( ENSPIRE Music ) Grammy-Nominated Gospel Artist and Songwriter Todd Dulaney, Set to Release New EP “The Journey”
ENSPIRE Contributor: Anastasia Petridis
Ahead of the release of his upcoming EP “The Journey,” Grammy-nominated gospel artist and songwriter Todd Dulaney is inspiring audiences across the U.S. while on tour with the iconic performer CeCe Winans. On the six-city “Believe for It” tour, Dulaney accompanies Winans on stage to perform noteworthy songs from their repertoires including “Victory Belongs to Jesus” and “King of Glory.”
The upcoming ten-track EP “The Journey” features new music from Dulaney and guest appearances from artists Hezekiah Walker, Darrel Walls, Jabari Johnson, Tim Godfrey, and more. The EP is a culmination of all he has experienced on his journey in both music and his life. The soulful and encouraging artists encircling him during “Believe for It” have catapulted him “into the next level of his music and ministry and has paved the way for “The Journey” to impact generations of gospel music enthusiasts,” according to Dulaney.
Speaking with Dulaney about his new EP and his experience on the “Believe for It” national tour, check out the interview below.
At the start, what inspired you to create your gospel music?
To be honest and authentic, I only wanted to sing Gospel music to point toward Christ. That’s all. Not to get a name for myself. Not to win awards. Simply to point the world back to Jesus. I feel like the musicianship, production, and creativity of Gospel music has been and is on display so MUCH MORE than the message. Seeing this grieved me, so I made it my mission to get back to the basics – the Bible and the presence of God. Forget the chops and riffs. I use music to get us all back to that sacred place in God.
How has creating “The Journey” and touring with CeCe Winans influenced your journey with faith?
Creating “The Journey” has been just that, a journey. I practice total trust in God, how He wants to use me, and who He wants me to be connected with professionally and personally. In the middle of my journey, God gifted me an opportunity to tour with CeCe Winans. She gave me so much wisdom and knowledge, having been doing this work in ministry and music practically her whole life. She reminded me never to compromise my mission or my walk with Christ. She’s as plugged into her faith as anyone you’ll ever know, so being around her gave me strength and allowed me to see a brighter future on my journey. Touring with CeCe gave my faith a boost I didn’t know it needed. The journey isn’t always pretty, but it’s so worth it.
Can you explain the artistic process behind your performances on tour? How did you decide on your set list and stage setup?
Now, THIS is a brilliant question. There is so much that goes into planning a concert and a tour. It’s a beast! I’m very strategic when I decide on a set list where I recognize that the crowd is diverse (for example, CeCe Winans draws all cultures). Certain songs would hit hard in an African American Church but lose the punch it needs to hold a more diverse crowd. I chose songs that would allow me to engage all ages and worship cultures. A sample of my go-to sets includes “Free Worshipper,” “The Anthem,” and “Victory Belongs To Jesus.” And, of course, because of its popularity with the people, “Your Great Name” never fails to set the room right.
What impact has gospel music had on your life and your musical work?
Gospel music has always been a necessary part of my and my family’s lives. I can’t remember a time in my life when Gospel music wasn’t at the forefront of my hearing. Gospel music raised me. Gospel music shaped me. In times when I had no hope or faith left in God, gospel music pointed me to the light at the end of the tunnel. Gospel music points me back to God. God is where my hope rests; gospel music reminds me of this.
What do you hope listeners take away from “The Journey”?
My heart desires that people will feel the Spirit of God as they listen to my music. Without the Spirit of God, people may as well listen to any other genre. Seriously. God’s spirit separates us and releases things in atmospheres that bring forth what we need. I need the people to get what they need from God so they have a foundation to fall back on when life does what it does. Everything else falls in place as long as God is at the center.
Todd Dulaney has transformed gospel music, elevating it with a unique faithfulness driven by his experiences in life and on tour surrounded by other faith-driven artists. His release of “The Journey will underscore his unforgettable music and ministry across the country,” further cementing Dulaney as a paramount gospel musician.
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