Paul Christensen and the award winning Omega Productions crew were recently in Houston shooting Zomba Music Group artists Fred Hammond, Hezekiah Walker, Byron Cage and William Murphy for a live
CD and DVD release in association with Tavis Smiley’s 2006 State of the Black Union Seminar. The concert, held at Houston’s well known St. Agnes Church, featured some of the best know and loved artists on the Zomba Group of labels. The live event was held at the end of the Tavis Smiley seminar and became a fitting wrap up to the well attended 2006 State of the Black Union. Producing the live concert in conjunction with Tavis Smiley was Zomba Music Group Vice President and Verity
Records President, Max L. Siegel, assisted by Monica Coates, Senior Director of A. & R. for Verity Records.
After a welcome by Tavis Smiley and Max Siegel and the introduction of the MC for the evening, Hezekiah Walker , the concert got off to a roaring start with each of the artists taking turns sharing some of their best known hits. The stage bristled with energy and vibrant color as William Murphy, Byron Cage and the venerable Fred Hammond strutted the
platform dispensing songs and leading fans on an evening of musical mastery.
The project, destined to be a well received CD and DVD, was Executive Produced by Max Siegel and Monica Coates. 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 Kraig Mewa on Hand Held Camera, Andrew Dean on Steadicam, Thomas McDonald on Jimmy Jib and Steve Cobb, Brad Burkons and John Perry on Fixed Cameras. Andrew Dean also provided all of the behind the scenes footage.
The stage was transformed into a spectacular wash of color and sculpted set design by Lighting Director Daryl Wattley, Image Designers, Atlanta, ably assisted by Programmer Chris Merriman, Sandals Design, Chicago. 
Magnum Lighting, Atlanta, provided the conventional and intelligent lighting for the project. Harvest Media Television Group (HMTV), Jacksonville, Florida, provided remote television facilities, with the assistance of Managing Director, Carey Goin, who also served as Field Producer for the project. Chris Sullivan, Digital Media Associates, Baton Rouge, Louisiana, served as Engineer in Charge (EIC). John Johns, In-Sync, Inc., Dallas, provided video engineering expertise and shaded the cameras to capture the vibrant look of the stage.
Serving as Local Coordinating Producer, Ernest Walker, President and CEO of Walker Entertainment Group was instrumental in handling many crucial details including local labor, 
venue schedules, catering and other items. Walker was assisted by Damian Harris. Christensen also enlisted the help of Charles Harris, Jr., Atlanta, who coordinated all the technical aspects of the talent, including staging, backline, sound reinforcement and recording. Remote recording facilities were provided by Watermark Communications, Nashville. Watermark’s owner and chief engineer, David Habegger, provided the recording expertise for the CD and DVD sound track, ably assisted
by Joseph Logsdon and Casey Graham. LD Systems Inc., Houston, served as sound reinforcement vendor, with the able assistance of LD’s RogerSchultz. Matt Sterling provided the concert mix at the Front of House position while Steve Cross handled Monitor Engineer duties. Jeff Keaton and Justin Sinclair assisted as well as serving as Systems Techs. St. Agnes staff Stephanie Roland, Church Coordinator and Yvonne Dubra, Church Manager, provided
additional logistical support along with Sam Moore, Facilities Manager. Other Houston based companies contributing to the success of the project were Bleisch Production Services who built the custom staging, Applied Production Services who provided generators and Scott Briggs, AV Technical Support, Inc., who provided some of the television crew. Indianapolis based Jonas Productions served as backline vendor for the various talent.
Over the years, Paul and Donna Christensen and their Omega crew have had the pleasure of producing a number of live concert DVDs for Fred Hammond and Hezekiah Walker. As a result, it was a special treat to have the opportunity to work on this project. Our thanks
go out to all the fine folks at the Zomba Music Group and Verity Records including Max Siegel, Monica Coates and Damon Williams. We would also like to thank the staff of St. Agnes Church, Pastor Gene A. Moore, Sr., Stephanie Roland, Yvonne Dubra, Sam Moore and Music Director Kevin Graves, for supporting us and making all of our crew feel right at home. Last but not least, a big thanks goes out to Denise Pines and Sasheen Artis with the Smiley Group as well as Stev Stephens, Marc Harrison and Tommy Caprio with KCET Television, Los Angeles. They were a great help all week.
More information on Verity artists is available at www.verityrecords.com. You can learn more about the ministry at St. Agnes Church by going to www.marchoffaith.com. Tavis Smiley info is available at www.tavistalks.com .
