By: Karen Hunt-Barker (Photos courtesty of Karen Hunt-Barker, Hatten Young, and Rick Lee - All Rights Reserved)

The gospel legacy continues, as Keirra Sheard, her brother, J Drew Sheard II (JDS), and her choir, Bold Right Life (BRL) rocked the Harold Washington Cultural Center February 28, 2011. Talent runs deep in the Sheard family as Kierra provides the soaring vocals and JDS is the producer and drummer for the new CD, entitled “FREE.”

We could feel the element of high expectation as we entered the rehearsal.  Keirra was giving her choir, Bold Right Life (BRL), their parts and they were practicing their moves. The KaRew Records team was putting names on the seats, of all the famous folk who were going to be in the house. Kierra could rest assured that her current record label, KaRew Records, was taking real good care of her, as they have all her life, since the “Ka” in KaRew represents her legendary mom, Karen Clark Sheard, and the “Rew” represents her anointed father, Bishop J. Drew Sheard.

As the flyers for the event stated, “the Clark legacy continues,” and we were sure we were about to witness more gospel music history in the making as we began setting up our cameras and Keirra gave us a warm smile and a wave. We could not take our eyes off the stage, or keep our feet from moving, as Keirra rehearsed and began moving across the stage. And, this was just rehearsal!

At 5:30 PM (CST), the lines began to form outside of the Harold Washington Cultural Center in anticipation of the 7:00 PM Live Recording. Before Kierra took the stage, J Drew Sheard (JDS) and the Band hyped the packed crowd with their musicianship from on high. When an ever so beautiful and energetic Keirra entered with BRL, they delivered as expected.  You could feel the floor moving as Keirra, JDS, the Band and the BRL Choir “put it down” for Jesus, the new school way.

The opening performance was reminiscent of Janet Jackson’s Rhythm Nation music video, but done for the Gospel of Jesus Christ. It was no time for resting once Keirra, BRL, JDS and the Band began collectively performing and ministering. Everywhere you turned, you could see people standing, and pumping up their arms with Keirra and BRL.  If you are looking for an exercise CD or DVD, this is the one to put on your list. 

Keirra’s special guest artists were Stellar Award winner, James Fortune, and gospel rap duo, Sonz of the Most High, who performed with her on the final song.  The new project, entitled FREE, includes songs written by her first cousin, Angel Chisolm, who is the daughter of Jackie Clark-Chisolm of The Clark Sisters.

Chicago’s gospel community came out in support of Keirra’s live recording including Chicago’s own 102.3 FM radio show host Darryll S. King, Inspiration AM 1390’s Sonya Blakey (who was the opening host), AM 1390’s Pastor John Hannah, Grammy Award winner Donald Lawrence, and Chicago gospel artists Walt Whitman, The Brown Sisters, Elle Adell (who sings on Kirk Whalum’s latest CD), Anita Wilson, and SETH.

Those who made the trip from Detroit included her very proud parents and KaRew Records label executives, Detroit’s own Bishop J. Drew Sheard and Grammy & Stellar Award winner Karen Clark Sheard. Also showing up in Chi-Town were Kierra’s aunt, Grammy &  Stellar Award winner, Twinkie Clark, her first cousin, Stellar Award Winner, J Moss (PAJAM), Eric “Bishop” Taylor, Ron Kelly, Kierra’s fiance’, Pastor Welton Smith IV, and a bus load of supporters from her home church Greater Emmanuel Institutional Church of God In Christ.

Bold Right Life Choir (BRL) is a choir formed by Keirra back in 2007, and I had an opportunity to chat with BRL Member, Jeemell Green who explained Keirra’s vision and why he was so excited to be a part of this history making event. As Jeemell shared, gospel music and ministry is literally in Keirra Sheard’s blood, and the new CD, FREE, bridges old school with new school.  With a scheduled release date of August 2011, look for the CD and DVD on KaRew Records. For more information, visit http://www.KaRewRecords.com.