Photo by Karina Selyuzhitskaya
you have to be thrown into the den . To know that He can resurrect dead things , and dreams , and relationships , unfortunately you have to see some things die . But we get to experience an element of God ’ s character we wouldn ’ t have been able to experience any other way . So that ’ s what the song “ Famous For ” is about , and having Christine and Jenn , and for the TBN performance for the Dove Awards I actually have Jekalyn Carr with me , who is a phenomenal Gospel artist . She ’ s going to be featured on the song with me as well . I ’ m just believing for a moment that ’ s filled with hope and encouragement and that we ’ re going to see people inspired as they watch from home .
[ WM ] Your newest album Citizen of Heaven , is absolutely packed full of terrific songs and performances , including the great Kirk Franklin . What can you tell us about the song and recording “ Millionaire ” ( Good Like That ) with Kirk Franklin ?
[ Tauren ] It ’ s a childhood dream come true to be able to have Kirk Franklin on a song of mine . When I was singing the Nu Nation Project songs , and “ Melodies from Heaven ” as a kid , I wouldn ’ t have imagined that it would be possible that I ’ d get to call Kirk a friend and that he would be a collaborator with me . It ’ s truly an honor that he would lend his platform , influence , time , energy , and resources to a song like this . It ’ s just amazing to me . I hope it reminds people of the goodness of God . It ’ s kind of a “ swaggy ” way to say count your blessings , and that God
Millionaire
Trenches ( Sunday A . M .) [ Stellar Awards Version ] has been really good . If there was a monetary way that we could account for God ’ s goodness we would all be millionaires .
[ WM ] And your song “ Trenches ” from Citizen of Heaven , was such a great moment for the Stellar Awards . Tell us about this magnificent and soulful 6 / 8 composition , and the recording / video with Donald Lawrence and Co .?
[ Tauren ] ( laughs ) That ’ s just another legendary moment that I couldn ’ t have ever orchestrated , it ’ s just the Lord . I was out on tour with Lionel Richie and Mariah Carey , and Donald Lawrence came out to one of the shows and so I got to meet him . I didn ’ t know that introduction would later turn into a later collaboration . I really have to give Donald the credit on this one because the song exists on my album Citizen of Heaven , but on a completely different sonic experience . It ’ s more of a pop feeling , but with a deeply emotive lyric I think . We just wanted to work together so Donald was just listening through the album , and he said , “ Man , this song “ Trenches ” is special and it could really speak , especially to a Gospel audience if we