PEOPLE ARE TALKING about the release of Songs of Celebration! "Very inspiring," says Peter Young, Drummer, Nashville, Tennessee..... "It reminds me of my old country church back home," recalls Andre Archer, Music Minister, Detroit, Michigan. And one listener (who identified himself only as Fred), wrote, "I was really touched by the song [Holy Spirit], and kept playing it over and over. The feel and spirit of it was like something from the past...real heartfelt." And one music minister at a large Roman Catholic parish said that "Eye on the Sparrow" was so beautiful that it made him "cry like a baby." So what is the story behind this little CD of four Gospel songs? First, please meet Wesley Robinson, the LEAD SINGER for this album, a mature talent who turned 17 in '07. Born in Long Beach, California, and raised in Alexandria, Virginia, Wesley Robinson is a coast-to-coast talent who has praised the Lord in song since the age of four when he first picked up a Bible and started preaching! His earliest choirs in Virginia were the Crossroads Baptist Church (Minister Kenneth Baldwin), Love International Church (Minister Tyrone Powell) and Mount Pleasant Baptist Church. At Mount Pleasant his musical mentors included Rev. Rodney Teal, Minister Tameka Elder, Sister Angel Sheppard, and Brother Steve Roberts. In recent years, Wesley has been singing at Ebenezer A.M.E Church in Maryland, where Minister Byron Cage, Minister Keith Williams, Minister Brent Jones, and Minister Earnest Pugh direct music worship. Wesley has studied music at Alexis & Co. Music Studio, owned by Alexandra Lajoux, the producer of this album. He called her one day, inspired by the Holy Spirit to give and receive musical encouragement, and the rest his history! Inspired by their conversation about music and the Lord, and wanting to help Wesley produce a demo to begin the journey toward becoming a professional recording artist in the Gospel genre, Alexandra invited all her friendsand student involved with Gospel music, and they convened at Cue Studio in Falls Church, Virginia, on January 15, 2007. Inspired by the legacy of Dr. King, the assembled group (or smaller groups) sang all day long. Here are the results. SONGS His Eye is on the Sparrow Words by Civilla Martin, Music by Charles Gabriel (1905) Lead singers Sis. Noreen Freeman and Bro. Wesley Robinson, with one line sung by the producer 9.06 Break the Yoke, Words and Music by Sis. Angela Sheppard (2001) Lead singers Bro. Wesley Robinson and the Sheppards (a.k.a. Hebrew Sisters) 2.43 Holy Spirit/Time Coming, Words and Music by Sis. Alexandra Lajoux (2007) Lead Singers Bro. Wesley Robinson, Bro. Emanuel Jackson, Bro. Aaron Bunche, Bro. Jonathan Hopkins and the Hebrew Sisters 3.51 Let Us Break Bread Together (Anonymous) Lead Singer Bro. Wesley Robinson with Sis. Kendra Miller, Bro. Jonathan Hopkins (with some singing by the producer) 2.46 These four songs make up the DAY OF PRAISE Directed by The Lord through His Holy Spirit As present in All Assembled This Day Starring Wesley Robinson, Tenor With Invited Star Guest Singers Brother Aaron Bunche Sister Noreen Freeman (soloist for Eye on the Sparrow) Brother Emanuel Jackson Sister Erica Blackman Jones Sister Kristin Hegelin Brother Jonathan Hopkins Sister Kendra Miller And a Special Appearance of The Hebrew Sisters Sister Angel Sheppard Sister Joy Sheppard Sister Tonya Sheppard And Featuring Angelica Bravo-Rutherford, Kristin Hegelin Sean Parker, Joey Casey, Morgan Sendek, Katie Rosenberg, and John Ponder White. And Instrumentalists Bro. Jonathan Hopkins (guitar) Bro. Jarvis Smith (piano) Special thanks to Mary Howard for transportation and refreshments, to Dr. Jean Folerance for prayers, and to David Nelson and the Horowitz family for their helpful presence. Wesley’s Thanks I want to thank you Lord Jesus. Thank you for blessing me, keeping me, loving me, showing me the way, hearing me and protecting me. God, you have done so much for me! To My Loving Mother, Arnette Jones - My life is in one piece because of you. We have struggled but God blessed us to be lifted up from bondage, and we made it; All because of God’s grace and mercy. To My Father, Robert Robinson - Thank you for your advice, and love. You are strict and you had a role in molding and shaping me. I want you to know that I think about all you have said and I reflect on it. To my sister, Dartangia Robinson - Please keep your dreams alive and be encouraged. To Isaiah Robinson - Keep your head up and love God always. Know that I love you always and I will be there for you. To Dr. Alexandra Lajoux - You helped me when others turned me down. You have taught me the true meaning of musicianship, and I feel so honored that you took the time and effort to produce and oversee my demo project. To My Pastors, Rev. Dr. Grainger Browning and Rev. Dr. Joann Browning – Thank you for your biblical teachings and strong love for the people. To Walter Ridley from Ebenezer A.M.E Church - Thank you for allowing me some opportunities that were realized. Rev. Barbara Ridley I love you, thanks for those strong prayers and encouraging words. To Sister Gwendolyn Sharpe - Thanks for the advice in music and music education. I know business is business. I really like that about you. To the late, great, Dr. Mattie Moss Clark - Your music still travels across the world, you were anointed by God to lead a great movement because of you Gospel is different. As you preach 1986 “Time waits for no one.” R.I.P To the Clark Sisters - Thank you for singing praises to our GOD; and Jacky Clark-Chisholm, Denise Clark-Bradford, Elbertina “Twinkie” Clark, Dorinda Clark Cole and Karen Clark-Sheard. Mighty Clouds of Joy, Men of Standard, Destiny’s Child, Beyonce, Kelly Rowland, and Michelle Williams thank you for your soulful R-B!!! To all the singers and Churches that I participated in I thank you all!!! Finally, to every person that buys this CD, it is my prayer that GOD meets your every need according to his riches and glory. BE BLESSED IN JESUS. Wesley Robinson April 2007 Acknowledgments accompanying Songs of Celebration from a January 15, 2007, DAY OF PRAISE Honoring the Lord Jesus Christ and Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and starring Wesley Robinson and Others Assembled That Day A production of American Classic Recordings - Praise! Managed by Alexandra Lajoux Alexis & Co. Music Studio LLC, Arlington, Virginia Bob Marovich urges us all: Pay tribute to Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. by playing or singing a gospel song today. (http://blackgospel.blogspot.com/2007/01/gospel-music-tributes-to-martin-luther.html) This music scholar has assembled a list of Gospel Music Tributes to Martin Luther King He writes, "Though there are many, many more than listed here, below are a few gospel singles that pay tribute to the civil rights leader: All-Star Gospel Singers - "I believe Martin Luther King made it" (Em-Jay) Church of Love Choir - "Martin Luther King" (Glori) Church of Love's Children - "Martin Luther King (Glori) Echos of Harmony - "The legacy of Martin Luther King" (G & PG) Rev. Franklin Fondel & Fondel Gospel Singers - "Tribute to Martin Luther King" (Cross & Crown) Rev. Claude Jeter - "In memory of Dr. Martin Luther King" (Hob) Bro. Will Hairston - "Rev. King had a hard time" (Knowles) Bro. Will Hairston - "March on to Montgomery" (Knowles) Reuben Henry - "Three little boys: Robert, Martin Luther, and John" (Natural) Reuben Henry - "Non violence" (Natural) Hudson Chorale - "I have a dream" (Amanda) Bobby Jones & New Life - "Martin" (Myrrh) Mrs. Odell Knox & Famous South Land Singers - "The faith of Martin Luther King" (Designer) Mrs. Odell Knox & Famous South Land Singers - "I have a dream" (Designer) Loving Sisters - "Tribute to Dr. King" (Peacock) Norfleet Brothers - "Story of Martin Luther King (part I)" (Rush) Norfleet Brothers - "Story of Martin Luther King (part II)" (Rush) Selma Gospel Singers - "Ode to Dr. King" (Selma Gospel Singers) Sons of David - "March on, Dr. Martin Luther King" (Silver Cross) Bill Spivery & Sons of Truth - "The non-violent man" (Dee-Jay) John Ford & the Gospel All Stars - "Sad so sad (A tribute to Dr. King)" (Zone) Thomas Walton & Blind Disciples - "Ode to Martin Luther King" (Roadshow) Elizabeth D. Williams - "Sleep on, Dr. King, sleep on" (Crown Limited) OUR LABEL IS PROUD TO JOIN THIS VERY DISTINGUISHED COMPANY IN DEDICATING "DAY OF PRAISE" TO REV. DR. MARTIN LUTHER KING. Alexandra Lajoux, Ph.D., President, American Classic Recordings Wesley Robinson, Vice President, American Classic Recordings - Praise!