NEW CDs RELEASED BY TWO LOCAL TALENTS

By Larnel Satchell

Stellar Award Nominated Choir, J.J. Hairston & Youthful Praise

The Bridgeport, Connecticut-based choir, Youthful Praise (“YP”), is back on the scene. Their last CD was released over two years ago but the last single, “Incredible God,” just recently dropped off of the Billboard Hot Gospel Songs chart over a year after its release. The gospel industry is buzzing that YP’s new single, “We Worship You,” will enjoy an equally long airplay life. YP’s charismatic leader, J.J. Hairston, brings his Brooklyn-bred flavor to the pulsating praise track. “I love the new radio single because it’s easy to catch and sing along to, and if you’re not careful, it will have you dancing,” Hairston laughs.

Recorded at Baltimore’s Church of the Redeemed of the Lord, the project boasts cameos by Judith McAllister, Ted Winn (Ted & Sheri), Jason Nelson, Jordan Martin, Timiney Figueroa-Caton, Steve Lawrence and Hairston’s mother-in-law, Gloria White. “This project is different from the others in that it brings it all together,” says Hairston. “Meaning we have some worship music, some praise music, some good old fashion church music and it’s all done in the way YP does it. It’s also different because the messages are much more personal. Songs such as “Everything is Changed,” co-written along with Elder Kenneth Moales, Jr., “You Are” and “Freedom” are my personal testimonies. I pray that someone can relate to what we’re saying and be blessed by it.”

Hairston grew up in the church his grandfather pastored (Mt Sinai Cathedral) and where his mom served as the choir director. However, when he moved to Connecticut, he had no desire to sing with or direct any choir. It wasn’t until his friend, Raheema Harrison, was killed in a shooting that Hairston decided to turn his own life around. He did that by joining Central High School’s gospel choir and then, Youthful Praise. Eventually, Hairston became co-director of Youthful Praise. It was then that he began to write and arrange the Youthful Praise recordings. When co-director, Shawn Brown, left to become a pastor, Hairston became the choir’s leader. Since then, the choir has performed on the “Stellar Awards” and “Conan O’Brien.” They have also won two Stellar Award nominations. Their last single, “Incredible God,” written by Deon Kipping spent 44 weeks on Billboard’s Hot Gospel Songs chart where it peaked at number six.

Pastor J.P. Morgan, Jr.

As the youngest and only boy out of four siblings, J.P. Morgan, Jr., has always been a “Daddy’s boy.” It is his father’s positive outlook on life that he has learned to embrace, which has helped him during tragic circumstances. His mother died when he was eight, and he and his older sister (the only ones still left at home) were raised by his dad, a C.O.G.I.C. (Church of God In Christ) Bishop in the city of Springfield, Massachusetts. His father was a dedicated parent who was devoted to the family despite his hectic schedule, and directed his children towards ministry.

While he was focusing on a career in music by writing music and singing for the likes of George Michaels, Cissy Houston, and gospel legend Edwin Hawkins, his father suffered a sudden stroke and died shortly afterwards. J.P. was now left to take over his father’s church while in the midst of planning his wedding.

“So many things appear to happen at the wrong time, but God doesn’t work according to our schedules,” says Morgan. After five years of pastoring at Holy Trinity C.O.G.I.C., J.P. has refocused on his music with his first solo effort entitled, “In His Own Time,” an energetic collection of thirteen songs designed to uplift, encourage, and share the love of Jesus Christ with the world.

This debut CD seeks to reassure listeners, especially those that are experiencing great tragedy, that God hasn’t forgotten about them, and that our lack of understanding about our situation is never an excuse to give up. “When my dad passed, I wanted to drown myself in grief and depression, but that’s not what he taught us, and little by little I realized that I had to fulfill my purpose in life which is to use all of the gifts that God has given me to encourage and uplift others. And why not…I am a Daddy’s boy.”

J.P. Morgan Jr. made his public singing debut at age 5, and started playing keyboards and writing songs at age 14. While he was growing up, he played and sang for the various choirs in his dad’s church as well as the Gospel Choir at the local high school he attended.

While a music major at Westfield State College and after, he continued to sing and play in the Massachusetts and Connecticut areas with groups and artists such as Focus, Rahni Song (Jazz Producer), Willie Small (writer of the song “I Need Your Spirit”), and he even wrote music for a play entitled, “If You Can’t Say Amen, Say Ouch.” His songs have been recorded by other artists, including Rodney Bryant and the Christian Community Choir, The GMWA Women of Worship and Co-Pastor Jackie Powell.

His persistent desire to reach out musically and expand his abilities have afforded him the opportunity to sing and record with a host of artists, including Edwin Hawkins (Father of Contemporary Gospel Music) and Walter Hawkins, Take 6, Be Be & Ce Ce Winans, George Michaels (formerly of the pop duo Wham), and folk singer Judy Collins. He has also performed on the nationally syndicated Bobby Jones Gospel Show, and sang with Sissy Houston in the made-for-T.V. movie, “the Vernon Johns Story,” starring James Earl Jones.

J.P. is currently on his promotional CD debut tour with singing stops at the 100 year anniversary of the Church of God In Christ in Memphis, TN and Dr. Bobby Jones’ 21st Bi-Annual International Gospel Artist Retreat in Orlando, FL. n