I remember the excitement of sitting back in my chair before the computer and just listening to the songs, that after 10 days or so I finally decided on  the songs that Ken and Ed asked me to select to be on a Special Album Project that would be put out by Indie Gospel Artists to bless the children of a few ministries.

Sure sounded good to me. 6 months later I was wondering and praying for the project it seemed that there was one obstacle after another. But with Ken's persistence and Ed Petersen's know how and Laurie Marks Vincent's experience in the field, with Gary Weldon Sr's contacts and a whole lot of help from others, finally it looked like it was going to get out to the public!

... Then we received a message that the first shipment was sent out!   That was 5 days ago... finally, this evening it came!  I was really excited to see the finished product. The package was smushed on 1/3 of the package, my heart dropped.  When I opened it up , the CD jacket fell apart,  but there intact was the beautiful cover and I opened it up and the CD was intact, no cracks! I love the CD Itself/  I have never seen a cover on a CD itself that looked like a speaker .... and yet at the same time it looks like a 45RPM with an intricate cover for the record. I put it in the player and was totally surprised!  THE SOUND IS REALLY TOPS! 

My  compliments to Kevin Hogan for a masterful job of mastering the songs into a total project, balanced throughout the CD, Awesome job sir. And to Ed Petersen who not only helped to keep everyone focused on the project, but did the Art, Graphics and Consultations. And finally to Ken who ramrodded this project to get it done for it was his vision.

And I give a special thanks to everyone of the artists that are this,  the first project for Indie Gospel Artists!  Laurie, after hearing this CD from its inception,  " Where The River Runs " I still would not chose any other song to open this project with, no maam, this is the opener.

Thank you sis. And Gary Weldon sr. " One Way" is a song I will never forget for 2012. we had the show "JB's Top 10 Indie Gospel Chart" for the whole year. We had the top 25 songs and we had the top 6 artists on the  line together. Everyone got an award, There was Gary who had the # 5 or #6 song so he thought that was it. Ken and I worked out a little thing to surprise Gary, and pretended that the person who had the #1 song wasn't there and so I began to play the #1 song. You should have heard everyone on the line congratulating Gary and Gary being speechless! Yes, "One Way" was the #1 song for 2012.

Joe Wamsley and " Risen Son " a very special song, " I'm not sure where I'd be if not for your love living in me " what an awesome line to begin, and within 15 seconds you are into the song, Joe tells the truth for real.

Pete Etterman and " We Use The Same Altar as You Do" . A country song that brings people together of all races and all walks of life. great job Pete! Angela Dittmar and " You Bothered With Me" is a good one, with a special ending. nice job Angela. There's Mark Anthony Brown and " You Know Me ". A Song that lets us all know that the Lord knows each of us.  A professional to the Nth degree, MIke Abrams and " One of Many Branches " does the perfect job of letting us all know we are all connected.

And then there is a couple from the midwest, Barry and Teena Winslow who are professionals from the get go. Barry has experienced the Rock and Roll era and being on the top, only to find that its singing for the Lord that's the thrill. And yes, once you accept the Lord into your heart, " You'll Never Be the Same "!  " The Broken " by Rachel Belman ( who is the Special Featured Artist this week) is different. love the piano work and the piano duet, Next on the CD is a Song entitled " Jesus- You Got Me " and let me tell you, when he comes in, He's got cha for sure. I had a wonderful time working on this song.  Sean Croley who is part of a group in Canada called "The Weak Need" . His song " Search Me " has a texture that reminds me of a little like John Lennon. This song is from his solo album.  Rey Perez and " He Is The Lord "  What a song ... I love the Spanish flavor, with a slow Calypso beat a very special song.  And finally The Project's Theme Song .... by Ed Petersen  and  " YOUR LOVE " .   The Song is rich with the right vibes of being personal between one person  and God, but also between us, a people and God as well.

Yes, It was well worth the wait, and I for one will be getting a couple more so that others can be blessed. But the second CD I have will never be opened. I am going to frame it and hang it in a special place, for I am indeed proud to have been affiliated with a Project like this!    Lord, Bless the Children, please? Amen

James Banfield