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"An Evening With Lisa McClendon "

Article and Photos By: Keith Crosby

Lisa McClendon

February 23, 2006 - Integrity Gospel recording artist Lisa McClendon was in town to promote her new CD, "Live From The House Of Blues: New Orleans." Detroit Promoters, Friendship Productions and Mass Media By KCH.com, brought Lisa to Detroit for a CD signing and listening Party on Wednesday, February 22, 2006, and a concert the next evening at the Charles H. Wright Museum of African American History.

In addition to headliner Lisa McClendon, hip-hop artists A.O.N. and Mahogany Jones (from the Yuinon's camp) also performed. During intermission Esosa Osai, of Friendship Productions, went with an open mic flava as he called on several people in the audience entertain the crowd. Miss Reality flowed with some great poetry; Eric Deon took us to church with "There's Something About the Name," and Singer Eddie Willis sang a few selections.

Esosa Osai, Eric Deon, and Eddie Willis

Following intermission, The audience enthusiastically welcomed Lisa McClendon. Those in attendance were obviously big fans of her neo-soul and gospel sound that is both soulful and inspiring. In my opinion she's quite a breath of fresh air in gospel because her sound is so fresh and different. It's smooth, uplifting, and powerful. Lisa made note of the fact that she is a "minister" first. As such, she spent a lot of her time between songs ministering to the audience.

The Nashville artist sang several hot cuts from her new CD including "You Can," and "Just Another Day." An obvious crowd favorite she sang was "You Are Holy" from her last CD, "Soul Music." She rounded out her set with the up-tempo hand-clapping, foot stomping radio hit, "Move On Over." Before her final song she took suggestions from the audience. The overall consensus was The Winan's hit song, "Uphold Me," Lisa's tribute to Elder Ronald Winans. It was a fitting closing for Lisa's visit to the Motor City and home of gospel's first family.

Included in the evening's audience were Lashell Griffin, winner of Oprah's Pop Star Challenge; author Kimberly C. Huff, who was also a co-promoter of the concert; Jeff Cross of the ClarkSisters.com; and Carl B. Phillips and Mary Crosby of DG.com.

For more on Lisa McClendon visit the following links:

www.lisamcclendon.com

Visit Amazon.com to order "Live From The House of Blues: New Orleans" Online