Jonathan McReynolds

And we wanted to make sure that they stay free to the community.

So we would go and seek out world-renowned artists, the Smokey Norfolk and Jonathan McReynolds, these top-tier gospel artists that do require compensation as they should.

But we also want to keep it free to the community.

And so we continue to devise, you know, sponsorship plans and partnership plans and donor plans.

They don't even have a roof.

Jonathan McReynolds was here yesterday.

Lisa Noe Smith is here today.

And I'm hearing Marvin Sapp is somewhere around this town.

Okay

... and Jonathan McReynolds.

And so my approach was I wanted to do a collaboration of both local ministries and aspiring artists, uh, as well as a notable, um, gospel superstar.

And it's all free to the community.

Yes.

Pastor Mike Jr. and Jonathan McReynolds won two awards, including male artist of the year.

Uh, Erica Campbell won contemporary female artist of the year, and then we gonna see all four of them on the One Voyage Cruise.

Yes, indeedy.

Song of the Year, Promises by Lisa Knowles-Smith and the Brown Singers.

Male Artists of the Year, Jonathan McReynolds.

The Albertina Walker Female Artists of the Year, Lisa Knowles-Smith and the Brown Singers.

Dual Chorus Group of the Year, J.J. Harrison and Youthful Praise.

Album of the Year, Live in New York, Vincent Bohannon and S.O.B. Choir of the Year, J.J. Harrison and Youthful Praise.

Contemporary Dual Chorus Group of the Year, Jonathan McReynolds featuring Jamal Roberts.

Traditional Dual Course Group of the Year, Brandon Kamfer and One Way.

Contemporary Male Artist of the Year, Darryl Walls.

... of Jesus Christ.

Whether it's through Chen Lamoore, uh, Jonathan McReynolds, Tasha Cobbs, whether it's through Daryl Walls, Jekalyn Carr-

Yeah

... is that the music is alive and it's real, and it's still on the way.

It was kind of just like out-of-the-gate success for us, and so that first album was great, and the second album didn't do as great, and then we got dropped from the label, and so kind of had a limbo moment, and within that time, I was kind of just cultivating my gift and growing and... like playing double dutch deciding when when is it my time to to jump out and step out and do solo and um and when i finally did you know god did exactly what you said he uh blessed my efforts and i like to say that god created the perfect storm around my yes and i just started getting calls um from like israel houghton wanting me to do um uh beyond his live recording he was starting to do music again which was a dream of mine.

And then I was in conversation with three major labels and decided on Sony and Jonathan McReynolds' partnership.

And it just went, you know, and this is not to say that it wasn't hard work.

Of course, you know this because you interview people all the time.

Let's get into this hot topic.

What is it, Mero? It's, uh, gospel artist Jonathan McReynolds going viral for a post on social media where he said people in their mid-30s looking for love have to adjust their standards, because all the neurotypical people are married.

Wow.

[laughs]

And, uh, listen, we getting into this hot topic, y'all.

You know what I mean? Before we get into Dutel.

Uh, Jada from New Jersey said, uh, the hot topic is, are you cooked by 35? Is everybody out there just a weirdo? Are you doomed to a life of singledom forever? You know what I mean? Or should you be married? Uh, because Jonathan McReynolds went viral on social media when he said people in their mid-30s looking for love have to adjust their standards.

And Jada from New Jersey says, "Eh, wrong" She's 45 and single, not because she's scary or crazy, but because she is a successful businesswoman.