Concert preview
“3 in 1” tour
With Brandon Heath, Mandisa and Laura Story. 7:30 p.m. April 9. $25-$35. Piedmont Church, 570 Piedmont Road, Marietta. 770-422-2566, www.itickets.com.
Mandisa has done countless TV appearances in her six-year career as a soul-gospel singer, but recently came one of her more memorable invites.
In August, Mandisa helped send off Robin Roberts as the “Good Morning America” co-host embarked on a daunting medical trial by singing her uplifting anthem, “Stronger.”
With Roberts’ return on Feb. 20, Mandisa was again called upon to offer her inspirational song.
“How could I say no to that?” Mandisa, 36, said as she was readying to board a flight to New York for the appearance.
“(The song) really helped me get through my recovery,” Roberts told her on the show. “I have listened to your CD over and over again.”
Those types of responses are what motivate Mandisa, a top-10 finisher during the 2006 season of “American Idol” who has landed more than a dozen hits on the Christian music charts.
She’ll perform many of those hits — and some worship songs — when she, Brandon Heath and Laura Story (a Johns Creek resident) visit Piedmont Church in Marietta on April 9 as part of the “3 in 1” tour.
The engaging singer, who has lost about 100 pounds since 2009 on a journey she calls “not just physical, but spiritual and emotional,” chatted about the tour, plans for a new album and her loyalty to “American Idol.”
Q: Last year when I talked to Laura, she was on tour with you. She described your relationship as “glitter meets granola,” with her being the granola.
A: (laughs) We always say it's like bling and Birkenstocks. But that's the concept of this tour. The three of us couldn't be more different, but we're united by Jesus and that makes us one body.
Q. What’s the setup of the tour? Will you perform together?
A: We're all doing our own sets, but we have some surprises in each other's sets. There will be some rapping, some dancing. Brandon is a little more country, which is a very new thing for me. I feel like it's redemption since I was eliminated during country week (on "American Idol").
Q: Even six years after you were on the show, do you still feel an attachment?
A: I do. I've always felt an attachment, even before I was on it. I still watch to this day. I haven't missed a season, and I have some friends on it who go to my church (Rachel Hale and Josh Holiday, who have since been eliminated from the competition). … Both Josh and Rachel would like to go on and do Christian music as well. You don't have to win it to be successful — I'm living proof of that.
Q: What’s your take on the new judging panel?
A: It's very surprising to me; I wasn't expecting to be a fan of Nicki Minaj's, but she's got a sweet spot in her. Some of her comments, I am pleasantly surprised. And if you consider the voices of our generation, Mariah (Carey) is one of them.
Q: Your last album was almost two years ago — what’s the status on a new one?
A: This is the first time I'm touring at the same time as recording. I'm out on the road Wednesday-Monday and in the studio Tuesday and Wednesday during the day working on it. It should be out late spring or summer.
Q: So at your live shows, what is the message or vibe that you want to get across?
A: I want people to walk away feeling united with their brothers and sisters in Christ. I love that we can have this tour that we're coming together with all of our differences. Laura and I have such a great camaraderie, and me and Brandon always talked about wanting to do this. He spread this rumor — false, I might add! — that we were dating, so people started using this hashtag Brandisa. Now we have a tour when we can really claim it!
