Encore: Tell us about the significance of your latest project, "The Favor Of God."
Luther: It’s my first release with my church choir, "The Restoration Worship Center," that I pastor. We’ve been organized for 3 years and I thank D.A. Johnson, my executive producer for having patience with us. It’s a wonderful project, it’s the kind of music people don’t expect from Luther Barnes. "God’s Grace," is the song they’re pushing now and it’s a personal testimony. The fact that I’ve been out here 30 years plus, I’m not successful by my own account it’s God’s grace that has brought me this far and that’s what the song speaks about.
Encore: You are a staple of Gospel music, tell us about your hiatus.
Luther: I’m a product of the Barnes family and my father Bishop F.C. Barnes. I’ve been in church all of my life and I’ve been living off my gift for over 30 years. I’m still a school teacher and I thank God for allowing me to make my music, it hasn’t always been easy but God provided and I’m grateful. This project took a while to come out because I was going through some personal issues in my ministry being that I’m pastoring. But, now I’m able to pick my music up and handle it with my pastoral duties and I thank God for making me wait to make sure I was seasoned properly and was ready to bring forth a new project.
Encore: Can you talk about the partnership with SRT Entertainment?
Luther: Actually D.A. Johnson worked with Malaco records and I worked with him for a number of years. He made his transition to do his own thing and I needed a new jump start. Malaco was a good record company and I’m grateful for all they did, but they didn’t push me the way I needed to be pushed. I was sort of lackadaisical and burnt out, with all the music coming out of me and the various award shows. D.A. Johnson came along and put a little heat on me to get going. SRT helped me in my personal life and business to get back in the mix of the Gospel music scene.
Encore: Talk about how you balance being a pastor.
Luther: One doesn’t have to sacrifice the other, they can all work together, it keeps you grounded on what’s important. We’re servants and we have to conduct ourselves accordingly. You have to listen to God and he’ll give you a message. Prove yourself worthy that when God blesses, you won’t be stupid, don’t let your gift get you in trouble.