Troubled times energize gospel star Tye Tribbett

July 9, 2015 at 12:00a.m.

Not only is “You Are Good” a song from Grammy Award-winning artist Tye Tribbett’s last album, but in a way it’s also the theme behind the annual Summer Festival of the Arts Weekend.

This weekend’s celebration provides ethnic and cultural institutions opportunities for positive interaction with the community.

Tribbett is the featured headliner at the inaugural 2DE Gospel Festival on Sunday at Central Square in downtown Youngstown, which will bring the Summer Festival of the Arts Weekend to a close.

“I’ve done a few gospel festivals before, and I always love them,” said Tribbett, calling from New York City. “To me, it’s beyond just a regular church conference or festival, and I have nothing against that. I love those events. However, I do believe the Gospel or Good News should be further than just the church walls.

“So this is another opportunity for us to do that.”

Tribbett said this is also an opportunity for the community to come together during what can only be described as turbulent times: Michael Brown in Ferguson, Tamir Rice in Cleveland, Freddie Gray in Baltimore and the recent South Carolina church shootings.

“People want hope now,” Tribbett said. “People are living in fear. People are confused, and gospel presents the answer. Our music presents hope and love and joy and happiness. So it makes our music more potent and necessary. Now with all of these issues, I’m even more excited to hit the stage than ever before.”

He added, “I feel like I’m doing my job.”

Tribbett said he plans on performing material mainly from his last two projects, 2010 studio album “Fresh” and 2013 concert recording “Greater Than.”

It’s been nearly 20 years since Tribbett founded gospel act Greater Anointing (GA), which opened doors in the secular world, including a performance of “Let Go, Let God” in the animated film “The Prince of Egypt.”

From there, Tribbett and GA shared the stage singing background with the likes of LeAnn Rimes, Elton John, Luther Vandross and Stevie Wonder. This led to recording projects with Jill Scott, John Mellencamp, Jessica Simpson, Will Smith and Justin Timberlake.

Eventually, the frontman accompanied Faith Hill and Don Henley on tour. That’s around the time he decided to pursue a solo career, not just as a gospel artist but as a mainstream performer.

“When I started listening to other music, it expanded my presentation,” Tribbett said. “And when I toured with different people, it gave me an expansive view of how I should present my style or my music. So I felt fortunate enough to have those experiences and then apply it to my music.”

As far as new music is concerned, Tribbett hinted that another album is in the works that will explore different kinds of sounds on a “crazy level.” In the meantime, the singer said he’s excited about making what he believes is his Northeast Ohio debut at Gospel Festival.

“I hope people leave feeling energized, inspired,” Tribbett said. “I think we turn on the TV and see the news, or we walk outside our block, and we can just hang our heads low.

“But for once, when they leave in Youngstown, I want them to hang their heads high like, ‘OK, even though my situation hasn’t changed, my perspective has because I’ve been inspired by some great gospel music.’”