"The gospel truth is the music swings: Hymns of praise are moving out of  the churches and on to the streets and stages of the city where this   weekend they'll be spotlighted in ChoirFest '99 and at the Juno Awards"

National Post

Thu 04 Mar 1999

Toronto,  B3

Rebecca Eckler

  Even if you can't see heaven from the streets of Toronto, you can hear   ethereal sounds that suggest it may be up there. All you have to do is  listen for gospel music. 

  Both the charm and glories of gospel will be celebrated at ChoirFest '99   on Saturday and at the Juno Awards on Sunday.

These two events will celebrate the spiritual, energize and mesmerize the audience, and showcase a number of inspired Torontonians.

  Gospel, once considered church music, is no longer simply an ``amen'' here   and a ``hallelujah'' there.

  Today, Toronto gospel performers garner international attention with their   lyrical prowess and are a strong draw to young fans.

  Four out of five of this year's Juno gospel nominees -- only the second   time at the ceremony the genre has been recognized -- are Toronto-based.

They are Expression of Praise, Sharon Riley and Faith Chorale, Selections,  and the Toronto Mass Choir. The other nominee is British Columbia's Lianna  Klassen.

  ``It's about time,'' says Richard Picart, a Toronto concert producer,   artist manager and industry consultant who specializes in gospel music.

``To not have a gospel category is to deny the obvious -- that it's everywhere. The Grammys have had the category for decades. Gospel awards become an exhibit to the world.''

  Gospel music has always moved its listeners. More and more, gospel is   becoming popularized.

  Each Sunday at the People's Church on Bayview Avenue, more than 2,000   people attend the services, which feature gospel hymns. Demand is so great   that starting March 28, a second Sunday service is being added.

  "Martin Luther said everyone should have a Bible in one hand and a hymn   book in another,'' said Dr. John Hull, the church pastor. ``Music is so   important in setting the environment. It quickens the mind and calms the   heart.''

  The People's Church audience is much larger than those who attend. The   services are broadcast on the Vision Network, Global Television and the  new Christian station, CTS. The service reaches 500,000 people across  Canada.

  A month ago, the church also started a contemporary service on Saturday   nights with ``alternative gospel music.''

  ``I would call it rock 'n' roll,'' said Dr. Hull. ``But my son would say   that's so '60s. But young people from all over the city attend.''

  Indeed, many new styles of gospel have inspired community church choirs to   record albums.

  Expression of Praise, a Juno nominee, is a choir made up of 52 young   people ranging in age from 14 to 20 at Apple Creek Church in Markham.

  ``Someone at the church said `You guys are really good. You should do an album,''' said Lance Flash, owner of Gospel Nation record company. ``It  was just a local project so we were more than surprised when it was  nominated for a Juno. It's totally home-grown.''

  The choir's trademark, said Mr. Flash, is energy. ``They go ballistic in   their  performances. But for many of their more-conservative parents, it's like  `What are they doing?' There really is an underground movement for youth gospel.''

  This generation is doing gospel its own way. Take Kirk Franklin, whose   gospel albums have been described as ``heavenly hip hop.''

  Mr. Franklin begins one of his albums like this: ``For those of you who   think gospel music has gone too far, or that we've gotten too radical with   our message, I've got news for you. You haven't seen nothing yet.''

  Gospel has hit the streets. 

``Some people says the only time I go to church is when I get married or  die,'' said Cleve Sandy, executive producer of ChoirFest '99, the annual  gospel music showcase, which takes place at Etobicoke's Queensway  Cathedral on Saturday.

  ``That's one thing I've wanted to see. Taking gospel music outside the   church for those who have an aversion,'' he said.

  ChoirFest '99 features some of North America's top choirs, including   Expression of Praise, Sharon Riley, and a choir from the University of  North Carolina, Deliverance Ministries, Kingdom Seekers, Divinity, N-Unity and Praising Hands, a sign-language choir.

  ``If you're just curious, you should come. If you love gospel and didn't   know  where to find it in town, you should come,'' said Mr. Sandy.

  He said one problem has been there has always been a stereotype attached   to the music. ``I want the music to stop being classified as a colour.

Gospel now is really modern day. It pushes the envelope. And with the year  2000 and the new millennium, everyone is having a spiritual awakening.

Renewal is first on everyone's list.''

  You'll leave ChoirFest, he guarantees, on a natural high. Gospel music has   always invited clapping and singing.

  ``When you see everyone else getting into it, you'll want to jam, too. If   they get into the spirit they'll say anything with all kinds of antics.

They feel inspired. They feel good, and sometimes they don't even know  why.''

  But the lyrics should not overpower the message, said Ms. Riley, whose   group, Faith Chorale, was the first gospel group to be signed by EMI.

  ``It's a message of hope. Gospel music is about encouragement and healing.   It's life changing.''

  Ms. Riley and Faith Chorale had a scene performing in the movie Blues   Brothers 2000, starring Dan Aykroyd. It was a movie that some critics said   was worth the trip to the theatre because of the music.

  Among the most recent in a long line of movie evangelists is Robert Duvall   in The Apostle and Steve Martin in A Leap of Faith.

  Even scenes from the television show Ally McBeal take place in a church   setting, where a black woman with a booming voice -- and a stature to  match -- is regularly featured.

  ``Movies usually don't show the culture behind gospel,'' said Mr. Picart.

``It's only part of the experience.''

Some say gospel music should glorify God and not be used for personal gain.

  ``The reward is not money,'' said Ms. Riley. ``It's in spreading a message   of hope and tuning in young people to positive lyrics.''

  But others say this is unreasonable.

  ``There are three `M's' in the equation: message, money and music,'' said   Mr. Sandy. ``You have to have all three to succeed in gospel. If the  person is a professional and makes a living off of it, what's wrong with  that?''

  One thing is certain -- gospel music today is not hard to sell.

Mr. Sandy said there's only one sure-fire way to understand gospel.

  ``You just have to experience it.''