Singer Performs Live in Elkridge Before Releasing DVD

"If anything brings us together despite our color or backgrounds, I think music is a joining force from all walks of life,” said Rev. Anthony Brown to a group gathered in the earlier this month.

His performance came just before the release of his DVD entitled Dream, A Black History Month Musical Celebration, at the . The DVD included the premiere of “A Change Is Gonna Come,” Brown's remake of the song originally performed by Sam Cooke in the 1960s during the Civil Rights movement.

Brown recorded the music video for that particular song on the footbridge in Ellicott City because of its proximity to Mt. Gilboa Church in Oella, which he said had been there for 180 years and was one of the oldest African-American churches around.

Among those who attended, it was unanimous the performance was both educational and uplifting.

“He talked more this year,” said Marjorie Shodcraft of Elkridge, who came to Brown’s Black History Month performance at the senior center in 2010 as well. “I liked it!”

Sisters Martha and Rosie Blackstone, who also live in Elkridge, were in agreement that the quality of the entire performance was topnotch.

“It was excellent,” said Martha Blackstone.

“It was awesome, it was filling, and it encouraged you to go forward,” added Rosie Blackstone.

To hear Brown for yourself, visit him on Sundays at in Catonsville or check out his website.