Fred Hammond didn’t start the gospel group Commissioned nearly three decades ago to change the world, but its success made him a pioneering force in contemporary gospel. When he left Commissioned to form Radical For Christ, he believed with all his heart that the worship music he was helping to innovate could change lives. Hammond subsequently led the charge in developing the praise & worship music genre within traditional gospel music.
Now, the GRAMMY, Stellar and Dove Award-winner is once again feeling the fire inside of him that served to change the face of gospel. While he’s still not out to change the world, he's hopeful about setting gospel on a new course.
“I dare not get arrogant enough to think this is going to do the same thing,” Hammond says of the deal he signed with Universal Records for his new label, fHammond Family Entertainment, “but I am going to work with the passion and knowledge I have, put it out there, and hope that it does the same thing or better.”
The first project on Universal, Life In the Word, is a compilation he’s calling a “praise and worship devotional,” released July 27.
“It’s songs I’ve written throughout the years that many people have not heard and I’ve allowed new singers to sing them. In between most of the songs comes a narrative scripture [that introduces the next song]. Some of them are very dramatic, some of them are solemn and some of them are comedic.”
Stylistically, the project has Hammond stepping away from the microphone and into the role of mentor and producer, guiding a fresh ensemble of young artists (with the exception of former Men of Standard lead vocalist Lowell Pye) as they sing songs inspired by scripture. (Pye is featured on the first single, “You Do Great Things.”)
Other highlights include the celebratory “Walkin’ In Victory” (also featuring Pye), the classic devotional “Dwelling Place,” the mid-tempo track, “Life In The Word” and the moving ballad “Home Inside My Praise.”
“People are thirsty for music that tackles everyday issues in their lives and they want it delivered in a way that speaks to them,” Hammond says. “This [album] is a prayer and worship devotional. You can put it in and you’re going to get the word and you’ll get it in a way that you can just let your mind relax and it just kind of ministers to you.”
Given declining sales in the music industry due to the economic climate, Hammond believes artists have become all the more creative in regard to keeping their products in front of consumers.
“I’ve known my audience for a long time, so I understand what they want,” he shares.
Home for Hammond is a 15,000-square-foot warehouse facility in Dallas that houses everything from his recording studio, to executive offices for the label he launched with Florida-based businessman/philanthropist Roy Campbell.
In addition to his focus on praise & worship music, Hammond is also putting together a jazz album.
“I’m playing bass in my own group and it’ll be smooth jazz. It's going to open up a new division of players – gospel musicians who are excellent players.”
Hammond sees an extension into urban music as well.
“The next guy I have coming out is very urban. For the last 12 years I wouldn’t mess with an urban artist. But this young brother, Steve Huff, I believe in. He used to play for Milton Brunson and the Tommies and he toured with R. Kelly. What attracted me to Steve was not just his music, but his story. He started producing and he had the money and fame, but now he’s a pastor with a heart for the street and his music connects just like Mary Mary connects. It is absolutely banging. I really want to tell his story and I know at the end of the day there are thousands of people who want to hear exactly what he’s got to say.
“I’d also like to open up some areas of gospel hip hop because it’s struggling. I also have a choir record I’m putting out. Then there’s my daughter. She’s 22 years old and she’s extremely talented but I don’t necessarily want to put her out into the Rihanna or Beyonce world.”
And true to form, Hammond is not limiting his creativity to music.
“I have eight stories in me that are movies, but I’m going to sell them as books,” Hammond reveals. "I have an audience of about 225,000–250,000 faithful fans and I figure if I get 50,000 to 60,000 people to buy my books, it may allow me to do a little independent film. But with my brief stint in the independent movie game over the last two years, I saw that my heart wasn’t ready for the game you have to play.”
So for now, he’ll stick to what he does best: music.
“We’re trying to get people to understand that no matter what we do, the songs we hear breathe life into us. I hope they are strengthened by what they hear.” Courtsey of gmclife.com, writer Lisa Collins, senior editor, I thought we should share.
|
What's New 
