Yesterday, God blessed me to fulfill yet another childhood dream, which was to act in a film. The film, entitled CHANCE 27, is a small film, and I had a small speaking role (as a minister, go figure lol), but I believe that acting is every bit as intensive as music, and I am grateful for the chance to begin studying the craft.
Because the film has not yet been edited or released, I'll refrain from sharing any of the details of the film itself..(UPDATE: the film has now been edited, released, and won the Audience Favorite Award at the 2012 48 Hour Film Festival screening in June 2012 at Studio Movie Grill. Here is the link to the movie - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3t98YCwubzY&feature=youtu.be)
I'll just share my experience from my perspective. I got on set yesterday at 8 AM after 4 hours of sleep, and due to the level of excitement I felt, I was wired up as though I'd slept a full 8 hours. I came dressed in wardrobe, but forgot to eat breakfast...big mistake. Since lunch didn't come until after 2 PM, I starved the whole day on set (NOTE TO SELF: make sure you eat a big breakfast early the morning of filming days to make it thru) and devoured the Pizza Hut pizza like a starving rancor when it arrived.
When I arrived on set, the director gave me a copy of the script and explained to me more in depth the role he wanted me to play. The film is a comedy, and since I'd never acted in a comedy before, I wanted to be mindful of comedic timing, something I'd been cognizant of for as long as I'd been looking to act. Jokes only work if delivered with the right timing and right emphasis, and so as I looked over the script, I mentally worked thru inhabiting my character, and the right timing for delivering my lines. Remembering lines is much easier than I would have thought, but after all the years memorizing songs, perhaps I shouldn't have been too surprised. Before long, I knew all the lines for my scenes for both my character and those interacting with me, in case someone went off script/improvised at all.
As the other actors and crew trickled in, I introduced myself to them all, and took their measure...I was by far the least experienced actor on set. I'd figured as much, and wanted to make sure that I asked questions and paid attention to the others as they went over their lines and read with each other prior to filming their scenes so I could pick up on their preparation methods and techniques for effortless acting. When the two lead actors, Lawrence (a tall, athletic Wesley Snipes-esque guy playing the lothario) and Lee (a younger, every bit as hilarious Jim Carrey-esque character) walked in, the energy in the room changed, and everyone stepped their game up to another level. The other actors' body language subtly changed as well once Lee and Lawrence walked on set, and it was definitely interesting to see.
Filming began with the director and crew laying out each scene, and the actors falling quickly into place and into character. I observed every detail of the preparations that the director and crew undertook as well, because one day, I want to be able to create my own films. Trust me, I've seen Ice Cube's Behind The Music about the way he transitioned from NWA to Boyz In The Hood to the Friday movies and beyond...I plan to be able to make that same transition as well. I don't believe in doing anything just for the sake of doing it; if I do it, there is a purpose and thought behind it. This definitely fell under that category.
As the day progressed, I noticed two things I lacked:
1. ease of movement in front of the camera...Lawrence seemed so smooth and comfortable in front of the camera, and even was able to help the director by offering different variations on his scenes, and Lee had his sense of humor in overdrive, always seeming ready to deliver a joke, and always in control. I didn't quite feel that. As an actor, you have to be mindful of so many things; how wide the framing is on your shot so you don't step out of the frame, the direction of the camera on you and how you turn or gesture relative to that camera, the interpretation of your character as written in the script, the interaction with your fellow actors, etc...so I was working to transcend all of that and lock into the character, but at times FELT like I was "working" and not "acting"...and,
2. the ability to control my smile. I can't help it...unless I'm angry, I smile when I look at people, and when I speak to them. But in my scene, as the minister at a wake, smiling was not quite appropriate for my role. I asked a couple of the actors after the shoot what they do to control their smiling, and they said that in acting classes, there is actually a segment where the instructor and other students get in their faces for a certain period of time and do things to try to make them laugh, all while the student has to maintain a straight face. Poker face training, if you will. I will have to do that.
Having said that, I'm used to being in front of crowds, so nervousness was not a factor for me, and I am used to public speaking as well, so I was able to deliver my lines clearly and solidly, and even got in a couple of improvisational jokes with Lawrence in the last scene of the film that had everyone on set rolling with laughter when we were done. For my first ever film role, I can honestly say it wasn't bad at all, and if you know me, you know I'm an extremely rough critic, especially when it comes to myself. My performance was not good or great in my opinion, but not bad, and that was what I expected for my first acting role. My job now is to study, take courses, and jump on every film that I can to build my acting chops and develop my own style of acting, so that I can earn the same type of respect that Lee and Lawrence and the rest of the cast had on the film. I loved the experience, and can't wait to see the movie. Stay tuned...I'll update this blog once the film is released! (Update: the movie CHANCE 27 will be screened in Houston on June 19 @ Studio Movie Grill City Centre at 7:30 PM and again at 9:00 PM. I've seen the finished movie now, and it is funny! Can't wait to see the audience response!)
God has been doing so many amazing things in my life, and this opportunity falling into my lap was but another one of them. After the shoot, the director invited me to collaborate with him on more projects to build my skills and exposure, and also wants to work with me and my team thebridge to score some of his other film works. I can't wait. To God be all the glory for yet another opportunity to grow and strive for greatness.
(For pictures from the set, follow me on instagram at billydproductions)
#IMPECCABLEGRINDUNSTOPPABLEDREAMS
Sunday, June 10, 2012
Wednesday, May 16, 2012
Getting Ready For Marathon...
After all the events of the past two years and the heightened visibility of the award wins, I'd been seeking God for my next step, musically. You see, every goal I'd started out with for my career, God has blessed me to achieve, and as exciting as that feels, it also caused a little bit of "What now?" anxiety. I wanted to travel and work with the best in music, and I've been blessed to do that...I wanted to have #1 records and I can now claim that as well. The only thing from a career standpoint that I still desire to accomplish is winning a Grammy, and I firmly believe that if God can bless me with a Dove and Stellar Award as He has, a Grammy is coming up soon as well.
Having said that, I'd been quietly working on a pop/R&B album, and had several songs completed for it that I felt captured my vocal ability and the sound that I heard in my head for my first solo album. The few people I trusted to let hear the first single had positive feedback regarding the song and the sound, but it just didn't feel....right. I am not one of those Christians who feels that "church people" should only sing/write/produce Gospel music by any means, but I DO want to make sure that, with this being my first real opportunity to step out front since the days of my Gospel group Serenity working with the talented V. Michael McKay on our unreleased debut album, people get the impression of me as the artist that I would like them to have from day 1. For whatever reason, doing the pop project just didn't feel as though that's where I'm supposed to be right now.
As I prayed more and more about direction, I kept working on projects for other artists/labels, one of which was for a label based out of Atlanta, whose CEO, Michael Lett, sat next to me at the Dove Awards. Michael said after the awards show that he wanted to get some work done with me and was going to fly out to Houston so we could work. 2 weeks after the Doves, Michael and co. arrived in the H, and during our first session at Barron Studios, as I was laying down the hook on a Christian song called "Miracles", he called me out of the booth. I assumed that he wanted me to change the vocal arrangement or that he wasn't happy with something I'd recorded, but he instead asked me if I could just add singing verses on the song (that was supposed to be a rap song with a sung chorus) and make it my own single, which he would then push via his label and have the video for it played on BET. He'd already paid for the BET spot and had the radio and colleges lined up for the project he hired me for, and now was offering me the chance to have the first single off that project be my own.
After finishing the song that night, doing the paperwork, and dropping the CEO back at his hotel, I came home and began asking God if this was the direction that He wanted me to go, because there is definitely a such thing as doing the RIGHT thing at the WRONG time, and as long as I've waited for the opportunity to sing to present itself to me again, I didn't want to do it out of God's timing. But during my prayer I heard God in my spirit say that this is my season, and that the opportunity to step out front now is exactly what He promised me when He laid out the plan for my life. God promised at my lowest point that He would allow me to go thru that tough time to be my testimony, and that He would then elevate me to the heights so that I can better lift HIM up and be an even more effective witness for Him. This was but another step towards that destiny. I shared with those in my inner circle the direction God had given me, and felt the peace that surpasses all understanding (from Philippians 4:7) upon my decision....a decision to follow Christ and trust Him with my dreams.
From that point, God began speaking direction into my spirit...my album is to be called Marathon, after Ecclesiastes 9:11 ("I returned, and saw under the sun, that the race is not to the swift, nor the battle to the strong...") and Matthew 24:13 ("...but to the one who endureth until the end..."). This Christian life is not a sprint (short-term thing), it's a marathon (lifelong journey). He revealed to me the layout for the cd cover, as well as the imagery to be displayed and the meaning behind it all. I'm still in awe at how quickly it has all come together, and just this morning received a call from the CEO of the label asking me when I will be able to go on tour (answer: asap). Besides finishing my work on Lecrae's next album Gravity and the couple of indie projects I'm producing, finishing and promoting my album Marathon is my #1 priority. There's nothing like knowing that you are finally in God's perfect Will for your life...nothing comes hard, because He's already done it all. All you have to do is show up.
Link to a snippet of the first single "More Like You" from my album Marathon
My album title also reflects the fact that this has been a long journey for me personally...one with heartache, pain, as well as emotional and physical suffering along the way, but also one with lifelong friendships, love, happiness, and ultimately success. Earlier today, my brother and writing partner JayTel and I were discussing the day for us to get back to work on both Lecrae's album and my project, beginning with the creation of my first single, "More Like You." I can't wait...this has been my dream since I can remember, and God is bringing it all to pass before my very eyes.
#STAYTUNED
Having said that, I'd been quietly working on a pop/R&B album, and had several songs completed for it that I felt captured my vocal ability and the sound that I heard in my head for my first solo album. The few people I trusted to let hear the first single had positive feedback regarding the song and the sound, but it just didn't feel....right. I am not one of those Christians who feels that "church people" should only sing/write/produce Gospel music by any means, but I DO want to make sure that, with this being my first real opportunity to step out front since the days of my Gospel group Serenity working with the talented V. Michael McKay on our unreleased debut album, people get the impression of me as the artist that I would like them to have from day 1. For whatever reason, doing the pop project just didn't feel as though that's where I'm supposed to be right now.
As I prayed more and more about direction, I kept working on projects for other artists/labels, one of which was for a label based out of Atlanta, whose CEO, Michael Lett, sat next to me at the Dove Awards. Michael said after the awards show that he wanted to get some work done with me and was going to fly out to Houston so we could work. 2 weeks after the Doves, Michael and co. arrived in the H, and during our first session at Barron Studios, as I was laying down the hook on a Christian song called "Miracles", he called me out of the booth. I assumed that he wanted me to change the vocal arrangement or that he wasn't happy with something I'd recorded, but he instead asked me if I could just add singing verses on the song (that was supposed to be a rap song with a sung chorus) and make it my own single, which he would then push via his label and have the video for it played on BET. He'd already paid for the BET spot and had the radio and colleges lined up for the project he hired me for, and now was offering me the chance to have the first single off that project be my own.
 |
| In the booth at Barron Studios about to record "Miracles" (That's the engineer, Chris, behind me adjusting the mic) |
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| Mixing down "Miracles" |
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| After the session signing all the Songwriter Agreements with the CEO |
After finishing the song that night, doing the paperwork, and dropping the CEO back at his hotel, I came home and began asking God if this was the direction that He wanted me to go, because there is definitely a such thing as doing the RIGHT thing at the WRONG time, and as long as I've waited for the opportunity to sing to present itself to me again, I didn't want to do it out of God's timing. But during my prayer I heard God in my spirit say that this is my season, and that the opportunity to step out front now is exactly what He promised me when He laid out the plan for my life. God promised at my lowest point that He would allow me to go thru that tough time to be my testimony, and that He would then elevate me to the heights so that I can better lift HIM up and be an even more effective witness for Him. This was but another step towards that destiny. I shared with those in my inner circle the direction God had given me, and felt the peace that surpasses all understanding (from Philippians 4:7) upon my decision....a decision to follow Christ and trust Him with my dreams.
From that point, God began speaking direction into my spirit...my album is to be called Marathon, after Ecclesiastes 9:11 ("I returned, and saw under the sun, that the race is not to the swift, nor the battle to the strong...") and Matthew 24:13 ("...but to the one who endureth until the end..."). This Christian life is not a sprint (short-term thing), it's a marathon (lifelong journey). He revealed to me the layout for the cd cover, as well as the imagery to be displayed and the meaning behind it all. I'm still in awe at how quickly it has all come together, and just this morning received a call from the CEO of the label asking me when I will be able to go on tour (answer: asap). Besides finishing my work on Lecrae's next album Gravity and the couple of indie projects I'm producing, finishing and promoting my album Marathon is my #1 priority. There's nothing like knowing that you are finally in God's perfect Will for your life...nothing comes hard, because He's already done it all. All you have to do is show up.
Link to a snippet of the first single "More Like You" from my album Marathon
My album title also reflects the fact that this has been a long journey for me personally...one with heartache, pain, as well as emotional and physical suffering along the way, but also one with lifelong friendships, love, happiness, and ultimately success. Earlier today, my brother and writing partner JayTel and I were discussing the day for us to get back to work on both Lecrae's album and my project, beginning with the creation of my first single, "More Like You." I can't wait...this has been my dream since I can remember, and God is bringing it all to pass before my very eyes.
#STAYTUNED
Saturday, May 5, 2012
My First Magazine Cover
Last night, I received a tremendous honor...I had the pleasure a couple of weeks ago of being interviewed by writer and PR expert Dee Stewart at DeeGospel PR for a story to be published in Soul Fusion magazine, during which she asked substantial, thought-provoking questions about the recent successes God has blessed me to partake in, compromising one's faith in working with secular artists, and my thoughts on the state of inspirational Hip Hop. I attempted to give answers that were every bit as substantial as the questions, and that shed some light into my creative process and mindset.
My publicist, Makasha Dorsey (Dorsey Group, LLC) let me know that this was potentially a cover story, and that I needed to get a headshot done by Monday night (April 30th) to be considered for it. I had the pics with my mohawk and "Lyrics" cut in the side, but as I don't really rock it like that anymore and some people I plan to do business with in the future may not be too crazy about that look either, I needed something professional, classy, and that looked like my current, more clean-cut style. I prayed that God would let me find the right photographer and take the right picture to be considered for the cover in earnest, if it was His will, and then got to work.
I called a few of my photographer friends on Sunday, Brad Brock-Brown with WeRun Houston, one of the biggest nightlife photography companies in the city of Houston, my lil bro Dice with EmaQlate Forever, who has designed the logos for pretty much every company I own and is an amazing photographer, video director, and graphic designer, and my bro Tony Aguire, aka GhetoRancho, a gifted music producer in the Houston Latin community who also delved into photography. Tony was the first one to call me back, and when I let him know what I needed, he said, "Say no more...let me call my guy Joel, and I will hit you right back." True to his word, not 5 minutes later, he called back and said, "Joel can get you in tomorrow, and he is expecting your call." I reached out to Joel, locked in the shoot, and went back to the controlled chaos that is my day after the Dove Awards...
The day of the shoot, I intended to get out and hit every mall in the city to find something fly...a possible first magazine cover?!? Man, I wanted to make sure that I represented myself the right way, while being true to who I AM, rather than trying to look like who I would want people to see me as. I've always seen pics of celebrities where they "put on" their look, rather than it being an extension of them. I admire Puffy in this way...his sense of style is all him, even if he may have stylists and designers, etc, he ALWAYS looks sharp, and it always fits his swagger.
But....I couldn't find ANYTHING. Not one outfit, not one look, not one feel, that said what I knew I wanted the pictures to say....and time was running out for me to get to the shoot. I ran back home to shave/shower/edge hair etc, and glanced over where my clothes were from the Dove Awards which I'd not worn since. I shot Makasha a text asking if she felt that outfit might work, and she replied with, "That outfit would be perfect." Sometimes, God doesn't give us what we think we want, because we already have everything we need...this was yet another example of that.
Outfit ironed, running late...I rolled across town to the location for the shoot, and when I got there, Joel already had everything set up for us to get to work. I changed clothes and headed to the front of the camera for the first time by myself in almost a decade...all my other shoots were with my bro JayTel, or with he and our other bro Stro (the three of us together are LifeLine), and so I hadn't had a need to do any pics alone since I've been with them. This thought crossed my mind and gave me pause for just a moment...then it was time to get to work.
We started snapping pics, and the flash was so bright I kept squinting every time it would go off in my eyes. Joel, a true professional, kept changing angles, and lighting, and filters, and snapping away, and in a very short period of time, we had more than enough pictures to choose from. We sat down and looked at them all via his laptop, and found a few that we both agreed were solid pictures, including one that we felt was "the one". Joel did some editing to the pics to clean them up, emailed them to me, and I emailed them to Makasha.
Fast-forward to last night...after a wonderful day as a panelist at the Springboard South Music conference during which I was blessed to meet the guy behind the tv show Shark Tank, the Senior VP at MusicWorld who handles all the Sunday's Best contestants, and a television network developer, and a studio session with the CEO of a label I was hired to do some writing/production/arranging work for who'd flown in from ATL and ended up offering me a single deal as an artist (!), I got home to wind down after a crazy week, and see a message from Dee Stewart pop up on my screen saying simply, "You got the cover." My heart jumped...and thru my ear to ear smile, I began praising God for all the blessings He has been pouring out upon my life!! I know all of this is only so that I can lift up the name of Jesus for all men to see...God told me years ago when I was homeless that He would elevate me so that I can better lift Him up and draw others to Him, so there is nothing but gratitude, and a sense of awe that I'm watching God's plan for my life unfold before my very eyes, and He is doing it openly for all to see, which is pretty awesome.
The article is every bit as great as I thought it would be from the questions Dee posed to me, and I feel that it really captures my thought processes and my heart. I'm not close to perfect, and I've made some pretty big mistakes in my life, but if God can forgive me and use someone like me to speak for Him and testify with my words and my actions on His behalf, then He can use anyone. I hope that all who read the article walk away with a better understanding of how my creative mind works, and where I stand in the faith, and that more Christian writers, producers, and artists who deal in the secular music world would take more of a stand for Jesus as they do. God brought me here...and this magazine cover is yet another first along the journey to where He's ultimately taking me. I'm just enjoying the ride.
www.soulfusionmagazine.com
#IMPECCABLEGRINDUNSTOPPABLEDREAMS
My publicist, Makasha Dorsey (Dorsey Group, LLC) let me know that this was potentially a cover story, and that I needed to get a headshot done by Monday night (April 30th) to be considered for it. I had the pics with my mohawk and "Lyrics" cut in the side, but as I don't really rock it like that anymore and some people I plan to do business with in the future may not be too crazy about that look either, I needed something professional, classy, and that looked like my current, more clean-cut style. I prayed that God would let me find the right photographer and take the right picture to be considered for the cover in earnest, if it was His will, and then got to work.
I called a few of my photographer friends on Sunday, Brad Brock-Brown with WeRun Houston, one of the biggest nightlife photography companies in the city of Houston, my lil bro Dice with EmaQlate Forever, who has designed the logos for pretty much every company I own and is an amazing photographer, video director, and graphic designer, and my bro Tony Aguire, aka GhetoRancho, a gifted music producer in the Houston Latin community who also delved into photography. Tony was the first one to call me back, and when I let him know what I needed, he said, "Say no more...let me call my guy Joel, and I will hit you right back." True to his word, not 5 minutes later, he called back and said, "Joel can get you in tomorrow, and he is expecting your call." I reached out to Joel, locked in the shoot, and went back to the controlled chaos that is my day after the Dove Awards...
The day of the shoot, I intended to get out and hit every mall in the city to find something fly...a possible first magazine cover?!? Man, I wanted to make sure that I represented myself the right way, while being true to who I AM, rather than trying to look like who I would want people to see me as. I've always seen pics of celebrities where they "put on" their look, rather than it being an extension of them. I admire Puffy in this way...his sense of style is all him, even if he may have stylists and designers, etc, he ALWAYS looks sharp, and it always fits his swagger.
But....I couldn't find ANYTHING. Not one outfit, not one look, not one feel, that said what I knew I wanted the pictures to say....and time was running out for me to get to the shoot. I ran back home to shave/shower/edge hair etc, and glanced over where my clothes were from the Dove Awards which I'd not worn since. I shot Makasha a text asking if she felt that outfit might work, and she replied with, "That outfit would be perfect." Sometimes, God doesn't give us what we think we want, because we already have everything we need...this was yet another example of that.
Outfit ironed, running late...I rolled across town to the location for the shoot, and when I got there, Joel already had everything set up for us to get to work. I changed clothes and headed to the front of the camera for the first time by myself in almost a decade...all my other shoots were with my bro JayTel, or with he and our other bro Stro (the three of us together are LifeLine), and so I hadn't had a need to do any pics alone since I've been with them. This thought crossed my mind and gave me pause for just a moment...then it was time to get to work.
We started snapping pics, and the flash was so bright I kept squinting every time it would go off in my eyes. Joel, a true professional, kept changing angles, and lighting, and filters, and snapping away, and in a very short period of time, we had more than enough pictures to choose from. We sat down and looked at them all via his laptop, and found a few that we both agreed were solid pictures, including one that we felt was "the one". Joel did some editing to the pics to clean them up, emailed them to me, and I emailed them to Makasha.
Fast-forward to last night...after a wonderful day as a panelist at the Springboard South Music conference during which I was blessed to meet the guy behind the tv show Shark Tank, the Senior VP at MusicWorld who handles all the Sunday's Best contestants, and a television network developer, and a studio session with the CEO of a label I was hired to do some writing/production/arranging work for who'd flown in from ATL and ended up offering me a single deal as an artist (!), I got home to wind down after a crazy week, and see a message from Dee Stewart pop up on my screen saying simply, "You got the cover." My heart jumped...and thru my ear to ear smile, I began praising God for all the blessings He has been pouring out upon my life!! I know all of this is only so that I can lift up the name of Jesus for all men to see...God told me years ago when I was homeless that He would elevate me so that I can better lift Him up and draw others to Him, so there is nothing but gratitude, and a sense of awe that I'm watching God's plan for my life unfold before my very eyes, and He is doing it openly for all to see, which is pretty awesome.
 |
| My first ever magazine cover story...to God be the glory! |
The article is every bit as great as I thought it would be from the questions Dee posed to me, and I feel that it really captures my thought processes and my heart. I'm not close to perfect, and I've made some pretty big mistakes in my life, but if God can forgive me and use someone like me to speak for Him and testify with my words and my actions on His behalf, then He can use anyone. I hope that all who read the article walk away with a better understanding of how my creative mind works, and where I stand in the faith, and that more Christian writers, producers, and artists who deal in the secular music world would take more of a stand for Jesus as they do. God brought me here...and this magazine cover is yet another first along the journey to where He's ultimately taking me. I'm just enjoying the ride.
www.soulfusionmagazine.com
#IMPECCABLEGRINDUNSTOPPABLEDREAMS
Friday, April 20, 2012
Dove Award Victory!!
April 19th was the day of the 43rd GMA Dove Awards...I woke up early to go to the Prayer Breakfast for the awards, which was NOT the business lol...When I escaped the Prayer Breakfast, I hit my big bro John "CheeseBeats" Williams to see what the plan for the day was, at which point he advised me about the Dove Awards Pre Show which was to begin in 2 hours.
One problem however: to enter the Pre Show, I discovered, one was required to have pre-registered for it. I had no idea about this or where to even begin. I looked at the Dove Awards website and learned, to my horror, that the award we were nominated for, Rap/Hip Hop Album of the Year, is traditionally awarded during this pre show that I knew nothing about, and I knew that if I didn't find some way to get in, I may miss seeing our victory.
I immediately drove to the Fox Theater, 2 hours prior to the pre show, and went to the security guard Robert, who told me that I may be able to talk to the GMA staff to get added to the list for entry. I said my thanks and walked away for a quick prayer..."Lord, You know I drove all the way here to actually be able to experience the victory and not just hear about it afterwards, so please don't let me miss this pre show. In Jesus' name, Amen."
I walked back up to the Fox Theater, and walked over to the door where people appeared to be checking in. Upon my arrival, the door guy looked at me and must have noticed me watching the people at the table, because he smiled and said, "Don't worry. We're not checking the list today. You can go right on upstairs." I smiled, and as I walked past, I said a silent "thank you" to the Father for yet another blessing.
Enter: The Egyptian Room at the Fox Theater...as I entered the room, the first thing that struck me was how beautiful it was, with the soft lighting and Dove Awards logos everywhere. The second thing I noticed was that it felt like it was negative 15 degrees in the room. It was so cold the lady sitting next to Jamie Grace and I was literally wrapped up in a blanket the entire ceremony. I didn't care.... I was INSIDE.
The ceremony started with a quick prayer, and then was off and running. Eric and Anson Dawkins, aka Dawkins and Dawkins, performed my fav song "Pray For Me" from their new album, From Now On, and killed it. The Martins performed their own brand of Country Gospel and got the whole Egyptian Room on their feet. And Montell Jordan sang his new Gospel song, which somehow still managed to incorporate "This Is How We Do It" into the lyrics (lol).
Finally, the 2nd to last award category was the Rap/Hip Hop Album of the Year, for which LeCrae was nominated for Rehab: The Overdose. Montell Jordan read off the names of the other albums nominated; Tedashii for Blacklight, Flame for Captured, DA TRUTH for DA WHOLE TRUTH, Jai for Culture Shock, and finally Overdose. I was filming this, and as I look back at the footage, I can tell that my hand was shaking. "...and the Dove Award goes to....Rehab: The Overdose!"
LeCrae coolly walked up to the podium, and gave a gracious, concise speech, in which he thanked the team, his wife, and the Lord for giving him the talent. Within a moment, it was over...and we were all Dove Award winners as part of the project.
I walked over to Tedashii and congratulated him on his nomination, said my congrats to Crae, Cheese, and my bro Chris Lee Cobbins for our part in Crae's victory, and then had to run back to the hotel to put on my clothes for the main awards show which was starting in less than 3 hours. I called my wife Shaunta to fill her in on the experience, called my bro @JayTelVocals who shared in the win but was not able to attend to let him know we got another award, and rushed to shower/shave/iron/dress/etc and head back to the Fox Theater in time for the main show. Because I had a front row seat, I had to be in my seat by 7:15 for filming, so time was of the essence.
I shared with my Dad after the show that I felt better about the main show since we had already won during the pre show, so rather than being anxious during the night, I was able to relax and enjoy the show, which was my fist time attending any awards show (we won the Stellar in January of this year but I was not able to attend). It was truly a night to remember!
First, let me say that David Mann and Chondra Pierce as hosts was a perfect pairing. They had everyone in the place rolling with laughter, and I feel bad for those who will only get to see the televised show, as some of the funniest moments happened in between filming, when the two of them would just go off the cuff riffing on each other, the artists, or those in the audience. I can't say I have ever laughed so hard in my life.
As far as awards, Kirk Franklin won twice, one for the "Smile" song, and once for his album "Hello Fear". Kirk is funny too, and he and Tamela and David Mann seemed to have true affection for one another, as the Mann's started out as part of Kirk's ensemble years ago, which was good to see. Jamie Grace won best new artist, and as part of her acceptance speech told her dad she wanted him to take her to Chic Fil A the next day for winning (lol)...I'm a huge fan of hers and was glad to see her get the win. LeCrae won another Dove for Rap/Hip Hop Song of the Year for the song "Hallelujah" right after his and Tedashii's performance of the same song. If you watch the show, I was the first person on my feet when they announced that one so I'm sure you'll see me cheering for him!
Oh, and the performances....Mary Mary killed "Go Get It", the single from their new album and theme song for their new reality show, which was filming during the awards. Yolanda Adams, Martha Munizzi, Donnie McClurkin, and Jason Crabb all showed insane vocals and blazed their performances, and the new artist Margaret Cho (at least I think that was her name) had a voice so flawless that when I find out her name for sure I am going thatsameday to.buy her album (Note: I found out later that her name is Kari Jobe). I enjoyed every performance, and never left my seat during the intermissions because I didn't want to miss any of the David Mann/Chondra Pierce interactions! Finally, after Jason Crabb won the Artist of the Year category (for which the big homie LeCrae was also nominated), the show was over. I went to go speak to Cheese and Chris Lee, and then headed back to the hotel to rest. I'd planned to join any celebration that may have been going on after the show, but I was so tired that it just wasn't gonna work.
This has been the best experience of my music career, and the outpouring of love and support we have all received going in has been amazing. I thought I'd be still shedding tears after the win, but other than a quick moment in prayer and thanksgiving to the Most High God, I have been cool and just excited to get in and do more work. I have a few key sessions this weekend here in ATL that will set up the rest of the year for me musically, and then I'm ready to get home and get back to work. For anyone who reads this, I can honestly say that achieving your dreams feels exactly like you'd imagine it would...I feel like I can do anything, but then I hear the Spirit of the Lord reminding me that I CAN do all things thru Christ who strengthens me. Just know that God answers prayer, and He always keeps His promises!!! #IMPECCABLEGRINDUNSTOPPABLEDREAMS
One problem however: to enter the Pre Show, I discovered, one was required to have pre-registered for it. I had no idea about this or where to even begin. I looked at the Dove Awards website and learned, to my horror, that the award we were nominated for, Rap/Hip Hop Album of the Year, is traditionally awarded during this pre show that I knew nothing about, and I knew that if I didn't find some way to get in, I may miss seeing our victory.
I immediately drove to the Fox Theater, 2 hours prior to the pre show, and went to the security guard Robert, who told me that I may be able to talk to the GMA staff to get added to the list for entry. I said my thanks and walked away for a quick prayer..."Lord, You know I drove all the way here to actually be able to experience the victory and not just hear about it afterwards, so please don't let me miss this pre show. In Jesus' name, Amen."
I walked back up to the Fox Theater, and walked over to the door where people appeared to be checking in. Upon my arrival, the door guy looked at me and must have noticed me watching the people at the table, because he smiled and said, "Don't worry. We're not checking the list today. You can go right on upstairs." I smiled, and as I walked past, I said a silent "thank you" to the Father for yet another blessing.
Enter: The Egyptian Room at the Fox Theater...as I entered the room, the first thing that struck me was how beautiful it was, with the soft lighting and Dove Awards logos everywhere. The second thing I noticed was that it felt like it was negative 15 degrees in the room. It was so cold the lady sitting next to Jamie Grace and I was literally wrapped up in a blanket the entire ceremony. I didn't care.... I was INSIDE.
The ceremony started with a quick prayer, and then was off and running. Eric and Anson Dawkins, aka Dawkins and Dawkins, performed my fav song "Pray For Me" from their new album, From Now On, and killed it. The Martins performed their own brand of Country Gospel and got the whole Egyptian Room on their feet. And Montell Jordan sang his new Gospel song, which somehow still managed to incorporate "This Is How We Do It" into the lyrics (lol).
Finally, the 2nd to last award category was the Rap/Hip Hop Album of the Year, for which LeCrae was nominated for Rehab: The Overdose. Montell Jordan read off the names of the other albums nominated; Tedashii for Blacklight, Flame for Captured, DA TRUTH for DA WHOLE TRUTH, Jai for Culture Shock, and finally Overdose. I was filming this, and as I look back at the footage, I can tell that my hand was shaking. "...and the Dove Award goes to....Rehab: The Overdose!"
LeCrae coolly walked up to the podium, and gave a gracious, concise speech, in which he thanked the team, his wife, and the Lord for giving him the talent. Within a moment, it was over...and we were all Dove Award winners as part of the project.
I walked over to Tedashii and congratulated him on his nomination, said my congrats to Crae, Cheese, and my bro Chris Lee Cobbins for our part in Crae's victory, and then had to run back to the hotel to put on my clothes for the main awards show which was starting in less than 3 hours. I called my wife Shaunta to fill her in on the experience, called my bro @JayTelVocals who shared in the win but was not able to attend to let him know we got another award, and rushed to shower/shave/iron/dress/etc and head back to the Fox Theater in time for the main show. Because I had a front row seat, I had to be in my seat by 7:15 for filming, so time was of the essence.
I shared with my Dad after the show that I felt better about the main show since we had already won during the pre show, so rather than being anxious during the night, I was able to relax and enjoy the show, which was my fist time attending any awards show (we won the Stellar in January of this year but I was not able to attend). It was truly a night to remember!
First, let me say that David Mann and Chondra Pierce as hosts was a perfect pairing. They had everyone in the place rolling with laughter, and I feel bad for those who will only get to see the televised show, as some of the funniest moments happened in between filming, when the two of them would just go off the cuff riffing on each other, the artists, or those in the audience. I can't say I have ever laughed so hard in my life.
As far as awards, Kirk Franklin won twice, one for the "Smile" song, and once for his album "Hello Fear". Kirk is funny too, and he and Tamela and David Mann seemed to have true affection for one another, as the Mann's started out as part of Kirk's ensemble years ago, which was good to see. Jamie Grace won best new artist, and as part of her acceptance speech told her dad she wanted him to take her to Chic Fil A the next day for winning (lol)...I'm a huge fan of hers and was glad to see her get the win. LeCrae won another Dove for Rap/Hip Hop Song of the Year for the song "Hallelujah" right after his and Tedashii's performance of the same song. If you watch the show, I was the first person on my feet when they announced that one so I'm sure you'll see me cheering for him!
Oh, and the performances....Mary Mary killed "Go Get It", the single from their new album and theme song for their new reality show, which was filming during the awards. Yolanda Adams, Martha Munizzi, Donnie McClurkin, and Jason Crabb all showed insane vocals and blazed their performances, and the new artist Margaret Cho (at least I think that was her name) had a voice so flawless that when I find out her name for sure I am going thatsameday to.buy her album (Note: I found out later that her name is Kari Jobe). I enjoyed every performance, and never left my seat during the intermissions because I didn't want to miss any of the David Mann/Chondra Pierce interactions! Finally, after Jason Crabb won the Artist of the Year category (for which the big homie LeCrae was also nominated), the show was over. I went to go speak to Cheese and Chris Lee, and then headed back to the hotel to rest. I'd planned to join any celebration that may have been going on after the show, but I was so tired that it just wasn't gonna work.
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| The world famous Fox Theater |
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| The Egyptian Room @ Fox Theater, where the Dove Awards Pre Show was held |
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| My heroes Dawkins & Dawkins on stage singing "Pray For Me" from their new album From Now On at the Dove Awards Pre Show |
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| My big bro John "CheeseBeats" Williams and bro Chris Lee Cobbins doing an interview on the red carpet before the main Dove Awards show began |
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| 43rd Annual GMA Dove Awards hosts David Mann and Chondra Pierce |
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| The 43rd Annual GMA Dove Awards show will be televised on April 24th at 8/7c and again at 10/9c on GMC Network |
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| The 43rd Annual GMA Dove Awards was sponsored by KIA, which is why a KIA vehicle was onstage inside the Fox Theater prior to the start of the main awards show |
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| Me in my hotel suite after the Pre Show getting ready to head back to the Fox Theater for the main awards show! |
(Video footage of the actual win for Rehab: The Overdose and Lecrae's acceptance speech)
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| Front Row, stage right! Best seat in the house |
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| The vehicle God used to get us here, Lecrae's Rehab: The Overdose album! |
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| Dove Pre Show host, Montell Jordan, of "This Is How We Do It" fame |
Monday, April 16, 2012
Dove Awards, at last
After a wonderful past 2 months since we learned of the Lecrae album Rehab: The Overdose being nominated for a Dove Award, I've been looking forward to this week with baited breath. Trying to finish every project I've had my hands in to give me the freedom to take this week off and get to ATL, I've been up late nights and early mornings in studio sessions and writing sessions, etc. Finally, the calendar has rolled around to the week of the awards.
My writing partner JayTel Vocals was not able to make it to ATL due to other obligations, so although I am ecstatic about the opportunity to be here, it feels a little strange to not have him here with me. We went thru the past decade struggling together to build a name in the music industry, finally being blessed with an opportunity via Nick Velo, Zach Katz, J.R. Rotem, and Beluga Heights, and working our butts off to build the respect and success we now enjoy, so I always envisioned that when we got to our first major awards show, he'd be right there by my side just as he was in the tough times. So as I blog this week, it will be for my brother as much as for anyone else who may read it. JayTel, I wouldn't be here without you bro.
I drove to ATL rather than flying, because I wanted to take in the moment...you work so hard for something, and when it finally happens, if you're not careful, it's goneinaflash, just like that. I didn't want that to be the case with this. I have no doubt that we will have other nominations, and as with the Stellar Award we won back in January, more victories (Lord willing), but this is the first awards show that I've been able to attend where I was actually a part of a nominated album and I want to cherish every moment.
It's Monday, April 16, 2012 as I type this. The Dove Awards are this Thursday, April 19, at 7:30 PM at the Fox Theater. I will try to blog daily about the events of the week, including the studio sessions to work on Lecrae's next album coming soon, and every other artist I plan to get work in with while in ATL. Keep me lifted up in prayer! #IMPECCABLEGRINDUNSTOPPABLEDREAMS
My writing partner JayTel Vocals was not able to make it to ATL due to other obligations, so although I am ecstatic about the opportunity to be here, it feels a little strange to not have him here with me. We went thru the past decade struggling together to build a name in the music industry, finally being blessed with an opportunity via Nick Velo, Zach Katz, J.R. Rotem, and Beluga Heights, and working our butts off to build the respect and success we now enjoy, so I always envisioned that when we got to our first major awards show, he'd be right there by my side just as he was in the tough times. So as I blog this week, it will be for my brother as much as for anyone else who may read it. JayTel, I wouldn't be here without you bro.
I drove to ATL rather than flying, because I wanted to take in the moment...you work so hard for something, and when it finally happens, if you're not careful, it's goneinaflash, just like that. I didn't want that to be the case with this. I have no doubt that we will have other nominations, and as with the Stellar Award we won back in January, more victories (Lord willing), but this is the first awards show that I've been able to attend where I was actually a part of a nominated album and I want to cherish every moment.
It's Monday, April 16, 2012 as I type this. The Dove Awards are this Thursday, April 19, at 7:30 PM at the Fox Theater. I will try to blog daily about the events of the week, including the studio sessions to work on Lecrae's next album coming soon, and every other artist I plan to get work in with while in ATL. Keep me lifted up in prayer! #IMPECCABLEGRINDUNSTOPPABLEDREAMS
Wednesday, February 22, 2012
Dove Award Nomination
I just spent this past weekend with John "CheeseBeats" Williams and Chris Lee Cobbins, both of whom won the Stellar Award with JayTel and myself for our involvement in Lecrae's album "Rehab: The Overdose"; we were working on new songs and had the opportunity to reflect together on our successes and God's blessings, and talked about what it is to be a man in the music industry, a husband, a father, etc. We discussed the possibility of us getting the Dove Award nomination for this album, and Chris, who is a phenomenal writer and a strong Man of God, was actually up on the final ballot for the nomination in a variety of categories due to his work on several prominent albums in the Christian Hip Hop community.
Fast forward to this morning. At 10:00 AM Central time, the nominations for the Dove Awards were aired on the web via the GMA website. They announced the nominees for only a few categories live on air, one of which was my brother Chris Lee for Urban Recorded Song of the Year for "All I Need" with the Christian Hip Hop artist Flame. I shouted like it was MY name they called, because I can't think of a more deserving guy to get that nomination. Look him up when you get the chance. @ChrisLeeCobbins on twitter...tell him @BillyDLyrics sent you.
After only a few awards, they had some female artist sing, and then ended the nominee presentation show. I sat in muted silence for a sec, and then remembered that they'd have posted the rest of the nominees online immediately following the show. I went to the GMA site, and found the link...clicked the link...scrolled down with baited breath...and saw Lecrae Rehab: The Overdose as one of the nominees.
http://www.gospelmusic.org/Files/Doves/43rd_Dove_Nominees.pdf
I immediately began praising God and shedding tears...look, I know that it's not a WIN (yet, prayerfully), but to be nominated for the biggest Christian award IS a win in my book. And after all the events of the past few years, and the decade of grinding that JayTel and I went thru to get to the success...I guess it was all just bottled up waiting to come out. The Stellar Award win last month brought elation; this nomination brought true joy to my heart. I have devoted much of my childhood and pretty much all of my adult life to music, because music was my first love, and my gift. For God to bless JayTel and I to have achieved what we've achieved is the icing on the cake. Nothing compares to the feeling of knowing that everything you've chased your entire life is YOURS now, and knowing that you didn't have to sell your soul or compromise what you believe in to achieve it is priceless. I give all praise and glory to the Most High God for giving us the passion to keep going in the years when it seemed we may not make it here and for keeping His promises He made to me over a decade ago when I'd literally lost everything I owned chasing this dream.
See you guys in Atlanta, April 19th, at the Dove Awards. You'll see me on tv; I'll be the guy with tears in my eyes if we win with the word "Lyrics" cut into the side of my mohawk lol! I'll make sure to post pics of the trip and the awards so everyone can share in the experience with us.
#IMPECCABLEGRIND
Fast forward to this morning. At 10:00 AM Central time, the nominations for the Dove Awards were aired on the web via the GMA website. They announced the nominees for only a few categories live on air, one of which was my brother Chris Lee for Urban Recorded Song of the Year for "All I Need" with the Christian Hip Hop artist Flame. I shouted like it was MY name they called, because I can't think of a more deserving guy to get that nomination. Look him up when you get the chance. @ChrisLeeCobbins on twitter...tell him @BillyDLyrics sent you.
After only a few awards, they had some female artist sing, and then ended the nominee presentation show. I sat in muted silence for a sec, and then remembered that they'd have posted the rest of the nominees online immediately following the show. I went to the GMA site, and found the link...clicked the link...scrolled down with baited breath...and saw Lecrae Rehab: The Overdose as one of the nominees.
http://www.gospelmusic.org/Files/Doves/43rd_Dove_Nominees.pdf
I immediately began praising God and shedding tears...look, I know that it's not a WIN (yet, prayerfully), but to be nominated for the biggest Christian award IS a win in my book. And after all the events of the past few years, and the decade of grinding that JayTel and I went thru to get to the success...I guess it was all just bottled up waiting to come out. The Stellar Award win last month brought elation; this nomination brought true joy to my heart. I have devoted much of my childhood and pretty much all of my adult life to music, because music was my first love, and my gift. For God to bless JayTel and I to have achieved what we've achieved is the icing on the cake. Nothing compares to the feeling of knowing that everything you've chased your entire life is YOURS now, and knowing that you didn't have to sell your soul or compromise what you believe in to achieve it is priceless. I give all praise and glory to the Most High God for giving us the passion to keep going in the years when it seemed we may not make it here and for keeping His promises He made to me over a decade ago when I'd literally lost everything I owned chasing this dream.
See you guys in Atlanta, April 19th, at the Dove Awards. You'll see me on tv; I'll be the guy with tears in my eyes if we win with the word "Lyrics" cut into the side of my mohawk lol! I'll make sure to post pics of the trip and the awards so everyone can share in the experience with us.
#IMPECCABLEGRIND
Monday, January 16, 2012
Stellar Award win for Lecrae "Rehab: The Overdose"
My writing partner JayTel Vocals and I began work on the Rehab: The Overdose album with Lecrae and our big bro John "CheeseBeats" Williams in the summer of 2010...I never was a fan of Christian based hip-hop, because all the artists I'd come across up to that point were just....not....that...talented. But Cheese told JayTel and I that Lecrae was different, and asked us to contribute to the project. He sent us the original version of the song "Strung Out" (which is when I realized that Lecrae was a truly talented artist, but still didn't know how BIG he was or the career changing success we were all about to experience together), and we initially rewrote and recorded the entire hook in my studio and sent it back. We got a quick "NO" from the label, so we then went back and built a new version of the arrangement around the existing hook and added our own flavor to the song, and got an overwhelming "YES"! We did the paperwork with Cheese, gave all the info for the credits for the cd, and moved on to the next project.
Fast forward 6 more months to the third week of January, 2011, and Cheese hits me out of nowhere, saying, "Go to iTunes right now...you got the #1 record in the country!" I logged into iTunes and indeed, we had the #1 album on iTunes...a week later the Rehab: The Overdose album topped the Billboard Christian Chart, the Billboard Gospel chart, the iTunes Christian Chart, #5 on the Billboard Independent chart, #15 on the Billboard 200 album chart, and the #2 spot on the overall iTunes album chart (Dang Kanye and his Dark Twisted Beautiful Fantasy album lol), and within two weeks, the album topped the charts in the UK, Australia, and Japan. This in and of itself would have been groundbreaking, and we made Billboard history because the original Rehab album climbed back to the #2 spot on the Billboard Gospel chart while our album was #1, which made Lecrae the first Christian hip hop artist in history to hold the top 2 spots on any Billboard chart simultaneously. The story could have ended right there and we would have been more than happy. But God had other plans....
We found out that the album was nominated for a Stellar Award about a month ago, and were hopeful that we would pull out the win...the awards were held Saturday, Jan 14, 2012 at the Grand Ole Opry, and I was expecting to hear maybe Saturday night or Sunday sometime what the results were. I logged into my email around midnight on Friday night to check something else, and see an email from Cheese saying "Lecrae Rehab: The Overdose Wins Stellar Award"! My mom says I called her screaming that we won (which I'm sure I did but I REALLY don't remember), and I called JayTel twice before he called me back to congratulate him on us winning our first major music award! When you do this as long as we've done this, there will come milestones that you will always remember...the first time you hear your song on the radio...the first time you see your name in the credits on a cd cover...the first time you hit Billboard...your first #1...but winning a Stellar is one of those things that you hope for but know there are no guarantees you will ever win. It is overwhelming, and I'm sure when I get my physical award in my hands in a week or two I may have to take a minute to reflect over all of the challenges, over the struggles and hard times...over everything we've been thru to get to the point where we have accomplished so much. It's not us...it's all God.
I give all glory to God for the opportunity to be a part of the project...for Nick Velo introducing Jay and I to Cheese, and to Cheese for seeing something in us and wanting us to be a part of history, as well as to Lecrae for being the humble, grounded, and REAL dude that he is. We got to see him in concert a few months back and to see him on stage, ministering from his heart about his love for Jesus but doing in a way that made everyone stand up and take notice...He is a star who focuses his light on the TRUE star, Jesus Christ!
As I type this, it is the evening of January 16th. We heard that we may also be nominated for a Dove Award this year and stand a good chance of winning that award as well...we will find out February 22nd if we got the nod, and the awards are being held in Atlanta on April 19th, so that will be the first award show that we will ever attend, but this will always be the first award we've won. And so, this Stellar Award will forever hold a special place in my heart. #IMPECCABLEGRIND
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