Praise 103.9 Inspiration and Music Conference- A Huge Hit!

Philadelphia, Pa (Saturday, March 29, 2014)

By Hasan James

There aren’t many places where you have access to not only key industry players, but also key information that will assist your desire to be in this industry we call Gospel. Add two power packed concerts with literally all of today’s top gospel artists and you have Philadelphia’s Praise 103.9 Inspiration and Music Conference.

Root Editor-In-Chief, Hasan James and Praise 103.9’s Miss Kayla get ROOTED!

This year the conference kicked with a Pre-Show off on Friday, March 28th with a special broadcast of the James Fortune Show LIVE from First District Plaza. Michelle Williams, Tye Tribbett, Canton Jones, William Murphy, Kierra Sheard, Twinkie Clark, Alexis Spight, Jessica Reedy and Micah Stampley were all on hand to lend their gifts.

On Saturday, March 29, 2014, workshops and vendors were the main attraction of the entire weekend and rightfully so. All of the workshops were a wealth of information for those who want to know all there is about the ins and outs of marriage, there was the “Marriage Beyond The Vows” segment. For those who are single, satisfied and still looking, there was the “Single and Saved” workshop with facilitators, Michelle Williams, Dezzie, AV from the Yolanda Adams Morning Show, Jessica Reedy, Pastor Keon Gerow and Dr. Laverne Adams. This workshop was full of healthy debates about being single, yet satisfied.

$5,000 Winner Tanesha Holland- Davis

One of the most exciting workshops of every Praise and Inspiration conference was the “Best Inspirational Singer in America” workshop; reason being the hefty $5,000 check that Black Smoke CEO, Kerry Douglas so graciously provides. Last year’s winner, Philadelphia’s native- Angie White, was there to root for all of the participants and to also share her gift with a special praise and worship song. Workshop judges: Michelle Williams, Tracy Artis, Byron Cage, Gina Miller, Kerry Douglas and moderator, Isaac Carree (who was a very funny and engaging moderator) were all on hand to give healthy criticism of the participants, but what they didn’t expect was for everyone to sound so good! The judges all proved why they are at the top of their game, as they gave great pointers on pitch, presentation, tone and song choice. Some of the standouts of the the afternoon were LeBarron Robinson, who did an acoustic version of Byron Cage’s “Thou Art A Shield” that was smooth, different and anointed at the same time, Andrew Williams- who eOne’s Gina Miller called a modern day Daryl Coley, Maria Stoddard and Treece Statton. However, there could only be one winner and her name is Tanesha Holland- Davis, who sang her version of the classic hymn, “I Need Thee.”

Facilitators for the “How I Wrote That Song” workshop presented by BMI. From L-R: Praise 103.9 Music Director, Kyle Glover, Israel Houghton, BMI’s VP of Writer & Publisher Relations, Catherine Brewton, Erica Campbell, Warryn Campbell Isaac Carree

“How I Wrote That Song” is a brand new workshop to the Inspiration and Music Conference.  This workshop gave attendees an inside look at how Warryn & Erica Campbell, Israel Houghton, Donald Lawrence, and Isaac Carree wrote some of their biggest hits. If you are an aspiring songwriter, this workshop was for you! Each artist would play one of their biggest hits and tell the attendees how they wrote that particular song. Donald Lawrence is always so profound when it comes to songwriting and he gave a pretty simple tip to the aspiring songwriters that spoke volumes. When one of the attendees asked how his group of singers are able to not only sing so well but also project, Donald stated “Before I teach my singers a song, I first teach them the lesson.” Warryn Campbell was also very simplistic in his approach to songwriting as he told very intimate stories that led to him writing or co-writing songs like “Heaven,” “Shackles,” and even Brandy’s hit, “He Is.”

Taking Selfies backstage with Erica Campbell, Goo Goo, Tamela Mann and Isaac Carree.

As always, Praise 103.9 gives the best concerts that Philly has to offer and this year wasn’t any different as a Who’s Who of Gospel music royalty hit the stage at Temple University’s Liacouras Center. The likes of Israel Houghton, Zacardi Cortez, Isaac Carree, Erica Campbell, William McDowell, Smokie Norful, Byron Cage, Donald Lawrence, Tamela Mann, Pastor Charles Jenkins, JJ Hairston and YP, Hezekiah Walker and Lonnie Hunter took “Praise” to a whole new level. Praise 103.9 to be exact!