Marlon: God bless you man! You have a phenomenal single out right now called Hold On. With the unstable times in the world and the economy right now a song like that is just what people need. How did you come up with it?
HB: Well when I decided to sing gospel and I was talking to my mother about the way life was going and she encouraged me and said, "Well when you run away the same problem will be waiting for you when you get there. God hasn't forgotten about you so be encouraged and just hold on."
Marlon: The song is powerful; the lyrics are so strong and your vocals are so powerful that when you hear that song you can't help but be edified and uplifted listening to it. Let's talk about the CD and its title.
HB: The CD is called Out of time, and I wanted to so something that would reach people in all walks of life. Some of the lyrics from the title track say," Nothing is guaranteed, you have to make up your mind before you run out of time." This is not just for the Christian people but for all people the Bible says tells us to Choose ye this day whom you will serve.
Marlon: What label are you working with?
HB: I'm working with Universal.
Marlon: Now you have a song called Church Tonight, tell us about that song.
HB: It was derived from trying to get people back to have an eagerness to go church for the right reasons. You have some people who go to church just to showcase their talent, and others who just don't want to go at all because to them no one is doing right. This is something to listen to that can inspire people to know that church is what we need. I was so glad that my mother had made me got to church so much that as I got older I wanted to got o church because I knew my strength joy and sanity were there. Knowing God is what kept me from taking my life along time ago.
Marlon: What did you do in Mobile, Alabama to get a Holy Boy day?
HB: I’ve been in the city just doing a lot of things and when I came back home I found that people had been keeping up with me, and that how that day came about.
Marlon: So you were born and raised in Mobile? Wow. So you were blessed to have some of your songs in the movie Jada with Clifton Powell talk about that.
HB: That was a blessing in disguise; my manager called and said he wanted to get some of the songs from my album on the movie. The executive producer called and asked if we could also do the title song, so I got with a talented bass player named Andrew Grushae and we did the song in about twenty minutes. The song talks about a woman who was middle class and following the death of her husband she had to return to the hood. It talks about her journey trying to keep her kids rooted and grounded and the struggle to keep them safe from what was going around them.
Marlon: Talk to me about gospel music's influence in your life. You had said in an interview, "Gospel music has kept me sane in an insane world. It has given me peace in the midst of all my storms and has given me purpose and direction."
HB: I feel that way because when I was in the world, people would call me to pray and I didn't understand because I was living the same life they were. While I was in my own way, I was in a church service a word hit me and I'm so glad it did because I would have remained messed up.
Marlon: Something that you said, struck me as something awesome. You said that no matter what situation or condition you were in you always made sure you were at church. A lot of times people frown on others who go to church while they are in the world. Because we know their condition(s), we act as if we doubt that God can fix the lives that they are living too. There is a day that has been ordained of God for each one to come out of their individual situations.
HB: I tell people all the time that church is also for the sick people and we cannot run people away. If they are coming in a way that we think is out of order, we can sit them in the back but still let them fellowship. Church is where we should go to get our healing. I had heard the scripture, "The day you hear my voice harden not your heart." (Hebrews 4:7) That was the particular day that that particular scripture really ministered to me.
Marlon: April 2009 is when you're CD comes out, what are you expecting?
HB: I'm really expecting to be introduced to the Body of Christ and the world, so that people can get a feel for Holy boy, and who I am. I believe God is calling me to minister to people about what it means to live a saved and sanctified life. Sanctified means to be set apart just for God and some of us just need to dedicate our lives and be ready in and out of season. If they call me to minister in the club I know that someone in there needs to hear the word and I'll go in there. To whom much is given much is required so in order for me to acquire these things I had to go through some things.
Marlon: Once the CD releases how can everyone get it?
HB: You can pre-order the album right now at www.myspace.com/HBMonline. If anyone wants to comment or message me, I do make an attempt to communicate with everyone on there.
Marlon: Well thank you man we really look forward for April 2009 and the release of the CD.
HB: I want to encourage everyone that everyday you wake is a day to enjoy life. It is a day that God has made and rejoice in it even if it is filled with trouble. Say God I thank you anyway for this day that you have given me, no matter what I can make it with you.
