(PT. 2) GOSPEL SUPER GROUP COMMISSIONED, BREAKS THE SILENCE AND TELLS ALL ON THE JOJO HILL SHOW!!

COMMISSIONED HAS A GREAT CONVERSATION WITH JOJO HILL PT2!

[@GreggDMoore]

Fellas,...FORGIVENESS and RESTORATION! Sounds like a great name for your next Commissioned tour! :-) Hurry,...time waits for no one.

[@J.Bonded66]

I AGREE!!!!! 4 GUYS ON 1 SIDE & 2 ON THE OTHER!!!! NO FORGIVENESS!!!!!

[@revkda]

That is good, Bishop Brooks! It is a blessing everyone is still alive! But on that note, I pray no one will not let the sun go down on their wrath and you all get back together while everyone is still here on earth! Us fans want more! We love you all so very much! I am 50 and your music is the soundtrack of my life (in tears).

[@disgurluvsmuzik]

I got to hang with them and work the Reunion concert in Cincinnati back 2019. I’ve met Fred plenty of times Marvin Sapp and Marcus Cole too.

[@lorarussell286]

That's right

[@revkda]

Fred is the Commissioned sound. He can go and create a group to sound like Commissioned let’s be real! #1CommissionedFan

[@ksandersc5]

He's definitely part of it, but Karl up top and Keith and Mitch back then 🔥🔥🔥🔥

[@PastorWill_]

Fred’s voice stood out in every mix. No one can even sound like him across all genres of music. FH deserved every ounce of success he’s seen over the last 30+ years!!!

[@rpage2020]

@@PastorWill_ True and he definitely deserves to be listed on the Trademark. Karl and Mitch doing this without him is both disappointment and eye opening to me.

[@CHASECOM3]

@@PastorWill_I’m sure he had smthing to do with the mix!

[@RichardClarkIII]

Yeah let's be real Michael Brooks can start a group that sounds like Commmissioned also... Totally Committed (A Silver Lining) Karl and Mitch spearheaded two Commissioned albums after Fred left and stayed true to the Commissioned sound with a touch of Boys II Men harmony. The Commissioned legacy will continue with or without Fred

[@rpage2020]

Is ANYBODY going to call a spade a spade here? I see right through it. Go look at Fred's latest. He said "there is no US." The reason for that is because it's Mitch and Karl. There's no us in "Commissioned" anymore because Karl and Mitch own the name. So if "Commissioned" does come back together, who has the power of the yes and the no? Karl and Mitch. Brooks said himself there was a power struggle back then and he was on one side of it! Brooks got the boot. Keith got the boot. Marvin wasn't welcomed until he was recruited to read a letter saying "Fred is not seen as our leader." When people come to "Commissioned" (Karl and Mitch) with creative ideas ever since THEY trademarked the name, (ie Marcus Cole, Fred, Keith or anyone else) and Karl and Mitch don't like the idea or just don't wanna like it for whatever reason, then it's a wash. BECAUSE THEY TRADEMARKED THE NAME years ago. The fact is, Christians (even these) do underhanded things and cause contention among their brothers. My question for Karl is: Did the Holy Spirit tell you to sit down with ALL of your brothers and say, "Hey guys, LET'S get this name trademarked because WE put a lot of work into this group and we want to preserve it"? Or did another spirit have you do it the way you did? I think people can see through all the religiousness. I think folks will ultimately support EVERYONE involved (and should), but come on man. Yall have been hurtful and it's coming to light by your own admission. It's process of elimination. Everyone who walked away was wrong? No. There's a common thread in the conversation throughout the years. Fred Hammond, Keith Staton or any of these other guys who put in all this work for the group can never use the name Commissioned now. Only Karl and Mitch can. The way YOU TWO make this right is to FIX that. Immediately.

[@rogerwhitsettdrummer2922]

Wow!!!!

[@MrDalove3]

Proof is evident....Commissioned is better together. No matter what yall say all yall had roles but Fred is a major major part that can't be denied. Only you can fix this.....

[@jaipeez]

Facts

[@MrDalove3]

Karl Reid & Mitchell Jones know that Fred Hammond is just as much as Commissioned as they are. Look at all the hits Fred has (many). Who else out of Commissioned has that.....Marvin Sapp does but he is not an original...Time has told what Commissioned was and is now....Karl & Mitch you may have the name but that's it....where's the music....yall should go to Texas and humble your egos.....

[@MrDalove3]

Everyone should own the name since everyone played an important role......

[@revkda]

Keith Staten was and is a masterful adliber!!!

[@anthonybrown9797]

Great interview…now will SOMEONE present the olive branch 🕊️ so we can get some reconciliation!!! 😊

[@pastorl.t.alexander9954]

If you going to call yourself Men Of God then go to each other’s and get it right so it can be a complete healing not half with each other but all of yall

[@southfield82]

Commissioned made a song "I'm gonna let my love flow" i think all members need to go listen to that song

[@HBCSTL9587]

51:31 I think all Fred really needed was to hear this from them. Hopeful for the future. Love all these guys. It ain’t the same without all of you involved

[@boopa318]

Didn't Fred come up with the name Commissioned?

[@rianrobinson3832]

Yes

[@KingofMemphis]

He did but you’ll notice how they struggled to even give him credit for it. Sad to see

[@A_Wise_Masterbuilder]

Thank you R.W. JoJo Hill and Carl Reid, Michael Brooks, Mitchell Jones, Michael Williams. It's been so enlightening to hear this side of the story. I still remember picking up your first album in the 1980s. Back then, we could only judge a book (album cover) by its cover 🙂. I never really saw a group dressed the way COMMISSIONED was dressed on that album cover, until then. I looked at your faces and the positions you all were standing (Carl was sitting. 🙂) and I thought, these guys look cool. I asked my father could he purchase that album for me. He did! The rest is history. You guys have been my favorite group of all times. God bless you, all! Thank you all for God's mission you've accomplished through music. / I pray that reconciliation will be made. The Father will not forgive us if we don't forgive our brothers and sisters in our hearts.

[@juankelly1004ify]

Appreciate you guys for wanting to clear things up! Too important to the kingdom for things to be this way. Blessings ❤️ COMMISSIONED FOREVER

[@pastorgofficialzim9079]

FH real backbone guys make it right

[@erudicity1126]

Healing Healing Healing 🤗🙏. Blessings upon you all. André. Birmingham England. Legends in the Lord!!! Listening since the eighties and still listening! 'COM'MISSION'ED'

[@virginiatate1321]

My Brothers In Christ, you have been and still are a blessing in my life. I re-bought your CDs recently. Your ministry got me through some really hard times, my children love you and we will continue to enjoy your ministry. May God bless Commissioned to make another album. God Forgives. Much love to you all!💕

[@faithcommunitychurch-memph9359]

As a day one Commissioned fan, it is so disappointing to see these legends sit on this internet for two hours, stroking each other and doing everything but acknowledging the fact that Fred Hammond is the "key man" of this group. The 1:03:00 mark was a chance for these great men to walk in integrity and simply acknowledge the truth, but they failed again. In the Insurance business, they have something called a "key man" policy. Why is it so hard for Black people to honor each other? There is no Commissioned without Fred Hammond. Why is it so hard for so called brothers to acknowledge who Fred is and what he represents to this group? Acknowledging Fred's position takes nothing away from any other member.

[@commissioned2797]

Unfortunately, with all due respect what you are referring to is not the issue when it comes to the group Commissioned, I understand you are an outsider looking in, but they are so many layers of things that you have no idea that have been going on for years and if you did know your comments would be a lot different.

[@commissioned2797]

The comments that you’ve heard online, unfortunately, were never true, and the issues that have occurred with the group over the years has never had anything to do with respecting the leadership of someone. One thing that I can personally attest to is that these particular gentleman have most definitely taking the highroad and most people that have gone through what this group has gone through as individual members most people in the R&B and hip-hop and pop space would have handled things in a much different way, but yet in steel these members have not told all of the dark secrets that have taken place in Norwell they ever air out those things publicly.

[@faithcommunitychurch-memph9359]

@@commissioned2797 Thank you for your response. Please know that some of us have enough life experience, common sense and discernment to know that there are always two sides to every story, and then the truth. It is clear that all of you are guilty, including Fred Hammond. But at this juncture of you all's personal lives and careers, all of you should be bigger than this. I've met Fred in person, and it wasn't the best experience at that time. But I would never ever deny who Fred is. Commissioned had 20 years to produce without Fred and it simply did not happen. Fred is one of the biggest Gospel artists this world has known, and there is a courtesy that comes with that. It seems that everyone knows how iconic each of you are except you all. I'm 55 and I have every piece of music Commissioned has ever released. I've been to countless live Commissioned shows. All of you should be ashamed for allowing things to get here as what Commissioned represents to the world is too important. I'm praying for each of you by name.

[@ceceliafisher4583]

Well said 💯!

[@latonyajohnson7452]

@@commissioned2797exactly!

[@ksandersc5]

Just finished listening to this in its entirety. Commissioned is a class act. Much respect for how they handled the situation with Keith and Fred. There are some things we'll understand better later on, I guess. Thanks for giving us some insight.

[@phieble]

Having now heard both sides, for Michael Brooks to confirm as Fred said in his side of the story that there was a power struggle at some point in the group, and that he was caught on one side while Karl and Mitchell were on the other side moves us who are on the outside forward in somewhat knowing what divided the group, but the impasse that has kept getting swept under the rug is the issue of why Brooks and Keith left when they did and why all of the other members were supposedly blindsided by that and couldn't prevent it or reverse it and have them come back. WHEREFORE ART THOU who was ultimately in charge of these decisions, and if those 2 had to exit when they die then why wasn't everyone in the group informed together in advance to have an opportunity to form a plan for moving forward without all the drama and sharp disagreements? This apparently put Fred in a high-pressure situation of having to find a replacement in a short time span to meet contract obligations that all members should've known about and been on board with, but for whatever reason they weren't when it came to Marvin Sapp being proposed (and I CAN'T IMAGINE hearing Marvin try out and yet having doubts or disinclination to have him join as if he's not always been THAT GUY). To hear Fred tell the story, this resulted in a conflict of 'Fred's side' vs 'the other members' side' and he was supposedly the only one trying to make the best of a messy situation and move forward while the rest of the guys were procrastinating or had non-cooperative attitudes (I assume because they wanted to hold majority power when it came to being the ultimate decision makers of the sound, direction, and members coming in and out while Fred was to be put in the position of having to go along with whatever was decided for him and not have as big a voice in important matters as the other side, even while he had leadership vision, tendencies, and a track record of hard work and successful ideas after s while.) If that's the case then we see how that turned out- Fred left either of his own volition or because he felt forced out by 'contrarian Commisioned' including Mitchell, Karl, and whoever else was on 'their side' and thankfully he yet went on to lead his own ministry and evolve to be just as effective on his own if not more so than when he was in the group as did his 'protege of sorts' THE Marvin Sapp whom he claims was eventually kinda weaponized against him for a short time until they reconciled. Meanwhile, Mitchell and Karl stuck together the whole time and made great music but in an inconsistent, short-term manner that involved them being in the head positions but operating in a way that frustrated the members that came along to fill the positions of Fred and Marvin for whatever reasons they were chosen, and the group soon dissolved with no new album projects in decades. So was it worth it to divide and usurp the other members- by however means and whether on their own or with help- just so that Mitchell and Karl as great as they are would hecome the sort of 'Otis and Melvin' of a legendary yet non-evolving, less effective group than when this started? Brooks, Keith, and Fred were major losses as it was, but to then have Marvin, Montrel Darrett, and Marcus Cole leave and later express some measure of frustration from their time in the group after Fred's departure shows us who the common denominators were in coming out on top in the exodus of disgruntled members.

[@AlbertMurray-pz1zo]

This is a long read

[@phieble]

@@AlbertMurray-pz1zo You're right, but the decision is yours to pass over it or indulge. Written thoughts are always longer than spoken thoughts so interest and patience are required. Breaking things up into paragraphs was an act of kindness. Can the same be said of your comment?

[@ttt8878]

Interesting perspective/opinion. There is always the views of each parties and the truth.

[@KarenMarieBeyond]

Nailed it. 👍

[@KarenMarieBeyond]

What was wrong with the comment? All they're doing is summarizing what everyone has said. @@phieble

[@stantongilmore8859]

Thank you all! I am a Commissioned fan and supporter from the beginning. To hear real conversation from real brothers is the icing on the cake for me. Jo Jo, this whole thing is the best example of “iron sharpening iron” in the real world. Thank you sir! Thank you all for doing this.

[@Damon835]

This interview was much needed healing in process 🙌

[@mrchill3007]

Agreed 💯💯....Both this and the Fred Hammond, Keith Staten and Marcus Cole video

[@brandonbrock79]

I am the biggest Commissioned fan there is. I remember as a teenager in the 90's I got introduced to Commissioned and fell in love then and there. I was blown away when I found out that some of you guys music was from the 80's. I knew them that as a gospel singer, I wanted to be apart of a group that resembled Commissioned. And still now at age 45 I wish to be in a gospel group that resembles Commissioned.

[@ihavjoy3139]

So good to see all of you all. So proud to see you all still holding on.

[@tonynewton7220]

Great video!!❤️ great words, wisdom and always giving Glory to God first.

[@jofula]

Thank you! 🤗

[@eligahmurrayjr1541]

Sorry but the way Commissioned started was as Mitch and Karl said. Check out Fred’s interview with KevOnStage. Many voices but Fred was no doubt the Leader of the group. He even restated it when Commissioned did the Reunion dvd. I Love Commissioned and I’m pretty sure all of them came in by being chosen of Christ Jesus to do so… and organically… etc etc… but the name Commissioned and to start from someone and I believe it started with Fred and Mitch.

[@LADYDIVAful]

Listennn, COMMISSIONED was the X-Factor in the gospel industry. My unsaved CUSSING loved ones faithfully listened to Commissioned. A D.J. played “This So Sweet” in the club and couples slow-dragged (dance) to the song. The Winans made sinners pique in the church and COMMISSIONED pushed their butts inside the church.

[@revkda]

Me being the #1CommissionedFan This interview is a dream of mine!!! I have learned so much! Thanks 🙏🏽

[@jofula]

Fantastic!

[@omcfarlane]

It’s interesting how Keith Reid has become the spokesperson. If they are true to the last 30min of this interview, they need to fly to Texas and knock on Fred’s door and hash it out. Fred has been quiet for 30 years, then something happened.

[@jwallace-dhs-baltimorecity4679]

Fred said that he does not want anything to do with them... Fred has actually been talking for the past 30 years, it really nothing new with Fred talking. Its just blowing up because of Fred's social media post. But through the years Fred is the one who keeps leaving. This is like the Temps..

[@ceceliafisher4583]

Karl Reid .

[@ttt8878]

Karl may talk the most but Mitch is running things , he produced their last two albums. They both own the name so I assume they both share in the decisions.

[@ceceliafisher4583]

@@ttt8878 I totally agree with you. Mitchell running the show! He always wanted to ! Karl talked a lot, it’s true!

[@murphybrown4098]

Karl use to do a lot of speaking, it’s not new, need to stop criticising and show some love to a phenomenal group.

[@brandonlovessports1866]

Bishop Brooks is the reason I became a producer. When he left Commissioned and went behind the scenes and started producing Witness, I was like YES!!!!!! That’s it. That’s what I wanna do!

[@ceceliafisher4583]

We LOVE you too Michael Williams and’nem❤️❤️❤️👏👏👏!

[@cassandraisaiah1909]

Stop talking monkeys; souls are at stake! Keep the main thing, the main thing. It's OK to disagree and even more important to not remain angry and hurt. Forgiveness still works.

[@unclejj9600]

We need another album all members. For the ministry

[@ksandersc5]

You tell these guys love and respect each other. Wishing them continued success.

[@revkda]

That’s how I was as a bassist trying to imitate Fred’s runs on the bass! Especially, the intro to Victory! I also tried to wear my hair like Mitch! #1CommissionedFan

[@brendarose9243]

You all were so good you all were Saving Many lives

[@brendarose9243]

You all are phenomenal

[@revkda]

I love each of you with all of my heart!

[@ypww]

So many thoughts. 1. In business be as men. 2. As a kid I hated that Brooks & Staten left the group but Number 7 & Matters Of The Heart was phenomenal!!! However when you notice Garrett wasn't on the cover on the album he sang leads and definitely added flavor to it points to somethings not being quite right. I got somewhat of a revisionist history of Conmisioned listening to Jones & Reid on R&B money podcast, it was slightly embarrassing. The music will tell you who did what. And who continued to do what. I have a deep and abiding respect for these guys. Something is clearly askew. Get it all the way right fellas w/ Fred & all the members B4 it's too late. I loved Brooks saying it's hard to have fans when the music is about Jesus.

[@tonyantoine5823]

Thank you fellas, keep loving on each other!

[@rbjr94]

From the outside looking in and from the other interview, apparently the guys didn’t make Fred feel as appreciated as they could have. They’re giving him his props but he didn’t feel the love from them. I could be wrong though 🤷🏾‍♂️

[@ceceliafisher4583]

No, you are correct!

[@thandonyameni3697]

You said it ...

[@Dahverin-kk4on]

Full of pride

[@mrchill3007]

Brooks said it himself.... It was a POWER STRUGGLE 🤦🏾‍♂️🤦🏾‍♂️.... ....pretty much this division is over a power struggle( and probably ego)... Cant wait till these brothers come back together..... I believe it will happen 🙏🙏

[@pastorgofficialzim9079]

I think you guys were so gifted

[@revkda]

My God! You preaching namesake, Pastor Karl Reid! Why destroy you took 40 years to build!!! My, my, my! #1CommissionedFan

[@HBCSTL9587]

41:26 big facts…drummers and non drummers knew all the fills Mike Williams did!!!! I peep how Hide the Word keeps coming up too…phenomenal pocket drummer

[@revkda]

You all have sweet spirits especially Mitch as Karl said earlier!

[@leelee7998]

With all this apostacy going on i pray that the lord keep you and bless you amen

[@phelpz5]

Love Commissioned fooorrrreeeevvver!!!!!

[@user-ku4gd6yp3t]

Keith Staten definitely listened to the goat Marvin Winans point blank period

[@rianrobinson3832]

Commissioned is my favorite group, so I love hearing these guys talk. But the interviewer’s interruptions were super annoying and distracting. Doesn’t make much sense to invite people to speak and then prevent them from doing so

[@SonofTheMostHigh23]

Yes, and all of the cackling was really distracting. I really wanted to hear a more serious toned interview. I'm midway through, so maybe it did take that turn on the later half. I will keep listening to see what happens. I absolutely agree with what you said. That's a mistake a lot of interviewers make. They become very loose and unstructured, and they get comfortable to the point where it loses its professionalism. When this happens they begin to take over the interview and not allow their guests to really fully speak or answer the questions without interruptions. Thank you for pointing that out.

[@user-qr2ck6qi2d]

Yelp I remember my mom playing Chicago records and saying they sound like Commissioned 😂😂 especially on "heart of mine" that's Chicago all the way

[@cooper60]

Just put out new music or go on tour! It's always start and stop with you guys. We just want consistent music as fans!

[@IrisGraham-qz8ct]

I am a die hard Commissioned fan and some of this is hurtful to hear. Can y'all please please forgive one another and fix it! Please!

[@abiolaowoseni3475]

He was no longer a part of the group, so he didn't owe anyone of the other members that courtesy.

[@MikeMicable]

Gospel music's Wu Tang Clan. Each member made Commissioned what it was. Period.

[@AnthonyWheatley_]

Sounds like they all knew each other and hung out at different times with each other and that's why there's a discrepancy in when the group started

[@MaThr3Boyz]

Somebody check Mitch. I think his phone holder,... he don't have one

[@revkda]

Thank you Karl and Mitch for keeping the foundation in place! Thank you!!! 🙏🏽 ❤ #1CommissionedFan

[@leelee7998]

If we go back and do the first work we will receive a reward lets get saved then the bickering will stop (save me now please save me now?)

[@cherylterry6078]

If they are stating all played a significant part in the group, then the original six should own the name especially if Fred thought of the name and the others co-signed.

[@csauls]

If you leave the group why should you own part of it.

[@brandonlovessports1866]

Wow Keith left again too! I knew Fred did and Marcus Cole

[@deecee4275]

Would y'all consider doing a biopic like New Edition did? Everyone is still living and you each could Executive Produce so that your depiction is correct.

[@NB-nh2sf]

Fred is my favorite artist at all time. I hope they reconcile

[@csauls]

Fred always comes off like he did everything, is the smartest, most talented. I can understand why they may have clashed with that. Someone has to own the name to protect the brand. If fred left, why should he own part of the name?

[@Det1911]

I used to hoop with Michael Brooks he was nice too

[@mrchill3007]

Mike Brooks can hoop ?!!

[@revkda]

Yeah! Why did Mike and Keith leave? Us fans always wanted to know! #1CommissionedFan

[@jmiguelsimpkins]

Michael Brooks became the house producer for Lection/Polygram Records. Kieth Staten wanted to do a solo album but still be in Commissioned. Benson Records wasn’t interested in Keith being a solo act and when he presented the idea to Benson they exercised their “right of first refusal “. So he signed with Lection Records. Benson was upset about that and told Fred he had to put Kieth out of the group. So, Keith never wanted to leave. It was legalities that forced him out

[@dmajorx]

Brooks and michael trying to act like the group wasn’t initially Fred’s vision thats super shady. Yeah y’all came to together but it would not have formed the way it did without Fred planting that seed of formation.

[@revkda]

I was wondering what happened to that other fan page. #1CommissionedFan

[@MrDalove3]

yall need to get it together.....

[@revkda]

Yes, but Number 7 took 7 musicians to match up to Brooks! Lol 😂 Just kidding Lol #1CommissionedFan

[@alawishes1733]

"I'm finished. This group used to be my absolute favorite for years, all the way back to their first album. I remember seeing them perform at a small church in Southern California. I never thought it could turn so sour. "ONE Monkey don't stop no SHow"? Really? I always thought differently."that you were about PRAISE and WORSHIP. Now your a SHOW BAND? That says it all. Like I said I'm finished.

[@jofula]

Greetings! FYI, The comment that you are responding to was about a noisy phone that was causing a technical issue during the taping of this show. We had just identified the problem and remedied the noise so that we could continue with the interview.

[@curtiswilliams3241]

Mike remind me of Luke ( Too live ). Don't hear him talking alot lol

[@IamReggieM]

I'm a day 1! I've been to more Commissioned concerts than I can recall. But Commissioned is the original 6. Anything else is a weak imitation, no matter who has the rights to the name.

[@toshistokes9277]

Enjoyed this interview. It's sad what their legacy has become. You can not deny what the TRUTH is...make it right, Fellas! I appreciate Brooks' transparency & honesty. 🙏🏾

[@brendarose9243]

You all were Leaders in different songs you wrote There Wasnt just one

[@dannyjohnson5782]

Jo Jo.... please stop talking so much!

[@brendarose9243]

You all are to gifted to still be carrying grudges

[@victoriagathings3464]

Karl Reid….smh! When people do a lot of church talking, they are usually the problem! Just saying! Boooooo Karl booooo! I do like Micheal Brooks! He seems like he’s forgiven a lot of trespasses and still loving! I just pick up hurt from Mitchell! Praying for his healing and deliverance❤️❤️❤️❤️