Spirit-filled sound
 |
| The group was founded in 2001 at Higher Dimensions Family Church. |
| |
By MATT ELLIOTT World Scene Writer
4/27/2007 10:07 AM
1 G.O.P. delivers powerhouse gospel that converts listeners into believers
If you happened to be at the Brady Theater in 2002 for the Spot Music Awards, you might remember a certain young gospel group that brought the entire theater to its feet.
The group's name stands for Generation of Praise, and this band of 17 singers and musicians takes praise music to a whole new height. The members of 1 G.O.P. were as young as 13 years old at the time of that performance. Now these high school- and college-age musicians have the band's first true album, "The Prototype." It encapsulates the vocal act's soaring spirituality, lifted by incredible singers backed by an R&B band with a modern edge.
"God really blessed us to be able to do this," said the group's musical director, Michael Todd. The band will perform Friday at the Blue Dome Diner for its CD release party.
Higher Dimensions Family Church youth minister Terrell Taylor founded the group in 2001, intending to create a youth performance troupe. Taylor has moved on, Todd said, and the group is continuing without him.
About three years ago, internationally acclaimed jazz bassist Wayman Tisdale took Todd, a drummer, under his wing and showed him some recording tricks.
After recording part of the album live in Tulsa, Todd used his connections with Tisdale, who appears on the album's "Paid the Price," to hook up the band with a slick LA mixer, who put the final shine on the album.
The group's members are music majors, dance majors, psychology majors, barbers, beauticians and law school students, Todd said.
The group's singers are Brionna Custard, Melody Vinnett, Geneice Wilson, Bryanna Davis, Leslie Thaxton, Domenica Williams, Fredrick Custard, Aaron Davis, Lawrence Rosenborough, TJ Williams and Brittany Jackson. Gabriel Bonner plays bass and Kayla Lee is the lead guitarist. The keyboard and organ players are Stephen Vey, Brian Jones and Aaron Tyler. Todd is the drummer.
The group performed last weekend at Grambling State University in Louisiana for the college's music department anniversary.
It also has peformed in Florida, Texas, California, playing for church congregations, outdoor events, in clubs and stadiums, Todd said.
"That's one thing, that we're not bound to any building. Our message doesn't change. We're talking about God and everything that he is to us, no matter where it is. If it's at the casino, our message is the same."
The album will be available at www.myspace.com/1gop.
1 G.O.P. CD Release Party
When:
7 p.m., Friday
Where:
Blue Dome Diner, 313 E. Second St.
Admission:
Free
By MATT ELLIOTT World Scene Writer
No comments:
Post a Comment