Washington, DC (Tehillah Enterprises) - VGR Entertainment, a brand new D.C.-based entertainment company, is ready to give gospel music fans what they've been waiting for. The latest signing of VGR Entertainment, headed by industry mover-and-shaker Vikki Johnson, is Derek Triplett, Senior Pastor of Hope Fellowship Church in Daytona Beach, Florida. This true worshipper is prepared to lift up the name of Jesus with a powerful anointing, gifted vocal artistry and Christ-centered songs. Triplett, the most recent signee to the VGR roster, comes to the label as an established songwriter having one of his songs featured as the title tune on the new release from fellow VGR Entertainment artist IZZY and another song featured on the praise and worship project Bow Down And Worship Him recorded by the Full Gospel Baptist Fellowship Mass Choir with Bishop Paul S. Morton.
Currently, Triplett is the Bishop of the Ninth Diocese and the Director of Youth and Young Adults for the United Covenant Churches of Christ under the leadership of Bishop Larry D. Trotter, Presiding Prelate. Preaching since the young age of 19, he connected with the Full Gospel Baptist Church Fellowship, under the guidance of founder and International Presiding Bishop Paul S. Morton, and was consecrated as Bishop in 1998. Triplett moved up quickly in the ranks of Full Gospel and has served in such capacities as State Bishop of Florida, Faculty Chair of the Full Gospel School of Ministry and Bishop of Youth.
He started writing songs as a teenager, but didn't take the gifting seriously until he went to college. 'Initially, I started writing again because I needed more songs for the choir I was directing. Before that, my songwriting was a ministry for me personally; it was an outlet,' says Triplett. Although the songs were a comfort to him, he was afraid for people to hear them. 'At the time, I was hesitant to share my songs with others. Songs are so personal. It's almost like when someone asks you if you think their newborn is cute. What can you say?' he muses. 'The artist has such a personal connection to the art. If you aren't secure with where you are, you're afraid for it to be judged,' he states. In spite of his fear, he decided to step out on faith and with the encouragement of his music staff, he started teaching songs to his church.
Shortly thereafter, a good friend of Triplett's, A.J. Wright, a well-known gospel producer and keyboardist, had a chance to listen to one of his musical creations and said to him, 'This stuff is good'. One of his songs ended up being recorded on a project by the New Birth Church in Miami, Florida, in 1995. It was just the beginning for Triplett's songwriting career. Already connected to the Full Gospel Baptist Church Fellowship, word spread of his talents and before he knew it, his song I'm Grateful ended up on the Bow Down And Worship Him CD recorded by Full Gospel Baptist Fellowship Mass Choir. His songs have also been recorded by Bishop Larry Trotter & The Sweet Holy Spirit Choir. His two songs, Sweet Holy Spirit and Great Change, were featured on the project What's To Come Is Better Than What's Been. Another song of his, We're In Your House, was included one the urban praise and worship compilation, Ebony Praise.
One of Triplett's most powerful musical creations is Izzy's lead single, In Awe Of You. Included on the debut smash of IZZY, another VGR Entertainment artist, the song was birthed during an intimate time of personal worship. 'When I was given that song,' says Triplett, 'I really felt the presence of God that particular morning. Actually, at the time, I was going through a difficult period and needed that strong presence. Worship took me from where I was to where God wanted me to be. The song came to me and I started singing it to Him,' says Triplett. He says that In Awe Of You has been a favorite at his church in Central Florida for months and he believes the tune will bless many others. Triplett seems to have an uncanny ability to write vertically-directed tunes which lovers of God can relate to while simultaneously touching the very heart of God.
Triplett will now be stepping from behind the curtain into the spotlight with his upcoming project for his VGR Entertainment debut release. He's excited about the forthcoming recording and the new relationship with his record label. Triplett says, 'I actually met Vikki Johnson years ago. During a conversation, she asked me to write a song for IZZY's project. Once she heard the song, she said, 'Is there more of that in you?' So shortly after that, I was signed to VGR,' says Triplett.
Triplett is preparing for the live CD/DVD recording which will take place at his home church, Hope Fellowship Church in Daytona Beach, Florida, on November 2nd. Triplett believes the recording will be a powerful time of enjoying God's presence. He says, 'We have an incredible worship service here. We plan to capture that amazing spirit of worship and the incredible time of praise and fellowship we have at Hope. We believe that the energy from our time with God will bless people around the world'.
