One Generation of Praise

When the singers of 1 G.O.P. -- that's One Generation of Praise -- shout for you to "Getcha praise on," you know this ain't your granny's gospel music. This 15-member group is an outgrowth of youth programs at Higher Dimensions Family Church, and they get jiggy with modern R&B and hip-hop stylings in their music. Still new to the scene, this group is beginning to record its unique music and reach a wider congregation ... er, audience.
- By Staff Reports

When the singers of 1 G.O.P. -- that's One Generation of Praise -- shout for you to "Getcha praise on," you know this ain't your granny's gospel music. This 15-member group is an outgrowth of youth programs at Higher Dimensions Family Church, and they get jiggy with modern R&B and hip-hop stylings in their music. Still new to the scene, this group is beginning to record its unique music and reach a wider congregation ... er, audience.
- By Staff Reports

South Tulsa band nominated for 2002 Spot Music Award
Wherever they go, two things are becoming more and more apparent to the 15 members of Tulsa's young Christian R&B group 1 G.O.P. -- that's One Generation of Praise.

First, nobody else does gospel quite like they do gospel.

Their R&B and hip-hop approach to contemporary Christian music is unique to the area, maybe even the genre.

Second, they want to do their gospel where nobody else does gospel.

Congregations and Christian conferences are cool, but why not perform at parks and clubs, too?

Gospel recording labels are good, but why not sign with a mainstream or pop label?

Those are questions the young group will answer
over time. For now, they'll keep encouraging their growing audience to "Getcha praise on!"

"Everywhere we would go, the type of music they were singing was nothing like the type of music we would sing," said 1 G.O.P bass player Gabriel Bonner, the group's front man, of the preferred genres at the churches and venues at which the group started out performing. "So we had a lot of talent, but there really wasn't an outlet for it.

"Wherever the message of Christ needed to be, that's where we wanted to be. The people we want to talk to, they're probably not going to be at church. We want to take it to people who don't know about Christ."

Higher Dimensions Family Church youth minister Terrell Taylor, whose vision was to create a youth performance group that praised God and declared God's works to its generation with its unique sound, founded the group in November 2001.

It's comprised of 10 vocalists and five musicians, the bulk of which came from Higher Dimensions, and, with the exception of Bonner, who's 32, everyone is between the ages of 13 and 21.

But, Bonner said, you wouldn't know that they're just kids.

"Their (recording label representatives) main response (to hearing 1 G.O.P.) is, 'Are you sure they are that young?'" Bonner said. "If you're standing in front of them, you'd never know they are just kids."

"These guys really have a mature attitude toward Christ," added Bonner, noting that they know they're not perfect, so they're not judgmental, and it shows in their music.

"They're just young people that are doing their best to please God and tell people about him."

To date, 1 G.O.P has performed for several events and churches, including the nationally known Azusa Conference in April 2002, and they have been featured in Gospel Truth magazine.

The group recently released a maxi-single compact disc titled "Praise 2 This" with Integrity Records on Azusa Praise 2. The single can be found at Higher Dimension Family Church bookstore, 8621 S. Memorial Drive.

Although they are yet to select a recording label from the offers on their table, they are currently working on a full 17-track release they hope to have ready in January.

And 1 G.O.P. has also been nominated for a 2002 Spot Music Awards as best contemporary Christian act.

The Sport Music Awards honor Tulsa-area musicians and singers, and are scheduled for Oct. 12 at the Brady Theater, and 1 G.O.P. will perform at the awards.

Ticket prices range from $10 to $20 and are available at the Brady Theater box office, area Albertson's stores, www.startickets.com, or by calling 582-7239.

Bonner said the group was always confident that its act would be well received, but that doesn't mean the young people in 1 G.O.P aren't enjoying the success.

However, they're also growing impatient, as young people tend to do, because they're anxious to step up and take the message of their first full release to a bigger audience. That's why they are slowly but surely fielding offers from recording labels.

Though they are gospel, they aren't what people think of when they think of gospel, or even contemporary Christian music, so they're wary of signing with such a label.

And, with their hip-hop appeal, they think they can woe the ear of new R&B listeners.

But they're still a hip-hop act with a message that's drastically different from most in the genre, and they don't want to lose that message in an effort to appeal to more people.

"We're starting to get a lot of attention, good attention," Bonner said.

"We can feel it getting ready to happen for us, but I think everybody is getting a little frustrated (with the waiting). Still, I think everybody knew it would get big. Now, it's just a matter of time."
- By Tim Waldorf World Staff Writer

South Tulsa band nominated for 2002 Spot Music Award
Wherever they go, two things are becoming more and more apparent to the 15 members of Tulsa's young Christian R&B group 1 G.O.P. -- that's One Generation of Praise.

First, nobody else does gospel quite like they do gospel.

Their R&B and hip-hop approach to contemporary Christian music is unique to the area, maybe even the genre.

Second, they want to do their gospel where nobody else does gospel.

Congregations and Christian conferences are cool, but why not perform at parks and clubs, too?

Gospel recording labels are good, but why not sign with a mainstream or pop label?

Those are questions the young group will answer
over time. For now, they'll keep encouraging their growing audience to "Getcha praise on!"

"Everywhere we would go, the type of music they were singing was nothing like the type of music we would sing," said 1 G.O.P bass player Gabriel Bonner, the group's front man, of the preferred genres at the churches and venues at which the group started out performing. "So we had a lot of talent, but there really wasn't an outlet for it.

"Wherever the message of Christ needed to be, that's where we wanted to be. The people we want to talk to, they're probably not going to be at church. We want to take it to people who don't know about Christ."

Higher Dimensions Family Church youth minister Terrell Taylor, whose vision was to create a youth performance group that praised God and declared God's works to its generation with its unique sound, founded the group in November 2001.

It's comprised of 10 vocalists and five musicians, the bulk of which came from Higher Dimensions, and, with the exception of Bonner, who's 32, everyone is between the ages of 13 and 21.

But, Bonner said, you wouldn't know that they're just kids.

"Their (recording label representatives) main response (to hearing 1 G.O.P.) is, 'Are you sure they are that young?'" Bonner said. "If you're standing in front of them, you'd never know they are just kids."

"These guys really have a mature attitude toward Christ," added Bonner, noting that they know they're not perfect, so they're not judgmental, and it shows in their music.

"They're just young people that are doing their best to please God and tell people about him."

To date, 1 G.O.P has performed for several events and churches, including the nationally known Azusa Conference in April 2002, and they have been featured in Gospel Truth magazine.

The group recently released a maxi-single compact disc titled "Praise 2 This" with Integrity Records on Azusa Praise 2. The single can be found at Higher Dimension Family Church bookstore, 8621 S. Memorial Drive.

Although they are yet to select a recording label from the offers on their table, they are currently working on a full 17-track release they hope to have ready in January.

And 1 G.O.P. has also been nominated for a 2002 Spot Music Awards as best contemporary Christian act.

The Sport Music Awards honor Tulsa-area musicians and singers, and are scheduled for Oct. 12 at the Brady Theater, and 1 G.O.P. will perform at the awards.

Ticket prices range from $10 to $20 and are available at the Brady Theater box office, area Albertson's stores, www.startickets.com, or by calling 582-7239.

Bonner said the group was always confident that its act would be well received, but that doesn't mean the young people in 1 G.O.P aren't enjoying the success.

However, they're also growing impatient, as young people tend to do, because they're anxious to step up and take the message of their first full release to a bigger audience. That's why they are slowly but surely fielding offers from recording labels.

Though they are gospel, they aren't what people think of when they think of gospel, or even contemporary Christian music, so they're wary of signing with such a label.

And, with their hip-hop appeal, they think they can woe the ear of new R&B listeners.

But they're still a hip-hop act with a message that's drastically different from most in the genre, and they don't want to lose that message in an effort to appeal to more people.

"We're starting to get a lot of attention, good attention," Bonner said.

"We can feel it getting ready to happen for us, but I think everybody is getting a little frustrated (with the waiting). Still, I think everybody knew it would get big. Now, it's just a matter of time."
- By Tim Waldorf World Staff Writer

Relax, it's not a Republican Party band. The group's name stands for One Generation of Praise, and when they shout for you to "getcha praise on," you'll know right away that this ain't granny's gospel music. The 15-member group is an outgrowth of youth programs at Higher Dimensions Family Church, and they're bound to get quite jiggy with some modern R&B and hip-hop freestyles.
- By THOMAS CONNER World Entertainment Writer

Relax, it's not a Republican Party band. The group's name stands for One Generation of Praise, and when they shout for you to "getcha praise on," you'll know right away that this ain't granny's gospel music. The 15-member group is an outgrowth of youth programs at Higher Dimensions Family Church, and they're bound to get quite jiggy with some modern R&B and hip-hop freestyles.
- By THOMAS CONNER World Entertainment Writer

One G.O.P. received a standing ovation after practically tearing the roof off Cain's. - By JENNIFER CHANCELLOR World Scene Writer

One G.O.P. received a standing ovation after practically tearing the roof off Cain's. - By JENNIFER CHANCELLOR World Scene Writer

1 G.O.P. delivers powerhouse gospel that converts listeners into believers


If you happened to be at the Brady Theater in 2002 for the Spot Music Awards, you might remember a certain young gospel group that brought the entire theater to its feet.

The group's name stands for Generation of Praise, and this band of 17 singers and musicians takes praise music to a whole new height. The members of 1 G.O.P. were as young as 13 years old at the time of that performance. Now these high school- and college-age musicians have the band's first true album, "The Prototype." It encapsulates the vocal act's soaring spirituality, lifted by incredible singers backed by an R&B band with a modern edge.

"God really blessed us to be able to do this," said the group's musical director, Michael Todd. The band will perform Friday at the Blue Dome Diner for its CD release party.

Higher Dimensions Family Church youth minister Terrell Taylor founded the group in 2001, intending to create a youth performance troupe. Taylor has moved on, Todd said, and the group is continuing without him.

About three years ago, internationally acclaimed jazz bassist Wayman Tisdale took Todd, a drummer, under his wing
and showed him some recording tricks.

After recording part of the album live in Tulsa, Todd used his connections with Tisdale, who appears on the album's "Paid the Price," to hook up the band with a slick LA mixer, who put the final shine on the album.

The group's members are music majors, dance majors, psychology majors, barbers, beauticians and law school students, Todd said.

The group's singers are Brionna Custard, Melody Vinnett, Geneice Wilson, Bryanna Davis, Leslie Thaxton, Domenica Williams, Fredrick Custard, Aaron Davis, Lawrence Rosenborough, TJ Williams and Brittany Jackson. Gabriel Bonner plays bass and Kayla Lee is the lead guitarist. The keyboard and organ players are Stephen Vey, Brian Jones and Aaron Tyler. Todd is the drummer.

The group performed last weekend at Grambling State University in Louisiana for the college's music department anniversary.

It also has performed in Florida, Texas, California, playing for church congregations, outdoor events, in clubs and stadiums, Todd said.

"That's one thing, that we're not bound to any building. Our message doesn't change. We're talking about God and everything that he is to us, no matter where it is. If it's at the casino, our message is the same."

The album will be available at www.myspace.com/1gop. - By MATT ELLIOTT World Scene Writer

1 G.O.P. delivers powerhouse gospel that converts listeners into believers


If you happened to be at the Brady Theater in 2002 for the Spot Music Awards, you might remember a certain young gospel group that brought the entire theater to its feet.

The group's name stands for Generation of Praise, and this band of 17 singers and musicians takes praise music to a whole new height. The members of 1 G.O.P. were as young as 13 years old at the time of that performance. Now these high school- and college-age musicians have the band's first true album, "The Prototype." It encapsulates the vocal act's soaring spirituality, lifted by incredible singers backed by an R&B band with a modern edge.

"God really blessed us to be able to do this," said the group's musical director, Michael Todd. The band will perform Friday at the Blue Dome Diner for its CD release party.

Higher Dimensions Family Church youth minister Terrell Taylor founded the group in 2001, intending to create a youth performance troupe. Taylor has moved on, Todd said, and the group is continuing without him.

About three years ago, internationally acclaimed jazz bassist Wayman Tisdale took Todd, a drummer, under his wing
and showed him some recording tricks.

After recording part of the album live in Tulsa, Todd used his connections with Tisdale, who appears on the album's "Paid the Price," to hook up the band with a slick LA mixer, who put the final shine on the album.

The group's members are music majors, dance majors, psychology majors, barbers, beauticians and law school students, Todd said.

The group's singers are Brionna Custard, Melody Vinnett, Geneice Wilson, Bryanna Davis, Leslie Thaxton, Domenica Williams, Fredrick Custard, Aaron Davis, Lawrence Rosenborough, TJ Williams and Brittany Jackson. Gabriel Bonner plays bass and Kayla Lee is the lead guitarist. The keyboard and organ players are Stephen Vey, Brian Jones and Aaron Tyler. Todd is the drummer.

The group performed last weekend at Grambling State University in Louisiana for the college's music department anniversary.

It also has performed in Florida, Texas, California, playing for church congregations, outdoor events, in clubs and stadiums, Todd said.

"That's one thing, that we're not bound to any building. Our message doesn't change. We're talking about God and everything that he is to us, no matter where it is. If it's at the casino, our message is the same."

The album will be available at www.myspace.com/1gop. - By MATT ELLIOTT World Scene Writer

Spot Music Awards will feature area music royalty

The performers

When 1 G.O.P. performed at the Spotniks in 2002, this group of what was then a teen gospel group of singers and dancers nearly brought down the roof. This Generation Of Praise has grown up, and is ready to spread the spirit once more. - By JENNIFER CHANCELLOR World Scene Writer

Spot Music Awards will feature area music royalty

The performers

When 1 G.O.P. performed at the Spotniks in 2002, this group of what was then a teen gospel group of singers and dancers nearly brought down the roof. This Generation Of Praise has grown up, and is ready to spread the spirit once more. - By JENNIFER CHANCELLOR World Scene Writer