Fred Hammond

Reviewer Mark Weber comments on the latest Christmas CDs from Fred Hammond, The Brooklyn Tabernacle Choir, and NewSong.
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Fred Hammond

"Christmas…Just Remember"

(Verity Records)

Though Fred Hammond has found much success in the gospel genre with past releases like "Purpose By Design," the talented singer-songwriter is ready to reach whole new audiences.His "Christmas…Just Remember" is one of the better R&B Christmas CDs to come around in a long time.It's very accessible to R&B fans who don't normally buy gospel discs.

Oftentimes, an artist may have only one or two Christmas hits on an album, and you're forced to sit through the same-old classic songs that have been remade countless times.Fred Hammond raises the bar with his new Verity release, "Christmas…Just Remember."By co-writing most of his own material, like the opening "His Name Is Jesus," Hammond manages to fuse modern R&B music with overtly Christian lyrics in an appealing way.

A majority of the songs on "Christmas…Just Remember" specifically relate to the birth of the Savior."It Took a Child to Save the World" is one of those: "From God in the highest/Heaven made a way in a manger/From God in the highest/Love was born through a simple virgin/It took a child to save the world" goes the chorus.

While much of "Christmas…Just Remember" represents original R&B, there are exceptions.
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Fred Hammond has made an R&B Christmas disc people will be spinning year after year.This one is destined to be a classic.

Brooklyn Tabernacle Choir

"Light of the World"

Fred Hammond
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Fred Hammond discusses how God taught him how to praise and sings on The 700 Club's outdoor show.

NEW SOUND

After his dad died of cancer when he was 9, Fred and his two brothers where taken to church regularly by their devout, musically-gifted mother, Mildred.Growing up in Detroit and always musical himself, Fred was heavily influenced by the Motown Sound.But Fred also grew up in the Pentecostal Church, which frowned on mixing the two, fearing it was of the world.Loving God, Fred turned down secular venues where he could make lots of money as his friends did, choosing to make $70-80 per week at a local car dealership.Fred saw his future in music in 1981 when the Winans released their first album, Introducing the Winans."That's when I knew I could do this," he says.

After playing with the Winans for two years learning the music business, 21-year-old Fred talked to some friends and formed the group Commissioned in 1983.At first his mother refused to support the youthful sound, but as she listened to the first song, God spoke to her, saying He had His hand on Fred.Mildred then gave her total support.Commissioned's sound and look startled the traditional church community, but listeners embraced them, propelling the group to unqualified success and recognition.After 10 years, Fred sensed the Lord was calling him out to do another kind of music.

SONGS GOD LOVES

Fred's new musical quest began with a vision in 1993 in which he saw God on His throne and pouring out songs He loved.Fred was shown another vision months later.

At the time Fred knew nothing about praise and worship, but he eventually committed the next year to learning everything he could about it.Fred wanted to prepare Commissioned for the coming season, but he finally departed the group to start anew when they didn't receive the new direction.It was something Fred knew he had to do.

During 1993 he started a 30-voice choir, which was eventually whittled down to 12.As Fred dwelt in the Word, God gave him new songs of praise.In 1995, he and new group, Radical for Christ, recorded their first album, The Inner Court, in his garage.Crowds loved it and it caught the attention of executives at Integrity Music, who formed a partnership with Fred to develop a praise and worship line for the urban church.

Praise in the House debuted in 1995 and did extremely well.At a church service later Fred was inspired by the chords the organist was playing.When he stood to minister, the Lord said, "No weapon formed against you shall prosper."Words to this song came as if he'd seen them written, and the song, "No Weapon," has become one of his signature cuts from his second album and has earned him a Dove Award nomination.His new CD, Purpose by Design, takes his praise and worship ministry to a higher level.

Fred says people who miss the new move of God musically will be left out.This is a new season and "Everybody who thinks in the [old] season won't make it in the new season."After searching for a time to find what moved God's heart, Fred is committed to following God into the new season, blessing Him with music that glorifies Jesus.He has his own record label, F. Hammond Music Series, which debuts this fall with a praise and worship compilation.

FAMILY MAN

Fred has been married for 14 years to wife Kim and has two children, 12-year-old BreeAnn and adopted 2-year-old son, Darius.Having grown up without his dad, he is committed to being an involved father in spite of his demanding schedule.He makes the best use of his time with his children."I make sure my daughter gets the proper amount of hugs," he says."I affirm who she is and my son as well."

700 CLUB LIVE PERFORMANCE