Gospel Highlights

The Bible says to make a joyful noise unto the Lord (Psalm 100:1 KJV) and that’s just what James ‘J.J.’ Hairston and Youthful Praise (YP) have been doing for almost two decades.

Hairston, the exuberant praise and worship leader of YP, joined the 35-member Bridgeport, Connecticut choir and sang in it for years before becoming co-director alongside Shawn Brown.  During that time he produced and co-wrote a lot of the choir’s songs, helping to develop its ‘nontraditional’ choir sound.

YP released its debut album Awesome God in 2001. In what seems like a classic case of preparation meeting opportunity, the album was well received and a choir that had spent years honing its craft began emerging as one of gospel music’s hottest young choirs.

After Awesome God’s release, Brown departed YP to become a pastor and Hairston assumed the role of director. He continued to write and produce the music, setting the choir on course to becoming the praise and worship ensemble it is today.

Since 2001 YP has released several albums, including Live: The Praise, The Worship (2005), which peaked at #6 on Billboard’s gospel singles chart.

Hairston and YP are now back with their forthcoming album Resting on His Promise. Gospel Highlights asked Hairston about the album and his role as front man of YP.

Gospel Highlights: Youthful Praise has been around for almost two decades. Are you the longest-serving member? How many original members are there?

Hairston: Actually I'm not the longest-serving member.  I was there the first time they sang but I was watching from the audience.  There are eight original members in the choir.

Gospel Highlights: Your mom was a choir director so you got a very early introduction to the role. Did you draw on those early memories when you became choir director?

Hairston: Kind of.  My mom directed like three choirs in the church, but it was when I was very young.  The only thing I remember from those days was being in church ALL THE TIME!  (laughs)

Gospel Highlights: The group has done several live recordings. As a choir, do you prefer the instant, live audience feedback versus working in a studio?

Hairston: Definitely.  Usually the songs that pull on the heartstrings of the live audience at the recording are the ones that will translate well on CD.  For example, one of the songs we recorded this time is called "Powerful God."  The song is six minutes on the CD, but it was 25 minutes the night of the recording.  Those types of experiences can't be captured in the studio.  Also, there was a point where Dorinda [Clark-Cole] started preaching at the recording.  That would have never happened in the studio.