Grammy Award-winning gospel artist and producer James Fortune has not allowed the global pandemic to hinder him from producing great music. On June 26 he released a live version of his chart-topping album titled, Dream Again: Live From Rock City.

Fortunate recently sat down with Ambo TV to discuss his latest project, which has already exceeded the record sales of the original Dream Again album within the first two weeks. He admits that while success is not new for him, it never gets old and he remains grateful.

“To still be putting out new music and people supporting it– it just blows my mind to still have number one songs like ‘I Am’ is such a blessing,” Fortunate stated. He added that the great success the album has already experienced is “really…a God thing.”

The inspiration behind the album’s title came during a low period in Fortune’s life when he struggled with dreaming.

“I was in a place where I stopped dreaming because of my own decisions and my marriage ending because of decisions that I made,” he shared. “I didn’t think I had a reason to dream, I felt like my dreams had been shattered. But God redeemed me. I went and got therapy.”

Fortune stated that therapy strengthened his self-awareness.

“I had heard many sermons and I heard plenty of worship songs. I love all of it, but I think therapy allowed me to really look at myself and be able to think, still from a biblical standpoint, but realize stuff from my history and my past that I didn’t realize I was still holding onto,” he revealed.

Now, on the other side of his dark moment, he says that his personal healing process renewed his hope and allowed him to dream again.

“To be able to dream again after the place I was, where I was suicidal and depressed and hated myself for the pain that I’ve caused so many people,” Fortune said. “For me to be able to dream again then anyone can dream again.”

The idea to record a live version of Dream Again came while brainstorming with his producer during the pandemic. “I’m talking to my producer, we have a whole digital release right here. We don’t have to rerecord anything, we’re in a pandemic, and we can get this mix mastered,” Fortune recalls.

One of the leading singles on the album, “I Am,” which peaked at #1 on the Billboard Gospel Airplay Chart for several weeks, reminds listeners that they have everything they need from God. Fortune acknowledges, however, that believers may struggle with the message of the song because they are focusing on their lack and not God.

“You have to realize that where a lot of worry and frustration comes from us looking at what we don’t have,” he states. But Fortune counters this fear by referring to the scripture, specifically 2 Peter 1:2, “His divine power has given to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of Him who called us by glory and virtue.”

Fortune’s advice for those struggling to believe and dream again is simple yet profound.

“[We must] realize that God knows what’s best for us, even when we think we know what’s best for ourselves.”

Dream Again: Live From Rock City is available on all streaming platforms.

 

(Photo: provided by artist)