Interviews

Detroit Gospel's Karen Hunt-Barker sat down to talk with new national Gospel recording artist, Carine.  Carine talked about her ministry as a gospel singer and her new project It's My Turn, and she told Karen how DetroitGospel.com was a blessing to her ministry.

DetroitGospel.com's roving reporter, Karen Hunt-Barker, will be bringing us a new column, "UpFront & Personal." This column will spotlight local and national gospel artists and give readers insight into the creative process. Karen's first artist is Detroit's own Sonnie Day. Karen's full interview with Sonnie Day is now on the site.

Dr. Dorgan J. Needom took time out of his busy scheducle to share with us his insights from his 50 years as Minister of Music for Unity Baptist Church. Click below to find out what this gospel legend had to say.

The Unity Baptist Church family will celebrate Dr. Dorgan J. Needom’s 50 years of outstanding service as Minister of Music with a Celebration Fellowship Banquet at 5:00pm on Sunday, September 30, 2007. The event will be held at the Roostertail Banquet Facility in Detroit. For more information or to purchase tickets please call 313-933-9799.

Carl B. Phillips from DetroitGospel.com had an opportunity to talk with gospel artist, Marvin Sapp recently. Marvin Sapp's latest project, "Thirsty," has been at the top of the Billboard gospel charts since its release. Pastor Sapp shared insights into the project and his vision for the future.

"Lisa's voice is one of the finest instruments I've ever heard."
- Pastor Marvin L. Winans.

Lisa Scott-Bailey, recording artist and songwriter has traveled the United States and Europe as a psalmist and praise and worship leader. She first began vocal studies through a series of voice scholarships and awards in her teen years.

Known for her dynamic, inspiring and anointed word ministry, gospel vocalist Alice Hicks is an acclaimed singer, songwriter and speaker with a special gift of worship and exhortation.

Darcell has just released her debut gospel CD entitled "Joy Is Better." She began singing professionally at the age of 18. Darcell was a member of Motor City Mass (produced by Fred Hammond), which released 2 albums. She also sang background for gospel recording artist David Ivey and has traveled throughout the United States and abroad to London, England. Darcell also recently starred in the hit gospel play "The Night I Fell In Love" where she played the lead female role of Hope Hunter.

DetroitGospel.com: What was the inspiration behind the World Wide God?

Prenestine: I didn't come up with the name – Brother Render did. He worked with Curtis Turrentine and his partner Ed Armstead and they let him know that they had 4 or 5 songs that they thought he might like and when he heard them he was interested. Although "World Wide God" was not his favorite, "Brand New Blessing" was his favorite, but World Wide God was the one that worked out so well with the other 2 artists singing with me. Brother Curtis Turrentine did a fantastic job putting those parts together. He used that particular song to get my name out amongst the people and he just felt like since it was so well accepted he thought that it should be the title of the CD as well. It is true that God is a world wide God.

DG.com: Hi Kierra! It’s a pleasure to do this interview with you. Do you remember how old you were when you started singing?
Sheard: I don’t remember how old I was.

DG.com: Did you want a singing career or did you have other aspirations?
Sheard: When I was younger, I was pretty much into doing everything. I was into doing nails. I wanted to do your hair. I wanted to play basketball. I was cheerleading. I was doing some of everything. I realized after I got older and as I became more involved in church and realized what Christ was all about, what ministry was all about.

When you’re talking about great gospel families, be sure to add The Singletons to the list. These talented artists hail from Michigan’s state capital, Lansing, and are proudly following in the traditions established by some of Michigan’s gospel family pioneers including The Winans and The Clark Sisters.