The Gospel Guru Interviews Urban Soul Cafe Founder Carlos Hale
Carlos Hale, a Tennessee native whose life serves as an example of resilience and grace in the face of adversity, has emerged as one of the leaders in urban gospel music. By creating a platform for both indie and national artists with his unique brand Urban Soul Café, he has set a new standard in Christian entertainment, which takes kingdom building through Gospel music a step further. [Source]
The Gospel Guru caught up with Mr. Hale to discuss his brainchild Urban Soul Cafe–check out the interview below as Carlos dishes on UScafe’s humbling beginnings, favorite Gospel artists, and much more.
TGG: How did the name Urban Soul Cafe come about?
Carlos Hale: The Lord gave me that name in the summer of 2006, and that became the name of the brand. Urban comes from the style of music and the mentality in terms of music…they called black music “urban music” at the time. So I wanted to come up with that concept so that we could not only market to the gospel community but also to the mainstream or non-churched community. The soul part is not only dealing with the soul music part we’re trying to do but it’s also to deal with the soul of man. And of course cafe…cafe is what it is. It’s a hang-out spot where people can come here good music…a social setting where people can come and here good music, positive music. So that’s how Urban Soul Cafe came about.
TGG: Urban Soul Cafe has become one of the premiere events for Stellar-Award weekend, did you foresee USCafe becoming what it is now?
Carlos Hale: Honestly , I didn’t. When we did the very first Urban Soul cafe during stellar award weekend it was January 2007. Back then I didn’t use Twitter or Instagram, I had one way of getting people’s attention and that was Myspace.com. For three weeks we blew up Myspace.com, and to the point where we drew 500 young adults in one night at BB Kings. It was a beautify sight– we drew blacks, whites, Latinos, etc. I kinda knew that something was gonna take place in a good way!
TGG: Who are some Gospel artists that have influenced what you do for Gospel music?
Carlos Hale: Oh wow! Gospel wise..when I was in High school and college the soundtrack of my life was…It’s funny that you ask this question because now I’m friends with these artists. Of course Kirk Franklin, Fred Hammond, Commissioned, Marvin Sapp, and on the urban side there’s Gritt’s, Gospel Gangstaz, Petidee, Dawkins & Dawkins, Men of Standard (My favorite male group of all time), The Clark Sisters. I can not go without mentioning the Clark Sisters, I remember hearing their music around the house when I was a child. They have been very supportive In what I do, I feel like I’m Carlos Clark when i’m around them.
TGG: This year Urban Soul Cafe is honoring Twinkie Clark, Vashawn Mitchell, and Aaron Lindsey. How’d you go about handpicking the honorees?
Carlos Hale: I started in March of 2013, the first person I reached out to was Aaron Lindsey. Aaorn has been a supporter of UScafe ever since I can remember! As a producer, I don’t think too many producers get the credit that they deserve because they’re mostly behind the scenes, which is why we’re honoring him with the Unsung award. Twinkie, she’s getting our lifetime achievement award. And I chose her because her, Aaron and Vashawn are all producer. The theme for their tribute is songs in the Key of life. Twinkie for over 40 years has blessed so many generations with music, and she’s the queen of the hammond b3 organ. And Vashawn he was one of the very first artists we ever booked to be apart of UScafe! Anytime we need him he’ll come through. He should get the artist of the year award because he’s a mover and shaker, he’s doing a lot of things behind the scenes. All 3 honorees are great producers and songwriters, and that’s why the theme is songs in the key of life.
TGG: Urban Soul Cafe continues to flourish year after year, what do you plan to do to further the Urban Soul Cafe brand?
Carlos Hale: One thing is outreach ministry, I want to take some of these famous friends that I have and make an impact in the community…not just on stage but also off stage. Personally, I want to be more involved with the creativity with where gospel music is going. We have a lot of talented and anointed artists and some of them don’t get their just due. Business wise, i’d like to see UScafe get its own TV show, get back into radio with a syndicated show, etc.
TGG: What advice would you give someone who is aspiring to promote Gospel music on a platform such as yourself?
Carlos Hale: My advice would be to research and know your market. Stay in your lane! Be humble, have integrity, and have some originality in what you do. Be prayerful, fast, and stay prayed up!
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Don’t miss out on all of the great Urban Soul Cafe sponsored events this weekend in Nashville for Stellar award weekend! Events will feaure artists such as Twinkie Clark, Vashawn Mitchell, Aaron Lindsey, Joshua Rogers, Tasha Page Lockhart, Tasha Cobbs, Zie’l and much more. For full details visit, UrbanSoulCafe.com.
