In my considered view, Tehila Records made an excellent choice by having Kierra ‘Kiki’ Sheard, headline Alabanza Concert 3. The event which held recently in Lagos, with the full collaboration of City of David Parish of The Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG), achieved all it set out to do.
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| Kierra |
First, Kierra brought the required international outlook to
the event. Not only is she a renowned and successful American gospel artiste,
her pedigree from a family of ministers of the word and song sets her apart as a
true role model. Her grandmother, the late great Dr. Mattie-Moss Clark: master
choir director, arranger, musician, song writer, composer and choir organizer; is
considered by many as the Godmother of modern choir directing and vocal
arranging.
Dr. Clark also begat five famous daughters, “The Clark
Sisters” i.e., Denise Clark Bradford, Jacky Clark Chisholm, Elbernita “Twinkie”
Clark Terrell, Dorinda Clark-Cole and Karen Clark Sheard who reputedly have
sold more hit records than any female gospel group in history. Not only have
they sold records in the millions that have crossed over mainstream into dance
music, pop and R&B; they are considered one of the true pioneers of
contemporary gospel with composer, arranger, musician and producer “Twinkie” at
the helm. The family has a reality TV show on BET called “The Sheards”
which airs on Sunday evenings.
| On Stage |
Kierra herself is a judge on the popular BET
Sunday Best. She is both brain and brawn. Sheard has a BA degree in English with a minor
in Psychology from Wayne State in Detroit and has four albums out since
becoming a professional at age ten when she won a Stellar Award for “Best
Children’s Performance” by appearing on her mom’s solo LP debut “Finally Karen”
in 1977. That was followed with singing background for her aunties. Her
sophomore album “This Is Me” debuted at #1 on the Billboard Gospel chart. Her hit
songs include Indescribable, Flaws, Free,
and Repin my God. Kierra’s music
reflects and accentuates her journey of evolution even as one from a family that
has been famous for three generations!
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| Kierra |
This is what she said when asked if she has been taunted to out
sing her famous aunties, a daunting task indeed: “Never, never and never will I
try. I will never try to out sing them. But I think it is a responsibility and
I take it as a challenge to be able to take the legacy outside of what they’ve
done and of course to make God proud #1 but to also to make my aunts proud, to
let them know that them sharing their platforms with me wasn’t done in vain and
I would like to bring a smile to their faces. But my #1 priority is God. I just
count it a blessing because it’s a lot of things I was able to learn without
having to bump my head because I had people who had already bumped their heads
for me. So I thank God for my family.”
All said, Kierra’s songs and lyrical performance come with a
deep seated conviction to touch lives and bring about positive change to the
life of her audience.
Secondly, and flowing from the foregoing, her presence at
Alabanza 3 engendered a flawless cross
–fertilization of ideas, experiences and performances, not just with the
participating Nigerian gospel artistes but also with the audience that came out
in their thousands to witness the concert. (I never cease to wonder though,
that if the concert, as with similar ones, attracted a fee; would people, Christians,
come out in their large number?) For me, this was demonstrated fully during the
pre-concert seminar – Art of Worship-
where she delivered the keynote lecture.
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| Lively Audience |
In the said seminar, she handled the subject, ‘How to
Minister Effectively’ (The Art). But other artistes also spoke on varying
topics such as: Building and Channeling
Your Passion for Music, Discipline As A Minister/Worship Leader, The Place of
Prayer and Consecration in Ministry, Vocal Techniques/How To Birth Songs, How
To Stay Relevant in Ministry and the The Choir and Your Ministry. Targeted
at all music ministers, choristers, musicians and lovers of good news music,
the seminar brought the essence of worship as an integral part of ministry at
the church and individual level.
For the aspiring artiste that wants to have a career, the
CEO of Tehila Records, Tim Ogboruche also had some pieces of advice: 1. Sew a
seed/start from where you are 2. Have a base church 3. Copyright your songs and
product 4. Make yourself available to those who already have platforms.
It is hoped that the fourth edition of the concert coming up
in 2016 will build on the successes of this year for a greater event. For the
duo of Tim and his wife, Enkay together with the Tehila Crew, the time to start
planning is now!
Last Line: Proverbs 18:16 A gift opens the way for the giver
and ushers him into the presence of the great.
What is your gift, and are you using your gift to bring
glory to God, the giver of all good things? Like Kierra, is God your priority
#1?
I encourage you to put your gifting and talents to good use.
To find out more about God and how you can have a relationship
with the Lord Jesus Christ, visit any Bible believing church near you, or:
CHAPEL OF DESTINY RESTORATION CHURCH, 2 Akinlabi Lane, off Mobolaji Bank
Anthony Way, by Round About Bus Stop, Ikeja. Lagos.
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