Kirk Franklin Gathers Gospel Community to Record a Relief Song for Haiti

Average: 4.8 (84 votes)

As gospel music artists gathered in Nashville, Tennessee to celebrate the biggest and brightest at the 25th Stellar Awards this past weekend, they also came together for a higher purpose. With the recent tragic earthquake in Port-au-Prince, Haiti, Kirk Franklin assembled numerous gospel artists in Nashville’s Quad Studios to lend their voices to “Are You Listening,” a song they all hope will inspire those devastated as well as raise much needed funds for Haiti. All proceeds from the record will be donated to charities involved in relief efforts.

Artists United includes Yolanda Adams; Jeremy Camp; Shirley Caesar; Dorinda Clark Cole; Natalie Grant; Fred Hammond; Tamela & David Mann; Mary Mary; Donnie McClurkin; Bishop Paul S. Morton; J. Moss; Smokie Norful; Marvin Sapp; Karen Clark Sheard; Kiera "KiKi" Sheard; BeBe Winans; CeCe Winans and Marvin Winans along with other gospel artists featured in choir including Shari Addison; Kathy Taylor Brown; John Gray; Bishop Darryl Hines; Stephen Hurd; Karima Kibble; Judith McAllister; Nicole C. Mullen; Jessica Reedy; The Neville Sisters; Troy Sneed; Micah Stampley; Melinda Watts and Brian Courtney Wilson.

All the artists associated with the project donated their talent and gifts for this project,” says song and project producer Kirk Franklin. “This initiative is so important because while we are asking America to give we know that many are giving sacrificially. The people of Haiti are very spiritual people with an unwavering faith and belief in God and still count The Lord as the main source and provider. We will continue to pray and stand with them. We hope this song will bring much needed support and awareness in an effort to raise funds in the near and long-term future.”

The official music video for “Are You Listening: A Love Song for Haiti” will world premiere in a one hour special presentation on GMC Friday, Jan. 22 at 7:00 p.m. (ET), immediately before GMC’s airing of the global “Hope for Haiti Now” telethon (8:00 p.m.). The special will be hosted by Lisa Kimmey-Winans and will feature exclusive interview footage with Kirk Franklin from the recording session interspersed throughout multiple runs of the music video.

“Are You Listening” will be available for purchase at Verity Records starting at 5 p.m. Friday, January 22. The single will be available next week on iTunes and will also be released at Wal-Mart and other major retailers after January 30.

Replies for this Blog post

I wish i could see u sing on my b-day. ugh.oh well, u keep singing your emotion
I listen to this song at least 5 times a day. I absolutely love it! I can't wait till the new CD comes out!

Regards
Byter

_____________________________________________________________

New Hamsphire plastic surgeons | breast augmentation new hampshire |  plastic surgeon san francisco | breast augmentation san francisco | breast augmentation beverly hills

--that is a really nice thing to do. i think god let dis happen just to show us that , no mata wat this worldis still connected and full of luv
p with a crown

Students at Richland College is hosting a Haiti relief show sponsored by Student Government Association
Feb 25th which is this thursday
there will be entertainment and a silent auction with all proceeds going to the Red Cross

Kirk if you could come or someone from your gospel family, it would be more powerful

Thanks
RobertM

Kirk, my 12 year old daughter loves you and your work. She has been nagging me for weeks to send you and e-mail of some sort b/c her dream in life right now is to sing for you. She is a gifted singer and would love the opportunity to sing with you one time!!
Keep doin what your doin and being a blessing to so many people. Stay Strong and Be Blessed!!

Olivia

Hello Kirk, I have been a fan since the early days and have admired your genius in pulling together great choirs to sing inspiring, memorable songs. Now, no one is going to tell you the truth, because people don't like to do that anymore. I just have one request of you - I watched you on the Stellar Awards and you did a great job. My request is for you to stop doing that dance that you were doing at the end of the show. That is so outdated, it looks very provocative, and it has no place at a gospel celebration. You are a grown man with a wife and family, so you don't have to do this anymore. I had to stop watching at the end because it really looked nasty. I'm sorry to say these things to you, but as we grow up and progress through every year, some things have to stop and others begin. I am going through this same evolution. If you had just stood there and waited for your turn on the mike to tell us all good night, you would have made a much better impression on the people. Take care of yourself and I am still your biggest fan.

Someone at work told me about this song, I went on you tube and viewed the video and it brought me to my knees. I was born and raised in Haiti, I left when I was a pre-teen I have families and friends there, my father retired and move back. When this tragedy happened I lost my head for at least 2 weeks, I couldn't sleep, eat or do anything else. All I could do is try to get in contact with my love ones, I was extremely frustrating not knowing and thinking of the worst about the situation. At one point I couldn't pray anymore, all I could say was the Name of Jesus every second. Watching CNN and others news cast seeing how my beloved Haiti had crumbled and detroyed my heart couldn't take it. I haven't been able to grieve about what happened, 2 of my brothers got hurt pretty bad, their homes are demolished, I still have family and friends that are still missing. I had to shift into soldier mode to take care of mines, I shield myself the whole time since this happened, I never show any expression or any sign of weakness. But when I heard this song and seen those images that I must have seen more than 50 times it hit me like a bullet to my chest. It broke me down, I was able to cry and come to the realization that this event happened and was not a dream......... I'm so very greatful and thank you for letting God use you to create this masterpiece, I really don't think you will ever know what's dwell within these lyrics. May God Bless you and keep you and all those others wonderful artists who participate in this production. In the Name Of Jesus Let your well never runs dry.

Thank you so much

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eqAtnqvm0Ys

Thank you for continuing to write songs that inspire us to be greater than we are & more like Jesus.

I appreciate this song, it really touched me. My fiance was born in Haiti and came to the US 3 years ago. It hits home for me because I see him worry about his family in Haiti and it has taken a toll on him. I dont have much and honestly, I have $2.19 in my checking account but I chose to purchase the song. I dont have a job but I feel in my heart, if a simple gesture could help, I would give whatever I could. I feel for the people of Haiti and wish that I could go and help because I would really love to do something meaningful for someone in need. So as far as financially, this is about all I can do but if God has more in store for me to do, I will do.....

hey kirk just wanted to say thanks for all those times when my boys were small and in the choir where you played music.you were the only musician i remember that would pray with those kids at immanuel for them to accept the Lord into their lives as their Savior. Both of my boys are in Church now one is a preacher and the other a preachers helper. so even then Kirk God was still using you. Thank you and i still play all of your cds and Gods property is my signature i love you kirk.SARAH

I would like to know what happened to the auditions that was to take place at the hyatt? i booked a room at over 100 a night for nothing:

Kirk,
Thank you so much for helping my country. I purchased the song I absolutely love it. Thank you for utilizing your gift to help others. I am sad that I didn't get a chance to see the presentation tonight but I made sure to put it on my outlook for tomorrow night. May God continue to use for his kingdom.

--
In His Grip,
Roseline