RiZen burst onto the national gospel music
scene in 2003 rocking their stilettos to a praise beat, wowing audiences and satisfying thirsty souls without ever missing
a step. Comprised of real life sisters Adriann and Aundrea Lewis, the Stellar Award winning group was originally formed in
1995 by Adriann as an eight member praise and worship team at New Galilee Baptist Church in Saginaw, Michigan - their home
church where their father, Luciose Lewis, serves as pastor. Fast forward to 2009: The all girl praise and worship team has
evolved from eight members to three and, now, to a duo newly signed to Verity Records and set to release their third CD FREE.
Renowned the world over for their powerful vocals, awesome harmonies and trademark old school meets new school gospel sound,
Adriann and Aundrea grew up as preacher’s kids but were allowed to listen to all kinds of music, and this early exposure
to varying musical sounds and styles continues to influence their sound today. “Our mother was a musician, so she listened
to all genres of music,” says Adriann. “To this day, I still love R&B artists. Some of my favorites are Tina
Turner and Mary J Blige. However, we grew up Baptist, so that’s all we knew when it came to our own singing and recording
– and that’s where we get our signature sound.” Aundrea recalls: “We grew up with the Gospel Music
Workshop of America. Through our mom, who is a piano teacher and choir director, we were introduced to the music of seasoned
traditional gospel artists like Rev. Charles Nicks, Dr. James Cleveland, Albertina Walker, and Dorothy Norwood. However, we
do love R&B, Jazz and Country music. Growing up, our parents allowed us to go to concerts, like New Edition and LL Cool
J, and we were able to buy albums. We still have our Michael Jackson albums to this day! So even though our musical foundation
is the Baptist church, we have a range of influences that occasionally pop up in our music.” Like most singers raised
in the church, Aundrea and Adriann honed their craft singing in the children’s choir. Their mother, Kayron Lewis, directed
all of the church choirs. Aundrea garnered her choir directing skills by following their mother. She says, “We started
really early singing in every choir in the church. I was the director. Wherever my mom went and directed, I followed her.
I have directed the youth choir, the mass choir and even the male chorus.” While Aundrea was learning to direct choirs,
Adriann was singing with all of them - even the male chorus. Aundrea laughs, “My sister Adriann starting singing at
age three and she sang with every choir in the church, including the male chorus. Picture this little girl up there singing
with all those men, that was a sight!” Adriann adds, “I did not want to stop, I demanded to sing…I’ve
been singing since I was three years old!” The sisters continued to sing in the church and build up a reputation as
vocal powerhouses. They were awe-inspiring singers by the time Adriann formed the original eight member ensemble RiZen. However,
by the time they were set to record, the eight had become four dedicated souls ready to set the world on fire with their distinctive
sound. Their self-titled debut CD was released with much fanfare and praise and won a Stellar Award in 2004 for Best New Artist.
All of a sudden the trio of Midwestern church girls had a chart climbing hit on their hands and was on a whirlwind of success.
RiZen had a schedule packed with international personal and promotional appearances, TV performances, and concert tours and
media interviews. Aundrea remembers all the excitement, “It was just moving so fast. We had been together for twelve
years and in that thirteenth year to see God open up all of those doors doing all that he said he would do was just awesome!”
By the time RiZen released their second CD, RiZen2, in 2005 they were touted as bonafide gospel sensations. To add even more
icing on the cake, they won a Stellar Award in 2006 for Best Traditional Group/Duo. However, in between that second CD and
their latest, FREE, the trio became a duo of two tight-knit sisters Adriann and Aundrea Lewis. With FREE, RiZen has again
recorded a CD that covers a myriad of gospel sounds, from traditional to contemporary, to praise and worship, with a touch
of R&B and a splash of funk. This mixture of sounds beyond traditional gospel is a sweet surprise for RiZen fans and will
garner even more inspirational and gospel music fans of all ages to their music ministry. The duo will also continue the work
of their ministry “RiZen From Prison” where they give a free concert every November at a women’s prison
in Arizona and, when each person is released from prison she is presented with a pair of stilettos as a reminder of her walk
with Christ. The new CD, FREE, was produced by urban gospel icon and label mate Fred Hammond, as well as Aaron Lindsey, Daniel
Weatherspoon and RiZen’s younger brother and musical director, Ay’Ron Lewis. Aundrea beams over their new release,
“Our sound has really changed with this release. It is a mixture of traditional and contemporary styles. We were able
to work with different producers who brought to us more creative ideas and a different way of doing things this time. ”
When asked what songs on FREE are extra special to them, Adriann says: “I love all the songs, but the song “Live
To Love,” written by Fred Hammond tells everything that I’ve personally gone through over the past two years.
I believe the Lord just had him write my life in that song! And musically, there’s the 1970s throw back, “All
I Need,” which is an ode to Aretha Franklin and the Detroit Motown sound. It’s upbeat, a little bit churchy and
a little bit funky. Since we’re from Michigan, we had to throw that one in. Anybody who loves Aretha is going to be
all into this one.” Aundrea’s favorites lean more towards the traditional gospel tracks. “‘Worked
It Out’ really hits home with me. It’s up tempo and it addresses questions like ‘What am I supposed to be
doing with my life?’ ‘God where are you trying to take me?’ and ‘How am I going to pay these bills!’
It tells us to stop trying to figure it out and give it over to God and let him work it out. Then there’s the beautiful
ballad “Just For Me.” I wrote that song during a church service at home. The sprit was so high and I just started
singing that little hook. My oldest brother was in the audience. He wasn’t saved at that time. And as I sang that song,
he received the Holy Ghost and accepted Christ as his personal savior. And every time I hear that song it reminds me that
the Lord saved my brother, just for me.” Other stand outs on FREE include the rock tinged title track, which will make
you dance and shout in the spirit as you relish being free from the cares of this world. The praise and worship ballad, “I
Owe It All To You” will send your soul soaring with gratitude to the Lord for all he’s done for you while the
up beat, foot stomping, traditional gospel music lover’s delight, “Look Back” will take you straight to
church. And not be left out is “Ridiculous Praise,” it will touch your spirit and make you praise God right where
you are. Besides Aundrea and Adriann, a crew of gifted writers contributed to the project, such as Ay’Ron Lewis, Fred
Hammond, Aaron W. Lindsey, James Fortune, Daniel Weatherspoon, Alvin Richardson, Deon Kipping, and Michael and Chuck Bethany.
One listen to FREE and you’ll feel the anointing jumping out at you. FREE is RiZen’s best musical offering to
date and an awesome ministry tool for the duo’s ultimate goals of saving souls and global kingdom building.
Bebe & Cece Winans-Still
Growing up in Detroit, MI,Benjamin "BeBe" Winans and Priscilla "CeCe" Winans were born into a home
that birthed the first family of Gospel music. The Winans Family was led by a mother and father who taught their ten children
the foundations of a Godly life and admonished them to use their voices for the glory of God. The success of their four brothers,
The Winans, blazed a trail for BeBe & CeCe to create their own path of writing and performing music that would attract
a legion of fans and change the face of Gospel music forever.
After the success of their debut album, BeBe & CeCe became
the first Gospel pair to see their second album, Heaven, reach #1 on the Billboard sales charts in 1988 and also be certified
Gold. The title track reached #12 on the Billboard R&B singles chart and also spawned two more hit singles with "Lost
Without You" and "Celebrate New Life."
In 1991, the dynamic duo released Different Lifestylesfeaturing
the single "Addictive Love" and a cover of the Staples Singers classic, "I'll Take You There." Both
singles topped the R&B charts. From there, BeBe & CeCe released two more albums and after an amazing run of smash
hits and albums, BeBe & CeCe went on to pursue incredibly successful solo careers.
With a phenomenal career that
has spanned more than 20 years, BeBe & CeCe have become one of the most commercially successful gospel artists in the
business. As a duo their accolades include five Grammy Awards, eight Dove Awards, two NAACP Image Awards, one Soul Train Award
and over a dozen Stellar Awards. They have also racked up 12 chart topping R&B singles, as well as numerous #1 singles
on Christian AC and CHR radio, three gold albums and one platinum album.
In conjunction with the release of Still,
the BeBe & CeCe Reunion Tour will criss-cross the country later this year.
Ted Winn-Balance
Winn’s highly-anticipated solo CD debut “Balance” is tentatively scheduled for a fall 2008 release
with original songs written by Winn, Israel Houghton, Jonathan Nelson, and PJ Morton, among others.
Project producers
include Winn, Daniel Moore, Myron Butler and PJ Morton, who wrote DeWayne Wood’s smash “Let Go, Let God.”
The first single is the power anthem “God Believes In You” that will be serviced to gospel and urban AC radio
in April 2008.
The song was inspired by a real life tragedy. “A friend of mine was killed in an accident and
he was one of many people, whom I feel did not reach his potential because he never had a support system nor infrastructure,”
says Winn. “This song is meant to inspire EVERY person to pursue every dream knowing that God has made an investment
in them and He would not make an investment if He didn't expect a return. It's not just to those who have always been
apprehensive, it's also to those who have achieved "success", but still have passions that they've been
slow to go after.”
Aside from singing, Winn has been an active behind the scenes player as a songwriter on songs
recorded by Marvin Sapp, Youthful Praise, and the Dove Award nominated smash “Marvelous” for Bishop T.D. Jakes
and The Potter’s House Mass Choir. Winn’s Veracity Entertainment, LLC, is a publishing/publishing firm that administers
publishing for songs recorded by Anthony Hamilton, TLC, Jonathan Nelson, Marques Houston, Juanita Bynum, among others. Winn
had been content with his publishing company and launched the solo project with a bit of apprehension. “I feel nervous,
but like I'm in line with God's plan, in that he gave me something to say on this project,” Winn says. “I
prayed/thought long and hard about doing a solo record and vacillated quite a few times but I’m happy with the way it’s
shaping up.” Stay up to date on Ted Winn happenings and download “God Believes In You” at his website: www.myspace.com/teddwin
Fred Hammond-Love Unstoppable
The Grammy-winning “Architect of Urban Praise and Worship” and the leading light behind gospel supergroup
Commissioned is in fantastic form on his thirteenth solo CD.
Love Unstoppable is one big praise party,
each track bleeding into another. The first three songs are non-stop mid-tempo pulse raisers, as the background vocalists,
led by Hammond’s frictionless tenor, sing with unchecked, joyous verve. “Find No Fault” even adds an island
beat to the mix.
One of the most interesting tracks musically on Love Unstoppable is “Thoughts
of Love,” a sacred ballad that evokes the Brazilian jazz of Sergio Mendes, circa 1965-6. Hammond includes several more
love ballads to the Savior on the album, including the tuneful “Lost in You Again” and “Best Thing That
Ever Happened.”
Another composition worthy of note is “Take My Hand.” This emotionally rendered
traditional-flavored song about moving from heartbreak and pain to breakthrough interpolates the celebrated opening stanza
of Dorsey’s “Take My Hand, Precious Lord.” The immediate follow-up, “I Know What He’s Done,”
is another song oozing with gutsy gospel blues.
“They That Wait,” with vocal assistance by John P.
Kee, is the current hit (reviewed by TBGB) and a contender for one of the best gospel singles of the year. It’s hard not to smile, move, clap hands or just plain
feel good upon hearing this lyric-packed rouser. Plus, Hammond and Kee’s husky voices in meaty harmony channel the O’Neal
Twins.
The concluding track, “Happy,” is quintessential Fred Hammond. It bounces along with the polyrhythmic
enthusiasm of 1980s Commissioned. Once spinning in your player, Love Unstoppable is one CD you will not want to stop.
Anointed Pace Sisters-Access Granted
God has Granted us Access to His Kingdom and We must Walk in His Ways and Perform His Service! The Anointed
Pace Sisters have received Access to walk through many doors and opportunities. With appearances in The Fighting Temptations,
Tyler Perry's Madea's Family Reunion and the 2006 Jiffy Lube Print and TV Commercial, they are no strangers to TV,
Film and Broadway. Through their ministry of song, they have also been granted access to countless areas in the Gospel Music
Industry. In 1992 these versatile sisters received national success with their debut album, U-Know and it maintained a #2
position on the Billboard Gospel chart.
Their Billboard success helped to catapult their ministry and it showed when the
renowned Radio single "When God Is In The Building" became an all-time favorite and the signature song for the Anointed
Pace Sisters. When God is In The Building was frequently requested by listeners across the country. Their extraordinary and
well constructed vocals were also recognized by Grammy Award winning producers Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis. Jam and Lewis were
enthralled by the girls and instantly gave them the opportunity to record vocals for the Fighting Temptations movie soundtrack.
In 2006, The Anointed Pace Sisters re-entered the Gospel Music scene with their phenomenal project Return on Tyscot
Records. Return was nominated for a Stellar Award and received significant Radio Airplay for the song "High Praise".
As a remerable treat, Lashun Pace also joined her sisters on the song "He's Here". On Return, Melonda, Latrice,
Leslie, June, Lydia, DeJuaii, Duranice, and Phyllis Pace were all recognized for their individual styles vocally and as ministers
of the Gospel.
The Anointed Pace Sisters have declared in 2009 who they are in Christ with their 2nd Live CD on Tyscot
Records, Access Granted. Access Granted serves as a testament to the favor that God has poured out over their lives spiritually,
professionally and personally. "Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through
our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand…" Romans
5:2. "Because we are the seeds of righteousness we have been granted access not only to His presence but to the things
of God"-Latrice Pace.
Produced by Alex Asaph Ward, Access Granted delivers a harmonious sound for every generation
in Gospel Music to embrace. Its' musical diversity with poignant lyrics and melodies confirm the message that we are all
seeds of righteousness in authority and dominion. The songs "I'm Gonna Get What God Has For Me", "Finally",
"It's Time To Be Blessed", and "Jesus Will "set the tone for the project's affirmation that we
have all been Granted Access to God's promises. The project exudes the heart of God and what He truly desires for his
people. Other songs from the project such as "Someday", written by Bishop Leonard Scott and "Daily I",
written by Keisha McFarland flow in the same vein of believing that we are heirs to God's kingdom.
Unity and Strength
are two qualities that The Anointed Pace Sisters have maintained since their early days singing in local high school talent
shows. They have remained poised and have mesmerized audiences across the country for over the last 15 years. Currently, the
sisters individually and as a group have been blessed to perform on BET's Sunday's Best, in the Musical Stage Play
Jesus Christ Superstar and Walt Disney's Festivals of the Lion King and on the TV ONE show, The Gospel of Music with Jeff
Majors.
The Anointed Pace Sister's new release, Access Granted was birthed from their personal testimonies of receiving
God's favor and their daily meditation on God's Word of how to receive His promises. "Thus says the LORD of hosts,
"If you will walk in My ways and if you will perform My service, then you will also govern My house and also have charge
of My courts, and I will grant you free Access among these who are standing here."-Zechariah 3:7
Legendary Witness lead vocalist, Lisa Page Brooks has signed with Baltimore's Habakkuk Music. Page Brooks is set
to release her Habakkuk Music debut, entitled Strong, on October 20, 2009. This will be Page Brooks' first solo release
since her 2001 self titled CD. That effort produced the radio hit "Fully Persuaded".
Page Brooks, who is a native
of Detroit, Michigan, is the co-pastor of Restoration Fellowship Church International with her husband, Pastor Michael A.
Brooks. Pastor Brooks founded Witness in 1986 and he was also a co-founder of the legendary group, Commissioned.
The
signing of Page Brooks to Habakkuk Music adds to the independent label's outstanding roster of anointed artists, which
include 2009 Stellar Award winner, Jessica Greene and 2008 Stellar Award winner, Isaiah D. Thomas, respectively.
#
In
a time when musical originality in artists has given way to constant duplication, Lisa Page Brooks stands as one of the most
recognizable voices in the gospel music industry today. With phenomenal vocal skill and passion, Lisa continues to electrify
audiences in her concert appearances. The signature voice of the award winning female group "Witness" Lisa Page
Brooks has been recording for more than fifteen years professionally. She has received a myriad of award nominations including
(2) Grammy, (1) Dove, and has been the recipient of the Steller and Gospel Music Excellence awards.
Lisa has shared
the stage with virtually every well known artist in the gospel music industry and is well respected among her peers as someone
to watch and imitate. She is often asked to come on stage when simply attending a concert for her personal enjoyment.
She
steps out with the new project "Strong" that promises to be one to remember for years to come as her unique style
and rich tones cascade over the melodies and tracks produced for her specifically. Lisa has a presence on stage that audiences
never forget. They are captivated by her sincerity as she connects with them from one tune to the next on the musical journey
that is her performance. It is indeed her time to impact the marketplace once again with her innovative ability. There is
something for everyone on this new project so get ready to hear and enjoy great music from a tremendously talented artist,
Lisa Page Brooks.
