Richmond, VA – (Exclusive Interview) -Members of the African-American faith community have joined forces with Occupy Wall Street to launch a new campaign for economic justice inspired by the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
Faithful to its philosophical origin, the "Occupy the Dream" coalition has called for a National Day of Action on Martin Luther King Day – Monday, January 16, 2012 – to focus attention on the gross injustice visited upon the 99% by the financial elite.
The effort will target 13 Federal Reserve Banks in cities across the country. The demonstrations will be led by prominent members of theAfrican American Clergy, Occupy Wall Street participants,students and others concerned about income inequality and economic justice in America.
Dr. Lance D. Watson, senior pastor of St. Paul’s BaptistChurch and one of the Members at Large, will be heading up the Peaceful Demonstration at the Federal Reserve Bank in downtown Richmond, VA
During an EXCLUSIVE Interview with Sheilah Belle of The Belle Report, Dr. Watson discussed the goal of Occupy the Dream and the Aggressive plan to move 15 million dollars to Black owned Banks in February. Read More.
Hosted by Marvin Sapp and Dorinda Clark Cole, the 27th Annual Stellar Gospel Music Awards Tapes Before A Live Audience January 14, 2012
Nashville, TN -- The 27th Annual Stellar Gospel Music Awards have announced an all-star lineup of Gospel music's finest performers, including Kirk Franklin, Fred Hammond, James Fortune & FIYA, Ricky Dillard & New G, Earnest Pugh, Richard Smallwood & Vision and William McDowell. In addition, presenters will include Cece Winans, Shirley Caesar, Donnie McClurkin, Kim Fields, Karen Clark Sheard, Kurt Carr, Dr. Bobby Jones, Byron Cage, Deon Kipping, Jason Nelson, Beverly Crawford, Tina Campbell (of Mary Mary), Kierra Sheard, Keith 'Wonderboy' Johnson, Dottie Peoples, DeForest B. Soaries and Vashawn Mitchell, who leads this year's nominees.
The 27th Annual Stellar Gospel Music Awards Show is hosted this year by gospel legends Dorinda Clark Cole and Marvin Sapp and taped before a live audience on Saturday, January 14, 2012. The telecast is scheduled to air in national syndication from January 21, 2012 to February 26, 2012 on the GMC cable networkand local markets around the country. Viewers may check local listings for programming information in their area or the Stellar Awards website for an updated list of markets and stations (www.thestellarawards.com).
Prior to Saturday's Stellar Awards, a Pre-Show awards event that is free and open to the public will be held on Friday, January 13, 2012 at the Tennessee Performing Arts Center to announce winners of the non-televised awards categories. The event will be hosted by Byron Cage and Mariette Brown-Clark, with performances by Michelle Williams, Dottie Peoples, Shirley Murdock and Kierra Sheard to name a few. Additionally, a Radio Announcers Awards brunch event will be held the morning of January 14 to honor the top radio stations serving urban Gospel music audiences.
March 2012 – Gospel Music Workshop of America Board Meeting – San Diego, CA
July, 7- 13, 2012 – GMWA/GAG National Convention 2012 – Gaylord Opryland Hotel - Nashville, TN
July 15, 2012 – “3rd Annual Gospel Music Fest with The Belle”, 5pm, Richmond, VA., with more than 20 local, regional and National groups. Richmond, VA. In 2011, estimated crowd 15,000. Call (804) 612-3187.
July 19 – 21, 2012 - The 3rd Independent Gospel Artist Alliance Conference follows another successful session at Mt.LebanonBaptist Church also known as "The Mount" under Sr. Pastor Bishop Kim Brown. Visionaries Philip Carter and Minister Earl Bynum. For more information, go to www.indiegospelalliance.com
NOW Impacting Radio Stations in 51 Markets and Growing!
Get the latest Gospel and Industry News on your radio station TODAY! Advertise across the country for only $50 for a :30 spot. Call 804-612-3187!
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Minister Kirk Franklin and The Belle
Washington, D.C. -- Gospel recording artist and multi-award winner Kirk Franklin, took some time to hang out with The Belle in Washington D.C. during Gospel Music Heritage Month. The two have now known each other for years.
New York, NY -- The Malaco Music group is proud to announce the signing of Alexis Allen professionally known as “Lexi.”
Singing in her grandfather’s church since she was old enough to hold a microphone, Lexi has always understood that singing praises to God was what she was born to do
Lexi’s heart for singing led her to land a small stint as a background vocalist for the late Gerald LeVert, Fred Hammond, and Vanessa Bell Armstrong, before realizing her own destiny to have a musical ministry of her own.
Lexi met and married Michael Allen, a music producer, who helped develop her writing and vocal skills to create her own unique sound. This joint effort brought three national recording projects to date on boxing champion Evander Holyfield’s Real Deal record label making them the first gospel music act to sign to label. Her most critically acclaimed project, “A Praise in The Valley,” garnered her a Stellar Award nomination.
Lexi’s world changed with Michael’s untimely death. Having their son, Lexi was, without her husband, without focus, without direction, but she wasn’t without God.
In early 2006 an opportunity presented itself in which Lexi became the “face” of the television channel, The Word Network. The birth of the “The Lexi Show”, a one on one style talk show, became Lexi’s new endeavor. The Lexi Show proved to be a groundbreaking success for the network. Some of Black Hollywood’s elite and gospel music A-List artists have shared intimate conversation with Lexi on screen. Lexi has been featured on the BET shows, "Lift Every Voice", and co-hosted “Bobby Jones Gospel”, which now runs in syndication on the BET Networks. Currently, she can be heard reporting the latest news on Radio One’s syndicated program “The Yolanda Adams Morning Show” every week.
D.A. Johnson, Executive Director – Gospel Division for the Malaco Music Group states, “I’ve witnessed Lexi”s music ministry from afar, during her early recording years. Since that time, she has overcome tremendous personal adversity and her maturation as an artists, a woman of God, a radio correspondent and television personality is just nothing short of amazing. It is a privilege to have the opportunity to present her music to the world. Fans of her television show will be pleasantly surprised when they are finally introduced to her music. I’m excited to see what God is going to do in this season of her life”
Lexi says, “I am humbled to be a family member of the iconic recording label Malaco Records. I am honored to have the opportunity of continuing in the legacy of great singers, musicians and music.”
Lexi’s debut Malaco CD, entitled “Phenomenal,” produced by Marcus Cole (of the famed Gospel group Commissioned) will be released Spring / Summer of 2012.
The fifth season of the Lexi Show currently airs every Saturday at noon (EST) on The Word Network.
Introducing Pamela Johnson
Atlanta, GA – Just who is Pamela Johnson? Well in her ways she says, “Simply put, I am a daughter, a sister, a sister-friend, and a wife-in-waiting. I am a lover of God who recognizes that I am a work in progress who accepts that despite all my many flaws, God still loves me and keeps His hands on my life.
She is from Newport News, VA and was raised in a neighborhood that was much like the village that Hillary Clinton talked about. It was a retired military neighborhood in north Newport News, in the Denbigh (pronounced Den-bee) section that was called Warwick Lawns.
During her time of finalizing her choices in life, Johnson says “I was a secondary school teacher. I taught English to children from 7th grade to the 12th grade for 13 years. After leaving the classroom, I started my own business writing professional documentation. My company is called Gibraltar Consulting Group. I develop, design and deliver training. It’s still education; my clientele has changed. Now I worked with adults in corporations.”
Eventually Johnson ended up at World Changers. She says, “When I moved here in 1999, I had every intention of joining WCCI; but I heard the W2 requirement rumor and changed my mind. Then in 2002, my coworker invited me to a women’s’ conference. It was awesome. WCCI has been stuck with me ever since! Dr. Dollar empowers us on so many levels; it’s hard not to grow here. If Dr. Dollar hadn’t taught me how to pray God’s Word and get results, I’m positive I’d be dead. His teaching gave life to the saying I’ve heard my entire life: “Stand on God’s Word.” I never even knew what that meant until he explained it. I also learned how to confess God’s Word over my life and change my situations. My faith in God is at an unprecedented level. I’m already flying and touching the sky...
JT Logan presents G.I. members with The 2011 YoungServant Award
By Sheilah Belle
Richmond, VA – Gospel recording artist and entrepreneur JT Logan pulled together his first Gospel Concert with a ton of talented guests including Ty Berkeley, Corey Goss, Jay “Whitney”, DA H.Y.P.E. Youth Choir of St. Paul’s Baptist Church, Gavin Davis (an extremely talented singer), Sisterly Grace Dance Ministries, Donald Ashley, JT Logan, Bryan Pound (Fresh from his European Tour), Greg Amos, Kenny Mayo & Godz Praise, Deleyse Rowe and Greg Mitchell.
A surprise special guest turned out to be God’s Image (G.I.) after they were presented with the 2011 Young Servant Award, which was presented by JTLogan and Ty Berkeley.
Sheilah Belle a.k.a. The Belle served as the host emcee.
Rapzilla, an online magazine focused on covering Christian hip hop, providing reviews, interviews and mp3s for all of the latest artists in the genre, aims to promote music that is truly hip hop, but centered on Jesus Christ.
Fans can now vote for their favorite Christian hip hop artist, album and music video of 2011 by placing their bids on the site. The artists on that list include some of Christian hip hop’s most popular acts such as Tedashii, Flame, Propaganda, Da’ T.R.U.T.H., and Lecrae.
Lecrae recently broke into the mainstream, appearing at this year’s BET Hip Hop Awards Ciphers, and was featured on DJ Statik Selektah’s album Population Control, alongside well-respected Emcee’s such as Brother Ali, Styles P, and Talib Kweli etc.
Lecrae has not only gained respect within the Christian audience, but in the secular realm as well, which is something that Chad Horton, the Editor-in-Chief of Rapzilla feels will start to happen more frequently with Christian hip hop artists.
“I think the last 2 years ‘Christian Hip Hop’ has been pushed into the mainstream more than ever before,” Horton said. Read More
Luther Barnes’ “Yet Love” Reaches Top 30 – In Stores January 24,
Raleigh, NC -- Luther Barnes, Son of “Mr Rough Side Of The Mountain” The Late Great F.C. Barnes, has forged his own place and has made his own mark in the history of Gospel music.
On January 24, 2012 , Luther Barnes releases his 22nd CD entitled, “Another Level” performed with The Sunset Jubilaires and promises to brighten the New Year with songs of faith, encouragement, and inspiration.
Cherished as one of the greatest balladeers of all time in any genre (Urban, Gospel or Blues), Luther Barnes has enjoyed airplay and sales success with his many styles of Gospel recorded albums from the Quartet style, Praise & Worship to Contemporary.
As a producer and songwriter, Luther Barnes has produced and penned timeless classics such as “I'm Still Holding”, “So Satisfied” & the Grammy Nominated “It's Your Time,” Stellar Nominated, “Wedding Song” standard “Somehow Someway” and the “Exercise Song” “You Keep On Blessing Me” which was a Top 10 Billboard Gospel Song and experienced crossover success into the Urban mainstream receiving airplay on Urban AC stations around the country.
And just when you think he couldn't get any better, he penned the current single “Yet Love” which is quickly making its presence felt at retail has also made its debut in the Top 30 on Mediabase Gospel chart.
Of his twenty-one releases in his vast catalog with more than half of them reaching Billboard's Top Gospel Albums Charts, seven (7) in the top twenty.
Old and new fans of this multi-talented gentleman will definitely want to add this future classic to their Luther Barnes music collection.This Holiday Season Give, “The Gift Of Yet Love!”
L-R: Adrian Anderson, Jacky Clark-Chisholm, Karen Clark-Sheard, Twinkie Clark, Kelly Price, Dr. Dorinda Clark-Cole, Angela Jollivette
New York, NY -- Dr. Dorinda Clark-Cole hosted the first annual Los Angeles Regional Singers and Musicians Conference December 1st - 4th at Faithful Central's The Tabernacle (Bishop Kenneth C. & Togetta Ulmer). The conference consisted of informational workshops facilitated by guest speakers and was closed out with a tribute concert in honor of The Clark Sisters.
Speakers included Keith Douglas (RKD Music Management), Adrian Anderson (Halo Tu Beauty), Tasha Smith (Tyler Perry's For Better or For Worse), Thomasina "GooGoo" Atkins (Celebrity Stylist), Monica Bacon (CEO, Sovereign Agency), Gerald Haddon, Alice Benjamin (American Heart Association spokesperson) and Eric Dawkins to name a few. Read More
Indianapolis, IN -- Tickets are now on sale for the Super Bowl Gospel Celebration coming to Indianapolis Super Bowl Weekend, Friday, February 3, 2011 at 7:30 p.m. at Clowes Memorial Hall of Butler University. Celebrating 13 years of inspiration, the NFL sanctioned event transcends the traditional Super Bowl Weekend activity, bringing together top NFL players and Grammy Award-winning artists together on one stage, for one night, on one accord.
Tickets are available at Ticketmaster locations in Indianapolis,www.Ticketmaster.com, Clowes Memorial Hall or visitwww.superbowlgospel.com. Prices are $99, $79, $59, and $39, additional service fees and taxes are not included in the listed prices.
The star-studded line-up for the 2012 Super Bowl Gospel Celebration will be announced next month.
Each year the event boasts marquee players including Donovan McNabb, Ray Lewis, Cris Carter, John Elway, Darrell Green, and Coaches Tony Dungy and Lovie Smith, and music icons including Patti LaBelle, Gladys Knight, Kirk Franklin, CeCe Winans, Yolanda Adams, Jaci Velasquez, Donnie McClurkin, Hezekiah Walker and many others.
The event also serves as a fundraiser with a portion of the proceeds benefiting national and local charities. To date, more than $400,000 and 5,000 tickets have been donated.
The 13th Annual Super Bowl Gospel Celebration is sponsored by Verizon Wireless, the official wireless service of the NFL; and American Family Insurance, the nation's third-largest mutual property/casualty insurance company.
For event updates on the 13th Annual Super Bowl Gospel Celebration, including must-see NFL players and artists, visit www.superbowlgospel.com.
Verity Gospel Music Group Set to Release Fred Hammond’s God, Love & Romance 2 CD Set In Stores, January 31, 2012
iTUNES PRE SALES BEGIN JANUARY 3
New York, New York -- Almost four years ago, Fred Hammond declared that he was going to do a love album “before he leaves this earth.” Truly a man of his word, Hammond has done just that with his new project GOD, LOVE & ROMANCE. Set for release January 31, 2012, the 2-CD set is a novel approach for a Gospel artist but it is a natural progression for Hammond, who is a Gospel music pioneer with a career that spans more than 20 years.
The first single, “I Feel Good,” (click à to “I Feel Good” listen) has gotten an early and favorable response at radio and is already #15 on the Gospel charts after a few short weeks. The breezy jam is an immediate uplifter. “I Feel Good is a declaration that I’ve had a couple of people that have walked away from me and ambushed me in business,” Hammond says. “I’ve had some people who have done some really shady stuff towards me but I feel good! I’m coming out of this and I declare that I’m taking a break from drama.”
Hammond co-founded the group Commissioned that infused a soulful, R&B sound into Gospel music in the 80s. Then, in the `90s, he ushered in the urban praise and worship music movement with his Radical For Christ ensemble – paving the way for artists such as Kirk Franklin, Israel Houghton and Tye Tribbett. Hammond continues to break new ground with GOD, LOVE & ROMANCE. One disc boasts powerful new Gospel songs, while the other disc is a suite of love songs touching on the topics of courtship, romance and even the erosion of a love affair. “This is the soundtrack to my personal love life; these are my heart songs” Hammond says.
“I sing my worship and I sing the Gospel, but there was something just pulling at me and I wanted to make sure it wasn’t just me wanting to do something to just do something. These songs have a purpose and a meaning, particularly for the church.” Hammond feels that church leadership doesn’t adequately address issues between couples, and that the lack of intervention is leading to divorces. “We don’t talk real in Gospel,” he adds. “We pray, we give in the offering, we tithe, we do fasts, and we have Bible class. Our relationships (in the church) should be the strongest, but 50% of all first time marriages in the church end in divorce and I’m a statistic of that…I believe the thread is that we don’t talk about what’s real.”
The “love and romance” disc gets real indeed. With a classic Urban AC feel, it features endearing love songs such as “I’m In Love With You,” “You Are My Love Come True” and “When I Come Home To You.” The tough issues of romance are reflected in songs such as “What Can I Say, What Can I Do?” – which asks for a chance to prove a couple can be more than just friends – and “One More Try,” representing a last ditch effort to save a relationship.
The praise and worship disc finds Fred Hammond at his anointed best, delivering sincere ballads such as “Amazing Love” and “Love Song to the Lamb.” He also continues his radical approach to praise music with up-tempo jams like “Better Love” and “I Will Lift You Up.” A special treat is his revamped rock-edged rendition of his 2004 smash “Celebrate (He Lives)”.
GOD, LOVE & ROMANCE will be available in stores January 31, 2012
New Single “Keep Me” Impacting Gospel Radio Now
New Album Open The Heavens Planned For January 2012
Nashville, TN -- Worship Leader, Singer, and Songwriter, Patrick Dopson and his independent label Oilonit Music recently signed an exclusive distribution agreement with Central South Distribution. His new CD, Open The Heavens, is set for release on January 17, 2012, and the first single, “Keep Me” from the forthcoming CD, produced by Noel Hall and Dopson, is impacting radio now.
“We are excited about this opportunity to work with Patrick on his upcoming project,” commented Vicki Mack Lataillade, Lataillade Entertainment and Chief Marketing Officer at Central South Distribution. “With Patrick’s powerful vocals and his background as a worship leader, this new project is sure to be a blessing to the church.”
Beginning his life in music ministry at age seven, Dopson played drums and sang in the church his father pastored in Selma,Ala. Since then, his journey of ministering through music has blessed him with opportunities to work alongside some of the most-respected artists and pastors, including a contribution as a writer and singer on Fred Hammond’s first GRAMMY ® Award-winning project, “Free To Worship.” Read More
Dubbed "the CNN of Gospel News", more people rely on "The Belle Report" for what's going on in the gospel industry than any other daily internet news letter in the world!
(In photo: Dr. Lance D. Watson and The Belle)
