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Tell us a little bit about who you are, where you come from, and what brought you to this point
in ministry?
L.R. - First of all I'd like to say hello Sis. Bethany...long time no see. I haven't seen
you since our KSTL 690 AM days. Hope all is well with you and your family and thank you to you and MeTooMusic Magazine for
this opportunity. I greatly appreciate it. Now to answer your question, I am a born-again, Holy Ghost filled minister of the
Gospel of Jesus Christ, a husband, a father and a friend. I'm from St. Louis, MO but I grew up in Oakland, CA with a brief
stint in Los Angeles. I was born-again November 9, 1995, I accepted my call to ministry in May 1997, my wife Paris and I started
our record company ForWord Records in 1999 and the release of my first CD " I Can't Stop Thanking God" followed.
Seven albums later and counting, I'm still on the battle field for my Lord.
 Let's talk about what's new! You have a new album out, "I Got Your Back". Where
did the concept come from in concerns with that?
L.R. - Like all my CD's, this CD "I
Got Your Back" was inspired by the Holy Spirit. The title was directly given to me from God after I went through a phase
of feeling unappreciated by family, friends, church folks, and other colleagues in the industry that I helped and supported
over the years and not even receiving as much as a "Thank you" once they made it and felt like they didn't need
my help anymore. I wanted to become callus and bitter, but God said not so. God told me to continue to love, forgive, and
have their back because He has mine...hence the title "I Got Your Back". Recording that song has been one of the
greatest experiences ever because I got to work with two of St. Louis' finest. My God-brother Levi "Too" King who
produced the track and my play sister Meaghan Williams sang the chorus. The song has become a favorite and an anthem for the
church which goes to show you what happens when you have the favor of the anointing of God working on your behalf and in what
you're doing. The CD was Executive Produced by myself and my wife (Larry Rodgers and Paris Rodgers); Produced by myself (Larry
Rodgers), Levi "Too" King, and Antha "Rednote" Rodgers; and in addition to Meaghan Williams, the CD also
features C-Micah and Antha "Rednote" Rodgers.
 You have been cross country doing a tour, what has been the response from those who live nationwide?
L.R. - It has been overwhelming. It was actually a West Coast tour starting in Oakland, CA with other
California cities in the middle and ending in Los Angeles. I must confess that I had to cancel some dates because I became
extremely home sick, missing my wife Paris and new baby boy Langston. But I'm a man of integrity so I gave the churches rain
checks. Here locally, I've been doing a Sunday morning tour which consist of me coming to local churches and doing an "A"
selection during their Sunday morning service, and it has been going great. We recently brought the tour to GABFAC where we
fellowshipped with my God-family Bishop and First Lady King and the King family. The members of the church showed major love
and support. The next big stop for the "I Got Your Back" Tour will be at the Regional Arts Commission on December
13, 2011 at 7:00 pm. For more info, contact minlrodgers@hotmail.com.
 The video, "This Is The Day", Who produced the video? L.R.
- Exousia Productions which consist of husband and wife team, Armand & Lolita Buford of St. Louis, MO.
 Who was the team behind making this video a reality?
L.R.
- Actually the majority of the people who helped make the video become a reality were married couples with the exception of
my God-nephew. I didn't intend for it to be that way...God just made it happen that way. It was awesome to see all the couples
working together so diligently to help make one of my dreams come true. So once again, I'd like to say thank you to my wife
Paris, Min. Chad "The Diplomat" Mitchell and wife Kim, Catrell Davis, and directors Armand & Lolita. And one
other couple who wished to be there but couldn't because they were celebrating their 10th wedding anniversary was C-Micah
and Crystal Morris. I believe on that day, God was trying to show me the power of unity through the strongest form of unity
which is the institution of marriage; because team work makes the dream work!
 Was it a collaboration on where to shoot it and what the video was to detail?
L.R. - Yes, it was a collaborative effort between ForWord Records and Exousia Productions.
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 Now, there was a little controversy concerning it. A comment of YouTube called you "Chris
Brown". Do you feel in any way that you brought any worldly attributes to this video? Do you truly believe
Christ was displayed to the fullest?
L.R. - Actually, they didn't call me Chris Brown,
they were warning Chris Brown by making the comment "Watch out..." as if to say that I was his new competition.
But there's no need for alarm to him or anyone else because I'm not in competition with anyone. First of all, light and darkness
don't mix. To answer your question regarding if I feel in any way that I brought any worldly attributes to this video....the
answer would be absolutely not, and I say that with all humility because there's nothing worldly about me, the song or the
video. See, I live, move and have my being in Jesus. I take my relationship and lifestyle in Christ very seriously. I don't
believe in compromising in anything. I'm not perfect, but I'm not playing either. When it comes to serving God, I do it to
the best of my ability. I believe that when God has chosen you, He has also approved you, so there's no need to justify anything
to people that don't agree. Just love them, pray for them and keep moving forward. And as long as I keep that kind of character
and mentality, God will forever be glorified through me.
 Now I have heard your awesome testimony as well as what critics have to say concerning the type
of music you display. Is rap music God's music? If it is, how is He portrayed?
L.R.
- First of all, critics are irrelevant because the majority of them tell lies and not the truth and have no place in the body
of Christ. The Bible says that the truth shall set you free. Not ones opinion of you. I'm not naive to the fact that not everyone
supports Christian rap. To be honest, I don't support all of it either. Reason being is because all of those who do it are
not using the platform to glorify God. But that's where I come in. I'm using this style of music to reverence, honor, worship
and praise the One who created all people no matter what genre of music they sing or play. The Lord said, "If I be lifted
up, I will draw all men unto me." And with every CD that I've put out thus far, that has been done and will continue
to be done.
 What's next for Larry Rodgers?
L.R. - My new book. Working on a movie which
I will write, produce and direct. More music of course. We've got a new clothing line coming out in the new year 2012. I've
finally accepted my call to pastor. And last but not least, continuing to do the will of God for my life.
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