Fred Hammond personifies praise and worship. The former founding member of the legendary contemporary quartet, Commissioned, is a household name when it comes to gospel music.
Hammond has
written a plethora of award-winning songs including No Weapon, Running
Back to You, We’re Blessed, They That Wait and
his latest single, Awesome God. Even with a successful career, Hammond’s personal life has
not been without drama. He endured the death of his mother and a painful
divorce. The Dallas resident shared that these are the things that inspires him
to write songs.
“Life—everyday
life—ups and downs and the dramas of life,” he said of his songwriting
inspiration. He also looks forward to becoming an author.
“I have a couple of books inside me. I
have a couple of fictional novels inside me…they are pretty rough. I have to compete with E. Lynn (Harris)
and all the other cats that are writing these books and everybody out there
buying them that’s juicy—mine are juicy too!” Hammond said. “We act like the
church folk don’t have drama.”
As far as I can tell, the singer and
businessman show no signs of slowing down.
“I will be 50 …
on December 27. I got a label and it’s called Fred Hammond Family
Entertainment. I launched a new project called Life in the word, praise and
worship devotional something to get us out of the gate. The single, Great
Things, written by
Hammond, features former Men of Standard and John P Kee member, Lowell Powell and Faith Anderson, respectively.
In addition to
great music, Hammond is giving his fans something to smile about. “Also if you
buy it there’s a bonus CD with me and the band inside my garage just kicking it
… doing some old songs, which is the lead up to Warehouse Worship series. We’re
giving the first one for free with YouTube-style movies. You’ll like it, it’s
really good,” he said.
Additionally,
congrats to legendary vocalist, Leanne Faine who will
receive a Lifetime Achievement Award during the Chicago Music
Award’s 30th Anniversary awards ceremony in January. Speaking of awards, Grammy
Award-winning Pastor Smokie Norful of Victory Cathedral Church was nominated in several categories for the upcoming
Stellar Awards. Recently, the church celebrated its fifth year anniversary.
Last but not least, congrats
to Apostle Donald Alford of Progressive Life Giving Word Cathedral whose book
entitled “Don’t You Tell Me It’s Too Late!” was just released and available
wherever books are sold.
Happy belated
bday blessings to Pastor John Hannah, Angel Jerez, Tim White, Tracy Kendrick,
Vernon Oliver Price and yours truly (Dec. 1st). Also more blessings to Mark
Hubbard, Richard Smallwood, Apostle Donald Alford, Horace E. Smith, M.D., and
Dr. Charles G. Hayes, Veronica Southern, Pam Morris and Fred Hammond.
“Remember you
are blessed by the Best!”
Copyright 2010 Chicago Defender
Effie Rolfe is the religion entertainment columnist. Contact her at effie@theinspirationcafe
