The Vine News

Just in time for Valentine’s Day, Derrick Pearson and New Covenant released their new single, “If This Were Really Love,” a message about love and commitment.

The single is just a slice of the new two-disc project “You and Me Time” that encourages relationship with God, and springs from Pearson’s own experience.

In this interview, Pearson explains just what it’s all about.

TVN: You started your group in 2005, but you're not new to the music scene. Tell me a little about your background

DP: I started some years ago playing bass guitar and keyboards for local R&B & Go-Go groups in and around D.C. Soon I started writing and composing songs. My first song to get heard was a tune I composed for a local TV show called “The Dance Connection”. I then went on to write the go-go hit “Movin and Groovin” with my group Redds & the boys, which has been one of the few go-go songs to chart on Billboard. I then went on to compose and produce for national artist like the OJays, The Whispers, the Dells and others. Many of those songs have been used in TV and film for shows like Miami Vice, The Equalizer, Inside NBA Stuff and others. In 1988 I turned my life and all that is in my life over to the Lord Jesus Christ and since then I only do music that will glorify God and is in line with the word of God; however the experience of those early days helps with what God has led me to do today.

TVN: Now tell me about New Covenant. Who are they and where did they come from?

DP: New Covenant is a group I formed after the release of my second CD project entitled “Lord You are my Everything”. The group is made up of vocalist and musicians that sang and played on the IAM Music Company projects and are solo artist in their own right. The group members are Chip Austin, Adrian Gause, Rita Hollins, Tahesha Jones, Shari Pearson, Alan Reid and EJ Thomas, all of which are part of the IAM Music Company family. All are born again believers that are active members of their respective church music departments and we all have come together to lift up the name of Jesus Christ in music and song.

TVN: What about this project specifically? What made you want to write and sing about time with God?

DP: I hope to encourage listeners not to be afraid or too prideful, to stop, and take out time with the Lord, especially when we are off just a bit. As I watch and listen to the events in and around the body of Christ, I have been troubled, by what seems to be an unwillingness to stop and correct ourselves when we fall short. Instead, it seems we just continue with our positions & assignments, never really taking out time to evaluate how our situation got this bad, or to let the Lord correct us. That, I believe, is a very poor witness for Christ. I hope “You and Me Time” will encourage us to just stop for a while, spend some time with the Lord, renew our minds, and let the spirit of God and the word of God correct us. In other words is ok to give God some you and me time.

TVN: How has this project impacted you personally?

DP: Personally as an independent recording company it has taken a lot of resources, time, and hard work to get what I believe is quality music project out to the listener. However it is a labor of love and a part of my call. I am always reminded not to get weary in well doing knowing that my labor in the Lord is never in vain.

TVN: How would you like it to impact others?

DP: I hope to encourage and provoke thought about our choices and our direction. To encourage us to look to Jesus the author and finisher of our faith for he will always be faithful to direct us, to protect us, and to provide for us if we will just live, move and have our being in Him.

TVN: If there were one thing that you wanted people to get from listening to your music, what would it be?

DP: Inspired. Inspired to seek the Lord Jesus Christ for all of our needs in life. Inspired with confidence to know that Jesus is the way the truth and the life and he is the only answer for what we are facing today. Inspired to cast our cares on Him for he cares for us.

TVN: What's next for IAM and for New Covenant?

DP: New Covenant is rehearsing and preparing for live ministry dates and we will be filming two more music videos in the spring and summer. Later this year, we are planning to film a live DVD, and an overseas tour is also in the works. IAM Music Company will be releasing a “greatest hits” project, a marriage relationship project, an instrumental project and solo projects on several members of New Covenant. So please keep your eyes and ears open for IAM Music Company projects as Gods’ grace provides.