This deep into gospel artist Kirk Franklin's career, his fans know what they're getting in concert, and he's not trying to pull one over on them.

"I can't sing, but I'm going to work hard," Franklin told the crowd at the Fox Theatre Thursday night.

True, singing isn't one of his strengths, but that never seemed to matter much to Franklin, who has served more as a director, preacher, rapper, hype man and even dancer, as he demonstrated at the Fox show.

As always, he left the singing part to an overly talented cadre of performers grouped together at either side of the stage. Among them was Amber Bullock, the St. Louis gospel singer who recently won the BET competition show "Sunday Best" that Franklin hosts. Isaac Carree was another of the featured singers.

In his multiple non-singing roles, Franklin was the consummate show man, and his charisma and presence went a long way.

Dressed in a V-neck T-shirt, jeans and boots, he directed the crowd and often the audience, dubbed the St. Louis Mass Choir for the night, through everything from personal testimonies to songs such as "Melodies From Heaven," "Silver and Gold," "Imagine Me," "Brighter Day" and music from his new album "Hello Fear," including "Today."

Several times, he leapt from the stage and into the crowd, performing in the aisle and from fans' seats. He mocked old-school dances, made goofy faces and greeted fans.

Franklin winningly took to the keyboards for a quieter interlude that included "My Life is In Your Hands," "Imagine Me," "Hosanna" and "Why I Sing."

After the rousing "Looking for You" and the fittingly titled "Stomp," Franklin wrapped with the feel-good "I Smile" from "Hello Fear," and was momentarily joined by Bullock's young daughter, Amya, who danced with Franklin while pushing away every microphone pointed her way.

Franklin thanked Bullock for agreeing to sing behind him when she could have been a "diva," sitting up in the back with her feet up eating grapes, he joked.

Bullock's brief solo set instantly showed us why she deserved to win the "Sunday Best" title. Dressed in a striking red dress and a pair of earrings the size of small saucers, Bullock previewed her upcoming EP, "Thank You," including the single "Thank You Lord," a Walter Hawkins staple.

Bullock's jazzy tilt in her delivery was evident, and she spoke on being referred to as a gospel jazz singer. "I'll take it, but you know I'm a church girl," she said.

Bullock thanked St. Louis for voting for her on "Sunday Best," allowing her to show that more than "drug dealers and killers" come from St. Louis. She also acknowledged her family, who was in full force at the concert. Her father surprised her on stage with a vase filled with flowers.

Her set bled directly into Franklin's without a break as she transitioned into one of his featured singers.

Carree's "Simply Redeemed" and "In the Middle" warmed up the crowd sufficiently, as did Jason Nelson on "Shifting My Atmosphere." Deon Kipping's show-opening set included "I Just Want to Heal You" and "I Don't Look Like What I Been Through."