Real Gospel with the Xman Podcast

Joshua's Troop

This weekend the spotlight is on one of my favorite youth groups, “Joshua's Troop!” Their new song “It’s my time” is being sung by youth choirs all over the country and in this fabulous interview you’ll hear the story behind the music. Also Monday January 9th is not only my birthday, its Founders Day for the greatest Fraternity in the world, “Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity Inc. and I’ll give them shout outs all program long. All that and more on the fastest growing syndicated gospel show heard all over the world! 
#JoshuasTroup #ItsTime #RealGospelwiththexman

Chystal Rucker Radio Interview

Chrystal Rucker is back with a new song, new album, and a powerful testimony that is sure to change the way you perceive your relationship with God. As we bring in the new year she’s my guest and just in case you’ve been missing out on her tremendous music ministry, take a peek at her bio below! Chrystal Rucker is a gospel soprano known to fans for her dynamic covers of "Over the Rainbow" and Walter Hawkins' "Changed." The daughter of a bishop in the Church of God in Christ (COGIC), the Kansas City, Missouri native started singing in church as a toddler. She went on to study music and English at the University of Missouri-Kansas City. Motherhood compelled the vocalist to pursue a reliable income, so she found office work while still singing on weekends. Eventually, Rucker found demand as a guest performer on gospel albums by artists including Edwin Hawkins, Myron Williams, and Jerome Greene. Continued guest spots, along with increased exposure provided by Dorinda Clark-Cole (the Clark Sisters) within COGIC, led to more live performance opportunities and a livelihood as a professional musician. In 2007, a series of strokes nearly ended Rucker's life, much less her career aspirations, but she returned to the stage as soon as her recovery would allow, and self-released an eponymous album in 2009. She continued to appear on other musicians' recordings, including 2011's Moses Tyson, Jr.: World Class Gospel Music Jubilee and Keep Living by Ricky Dillard. When Earnest Pugh started his own record label in 2012, he remembered Rucker from her performance at the funeral of Grammy-winning choir director O'Landa Draper and got her in the studio. EPM Music Group released her label debut, You Deserve, that summer. The title track landed on the Billboard Hot Gospel Songs chart, and the album reached the gospel Top Ten. ~ Marcy Donelson, RoviAll that and more on the fastest growing syndicated gospel show heard all over the world, “Real Gospel with the Xman!”
#ChrystalRucker #ExcuseMe #RealGospelwiththexman

Bishop Paul S Morton Radio Interview

This weekend Bishop Paul S Morton is my guest! We'll talk about how he first got started in ministry, his role as the Presiding Bishop of the Full Gospel Fellowship, what he thinks about Bishop Joseph Walker and yes, we'll talk about his latest song, "Watching Over Me." Don't miss this interview!
 
#BishopPaulSMorton #WatchingOverMe #FullGospelFellowship #BishopWalker #RealGospelwiththexman

Nona Brown Radio Interview

It may seem as though she came out of nowhere, it may seem as though she’s an overnight success but recording artist Nona Brown is anything but that and not only does her name ring bells inside the gospel music industry but she’s coming up as my guest. Nona will tell the story of how she first started playing the drums in church as a child, and how her former pastor prophesied to her that she would one day be a great piano player. Her song “Salty” with gospel legend Richard Smallwood is unique and totally one of a kind. By the way, how did she end up with Richard Smallwood on the song and how did the legendary Edwin Hawkins end up as her mentor? She will surly tell us the story. Take a look at her bio: 
A native of the San Francisco Bay Area, Nona’s musical journey spans over 30 years working with The Fray, Lenny Williams, Pattie LaBelle, Stephan Jenkins and Mickey Thomas. Nona’s gospel music roots led to many wonderful opportunities such as working with Josh Groban as choir coordinator for the Northern California tour, guest vocalist and composer on three national recordings of the Gospel Music Workshop of America, guest vocalist at Oprah Winfrey’s Legend Ball and currently, group member of gospel music legend Edwin Hawkins and the New Edwin Hawkins Singers.Nona is very active in the music community and has served as Vice President and Board Member of the San Francisco Chapter of the Recording Academy. She has also received nominations for two Hollywood Music Awards, Oakland Indie Award and is the recipient of the 2014 Trailblazer award from the Equality International Film Festival. Don’t miss this interview!!
#NonaBrown #Salty #RealGospelwiththexman

Jennifer Mekel Radio Interview

Some people may appear to have come out of nowhere onto the scene, I assure you the Ohio native Jennifer Mekel may seem like a new comer but she’s far from it and she’s my upcoming guest on Real Gospel. Her latest single is “Victory” and you’ll get to hear her story as she shares what it was like growing up as a church girl, how she never wanted to be in the spotlight but God placed her there anyway, and as a worship leader she’ll speak to those who are always late for service missing out on the “Worship” aspect of service, all that and more on the fastest growing syndicated gospel show in the world!
#JenniferMekel #Victory #RealGospelwiththexman

Kierra Sheard Radio Interview

Kierra Sheard returns as my guest on Real Gospel! She’s been on my show more than any other gospel artist and she always leaves us with golden nuggets of wisdom and insight! Her latest song is called “Hang On” and you’ll enjoy the story about this new song and this new cd project, not only is she my in-studio guest, I’ll be joined by another special guest as well, who…you’ll have to listen and find out. Let’s take a quick look at her bio:Kierra Sheard made her recording debut when she was nine and sang a duet with her mother on "The Safest Place," from Karen's chart-topping album, Finally Karen. When she was ten, she began traveling with her mother on tour to join her for the song. Kierra went on to win a Steller Award for Children's Performance for the song. At first, Kierra recalls not being that interested in singing and performing, but she soon began to witness the fun and joy her family had in singing and praising God, and she longed to be a part of it. By the time she was 13, Kierra had the desire in her heart to minister to people her own age, and she felt God leading her to do that.Kierra wants people to know that, while she does follow in a long line of great musical talents, she does have her own style and is very serious about her ministry. She is determined to show young people that they don't have to live in sin to have fun and enjoy life.So just how mesmerizing is Kierra Sheard’s voice? Captivating enough to shut down a noisy audience until you can hear a pin drop.Case in point: Sheard’s recent Grammy Week performance at BET’s annual Music Matters showcase. Those lucky enough to be in the audience were treated to a brief but powerful set that included a song about insecurities, both physical and emotional in her latest single, “Flaws,” as well as a goose bump-raising cover of the Mary J. Blige classic “No More Drama.” That colorful versatility provides the creative blueprint for Sheard’s contemporary urban inspirational sound.“It’s about singing an inspiring song that everyone can listen to,” explains Sheard,“especially those people who may never step foot in a church. It’s about R&B/hip-hop andgospel beats mixed with Coldplay and other pop/rock sounds—but always with a positivemessage.”Like I always say, You don’t want to miss this interview!!
#KierraSheard #RealGospelwiththexman #HangOn

Personal Praise Radio Interview

One of my favorite youth groups are back, Personal Praise and I have a feeling one of them is going to end up preaching one day! I’ll welcome back Yana & Tez to the show to talk about their newest song, “I Don’t Need A Thing” These young folk have a story to tell, they’ll talk about what it’s like being in high school and loving the Lord to sharing the technique they used to record their newest song. Let’s take a peek at their bio:The brother-sister duo, Tez and Yana are no strangers to the singing of God's praises. They often assisted their father as members of the church praise team and would travel as a family to various church musicals to deliver songs of praise. Hence, in 2007 Personal Praise was born as a family singing group, but to the parents it was obvious that the group was destined to be much more. “I remember being in St. Louis at my Godfather’s anniversary. I had stepped out for a moment when someone came to get me and said, ‘You got to see this!’ To my surprise, it was my 5 year-old Tez, leading praise and worship songs and bringing the congregation to its feet. It was at that moment, I knew God had greater plans.”As the children began to develop their own unique style of singing, they wanted to deliver a more modern approach to Christian music, one that would appeal to a more youthful audience. Yana possessed a strong traditional gospel sound likened to a young Tramaine Hawkins but Tez was quite the opposite and preferred the smooth R&B soul of artists like John Legend. Being a singer-songwriter himself, Mr. Person reached into his repertoire of original songs and began to work closely with the kids to create an authentic sound that would be pleasing to both children and parents alike. In 2010, Personal Praise was re-developed into a contemporary youth gospel ensemble that would include cousins Destiny, Chris, and Josh along with new choreography that would definitely add a youthful touch to gospel music.Gather your youth around, you don’t want to miss this interview!
#PersonalPraise #RealGospelwiththexman 

Jeff Walthall Radio Interview

Jeff Walthall is on the rise in the gospel music industry! His song “No one else like you” delivers the message of the gospel of Jesus Christ in ways we can all relate to. Jeff has collaborated with noted Stellar Award winning producer Dana Sorey (Tye Tribbett, Jason Nelson, Marvin Sapp, Anthony Brown&Group TherAPy) on his first live recording “More Of You”. The project was recorded in Ashburn, VA at Capital Community Church.Jeff will also explain why it’s important not to miss out on the praise & worship aspect of service in a way you’ve never heard before. Jeff has been a featured soloist for the Heart of Worship Music Conference for several years. He has shared the stage with Gospel contemporaries such as: Shawn Bigby, Bryan Pound, Sunday Best Winner Dathan Thigpen, and noted musicians Parris Bowens (Tye Tribbett, Israel& New Breed), and Ron Rawls (Mandisa). Walthall quickly earned the reputation of being a dynamic worship leader at his local church and among the DC, Maryland, Virginia areas. Walthall has been favored to minister all around the US and has also led worship and taught workshops internationally. Don’t miss this interview!
 
#JeffWalthall #MoreofYou #RealGospelwiththexman