Ever wanted to create a music video? Myron Butler & Levi are giving you the chance to show your skill by creating an original video for their new song "Stronger". You are the STAR! Create the original video concept, and then cast, shoot, direct & edit the video. Don't have the single? You can purchase "Stronger" from iTunes. Go on and get started!

Guidelines at a Glance

No nudity, no swearing, no cruelty to animals, no logos trademarks or copyrighted materials other than EMI Gospel.

THE PRIZES

One Grand Prize Winner: $1,000 Cash Prize, a chance to have your video aired on the Gospel Music Channel. A video ipod along with the Stronger CD and autographed Stronger DVD, and most importantly, bragging rights.

Ten runner up winners will receive a signed copy of Myron Butler and Levi's "Stronger" DVD.

For details on video submission visit www.hearitfirst.com/myronbutlervideocontest

Review by Dwayne Lacy - www.GospelFlava.com

Myron Butler & Levi
Stronger Myron Butler & Levi make their return a stirring sophomore release. Back are the familiar voices, musicians and strong songwriting, the combination which brought them acclaim (and trophies) on their EMI Gospel debut.

This time around, influences from rock to pop are added to create a further dimension to the Levi sound.

Chelsea West's voice beautifully compliments Myron's on the pop ballad, "Here With Me" as Todd Parsnow's expert guitar work gives the song that edge so familiar in present CCM-styled worship music.

"Unrestrained", from the pen of Calvin Nowell, gets a slight makeover, Levi-styled, without losing any luster. Strings are melded and weaved throughout.

The lead single "Stronger" is one of those funky jams one has come to expect from the pen of Butler, and it's as infectious as it is encouraging.

The talented Deonis "Pumah" Cook writes the guitar-driven, rock-tinged, "I Live", which further illustrates Levi's musical versatility. Here, they give honor to God for his unfailing love.

For those wondering if there are any of those traditional/jazzy songs on this disc, "God Of All" is for you. It's complete with modulations, horns from Phillip Lassiter and crew, and lead vocals traded back and forth between Andrea "Diva" Wallace and Rachella Searight.

"Jesus Saves" is another upbeat jam, featuring the edgy vocals of Candy West. Butler and West pick up where they left on the last album (and in times before that as well), their vocal chemistry being an absolute highlight.

The group also remakes Edwin Hawkins' "Give Us This Day" that will surely delight many church folk, as this was a song that was popular for choirs (and weddings) back in the day.

Myron Butler & Levi are simply the truth. Building upon their God-given success, Stronger looks to drawn in an even wider audience to deliver their encouragement and ministry, making it just that. Stronger!

www.blackgospel.com

Stronger / Myron Butler & Levi
(EMI Gospel)

August, 2007 on BlackGospel.com - Review by Jennifer Belot

Surpassing expectations and boding longevity Myron Butler & Levi, after four deserving Stellar Awards and countless accolades, return with a victorious jubilance that's practically palpable and infinitely audible: they're savvier, sweeter and certainly more anointed than ever before in their latest CD aptly entitled Stronger slated for nationwide release August 28th on EMI Gospel, with a live DVD to follow in the autumn. The album, a musical sequel to Set Me Free is according to Butler "…what God has given me to give his people… My goal as a songwriter and as a leader is to deliver a message that empowers people to do what God has called them to do."

His calling as a musician led Myron Butler on a journey which yielded a multifaceted musical offering ranging from the hype to the humble, from the raucous to the reverent and everything in between. From the onset, one can tell Levi means business. Stronger comes at you in such declarative proclamation that it makes Stomp (co-produced by Butler) sound like a lullaby. It is a testimony to the longevity of the ministers (10 years and counting), most of whom came out of God's Property "All the things we had been through … the ups & downs… the struggles… I realized that the sum total of all of those things made us (me) stronger, better and wiser."

"The album is a little bit of everything," says Butler "God is not just one thing and our music shouldn't be either. Everybody is at a different place and they may need something different to propel them into their destiny." Thus, Myron Butler & Levi take us through a kaleidoscope of musical cultures from the classic rock sounds of I Live, rife with gospelized electric guitar to the hybrid Celtic sounds of Here With Me to God Of All which takes us back to the heyday of chorale music, lyrically, vocally and musically, with an ode to funk thrown in the mix for good measure.

More Than You'll Ever Know is written as a narrative from the voice of the Almighty to the hearts of His people, reassuring us of his everlasting love. Perhaps in response to that is Unrestrained, a worshipful melody crying out in awe and adoration "I pour my love on you, My whole life belongs to you, I worship you completely unashamed, unrestrained…"

Taking it back, (way back) are new takes on old school gems. From the church pews, Jesus Saves mixes traditional gospel vocals with new millennium musicality and ensconces listeners in righteous revelry. Remaking another classic, Levi's version of Above All takes the CCM hit and just sings the tune unapologetically. The uncomplicated reverence of this version lets us revel in the beauty of the sacrifice of God's great love "Crucified, laid behind a stone, You lived to die rejected and alone, like a rose trampled on the ground, You took the fall and thought of me, above all"

Ending on a majestic note, Give Us This Day gloriously sings the Lord's Prayer in harmonized beauty, letting the audience in on the reason why Levi can be said to have among the most cohesive and versatile vocals today; they are truly the canvas upon which rests the artful creations of their director.

Having been through, the fire, the flood and the mountaintop over their 10 years in ministry, Myron Butler & Levi are proving that their lauding is not in vain as they bring forth a message of steadfast hope throughout the trials of this life, althewhile maintaining a song of praise. In Butler's own words, "Opposing forces are what make us stronger…By living through the trying times and handling the pressure, THAT is what makes us stronger people. Then we can look back and say 'all those things were not for my destruction but rather for my construction'."

Reviewer's Choice Singles: "Stronger", "More Than You'll Ever Know" & "Unrestrained"

Comparable Album Picks:
Set Me Free (EMI) By Myron Butler & Levi, Victory…Live (Columbia) By Tye Tribbett & GA, Kirk Franklin Presents God's Property (GospoCentric)

STRONGER (ADVANCED REVIEW) - www.SOULTRACKS.com

Throughout the last half century of popular music there have been true pioneers like James Brown and Berry Gordy who had a vision of R&B that opened new doors for the genre. And then there have been talented others, ranging from Gamble & Huff to Prince who have helped the genre progress through evolution rather than revolution. In the world of modern Gospel, Kirk Franklin has been a relatively revolutionary artist, merging hip-hop and traditional call-and-response Gospel into a new form that has arguably dominated contemporary Gospel for the past decade. And Franklin's protege Myron Butler has proven more evolutionary but no less enjoyable, taking the template created by Franklin and moving it to an even more accessible level, with wonderful songwriting and R&B sensibilities that turned his arrival as producer and choir director into a real event for the Gospel community.

Butler and his group Levi captured the Gospel world with their melodic, groove-filled 2005 debut album, Set Me Free, and they've managed to take it up a notch with the immensely pleasing follow-up album, Stronger. As was the case with the group's debut album, Stronger doesn't serve as a departure from the paths laid by Butler's predecessors, but it is written, produced and performed so well that it instead serves as a fulfillment of their work.

The disc opens with the infectious Franklin-like title cut, but quickly shifts to a varied palette of material, initially landing on the fine rock-influenced "I Live," which features one of Butler's stronger vocal performances. And as with Set Me Free, the new disc shines on ballads: "Unrestrained" is an irresistible pop/soul gem and "More Than You'll Ever Know" and "Above All" work beautifully, with Butler sharing vocals on the former with talented Levi members DeBEtte Draper-McIntosh and Sedrick Jenkins. Most moving is the cover of Edwin Hawkins' classic "Give Us This Day," a near-perfect closing to this fine disc.

His years as part of Franklin's God's Property prepared Butler for the leadership role that began auspiciously with Set Me Free. And with Stronger, Myron and Levi take the next step, moving to the A-list of the modern Gospel movement and simply delivering one of the best Gospel albums of the year. Highly recommended.

By Chris Rizik

Myron Buter & Levi To Release "STRONGER" CD August 28

NASHVILLE, TN—July 11, 2007- Four time Stellar Award winner--Myron Butler and Levi—follow up their critically acclaimed debut project Set Me Free, with their sophomore CD appropriately titled Stronger, which is scheduled to hit stores Tuesday, August 28.

Stronger maintains the vibe and lyrical relevance from the singer's debut album. Butler modestly refers to his sophomore release as a continuation of the first album with a stronger message. "It's what God has given me to give his people," adds the singer, "My goal as a songwriter and as a leader is to deliver a message that empowers people to do what God has called them to do."

Butler proves more than ever his ability to write meaningful & life-changing songs, while extending his take on an increasingly popular sub genre style of hip hop/ soft rock gospel music."

Myron Butler and Levi fans can expect exactly what the title suggests from the new album--a lyrically stronger and more inventive sound. The 10-track CD largely produced by Butler, features the group's harmonious style absorbed in the 70's funk guitar church driven song, "Jesus Saves." "I Live" is another stand out track that features a gospel-rock simulated sound and showcases the singer's edgy lead vocals. Additionally, the Dallas native rewrote his blueprint for a successful hit radio single with the album's title track "Stronger," which has all the makings of a universal mantra with a hint of hip hop flair.

"The album is a little bit of everything," explains Butler, "I really try to cover all the base …GOD is not just one thing and our music shouldn't be either. Everybody is at a different place and they may need something different to propel them into their destiny."

In addition to the release of the Stronger CD, the group will release their first ever full-length concert DVD of the same name, on October 2. The video features show-stopping vocal performances, compelling new age dance chorography, and special bonus interview footage. The Gospel Music Channel recorded the concert in front of an auditorium of adoring music lovers in Nashville, TN. The GMC programming executives plan to air the concert on their signature show Front Row Live, this summer. Check your local cable provider for listings.

Stronger, shows Myron Butler & Levi for what they will be perpetually known for— great musical talent, diversity, innovation, relevant lyrics, and much more.

About EMI Gospel

Brentwood, Tennessee-based EMI Christian Music Group is the world's largest Christian music organization and includes EMI Gospel, EMI CMG Label Group, EMI CMG Distribution and EMI CMG Publishing.. It is part of EMI Group, the world's largest independent music company whose other U.S.labels include Angel, Astralwerks, Blue Note, Capitol, Capitol Nashville, EMI Latin, Narada and Virgin Records.

What's up everyone!!! i first want to thank everyone who has stopped by the page to show love, listen to music. I want to personally invite everyone that will be in Dallas on next week for GMWA to come to a musical that i'm throwing Monday (8/14) at St. Luke Community United Methodist Church
5710 E R.L. Thornton Fwy
Dallas, Tx.
Some of the guest that i will have
1. Men of Standard
2. Nikki Ross
3. Gary Mayes & Nu Era
4. Ziel
5. JJ Hariston
6. Lucinda Moore
7. Maurette Brown-Clark
8. Jonathan Nelson
9. Jason Nelson

if you'll be in town send me a message to let me know you're coming!!!!