Real Gospel with the Xman Podcast

VaShawn Mitchell Radio Interview

This weekend the man of God, the gospel “hit maker” the trendsetter VaShawn Mitchell is my guest and we cover everything from how he began in gospel music to where God has placed him in ministry. His bio by Torrence Glenn:Vashawn Mitchell returns with a personal invitation for all to go on a musical journey to his Secret Place. Over the course of his 18 year career, punctuated with much critical and commercial acclaim, Mitchell has solidified himself as a creative musical force in Contemporary Praise & Worship. He’s responsible for fan favorites like “My Worship Is For Real” (Believe In Your Dreams), “Turning Around For Me” (Created 4 This), “God My God” (Unstoppable), “Don’t Last“ (Promises) and the mega-hit “Nobody Greater” (Triumphant). Additionally, Vashawn’s continued contributions to gospel music go well beyond his own recording career as a singer/songwriter and extend to producer and visionary, having played a key role in the major label debut and sophomore releases of new gospel stars Anthony Brown and Tasha Cobbs. Mitchell is also a sought after musical director and teacher with a heart for equipping the next. generation of worshipers. It is with this passion to pay it forward that Vashawn developed and hosted “The Call ZA” in Johannesburg South Africa in February 2016. Mitchell described “The Call ZA” as “a conference for worshipers to come together and receive information, inspiration and importation to fortify their God-given assignment.” Attendees from all over Africa flocked to South Africa to be a part of this inaugural event. Mitchell hasn’t abandoned his gifts as a recording artist and worship leader. To close out the conference, on February 27, 2016 in a packed Mosaiek Teatro, Vashawn recorded what would become Secret Place: Live In South Africa. Why South Africa? After numerous trips to the region, Mitchell became overwhelmed by the worship experiences he encountered there. “When God gave me the vision for Secret Place, it was clear there was no other place for this sound to be recorded,” Vashawn recounts of his decision to record in South Africa. In order to capture the authenticity of the South African worship experience, Mitchell enlisted the help of some of the region’s worship leaders and artists to join him in the recording of the project. For Vashawn, “It was important to not just go and record but to make the recording a collaboration among BOTH American and South African artists.” South Africa’s own Mahalia Buchanan and Shaun P not only opened up the recording with their award winning songs but they also joined Mitchell’s American musicians to contribute background vocals for the entire recording. Secret Place: Live in South Africa isn’t your usual Gospel or Praise & Worship offering where an assortment of songs are compiled for their individual strengths. This project is an effective capture of a live worship experience that can be enjoyed as a complete body of work or as individual songs. The album opens with the ethereal “Give All I Have,” followed by a heart-warming rendition of “Jesus Loves Me” by Vashawn’s 11 year old nephew Tyler Mitchell. In keeping with Mitchell’s desire for the project to be a collaborative exchange of worship and sounds, the “Chant” literally transports you to South Africa with it’s haunting use of South African harmony and melody. Secret Place: Live in South Africa then begins to pick up speed with the fun “Oh The Love.”You don’t want to miss this interview!!
#VaShawn Mitchell #SecretPlace #RealGospelwiththexman

Deborah Joy Winans Radio Interview

Deborah Joy Winans is my guest on the show and if you watch the show “Greenleaf” you already know we had a lot to talk about! You’ll hear her share the story of how she was selected to play on the show, how she ended up singing her new song “The Masters Calling” even though she had no desire to sing or do any music. She’s quickly become one of the stars of the hit TV show and people are just now connecting her from the show, to her new music and her very famous Winans family, we cover so much in a short time during this interview if you blink you’ll miss out on something funny and informative! Bio: Actress and singer Deborah Joy Winans stars in the OWN family-drama series Greenleaf from Executive Producer Oprah Winfrey. The series, from Craig Wright (Lost) and Lions gate, focuses on the world of the Greenleaf family and their sprawling Memphis mega-church. Deborah Joy stars as Charity Greenleaf-Satterlee, the youngest daughter of the powerful Bishop James Greenleaf (Keith David) and Lady Mae Greenleaf (Lynn Whitfield). Second season returns March 15, 2017. Deborah Joy lent her voice to the Greenleaf Soundtrack and the single, The Master’s Calling went to no. 15 on the Gospel Billboard Chart. She is also nominated for New Artist of the Year for the Stellar Awards.Winans and her brother Juan will star as their real-life aunt and uncle, Cece and Bebe Winans on stage in the musical Born for This. The play, written by Bebe Winans and Charles Randolph-Wright (Motown) was performed in Atlanta and Washington DC at The Arena Stage and will continue to tour around the country in 2017.Deborah Joy starred in the Angela Bassett directed television movie, Whitney also portraying her real-life aunt, Cece Winans. She starred in the short Fighting the Battle and in the feature film Fragile World. Winans was a guest voice-over artist for several Grammy award-winning projects such as Mary Mary’s The Sound and Kelly Price’s audio book. Winans was born and raised in Detroit, Michigan and is part of the renowned gospel Winans family. Contrary, to her family’s musical legacy, she was passionate about acting and the singing came later at the age of 18 when she was asked to act and sing in a church theatrical production. Deborah Joy received her BFA from Wayne State University and Moscow Art Theater School. She also holds an MFA from California Institute of the Arts. Deborah Joy previously toured the USA with the Women of Faith Conference to inspire and empower thousands of women through a weekend of bonding and conversations. Deborah Joy is married to attorney and community activist, Terrence Williams, who is the owner of the West Michigan American Indoor Football team, The West Michigan Ironmen. Together with his partner, Nick VandenBosch, they founded the WV Foundation. The foundation provides scholarships, mentorship programs and internships to students in Muskegon, MI. Muskegon is a city faced with high crime and poverty therefore the foundation’s efforts have been met with overwhelming joy and given the community renewed energy and hope. Deborah Joy joins him in these efforts to provide better opportunities for undeserved youth. Do you really want to miss this interview!! 
#DeborahJoyWinans #TheMastersCalling #Greenleef #RealGospelwiththexman 

Clareta Haddon Jackson Radio Interview

Yes, she’s the sister of Deitrick Haddon, yes she’s been singing for quite some time, and no this is not her first rodeo. Clareta Haddon is my guest on Real Gospel and she’ll take us down memory lane with stories about growing up a P.K., give her very and I do mean very powerful testimony as to how God healed her body as a baby, how her father spoke prophetically into her life while she was a baby and if you believe in miracles this is a testimony for you. Clareta also a co-pastor and leader in her community. Her latest song “God with Us” from her project called “Contagious” is a breath of fresh air to those trying to do ministry outside the church walls. Let’s take a peek at her bio. Bio: She’s a gifted writer, producer, actor, evangelist and business owner (Stage life Productions) that simply compliment her artistic expression as a singer!” Clareta’s first single released to radio was “Winner’s Anthem”, which took worship to the next level with its cross market appeal and strong Gospel influences. She melodically uplifts a generation with this heart-warming Christian anthem. You can experience the dynamic artistry of Clareta and her single “Help Me” which is available on itunes. Experience her live on the web series#PregnantAndWorking https://youtu.be/CAh4sezdNjc with her new single "Zion Praise" featuring Deitrick Haddon as she prepares to release her debut project CONTAGIOUS in 2016. She also pastor's Kingdom Culture Church in Detroit, alongside her husband Pastor Tony Jackson. Her ministry is often compared that of very well-known speakers such as Jaunita Bynum, Jackie McCullough, Dorinda Clark-Cole, and her mother Joyce Haddon. She is currently available for musical and ministry events. It’s in interview you don’t want to miss!
#ClaretaHaddonJackson #ZionPraise #DeitrickHaddon #RealGospelwiththexman

J J Hairston Radio Interview

This weekend the one and only J J Hairston is my guest! He's got a lot to say, find out about the Bloody win tour, his new project and what he's been up to! Don't miss this interview! 
#JJHairston #BloodyWinTour #RealGospelwiththexman 

Fred Perry & 2nd Generation Radio Interview Part 1

Part 1 - This Resurrection Weekend I'm blessed to speak with Fred Perry & 2nd Generation!!Their new song "Just Do It" is the kind of song you hope your kids are around listening when it's playing, so what do these P.K.s and family group have to say about life, ministry and the business of gospel music, tune in to find out. Bio:Fred Perry & 2nd Generation are a traditional gospel group. They consist of a father and his 3 sons . The ministry started while the oldest of the 3 sons Frederick, started playing some music in the family living room one day, and merely asked his father, Pastor Frederick Perry, to add a song to it. Their love for gospel music goes back for many generations throughout the family. They are a family group that truly loves the Lord and wants to use their love for music to minister in song. All of the group members not only sing, but they are musicians as well. Fred Perry & 2nd Generation were the 2014 winners of Lisa Knowles of the Brown Singers, Evolution of Quartet Showcase in Memphis, TN. This endeavor opened many doors for their ministry. They have shared the stage with some of gospels greatest. There 1st CD was released on February 22, 2015. Their project “Heaven Sent” is filled with songs written by Pastor Frederick Perry and son Frederick Perry They were also the winners of the 2015 Exclesisa Showcase hosted by Esther Wooten, in Memphis, TN. Fred Perry & 2nd Generation held the top song of the week for 3 weeks during the month of July for the Independent Gospel Alliance. They have also been on Glory-land Gospels top 20 chart since September. Fred Perry & 2nd Generation have been nominated for 6 Rhythm of Gospel Awards for June 2016. They have been nominated for Quartet of the Year at the Triangle Awards 2017. 
#FredPerry&2ndGeneration #JustDoIt #RealGospelwiththexman

Fred Perry & 2nd Generation Radio Interview Part 2

Part 2 - This Resurrection Weekend I'm blessed to speak with Fred Perry & 2nd Generation!!Their new song "Just Do It" is the kind of song you hope your kids are around listening when it's playing, so what do these P.K.s and family group have to say about life, ministry and the business of gospel music, tune in to find out. Bio:Fred Perry & 2nd Generation are a traditional gospel group. They consist of a father and his 3 sons . The ministry started while the oldest of the 3 sons Frederick, started playing some music in the family living room one day, and merely asked his father, Pastor Frederick Perry, to add a song to it. Their love for gospel music goes back for many generations throughout the family. They are a family group that truly loves the Lord and wants to use their love for music to minister in song. All of the group members not only sing, but they are musicians as well. Fred Perry & 2nd Generation were the 2014 winners of Lisa Knowles of the Brown Singers, Evolution of Quartet Showcase in Memphis, TN. This endeavor opened many doors for their ministry. They have shared the stage with some of gospels greatest. There 1st CD was released on February 22, 2015. Their project “Heaven Sent” is filled with songs written by Pastor Frederick Perry and son Frederick Perry They were also the winners of the 2015 Exclesisa Showcase hosted by Esther Wooten, in Memphis, TN. Fred Perry & 2nd Generation held the top song of the week for 3 weeks during the month of July for the Independent Gospel Alliance. They have also been on Glory-land Gospels top 20 chart since September. Fred Perry & 2nd Generation have been nominated for 6 Rhythm of Gospel Awards for June 2016. They have been nominated for Quartet of the Year at the Triangle Awards 2017. 
#FredPerry&2ndGeneration #JustDoIt #RealGospelwiththexman

Henry Hall & New Dimension Radio Interview

Henry Hall has a testimony, it’s one that talks about the loss of his mother at an early age, and he gives advice to young people who are in the same situation. So how did God bring him from heartache to a man on fire for the Lord? Let’s take a peek at his bio:Hailing from New Jersey, Henry Hall is a powerful and prolific singer, worshiper and songwriter, who has performed on numerous National platforms throughout the United States and abroad. Henry has performed on stages with artists such as, Micah Stampley, William McDowell, Bryan Popin, Vicky Winans and Martha Munizzi.As a sought after singer and songwriter and leader, Henry Hall's passion for encouraging others through song pushed him to form his dynamic group, New Dimension. Now with Rebel Hill Music, Henry Hall & New Dimension have stepped into a new season of musical favor with their radio single, "You Were There".All the more reason you don’t want to miss this interview!
#HenryHall #HenryHall&NewDimension #Youwerethere #RealGospelwiththexman 

Shirley Caesar Radio Interview

My radio career has come full circle because I finally get to speak with the person whose music helped shaped my life as a child, the one and only Pastor Shirley Caesar! In celebrating her 50th season as a solo artist and one of the most recognized names and voices, the Reigning Queen of Gospel, Pastor Shirley Caesar stands tall, committed to her journey as a humanitarian, entrepreneur and gospel singer. Pastor Caesar talks about her personal journey from being teased as a child about because the grease from the burger leaked through her brown paper bag to how it feels to have gone before might men of valor and Presidents using her gifts from God.Her new project is called “Fill This House” and she gets into detail about which song on the new project is her favorite and why. I’ll even ask her to tell us how many songs has she actually recorded in her life. Truly an interview with a gospel legend you don’t want to miss!
#ShirleyCaesar #FillThisHouse #RealGospelwiththexman