[PRAYZEHYMN] [Generation Next: 2006 Edition]

By J. MATTHEW COBB
Founder, Editor-In-Chief of PRAYZEHYMN Entertainment
Posted: September 20, 2006

WE ARE NOT PROCLAIMING TO BE PSYCHICS, but we can predict a few certainties in the future regarding the leaders for tomorrow in the gospel world. They are the new faces of today; the freshmen in the Class of 2006. And they are making a difference in the field of gospel music with their colorful creativity, their bold personality, their cool and suave beauty and their unstoppable drive for excellence. And they are already making strides in the industry today - they are more than just artists looking for the next gig. You can sense this in their passion and their list of accomplishments. The scene looks so much bettah because of their presence.

So who made the list? Well, some you know and some you probably don't know, but they all bare one thing in common. They are indeed the future of gospel music and sure to be bonafide seniors in the gospel world. Read on to catch up on these eleven significant rising gospel stars of 2006.

CLASS HONORS:
Perfect Attendance, Perfect Homework
This semester, there's no place you cannot find Mr. Woods. After making an explosive appearance with the Tri-City Singers on "Finale'", enjoying success previously with an underground independent project and preparing for the release of and touring with D. Lawrence, Woods hasn't been absent at all on workdays and reveals to be quite punctual.

No, he's not a stranger. But the world has giving him special attention this year. Ever since his big appearance on the Donald Lawrence/Tri-City Singers double-disc "Finale'" collection, Dewayne Woods has made created smoke ever since. And now with his national release on the Verity/QuietWater Entertainment label heading to the shelves this fall, Woods is certain to be one of the forerunners in the freshmen class to obtaining top honors. His visibility is strong, his MySpace.com page is flooding with accolades and words of encouragement and he has a pretty extensive background of accomplishments to validate his artistic value. His work experience speaks volumes as well: singing with John P. Kee & New Life, providing lead vocals for R&B group Atlantic Star and also appearing in a number of gospel stage plays. Call Dewayne Woods a workaholic. It's that kind of drive that is sure to send him to the top.

CLASS HONORS:
Dean's List, A-B Honor Roll
With a fresh image, remarkable vocals and a love for ministry, Lucinda Moore has become one of the most talked about new artists of the year and is strongly making a name for herself. And while it's been past due time to hear something from her, she has made the grade with her recent album release and for creating a hefty buzz that will be remembered in 2006.

A woman with serious passion and soulful pipes in any music genre is sure to leave a lasting impression. Lucinda Moore has those traits and is leaving remarkable impressions behind whereever she goes. She made a good deal of noise on the Hezekiah Walker & LFC "Family Affair II" project and began to improve her work ethic by making her rounds regionally at concerts as an independent artist. Then word broke lose. Tyscot Records expressed their desires to sign her and did so in 2005. The songstress has finally released her incredible solo and self-titled debut project which features a guest appearance from the legendary Daryl Coley and production duties from labelmate VaShawn Mitchell. Her ability to swoon a song continues to drive new listeners her way, while she showcases strong vocal texturities that equally compares with giants such as Karen Clark-Sheard and Yolanda Adams. But don't let those comparisons fool you. She is definitely a unique talent and is sure to prove that in years to come. She's far from being a copycat.

CLASS HONORS:
A-B Honor Roll, Class Favorite
It may have taken a while for this album to drop, but it's better to be late than sorry. The album was well-received and features production from Anthony Hamilton's Kelvin Wooten and also some production work from Montrell Darrett. His cool, suave image also makes him a likeable favorite amongst his peers.

He's cool, slick and a breath of fresh air to the urban contemporary gospel scene. With his own brand of hip-pop and urban soul, Sean Simmonds is emerging as a tour de force this year and shows no signs of stopping. His recent Alliant debut project, "True Story", gained serious ground and revealed his clean, crisp vocals and his knack in delivering "street music" with a taste of soul. And his delivery comes at a very good time by the way - since suave neo-soul and R&B male vocalists including Anthony Hamilton, Ne-Yo and Chris Brown are blowing fresh wind into the soul movement. What makes Simmonds a serious trooper is that he challenges the lyric game with added spice and technique; giving it that cool, down-to-home vibe that most can relate to. It's a totally different gospel from what mamma' is used to - but Donny Hathaway surely would be proud. For those who don't believe it, Simmonds debut is long overdue. The media promised that he would appear on the scene several years ago, but 2006 has come and has been oh-so-good for this fresh, exuberant brother.

CLASS HONORS:
Principal's Honor Roll, A-B Honor Roll, Citizenship Award
One look at his report card and you can see this guy is committed to his work. He finds the right, colorful songs to fit his group while challenging them with various styles and mechanical structures. His featured band always plays with superior dedication. And while the time that goes into their project are quite longer than what is to be expected, their finalized works are beautiful, well-produced and represents a high grade of excellence. You can find a list of notable and upcoming songwriters on board - which explains why they deserve the Citizenship Award. Roberts knows who to turn to and who to call on, which shows the zeal and the qualifications of a great leader.

Never say choir directors are out of style. 'Cause Mister Greg Roberts is here to prove that theory to be wrong. He is a man of great talent and powerful vision and is becoming a major force on the regional scene for his groundbreaking independent releases; helping to also develop a strong fanbase in various parts of the globe. Hearing his style of music easily reveals the many influences he looks up to, but he knows how to uniquely merge both the old school and the new generation of talent together. Roberts is the overseer of a seasoned aggregation of talented young adults called Soulful Celebration and is preparing to release their sophomore project, "Soulful Worship", to the world later this year. Amazingly, Roberts has done a marvelous job with creating a grassroots campaign to getting the word out about their ministry. And the press loves 'em. And with a good name, a good image, a great leader and excellent harmonies, there's no way this group can lose. Expect to see so much more from Greg Roberts in years to come.

CLASS HONORS:
Class Favorite, A Honor Roll
Pugh maybe a freshman, but he's also a fresh man. Because of that freshness, he has already gained some ground for being a favorite in the New Artist category at the upcoming Stellar Awards. Plus his national release, which was picked up by Detroit's Crystal Rose Records, is an incredible journey of music using the praise-and-worship style and strong gospel influences. The brotha has also sent a mighty big buzz to gospel radio with his phenomenal rendition of Thomas Whitfield's "Wrapped Up, Tied Up, Tangled Up". The single is a radio favorite.

There are two kinds of singers: singers that can sing and singers that can saang. Earnest Pugh, a native of Memphis, TN, is one of those singers that can saang. The strength of his artistic value, captured on his Crystal Rose debut "A Worshipper's Perspective", has that tone of boldness that cancels any sign of him being an amateur. But his record also proves that. He is the Director of Praise and Worship at Ebenezer AME Church (where Byron Cage serves as the minister of music) and he also sung with artists including O'landa Draper, BeBe Winans, Me'lissa Morgan, Nikki Ross, Brent Jones and Daryl Coley. But with Pugh's talent, we can expect many more doors to open for him. He has an incredible, mature, sweet, lush and innocent five-octave range and has his own unique sound; blending the praise-and-worship style easily with soulful gospel foundations. It's those efforts that make Pugh one of the most recognizable new faces in the industry today.

CLASS HONORS: A-B Honor Roll, Perfect Attendance This brother stays in class. He's already appeared in just a two-year period on a number of successful gospel projects while releasing his own. And he shows no sign of ceasing. Plus, with "I Shall Live" still gaining ground and alerting newer audiences, Nelson is definitely enjoying a sensational season of exposure and commitment.
	It wasn't that long ago when Jonathan Nelson made his mark on the gospel scene. Now comes his talented brother, Jason Nelson. His style is neo-soulful and full of smooth contemporary jazz and draws off the legendary sounds of George Benson and Donny Hathaway. And one good listen to the technique of Nelson's defined vocals and you can only imagine where his gift will place him in years to come. Don't be alarmed if one considers him to be the male version of Kim Burrell because jazz is a strong influence on his musical artistry. He has recorded with Youthful Praise, Donald Lawrence, Jonathan Nelson and Tye Tribbett & GA and also released his debut project "I Shall Live"; a versatile collection of original compositions that reveals his heart for urban worship and heavily displays his artistic bass playing. Songwriter, musician, psalmist...seems like this brother is wearing a lot of industry hats and he is definitely working each and every one of them.

OTHER VALUABLE RESOURCES TO LOOK INTO:
We perish because of the lack of knowledge. Get schooled.

Generation Next: 2006 Edition - Part II - The final chapter. Five more rising sensations.
Sean Simmonds - PRAYZEHYMN album review of "True Story"
Greg Roberts - PRAYZEHYMN album review of "All Things: The Soulful Experience...Live"
Earnest Pugh - PRAYZEHYMN album review of "A Worshipper's Perspective"
Jason Nelson - PRAYZEHYMN album review of "I Shall Live"