Kelli. in real life

And the Grammy Goes To.....

I got my start in the music business singing back up for a dynamic vocalist by the name of DEITRICK HADDON. I moved to Detroit from Ohio in the late fall of 2002 to serve as house psalmist at a fast growing church in the inner city. Within 3 months of moving here, I was standing in front of a video camera auditioning for a group that I had admired for years (Deitrick Haddon & Voices of Unity). That audition tape changed my life. 

I got word that I was chosen for the group just a few days after the audition, but later that year an even bigger dream came true. Deitrick had also branched out on his own into a solo career and I was asked to begin traveling with him as a background singer. It was a dream come true.

I had been a worship leader for about 2 years, with no professional training, just a true passion for God, music, and people. Deitrick's personality and amazing ability to captivate a crowd helped me transition from a worship leader to an aspiring artist. I began to understand the differences and similarities between ministry and entertainment. 

In 2006 we received a Stellar award for this project on which I sang 3 leads. About this time I had also began singing background for another phenomenal gospel artist, Dorinda Clark Cole of the famed Clark sisters. 

 I had recently gotten married (to Deitrick's wife's godbrother) and Deitrick and Damita Haddon had moved to Florida. (later to Atlanta). With the new marriage and the distance, I started traveling less with Deitrick and more often with Dorinda. But I never forgot where I started. You see, gospel is sometimes mushed together into this category that doesn't allow for the different styles, genres, and demographics that are represented differently by each artist. Deitrick was urban. He was and still is in my opinion, the Michael Jackson of the gospel industry. He just knows how to work a crowd. 

Last year, we recorded a worship album in Tampa, Florida at a church called WITHOUT WALLS, where Deitrick served as youth pastor for awhile. From the first time I heard the songs I felt at home in them. They were easy to learn because the lyrics spoke of the passion only a true worshipper can feel. The night we recorded the album was almost magical. 

Since that time I've sung with Deitrick maybe 3 times as compared to the regular bi weekly trips (sometimes more) we used to take to youth conferences, retreats, and music festivals. But I've never stopped supporting him. It has been through his passion for music and ministry that I have learned about the music industry, but also grown in my love for God. We've been all across this country and around the world, singing, dancing, laughing, fussing, forgiving, laughing more, crying, praying, believing and experiencing many times of refreshing and the wind of God. 

That's why it is with great joy and humility, I am thrilled to have been a part of TOGETHER IN WORSHIP, which has been nominated for a GRAMMY. Ironically, Dr. Cole's (Dorinda Clark Cole) newest studio album has been nominated for a GRAMMY as well....in the SAME category. 

I have much to be thankful for. 

Bold! Right! Life!

This is Ms. Kierra Kiki Sheard.
She's a recording artist in the gospel music industry.
She's the daughter of legendary gospel artist Karen Clark Sheard of the famed Clark Sisters.
She's got a voice that can calm an anxious soul and and send a waiting crowd into a frenzy.
But most importantly, she's in love with God, and his hand in on her life.

This week Kiki is embarking on a new era of her ministry. She started a movement called BOLD! RIGHT! LIFE! designed to empower the youth of today to boldly live a life that is right in the eyes of Christ. Already, many young people's lives have been changed through her willingness to be transparent about her own struggles, but consistent in her progress to be more like Christ.

If you're in the Detroit area, swing by Greater Emmanuel Institutional COGIC August 6-9. Such speakers and artists include Tye Tribbett, Prophetess Kim Daniels, Bethany Dillon, and many more!
Visit myspace.com/boldrightlife for more information.

Wherever you are, visit itunes and check out my "lil sisters" music. She's definitely a light for this generation.

This is me in real life, Kelli

The Color Purple

Last night my husband and I were blessed to see "The Color Purple" at the Fox Theater in Detroit. A group of us went out to celebrate the 14th anniversary of a genuine, humorous, God-loving couple that attends our church.

There are so many things I could ravish in about the evening.
Fellowship.
Good conversation.
authentic mexican food.
continual quoting from the movie.
sitting next to the most handsome, gentle man I've ever known.
Being intoxicated by the subtle smell of his cologne.
Blushing privately at the realization that he's my husband.

smile.

But the highlight of the evening truly was...the color PURPLE.

Not so much the play itself, but the ability to actually see, hear, and sense the color PURPLE.

You see, as a singer, I often describe vocal tones and textures in colors and seasons.
I describe my voice as like unto autumn.
It texture is smooth but edgy, like wet leaves falling from a tree.
Warm but breezy.
A sort of pastel brown and pink, swirled together as one..creating this sort of
deep,
bellowing,
but gentle sound.
It comes from God, and still mystifies me when I hear it coming from inside me.

Last night...I could hear the color purple.

This young lady, Jeanette Bayardelle, was nothing short of amazing.

Not because she remembered her lines, or depicted Celie to such a truth that even Whoopi would applaud her.

But more so, she did what had not been done for me in book, nor the movie.

She created; with her voice, the color purple.

It was brilliant in tone.
It was melancholy in feeling.
It was magnificent in volume and texture.
It was pure in release.

It was freedom.
It was beauty,
It was PURPLE.

I've never liked the color much.
Although it depicts royalty, I've often thought it too much for me.

But this morning, its rays are still tickling my arms, dancing in my eyesight, and brushing across my face.

And just as I begin to turn my attention and thoughts toward my God to start my day...

I am well aware of his presence......

and today, ironically.....

it is...

the color... PURPLE.

Kelli Brownlee~2008