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Tamela Mann Shares About ‘The Gospel Tradition: In Performance At The White House’ & More: MY INTERVIEW…

 

Tamela Mann performs during "The Gospel Tradition: In Performance at the White House" in the East Room of the White House, April 14, 2015. (Official White House Photo by Pete Souza) This photograph is provided by THE WHITE HOUSE as a courtesy and is for promotional use only on the PBS website as related to the airing of ÒThe Gospel Tradition: In Performance at the White House" concert. The photograph may not be manipulated in any way and may not otherwise be reproduced, disseminated or broadcast, without the written permission of the White House Photo Office. The photograph may not be used in any commercial or political materials, advertisements, emails, products, promotions that in any way suggests approval or endorsement of the President, the First Family, or the White House.

Tamela Mann performs during “The Gospel Tradition: In Performance at the White House” in the East Room of the White House, April 14, 2015. (Official White House Photo by Pete Souza) 

Hello World,

As you can see (if you’ve been to my blog before), I have moved into a new blog space!!! Check out the new After the Altar Call!!! Don’t you love it? More information to come in a later post, but I’m honored today to share my interview with all around entertainer Tamela Mann!!!

Tonight at 9PM/ET, TV One, along with PBS, will jointly premiere the Black Music Month special The Gospel Tradition: In Performance at the White House. Showcasing an evening of celebration with President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama at the White House, the spectacular event honors gospel music and its profound influence on American music. The broadcast event also includes exclusive behind-the-scenes content including exclusive interviews with the artist and footage from the First Lady Michelle Obama-hosted “History of Gospel Music” workshop.

President Barack Obama delivers remarks during "The Gospel Tradition: In Performance at the White House" in the East Room of the White House, April 14, 2015. (Official White House Photo by Amanda Lucidon) This photograph is provided by THE WHITE HOUSE as a courtesy and is for promotional use only on the PBS website as related to the airing of ÒThe Gospel Tradition: In Performance at the White House" concert. The photograph may not be manipulated in any way and may not otherwise be reproduced, disseminated or broadcast, without the written permission of the White House Photo Office. The photograph may not be used in any commercial or political materials, advertisements, emails, products, promotions that in any way suggests approval or endorsement of the President, the First Family, or the White House.

President Barack Obama delivers remarks during “The Gospel Tradition: In Performance at the White House” in the East Room of the White House, April 14, 2015. (Official White House Photo by Amanda Lucidon) 

The evening features performances:

Aretha Franklin – I Love the Lord He Heard My Cry & Higher Ground

Bishop Rance Allen – I Stood On The Banks of Jordan

Pastor Shirley Caesar – Sweeping Through the City

Rhiannon Giddens – Up Above My Head

Darlene Love – People Get Ready

Lyle Lovett – I’m Gonna Wait

Tamela Mann – Take Me to the King

Michelle Williams – Say Yes

T Bone Burnett as Executive Music Director, Bill Maxwell as Music Director and Robin Roberts as program host.

Below is my interview with Tamela Mann –

1. What was it like to perform for President Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama?

President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama listen to Michelle Williams perform during "The Gospel Tradition: In Performance at the White House" in the East Room of the White House, April 14, 2015. (Official White House Photo by Pete Souza) This photograph is provided by THE WHITE HOUSE as a courtesy and is for promotional use only on the PBS website as related to the airing of ÒThe Gospel Tradition: In Performance at the White House" concert. The photograph may not be manipulated in any way and may not otherwise be reproduced, disseminated or broadcast, without the written permission of the White House Photo Office. The photograph may not be used in any commercial or political materials, advertisements, emails, products, promotions that in any way suggests approval or endorsement of the President, the First Family, or the White House.

President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama listen to Michelle Williams perform during “The Gospel Tradition: In Performance at the White House” in the East Room of the White House, April 14, 2015. (Official White House Photo by Pete Souza) 

It was such an honor to sing for them. But you know what, let me back up a little bit. I was really, when I got the call, when I was told I had the opportunity to sing there, I was like, ‘WHAT?!’ But I was quite loud! I was a lot louder than I am right now. I told David (her husband), but my eyes just really watered because I could not believe that this was happening. And my mom is deceased, and she used to always tell me that if I love the Lord with my whole heart, God would take me far. But I never dreamed or imagined something like this happening to me, me being there. I never even thought. That was not even in my plan, like one day singing for him or any president period. So when it happened, I was like, ‘Oh My God!’ Like I can’t believe that this. I actually said it while I was singing. Oh God, Oh Lord, I couldn’t believe that this was happening to me. Them standing or sitting right there in front of me. It was an amazing night! Everybody did a great job. And just to be a part of it. When I finished, of course, I’m a church girl so I just kept praising God while I was coming off of the stage because I was just thanking God for the opportunity to just do what I do and just show hopefully people the Christ that I live through me on that night. And that was wonderful for me.

2. Congratulations on being the first artist on the Billboard Gospel Radio charts to have three consecutive songs from one album to earn the No. 1 spot! Of those songs, “Take Me to the King,” “I Can Only Imagine” and “This Place,” which one is your favorite song and why?

My favorite out of all those three songs is “This Place.” And the reason why I say “This Place” is because I couldn’t even imagine being at this place. For all of these things to have happened the way that they have happened. You know you kind of plan stuff. And you say that this may happen like this, this may happen like that, but I didn’t know any of that. And I’m just in amazement of God and the doors that He has opened so “This Place.” So I’m talking right now, but my eyes are just watering up because I’m just so grateful because I feel like there are so many other people that are better than me. Not that I don’t have great confidence in myself. But I don’t feel like I’m the best. I feel like I do pretty good, but I’m just really honored for the opportunity to be able to stand before God’s people, and I want to make Him proud bottom line. So “This Place” would be my song.

3. You’ve done theater, television, film and music. What is your favorite of what you have done and why? Is a book in the works?

Singing is my favorite. Singing is my passion. And acting is like icing on the cake. But singing would be my first love because that’s the one thing that I feel like I do the best. It’s like when people ask you what is your favorite meal to cook? I feel like meat loaf is my best meal. (Laughs), but singing is the best for me.

Me and David do have a marriage book in the works. But we’ve just got to sit down. I’m talking to myself right now, and get this done! It should have been out yesterday! Hopefully, next year. I’m going to put it in the air, next year. I’m going to say by the second quarter.

4. You work with your husband David in various ventures. Along with your husband, you are the co-star of the Bounce TV comedy, ‘Mann & Wife,’ and you have a family reality show on BET, ‘It’s A Mann’s World. And the two of you have been married for 27 years. What is it like to spend so much time together?

DavidandTamela1 It’s the bomb! And I’m not kidding! He’s my best friend, and you know you tell your best friend everything. And I like him. I’m not just in love with him. I like my husband. Like I was just sitting with him outside earlier because he was doing some stuff outside. And just doing stuff together. It’s just simple. We’re simple people. We’re not really flashy. We have a few nice things, but it’s not about the things. It’s about our family, loving each other, loving the Lord. And by us pleasing the Lord, the Lord has given us the desires of our hearts. We always say we’re taking the world over together. It’s just about being together and doing it all together. It’s just amazing that after 27 years, he still gives me goose bumps, and I still enjoy his company. And he still makes me cackle like a teenager, blush, all that! And we’re just still enjoying each other. And we prayed for that, that the Lord would keep that in us and with us for each other until we die.

I’m going to say this, and I know I have to move on because David always says I should keep my answers short. But we were riding, and we were just saying that it is inevitable that one of us one day is going to have to, we may die or go. And I was sitting in the car and my eyes just, Jacqueline, they just filled up with water. And he was like, ‘What?’ And I was like, I say, ‘It’s true, but I just wouldn’t want to live without you.’ We both feel the same way. And I know that one day, it’s gon happen, but our prayer is that we go together. I know that’s hard because we have kids and grandkids, but it would be rough, Jacqueline. That would be a hard pill to swallow.

5. What is your secret for being married for 27 years?

That’s not a secret. I’m in love. It’s love. Love is not a secret. But that is what has kept our marriage together. We’re in love, and we like each other and spending time together. Divorce is not an option. It’s not even on the table. We’re just in it to win it. That’s what I encourage and try to pass on to other couples. That you stay in love and yes, there are going to be some times that are going to be rough. Marriage is just like your job. You have to work at it. It’s not something that is just going to fall in your lap. You have to please each other. And we try to outdo each other doing for each other. And then nothing goes lacking because you’re making sure that I get the things that I want and need and me vice versa doing the same for him.

 So what have you done recently to outdo David?

Well, for Father’s Day, I went and got him this Egg (a grill). He’s a griller. And he has this Egg, but he wanted the bigger one, but he was like it costs too much. For my birthday, they really went out, the family went out. I just wanted a birthday party, a pool party. And they really went out for me. The day before I was like, ‘Wouldn’t it be just cool for us to just watch movies outside?’ So they went and got me this big screen and had it outside for my birthday. It was around the playoffs. So we watched the playoffs from the pool. And we had a whole bunch of people over there. And we had the game on and a lot of people were just watching it. So I used my birthday money to get him his gift. And he was like, ‘That was too much!’ And I was like, ‘No, I used my money.’ So I’m on the ups right now! (Laughter)

6. I’ve read that David revamped his diet since being diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes and that you’ve lost over 100 pounds? How long did it take to lose the weight, and how do you keep it off?

Over a year or so. And I’ve put some on because I’ve dealt with weight my whole life. To me, that’s my thorn in my side. It’s something that I have to constantly work on even right now getting back in the gym and eating right. I’ve been blessed because I haven’t had any problems or been diagnosed with high blood pressure or diabetes. I’m just a thick girl. David has overcome his with working out and changing his diet. He has regulated his where he is no longer diabetic. He still has to watch and really pay attention to what he is eating and all that kind of stuff. So he is really mindful of what he does. We both kind of try to monitor each other so that is how we go about it.

7. I read that you and David come from humble beginnings and couldn’t afford to have a wedding which one reason why the two of you had a wedding vow renewal ceremony in 2013. What is your favorite perk of being a celebrity and making more money? TamelaMann

I don’t know. You know, honestly, I don’t look at myself as being a celeb. I tell people I’m a regular Joe. I know that sounds probably lame, but it’s true. I just tell people that we’re all stars in God’s eyes. There may be a few more people that know me than know you, but there’s no difference between me and you. I notice now that people give me stuff and when I didn’t have anything people wasn’t giving me nothing. (Laughing). People should be more giving. But I just try to give back and just be helpful to my family and others. I don’t know Jacqueline. I don’t have an answer for that. I never prayed to be rich. My prayer to God was to be well off so that when I helped somebody, I wouldn’t have to worry about the money if I loaned it. I wouldn’t have to worry about getting it back. That’s my prayer.

Please be sure to watch The Gospel Tradition: In Performance at the White House at 9PM/ET Tonight on TV One!!!

Any thoughts?

 

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Have You Heard of Prophetic Dancing?! ‘Preach’ Episode 2 Recap…

preach

Hello World,

I watched again…Like the nosy driver that’s gotta stare at the accident on the road although the driver wasn’t a part of it, thankfully, I found myself tuning into “Preach” on Friday night to see what shenanigans in the name of Jesus the prophetesses would be up to again…And I wasn’t disappointed…unfortunately, I guess…

This week’s episode mostly centered on Dr. Taketa Williams (Aside: Have you ever met someone who had the Dr. title and wondered where in tarnation did that person acquire a doctorate degree? ) If you don’t remember Dr. Taketa, she is known as the “Beyoncé of the Preaching World.”

In this week’s episode, Dr. Taketa wants to help her protégé Rebecca Hairston develop the gift of prophecy which she defined as the “awesome ability to see into the future and hear into the future.”

protegesThe protégés from left to right: Rebecca Hairston, Hadassah Elder, Angel Pound & Stacey Williams

I must admit prophesying is probably the spiritual gift that I’ve most wondered about…And it happened to me at least once that I can remember…Not that I prophesied, but someone prophesied to me…It has been said that if someone has the gift of prophesy, you will know it because whatever that person has prophesied about it will come true…And it came true for me, but I digress…

We also find out how Dr. Taketa met Rebecca in the first place. Apparently, they met when Dr. Taketa got her nails done as Rebecca was and still is a nail technician at an Ohio spa. During her spa visit, while Rebecca is doing Dr. Taketa’s nails, she explains that there are three levels of prophecy…

  1. The Office of Prophecy.
  2. The Gift of Prophecy.
  3. The Spirit of Prophecy.

I’m not a prophetess so I cannot verify that, but that is what she says, and then she asks Rebecca if she has ever prophesied. When Rebecca admits she has prophesied to her daughters, Dr. Taketa blows up! “You are too jacked up to prophesy!” According to Dr. Taketa, Rebecca has been prophesying without authorization! She then proceeds to show her how it is done as she has a prophecy for the owner of the spa and asks Rebecca to bring the owner to her. Among several statements made to the owner, Dr. Taketa says, “No longer will your chariots turn into pumpkins!” Dang, she broke it down Cinderella style! Apparently, according to Dr. Taketa, her business is finally going to take off! The owner is grateful for the prophecy and says she and her husband were just discussing the same thing and had told no one about their discussion…

So now that Rebecca has seen prophesying in action, Dr. Taketa challenges her to step up her prophesying skills and prophesy at a conference she is going to in New York. Rebecca decides to prepare a prophetic dance and perform at the conference in New York. I aine neva heard of a prophetic dance…Have you?

Prophetess Linda Roark & Angel Pound

Meanwhile, Prophetess Linda Roark is working on building the confidence of her protégé Angel Pound. In last week’s episode, she says she has been called the “Blue-Eyed Soul Sister,” and in this week’s episode, she says, “the color of my skin is wrong.” I think she needs to #AskRachel (Rachel Dolezal )about this because I’m sure she is saying the same thing…smh…Anywho, Prophetess Linda explains that when Angel came to her church four and a half years ago, she was drug addicted. And as a result of her past, she doesn’t feel qualified for certain levels of ministry…As they walk through a book store, they walk by tarot cards. Angel reveals that she along with her friends once used tarot cards, and she would always get the death card…deeeep…

Prophetess Linda challenges her to share her testimony with others to build her confidence…So she decides to drop in at Rebecca’s prophetic dance rehearsal and share her testimony with the dancers…She shares that when she was seven months pregnant with her second child, she was told she didn’t have enough amniotic fluid to sustain her baby, and her baby died. Her pain led to stripping and then to drugs. She says she overdosed and nearly died three times. That is an awesome testimony, I must say…One of the dancers is encouraged by her testimony as she used to be a stripper…

Dr. Belinda C. Scott & Hadassah Elder

In last week’s episode, Hadassah revealed that her Muslim mother Rochelle does not understand Hadassah’s Christian faith nor her aspiration to be a prophetess. In this week episode, we meet Hadassah’s mother.  They meet at a local bakery and cafe to discuss their differences. First of all, she looks just like her mother, who is adorned in a head wrap. Hadassah says she feels like she has to choose between her spiritual mother Dr. Belinda C. Scott and her biological mother. But during their discussion, Hadassah’s mother agrees to meet Dr. Belinda for the first time.

Dr. Belinda, who has been counseling Hadassah about what is going on with her mother, is prepared to move Hadassah into her home if she needs a place to stay. And trust me, she has got room. You know your home is big when you have two winding staircases! But before she can discuss the matter with her husband, Dr. Darrell Scott, he tells her he has a surprise gift for her birthday…(Aside: if you have the gift of prophecy, is anything ever a surprise?) He brings her outside of their large pink home and shows her his surprise gift : a White Range Rover! While Dr. Belinda takes out her new vehicle for a drive with Dr. Darrell in the passenger seat, she asks him how he feels about moving Hadassah into their home. He is not in favor of it, particularly as he doesn’t want to have to put on a housecoat while he is walking around in their home…LOL…

But thankfully, by the end of the episode, Hadassah’s mother and Dr. Belinda meet, and they both discover that they are reasonable people and that there is room enough for both of them in her life…I guess if I had to pick a favorite prophetess, my favorite one is Dr. Belinda. Why? Dr. Taketa and Prophetess Linda come across as caricatures while Dr. Belinda seems like a real person, and her husband is hilarious!

Prophetess Kelly Crews and her protégé Stacey Williams were not featured at all in this episode?

NYC

The time has finally come for Rebecca to show and prove her prophecy skills at the NYC conference…The only problem is that Rebecca is late for the conference, and Dr. Taketa and her team wonder if Rebecca will show at all…But as we like to say in church, delay is not denial…In spite of the bad weather, traffic, etc., Rebecca and her dancers show up and perform, and Dr. Taketa is impressed by her performance which resulted in many people in the room crying including some of the dancers…Dr. Taketa says, “That was your gift on display.” She also says, “A prophetess is one who can take a licking and keep on ticking.”

Okay…If you say so…And I still don’t get prophetic dance…Can somebody splain that to me?

Any thoughts?

P.S. Side-eye courtesy of Noami Campbell 🙂

 

 

 

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41 is the NEW 21…At least that’s what I’m telling myself…

memeHello World!!!

So all week long I have been thinking about how to spin my birthday…which is TODAY!!!!

One-year-old Jackie

One-year-old Jackie

There are so many other more popular ages…Everyone loves one year olds…They smell new (well, not always)…They can barely walk and talk which is good if you want to ignore them from to time…And you generally feel sorry for the little parasites because they are dependent on everybody for nearly everything…

Jackie at six...

Jackie at six…

Six year olds have fans too…They are excited by notebook paper and pencils which makes them pretty easy to please…They have started loosing teeth which makes listening to them hilarious…You can scare them easily…Even the

Me at 13...

Me at 13…

unlucky 13 year olds are praised….The boys’ voices start to crack which is good for laughs…The girls start to stress out over boys which is also good for laughs…And you can leave them at home by themselves at least for a short time unless you have bad seeds…And of course,

Sweet sixteen...

Sweet sixteen…

there are the sweet 16 year olds…Every 16 year old I’ve ever met reminds me of why I loved Molly Ringwald movies…teenage angst at its best…It makes all of us feel pretty good that we are no longer in agony or have pimples which is why 16 is a pretty good age…There are tons of Sweet 16 greeting cards in every store…And they can drive you around…

21 baby...

21 baby…

And of course, the 21 year olds live in a constant state of nirvana…Everything is tight and right… Legally, they can do anything they please…And still people loan and or give them money because they are only 21….The 30 year olds get love

30 & Flirty...

30 & Flirty…

too…They get sympathy because everyone recognizes there is no turning back to childhood…But everything is still tight and right…And people start respecting them more because they are finally stacking more paper…Even the 40 year olds get

40 & Fabulous...

40 & Fabulous…

props…People compliment them like crazy if they still look good and or younger…And they get no judgment if they look a little lived in or have gained a pound or two every year for the last 10 years…And they are usually deemed pretty respectable because they have pretty good jobs, wives and or husbands, well-cared-for pets, grown up houses, etc. and take fabulous vacations…

But nobody’s really checking for the 41 year olds…So what if they look good for age? They are 41 so that cancels that out…So what if they have a nice house and or apartment, etc.? They should by this age…So what if they take fabulous vacations? They should by this age…Fill in blank…

But then again, maybe 41 is the gateway age…By that I mean it’s first age that people are still surprised they are here at all…Seriously though, I’m truly grateful that God allowed mr to see 41 and any other age I’ve been or will be…Won’t He Do It?

Happy Birthday To Me!!!

Any thoughts?