By J. MATTHEW COBB
Founder, Editor-In-Chief of PRAYZEHYMN Entertainment

2005 had to be one of the roughest years for gospel music with the big slump in album sales facing an all-time low and devastations ranging from the passing of Ron Winans and Kirk Franklin's big media obsession while facing the public regarding his past addictions to pornography. It also saw the departure of Nuthinbutgospel.com (NBG); one of Gospel's most recognizable e-zines (magazines set up like a website except with glossy graphics) during the last part of 2004 - leaving a deep crater in the industry's subconscious. Its effects led to several outcries of despair while creating multiple adventerous voyages for its former fanbase - but there was no way that void would ever be filled. For years, Nuthinbutgospel.com showered its visitors with heavy dosages of multimedia, public announcements, interactive perks and even hours of sermons from our nation's most prolific preachers and pastors. But those days were all but forgotten or tossed away when Louis Williams, the site's founder and webmaster, decided to return back to the fold.

Back and running, while impressing tons of fans, Nuthinbutgospel continues to be one of Gospel's preimere instiutions of higher learning and gravitates the likes of his fellow contemporaries with its cheerful original graphics, neat layouts and mind-blowing music additions (which is equally divided up with talented independent artists and Gospel's royal bunch).

I made it a strong priority in 2006 to begin the year right with hosting a good number of interviews with serious trailblazers within the music industry - at any cost. One of those persons that I definitely was impressed to speak with was Lou Williams. Even though many can recall the negative feedback I tossed towards NBG a few years back, times have changed and God has restored those burned-down bridges. Lou has also developed and matured over the course of time as well - mentally and spiritually. And his sense of humor continues to vibrate God's joy. Many can even recall various changes being made on his site reflecting those changes. One night I decided to hold a conference with Lou, to ask him questions concerning the site's past, its goals and his expectations, while also asking vital questions that affect us all within the Gospel community.

Chit-Chat Part I...

PRAYZEHYMN: Well, hello there, Bruvah' Lou. How are you doing this evening?

NUTHINBUTGOSPEL: I'm great man. How are you? Happy New Year!

PH: I'm doing great. And, happy new year to you also. First I want to thank you for blessing thousands with your website, Nuthinbutgospel.com. You have touched so many people with your online ministry and allowing us a closer look at some of gospel's most celebrated icons, and have even giving exposure to a good number of independent artists. So I, along with thousands of online gospel lovers, congratulate you.

NBG: No, I must thank all those folks that continue to support the site year after year. 2006 marks our 7th year of being online. I'm thankful for the opportunity just to go into the homes, jobs, schools of people all over the world. So thank you!

(Lou puffs on his cigarette - looks at him with disgrace)

PH: Didn't know he smoked...but moving on.

NBG: This my interview look. Oh wait, saints aint 'sposed to smoke.

PH: (Laughs) Before I ask you anything about your website, so many people are curious to know the person, the moderator, behind the scenes. Tell us a lil' bit about yourself?

NBG: I plead the fifth. No, I was born in East Orange, NJ but moved back and forth between Jersey and DC most of life. I moved to DC permanently in 1988. Music has been my lifeline. I've been playing, directing and singing forever. I currently serve in my local church as musician and choir director.

PH: D.C. has a rich heritage and history in gospel music with artists like Richard Smallwood, Stephen Hurd, Patrick Lundy, Myrna Summers, Isaiah Thomas, Byron Cage and the late Rev. Donald Vails. Is that what convinced you to move there?

NBG: No not really. I had family in DC. I really didn't get tuned into Gospel music seriously until the late 80's. Even though I had been in the church choir, my interest in Gospel music wasn't really serious until I wanted to form a Gospel choir in High School. (Gives a shout-out to Suitland High School Unity Gospel Choir alumni) And it's funny you mentioned Rev. Vails. I played for his Capital City Youth Choir here in DC, and was one of the last directors to play for the group before he passed. I had the opportunity to direct the reunion choir at his memorial service.

PH: He was an awesome man. His music, legacy and ministry still blesses us to this day. He even served for years at Ebenezer AME Church, pastored by Dr. Grainger and JoAnn Browning. His ministry still continues even with Byron Cage being their Chief Music Director, whom also sat under his direction for years.

NBG: He really was an awesome Minister of Music.

PH: But let me ask this...what was your first experience with gospel music? When were you introduced to this style of music?

NBG: Other than being in church choir and singing whatever music that was introduced to us by our director, it wasn't until I got in high school and started looking for music to teach to the Gospel Choir. The first cassette I remember buying was John P. Kee & New Life's "Wait on Him". And of course, everybody knows he's my favorite artist. I was hooked ever since. I started buying everything I could get my hands on. Hez, Milton Brunson, you name it, I bought it.

PH: You was hooked, I see. Not too many people can say that about gospel.

NBG: Funny part about that is, had it been today, I don't think I would be "hooked" per se. There's not much out I'd want to buy now. Whereas, back in the day, I'd scoop up anything. I mean anything.

PH: Same goes for me. I guess that's why Andrae Crouch wrote "Take Me Back". Let me ask this; when did it impress you to start the web e-zine, Nuthinbutgospel? Where did the idea come from?

NBG: Uh, I was actually messing around on Angelfire.com and had a personal web page with information about myself on it and it morphed into something completely different. Here we are seven years later.

PH: Wow. What a journey. There are those that remember fondly their first images of Nuthinbutgospel.com when it was hosted on the Angelfire server. All those ads that popped up...whew...but we saw so much potential there. From book reviews to church spotlights, current events to the hot independent projects. Did you really think that this idea would become what it is today?

NBG: (Pauses) Honestly, no. I mean you're talking about someone that had no formal training in web design, didn't consider himself a great writer, and had no clue as to what impact this site would have on the gospel community. I hate to sound deep, but God gets all of the glory out of this one. I just happened to be the vessel that He used to make it happen. I'm grateful.

PH: What sets your site apart from others is not just the dynamic graphics that you create for each and every update, but you give us lots of material to listen to in your Music Room. Not many gospel sites and e-zines, to this day, incorporate that on their sites. When did this idea emerge?

NBG: Unlike Prayzehymn and maybe Gospelflava, I don't have any original content (other than the CD Reviews). I'm not a writer, so I needed something other than a bunch of pics. I combined graphic design, artist info from the record labels, and audio clips and figured that would keep people coming back to the site. It worked. I also had a ministry section where people could come and listen to sermons from the popular circuit ministers and up and coming preachers from around the country. That was the initial thing that set NuthinButGospel apart. You not only had music, but preaching. Unfortunately for some, we did away with the ministry room in 2005.

PH: Do you see video coming on your site in the future?

NBG: And the church said NO! I doubt that I'll be adding anything other than what's there already. I thought about adding a radio show, but we'll see. I'm honestly a lil' weary with all of this. I feel like I'm ready to move on and do something else. What that something else is, I don't know.

PH: You say you play piano, sing and direct...and through your site, as we all are aware of, you discover so much independent talent. Have you ever considered or been approached by music labels to become an A&R or a Public Relations advisor?

NBG: And the answer to that question would be no as well. Not interested.

PH: Nuthinbutgospel.com, for the first time if I can recall correctly, shut down for a good period of time. I think it was a few months and then you relaunched it. What made you bow out and later return to the gospel music industry?

NBG: We shut down from Jan-April of 2005. I initially announced that the site would close for good in December of 2004. That was the plan. It really was. I was going through a difficult time personally and the last thing I wanted to concentrate on was the site. I had run out of steam. I also hoped that some of the new jacks (as well as some of the other smaller sites) that were on the scene would step up their game and fill whatever void NBG would have left. I sat and waited, and watched. Nobody did anything. I felt like I had to come back. I revamped the site by getting rid of the ministry section, which was beginning to be a headache. It's so much easier to focus on music. I don't have to worry about being threatened by lawyers over airing a sermon or listening to an hour long bunch of nothing. Don't get me started on these wonderful men and women of God. I do want to say thank you to Pastor Sheryl Brady, Pastor Jamal Bryant, Pastor Herbert Crump, Evangelist Herman Murray and Bishop Alfred & Co-Pastor Susie Owens for being supportive of NuthinButGospel during that time.

PH: Everyone also wanted to know the big deal behind the cancellations of playable sermon clips, in which you regularly posted on your site awhile back. I was going to ask about that but you jumped right into it. I totally understand. (Looks at clock on the wall) We must take a commercial break. We will be right back after these important messages from Verity/Zomba/GospoCentric/Jive (anymore I need to add?) Records.

Chit-Chat And More Chat - Part II...

PRAYZEHYMN: And we are back. We are here with the big guy behind Nuthinbutgospel.com. You cite Pastor John P. Kee, the Prince of Gospel, as your favorite all-time gospel artist. Have you ever met him?

NUTHINBUTGOSPEL: I have.

PH: (Is that it? - begins to fundle through my notepad)

NBG: Now whether he remembers me or not, I don't know. I used to go all over the place trying to keep up with the group. Man do I have some stories. I'm a lil older now. My stalker-like tendencies have long been gone.

PH: Haha! We all have been there in some point in our lives.

NBG: I had a John Kee fan site before he launched johnpkee.com and I did a piece on Gospelflava.com for the Not Guilty release.

PH: Since Nuthinbutgospel was first introduced to the world, lots of gospel e-zines circulate the web. Many cite you as being one of the earliest. Tell me, what do you think is needed mostly in this field of marketing/public relations surrounding online promotions? What do you see is missing mostly from sites these days that focus on gospel music?

NBG: Dude, ORIGINALITY! Next question. My blood boils.

PH: I can agree. Somebody still tries to steal my reviews.

NBG: I don't want to play brown noser to the host, but even when we had our lil "cyber beef" (for what, I don't know), I appreciated your site for the original content. I mean a bio can only be circulated but so many times, as well as a photo. This is why I take the time to do a different design with each issue and continue to look for new independent artists. This is what separates us from the rest. Being creative man.

PH: What happened to your message board? You used to host one and the last I recall, it was almost bigger than the population of North Dakota. State-size! Do you still keep up with your family that you interacted with on the board?

NBG: Message boards are of the devil! (Laughing) I'm all about stream-lining. Avoiding a bunch of extra. No message boards, guest books or nothing. Just let me do what I do, and you come in and enjoy it and then keep it moving. I am setting up a blog for 2006. This will host a lot of the extra lil' features that we would put on the site that nobody read. That way, if you read 'em, you read 'em. If you don't, you don't. I'm not going through the hassle of designing pages for nothing.

PH: Nice thinking. I'm actually learning alot from what you just said. But believe it or not, somebody reads those pages. It's so easy now to get information through the internet these days.

NBG: I do keep up with the old message board family, though. We had a Meet and Greet in Baltimore (Maryland) last January. It was a blast. Those are my friends for real. Can I give them a shout-out? (Pauses briefly) Wait, that's ghetto. Let me just say "hi" to the Fat Fellowship. LOL!

PH: HAHA! You can do that. Wave at 'em.

NBG: No but the stats for secondary pages were so low on the site. People would read the first page of articles, CD reviews and go straight to the music room. So I'd be doing all of this work coming up with content, and like I said, nobody would read it.

PH: Gotcha. Hope you hearing that website moderators. Next question. Just a few tid bits...what gospel artist that is no longer with us do you miss the greatest?

NBG: Good question. Going to get me in trouble though. If anybody, I'll say Milton Brunson's Tommies (Thompson Community Singers) No wait! Rev. Ernest Davis' Wilmington Chester Mass Choir, O'landa Draper's Associates, and Rev. James Moore.

PH: I have noticed in your reviews lately, that you are becoming more and more concerned about the music that is coming forth. Years ago, I even teased your site for not being forward enough with gospel projects. There has been a shift in your reviewing...I'm sure many have noticed that. You even incorporate a review rating system for newer reviews. Why the change?

NBG: If I had my way, I wouldn't write at all. I just don't think I'm that great of a writer. And as far as me being forward enough, you're just retarded (laughs) so nothing I could say would ever please you. I think that I've been honest as I possibly could with most of my reviews. Now mind you, I have given some CD's decent reviews; only to go back and listen again and say what the *#@%# were you thinking.

PH: (Laughs hysterically) That crunk juice is kicking in. Gotta edit that one.

NBG: Nope, don't edit that one. (Continues laughter) That's good journalism.

PH: Cool. We will keep it real. Let me also set the record straight publicly about how I did you and your site a while back. I was pretty fierce towards several sites and my approach was not wise. I do apologize for my actions and the effects they caused you and your supporters. I acknowledge my behavior at the time was pretty cruel and I want to confront the past with a sincere apology. Also, I got re-saved after that. (joking)

NBG: It's cool. I knew you weren't saved.

PH: (Erupts in laughter)

NBG: I didn't understand where it was all coming from.

PH: It came from build-up frustration. (For those that don't remember that brief period in gospel music history, please scroll down to the next question.)

PH: In closing peeps want to know Lou a lil' better. This is a segment that I will call - one, two, three words and that's it. You must respond with 1-3 words for the next set of questions. Favorite food?

NBG: I'm fat. Food period. No, soul food, seafood, Italian.

PH: You are disqualified I said three words. Play by the rules!

NBG: (Laughs for a moment) Okay. Soul Food.

PH: Favorite album? Only three words.

NBG: Live in NY By Any Means.

PH: (Begins to laugh) Maybe I should have called this game...1,2,3,4,5,6,Step. I'm glad Ciara and Missy aint playing this one. Favorite website?

NBG: Nuthinbutgospel

PH: (Laughs) Worst concert attended?

NBG: Ummm...can't remember.

PH: Good answer. Forgetting the things which are behind...Favorite name brand?

NBG: Nike. Wait. Favorite website (inspired me to start NBG) vibinmusic.co.uk (Vibin).

PH: The song that always makes you cry...

NBG: Don't cry much. Standing In The Need by JPK.

PH: Two more questions...favorite preacher?

NBG: Co-Pastor Susie Owens.

PH: Last but not least, if you had the perfect choir to work with and had a choice to choose one person to sing a remake of your favorite song of all time...who would it be?

NBG: You and these questions. Um, That's a difficult question. Can I put a spin on it? I'd like to see somebody other than John P. Kee produce a New Life record. *shrugs* I dunno.

PH: Who would that be?

NBG: Dunno. Fred Hammond, PAJAM, Israel, Alex Ward.

PH: J. Moss, hope you're listening? Maybe Donald Lawrence.

NBG: Yea, even ole Donald. (Looks at his watch)

PH: Why he gotta be ole? (Laughs a bit) Well, Pastor Lou. It has been a wonderful pleasure interviewing you on this evening. You are always in my prayers and we will continue to support you; regardless of what comes your way in the near future. Keep doing the will of the Father. God's Blessings Be Yours in 2006.

NBG: But can I add, if I ended NuthinButGospel.com today or tomorrow, I think I'd like to go into marketing/promotions for Indie artists. I'd work with them in moving their product across the country, design their artwork, websites, the whole nine yards. There are some great artists out here and they don't need to be signed to a major label to make it. I'd like to help in anyway that I can.

PH: A-man. I agree.

NBG: That's my prayer. So we'll see what happens. Thanks for the interview man. I'm always checkin you out to see what you're doing.

PH: We do know that one of your greatest strengths is finding the next best thang in gospel music. And I agree, being without a label keeps these artists mostly humble, easy to write fresh music and excited about the Lord's Work.

PH: Thanks man for your support. It's good to know that a veteran such as yourself looks at my crumby site.

NBG: Sheddup.

PH: Now tune in next time, folkz for da Interview of the Century: Pastor Margaret Pennin from FOX's "Trading Spouses".

NBG: You are so DARK SIDED! (Laughing hysterically)

Louis Williams is the founder and webmaster of NUTHINBUTGOSPEL.COM. The website generates over 90,000+ hits per month and is mostly updated twice a month with new music and reviews.