The skies were black when Zacardi Cortez 37, the final performance of the festival was on the stage in the center. Mr. Cortez, whose album "The Introduction" placed No. second on the Billboard magazine top gospel albums chart, shined under the bright spotlights on the stage. One of his songs in his own version, a song he wrote himself called "Praise You," was inspired by funk music from two heroes, Prince and James Brown. His set was a spin to "You've Been Good to Me," slow and beautiful song that praised his faith.

"Mr. Cortez wrote the song just a few months after spending time in prison. "God just had to get in touch with me. He needed to put in my chair for just a time and teach me a few things. Many wonderful events were born from this," Mr. Cortez declared. "I'm so glad that I got to a place where I'll never have to go through those situations again, because God has changed some things, turned some things around."

Bishop Warner, the organizer was on hand when Ms. Cortez closed the festival. Praise Fest was successful, he noted attracted around 2,000 people. Every year, the goal is to give New Orleans a little hope regardless of how difficult the situation. That's the essence of gospel music and it's an ingredient that keeps the spirits up.

"Let's say in a couple years, we're going to have another event like this," Bishop Warner said in reference to Katrina which claimed the lives of more than 1 800 people. "Man you must live your life to the fullest otherwise you'll end up in this and think you're going to do everything to escape, but you'll be killed in the process.

"You got to keep moving."
http://www.dream11today.com/at-praise-fest-in-new-orleans-spreading-the-gospel-through-song-and-community/