To the God of our salvation, & the love expressed through His son, Jesus Christ; nothing is possible without You!!! We dedicate this CD to our member Yvonne Johnson & family, who is recovering from illness. To people all over the world, Thank you very much, Muchas gracias, Merci beaucoup, Obrigado, Zikomo kwambiri, Arigato, Danksche, for your support of this project. By buying music you allow for the creation of more music! We are very grateful. The election of Pres. Barak Obama to the U.S. Senate & the presidency, passage of health care reform, the creation of the city of Miami Gardens, Florida, the elections of A.M.E. Church Bishops Vashti Murphy-McKenzie, native African sons, Bishops Messiah, Daniels, & Kawimbe, and Bishop Sam Green, women & minorities to the highest levels of government, the renewed sense of a global community, people leaving their jobs to start businesses, going back to school, or moving beyond failed relationships, are indications of “Change”. “The journeys of our past give us strength that will last, today, we represent change.” The group Cholinga (pronounced Cho-lin-ga) Praise is comprised of individuals from South Florida, Tallahassee, FL, & Villa Rica, Georgia. Founded by Kevin Desire (pronounced De-zeer) during V.A.D. Music Group’s inaugural year of 2006, it is our first group. It was named during Kevin’s visit to Africa in 2006. Wanting an African name, it was in Malawi that upon discussion with some new friends there, “Praise with a Purpose” received its official name! Cholinga means purpose in Chichewa (one of many languages spoken in the central Africa country of Malawi). The members are preparing for a live recording session, in early 2010 here is South Florida. Active members are Zola Moses, Tranicia Kelley, Janet Albury, Rosalyn Alls, Yvonne Johnson, Consuelo Leslie, Alfreda Robinson, Wayne Morrison, Torian Mason. Music & sound staff- Jamar Kelley, Earl Garner, Willie Kelley II, & Kimbrick Jordan (sound consultant). A lifelong resident of Miami Gardens, FL, Kevin Desire has over 33 ½ years experience of music ministry in his home church, Mt. Hermon A.M.E. (Miami Gardens, FL) and international musical opportunities. He is classically trained in piano and studied at the University of Miami School of Music. He serves all levels of the African Methodist Episcopal (A.M.E.) Church Music Ministry. Appointed by Bishop McKinley Young, he is the 11th District (Florida and the Bahamas) Associate Music Director, and reappointed by Elder Jimmy Thompson, he is the Central District Minister of Music (South Conference). His 106 musical compositions include eight genres of music. He is the founder & C.E.O. of this record label. He is a member of the Miami Chapter, GMWA, and Chaplain of Florida Gospel Announcers Guild (Miami Chapter). He is leaving for a month-long European tour in a few days, serving as lead musician & assistant music director to a selected ensemble of local, national, & international artists & musicians; several stops will be shared with Tuskegee & Fisk University choirs. Go to www.vadmusicgroup.com for more information on our artists. CD credits listed inside For more information: vadmusicgroup@aol.com www.facebook.com (Kevin Desire) www.vadmusicgroup.com www.myspace.com/vadmusicgroup (305) 620-5030 19821 NW 2 AV, Suite 367 Miami Gardens, FL 33169 The buying, not burning/copying, of music, allows for the creation of new music. Thank you for supporting the arts! V.A.D. Music Group “A Symphony of Expectations”™ "ALL RIGHTS RESERVED". To our artists for your sacrifices, dedication & commitment, thank you!! To the families, friends, pastors, congregations, supporters & encouragers of our artists, what you give to them provides for successful tasks like this to reach fulfillment. To all who gave opportunities for the exposure of our artists. To Elder Goodin, Peppi Hendrix, the AME Church Central District, Elder & Evangelist Jimmy & Bessy Thompson, South Annual Conference, 11th Episcopal District, Sis. Bush, Sis. Taylor, Bishop & Supervisor McKinley & Dorothy Young, we are grateful for your support & ministry opportunities given Kevin Desire’s single release “Lord Please Touch Where I’m Empty Inside.” Your prayers, buying & exposure have opened many doors & made this our third recording possible & viable. To Isis Roberts (session vocal coach), our sound director Willie, Kevin’s vocal coach Terrance Clayton, & Will Russell, your contribution was invaluable to this project. Words are inadequate to express our appreciation. To Bishop Curry, Pastor Lydia Goodin, MJ, Rev. C.J. Kelley, Jerry Sawyer, Dr. K, Joe Riley, Debra Toomer, Barbara, & WMBM family, we are very grateful for numerous ministry opportunities provided by our hometown station, Chico the Virgo & Hot 105, Missy Bailey & WEDR, Lynette Brown & WEXY family, Gospel Announcers Guild (GAG), Florida GAG Pres. Emeritus Elder Goodin, Pres. Peppi Hendrix, Miami-Dade Chapter Pres. M.J. Smith, radio & retail worldwide, Garrett Johnson, Telisa Stinson, GMWA family, esp. Miami Chapter, Angela Hurst, Krista Roundtree, SESAC reps Trevor, Rosemary, & Norm (retired), Mt. Hermon Miami Gardens, Mark Cooper, Rev. Milton Biggham for Kevin’s first recording experiences. To Ira Everett for European tour opportunity & encouragement to do this CD, Johnny & Francine for inviting Kevin to join tour! To those who help take care of us professionally- Dr. Gwen Smith (biz consultant & webmaster), Glenn Miller, Sr. & law staff (thank you Shawn!!), Hervé & Bon Accountant staff, Shelton- Solomon Financial Corp., Carla Green (stationary), Nathan Austin- Anointed Media, Vic- Innovative Multi-Media (mastering & replication); Terrence Clayton (Kevin’s vocal coach), Jerry Sawyer, Caesar Chaliwa, Piti Najera (director & engineers- New Birth Enterprise Studio), & Will Russell. A few of Kevin’s personal reflections- late grand-parents Cleo Sr., & Ruby Williams, his late, loving mother Vera, for whom this label is named, adopted mothers Ba & Mama Z, spiritual mom (the late) Ruth Cannon, Williams family, Tyrone, Glenn & Julit Miller, Sr., Grandma Lily, my brother & sister Jimmy & April, Theresa, Andrē, & adopted family & god-children, Dez, Jerry Henley, Jerry Garner, Carla “W”, Rev. Irene Brown-Humes (Goddie), Rev. Bernard Poitier, Dr. Peck (mom), Kaye Reed, Eleanor Day, & the late Sybil Farquson (music teachers), Dr. Petteway-Tyler, Ms. Monroe & staff, County Line Chiropractic North Miami Beach (esp. Alex- thank God for her healing hands!!!), Elder Thompson, Pastor John White II & Rev. Maria, Mt. Hermon Miami Gardens music ministry & church family, Intermediate Church School class, Elder Henry Green, Pa (Elder C.E.) & the late Ma (Gwen) Jenkins), Ma Small. Elder Thompson- thank you for ministering to me at such an important junction in my life & ministry!!! Past & current resident bishops & supervisors of the 11th District- Bishops & Supervisors, esp. Bishop Phillip & Margaret (Mom) Cousin, Sr. Bishop Cousin, for my first opportunities to minister on the Episcopal district level & your personal support of my then personal travel! I’ll always be grateful!! Bishop & Supervisor McKinley & Dorothy Young, for your appointment as associate music director and support for district work as well, & encouragement. Pastor Nate Jackson, Sr. Lady Jan, & Open Door Ministry, Pastor Jacky & Greater Bethel (Deerfield Beach, FL), Pastor & Lady Payne & Adams Tabernacle of Faith, Pastor & Lady Jackson III & St. Paul Miami AME churches, Dr. James Wade, Dr. Daryl Ingram, countless pastors, bishops, elders, ministers, ministers of music, recording artists, & friends too many to name!!! I love you all. V.A.D. Music Group corporate board members- Zola Moses, Paula Wallace, Dessalines Ford, & Kevin Desire. For more information: vadmusicgroup@aol.com www.facebook.com (Kevin Desire) www.vadmusicgroup.com www.myspace.com/vadmusicgroup (305) 620-5030 1. V.A.D. Fanfare © 2009 :11 2. Founder & C.E.O.’s statement :11 3. Don’t Forget Jesus © 2000- Cholinga Praise (Kevin Desire-soloist) 5:19 4. Hold On- Cholinga Praise (Kevin Desire-soloist) 3:59 5. Jesus Is Real © 1994- Cholinga Praise 4:04 6. Today, We Represent Change © 2009- Kevin Desire, background vocals by Cholinga Praise 3:41 7. Lord, Please Touch Where I’m Empty Inside- Kevin Desire (recording from previous V.A.D. Music Group single release) 3:55 © 2009 8. Great is the Lord- © 1993 (recording from the Miami Mass Choir- It’s Praying Time- 1997) 4:28 9. That’s What Dad’s Are For © 2005- Kevin Desire 3:35 10. Talking with Him (spiritual) © 2005- Kevin Desire 2:00 11. There’s a Place for You in the A.M.E. Church (recording from another previous V.A.D. Music Group project) 1:32 © 2006 12. Trust Him- recording from Anderson Chapel A.M.E. Church (Killeen, TX) Reunion Choir- Alone in His Presence- 1997) 3:28 © 2005 • all songs composed by Kevin Desire, Cle-Ru Publishing/SESAC, except Great is the Lord- Arisav Music Ltd & Cle-Ru Publishing/SESAC, & Hold On, composed by Jeffry Proctor & Luke Shumpert. • sopranos- Zola Moses, Janet Albury, & Tranicia Kelley; altos- Rosalyn Alls, Connie Leslie, & Alfreda Johnson; tenors- Torrian Mason & Wayne Morris; • Background vocals for Talking with Him- Isis Roberts & Kevin Desire • session musicians- Kevin Desire- keys, strings, brass; Earl Garner- bass guitar; Jamar Kelley- percussion; Dave Karmiol- lead guitar • engineers- Willie Kelley II- United Production- Lauderhill, FL; Piti Najera, & Ceasar Chaliwa- New Birth Studio (Miami, FL), & Vision Studio (North Miami, FL); Will Russell- Bethelsounds (Miami, FL) • V.A.D. Fanfare, Lord, Please Touch Where I’m Empty Inside, & That’s What Dads Are For- all instrumental tracks- Kevin Desire • Producer- Kevin Desire • Executive Producer- Kevin Desire, V.A.D. Music Group Lyrics can be found at www.vadmusicgroup.com