According to a message posted on Ricky Dillard's Facebook page, the New Generation Chorale (also known as New G) will be holding auditions for new members. Here is the message that was posted on the page:

"NEW G VIDEO AUDITIONS!!!

If you have a desire to become apart of the New Generation Chorale aka NEW G, here's your opportunity to audition. We are opening membership to residents of the following states: ILLINOIS, INDIANA & WISCONSIN; Ages 19-40. Looking for lead vocalist, background vocalist, persons with personality, passion and skill. If you're interested, please send a VIDEO of yourself singing a song of your choice to:

newgauditions@gmail.com

In your email, please submit your name, phone number and city/state of residence. Submit BEFORE June 1, 2012.

*WE WILL CONTACT YOU, if interested.*"

This is a great opportunity if you've always had aspirations of singing with a recording choir and you live in one of the states listed above. Are you going to audition?

After you watch the video, post a comment and let me know what you think about it.

Ricky Dillard & New G will hold a release concert called "The White Party" on April 24th for their new album. The album will be called "Keep Living" and it is set to release on Tuesday, April 26, 2011.

As you probably guessed, they named it "The White Party" for a reason. They are asking everyone to wear white. Jessica Reedy will also be there as a special guest.

Here are the details:

What: The White Party
When: April 24, 2011 at 7 PM (doors open at 14618 Lincoln Ave, Harvey, IL 60426
Admission: Free w/purchase of CD ($15), $10 without purchase of CD

It sounds like this will be an interesting event. Are you excited for the release of Ricky Dillard & New G's new album?

“Chicago’s Hope for Haiti” benefit concert will take place on February 8, 2010  @ 7:00 PM at the 10,000 seat House of Hope, 752 E. 114th Street in Chicago.

Other confirmed artists also include Maurette Brown Clark, Mark Hubbard & the Voices, The Sweet Holy Spirit Choir , Percy & Gerald Gray featuring (New Direction, Chicago Mass Choir and Joshua’s Troop), DeAndre Patterson and Dr. Bobby Jones. The program will be emceed by WGRB 1390 AM on-air personalities Pastor John Hannah and Angela Martin.

The proceeds of the concert will go directly to Samaritan’s Purse (www.samaritanspurse.org) and Hospitals for Humanity (www.hospitalsforhumanity.org). Both organizations are currently on the ground in Haiti providing immediate relief (ranging from food and water to medical care) to the survivors of this horrific earthquake.

I know that there are many female directors who do great work serving in their local churches. Why haven’t we seen more female directors moving to the professional side of the industry and releasing albums?

Is there some type of double standard? Are record labels afraid to sign female directors?

I think we expect female artists to be outstanding singers. When they are not we tend to de-value their overall talents and gifts. We do not have these same standards for men. I love their ministries, but if Kirk Franklin, Donald Lawrence, Hezekiah Walker and Ricky Dillard were women, I don’t think industry professionals and consumers would openly accept them, like they do now. 

Am I completely off base on this? What do you think is the reason why we don’t see more women leading choirs and ensembles?

In case you forgot what the “Girl Director” looked like, he is a clip of Natalie Wilson and S.O.P.

Dear Community Choir Director,

First of all, I’d like to commend you on making the decision to start a ministry. Being part of a community choir can be a very special thing. You get the opportunity to travel to different places and minister to a variety of different people. Before you start or continue with your ministry, I think there are a few things you should know:

1. This is God’s ministry. It is not yours. Please treat it with extreme care and respect.

2. You should only pursue this ministry if you have a heart and passion for conveying the gospel to others. If you embark on this ministry in order to pursue fortune and fame you may have a hard time finding lasting success.

3. Your choir members are God’s children. Please treat them with care and respect also.

4. Understand your choir member’s priorities. God is first, then family, work, and their home church. Your choir comes after all of those things. If you don’t accept your place in the pecking order you may lose a number of choir members.

5. Always be yourself. Do not try to be like Kirk Franklin, Hezekiah Walker, Tye Tribbett or Ricky Dillard. Imitation will not progress your ministry.

6. Try to be creative when choosing a name for your choir. The following terms have been used extensively: new, nu, praise, of Christ, for Christ, friends, company, and singers. Challenge yourself to come up with something different.

7. It is important that you are prepared for choir rehearsals. Lack of preparation will cause you to lose choir members quickly.

8. Know the abilities and dynamics of your choir. There are some songs that some choirs just do not sound good singing.

9. Please make sure that you and your choir are active participants in the services you attend. It is not good to sit there like zombies and then try to pump up the crowd when it is your turn to minister. You’re not really impressing anyone or winning over any new fans when you behave like that. In addition, that is not a good way to honor God.

10. When you participate in concerts, please remember that you are there to minister in song. You are not there to preach and give a 30 minute sermon. Often times there are other choirs on the program.

11. In the end, the anointing of God will make all of the difference. Without the anointing, it won’t matter how good your choir sings or how good your band is.

When it gets down to it, if you acknowledge God and follow him with all of your heart, you will be blessed. I am praying that God will continue to increase your ministry.

God bless,

Cliff Holmes

Is there anything else you think should be added to this list? Please let me know.

Yesterday I talked about Ricky Dillard and New G’s performance at the Stellar Awards. Today, I am showing it to you. This has to absolutely be one of the greatest gospel performances that I have ever seen. I’ve seen Kirk Franklin live. I’ve seen Tye Tribbett and G.A. do their thing dozens of times. As I look at the number of people all moving together, I can’t do anything else but say that this performance was simply amazing!