it actually relaxes their body which in turn helps the vocal cords to be relaxed, loosened and elongated. The smile makes the singer feel good, which in turn sends out an emotional vibration to the audiences which in turn makes the audience feel good and receptive to the singer's performance.

Practice shaking your arms and then letting them go limp. Gently rotate your head and neck back and forth to take the tension out of the neck muscles. Shake your hands and then let them go limp. Open your mouth as far as you can then gently let the mouth close back to its normal position with a controlled feeling of relaxation of the muscles around the mouth and jaw.

Some professional famous singers get daily massages to relax their muscles which in turn help to relax their vocal cords. This is nice if you can afford it. However, we all have friends, spouses, or others who can help in this area

Life-Affirming Benefits of Singing - Vocalizing Promotes Well Being By Patty Mills“Singing fortifies health, widens culture, refines the intelligence, enriches the imagination, makes for happiness and endows life with an added zest.” * If you sing in the shower or sing along with the radio, consider taking this raw vocal skill to new heights. Music – the “universal language” not only stirs our deepest emotions, but active participation can increase energy and vigor to see us through even the most stress-filled life commitments. Good vocal technique goes beyond the basics to include both physical and vocal warm-ups, proper nutrition, adequate rest and emotional commitment. An experienced vocal teacher will explore all aspects of posture, abdominal and chest development, tone production and breath control. What health club can promise these benefits?

• Singing increases poise, self-esteem and presentation skills.
• Singing strengthens concentration and memory.
• Singing develops the lungs and promotes superior posture.
• Singing broadens expressive communication.
• Singing adds a rich, more pleasant quality to speech.
• Singing animates the body, mind and spirit.
• Singing enables the performer to delve into characterization/acting.
• Singing stimulates insight into prose and poetry and piques interests in the inner meaning of words.
• Singing enriches one’s ability to appreciate the art of great singers.
• Singing is an ageless enjoyment – you are never too young or too old.
• Singing is therapeutic both emotionally and physically.

Solo singing is easy to develop with the assistance of a well-trained vocal coach. Performing opportunities include church/band soloist, cabaret artist, or enjoying your newly developed skill exclusively for self-satisfaction. Opportunities to group singing abound from choirs to classical ensembles, Madrigal troupes, doo-wop, a cappella and more. If you commit to a performing ensemble, be sure the group shares the same emotionally and health-enriching goals you have set for yourself.

Whether or not you become a world-class singer is not important. Sharing the joy of singing will enrich your life far beyond the notes and music. Add a healthy, new dimension to your life – try SINGING!

*American Academy of Teachers of Singing

Patty Mills was an active member of the YankeeMaid Chorus for many years. Most recently she was very involved in marketing and public relations for the chorus. To that end, she wrote this article for publication in the Fairfield/New Haven Counties edition of “Music Notes.” In January 2000, we lost Patty to cancer. The YankeeMaids miss Patty and remember her fondly.

Scientists say singing boosts immune system.- Singing strengthens the immune system, according to research by scientists at the University of Frankfurt in Germany, published in the latest edition of the US Journal of Behavioral Medicine. The scientists tested the blood of people who sang in a professional choir in the city, before and after a 60 minute rehearsal of Mozart's Requiem.They found that concentrations of immunoglobin A - proteins in the immune system which function as antibodies - and hydrocortisone, an anti-stress hormone, increased significantly during the rehearsal. A week later, when they asked members of the choir to listen to a recording of the Requiem without singing, they found the composition of their blood did not change significantly. The researchers, who included Hans Guenther Bastian from the Institute of Musical Education at Frankfurt University, concluded singing not only strengthened the immune system but also notably improved the performer's mood.

Someone once said to me "how i wish i could sing" and I gladly told her that as long as you have a passion for it, just sing!
The best way to learn how to sing is by singing. Sing in your house, at work (not to loud, as long as you don't get a frown from your boss) sing whenever, however, wherever. Just keep singing.
But guess what, it really worths it when God takes the Glory, and I'm sure he'll make the difference in your singing.