March 15, 2024 • 29 mins
Good News with Twanda Black welcomes Greg "Uncle G" Lyons, CEO @ Uncle G Records; Sean Keys @ SmoothTunes Productions; Keri Fraser, Award Winning Singer/Songwriter/Worship Leader... YOU DON'T WANT TO MISS THIS ENLIGHTENING INTERVIEW... Information about the Official Release of Pastor Keri Fraser's brand new single "You Are Holy" and the amazing back story behind her journey to mainstream gospel music
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(00:03):
Thank you for joining me today onGood News with Townda Black. We're we
are discovering some of the most inspiringtrials to triumph stories and empowerment moments.
Call up a friend and let themknow it's time for some good news.
(00:23):
You arelygle. We join with Heavento worship you writing. Welcome to good
(00:54):
News. I'm your host, TowndaBlack. We talk with folks from all
walks of life about their news becauseultimately, if your brothers and sisters are
prospering and doing well and have goodnews, we are prospering and doing well
as well. So sit back,relax and enjoy our next guests. Hello
(01:15):
everybody, and welcome to Good Newswith Twanda Black. Introducing to you Sean
Keys, who is a producer andhis company is called Smooth Tunes Productions.
CEO of Uncle G Records, GregLyons in the house and we call them
Uncle G and Artist Extraordinariy. Sheis certainly a worshiper and beautiful spirit inside
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and out. Carrie Fraser joins ustoday. How's everybody doing? Awesome?
Awesome, awesome, awesome. We'regonna start with Uncle G. Always a
pleasure to have you on Uncle G. Tell us about Uncle G Records and
what you provide. What are theservices of your record company? First,
(02:04):
I have to say thanks for havingme and hello to your mom, of
course, and that's doing. Butabout Open G Records, I like to
feel that we're a independent record labelthat's had some success that can go up
against a lot of the maidens.We've had artists to go up against a
bunch of the maiden labels. We'vehad success in having number one records across
(02:30):
various platforms I guess you could say, and various charts. And also I
provide a management service, and Ialso provide a radio promotion service, but
also do all this media training andmarketing and promotion as well. What's your
favorite kind of artist to manage,produce, to do any work with.
(03:00):
First the lover of God, onethat practiced what they sing is about.
And a very humble person that hasa great work ethic. Because a lot
of times your spirit will get youplaces that your voice won't be able to
get you in. Say that that'sso true. That's so true. Sean
tell us about being a producer.Oh my goodness, you have one of
(03:23):
the toughest jobs, but one probablyof the jobs that it brings you so
much pleasure, especially when you hearthat end product talk about what you do
at Smooth Tunes Productions. Yeah,well again, thanks for having me on
as well. Man, I enjoywhat I do. You know, being
a producer is, like I'm actuallyI can say I'm living my dream.
(03:46):
It's actually what I've always wanted todo. But yeah, you know,
uh, being a producer is avery tedious but enjoyable job. I'm,
you know, pretty much spearheading upproject from Giddy Up to Woe, Like
I would like to say sure thatI'm you know, I have the right
(04:06):
singers on the project, the rightband members, booking, the right studio
coaching, you know, the vocalistto do what I believe will make the
record commercially viable for the consumer.Uh, not only for people to listen
(04:26):
to it on the radio, butfor people to actually consume it in their
personal time. So I just thankGod for you know, uh, you
know, giving me to give themusic and allowing me to you know,
use it for him and uh sothat's kind of what I do. And
I'm I'm you know, I'm gratefulto get up every morning and do it.
He give us some tips in studio. Say, if somebody comes in
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and says, I have this awesomesong I want to do and then you
hear it and you're like, butyou need to do it this way,
So give us some tips there.Yeah, well my process is a little
different. What I always like todo, especially when you're working with someone
for the first time, and pastorCarrie can attest to this is I like
to have conversations. People don't talkanymore, you know, So how can
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I possibly build that rapport with youwhere you trust me no matter what I've
done? Uh? You know,how can you I can build that report
so you can trust me. Sowhen I do tell you, hey,
I think we should take this songin this direction, you're not looking at
me with the stank face, youknow. You know, So I try
to take the time first to builda report with the with the artists,
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talk to them, get to knowthem. I'm coming over their social media's
and trying to see, you know, just you know, when they're into
what they do, uh, youknow, and then at that point,
you know, just build a reportwith them so that if there's any constructive
criticism when we do get in thestudio. They understand that it's only about
(05:57):
the song. It's not about them, it's about wrong. So I've used
that practice for a good a goodminute now and it's always you know,
worked out perfectly. You know.I haven't had anybody really like kind of
be combative or not be receptive ofwhat I'm trying to, you know,
(06:18):
convey to them or actually trying toget them to do. If anything,
I've heard a lot of artists saythat I pulled a lot of stuff out
of them that they didn't think theyhad. Inside. That fel really really
good because that means that I didit right, I did it the right
way. I built the report.You know that I got the trust,
so you know, and you know, God has allowed some amazing things to
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happen through that process, you know. So yeah, I'm excited. Definitely.
A good sign of a producer ispulling out of the artists something that
they didn't even know they had.So that is awesome. That's awesome.
Unless we moved to the beautiful CarrieFraser. Carrie we've known her for a
while on the Praise Factor platform,tell us about your artist's journey, because
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I mean, you know, pastoringmother, wife, and now artists tell
us about this journey of yours.Well, let me tell you. First
of all, you know, I'mexcited to be here and I'm so honored.
But it has been a journey,and I think that it's important for
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people to understand that part because youknow, it didn't happen overnight. It
happened over time, and so ithas indeed been a journey from just starting
out. I think the most importantthing is to have that personal relationship with
God. You know, you know, I always say when the lights go
off and the music has stopped andthey turn off the fog machine, you
(07:48):
have to have a relationship with God, and so I think it started there
and then cultivating that into worship andmeeting people along the way along a journey,
like you say, meeting those peoplewho are willing to mentor you,
to coach you, to correct you, to push you. It really brings
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you to a place where you canreally look back and and thank God for
what he has done. So it'sbeen an incredible journey and now we're in
a news space and I'm loving itabsolutely absolutely. Did you always want to
be at this level of artistry?You know, a lot of people,
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God says you're you're local, andsome people God says you are you're a
regional, and some people God saysyou're just in the church, or you
just in your shower. But insome people, some God says you are
international. Have you always wanted tobe where you're headed right now? Well,
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I always knew this is where Iwas headed. You know. I
knew from a very long time thatGod has really brought me to a place
of an international ministry. So thatwas something I was very comfortable with.
I embraced that word. But then, you know, it's one thing to
believe the word that you've heard.It's another thing to actually do what's necessary
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to get there. So I'm reallygrateful that along the way, I believe
the path was directed by God tothe right people at the right time.
You know. One of the thingsthat Uncle Jee said when we started to
work together was about the timing,about it being the right time. And
I think that we cannot get tothe place where we start to doubt the
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direction that God has taken us inbecause it might not happen when we thought
it would. But one of thethings that God always does is he prepares
us for what He has prepared forus, and so I believe that all
the while on the journey, He'sbeen preparing me for this moment. So
I mean, we knew the firsttime I saw you a praise factor and
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you are amazing even the first time. But I look at your journey through
praise Factor and then going to UncleG and looking at your trajectory, it
has been nothing less than amazing.And Uncle G talk about for a moment
finding that artist that you say,hey, I think I can take this
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one to the next level. Talkabout that. Well, a lot of
times when I really don't put outsounded arrogant. I don't go looking for
artists on a lot of times,it's just an organic thing that God.
I call them a simons that Godwill send me an assimum and I'm just
eager to work and out note thatit's from God. And it's funny because
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you know how on your social mediait'll have stuff that will pop up on
your timeline from the past. Andjust the other day it was funny I
say that I don't know if Isend it to the pastor carry. But
it was an Uncle Gee's showcase thatshe attended and it was years ago and
then on my timeline. But again, like you said, sometimes it's not
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about the timing, it's not theright time. I want to, you
know, take this time to shoutout you and Pastor T for your grooming
of Pastor Carrie, because she comesout like to call it the school the
praise factor. Yes, from thatschool. So I know it's a lot
of a lot of artists independent ordersthat you guys are passionate about and that
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you guys work with, and thatyou groomed and you prepare them for the
next level. But one thing aboutit that I like about the situation from
talking to you in passite, it'slike, well, we've done our point
and we feel we've taken them asfar as we can take the you're okay
with letting them go to move onto the next level. And I'm just
(12:03):
very appreciative and humbled by the factthat you thought I was the person that
she would be good for because withoutyou and Pastor T, you know,
I wouldn't be working. I wouldn'tbe on this zoom with past Carry right
now. You guys groomed her.You you know, I watched him afore.
I watched her at the praise factors. I've even watched her on my
(12:24):
own showcase, but again, thetiming wasn't there at that time, and
she was patient. That's one oneof the qualities that I would answer your
previous question about working with certain orders. She's a very patient person and she's
a believer, so she you know, knows her steps were already ordered.
(12:45):
So she didn't really rush anything.Even this past year with me, she
didn't really rush me with anything orget impatient with anything. She just took
her time and let the process work. So that, you know, that
makes it very easy. So Idon't go looking. But some like I
said, every once in a while, but the time is right, God
that sending somebody to me, andI know its God. And most of
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the time is like I said,organically of someone that I know, just
like yourself. I've been knowing youfor years. You'll say, hey,
I think we have something here somebodymight want to pay attention to. And
then you know, to take thetime and I'll listen, and then like
if I feel just like show andsay it from conversation, if I feel
in their spirit that we have thelikeness of a spirit. Because one thing
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another thing people don't realize it's stilleven though it's gospel, is business and
we spend a lot of time,especially with me and my I travel a
lot with my artists, so wedon't have the same type of spirit and
we can't really connect spiritually or ona personal level, then it'd be difficult
for me to work with a personbecause I spend a lot of times.
(13:54):
In some cases, I spend moretime with my artists than I do with
my family. If we don't reallyget along together, we you know,
we don't have the same beliefs,that the same spirit, it makes it
very difficult working relationship. Carrie.I know, in this last year you've
been on roller skates, you've beenmoving, moving, moving. What's that
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been like for you and what's theadjustment from you know where you were to
now and really getting acclimated into thislevel. Yeah, you know, it's
been a lot about trusting God andtrusting the process. You know, trusting
the process. That's been very,very, very important for me. And
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you know, as much as yousay roller skates and as much as God
has done in the past year,I am so excited about what's coming.
So if we were on roller skates, last year. I don't know what
we're in right now. But youknow something, I've had to trust the
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process. I've had to walk outmy face, you know, and believe
that God connected me to these amazingpeople for a reason, you know.
And so like Uncle Gee said,you know, it's you know, there's
a spiritual side, but there's alsothe business, you know, And I
believe that along the way that Godhas taught me so much. But one
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of the things I always do isI remain with a posture of learning.
So every level that I go into, I'm open to here to learn.
And so you know, I'm excitedabout that. You know. I love
that about you because we get artistswho say, I've been singing twenty years
and this is the way I've doneit and why I need to change now.
And I say it because you're goingto be right where you are because
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you won't learn. You're not listening. And certainly you think you know everything.
So you are a learner. Andwe love that about you is that
you are open to everything. Youknow, you were open to everything and
you prayed about everything. So thatthat's that's the blessing in this relationship.
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Now, new song coming out.What's the official release day? Uncle Jim.
The official release date is March totwenty ninth, good Friday. Right
you are holy? Yes, yes, yes, yes, yes, yes,
yes, yes, I'm see.I know, I know, I
(16:30):
know. So Sean, when theybrought the brought the song into the studio,
what did you think and how muchwork or did you change anything?
Tell me about the process of yourNo. Actually so Actually Uncle G called
me one day. He's like,hey, uh you remember Pastor Carry.
I was like, oh, yeah, you remember from the from the the
(16:52):
showcase and h And I was like, man, she's a dynamite artist,
singer and worshiper man you know.He's like, well, uh, man,
I think I think you know,she's interested in working with you,
with you and I want y'all,we want to put y'all together. So
do you have anything for her thatthat would be you know, uh,
something that she you know, wouldlike. I say, well, yeah,
(17:14):
definitely. And I had a coupleof songs that I knew that would
probably be really good for her,but this one in particular, I was
like, I was hoping that shewould pick this for me because excuse me,
I just felt like it was justit would really fit her style and
her voice. And so I hada song that myself and one of the
(17:36):
worship leaders at my church, TiffanyGraham, we wrote together and I sent
it to Uncle Gee and he said, okay, let me let me I
like it, let me send itto and see what she says, and
and she just you know, passed. Cary loved it, and I was
like that great. So you know, she she she called me like,
hey, there's one little part ath at the end I want to add.
And the part was so infectious.I was like, oh, yeah,
(17:57):
I definitely, we definitely got toadd this because this is something that
it adds to the song and peopleare just gonna be singing it over and
over. It's really catchy. Iwas like, yeah, let's definitely add
this to the song. So wegot in a studio and you know,
I got with the band and gotthem together and they tracked the stuff and
it sounded really, really good,and the background singer sounded so great.
(18:18):
Shout out to the eighteen. Itdid such a phenomenal job. And my
engineer, Reggie Nicholas Junior, he'samazing at what he does. So when
pastor carry came in. Excuse me, it was so easy and so seamless.
She is probably one of the mostprepared artists I've ever worked with.
Excuse me she I mean when Itell you she knew what she wanted to
(18:42):
sing for ad libs, She hadit mapped out from top to bottom.
And like Uncle G was saying inone of his posts he posted on Facebook,
it was truly it turned from asession to a worship experience because she
just really had And I kept tellingthem, I'm like, man, you
really studied this. And I lovethat about her because you know, it's
(19:06):
a lot of times, you know, as a producer, you got to
know when to really push and coachand coach and coach and coach, and
then sometimes you got no when tojust sit back and just let it happen.
Yeah, and Pastor Carry was oneof the ones. I just I
did a little coaching, but thenit was like, Okay, let me
just sit back and just let ithappen. And man, the passion and
the energy and the worship was justyou know, it was just phenomenal.
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So I'm really excited about this record. I really am excited about it.
And it was such an honor towork with Pastor Carry Man, It's like,
she's probably one of my favorite peoplenow to work with. You know,
she's phenomenal, Pastor Carry What madeyou choose that song? You know
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when I first heard it? AndI want to can I just say this
really quickly, because you talked abouta lot of times independent artists who've been
doing for a long time and it'shard to go to the next level and
kind of shed yourself of some ofthat. So you can learn I had
been writing my music, I know, my career, you know that next
(20:11):
question. I had been writing mymusic for as long as I had been
recording. And so when Uncle gbrought the song, my first thought was,
this is so God focused. Andyou know, I'm a worshiper,
and so the fact that it wasso God focused. It wasn't asking God
for anything, it wasn't telling himabout our troubles or what the enemy was
(20:34):
doing. It was just such apure and intimate moment, and I really
felt like that that was something thatwas needed in the earth. And so
initially when Uncle Gee sent the songfor me to listen to, I'm like,
it's a beautiful song. It's likeI want you to record, I
said me, but but he wasn'thaving it. So here we are today.
(20:59):
Okay. It was beautiful. Itwas a beautiful, beautiful song of
worship. And you know, that'sthe place where I like to be.
And you know, I believe thatwhen you go into the studio, you're
supposed to go and prepare, right, So that was what I knew to
do. I knew I was gettingready to work with people at a different
level, you know. And Iwas not going to go into that situation
(21:22):
unprepared, you know, not prayerful, not ready. I wanted to make
sure that I was prepared for thelevel that God was putting me on.
Amen, a man, a man, you are holy. You guys can
love, love, love this song. Every choir in America is going to
be singing it on Sunday morning.And yeah, you know that's to me,
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that's one of the biggest compliments whenyou go to church and somebody you
is singing your song, you know, absolutely absolutely, so we are excited
about you are Holy. And againyou said March twenty ninth, right,
Uncle Jim, Yes, ma'am.And I want to add this will be
the first time I think in myeighteen and nineteen years in gospel music that
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I've ever released a single this fast. Okay, yeah, normally normally I
tell all this in myself, youknow, from a business standpoint, I
love it, and I love butI like to have at least eight to
twelve weeks at radio or I eventhink about releasing a song. But I
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think, you know, just likewe were talking about timing earlier, I
think in this season is the perfecttiming of this particular song. And I
didn't want to wait, you know, eight weeks to do it. And
I'm trusting guy that is going todo what it is going to do with
you know, commercially, without theeight weeks to twelve weeks prep. And
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since I've serviced a song services tosome Monday two streets of this week,
and I've gotten an overwhelming or resultsfrom it or response from it from people,
you know, I mean people that'sbeen in Ready your Gospel Ready for
twenty five thirty years, because ittruly is It's not just a song,
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it's a worship experience exactly. Youknow. I'm humble by the fact that
the people gravitated to which I knewthey would because again I said that in
the studio, and I meant it, you know, past the funny part
about pastor carry which you probably know. She's so humble, but then so
seeing the word, I guess Iuse was intimidated by me a person,
(23:41):
you know. I told her,well, you can't do that. I'm
I'm just a regular person. Idon't know who you think I am,
led whatever, but I'm just aregular person. And I'm a you know,
I like to feel. I'm light, hearty, you know, spirited.
So I joke a lot with her. So I had to joke a
lot with her. She just gether out of that shell just being so
nervous when she spoke to me,because I would imagine the first two or
(24:04):
three months she would it was almostlike it's all talking. So I had
to start joking with her a lot. So now she doesn't know when I'm
joking or when I'm serious. Notto let her just relax like that.
I'm just I'm just a vessel toget the world out to hear what God
(24:26):
has annoorted you to do. I'mnot I don't have a magical mind.
I don't have no magical doest anything. I just get out here at work.
But Like I said earlier, Godsends me assignments, and this assignment
I really, really, really reallyI want to say, in front of
her and in front of two witnessesand everybody that's listening, I am so
(24:48):
proud of her. And again,this is my first time to Sean to
tell you, I've never ever releasedthe record without at least eight weeks in
some cases three months are working radio. This would be the very first time.
Like I said, I've got amobile whelming response and it's gonna do
what it's gonna do because it's gonnabless people. I haven't I haven't set
(25:11):
this record to anybody that's taking thetime to listen that didn't like it.
If this song doesn't touch you,if you don't like this song, you
must be death, all right,you know for real? You know?
And when you know, you know, Uncle Jem, when you know you
know you know. And I'm notsaying it, I'm not saying it from
totally uh musical standpoint. It's justit's it has an annoying on that song.
(25:37):
It has a fivery of the song. She doesn't do any vocal acrobatics
or anything like that. It's notlike the music, no disrespect to shown
is not like the music overwhelms youanything like that. It's just that the
whole body of that work, itjust brings you into worship. And I
can't wait. I can't I couldn'tsay on this one. I can't wait
(26:00):
for the masses to have an opportunityto have this in your playlist. Absolutely,
you are holy, Uncle G.And give everybody your social media or
how they can reach Uncle G.My website is uncle Gpromo dot com.
(26:21):
My Instagram is Greg uncle G Lions, and I think my Twitter X is
uncle G Promo and my Facebook isGreg Lions. All right, all right,
Sean, Yeah, my website iswww dot I am Shaankeys dot com
(26:42):
and you can get me on Facebookunder Shawn Keys and on X at Smooth
Tunes Pride p r O D.They wouldn't let me fix fit. The
whole name is. It's not meat Pride and then Instagram at the Smooth
this d A S M O OT h E S T. I know
(27:03):
you're supposed to keep all your socialmedia is the same, uh, but
they I guess Sean Keys is thecommon name and it would and so I
had to switch it up. Sobut yeah, that's how you can.
You can reach me on social media. Do you take new artists or is
it referral based only? No?No, I've now it's crazy because God
has really allowed me to be thebeginning of a lot of people's journey.
(27:26):
Uh. I've worked with a lotof new artists. And yes, no,
I I I work with if ifour visions aligned and uh, and
you know we're on the same pageabout what you want out of Uh.
You know the reason you're trying todo this. And if I if our
goals aligned and our visions aligned.Yeah, absolutely, I'll pretty much work
(27:52):
with whoever falls in that criteria.Okay, all right, and carry Fraser
worship for extraordinariy h, you areHoly? Coming through a radio station near
you? Yes? Give us yoursocial media Well, you know what,
if you go to my website www. Dot Carriefraser dot com k E R
(28:12):
I F R A S E R. I think that's a great way for
you to connect with me on allmy social media platforms. And I definitely
want to connect with you. Icannot wait for you to hear you are
holy. I can't wait for youto sing it, dance to it,
worshiping your devotion. It's going tobless people all around the world. So
(28:33):
I'm so excited. Well, weare blessed. You can't wait. Thank
you so much for joining us,Sean Keys, Carrie Fraser and Greg Lyons.
It's been a pleasure. Thank youso much for having me. Thank
you for having me, Thanks forjoining me for good News. If you'd
like to be a guest on theshow, you can contact me at good
(28:56):
News at thepgnetwork dot org. I'llsee you next time for some good news.
Be blessed, bless hys go toschool. You are baby Wan friends,
(29:33):
you are pure. Yes, youare Yes, you are
Thank you for joining me today onGood News with Townda Black. We're we
are discovering some of the most inspiringtrials to triumph stories and empowerment moments.
Call up a friend and let themknow it's time for some good news.
(00:23):
You arelygle. We join with Heavento worship you writing. Welcome to good
(00:54):
News. I'm your host, TowndaBlack. We talk with folks from all
walks of life about their news becauseultimately, if your brothers and sisters are
prospering and doing well and have goodnews, we are prospering and doing well
as well. So sit back,relax and enjoy our next guests. Hello
(01:15):
everybody, and welcome to Good Newswith Twanda Black. Introducing to you Sean
Keys, who is a producer andhis company is called Smooth Tunes Productions.
CEO of Uncle G Records, GregLyons in the house and we call them
Uncle G and Artist Extraordinariy. Sheis certainly a worshiper and beautiful spirit inside
(01:40):
and out. Carrie Fraser joins ustoday. How's everybody doing? Awesome?
Awesome, awesome, awesome. We'regonna start with Uncle G. Always a
pleasure to have you on Uncle G. Tell us about Uncle G Records and
what you provide. What are theservices of your record company? First,
(02:04):
I have to say thanks for havingme and hello to your mom, of
course, and that's doing. Butabout Open G Records, I like to
feel that we're a independent record labelthat's had some success that can go up
against a lot of the maidens.We've had artists to go up against a
bunch of the maiden labels. We'vehad success in having number one records across
(02:30):
various platforms I guess you could say, and various charts. And also I
provide a management service, and Ialso provide a radio promotion service, but
also do all this media training andmarketing and promotion as well. What's your
favorite kind of artist to manage,produce, to do any work with.
(03:00):
First the lover of God, onethat practiced what they sing is about.
And a very humble person that hasa great work ethic. Because a lot
of times your spirit will get youplaces that your voice won't be able to
get you in. Say that that'sso true. That's so true. Sean
tell us about being a producer.Oh my goodness, you have one of
(03:23):
the toughest jobs, but one probablyof the jobs that it brings you so
much pleasure, especially when you hearthat end product talk about what you do
at Smooth Tunes Productions. Yeah,well again, thanks for having me on
as well. Man, I enjoywhat I do. You know, being
a producer is, like I'm actuallyI can say I'm living my dream.
(03:46):
It's actually what I've always wanted todo. But yeah, you know,
uh, being a producer is avery tedious but enjoyable job. I'm,
you know, pretty much spearheading upproject from Giddy Up to Woe, Like
I would like to say sure thatI'm you know, I have the right
(04:06):
singers on the project, the rightband members, booking, the right studio
coaching, you know, the vocalistto do what I believe will make the
record commercially viable for the consumer.Uh, not only for people to listen
(04:26):
to it on the radio, butfor people to actually consume it in their
personal time. So I just thankGod for you know, uh, you
know, giving me to give themusic and allowing me to you know,
use it for him and uh sothat's kind of what I do. And
I'm I'm you know, I'm gratefulto get up every morning and do it.
He give us some tips in studio. Say, if somebody comes in
(04:48):
and says, I have this awesomesong I want to do and then you
hear it and you're like, butyou need to do it this way,
So give us some tips there.Yeah, well my process is a little
different. What I always like todo, especially when you're working with someone
for the first time, and pastorCarrie can attest to this is I like
to have conversations. People don't talkanymore, you know, So how can
(05:12):
I possibly build that rapport with youwhere you trust me no matter what I've
done? Uh? You know,how can you I can build that report
so you can trust me. Sowhen I do tell you, hey,
I think we should take this songin this direction, you're not looking at
me with the stank face, youknow. You know, So I try
to take the time first to builda report with the with the artists,
(05:35):
talk to them, get to knowthem. I'm coming over their social media's
and trying to see, you know, just you know, when they're into
what they do, uh, youknow, and then at that point,
you know, just build a reportwith them so that if there's any constructive
criticism when we do get in thestudio. They understand that it's only about
(05:57):
the song. It's not about them, it's about wrong. So I've used
that practice for a good a goodminute now and it's always you know,
worked out perfectly. You know.I haven't had anybody really like kind of
be combative or not be receptive ofwhat I'm trying to, you know,
(06:18):
convey to them or actually trying toget them to do. If anything,
I've heard a lot of artists saythat I pulled a lot of stuff out
of them that they didn't think theyhad. Inside. That fel really really
good because that means that I didit right, I did it the right
way. I built the report.You know that I got the trust,
so you know, and you know, God has allowed some amazing things to
(06:40):
happen through that process, you know. So yeah, I'm excited. Definitely.
A good sign of a producer ispulling out of the artists something that
they didn't even know they had.So that is awesome. That's awesome.
Unless we moved to the beautiful CarrieFraser. Carrie we've known her for a
while on the Praise Factor platform,tell us about your artist's journey, because
(07:04):
I mean, you know, pastoringmother, wife, and now artists tell
us about this journey of yours.Well, let me tell you. First
of all, you know, I'mexcited to be here and I'm so honored.
But it has been a journey,and I think that it's important for
(07:26):
people to understand that part because youknow, it didn't happen overnight. It
happened over time, and so ithas indeed been a journey from just starting
out. I think the most importantthing is to have that personal relationship with
God. You know, you know, I always say when the lights go
off and the music has stopped andthey turn off the fog machine, you
(07:48):
have to have a relationship with God, and so I think it started there
and then cultivating that into worship andmeeting people along the way along a journey,
like you say, meeting those peoplewho are willing to mentor you,
to coach you, to correct you, to push you. It really brings
(08:11):
you to a place where you canreally look back and and thank God for
what he has done. So it'sbeen an incredible journey and now we're in
a news space and I'm loving itabsolutely absolutely. Did you always want to
be at this level of artistry?You know, a lot of people,
(08:31):
God says you're you're local, andsome people God says you are you're a
regional, and some people God saysyou're just in the church, or you
just in your shower. But insome people, some God says you are
international. Have you always wanted tobe where you're headed right now? Well,
(08:52):
I always knew this is where Iwas headed. You know. I
knew from a very long time thatGod has really brought me to a place
of an international ministry. So thatwas something I was very comfortable with.
I embraced that word. But then, you know, it's one thing to
believe the word that you've heard.It's another thing to actually do what's necessary
(09:16):
to get there. So I'm reallygrateful that along the way, I believe
the path was directed by God tothe right people at the right time.
You know. One of the thingsthat Uncle Jee said when we started to
work together was about the timing,about it being the right time. And
I think that we cannot get tothe place where we start to doubt the
(09:41):
direction that God has taken us inbecause it might not happen when we thought
it would. But one of thethings that God always does is he prepares
us for what He has prepared forus, and so I believe that all
the while on the journey, He'sbeen preparing me for this moment. So
I mean, we knew the firsttime I saw you a praise factor and
(10:05):
you are amazing even the first time. But I look at your journey through
praise Factor and then going to UncleG and looking at your trajectory, it
has been nothing less than amazing.And Uncle G talk about for a moment
finding that artist that you say,hey, I think I can take this
(10:30):
one to the next level. Talkabout that. Well, a lot of
times when I really don't put outsounded arrogant. I don't go looking for
artists on a lot of times,it's just an organic thing that God.
I call them a simons that Godwill send me an assimum and I'm just
eager to work and out note thatit's from God. And it's funny because
(10:54):
you know how on your social mediait'll have stuff that will pop up on
your timeline from the past. Andjust the other day it was funny I
say that I don't know if Isend it to the pastor carry. But
it was an Uncle Gee's showcase thatshe attended and it was years ago and
then on my timeline. But again, like you said, sometimes it's not
(11:18):
about the timing, it's not theright time. I want to, you
know, take this time to shoutout you and Pastor T for your grooming
of Pastor Carrie, because she comesout like to call it the school the
praise factor. Yes, from thatschool. So I know it's a lot
of a lot of artists independent ordersthat you guys are passionate about and that
(11:43):
you guys work with, and thatyou groomed and you prepare them for the
next level. But one thing aboutit that I like about the situation from
talking to you in passite, it'slike, well, we've done our point
and we feel we've taken them asfar as we can take the you're okay
with letting them go to move onto the next level. And I'm just
(12:03):
very appreciative and humbled by the factthat you thought I was the person that
she would be good for because withoutyou and Pastor T, you know,
I wouldn't be working. I wouldn'tbe on this zoom with past Carry right
now. You guys groomed her.You you know, I watched him afore.
I watched her at the praise factors. I've even watched her on my
(12:24):
own showcase, but again, thetiming wasn't there at that time, and
she was patient. That's one oneof the qualities that I would answer your
previous question about working with certain orders. She's a very patient person and she's
a believer, so she you know, knows her steps were already ordered.
(12:45):
So she didn't really rush anything.Even this past year with me, she
didn't really rush me with anything orget impatient with anything. She just took
her time and let the process work. So that, you know, that
makes it very easy. So Idon't go looking. But some like I
said, every once in a while, but the time is right, God
that sending somebody to me, andI know its God. And most of
(13:09):
the time is like I said,organically of someone that I know, just
like yourself. I've been knowing youfor years. You'll say, hey,
I think we have something here somebodymight want to pay attention to. And
then you know, to take thetime and I'll listen, and then like
if I feel just like show andsay it from conversation, if I feel
in their spirit that we have thelikeness of a spirit. Because one thing
(13:31):
another thing people don't realize it's stilleven though it's gospel, is business and
we spend a lot of time,especially with me and my I travel a
lot with my artists, so wedon't have the same type of spirit and
we can't really connect spiritually or ona personal level, then it'd be difficult
for me to work with a personbecause I spend a lot of times.
(13:54):
In some cases, I spend moretime with my artists than I do with
my family. If we don't reallyget along together, we you know,
we don't have the same beliefs,that the same spirit, it makes it
very difficult working relationship. Carrie.I know, in this last year you've
been on roller skates, you've beenmoving, moving, moving. What's that
(14:18):
been like for you and what's theadjustment from you know where you were to
now and really getting acclimated into thislevel. Yeah, you know, it's
been a lot about trusting God andtrusting the process. You know, trusting
the process. That's been very,very, very important for me. And
(14:39):
you know, as much as yousay roller skates and as much as God
has done in the past year,I am so excited about what's coming.
So if we were on roller skates, last year. I don't know what
we're in right now. But youknow something, I've had to trust the
(15:00):
process. I've had to walk outmy face, you know, and believe
that God connected me to these amazingpeople for a reason, you know.
And so like Uncle Gee said,you know, it's you know, there's
a spiritual side, but there's alsothe business, you know, And I
believe that along the way that Godhas taught me so much. But one
(15:24):
of the things I always do isI remain with a posture of learning.
So every level that I go into, I'm open to here to learn.
And so you know, I'm excitedabout that. You know. I love
that about you because we get artistswho say, I've been singing twenty years
and this is the way I've doneit and why I need to change now.
And I say it because you're goingto be right where you are because
(15:46):
you won't learn. You're not listening. And certainly you think you know everything.
So you are a learner. Andwe love that about you is that
you are open to everything. Youknow, you were open to everything and
you prayed about everything. So thatthat's that's the blessing in this relationship.
(16:08):
Now, new song coming out.What's the official release day? Uncle Jim.
The official release date is March totwenty ninth, good Friday. Right
you are holy? Yes, yes, yes, yes, yes, yes,
yes, yes, I'm see.I know, I know, I
(16:30):
know. So Sean, when theybrought the brought the song into the studio,
what did you think and how muchwork or did you change anything?
Tell me about the process of yourNo. Actually so Actually Uncle G called
me one day. He's like,hey, uh you remember Pastor Carry.
I was like, oh, yeah, you remember from the from the the
(16:52):
showcase and h And I was like, man, she's a dynamite artist,
singer and worshiper man you know.He's like, well, uh, man,
I think I think you know,she's interested in working with you,
with you and I want y'all,we want to put y'all together. So
do you have anything for her thatthat would be you know, uh,
something that she you know, wouldlike. I say, well, yeah,
(17:14):
definitely. And I had a coupleof songs that I knew that would
probably be really good for her,but this one in particular, I was
like, I was hoping that shewould pick this for me because excuse me,
I just felt like it was justit would really fit her style and
her voice. And so I hada song that myself and one of the
(17:36):
worship leaders at my church, TiffanyGraham, we wrote together and I sent
it to Uncle Gee and he said, okay, let me let me I
like it, let me send itto and see what she says, and
and she just you know, passed. Cary loved it, and I was
like that great. So you know, she she she called me like,
hey, there's one little part ath at the end I want to add.
And the part was so infectious.I was like, oh, yeah,
(17:57):
I definitely, we definitely got toadd this because this is something that
it adds to the song and peopleare just gonna be singing it over and
over. It's really catchy. Iwas like, yeah, let's definitely add
this to the song. So wegot in a studio and you know,
I got with the band and gotthem together and they tracked the stuff and
it sounded really, really good,and the background singer sounded so great.
(18:18):
Shout out to the eighteen. Itdid such a phenomenal job. And my
engineer, Reggie Nicholas Junior, he'samazing at what he does. So when
pastor carry came in. Excuse me, it was so easy and so seamless.
She is probably one of the mostprepared artists I've ever worked with.
Excuse me she I mean when Itell you she knew what she wanted to
(18:42):
sing for ad libs, She hadit mapped out from top to bottom.
And like Uncle G was saying inone of his posts he posted on Facebook,
it was truly it turned from asession to a worship experience because she
just really had And I kept tellingthem, I'm like, man, you
really studied this. And I lovethat about her because you know, it's
(19:06):
a lot of times, you know, as a producer, you got to
know when to really push and coachand coach and coach and coach, and
then sometimes you got no when tojust sit back and just let it happen.
Yeah, and Pastor Carry was oneof the ones. I just I
did a little coaching, but thenit was like, Okay, let me
just sit back and just let ithappen. And man, the passion and
the energy and the worship was justyou know, it was just phenomenal.
(19:30):
So I'm really excited about this record. I really am excited about it.
And it was such an honor towork with Pastor Carry Man, It's like,
she's probably one of my favorite peoplenow to work with. You know,
she's phenomenal, Pastor Carry What madeyou choose that song? You know
(19:51):
when I first heard it? AndI want to can I just say this
really quickly, because you talked abouta lot of times independent artists who've been
doing for a long time and it'shard to go to the next level and
kind of shed yourself of some ofthat. So you can learn I had
been writing my music, I know, my career, you know that next
(20:11):
question. I had been writing mymusic for as long as I had been
recording. And so when Uncle gbrought the song, my first thought was,
this is so God focused. Andyou know, I'm a worshiper,
and so the fact that it wasso God focused. It wasn't asking God
for anything, it wasn't telling himabout our troubles or what the enemy was
(20:34):
doing. It was just such apure and intimate moment, and I really
felt like that that was something thatwas needed in the earth. And so
initially when Uncle Gee sent the songfor me to listen to, I'm like,
it's a beautiful song. It's likeI want you to record, I
said me, but but he wasn'thaving it. So here we are today.
(20:59):
Okay. It was beautiful. Itwas a beautiful, beautiful song of
worship. And you know, that'sthe place where I like to be.
And you know, I believe thatwhen you go into the studio, you're
supposed to go and prepare, right, So that was what I knew to
do. I knew I was gettingready to work with people at a different
level, you know. And Iwas not going to go into that situation
(21:22):
unprepared, you know, not prayerful, not ready. I wanted to make
sure that I was prepared for thelevel that God was putting me on.
Amen, a man, a man, you are holy. You guys can
love, love, love this song. Every choir in America is going to
be singing it on Sunday morning.And yeah, you know that's to me,
(21:45):
that's one of the biggest compliments whenyou go to church and somebody you
is singing your song, you know, absolutely absolutely, so we are excited
about you are Holy. And againyou said March twenty ninth, right,
Uncle Jim, Yes, ma'am.And I want to add this will be
the first time I think in myeighteen and nineteen years in gospel music that
(22:12):
I've ever released a single this fast. Okay, yeah, normally normally I
tell all this in myself, youknow, from a business standpoint, I
love it, and I love butI like to have at least eight to
twelve weeks at radio or I eventhink about releasing a song. But I
(22:33):
think, you know, just likewe were talking about timing earlier, I
think in this season is the perfecttiming of this particular song. And I
didn't want to wait, you know, eight weeks to do it. And
I'm trusting guy that is going todo what it is going to do with
you know, commercially, without theeight weeks to twelve weeks prep. And
(22:55):
since I've serviced a song services tosome Monday two streets of this week,
and I've gotten an overwhelming or resultsfrom it or response from it from people,
you know, I mean people that'sbeen in Ready your Gospel Ready for
twenty five thirty years, because ittruly is It's not just a song,
(23:15):
it's a worship experience exactly. Youknow. I'm humble by the fact that
the people gravitated to which I knewthey would because again I said that in
the studio, and I meant it, you know, past the funny part
about pastor carry which you probably know. She's so humble, but then so
seeing the word, I guess Iuse was intimidated by me a person,
(23:41):
you know. I told her,well, you can't do that. I'm
I'm just a regular person. Idon't know who you think I am,
led whatever, but I'm just aregular person. And I'm a you know,
I like to feel. I'm light, hearty, you know, spirited.
So I joke a lot with her. So I had to joke a
lot with her. She just gether out of that shell just being so
nervous when she spoke to me,because I would imagine the first two or
(24:04):
three months she would it was almostlike it's all talking. So I had
to start joking with her a lot. So now she doesn't know when I'm
joking or when I'm serious. Notto let her just relax like that.
I'm just I'm just a vessel toget the world out to hear what God
(24:26):
has annoorted you to do. I'mnot I don't have a magical mind.
I don't have no magical doest anything. I just get out here at work.
But Like I said earlier, Godsends me assignments, and this assignment
I really, really, really reallyI want to say, in front of
her and in front of two witnessesand everybody that's listening, I am so
(24:48):
proud of her. And again,this is my first time to Sean to
tell you, I've never ever releasedthe record without at least eight weeks in
some cases three months are working radio. This would be the very first time.
Like I said, I've got amobile whelming response and it's gonna do
what it's gonna do because it's gonnabless people. I haven't I haven't set
(25:11):
this record to anybody that's taking thetime to listen that didn't like it.
If this song doesn't touch you,if you don't like this song, you
must be death, all right,you know for real? You know?
And when you know, you know, Uncle Jem, when you know you
know you know. And I'm notsaying it, I'm not saying it from
totally uh musical standpoint. It's justit's it has an annoying on that song.
(25:37):
It has a fivery of the song. She doesn't do any vocal acrobatics
or anything like that. It's notlike the music, no disrespect to shown
is not like the music overwhelms youanything like that. It's just that the
whole body of that work, itjust brings you into worship. And I
can't wait. I can't I couldn'tsay on this one. I can't wait
(26:00):
for the masses to have an opportunityto have this in your playlist. Absolutely,
you are holy, Uncle G.And give everybody your social media or
how they can reach Uncle G.My website is uncle Gpromo dot com.
(26:21):
My Instagram is Greg uncle G Lions, and I think my Twitter X is
uncle G Promo and my Facebook isGreg Lions. All right, all right,
Sean, Yeah, my website iswww dot I am Shaankeys dot com
(26:42):
and you can get me on Facebookunder Shawn Keys and on X at Smooth
Tunes Pride p r O D.They wouldn't let me fix fit. The
whole name is. It's not meat Pride and then Instagram at the Smooth
this d A S M O OT h E S T. I know
(27:03):
you're supposed to keep all your socialmedia is the same, uh, but
they I guess Sean Keys is thecommon name and it would and so I
had to switch it up. Sobut yeah, that's how you can.
You can reach me on social media. Do you take new artists or is
it referral based only? No?No, I've now it's crazy because God
has really allowed me to be thebeginning of a lot of people's journey.
(27:26):
Uh. I've worked with a lotof new artists. And yes, no,
I I I work with if ifour visions aligned and uh, and
you know we're on the same pageabout what you want out of Uh.
You know the reason you're trying todo this. And if I if our
goals aligned and our visions aligned.Yeah, absolutely, I'll pretty much work
(27:52):
with whoever falls in that criteria.Okay, all right, and carry Fraser
worship for extraordinariy h, you areHoly? Coming through a radio station near
you? Yes? Give us yoursocial media Well, you know what,
if you go to my website www. Dot Carriefraser dot com k E R
(28:12):
I F R A S E R. I think that's a great way for
you to connect with me on allmy social media platforms. And I definitely
want to connect with you. Icannot wait for you to hear you are
holy. I can't wait for youto sing it, dance to it,
worshiping your devotion. It's going tobless people all around the world. So
(28:33):
I'm so excited. Well, weare blessed. You can't wait. Thank
you so much for joining us,Sean Keys, Carrie Fraser and Greg Lyons.
It's been a pleasure. Thank youso much for having me. Thank
you for having me, Thanks forjoining me for good News. If you'd
like to be a guest on theshow, you can contact me at good
(28:56):
News at thepgnetwork dot org. I'llsee you next time for some good news.
Be blessed, bless hys go toschool. You are baby Wan friends,
(29:33):
you are pure. Yes, youare Yes, you are
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