Kirk Franklin: a conversation worth the wait

By Latrisha McDuffie
Special NDG Contributor

I must admit that I am a fan. Franklin is the top gospel artist in Nielsen Soundscan history, selling more than 12 million albums and more than 20 #1 gospel hits. I can almost name a Kirk Franklin song for every moment of my life. So, waiting on the phone recently for the author who penned, He Loves Me, Silver and Gold and Something About That Name Jesus, was not an inconvenience. His assistant returned to the phone to ask for my continued patience and to offer an apology from the esteemed gospel artist.

When Franklin picked up the phone you could hear the balls juggling in the air. He apologized again himself before explaining that his family was celebrating his son’s thirteenth birthday. He was helping with the birthday party to ensure his wife would not be overwhelmed with handling the party alone. I accepted his apology with stating that it was okay because I was trying to become more patience. And he quickly retorted “Let me know sister if you get there.”

In just that moment, you see what has made Kirk Franklin such a great songwriter. He is known for his honesty and willingness to admit his personal faults. He has spoken out about his relationship with his mother, about the dark side of the gospel industry, and about his addiction to porn. Now, Kirk Franklin has written a new book that details The Blueprint: A Plan For Living Above Life’s Storms.

The book is written in an everyday vernacular that moves beyond typical Sunday language. Don’t expect to find “churchisms” like: “God is good all the time, and all the time God is good.” Franklin states that he did not want to use phrases that people only use for two hours on Sunday. He stated that he wrote the book with the same language people use when they are in the car or in their homes.

In this day in age, Christian authors are everywhere. Currently, Franklin is reading “two joints” by popular Christian writers: So You Want to be Like Christ by Chuck Swindoll and Fearless by Max Lucado.

When asked why he wanted to write a book and why now, Franklin stated his “hard knocks” inspired the book, which is about balancing life. And according to him nothing is off limits. He discusses marriage, finances and sex.

“God’s does not want us to put living on hold during life’s storms” Franklin explains, “God wants us to live above the storm”.

And Franklin seems to be not only living but also flying above life. Currently, you can catch him on BET’s Sunday’s Best; one of the highest rated Christian television shows. He is also active in the social networking arena as he regularly tweets with over 72,000 followers at http://twitter.com/KIRKFRANKLIN.

So, how does someone with so much going on live above the storm without flying off into celebrity? Well, Franklin credits his “dope wife” and the fact that he is surrounded by people who do not care about what he is doing.

Franklin, is a winner of numerous honor including Grammys and NAACP awards. Also the author of the memoir, Church Boy: My Music & My Life, he lives in Texas with his wife, Tammy, and their four children. Fans can meet Franklin at the upcoming book signing for The Blueprint: A Plan For Living Above Life’s Storms in Garland, Monday May 24 at the Barnes & Noble Firewheel Towne Center located at 190 Cedar Sage Drive Unit #BB01. For more information call 972-496-2000.

Editor’s note: Last week’s edition incorrectly stated the book signing was scheduled for May 17. We apologize for any inconvenience.