Rayford Talks Jazz/Gospel Sax With Live Inspirational Tyscot Return

After 20 years of defining the real meaning of dedication, provacating the true sanities of love and worship, while delivering music that professes the love of Jesus Christ is real, Harold Rayfords’ true mission in life is to edify those in need of divine direction through the presentation of the Word of God; verbally, literarily and musically, and that he does so eloquent with the release of his latest, “ I Am The Instrument”. It’s not every day that we see a Gospel Jazz artist releasing his 9^th project, but Rayford has something special and in celebration of that gift, he’s taking us back to Gospel classics such as the hit single by Marvin Sapp, “Never Would’ve Made It”, in his very own instrumental remake which has set Gospel and Inspirational Radio on fire. In short, this project allows Rayford to showcase his growth as a man of God, his talents and skills as a musician and truly speak on his underlined faith in himself, his craft and his future as a Gospel Jazz musician.

Formulating Jazz style tunes to incorporate into Gospel Music is nothing new for Harold Rayford. This Stellar Award Nominated saxophone player has wooed audiences in a variety of settings to help spread the love of Jesus Christ, while creating Gospel Music many followers of Jazz find exceptional. “I Am The Instrument”, introduces a new generation and audience to music from the past, telling a story with Gospel cover tunes that will make listeners take notice like never before. Thus far in Rayfords career, he’s produced 8 projects, 3 cassettes and 5 CD’s, and his talents and skills are just beginning to spark the surface. “I feel very blessed to be delivering this album, “says Rayford. “I give God all the glory. This album gave me a chance to record some different material and add some classic Gospel tunes. The majority of my audience is the mature crowd. Some like Jazz and some like a variety, so this album has all of that. I recorded “Never Would’ve Made It”, “How Great Is Our God”, and “Down Through The Years” because those are just a few of the songs that I just love and other people love them too. Maybe they haven’t heard them my way, so this gives them a change to hear familiar tunes in a different style. The mature audience can relate to these, and I’m getting all kinds of comments. So this is my ministry and I want to do this to the best of my ability and please God with the best that I have.”

Like most musicians, Rayford has a love for the greats when it comes to Jazz Music. “I grew up listening to all the greats, “as he continues. “ Like Charlie Parker, Grover Washington, John Coltrane, Cannonball Adderley, and Thelonious Monk, those guys made real Jazz Music. I also listened to a lot of Gospel artist, including Tramaine Hawkins and Andre Crouch, who I was heavily inspired by. So throughout my career, what I’ve tried to do was bridge the two together, Jazz and Gospel, and I can’t really take credit for all of this. This is God’s doing. He’s used me from day one. As the title of the album says, I am just the instrument. This is his work; him doing through me what he wants people to hear out of my sax. My main initiative is that my music meets the standard of God”. This is Rayfords first live album recorded for Tyscot. It was recorded in Indianapolis, Indiana at The Jazz Kitchen. Other singles on the album include “With Love”, “ Dove”, and “Every Night My Father Prays”, “Hymn Medley”, “Ummm”, “ Alpha and Omega”, and “When The Music Stops”, which are definitely standout singles that will make you wish for more. This album cites Rayfords fifth recording for Tyscot Records.

Music is just one side of Rayford; he’s also a family man who speaks openly about being married for 25 years with two children in college in as seen in a You Tube EPK video. Like many fathers, his cares and concerns for the welfare of our youth, their futures and the Internet, shows very much who he is as a musician and family man. “I love my family and will do anything for them, “ he explains. “Music is my passion, but family comes first. I love the Internet and I can really appreciate where it’s taking us musically. It’s something different, interesting, and unique. It has changed how we do business, how we shop, how we meet people and everything. Musically speaking, it has changed how we as artists market ourselves, and there is a lot of good because we can use it to the Glory of God and reach more people than we could ever reach the old way. But when it comes to young people and how it affects them, I’m concerned. It bothers me because for those who are or are working to be musicians, it doesn’t pay for the kids to even learn to play an instrument because they can sample. So it has an adverse effect as well. The industry is in a great flux right now, and trying to find what the next big thing is is very difficult right now. Then because of the economy and all the other problems we are having, people are afraid to invest in talented musicians and projects”.

In closing Rayford offers this lasting word of inspiration for new –up and coming artists, “ it’s important to develop a broad focus of influences. Don’t just settle on one style of music. Take the time to put all the different styles of music that you have access to into what you do”. For more information on Harold Rayford visit http://www.haroldrayford.com/. Other releases from Tyscot include Detrick Haddon’s “Blessed & Cursed”, CD and DVD; and “CoCo Brother Presents: Stand 2010”. For more information visit www.tyscot.com.

NicholPlaydit Entertainment- Fayetteville, NC’s New Entertainment Vehicle

Fayetteville, NC- Hundreds of miles away from the skyscrapers of Manhattan, deep in the heart of North Carolina, two creative minds sketch out ideas for their next big star, which so happens to be the daughter of NicholPlaydit Entertainments founder Derrick Nichol. Because of shows such as “America’s Got Talent”, “America’s Top Model”, and the flagship that started it all, “ American Idol”, to find a vehicle to launch your career in acting, singing, dancing, modeling, or whatever it is you do, is not a hard thing to find anymore. But the challenge comes when you are expected to battle three thousand others for that one spot. So many factors come to mind- how am I different from the others, what can I do differently from the other acts and what is going to make me unique and different to make someone choose me for that one spot? This is where the creative and professional talents of businessmen and industry veterans Derrick Nichol and Mark Smith come into play. “We didn’t just start our business”, says Nichol. “We’ve been around for a long time, working and mastering our craft”. NicholPlaydit Entertainment is just our vehicle to let the world know we’re here, and one of the best in the business.”

Constant travel from New York to North Carolina can take a toll on you, but NicholPlaydit Entertainment’s founder Derrick Nichol sees a future of good things to come out from Fayetteville, NC. “I’m from New Jersey, but North Carolina is like home,” comments Nichol. “My daughter is in school there and I’m constantly on the road back and forth. There is a lot of good talent in Fayetteville and the South period, and we’re looking for artists to work with, people who believe in themselves and their talents. We’re looking for people who understand the phasing process of not just being an artist, but all the aspects of building and nurturing what you do. So we want to be the company that provides not only the performer, but we want to teach it all. It’s very important that any new artist we work with understand the concept of what it is to be who they are. It’s very important to us that those we work with are go-getters, people who have the eye of the tiger, and won’t allow anything to get in the way. Now days, most companies want to work with people who are after if, trying to get it without people pushing them. We are no different. We’re looking for the fighter in an artist.”

We all know the names of Gamble and Huff, Terry Lewis and Jimmy Jam, LA and Babyface, and as time goes, we will also become familiar with Nichol and Smith, who are to date responsible for contributions on quite a few off Broadway Productions such as “Mama I Wanna Sing”. “Yea we’ve been around for a while, doing a lot of stuff, “continues Nichol. “ Our goal is to be able to say that we created a variety of work that was R&B, Hip-Hop, Gospel, Country, Rock, Rap, Pop, Reggae, Latin, a large catalog of material that people will love to listen to for years to come. That’s what I like about Teddy Riley. Back years ago when he coined the phrase, “New Jack Swing”, that sound is still around today when you listen to music. And a lot of new artists are being influenced by his style and what he did for music. That sound will never die. That’s what we are looking to do. Fayetteville is by no means New York, but I see the amount of talent there and a lot of opportunity to do quite a few things. So we’re looking to open up the potential there and give those who are prepared an opportunity”.

Nichol has written for and traveled with a variety of artist, including R&B Artist Joe. Smith grew up around the industry, to eventually travel the world with many as a keyboard player and producer. The duo have signed a 50/50 joint venture to create music as a team. Together they will for sure be unstoppable. Show business runs in the family as Nichol’s daughter Katelyn, who resides in Fayetteville, NC., is soon to release a project as well. “For all those artists out there looking to get in the music business, “ comments Nichol in closing, “ my advice is study the business because this is a business. You can’t loose site of what you want or where you’re trying to go, and you have to prepare yourself so again learn the business. This is a process, and it takes getting to know people and people knowing who you are. But number one is you have to believe in yourself and your talents.” information on Nicholplaydit Entertainment visit http://www.myspace.com/nicholplayditentertainment

“CoCo Brother” Delivers “Stand For Jesus Rally” In Charlotte

Charlotte, NC- Radio host, community organizer, and television personality, Cory “CoCo Brother” Condrey is even more determined now to make a difference than back in 1998 when he refused to take no for an answer to become a radio personality. His latest venture is “The Stand For Jesus Campaign”, where he’s traveling the country with the likes of some of the countries top Gospel/Praise Recording Artists in hopes to make a difference and bring millions who do not know Christ to pulpits, alters and revivals sites world wide. Recently, Pastor John P. Kee, Ted Winn, James Fortune, West Morgan and quite a few other artists waited patiently inside the Charlotte DTLR Clothing Store to witness to hundreds about the goodness of Christ, showing support of this event organized and created by Condrey, and hosted by his wife and partner Joanne Rosario-Condrey.

Most certainly, America and the world seek a longing for a personality willing to go that extra mile to give back, to elevate and educate others about the goodness of Christ, not to mention willing to stand when all else fails. This title describes Cory “ CoCo Brother” Condrey to the tee. His idea was to create and deliver a free tour, allowing recognizable personalities to stand before thousands and deliver what the world needs- a sympathetic ear, without judgment, critical concerns that cast self- doubt or condescending ways. Thus the “Stand For Jesus Rally” was born, allowing thousands who normally would avoid the church at all cost, to come worship just as they are. As the visionary behind “The Stand For Jesus Campaign”, CoCo Brother has indeed addressed some of the key issues of a broken nation by inviting some of the countries top Gospel personalities such as West Morgan to share in the excitement. “CoCo Brother is a good friend of mine. We met in Atlanta some time ago, “ says Morgan. “And he’s so Kingdom minded. This show is about bringing Christ to the people. All of us artists come to bring our gifts and our talents to help him take the word of Christ to the streets, and I’m very excited about it. God follows praise; he’s drawn to worship and praise. We have to focus on who God is and we have to magnify him. God says if we will lift him up, he will draw all men unto him. He want’s us to stand. And that’s what this tour is about”.

“The Stand For Jesus Campaign” began at New Birth Ministries, the home base of Bishop Eddie Long in 2007. Since that time, the show has traveled throughout the United States, meeting, greeting and introducing people to Christ on a wide scale. “This is an Evangelistic Out Reach Ministry”, says CoCo Brother. “A lot of times people say they can’t come to the church for one reason or the other. They have their reasons and so with the Stand Tour, we are bringing the church to them. On this particular show we have everybody, Ted Winn, West Morgan, Pastor John P. Kee, my wife Joanne Rosario-Condrey and several others. Every city we have a few different artists who come share their testimonies and minister to the people. To move around the country from city to city, our goal is to win the lost at any cost. That’s where the ministry counts. And to put the fire behind those who are already saved. If you work at FedEx, McDonalds, UPS, that where the ministry is going forth at. A lot of times people think that you have to be behind a pulpit to actually minister and preach, but it’s about how you live your life. When people look at you, they want to see how you are loving and how you carry yourself, and then they may sit back and say, look, I want what you have, and that’s when you give them the opportunity to receive Christ.”

“The Stand For Jesus Rally” has toured several cities and states, and the movement is just getting bigger. Despite a recession, people from all over are traveling to witness history in the making. In the audience of some one thousand people or so, with a scorching heat index of 100 plus, some of the audience grabbed their water and drinks to witness the entire rally, while others came for a while and left at will. “This is a great day”, continues CoCo Brother. “ And we are looking for people to come to Christ. Many are saying we are in the middle of a recession, but people that God has allowed me to work with here are prospering and that is a blessing despite all the hardships and failures in society. We have great examples of people in a recession who have come out and come up. One of the great men of God that I’m thinking about is Bishop Paul S. Morton. He lost everything due to Hurricane Katrina. Then he went to Atlanta, Georgia to a Kroger Shopping Center and started small to rebuild. Again he lost everything due to the storm, his entire congregation and the church, and then the recession hit. But praise God because today, now he owns his own property, right next door to Tyler Perry Studios, has a Million dollar church facility, and his wife goes back to New Orleans regularly to rebuild the church there, and she’s also the Head Pastor there, so they didn’t loose anything. I think sometimes in life, when he have negative things that happen to us, we think we got to stop and give up. No when those things happen, that’s when god is trying to promote you. So if you can stand strong in the midst of the storm and warfare and when adversity hits, that is what’s going to take you to another level”.

But the excitement with CoCo Brother doesn’t stop there; he recently released the album- “Stand 2010” (Tyscot Records), featuring several songs from some familiar names and a few new ones. Singles on the album are from several artists who have shared the stage with him during rally dates of the “Stand -Rally For Jesus Tour”. Some of those songs include “Transformation (Inspirational Moment)”- (featuring Paula White), “Prophetic Worship (I Need You) “- (featuring Joann Rosario Condrey), “Encore [Live Version]” - (featuring Fiya/James Fortune), “The Power Of One [Acoustic Version]”, - (featuring Israel Houghton), “Let's Come Together” - (featuring Kevin Levar), “Be Not Weary” (Inspirational Moment) - (featuring Smokie Norful), “Moving Forward” - (featuring Joann Rosario Condrey/Tye Tribbett), “Break The Silence” (Inspirational Moment) - (featuring Darwin Hobbs), “Such An Awesome God” - (featuring Kevin Levar), “God Answers Prayer” (Inspirational Moment) - (featuring BeBe Winans), “My Everything” - (featuring Marshetta Parker), “Yo Se Que Estas Aqui”- (featuring Joann Rosario Condrey), “Stand And Take The City” - (featuring Euclid Gray/Tarralyn Ramsey/Canton Jones/Isaac Carree), “My Name Is Resurrection” - (featuring Euclid Gray) and “Take A Stand” (Inspirational Moment) - (featuring Darwin Hobbs), which completes a 16 track album.

“It definitely feels great to be able to do this project, “ continues Coco Brother, “And the album was done to support our efforts of traveling and sponsoring the rallies. “The album is the soundtrack for the tour. People like James Fortune, Israel Horton, are a big part of what this tour is about and we’re all coming together for Christ. You just don’t see that right now in this day and time. So it’s a wonderful project”. Also included are spoken inspirational moments by Smokie Norful, Pastor Paula White, BeBe Winans and Darwin Hobbs. “I love this tour because when I get to talk with Cory and Joanne, they’re doing this because they’re trying to reach the lost, people outside the church, “comments James Fortune. “ That is what gets forgotten. They (CoCo and Joanne) are going beyond the four walls of the church to get the ones who do not come or will not come to the church. So this tour is to encourage the young to take a stand, not to do what’s popular, but to do what God would have them to do. That’s what this whole tour is about, to give their problems to God and let him take control of their destiny”.

On November 13^th, 2010, all roads lead to Atlanta, Georgia to the Georgia World Congress Center for the grand finale. “The Stand For Jesus Rally” will be center stage welcoming some 100,000 plus people to a show they will never forget, with Bishop Eddie Long and Artists such as Israel Horton leading the way for a day of worship, a day of inspiration and good Gospel and Praise Music. Cory “CoCo Brother” Condrey is the host of the daily radio show, “CoCo Brother Live”, where he’s a radio personality for WPZE Praise 102.5 FM, based out of Atlanta. Radio One syndicates the show. He’s also the host of the Sunday morning show, “Lift Every Voice”, which airs on The Black Entertainment Television Network. For more information about CoCo Brother and “The Stand For Jesus Campaign” visit http://www.cocobrotherlive.com or http://www.thestandcampaign.com/