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THE PULSE OF ENTERTAINMENT: Lyfe Jennings' new release 'Lyfe Change'
Also: the bill that made September Gospel Music Heritage Month
Platinum selling Lyfe Jennings new CD ‘Lyfe Change’ reached number one on Billboard’s Top R&B Charts
*“I grew up in the church,” said platinum selling Urban-Soul singer/songwriter Lyfe Jennings (Chester Jennings) about his style of singing. “I would always get a standing ovation.”
Lyfe’s whole family is musically skilled; in fact, aside from the choir; Jennings was in a group with his brother and cousin called Dotsons. But the “life” of the streets of the inner city of Toledo, Ohio had him living a lifestyle that ended with him being arrested at age 14 on a arson charge. He received 10 years and did the full term. Jennings was released in December, 2002 and in a months time he was performing at the Apollo on Showtime in Harlem. He had five victory performances and sold 1,000 of his demos while there.
Lyfe moved to New York after his winning run and was soon signed to Columbia Records. His debut CD “Lyfe 268-192” was released in 2004, selling over a million copies. It was reissued the next year with a bonus track, “Hypothetically,” featuring American Idols’ Fantasia. In 2006 Jennings released a sophomore album, “The Phoenix,” which released two singles “S-E-X,” featuring Three 6 Mafia and Young Buck, and “Freeze,” featuring LL Cool J.
Lyfe Jennings newest project, “Lyfe Change,” features collaborations with Wyclef Jean, Snoop Dogg and T.I. The album debuted at number four and reached number one on Billboard Top R&B Album Chart for two weeks. The first single is “Never, Never Land” and the next is “Cops Us.”
An accomplished pianist, guitarist and bass player, Lyfe’s “Will I Ever” on the “Lyfe Change” CD shows his vocal range and it’s recorded with a live band, always a favorite for me. Other impressive songs are “Wild, Wild, Wild” with Wyclef Jean, “It’s Real” and “Midnight Train.”
Lyfe, who received his name because his songs are always about life situations, is a father of two boys, one and three years-old. He just finished his “Baby I’m A Star Tour” which featured Solange Knowles, Ray Lavender and Yolanda Renee.
The making of a bill recognizing September as Gospel Music Heritage Month began with a statement
“Charlie (President and CEO of Gospel Music Channel) and I were going over some business and he made a statement, ‘I wish there was a day to recognize Gospel music’ and I said, ‘you got It,'” laughed Alvin Williams, Senior Director of Music Industry Development at Gospel Music Channel.
Alvin explained that he went on to do extensive research on Gospel music to support why Gospel music should be honored. A friend of Alvin’s knew a Congresswoman who took it to Congress with the support of Gospel Music Channel, Senators, The Recording Academy and the Gospel Music Association.
“The whole process took eight months,” Alvin explained. “I was told in the end (by the Congresswoman) that I actually wrote the Bill.”
Williams, who co-authored with mentor Jay King “The Business of Music for the Gospel and Christian Music Industry,” talked about his past achievements that include heading the Gospel division of Mathew Knowles Gospel label, and producing songs for Michelle, Beyonce and Destiny's Child (to name a few).
“I produced a song for Bizzy Bone and made big money and developed an ego. I was talking to Jay King (showing that ego) and he hung the phone up on me!” Alvin said. “When I did talk to him again Jay said that a big ego closes doors.”
The Gospel Music Channel has been airing various programming in honor of Gospel Music Heritage Month such as documentaries on Mahalia Jackson, Thomas Dorsey and Johnny Cash; Faith and Fame, a show that has Gospel artist like Kirk Franklin telling their story; the BMI Trailblazer Awards; the Best Performances of the Dove Awards; 80 Years of the Dixie Hummingbirds; the Gospel of Elvis Presley; Hometown Gospel on location in Chicago, Atlanta, New York and New Orleans, and much more.
Most shows will be re-aired so visit www.gospelmusicchannel.com or www.gospelmusicheritageh.com
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