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NPR’s Tiny Desk Concert series has reached massive popularity over the last couple of years or so. The live concert usually takes place in a small library, surrounding artists and their crews with books and novelty items, in front of a small audience of music lovers. The platform recently switched its concert style to an “at home” format, trudging through the restrictions of COVID-19.

Kirk Franklin and crew brought energy, laughs and talent live from Franklin’s Texas Studio. Sequestered in a tiny corner under a large photo from the “I Am a Man” march in 1968, six background vocalists, three musicians and the legend himself filled our phones, laptops and homes with love. If you’re fooled by the small space – don’t be. Kirk never leaves his “choir stand” energy behind. He danced and grooved like it was nobody’s business. Dressed in a variety of denim attire, the crew blessed us with a 15-minute performance of “Love Theory,” “Melodies from Heaven,” “Silver & Gold,” and “Smile.”

I sang like I was a 16-year-old girl in my mama’s youth choir again, followed it up with a smooth money dance to the jazzy rendition of “Silver & Gold,” then hit rewind so I can bop some more.  Kirk, thank you for making me feel good and for reminding me that “the same God that loves us loves you. He’s not forgotten about you, and there’s a greater plan for your life…all you gotta do is smile.”