Paul Christensen and the award winning Omega Productions crew were recently in Mississippi shooting 4 Life Miracle Records artists The Gospel 4 for a live CD and DVD release. The concert was held at the Livingston Performing Arts & Media Center, located in beautiful Roosevelt State Park, Morton, Mississippi, near Jackson and featured performances by The Gospel 4 and 4 Life’s other artists, Bishop Nathaniel Bond & the Ensemble, Greg Kelly & Foundation, and The Evereadys. One of the best kept secrets in the production world, The Livingston Performing Arts and Media Center is a well equipped television production theater with seating for 600 people including lobby, public restrooms, auditorium, sound and lighting production rooms as well as dressing rooms. The professional stage has a 3,200-square foot performance and staging area and boasts a 50-foot proscenium. The facility is located in rustic Roosevelt State Park along with other support facilities, which include overnight lodge rooms, cabins, campgrounds, and group camps. Recreational facilities include a swimming pool, water slide, boating and fishing. Alfreda Lodge, located next door, can accommodate 300 people for meetings and banquets.
The expectant crowd of devoted fans were treated to a high energy evening of spirited songs by The Gospel 4 and 4 Life’s other signed artists. George Dean, leader of the Gospel 4, led the group on a musical odyssey delivering song after song on a stage bristling with energy and vibrant color. As the evening progressed, it became evident this concert was destined to be a well received CD and DVD project.
Joe Horn, CEO of 4 Life Miracle Records, served as Executive Producer. Producing the project for 4 Life were Tyrone Porter, Vice President and Paul Porter, Director of Production along with Director of Label Operations, Thomisene Anderson. Terrell “Midge” Gatlin served as Staff Producer. Paul Christensen served as Television and Live Event Producer bringing in the award winning Omega team of shooters, including Director Don Moore. Ruthel Flunder assisted with talent and logistics. Rounding out Omega’s talented crew were Logan Gilpin and Rodney Billingsley on Hand Held Cameras,Thomas McDonald on Jimmy Jib and Dave Bunger and Paul Combel on Fixed Cameras. Logan Gilpin also provided all of the behind the scenes and interview footage.
The stage was transformed into a spectacular wash of color and impressive set design by Lighting Director Josh Cochran. StageLight Sound & Lighting, Pelahatchie, Mississippi, provided the conventional and intelligent lighting for theproject. Advantage Video Services, Inc. (AVS Media), Spanish Fort, Alabama, provided remote television facilities. Steve King, AVS Media’s President served as EIC and shaded the cameras, assisted by AVS’s David Robinson. Remote recording facilities were provided by Forrest Production Services , Tulsa, Oklahoma. Tim Kennard recorded the project, assisted by Quinton Davis. Sound Reinforcement and Back Line services were provided by StageLight Sound & Lighting, Pelahatchie, Mississippi, with the able assistance of Buck Alman, StageLight’s President, who also serves as Managing Director of the venue. Geri O’Neil provided the concert mix at the Front of House position. Jay Roberts served as Monitor Engineer.
For those of us at Omega Productions, this project was a special treat. For many years, we have known and followed the careers of Tyrone and Paul Porter and the other members of the Christianaires. We have also known Thomisene Anderson during her service at Malaco Records. We are excited about the potential they represent for Joe Horn and all the members of the 4 Miracle Life Records family. Our thanks go out to all of them as well as Midge Gatlin and Donna Creer, who were both so important to the success of the project. In addition, we wish to thank Buck Alman, Director of the Livingston Performing Arts and Media Center, for all of his assistance.