Rance Allen knows a hit. However, one song caught him off guard. Kirk Franklin wrote the song in 1996, and it’s heavily requested at just about every performance.
The song: “Something About the Name Jesus.”
“When we start singing this song, people are literally on their feet screaming, clapping,” said, Allen who is also a bishop. “It has stood the test of time, and you would not begin to believe the number of reports that we have gotten over the years from people who were sick and who were next door to death and that kind of thing, and they would just play that song and the Jesus in the song would minster to them. We’ve gotten reports of people receiving miracles.”
Rance will perform during the 26th annual Gospel Music Explosion at 7:30 p.m. Sept. 20 at Christ Church Apostolic. Erica Campbell, The Tommies Reunion, Demetrius West and Jesus Promoters, and comedian Griff also will perform. General admission tickets are $25, VIP tickets, which includes a dinner from King Ribs and a special musical performance, are $50. Some of the proceeds from the concert will go toward scholarships for both traditional and non-traditional students to attend college.
“Your dollars are helping someone else,” organizer Reginald Barney said.
Barney, owns Joyful Sound Productions as well as music label JEI, Joy Entertainment International. Barney partnered with Tyscot Life-Changing Music and Entertainment, AM 1310 The Light and WTLC. Collaborating with so many community organizations this year is especially gratifying to Barney, who gives God all the credit for making the concerts a success for 26 years.
“Every year I’m saying, ‘I’m going to quit and I’m not going to do this anymore,’” Barney said. “Sometimes I have to reach deep in my pockets, in my credit card to make this happen. The lord just keeps moving, and I keep moving with him. I don’t want to put on just any old type of program. I want to make it spectacular. It’s for the lord too. I want a quality event.”
For fans of the Thompson Community Singers, all the original lead singers will perform as well newer members as the Tommies Reunion under the direction of Darius Brooks.
“We come with all the hits, and we’re going to introduce the new single, ‘He Worked It Out,’ on the new project,” Brooks said. This performance is part of promotional tour for the upcoming album to be released on Oct. 26.
Brooks hopes the audience doesn’t just have a good time but also is encouraged by the gospel of Jesus Christ.
“When people leave the concert they’re uplifted, they’re inspired,” Brooks said. “Every song we’ve ever recorded was really for the people, to uplift them (and) say, ‘I can make it now.’”
Contact Editor Oseye Boyd at 317-762-7850. Follow her on Twitter @oseye_boyd.
Joyful Sound Productions Gospel Music Explosion
The 26th annual Gospel Music Explosion will feature Erica Campbell, Rance Allen, Demetrius West and Jesus Promoters, The Tommies Reunion and comedian Griff.
When: 7:30 p.m. Sept. 20
Where: Christ Church Apostolic, 6601 Grandview Drive
Tickets: Available at joyfulsoundproductions.com or eventbrite.com.
Cost: $25 general admission; $50 VIP.
Some of the proceeds will go toward scholarships for higher education for traditional and non-traditional students. Scholarship applications are available at joyfulsoundproductions.com.
