Ulysses Salett
Mar 25, 2012 Beyond The Music, Spiritual Life, Stars with a Pen, Today's Stars
It was a pleasure chatting with Ulysses Salent
After just a few minutes of conversation and you know he is the real deal. A man that has a love for God and Family. He speaks candidly about his time behind bars and how he used that time to get right with God and delicate his life to the Saviour. He talks about how things came in to place and how he has developed his talents in music, film production and oil painting. He shared some of his heavily jazz influenced Gospel/Inspirational music as well a few R&B tunes. We enjoyed having UL visit with us here at Conversations and look forward to his next visit. After you enjoy listening to the inteviw, go check out his website for a wealth of information about all UL does. Find his work on Amazon, Subcribe to his YouTube Channel and join his Fan Club. 
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Tags: arranger, composer, encouragement, funk, Gospel, happy, Harmony, independent, independent record label, Jazz, motivation, music, musician, preformer, producer, smooth, Soulful, Talent, Uplifting, Vocalist, writer
Meet Pastor James Mason
Mar 4, 2012 Beyond The Music, Spiritual Life, Stars with a Pen
WDGP is pleased to welcome the newest member to the WDGP broadcasting family, The Honorable Pastor James Mason of Choices of God Ministries Inc.
Pastor Mason has been bringing us God’s word every Sunday since February 5, 2012. We enjoy his teachings straight from the Good Book.
Hostess Diana Broomfield felt it was time to officially introduce him to the WDGP Listeners. Quite a few of you have been tuning in Sunday mornings at 8am EST to be refreshed with the Word and we are thankful for you. However, it’s time to get to know the Man himself.
Take a listen to Pastor tell you about his journey to Christ and get as excited as he is about the goodness, faithfulness and mercy of God, Listen as he sings one of the soon to be released songs God gave him and hear the featured song What Is This World Coming To from that same CD, W.T.W.C.T., then tune in on Sunday mornings for his teachings. Keep up with Pastor and find out when the CD will be available by stopping by the Choices of God Ministries Inc Website Choices Of God Ministries Inc also has a Facebook Page and you can follow them on Twitter
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Tags: encouragement, giving back, Gospel, Harmony, Man of God, Ministry, motivation, preacher, singer, teacher, Uplifting, worshiper, writer
African Jamaican Culture
Jan 22, 2012 Bands, Home Page, Spiritual Life
On Saturday January 21, we had the pleasure of speaking with Duruh-John, half of the founding team of African Jamaican Culture Band. John explained how the band started as a percussion band in 1998. The Band has since evolved into a full band. John admits that he never saw himself as a singer, but also admits that he loves it. He also shared that he writes all the songs for the Band. 
The band tours around Germany and has quite a following there. John says the Band would love to come and perform in the United States. We are very pleased that He chose Conversations and WDGP to make his first venture into United States territory. We wish African Jamaican Culture Band nothing but success in their all their endeavors You can purchase their music and follow African Jamaican Culture on their website and on Facebook.
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Tags: arranger, Band, independent, Jah, motivation, music, musician, percussion, performer, Reggae, roots, Soulful, writer
The Great Bible Race
Jan 15, 2012 Beyond The Music, Education, Family, Spiritual Life
How Well Do You Know This Book?
Well there is an easy and fun way to find out. Check out the world’s Best Trivia Game
The Game that helps you and your family study and learn the bible.
Stunning Graphics, Text straight from the King James Version of the Bible.
Play alone or in a timed competition with others.
Find out more and get your copy here.
Tags: bible, competition, education, family, fun, Gospel, knowledge, learn, salvation, spiritual, trivia, understanding
God is Speaking to Us
Dec 11, 2011 Beyond The Music, Spiritual Life, Stars with a Pen, Today's Stars
This is not just a title of one of Twon songs. it is indeed the message of most of the songs Twon writes and performs. On Saturday December 10, 2011, Twon sat down with Hostess Diana Broomfield and talked about his past, his family, his music and why he does what he does.
You see, Twon has a lot to say. He loves People and he wants you to know about the Goodness of God. Twon writes songs that give messages of Hope, Strength and Love. Add to that soulful beats and wonderful harmonies and you have the songs of Twon.
It’s hard not to love people when you grow up with 12 brothers and sisters. Twon and his family are known as the Gantt Singers. They grew up in the Detroit area and even auditioned at Motown, who wanted to sign them but Dad said no. None the less, Twon did get to perform with David Ruffin and has opened for Ms Vickie Winans.
Twon has been writing and recording music for years, and as such as a vast library of music ready to go. Take a listen to the interview and enjoy the music shared there. Then go to Twon’s website to sample more and most importantly, buy his CD’s
You can also find Twon on Facebook, befriend him there and look for his videos on YouTube as well.
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Tags: arranger, composer, Gospel, happy, Harmony, independent, independent record label, music, Old School, performer, singer, singing, smooth, songwriter, Soulful, Talent, Uplifting, Vocalist
Anthony Marcus
Jun 26, 2011 Beyond The Music, Spiritual Life, Today's Stars
On Saturday June 25th, we had the pleasure of speaking with Mr Anthony Marcus.
Anthony Marcus was influenced by music at an early age. Music came naturally to Anthony, upon auditioning for the elementary school band, the instructor told him that he had a “natural ear” and could play any instrument he wanted to. It was the age of 9 when Anthony decided he wanted to play guitar. Many influences are responsible for the molding and shaping of Anthony Marcus as an artist.
As well as music within the secular world, Anthony was also influenced by gospel music as well. “I feel that my talent in music is a God given talent.” This brings us to where we are today with this up and coming artist. “Flow” (March 2010) will finally place Anthony in his element as far as music genres go.
Anthony spoke very candidly, sharing great advise about the music business and giving instruction on what steps to take to protect your intellectual property. He talked about his relationship with God and also share that he once had a problem that God delivered him from. Take a listen to the interview and hear some of music. Then visit one of his websites and become a fan. While your there purchase the music and look for more from Anthony Marcus.
Visit Anthony on Facebook, Reverbnation, and MySpace. Follow him on Twitter, Soundclick , Soundcloud and keep up at Finylcut.
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Tags: arranger, composer, funk, Gospel, independent, independent record label, Jazz, music, musician, producer, smooth, Soulful, Uplifting
Gayla James
May 30, 2011 Spiritual Life, Stars with a Pen, Today's Stars
On May 28, 2011 Ms Gayla James we had a visit with Ms Gayla James, an Independent Gospel Artist who hales from Ft. Myers, Florida.
Gayla began singing at the age of 3, and she just keeps getting better. She has shared the stage with many icons of gospel music such as, Dorothy Norwood, Vickie Winans, Marvin Sapp, Lee Williams & The QCs, Rance Allen and Kirk Franklin. Gayla James worked as the gospel coordinator for NFL Player Jevon Kearse Foundation for 10 years.
Ms James has been a featured Artist on WDGP since our start. She has a very distinctive sound and she shared that she does all the vocals on her recordings. She recently released her second CD and we love it. She is definitely a Contemporary Gospel Artists and her music speaks to the young and the not so young. We predict she will be singing to us about the goodness of and praises to God. She will always have a home here. Listen to the podcast and then head on over to favorite download site and buy the CDs.
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Tags: arranger, composer, encouragement, Gospel, happy, independent record label, motivation, music, producer, singing, smooth, songwriter, Soulful, Talent, Uplifting, Vocalist, writer
For I Know
Mar 18, 2011 Spiritual Life
The plans I have for you, declares the Lord,’plans to prosper you and not to harm, plans to give you hope and a future.’” Jeremiah 29:11
Isn’t it amazing how much time we spend in misery thinking or actually knowing(that is, from our perspective) what our life will be because of the circumstances we are in?
The Children of Israel no doubt had begun to despair in the circumstances in which they found themselves. They were captives in a strange land, eating strange foods and observing even stranger customs and traditions. Nothing seemed right. Nothing appeared to be in place. They were unhappy and it was reflected in their lament, “How can we sing the Songs of the Lord while in a foreign land?” Psalms 137:4. Their lives were filled with sorrow and Hope had taken a back seat to Doubt while Faith was sharing a room with Unbelief that their situation would ever change. Have you been there? Have you even after hearing a Word from the Lord on Sunday found yourself on Monday asking the question Dr. James Cleveland brought to fruition,”What shall I do?” Even though the Children of Israel were in a “strange land” thanks to their disobedience, God did not give up on them. Nor, my Brother and Sister; My Friend, has he given up on you. His faithfulness towards them(and you) never falters, never waivers. His Love for them(and us) was(and is) steadfast and unmovable.
But…since Israel had done the crime, they had to pay the time. The Word of God says that he is Holy. Not unconcerned; Not uncaring; Not dismissive of the Children of Israel’s or your plight. But…. he is Holy. What does that mean He is Holy? I Peter 1:16 says, “It is written,’ Be ye Holy; For I(God) am Holy’”. Being Holy means “being morally perfect”. The reason that Jesus had to come to redeem Man from his SIN is because as a part of the God-head, he would and could serve as the perfect Sacrifice. He knew no sin. Only perfection can atone for imperfection. That is why God does not involve himself physically in the affairs of the world today. It is Not because he does not care. But because he is “morally perfect”. Being Holy means that even though God created Adam and Eve when they disobeyed him, God was no longer able to walk and talk with them as he had in the Garden of Eden. It Did or does not mean that because of Man’s own volution(and I realize that if you REALLY think about it…Adam did not believe that eating of that “Apple” would cause his whole world to be turned upside down. He just knew that his mate had brought him something different that Afternoon and so being the trusting fellow he was, he tried it) He deliberately decided that he would seperate himself from his Creator. Adam just got caught up in the moment and made a decision along with Eve that would change the course of the relationship between Creator and Created.
And if there is ever a question about whether God cares for us, I think the answer to that can be found in Jesus’s lament,” How often I have longed to gather your children together, as a Hen gathers her chicks under her wings, but you were not willing.” Matthew 23:17b. I truly believe that God literally used Jesus to tell the world that he still loved it. And if you ever get to feeling that you are on this Journey all by yourself, there is a message in Song: I Feel Noways Tired
But…God cannot compromise his Holiness(Moral Purity) to appease man. He must remain pure from Sin.
The Question has been asked,”If God is so benevelent, why is all this suffering in the world? Why can’t he DO something? Because….He is Morally perfect. For a minute, let’s go back to the Garden. Everything was perfect. It was all good. God came down every morning and communed with his creation. He looked forward to it. Moral Perfection speaking to moral perfection. And then the decision was made by man to deviate from the well-established plan. God had no part in the deviation. It was all on Man. God’s World was perfect. But Man wanted a new experience. A shift in paradigm. He believed the lie of the “Car Salesman”. What was God to do? Surely he was devastated. All the plans he had for man went down the drain. The teachings that would come concerning the wonders of the Universe were put on permanent temporary hold; All the ease of Child-birth was lost; All the soft,warm breezes and gentle rain was lost; All that could have been..Ceased. Gone. Forever. All because man did not want to be morally perfect. And because God IS Morally Perfect and cannot associate with anything that is less than morally perfect, a wall higher than any mountain, a divide deeper than any sea; A rift longer than any road, was put into place. Does not mean that God is a snob? NO…it makes him true to his word,”This is what the Lord spoke of when he said,’Among those who approach me I will show myself Holy; In the sight of all the people I will be honored’” Leviticus 10:3a. And so, because God has to be true to who he is, it might seem from the human perspective that God does not care. It might seem as some have suggested that God is an absent Care-taker of all that he has created. Not so. The word in Jeremiah disputes that. God DOES care; He IS concerned. Concerned to the point that he made provision for the mistake that he KNEW man would eventually make. ” For You know that it was not with perishable things such as Silver or Gold that you were redeemed from the empty way of life handed down to you from your forefathers(Adam and that darn Apple!),but with the precious blood of Christ, a Lamb without blemish or defect. He was chosen before the creation of the world, but was revealed in these last times for your sake.” I Peter 2:18-20 Zondervan NIV Study Bible My Friend, My Brother and Sister, God cares for you. So very deeply. He gave all that he had to insure that YOU could come back and commune Moral Perfection to moral perfection. God cares for you even when you don’t know that he cares. He has in the words of the Old Preacher, “been better to you than you have thought about being to yourself” Listen and know: Always
Tags: encouragement, Gospel, motivation, Uplifting
Spoken Word Interviews with Angela Jellison of Boston Write Out Loud
Oct 30, 2010 Beyond The Music, Legends, Spiritual Life, Stars with a Pen, Today's Stars
From Left to Right, Dl Davis, Spoken Word, EMichele Paul, Angela Žunić Poetic Works Event-Oceanside, CA
Angela Jellison
Is being a writer an occupation or definite lifestyle for you? How so?
Spoken Word
I consider my ability to write a gift from God. The desire to write has stuck with me throughout my entire life. I find writing to be more of a lifestyle because it’s something I’ve always done and like doing. I have a big imagination that gives me a passionate desire to create new things. As I’ve matured through life experiences, God has found a way to reach me as well as others through the gift that he birthed inside of me long ago.
Angela Jellison
When did you first become fully conscious or aware that you were a writer? What were your early perceptions of being a writer and how did race or gender play into your perception?
Spoken Word
I never defined myself as a writer growing up. I always considered myself a Poet or Emcee. It wasn’t until I was about 18 years old when I begin to write Screenplays and Stage Plays that I considered myself a writer. Race and Gender didn’t play a major role in my life when I first perceived I was a writer. I was not culturally aware of who I was because the only education I received about Black history was during black history month. It wasn’t until I was around twenty years old when I became fully aware that racism was still alive and I was a victim of it. I learned a lot through life experiences about being a black woman in America. Today I believe that God gave me the gift to rebuild, rebuke and encourage those that need to be encouraged; also to educate in areas such as cultural awareness, spirituality, health and mental well being.
Angela Jellison
How do you define Creative Survival?
Spoken Word
Hmm…, that’s a tuff one;
Creative Survival-Being able to produce creatively through hardship, perseverance, negativity, and endurance without letting any of the above have a negative impact on the gift itself.
Angela Jellison
Do you apply this idea of creative survival to the reception and viability of your work within, or outside of the mainstream media? In other words, how do you resist dismantling or the complicated politics of large publishing houses? (by politics I am referring to what black women writers are “expected” to write-how do you resist the editorial revision of your voice)
Spoken Word
I do apply the definition of creative survival to the quality and viability of my work within and outside the mainstream media. It is hard being a black female writer, especially in a world where black women are defined as being weak and materialistic. I believe in order to change how we are defined we must first change the visual image that is promoted through mainstream media. A woman must know what makes them beautiful. It’s not the outer appearance, but what’s inside that counts. If a woman truly identifies with herself, mainstream media would not be able to control the way she wishes to be perceived. Too many female writers neglect to find their own voices out of fear they will be not be heard; afraid to be anything outside of what sells. Some even consider themselves the product because that’s what they’ve been taught by Corporate America. That’s why it’s important to know your history. Black Slaves were considered a product for sale in Corporate America during those times. Until we come to the realization that we are individuals that produce a product that can be sold, the image of us as black women will remain the same. Understanding who I am and what I was purposed to do, gives me the motivation and determination to stand firm in what I believe. And it also gives me a visual image on how I wish to be perceived as a writer and Poet. I’ve become immune to rejection from those that do not wish to display the stronger image of a black woman. My voice has been overridden by those that refuse to understand or accept my history. I have been criticized by those who think I’m not traditionally spiritual enough, and those who feel I should create a more commercial sound. I have been abandoned by those who feel the need to be heard through my voice. So I call myself Spoken Word because it is through the Spoken Word of God that I am able to succeed.
Angela Jellison
What authors’ lives/experiences have encouraged or discouraged you? Do you have a mirror self? In other words, do you find yourself and or your work reflected in the experiences of authors such as Audre Lorde, Jun Jordan, Mayo Angelou, Alice Walker, etc.
Spoken Word
Sojourner Truth is one of the first black female poets I remember reading about. I remember her vividly because I was her in a high school presentation during Black History month. I performed, “Ain’t I a Woman”; a poem that was delivered by her in 1851 at the Women’s Convention in Akron, Ohio. There were a lot of things I did not understand back then. You never understand a woman until you become one. Now I can stand tall and ask the world, “Ain’t I a Woman?”
I can walk as much and talk as much as a man when I can get to it, and bear the lash as well.
Sojourner Truth 1851
My art is a reflection of poets such as Sojourner Truth, Audre Lorde, June Jordan, Alice Walker, and Mayo Angelou. They all know and knew the worth of a black woman. Not just because they are black women, but because they sought to understand their purpose here in this world as black women through their own individual experiences.
I compare myself to Audre Lorde because I too identify issues of class, race, age, gender and health through my work. In comparison to June Jordan, the racial turmoil of America set my path to social activism. My most shaping experiences came through child and adolescence just as Alice Walker. I’ve absorbed the unshakable faith and values of traditional African American family community just like Mayo Angelou.
My reflection of Mayo Angelou tells me that “I am a women phenomenally; a phenomenal woman, that’s me!”
Angela Jellison
What positions or jobs have you maintained to support your work? How has this contributed or subtracted from your identity as a writer? Do you think working an outside job to support your work is distracting or able to balance this divide? How so?
Spoken Word
I’ve worked in Law and Government. Working under educated middle class and first class people has given me a deeper understanding of the human experience overall. I’ve learned whether rich or poor, young or old, black or white, ignorance can be found on all levels of life. Honestly working under government officials has been a more positive experience than the racial discrimination I experienced working with attorneys at law a few years before. It was through the totality of that experience that opened my eyes to the deprivation of civil rights in the state of Virginia. Through that job, I discovered who I am as a black woman, and how strong I am, as well as those before me. It provoked me to learn more about my history, and exposed the ignorance of some of those within our own race who claim to fight for civil rights in the African American Community, but really don’t. I believe the real Civil Rights fight died along with some of the strongest Civil Rights leaders such as Martin Luther King and W.E.B. Dubois. Nowadays we just stone each other to death which means Willie Lynch’s method worked. We were trained from slaves to always fight one another and only trust outside cultures. History is deep and only repeats itself. It is up to us to break those chains in our own culture.
The work I do is not distracting at all to me. I work in a quiet area that allows me the time to really think. As a Writer, it is important to think, learn, and study more; especially if you intend to be a great writer. You have to know the world that surrounds you while being able to discern the good from the bad. I was watching T.D. Jake’s movie, “Women Thou Art Loosed!”, and there was a scene where he was ministering to a young lady behind bars. T. D. Jakes told her, “We give the devil too much credit.” Her response was, “no, we just under estimate him.”
Angela Jellison
Are you the first writer in your family or are you from a generation of writers? How have your family and friends received supported/negated your choices?
As a child, I watched my mother write short stories. My mother was deprived of an education to help care for her nine brothers and sisters. Because of that, she was not able to fulfill her dream as a writer. My dad writes music as well. He was in a band when we were much younger. My mother supports me fully. Although she was unable to fulfill her dreams, she still writes and encourages me to do the same. According to my mother, “you should never give up on your dreams.” Life is hard yet survivable.” Through hardships and trials, I find that to be true.
Write Out Loud Boston
Joyce Angela Jellison
Founder/Director/Workshop Facilitator
http://writeoutloud.yolasite.com/
www.reverbnation.com/spokenword1
Tags: activist, composer, education, encouragement, giving back, Harmony, independent, justice, motivation, Old School, poet, polictical, preformer, smooth, Soulful, Talent, Uplifting
God’s People
Sep 3, 2010 Beyond The Music, Spiritual Life
Meet Evangelist Angel Powell. She is definitely one of God’s People.
Evangelist Powell is an anointed and powerful Speaker and Preacher of the Word.
Evangelist Powell’s mission is to use TV, Radio, Internet and any form of Evangelism to preach the gospel of Jesus Christ unto the world and bring souls into God’s Kingdom.
View her shows on COMCAST Cable in Atlanta GA., on the worldwide web at PEOPLETV.org, on You-Tube
Tags: encouragement, Gospel, motivate, motivation, prayer, preacher, Uplifting, word of God
