Canadian Gospel Music Industry Helping to Shift the Atmosphere

Montreal's Eliane Isaac

Another year has come to a close and the nation of Canada has recently elected a new leader. A youthful and energetic man full of vim and vigor, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, the son of former Prime Minister Pierre Elliot Trudeau. Canada has been grateful during the years of Prime Minister P.E. Trudeau's leadership serving two terms (1968 –1974 & 1980 - 1984) and now that his son walks the same footsteps as leader of the country Canadians are elated to herald him in to office and the change he brings.

However, these are different times and the climate for leadership in any country on the world's stage is tenuous at best. The United States has had President Barack Obama under the microscope and within the crosshairs throughout his presidency and he is soon due to be replaced in 2016. The French presidency has twice changed hands over the last 10 years leaving the less experienced President François Hollande to deal with an attack on Paris by the Islamic State ISIS. Germany, Turkey, Iraq and other nations' leaders along with Canada's Prime Minister Trudeau are on edge trying to avoid the specter of global unrest. All is apparently not well with the world we live in.

Although 2015 has appreciated the blessed artistry of a variety of anointed minstrels, it is expedient and incumbent on our Canadian and American gospel artists, producers and promoters to seize the day in ensuring that we flood and shift the atmosphere with the anointed message of Jesus Christ. We must aid the change that is necessary in our country and the world at large.

2015 Last Quarter in Review
Over the last few months we have seen the continuation of that shifting in the atmosphere beginning with Prophetic Praise featuring William McDowell and Montreal's Eliane Isaac at the MCI Ampitheatre, eclipsing by a week, the Festival of Praise Tour which kicked off at Toronto's Hershey Centre in October featuring Fred Hammond, Donnie McClurkin, Hezekiah Walker, Israel Houghton and Kim Burrell. Hard on its heels came the anointed baritone of Whintley Phipps in November followed by new male gospel artist phenom Jonathan McReynolds who enlivened Hamilton and Toronto with his fresh sounding voice. New Jamaican artist Jermaine Edwards and Canada's Micheal Lwamba brought their gospel brand. Legendary artist Papa San, cohort Goddy Goddy and opening artist Toronto's Londa Larmond also raised the praise and the party.

The crowning Canadian event was the Canadian Glass Achievement Awards (Nov. 7th) honoring both Canadian and American gospel artists. An anointed moment of transparency witnessed a then pregnant Sunday's Best winner Le’Andria Johnson tear the roof off the place as if she had no money and nothing else to do but sing for Jesus. It was certainly an outstanding performance to which all other performances for the night paled in comparison.

The last quarter of the year was undoubtedly awash with a variety of gospel genres and a wide mix of heavy hitting and legendary artists amid new and seasoned blood. A little bird has told me to expect something of the same for 2016. We may see more of the likes of a William McDowell or a Kirk Franklin along with others we haven't seen in Canada for a few years. It needs to be to equal or best the demonic onslaught already underway. We need gospel artists of every stripe to shift the atmosphere in the earth.

Article written by Kathy Grant Mahon.

Kathy is a Canadian music artist, media personality, entrepreneur and CEO of KGM Enterprises. 

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AIRPLAY 360 is a monthly published digital magazine designed to inform, empower and motivate independent inspirational musical artists by offering a soundboard of information provided by artists, producers, label executives and other industry professionals.