Kevin Lemons & Higher Calling celebrates its 25th anniversary as one of gospel music’s most dynamic and captivating choirs with a new recording project set to be released later this year. Leading off the upcoming LP is the single “For Your Good” available now on all digital music providers. Over the years, Kevin Lemons & Higher Calling have traveled nationally and internationally, sharing the stage with everyone from Bebe Winans to Kirk Franklin by way of Hezekiah Walker. Lemons himself is a force as a vocal director and most recently oversaw the vocals for Netflix’s critically acclaimed presentation and soundtrack for Come Sunday. His prowess shines beautifully on “For Your Good,” delivering a perfectly timed song for this season of enormous change. In this TCB exclusive, Lemons talks about the heart behind the new single, reflects on his years with Higher Calling, and gives a sneak peek at what he’s most looking forward to in the months ahead.
Congratulations on the recent release and success of “For Your Good”! Can you explain why this single is important to you personally?
The single “For Your Good” is self explanatory right from the title. Anything we’ve been through, whether it’s personal situations or spiritual discomfort, where we’ve felt like it wasn’t going to work out for our good. The Bible clearly tells us that all things work together for good to those who are in the Lord. We want to keep everyone engaged and connected – it’s working out for your good.
Looking back on the recording process of “For Your Good” – is there a moment that stands out the most to you, perhaps one that strengthened your determination to release this music?
With the recent coming out of the pandemic, all the deaths, it was a downward situation for a while, and people felt like they had no hope. As we have seen, things are starting to turn around, again, it works for our good. So our trials are doing even better, which gives everyone a sense of hope.
What words do you think the world most needs to hear right now?
It’s crazy that you say that because there’s no particular lyric you can pick out to signify the power of the song, other than the verse that says, “But I got good news about fame. This isn’t the end of your story. It’s working, it’s gonna work, it’s working for your good.”
How do you think “For Your Good” helps preview your upcoming LP?
This is the single. We’re gearing up to release the full LP, hopefully on September 10th. We’re really building up the hype for this moment. There’s not much more I can say, but I’m really excited for people to hear more amazing choral music this season.
Higher Calling is a 100-member gospel choir. Why is it important to release music with this group?
Well, the one thing I stress with the number of people we have in Higher Calling is that it is a family environment for those who needed that refuge and that place of strength. Just when you see Higher Calling together, they are just family. Even though we sing together, we are a real family.
How has that vision changed, or not changed, over the 25 years the music has been released?
Yes, I started Higher Calling when I was in high school at 17 years old. My vision from day one was never to be an artist, to the level it is now. All I wanted was to have a beautiful choir of family and friends singing. God had another plan and led me to where we are now. Everything we do is a God thing, not a Kevin thing, because I didn’t intend to do it.
With such a choir, collaboration is inevitable. How does this key for the group remain relevant?
It brings a lot to the music because we focus on the professionalism of the individual. It’s supposed to be a training ground for talent and leaders in the making. We want them to focus and expose their gifts, and really be challenged. God allows individuals to come into the Higher Calling who specialize in music, arranging, composing, whatever they do, so that the band can be successful. Every Monday night for the last 25 years, we’ve been doing this.
What are you most looking forward to in 2021?
Musically, this God pushes us to a whole new level and a whole new audience that we wouldn’t usually have the opportunity to interact with. Personally, I expect God to amaze me and my wife with endless possibilities to love each other and enjoy married life.
The post office Exclusive: Kevin Lemons Reminds Us That All Things Are ‘Working For Your Good’ first appeared on TCB.
Author: Herb Longs
Link to the source of the publication
( —)