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When you hear someone described as a “Trailblazer” you think of someone that is a pioneer leaving a mark and forging a path for others to follow. That is exactly what you have in the Gospel Neo Soul artist Lisa McClendon. Dasouth.com recently caught up with the exceptional vocalist and songwriter to discuss music, ministry, industry and her new project “Reality” that is blazing a new trail in the Christian/Gospel music industry.
Stephen Summers: Lisa, thank you for taking the time out of your schedule and putting “The World on Pause” long enough to speak with DaSouth.com. It is a pleasure and honor to interview you for DaSouth.com and your supporters. Well let’s not keep the people waiting any longer and jump right in. You are what I consider a veteran in the music industry. You’ve had three previous releases and now you’re back with “Reality”. Tell us about the project and what your inspiration was on this one.
Lisa McClendon: My main inspiration for this album is LOVE. That is the “Reality” of what we as Christians truly should be based on. The Bible says they will know that we are Christians by our love for each other. So I take you on the journey of life’s realities and more to the end I introduce you God’s reality in the song “Manifest.”
SS: I love the concept of project and how it flows. In the song Manifest you ultimately point to the fact that God’s love was not only made manifest in Christ but it is also to be made manifest in and through us. Let’s discuss God’s Love for a minute. Sometimes as Christians I think that we as Christians try to dictate who and how God should love. You seem to touch on that a little bit in the “Immabeme”. What realization brought that song out of you?
LM: That God loves just the way I am because he made me, just the way I am.
SS: Amen! So you had been away from the music scene for the last few years. Why the hiatus and what growth did you experience during that time? Did the Lord give you any “reality checks” during that time?
LM: During my hiatus God was “making” me. There were some people being shaken out of my life while there were others that were growing into my life. I learned a lot about myself and a lot about who God really is. I definitely got a reality check about some of my theology and have since learned that His ways truly are not our ways and His thoughts truly are not our thoughts.
SS: I am so glad that God is not like man! We would be boxed into one mold with no real expression of His Love as a reality in our lives. So what was the biggest thing that you learned about yourself in light of the clearer theology and overall growth?
LM: That I had believed a lot of things because it was preached over the pulpit by people I trusted and still trust. I realized that I needed to study the word for myself and hear the voice of God for myself. People, including pastors, make mistakes. Some are honest mistakes but the bible tells us to study to show ourselves approved, rightly dividing the word of truth.
SS: So how does it feel to be back!
LM: It absolutely feels AWESOME to be back! We still got a lot of ground to cover but so far where we have treaded with this new album the people have been blessed.
SS: Well we are glad that you are back and you’re making noise at the same time. Your latest release Charted #20 on the billboard charts! Congratulations! This was major success from what some would call an inspirational soul artist. Not to mention on an Independent label. Of course we give God Glory for this success so in light of that how did you feel as an artist about that success?
LM: That was awesome to me because all we could say was look at God. We did things sooooo unorthodoxed. We petitioned the help of the DJ Alliance, headed by DJ Will from Jacksonville and other ways that it had not been done on the labels I was on in the past. I thought it had to be done the way they did it and my husband, Maurice, said this is a new day and we are not putting old wine in new wine skins.
SS: Shouts out to DJ Will, the DJ Alliance and your wonderful husband! That’s how you grind it out! DJ’s are still the back bone! Now, as a result of your hard work in the past you’ve been nominated for Stellar and Dove Awards and this new approach currently has you nominated in the following categories for a Stellar Award.
- FEMALE VOCALIST OF THE YEAR
- CONTEMPORARY FEMALE VOCALIST OF THE YEAR
- MUSIC VIDEO OF THE YEAR
Now I gotta ask, if you could choose one then which would mean the most?
LM: Maaannnn, ALL OF THEM!!! LOL!!
SS: (Laughing) I feel you!!
LM: But no, really, the vocalist of the year would be an honor because I do feel like my voice is so different from the other nominees in the sense of I have never had a “church” voice. I could always only do my “lane.” I have a strong jazz background and for awhile that was the most popular thing in the gospel industry. I am not a “squaller” (hope that’s spelled right) and if I act like I wanna try to go there my voice is done. I really have to take care of my instrument. I just feel like I would be representing the Adrianne Archies and the Rae Ellis’es and all of the wonderful underground soul artist. So it would definitely be for them as well.
SS: I love practical wisdom! Driving in your own lane will get you exactly where God wants to take you!!! Riding in another lane is sure cause an accident. So did you ever experience pressure in the past to do things a different way and how did you handle it?
LM: Yes. It definitely was pressure after my first album, “My Diary, Your Life.” The new label, I felt, wanted to make my sound more Sunday morning for sales but I wasn’t being fully true to myself. I felt watered down. I just dealt with it for a season until God gave me a way of escape to return to full self.
SS: Thank you for staying true to yourself and representing your genre which you do extremely well! Not only are you an exceptional vocalist but you are also a gifted songwriter. You’re lyricism is always true, meaningful and heartfelt. It is reflected in all of your previous releases as well. Now I have to ask you another tough question. From “My Diary, Your Life”, “Soul Music”, “Live at the House of Blues” and now “Reality” which one is your favorite?
LM: WOW!!! Very hard to say indeed! I really can’t say. I think the writing on all of them is straight from the throne but I can say “Reality” is the first album where I felt like I exhaled all my frustrations and sang with no restraints. I gave it my all lyrically and vocally on this one.
SS: You’ve definitely been blessed with God given talent and creative ability as many others have. With such talent how do stay focused on using your gifts to glorify the Father when in “Reality” you could have a successful career in the secular markets?
LM: Well my goal is to be successful in the “secular” markets while maintaining who I am. The wonderful thing about Jesus was that he was not popular with the church but the world was drawn to Him because offered them hope. I have hope to offer a dying world but I have to be able to drawn them before I can administer healing to them.
SS: Amen! I get the sense from your overall all body of work that you are like a Jeremiah in the sense that you are saying, “Here am I send me.” Would that be an accurate description of what God is doing with you?
LM: I don’t think I ever thought about it like that but I can see that. I have also thought of myself as a proverbial writer. I give the gospel practically. The songs God gives me are applicable to everyday living.
SS: Let’s shift things to some of your collaborations and your diversity. One thing that I’ve noticed about you over the years and something that others have commented on is that you may be labeled as an inspirational or neo soul gospel artist but you’ve always embraced Christian Hip Hop. In fact, if I can take you way back for a minute, I first became familiar with you when you collaborated with Pettidee on the song “Party Party”. How’s that for a throw back? (Laughing)
LM: Petty (Pettidee) is my family indeed. I’m just waiting on him to do another song with me but yes I didn’t realize how much hip hop influence I did have in the beginning. I am looking for more opportunities to do more collabs like I did with DaTruth and Pettidee. Maybe a collab with LeCrae or Dre Marshall or some dope mixtape. I am just open to opportunities.
SS: I get the feeling that your phone is gonna start ringing after folks read that line. (Laughing) You and Dre Marshall…now that would be an awesome collab!!! Not only have worked with Pettidee, you’ve also collabed with Knine and Rawsrvnt (Raw Servant) you’ve never distanced yourself from the genre of Christian Hip Hop. What is the spark and connection behind this love that you show?
LM: Well one thing that has always inspired me about the Christian Hip Hop community is their unity. While I rarely see that on the singing side except between a select few, it’s just that the hip hop side speaks a language that I can relate to. I can relate to their swagger and their struggle to get the message out in their own way.
SS: Interesting that you should mention the unity in CHH and the lack thereof on the singing side. We are definitely praying and pushing for CHH to become even more unified. In light of that statement about unity, you recently did a collaboration project with Canton Jones, Ramona Jones and Mr. Del called “Gumbo Red”. How did that come about and what was that experience like of merging the different styles together?
LM: Well, honestly, I am very disappointed with that project.
SS: Why is that?
LM: I had such high hopes with the ideas when it was presented to me but somewhere along the road the mission got blurred. I wish more of the money had been invested in production and marketing. I wish we all had had more involvement but……..I thank God for those songs on it that have been a blessing to people.
SS: The project was definitely a blessing to some. Maybe some others did not realize that it existed so hopefully this interview will bring it some more attention. I think too little attention is given to the proper marketing and promotions of great projects. Come on CHH fam! Let’s keep grinding on the business side as well as production. Ok now this part of the interview where I like to discuss the business side of things. I’m gonna throw out a term and you tell me the first thing that comes to mind…(drum roll)…Boss Lady!!! (Laughing)
LM: She’s still alive!! LOL!!
SS: (Laughing) where did she go!!!??
LM: I turned her off for awhile because my husband is such a leader but with him pastoring now I have had to take my title back and work it. I love it though.
SS: Ha ha! Cool October 16th was national Boss day. You didn’t know that you had your own day did you!? (Laughing) Seriously, how does it feel being back in the Boss’s Chair and being hands on with your projects?
LM: It is very empowering and rewarding to be your own boss but I am learning daily how to be a good boss.
SS: So tell everyone that may not know where that name comes from.
LM: That name was actually given to me by Mr. Del. He used to always tease me about how I was a shrewd business woman and of course I have to be because being a woman, I have experienced the attempt to take advantage of me. Unfortunately, sometimes it has worked but I am much wiser now and smarter now. Please believe :-)
SS: Oh we believe you Boss…we believe! Now typically when this question is asked people give the standard answer of pray and keep God first so with that being a given I want to really dig into this question. As an artist, song writer, producer and business woman what practical and business advice would you give to an individual aspiring to blaze a trail similar to yours?
LM: KNOW THIS BUSINESS!!!! You can pray all day and keep God first but the Bible says that in business be men and I have been guilty of forgetting that. I am learning to be more aggressive and more assertive. Also get a good attorney!!!!!!!!!!!! Especially on the Gospel side because the wolves will hide in sheep’s clothing and behind the word of God.
SS: Wolves in sheep’s clothing?!?! No waaaayy!! (Laughing) You are exactly right though. Proverbs 22: 29 says, “Seest thou a man diligent in his business? He shall stand before kings; he shall not stand before mean men.” Of course this applies to Boss Ladies too! (Laughing)
LM: I love that scripture!!! That definitely encourages me to stay diligent.
SS: So new album, award nominations, running a label and giving solid business advice….yeah you’re the “Boss”. (Laughing)
LM: Whew!!!! I am!!!
SS: Ok, before we wrap it up let’s focus on the family for a minute. I always ask these next few questions because I think people would really be interested in knowing a little more about the person Lisa. So tell us, are you married? Got any kids and what is your hobby if you have one?
LM: Well of course I remarried in 2008 to Maurice Brailsford. We have a total of 10 kids together five of which live with us.
SS: Wow ten!!! Some will think you took be fruitful and multiply command to a literal extreme. (Laughing) Enlighten the people on your family?
LM: We always get a kick out of telling people that because they assume he is a player but actually he had 8 kids with his first wife of 16 years, however, things happened and their marriage ended. A quick but awesome plug is that he is telling his story in his new book, “HOW TO LOVE YOUR SPOUSE’S LOVER. A story on forgiveness.” He just finished the book and it is awesome. You must get that book!!!!!!!!
SS: It’s definitely on the “to get” list! The title alone will draw people to it. (Laughing) Now folks please don’t judge a book by the cover or the title. (smiling) So what about your hobbies?
LM: I am painting a lot these days. My whole family paints or does something in the arts. I also recently started making jewelry again. My line is called “Eclectic” by Lisa McClendon. We are currently developing the website but you can see some of my pieces at www.facebook.com/therealLisaMcClendon. So fellas, this would be a good gift for your wife, or mother for special occasions and the holidays are coming.
SS: (Laughing) The Boss is always working! Plugging a book and a jewelry line, go ahead Boss! In addition to all of these things you’ve also recently made some major moves in your personal life pertaining to family and ministry. Care to share?
LM: Well as I touched on earlier my husband and I are youth pastors at University City Church. That position relocated us to Charlotte, NC, which I absolutely LOVE!!! We love the youth and we love impacting their lives. So it is a mission for us that we take very seriously and appreciate Pastor Stevens for welcoming us and letting us loose :-).
SS: Yes, this is a wonderful place to raise a family and it is so ripe for an awakening of the younger generation. You guys were definitely needed here. Shouts to Pastor Mike Stevens as well!!! So what last words would you give to your supporters, brothers and sisters in Christ about the reality of life in general?
LM: That regardless of what heard or thought you knew…….without LOVE, NOTHING ELSE MATTERS!!!!! Peace and Pause.
SS: Well that about sums it up! Thanks so much for your time Lisa! It is greatly appreciated and we pray that the Lord brings you much success as you continue to serve him.
Ok DaSouth.com fam the Boss Lady has spoken! Be sure to check out Lisa’s new project “Reality”. To all of my fellow CHH fam, let’s keep supporting Lisa she’s always embraced us and the genre so let keep reciprocating that love.
We state again the world and the body will know that we are Christ disciples by the love we display for one another.
For more info on Lisa McClendon, for CDs and booking check out the following sites.
www.LisaMcClendon.com
www.myspace.com/McClendonLisa
www.facebook.com/therealLisaMcClendon
Filed under: Uncategorized | Tagged: christian bands, Christian hip hop, Christian music, Lisa McClendon, Music, Music News
