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 Fall, 2003 There was a great sense of anticipation for what was about to happen. People were happy and excited that the Evolution II tour had come to Houston.  The concert lineup was an incredible group of new artists and veterans, with a great mix of praise and worship, neo soul, urban, traditional and hip hop. No one could say that they were feeling left out because their favorite type of Gospel Music was not sung.The concert started with local artist, Bridget Taylor of the group ALC. Taylor graced the church with her melodic soprano runs and sure-fire urban hits. She was singing and ministering as if she had been doing this for years. It did not hurt that she was singing in from of her home church. In came the band. The band consisted of Percy Bady serving as organist and music director, Nathan East on keys, Maurice Fitzgerald on bass and Ray Bady had double duty as drummer and MC for the night. Urban pop artist Kelcey entered, and delivered a smooth song thus causing more anticipation of her 2004 debut release on B-Rite Music. The audience was very receptive of this promising new artist. Then hip hop artists and ministers Corey Red and Precise took the stage. This was the first time that a tour of this magnitude featured a holy hip hop act, and Red and Precise did not disappoint. They served up dope rhymes, ministered the Gospel and interacted with the audience with sheer grace and excellence. Oh and the people loved it! People screamed in great delight when Corey Red and Precise delivered the Gospel in the form of hip hop. After the duo left the stage, the place was charged up and the anticipation was raised a level. Enter Debra Killings. Killings came in with her bass and the band kicked in the groove, "Message in the Music". The moment that she started singing, people jumped up and grooved along with her. Then she torched her other radio hit, "Jesus" and mixed in the worship song, "Bow Down". Debra Killings left the place in a time of worship. Lisa McClendon was next, and got the crowd hyped with the head bobber "Hey Now". She kept it real with the married-themed "Stuck (Love's Anthem)". There were many married couples who were identifying with this song about God's covenant including Yolanda Adams Crawford. Lisa ended her set with the worshipful "You Are Holy". McLendon crooned through this song while leading us into the presence of God.  Percy Bady came after Lisa McLendon and he started to sing the chorus of "You are Holy" because there were many people that were still worshipping. Then he sang his hit song "You Outta Been There" from his debut solo album. The two male backup singers did a great job serving as the "Soul Seekers" on this song. Bady then went down memory lane singing some of the songs that wrote for other artists. Fetrice from San Diego joined him on the BeBe and CeCe classic, "Until Love Came". The place erupted when Percy and crew sang the Tommies' song "Take it Jesus". People shouted and danced for a little while and then Ray Bady grabbed the mike, and got ready to announce Virtue. But he couldn't help himself and started to exhort the people and went into singing "Available to You" by the Tommies.Virtue came to the stage with such passion as they sang "Lord I Lift My Hands" Each sister sang with sheer energy and passion. Then they sang the encouraging "Just Be You". Then they sent the place into a groove session with "He's Been Good" from their Virtuosity release. These ladies had great stage presence and powerful vocal delivery.
Of course, Ms. Tonex (Yvette Williams) had a chance to display her skills during Tonex's set. Just when you thought that you had seen all of his dance moves, Tonex breaks out some Broadway steps and delivered. He sang a traditional/urban jam called "Work on Me". Everything about this song was remarkable; the background singing on this song was killer. Tonex gave a slower church feel to "God Has Not 4Got". Percy worked the organ, the background singers "killed" again, and Tonex ministered. He even went into "The Sun Will Come Out Tomorrow" from the movie, Annie. Only Tonex can effectively make that song relevant to Christ! The Nureau specialist even did a few theme songs from famous sitcoms such as The Fresh Prince of Bel Air and The Jeffersons. Everyone sang the songs in unison. Byron Cage was the last artist off the night and he ended the night with a beautiful praise and worship setting, with "Praise Medley", exhorted the crowd and just encouraged everyone to live a lifestyle of worship. Kurt Carr was in the audience and Cage paid homage to him for producing such an anointed CD. "The Prince of Praise" gave Kurt the title of "Mr. Carr" as a sign of respect.
The night would not have been right if Byron Cage didn't sing his smash, "The Presence of the Lord is Here". He called on all of the artists of the night to come on stage and sing it with him. There was even a bonus for the night. Cage called on Kurt Carr, who then pulled Yolanda Adams Crawford to the stage. This excited everyone and they did not disappoint. "Mr. Carr" gave his usual adlibs and exhortation and "Yo Yo" delivered her usual powerhouse singing. What a way to end an already special night! Props has to be given to the background singers (Ms. Tonex, Fetrice, Kelcey, Nikki Ross and a few other great vocalists). They sang with power clarity and adjusted to the style of every artist that they backed up. They were so good that there were many in the audience that looked at them in amazement. This was a concert and a tour of a lifetime. There was great camaraderie amongst the artists. Bring on Evolution III! Email This Article To A Friend
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