Vicki – That pressure to be something can’t live up to ... to be perfect. I remember growing up, the Scripture about Jesus coming back for a bride without spot or wrinkles, really bothered me. Think about it. I don’t know anyone that can say, “I don’t have a spot or wrinkle on me.” That Scripture was thrown in a lot of people’s faces as they were growing up in the old church. You know what, a lot of people just gave up because they weren’t taught about the grace and mercy of God. My family taught me about that grace and mercy. We have lost a lot of people in the church because of that teaching.
Kim – Where are you from and how does a blonde headed white lady end up signed to Pure Springs Gospel, a black gospel label?
Vicki – I was raised in Hammond, Louisiana and I do 98% black churches and I’ve done that for the past 10 years. My father pastored a 70% black church so I grew up around soulful music. I love it. I grew up listening to Bishop Jakes, Creflo Dollar. Like I said, I do 98% black churches. On occasion a white church will schedule me, but it’s rare. I hate the black and white thing, but it’s there. There may be areas of the country where it’s all about segregation, but I think it’s mostly about culture. White folks aren’t going to sit in church for three to four hours. White folks aren’t crazy about the black music. It’s repetitious and the style is so different. Your typical white person won’t enjoy it. On the other hand, a black person in a typical Sunday morning white service, well, that would be dead to them. There would be nothing for them. People prefer different styles of music and worship. So I think it’s really a cultural thing more than a racial thing. Being half black and half white, I see both sides and can understand it.
