Grace & Peace,

To be known as the “Come-Back Kid,” is a greater accolade than what it appears to be. It is a privilege for one (whether saved or not) to learn one of life’s greatest lessons—how to get back up in spite of. If you don’t know how to recover after the fall, you will allow yourself to become as the world says you are, a statistic—right where Satan wants us as a defeated foe.Being the CBK means either of the following happened: You have been attacked or bombarded in an attempt to prohibit you from going forth, or fallen into the “they don’t want me to,” or “I can’t get up,” stage. But through it all you found your way out. In any event that CBK is constantly reminded in the Word of God; and if you are and know who God says you are, you know that greater is He that is in you than he that is in the world (watch the caps). Therefore whatever the enemy tries to do to you, it won’t work… I say it all the time people, WE WIN!

And the winner in the seventh round, after seven hot CDs (recording this most recent one in 2007 the year of completion) is none other than Mr. Ricky Dillard the Come-Back Kid! Not only did he recover all, after his home was discarded in a fire, he received double for his trouble.Holding several monikers, “The Choirmaster” (being one of them) is now known as Dr. Dillard since receivingDoctorate in Humane Letters in St. Paul , MN on October 20, 2007 . He is also known for being an entrepreneur. After leaving Crystal Rose Records he started his own label, Animated Entertainment Inc.(with backing from Alliant Music Group and EMI Gospel as it’s distributor). What a great way to set off your own thing by doing your own thang—his new CD rightfully is titled The 7 th Episode.

You can trust that Dr. Dillard & the New Generation Choir will bring you choir at its best and all of its decorum. He will continue to be around showing the local church choirs how it’s done.

Whether it’s the attire of a choir or the sounds of great vibrato and annunciation, you will be captivated by the total package.He keeps flavor in all that he does, no matter if it’s the contemporary sound,, traditional throw-backs or the best of the hymnals. You can tell it’s an R.D masterpiece anointed by God. From the time you put this 15 track wonder, in your CD player you are going into the first track “Awesome God” with praise & worship, and ending on the same note with “ Thou Art God My God.”Oh wait, the other good stuff is in the middle. Dillard has decided to let the holy spirit reveal his writing craft with a simple statement—a great message, a lot of bump, make you wanna bounce as you tell the world that Jesus is “The Light” (which by the way is the first single and on rotation everywhere).

{Side Bar: Did you see him perform this song on the Stellar Awards? If he isn’t The Choir Director...}

He also re-recorded wonderful masterpieces of other ministers adding an R.D. touch —Pastor Eric McDaniel’s’“One More Chance” and Edwin Hawkins’ “ Search Me Lord.” And yes, if you’re wondering, Nikki Ross is on this one too (yeah she sings with Kirk Franklin, but she’s a long term member of New G. Remember her on the last CD with “There Is No Way”? Yup that’s the one.) She blows on the classical hymn “I Surrender All” (a cry your eyes out arrangement by F. Darnell Davis).

Although he participated in the Stellars this year, you can believe that this CD will gather plenty of nominations next year. Ricky Dillard has made up in his mind that you can put whatever you want in his path and he will trust God for his way out and not only come back, but come out on top with a praise track # 8 says: “Seal It With A Praise 'The Dance' “ Hey, he’s only been doing this choir thing since he was three-years-old and singing with New G for the last 15 years. Tiy may be thinking he’s about to wrap it up, huh? Not hardly… you ain’t seen nothing yet! Perfecting the praise in song is what he demonstrates on every level—the excellence of ministry in song is his passion and I believe he has much, much more in store for us! Get the CD and you’ll see what I’m talking about.