36895_Root Magazine

Issue 31

THE LIFE AND TIMES OF

Donnie McClurkin

SPECIAL EDITION

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Greetings, When I first started Root Magazine, my very first issue was entitled The 50 Greatest Gospel Acts of All Time and naturally Donnie McClurkin was one of the 50 artists who are in a special class of legendary musicians. Simply put, Donnie McClurkin is a musical treasure and should be treated as such. Although his debut solo album wasn’t released until 1997, people either don’t know or they tend to forget about The New York Restoration Choir, an aggregation he formed at the age of 19, and introduced us to R&B royalty, Kelly Price. Not to mention, Donnie was the founder, lead singer, director and songwriter for the choir as well. The song Speak to My Heart, is a classic that we first heard in the early 1990’s, before it became a mega hit on Donnie’s self-titled debut solo project. Oh and before I forget, did you know he also wrote This is the Gospel of Jesus Christ on Hezekiah Walker’s classic Live in Toronto album?

Editor's Note

Welcome to Issue #32 of Root Magazine, The Donnie McClurkin Edition. Although I cannot be in attendance for this auspicious occasion (we are giving my grandmother a Surprise 80th Birthday on this very day and I told Pastor Donnie :-), I would like to personally wish Pastor Donnie a Happy 60th Birthday!

This special edition magazine will take a retrospective look at the Life and Times of Donnie McClurkin, complete with family photographs, words from friends and colleagues, and a storied four decade career in music!

As a fan, I understand that artists like Donnie McClurkin only come around once in a lifetime. In fact, there are only a handful of gospel artists who have sold over a million records on one album and not only is he apart of that very unique club, he has done so by remaining anointed and true to himself. Moreover, if Donnie doesn’t speak in tongues at some point during a service or concert, I will go on record and say it is not anointed!

I hope you enjoy, not only this keepsake, but also this special night commemorating six decades of Donald Andrew McClurkin, II. Love, Live Life!

Hasan James E-mail: Hasan@RootMagazineOnline.com Instagram & Twitter: @ROOTMAGAZINE Facebook: ROOT MAGAZINE

Cast & Crew Birthday Committee: Ruth Ann Wynter, Terrell Middleton, Sheila Carpenter Talent: Kirk Franklin, CeCe Winans, Erica Campbell, Tasha Cobbs Leonard, Kierra Sheard, Jonathan McReynolds, Jason Nelson, Jerard & Jovaun BGVs: Andrea Mellini, Sheila Carpenter, Sherry McGhee, Seth Ready, Nancey JacksonJohnson, Carol Carter, Murl Smith, Jerard Woods, Duawne Starling, Vincent Freeman, Ayanna George Management & Label: Roger Holmes; Sierra Management Betty Holmes; Sierra Management Phil Thornton; RCA Inspiration Gabby Jones; RCA Inspiration MD: Stanley Brown Greater Allen Cathedral: Pastor Floyd H. Flake, Pastor Elaine M. Flake, Reverend Lakiesha Merrick-Pender, Reuben James, Rodeena Stephens, Christopher Green, Phil Christie, Audio Design Group Travel Arrangements: Lynnee Porter

Video: Erica Payne, Marlene Mason Graphics & Tickets: Khalif Townes; The Townes Agency

Official Journal: Hasan James; Root Magazine

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Editor-In-Chief: Hasan James Senior Art Director Fatima Burke www.fatimaburke.com Contributors Michael Gordon Shadé Newkirk Chloe Vanderpoole Meta Washington David Williams J.S. Williams Jr Editors Kayla Johnson Amari Smith Jya Turner Photography Steve Ackerman Allen Cooley Jackie Hicks

Photography (cont’d) Alexander Lejo Simon Muchnik Stephen Reid DeWayne Rogers Jeremiah Sabado Alan Silfen ShotbySed Management Shawn Gibbs for The Firm Artist Management Sales & Marketing Ricardo Cantrell Kenneth Boyd Printing Shweiki Media

Visit Us On The Web at: www.rootmagazineonline.com

Performers

Kirk Franklin

He’s known as an incomparable artist, speaker, a New York Times best selling author, businessman and humanitarian, and after more than 20 years as the top selling artist of inspirational music, multiple 14 time Grammy® award winner, Kirk Franklin, shows no signs of slowing down.

CeCe Winans

With 12 million albums sold and 12 GRAMMY® awards to match, CeCe Winans is the best selling female gospel artist in history. Born in Detroit Michigan as the eighth of ten children, CeCe began her career with her brother BeBe on the popular eighties evangelical program,

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In 1993 Kirk revolutionized Gospel Music and bridged the gap between the faith community and mainstream Urban Music culture. Working with such artists as Bono, Stevie Wonder, the late Whitney Houston, Lecrae, Kanye West and Chance the Rapper, the genius fusion of a message of hope and hip-hop beats, have made him a mainstay atop Billboard charts for more than 20 years.

Many believe the secret to his continued success is rooted in his artistic genius of being innovative, relevant and authentic about his faith. Kirk has always been transparent about being abandoned by his parents, being adopted at the age of four and his humble beginnings. Kirk has never hid behind his celebrity status but has remained connected to his audience through his music and frank discussions of life issues.

In addition to his musical endeavors, Kirk Franklin is Chairman & CEO of Fo Yo Soul Entertainment based in Arlington, TX. The company includes Fo Yo Soul Recordings, a joint venture with RCA Records, a Management arm and a Booking and Touring division that includes both performances and speaking engagements. With 14 Grammys, 40 Stellar, 20 Doves, 12 NAACP and 3 BET Awards, Kirk Franklin is indeed Gospel Music royalty.

Ever the family man, Kirk Franklin believes his greatest accomplishment is being the husband and best friend of his wife Tammy, and proud father to Kerrion, Carrington, Kennedy and Caziah.

He believes everything that he has and everything he’s accomplished is all by the grace of God.

The PTL Club, hosted by Jim and Tammy Faye Bakker. Still in her teens, CeCe met and married Alvin Love II and they had two beautiful children, Alvin III and Ashley. After recording six very successful albums with her brother by her side, CeCe decided to take a leap of faith and go at it alone for the first time in her musical life. The result was, Alone in His Presence, her first platinum certified solo album, which spawned the hits: Because of You and Every Time, and earned her a Grammy® Award and two Dove Awards.

While her first solo effort was a traditional treasure, her follow-up Everlasting Love was contemporary gold, with the Billboard charting singles Well Alright and Slippin. The new millennium would birth a new title for CeCe, as the CEO and founder of her very own label PureSprings Gospel, in which she released the critically acclaimed Alabaster Box. This project solidified CeCe as one of the most diverse artists in

the genre, offering up Traditional Gospel with her first project, Contemporary Gospel with her second and Pure Worship on her third.

In the decade following, CeCe continued to record chart topping albums, yet still found time to author a few books, be a judge on BET’s Sunday Best and even reunite with her brother BeBe on their first album in 15 years, entitled Still. But there was STILL something missing in CeCe’s life and that was the Nashville Life Church, where she is now known as Pastor CeCe where she co-pastors with her husband of 35 years, Alvin.

After seven years of “Following Jesus and Building Leaders,” CeCe knew it was time to get back to her first love of music. The result was Let Them Fall In Love, a bonafide classic primarily written and produced by her son Alvin III, and an offering that helped her sweep both Gospel categories during the 60th Annual Grammy® Awards.

Campbell is the host of the highly rated nationally syndicated radio show Get Up! Mornings with Erica Campbell and can be heard weekdays from 6am-10am EST in over 40 markets. Campbell continues to solidify her media brand, having starred in two popular TV docu-series, We TV’s - Mary Mary and TV One’s We’re The Campbells.

Erica Campbell

Erica Campbell is a 5x Grammy® Award winner who has released two solo albums, as well as seven albums with her sister as part of the dynamic duo Mary Mary. Campbell has received numerous awards and accolades over the past two decades. Her debut solo album Help topped the charts for several weeks and generated three hit songs: A Little More Jesus, Help, and I Luh God. The topselling album won the 2015 GRAMMY® Award for Best Gospel Album, as well as eight Stellar Awards and a GMA Dove Award.

Erica is also an accomplished author, releasing her first book More Than Pretty: Doing the Soul Work to Uncover Your True Beauty, via Atria Books in September 2019 to both critical and consumer acclaim.

Campbell is married to GRAMMY® Award-winning producer and pastor of California Worship Center, Warryn Campbell II, and they have three children: Krista, Warryn III and Zaya.

Erica and Warryn released their first duet together, All Of My Life in 2018, becoming an instant classic.

multiple accolades, including two Billboard Music Award nominations and a BET Award nomination.

Tasha Cobbs Leonard

GRAMMY® Award-winning recording artist/songwriter Tasha Cobbs Leonard is one of the most prominent artists in gospel music. On the heels of being named the Top Gospel Artist of 2018

by Billboard Magazine and surpassing half a billion streams, she continues to skyrocket and shows no signs of slowing down since the launch of her career.

Tasha’s 2013 debut album, Grace (featuring the RIAA Platinum-certified smash hit Break Every Chain), continues to be one of the highest-selling albums of the past five years. With her 2015 follow-up, One Place Live, she earned another GRAMMY® nomination and

In August of 2017, Tasha Cobbs Leonard released her most ambitious and intimate project to date, Heart.

Passion. Pursuit. The unprecedented in-studio live recording made history in its first week, garnering more first-week streams than any gospel album in history (3 million). The project was the highestselling new release of 2017 and remains the longest-running #1 gospel album in over two years. A year later, she released Heart. Passion. Pursuit.: Live at Passion City Church, featuring standout live arrangements from the hit album, along with powerful stories and testimonies that have become the hallmarks of her live experience. She currently has all four of her albums in the top 20 on Billboard’s Top Gospel Album chart, and the hit song You Know My Name has spent 29 weeks at #1 at Root press time.

In such a short time, Tasha has seen extraordinary success, with accomplishments that include: a Grammy® Award, 3 Stellar Awards, 3 Dove Awards, marrying her best friend Kenneth Leonard and becoming Lead Worship Pastor at Relentless Church in Greenville, SC. She notes God’s grace as the reason for it all.

Kierra Sheard Demonstrating her versatility, Kierra Sheard is a gospel prodigy, powerhouse songstress, actress, activist and entrepreneur. She continues to deliver a contemporary urban inspirational sound, mixing various genres such as R&B, Hip-Hop, Gospel, Pop and Rock to deliver a positive message for all. Her debut album I Owe You released in 2004, followed by her sophomore album, This Is Me, which garnered a GRAMMY® Award-nomination and topped Billboard’s Gospel Albums chart at #1. Her 2011 album FREE which was released on the Sheard family’s Karew Entertainment, included hit singles You Are, Mighty and Indescribable.

With her classic fifth album, Graceland, to help further craft her signature sound, Sheard collaborated for the first time with Grammy Award-winning pop songwriter Diane Warren (Beyoncé, Whitney Houston, Celine Dion) on Flaws. She also teamed with rising songwriter/ producer Harmony Samuels (Ariana Grande, Fantasia, Michelle Williams) on the ballad Save Me. Rounding out Sheard’s suite of collaborators: her longtime producer/brother J. Drew (“2nd Win”) and songwriters Justin Jones, Justin Brooks and Lakisha Barnes.

Additional standout selections range from the folky, guitar-driven mid-tempo title track to the rap-accented anthem Moving Forward.

In addition to the release of her latest singles, Kierra recently co-wrote and is featured on Chance The Rapper’s single I Got You (Always and Forever) along with En Vogue and Ari Lennox, performing the song in front of millions on The Jimmy Kimmel Show. Ever the entrepreneur, Kierra is also the founder and CEO of her own clothing line eleven60, which is available at Macys.com Kierra will roll out more music in the coming months in partnership with RCA Inspiration, and recorded a live-version of her upcoming album Kierra, in Detroit on September 13th, at her father Bishop J. Drew Sheard’s church, Greater Emmanuel Institutional COGIC. Kierra is slated for release in 2020. Outside of music, Kierra continues to pursue her acting career as she portrays the role of her mother, Karen Clark Sheard, in the upcoming Lifetime biopic, The Clark Sisters: First Ladies of Gospel, slated for Spring, 2020.

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Jonathan McReynolds

What was born in his dorm room in the presence of a few friends, has graduated to Christian music’s biggest stage, picking up fans like Stevie Wonder, Lalah Hathaway, Kirk Franklin, CeCe Winans, Justin Bieber, Nicki Minaj and Tori Kelly along the way. McReynolds, now 30, did it with an incredible voice and a beautifully honest approach to songwriting.

Jason Nelson Jason Nelson is pastor of the Greater Bethlehem Temple Church, a thriving ministry in Randallstown, Maryland; however, he is one of the most

His latest full-length album Make Room debuted at #1 on Billboard Gospel chart and garnered a historic 1.3 million streams in the first week. It has been hailed as his best work, earning eight Stellars wins and two Grammy nominations. Not Lucky, I’m Loved, from this album, gave Jonathan his first #1 song on Billboard in September 2018.

In May 2015, Jonathan attained his Masters of Arts in Biblical Studies from Moody Theological Seminary. His contribution to society outside of music is important to him as well. With that, he is an adjunct instructor at his alma mater Columbia College, an official contributor to Huffington Post and the founder of Elihu Nation, a nonprofit organization that promotes wisdom and has awarded $30k in scholarships. He was recently named a new member of Mensa, an international high IQ society, as well.

In March 2018, he broke major ground for gospel, when his one hour TV special aired multiple times on TV One.

recognized voices in Gospel music and is considered to possess a rare gift in the Body of Christ, as he releases the power of the presence of God. Jason established his vocal status and exceptional anointing in 2005 with the release of inaugural solo project, I Shall Live. Not only a gifted voice, but a gifted songwriter, the songs penned for this project propelled Jason as one of the Ones to Watch in the industry.

Catching the ear of platinum recording artist and label mate Marvin Sapp, Sapp’s title track to the platinum

recording, Thirsty, was composed by Nelson. His highly anticipated third album Shifting the Atmosphere released in 2013, gave insight to its audience with the application of Praise and Worship.

Additionally, Jason has received a Stellar Award for Praise and Worship CD of the Year in 2014. His latest single, Forever, topped the Gospel Airplay chart last month. Jason considers his family as one of his greatest accomplishments. His wife Tonya and children Jaelyn and Jason Christopher are his pride and joy.

Jerard and Jovaun

Earlier this year, Jonathan was a judge with Kelly Price and Erica Campbell on Season 9 of BET’s Sunday Best. He was also the first in his genre to form a major partnership with Tidal. His appeal stretches across generational, cultural, and musical lines. It is shown in the buzz-worthy performances that have marked his last four years including Black Music Honors (2018), BET Celebration of Gospel (2014, 2016) Essence Fest (2014, 2015), 106 & Park, Stellar Awards (2015, 2016, 2018, 2019), Joyful Noise, Revolt TV Live, and the Dove Awards (three times). In addition to headlining monster shows as far as Oslo, London, and Port-of-Spain, Jonathan headlined two sold out American tours (33 cities) and has toured with India Arie and Lalah Hathaway.

Husband-and-wife contemporary gospel duo and worship leaders, Jerard and Jovaun, made their proper debut for Motown Gospel in 2019 with What a Beautiful Name.

Although Jerard and Jovaun Woods became well-known together through performances they uploaded to YouTube, they are seasoned background vocalists with dozens of live and studio sessions recorded with BeBe and CeCe Winans, Andrae Crouch, Donnie McClurkin, and Tasha Page, among many others. Additionally, Jerard has previously released an album of his own, I Waited (2007), and the couple serve as worship leaders at Bethesda Community Church in Fort Worth, Texas. The couple’s online following multiplied in 2018 with a version of Hillsong’s, What a Beautiful Name that led to a recording contract with Motown Gospel. They appeared later that year on the compilation A Motown Gospel Christmas, and made their proper debut the next year with What a Beautiful Name, a fivetrack EP produced by Jerard with Quennel Gaskin (who’d previously worked with Juanita Bynum and Myron Williams).

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Testimonials Happy 60th Birthday Pastor McClurkin!

May the rest of your life be the best of your life!

Damon Williams Senior Dir. of Marketing, Verity Records 2001 - 2009 In the years that I have known Pastor McClurkin, he has held many significant roles in my life. For several years, we’ve worshipped together with him as my pastor. For several albums, we’ve worked together with him as an artist signed to the label(s) with which I’ve worked. However, and I think most importantly, we’ve also laughed together as FRIENDS. Sadly, as can happen with friends, sometimes those laughs gave way to some ridiculous fights, and I do mean the most stubborn, bull-headed and self-righteous fights that one can imagine. And, to be clear, each one of those adjectives can be applied to the both of us! One misunderstanding in particular left us out of touch and devoid of all communication for years! Think about how silly we were. But, in my defense, I am muuuuuuuuuch younger and he should have known better and been the bigger person. LOL! Years went by and he was no longer my pastor, no longer an artist I was working with and no longer my friend.

The latter of which left the biggest void.

However, the friendship was also the facet of our relationship that eventually outlasted the fight and allowed us to reconcile. I’m so glad that God restores!

In the years that I have known Pastor McClurkin, we have experienced some of life’s greatest victories and even greater losses. We have shattered ceilings and broken records, and we have also lost loved ones most dear to us. Most recently, I was in New York for a photo shoot with Pastor McClurkin when my dad passed away. And just like the friend that he is, he extended himself to my family and I in ways that I will never forget. He exemplified Proverbs 17:17 where it says, “A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for a time of adversity.” For that, my friend and brother in Christ, I am forever grateful.

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Carla Williams Marketing Director, Verity Records 1996 - 2000 Let me start by saying that with my 20 plus year career serving as a gospel music executive, I literally felt that in those two decades I had won the lottery! From Word Records to Benson to Verity to EMI and culminating with Fo Yo Soul, it was my esteemed honor to work with all of the phenomenal gifts and talents in my favorite musical genre of gospel music. I have always been a fan of Donnie’s body of work dating back to the New York Restoration Choir. During my time at Verity Records as Marketing Director, I was tasked with coordinating the photo shoot for the Live In London album and I have very fond memories of that shoot.

Over the years at various events and conferences, my path crossed with Donnie’s often. I believe it was the second or third season of Sunday Best when the auditions were in Detroit and the talent that season was remarkable. Audition days were very long but one late afternoon, Donnie and Kirk wanted to go to the movies. Being the task driven introvert that I am, I replied,”No, we have a full day tomorrow and you guys need to get some rest” but that was code for “I’m really looking forward to ordering room service and chilling in my hotel room” LOL. I remember Kirk and Donnie pleading with me to go to the movies with them later that evening and when I discovered that they wanted to see Wolfman with Anthony Hopkins and Benicio del Toro, I could not resist. They were both two of my favorite actors and it was a horror movie that I would never go to see alone (yes I was a wuss). Kirk was adamant that we

attend the very last showing and although I warned him that the theater would be full of loud teenagers, he still insisted that we went to that showing. So here we go, the Three Musketeers, Kirk, Donnie and me with BET’s security detail. I’m sandwiched in between Kirk, Donnie and the security detail as our bookends. Before the lights dimmed in the theater, several male teens noticed Kirk and Donnie and began to point and yell out loud, Kirk Franklin and Donnie McClurkin are in the room!” The movie was scary, filled with blood, guts and gore and somehow in between the screams and laughs I had crossed the divide, no longer was I just a gospel music exec; we had all become friends and pals one night at the movies.

Erma Byrd Donnie’s Longtime Publicist

I was introduced to Donnie McClurkin by Marvin and Ronald Winans in the nineties.

Little did I know at the time that God was orchestrating the introduction for a far bigger purpose than either of us could ever imagine. Fast forward a few years, my long-time friend Demetrus Alexander invited me to an Azusa Conference in Atlanta, where she wanted me to hear Donnie minister. At the time, Demetrus was an executive at Warner Alliance in Nashville and I worked at Warner Bros.

Records in Burbank. She expressed interest in signing Donnie to the label because she recognized God’s hand on his life and embraced the vision early on.

Prior to attending the conference, I knew absolutely nothing about Donnie’s journey but as I sat in my seat listening to him minister in song and sharing his testimony, the anointing was so strong.

I totally understood why Demetrus was determined to make him part of the Warner Family. I knew in that moment that I wanted to contribute to the mission and make sure people heard the good news Donnie was called to share. I pitched with passion and my excitement became contagious. Most journalists couldn’t even pronounce his name correctly, but they were willing to write about him. Demetrus’ pursuit was not in vain, she signed Donnie to Warner Alliance and he recorded his first solo self-titled album, Donnie McClurkin in 1996 and it featured the beloved anthem, Stand and a remake of his classic ballad, Speak To My Heart.

I’ve witnessed God open one amazing door after the other on Donnie’s behalf and his ministry and music career simply sky-rocketed, but not without hurdling some bumps in the road. No one rises to the top without opposition and he definitely had more than his fair share of obstacles. Every time he thought things were slowing down, another jaw-dropping opportunity would come his way.

It would take far too long to list all the awards, accolades, special events, and television appearances that have been added to Donnie’s list of accomplishments.

Regardless of all the industry recognition, I know the greatest achievement to him is his role as Sr. Pastor of Perfecting Faith Church in Freeport, NY. The PFC family will always have a special place in his heart.

Happy Birthday to my dear friend and spiritual brother; I can’t wait to see what God has planned for the next phase of your journey!

Jeff Grant Director of Promotions, Verity/RCAI 1997 - 2016 I’ve been blessed to have been a part of Pastor Donnie McClurkin’s iconic and legendary career from the days of Warner Alliance’s Donnie McClurkin to RCA Inspiration’s The Journey Live. It was always exciting to work the many hits at radio that were spawned from Pastor Donnie’s extensive catalogue to include songs like; Stand, Speak To My Heart, the massive We Fall Down and countless others. Pastor Donnie was the artist that no matter how he felt physically, voice, no voice, tired, it didn’t matter; he ALWAYS gave 100%! I always loved the fact that Pastor Donnie knows ALL the words to just about ANY television theme song and the 7th, 8th, 9th and 13th verse to any hymn ever written! Love you Donnie, Happy Birthday!

Phil Thornton Senior VP/General Manager, RCA Inspiration

In June 2016, I assumed the role as Senior VP/General Manager, RCA Inspiration/ Sony Music. RCA Inspiration (formerly Verity Records) had been Donnie’s label home for 20 years. As a young executive, stepping into a successful (number one) label with so many major Gospel artists can be intimidating (especially with so much history and accolades). Pastor McClurkin’s The Journey (Live) was the first release under my leadership and I was in the process of building a new team at the label but refused to let Pastor McClurkin down.

Pastor McClurkin and Roger Holmes (his manager) were two of my first office visits (within 45 days of my hiring). I went to lunch with Pastor McClurkin and he shared some of the challenges in recent years with the label. I assured him we would turn things around and expand the contractual relationship (to release more music). The Journey (Live) was Pastor McClurkin’s last release under his contractual commitment at the time. During our meeting, Pastor McClurkin celebrated a lot of the new talent in Gospel music (Travis Greene, Jonathan McReynolds, Tasha CobbsLeonard, etc) and felt his best days were behind him. The topic of retirement (from music) was discussed, but I reassured Pastor McClurkin that retirement was not an option and he has MORE albums that the WORLD needs to hear. I couldn’t have this LEGEND throw in the towel (not in my first 45 days lol).

Over the next few months, Cathy Carroll and Tamar Rand (RCA Inspiration Radio Promotions Team) continued to push I Need You up the charts. On the April 1st Billboard Airplay Chart, Pastor McClurkin’s I Need You hit #1. This accomplishment was significant because this was Pastor McClurkin’s first #1 in 12 years (I Call You Faithful was a #1 Billboard single in April 2005). Also, I Need You took 46 weeks to reach the #1 spot, the longest trip to #1 since the chart’s creation. As you can imagine, Pastor McClurkin was delighted!

The 32nd Annual Stellar Awards (2017) were held in Las Vegas the same week we found

out about the #1 and Pastor McClurkin treated the entire RCA Inspiration staff to dinner at an amazing (and expensive) restaurant to thank everyone for the song hitting #1 (and The Journey (Live) debuting at #1 in September 2016). During the dinner, Pastor McClurkin questioned my knowledge of music when I told him I wasn’t familiar with Barbra Streisand’s catalog (she is one of his favorites). After the dinner, I downloaded Ms. Streisand’s Greatest Hits project (I’m ready for our next music discussion lol). I learned a lot about Pastor McClurkin’s vast musical knowledge (all genres) and that he was a polyglot, as he spoke several different languages at the table. The dinner was a night I will never forget.

In 2018, Camdon Music (Pastor McClurkin’s company) formed a strategic partnership with RCA Inspiration to release new music.

The first release from the Camdon Music/ RCA Inspiration partnership is Pastor McClurkin’s latest release, A Different Song. Pastor McClurkin has several releases planned under the new venture, with no signs of slowing down.

Monique Walker Longtime Friend

Well, what can I say about a man that has ALWAYS loved me unconditionally? In trying to organize this heart felt message, there were so many memories that came to my mind. I could talk about the fun years we had on the road with the play. I could talk about the times I came to your house and you wanted to sing all night long. I could also talk about the times you helped me through some serious situations. But I WILL talk about how you prayed for me and never made me feel less than a woman of God. I love you so much and thank God I am the only “ME” in your life. You have siblings, friends, family, church members, and loved ones, but you only have ONE WORLDWIDE SUPER SUPREME MISSIONARY IN YOUR LIFE…AND THAT’S ME. I want to write more but I’m very busy. You know how it is when you got “PEOPLES” under you! I love you!

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Still Standing As Told to Hasan James

For well over two decades, Donnie McClurkin has blessed the world with not only his distinct tenor voice, but an infectious anointing to match. Whether he was on The Oprah Winfrey Show or at the White House, you knew that Donnie was in the HOUSE and that he was going to tear the HOUSE down!

Songs like Stand, Speak to My Heart and We Fall Down are literally anthemic, not only in church, but in the world. I recently saw Fantasia on tour and Stand is apart of her set list. Mary J. Blige famously sampled Speak to My Heart on her classic 1994 album, My Life, on the song Don’t Go, and although We Fall Down was a staple in the CCM market, black folks didn’t know it until Donnie made it a platinum juggernaut.

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So here we are, 20 years after the release of Live in London, one of the biggest albums of Pastor Donnie’s career and fresh of the plane and landing on American soil, he talked to me about what it feels like to celebrate this monumental album 20 years later and how turning the BIG 60 is bittersweet.

camera DeWayne Rogers black-tie Carlton Spence

Root: I can’t believe it’s been like 20 years since the first Live in London. How was your trip?

Donnie: I just came back from London and it was one of the best concerts I ever had. We did two nights and it was remarkable. Everyone in the room sang all night long and 20 people gave their lives to Jesus, but more than anything else, it was just a great reunion.

Root: What was the energy like?

Did you only do songs from that particular album or did you mix it up with some of your other music from your extensive catalog?

Donnie: We definitely did songs from the project and unfortunately we did them in the same key and quickly realized that 20 years later we didn’t have it like we used to (Laughter). We did several songs from the Live in London project and then we did some new songs that will be going on the Live in London….Again project that will be released next year.

We also did some new songs that are on the new project, A Different Song.

Root: Speaking of your new project, what makes it A Different Song? What makes this album different from your past albums?

your debut album up until now?

Donnie: The evolution came by finally knowing who I am. When I released my first solo project in 1997, I was a neophyte. I was insecure and I really didn’t think anybody would accept, embrace or gravitate to my songs or my songwriting, so I minimized and marginalized myself and I had to grow into this place that I’m in now. Now I know when the song is supposed to be released. I know the type of music that God’s given me and I’m not bashful nor ashamed in a public setting. Now, I’m a different character and I can stand on any platform around the world with confidence because God has proven to me who I am, not based on what I do but really based on who I am.

Root: Who did you work with or collaborate with on this project?

Donnie: I’ve collaborated with Trent Phillips out of Atlanta and Trey Corley out of Nashville. And of course the guy that produced the first Live in London, Kevin Bond. We are all one big family, so when it came to the new project, we went right back to the same pool and pull from the creativity in the pool and the level of production that we are all used to.

Root: The industry has changed so much in the 22 years since your first solo project. What do you dislike about the music industry right now?

Donnie: Well, the reason why we named it A Different Song is because it’s not your typical Donnie McClurkin project. There are songs of worship, there are songs of simplicity that anybody can sing along with, there are songs that deal with bringing people back to the unified knowledge that there is one God. There’s a lot of pluralism that goes on in society and this brings it back to the monotheistic thought and understanding about this loving God who despite anything and everything, loves us.

Donnie: I dislike the competitive aspect of it, that when it comes time for artists to put out their project, it’s a competition.

People get covetous and don’t want the other artists to hear what they’re doing.

I have been apart of the gospel music community for over 30 years and it hurts my feelings when I see other artists not being able to trust their co-laborers.

When it comes to creativity, we push people away because we don’t want them to get privy to what we’re doing, when support should be the main thing.

If we all really banned together, we would make the gospel music base stronger and more of a real family. However, we allow competition and the industry to cause us to challenge relationships.

Root: I have to say that I agree that there needs to be more collaborations in gospel music, which is what I loved when you did the Duets album.

Root: How has your music evolved from

Donnie: I got that concept from Fred Hammond. One time we were on a plane

and we were talking about how we felt at that time that the gospel music industry was challenged, for lack of a better term.

We don’t stick together creatively, we do so as friends but we don’t lean on each other creatively. In the secular world, one artist will call another artist in a heartbeat and that’s the reason why I did the Duets album; even when I collaborated with Karen Clark Sheard on Wait On The Lord and also collaborating with CeCe and Mary Mary.

Root: You’ve suffered great loss over the past decade. Why is the year 60 so significant to you?

Donnie: I must say that turning 60 is bittersweet. It is wonderful to be able to say that I’ve made six decades. That in itself is a miracle. I made it to 60 broken and bruised ,but I finally made it to the point of peace, happiness and the understanding who I am. It’s hard to think that with this milestone my mother and father who are responsible for me being here are not here. I have lost sisters, aunts, uncles,14 year old niece passed away in her sleep,18 year old nephew passed away in his sleep and usually during celebrations like this, the whole entire family is here to celebrate. My 97 year old Grandmother left us two years ago and within the last five years, we lost 14 close family members. My mom and dad died within ten months of one another, my sister passed no too long after that and she wasn’t even 55 years old. So it’s definitely bittersweet. I will be able to celebrate with the family that I have left, the friends that I have left and the family of fans. But I must say it will not be the same not having my mother there, who was there for my 50th and my 40th birthday celebrations, which were the only two major parties that I’ve had.

It’s going to be very hard not having that bald headed guy there, my dad.

Root: Even with everything and everyone that you’ve lost, is there some sort of light in the midst of all of the darkness that has occurred in your life?

Donnie: The light is that I’m still alive.

The light is that everybody that passed away did a wonderful job investing in me, and that I am a byproduct of their investment. As my life continues on, their light shines through me. Their words of wisdom, the memories, the laughter, the absolute totality of all of them shines through Donnie McClurkin.

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Donnie the Artist

Donnie the Family Man

Donnie the Man

Donnie the Pastor

Donnie the Pastor

Donnie the Father

THEBENEDICTION

The Donnie Effect

by Hasan James

Donnie McClurkin His debut self titled album birthed classics like Stand and Speak to My Heart, caught the eyes and ears of Oprah Winfrey, and went gold as a result.

Live in London and More…

His sophomore offering and first LIVE album, offered a slew of classics like That’s What I Believe, Who Would’ve Thought, Great Is Your Mercy and the classic We Fall Down; which lead to Donnie’s first platinum plaque.

Again There was a lot of pressure coming off such a huge album like Live in London but Again, DM’s third album, was the perfect continuation with hits like Again, The Prayer, featuring Yolanda Adams, Holy and Create In Me a Clean Heart. This offering was Certified Gold and won him his first Grammy®.

Psalms, Hymns and Spiritual Songs True to its title, this platinum certified double disc paid homage to songs of old like The Blood and I Love To Praise Him, while the emergence of worship was prevalent on songs like Days of Elijah, I Will Sing and the call and response I Call You Faithful. This album won Donnie his second Grammy® award for Best Traditional Gospel album.

We All are One Donnie decided to go back to his adopted home of Detroit to record his first album in four years and the end result were great songs, like the title track, a hidden gem, When You Love (feat. CeCe Winans, Yolanda Adams and Mary Mary) and another Grammy® win for the #1 single Wait on the Lord, featuring Detroit native and legend Karen Clark Sheard.

Duets At the behest of friend and fellow artist Fred Hammond, Donnie decided to do an album of duets with some of his favorite artists like fellow Kingsmen, Israel Houghton and Marvin Sapp, Dorinda Clark Cole and the energetic and talented Tye Tribbett on the Top 10 single, We Are Victorious.

The Journey LIVE Bringing it all back together, this LIVE presentation features classics from past recordings and a new single entitled I Need You, that just so happened to peak at the #1 spot on Billboard in the spring of 2017.

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