Week of September 6th 2010

Stellar Award Deadline Extended —

The first round ballot voting for the 2011 Stellar Awards has been extended to September 6, 2010 for all members of SAGMA. All voting takes place at the Stellar Awards website. The second and final rounds of voting will end on September 30, 2010. Voting will be open to the public in the categories of "Artist of the Year", "Song of the Year", and "Gospel Announcer of the Year" from October 27-November 22, 2010. The 2011 Stellar Awards will convene on January 15, 2011 in Nashville, TN at the Grand Ole Opry






Grammy Winning Gospel Singer, CeCe Winans, Performs at N.J. Church for CNN’s Upcoming Documentary Series, “Black in America: Churched


With a Grammy-winning gospel singer and a CNN documentary crew on hand, the congregation was buzzing before the service today at the First Baptist Church of Lincoln Gardens.

“I think it’s a wonderful thing,” said Florise Pierre of Branchburg, who came to the Somerset mega-church with her son and daughter, as she does every Sunday.

“Our reverend is trying to raise discussions of African-American issues,” Pierre explained. “They picked the right church and the right reverend for the documentary.”

CNN reporter Soledad O’Brien and her producers are devoting the entire third installment of their documentary series, “Black in America,” to the members of the Somerset church and their activist pastor, the Rev. DeForest B. Soaries Jr. The program, titled “Churched,” will explore the role churches play in contemporary black America by focusing on three families in the congregation. It will air on Oct. 14.





Week of August 30th 2010

T.D. Jakes Teams-up with Universal Music —

Prominent pastor and author Bishop T.D. Jakes has signed a distribution and marketing agreement between his imprint Dexterity Sounds and Universal Music Christian Group. The first project to be released under the new agreement will be Sacred Love Songs II, the much-anticipated follow-up to its nearly gold-selling 1999 predecessor that featured R&B diva Shirley Murdock and Marvin Sapp. In addition, the team at Dexterity Sounds has begun work on the soundtrack for Jakes' latest film titled Jumping the Broom. Produced by Jakes and Tracy E. Edmonds, the film tells the story of two families from totally different socioeconomic backgrounds who meet for the first time at a weekend wedding on Martha’s Vineyard




Max Siegel Launches New Reality Show — Max Siegel, former president of Zomba Gospel (now known as Verity Gospel Music Group) is preparing to launch his first TV reality series. The new series, titled Changing Lanes debuts on BET on September 1, 2010 at 8p ET and chronicles the search for the next generation of women and minority race car drivers in America’s most-watched form of motor sports. The series follows a group of hopefuls as they compete for a coveted spot on Siegel's NASCAR Revolution Racing team.




Week of August 23nd 2010 Stephen Hurd is getting ready for his 'Live Recording'
Worship leader and Stellar award winner Stephen Hurd is preparing for his next recording. The live session, titled Oh That Men Would Praise, takes place August 27, 2010 at First Baptist Church of Glenarden in Upper Marlboro, MD. Featured guests for the session include Anthony Brown and Justin Savage. Hurd's most recent effort, Times of Refreshing, won the 2010 Stellar award for "Praise & Worship CD of the Year".





Gospel artist Darwin Hobbs has been hospitalized in Atlanta due to large blood clots in his lungs. He recently underwent a lap band surgery, which according to reports went well.

Hobbs has lost quite a bit of weight, but is still working to reach his weight loss goal, according to publicist Gwendolyn Quinn.

His wife, Traci Hobbs, says the doctors are keeping him in the hospital due to the recent surgery, but the family is looking forward to his release soon.

“Darwin is stable and they have started him on the blood thinners for the blood clots,” said Traci. “Please continue to keep Darwin lifted up in prayer. We’re believing God that the blood thinners will work and dissolve the blood clots.”

Hobbs has been busy promoting his new project, “Champion,” which was released in June. He was on his way to a radio event in Indianapolis when he was diverted to the hospital by his doctor because Hobbs was having trouble breathing.



Week of August 16th 2010 Donnie McClurkin to Join Dr. Oz — Grammy award winning singer Donnie McClurkin will join famed talk-show host Dr. Oz as part of the annual convention for the National Association of Black Journalists. Both McClurkin and Oz will be on a panel to discuss his health issues with diabetes and its national impact. This kicks off a major summer for McClurkin that also sees his radio effort The Donnie McClurkin Show expand to two hours. The additional hour, known as "Gospel Gold", will feature classic gospel from influential artists such as Andrae Crouch, The Hawkins, The Staple Singers, Clara Ward, and Rev. James Cleveland. Also featured in the hour will be a segment called "Donnie's All-Star Kids", which celebrates the accomplishments of outstanding children in their community...





Israel Houghton Preps for New Release GRAMMY, Stellar, and Dove award winning worship leader Israel Houghton is gearing up to release his newest effort titled Love God, Love People.

The Integrity Music artist has tapped longtime music director and producer Aaron Lindsay and Tommy Sims to handle production for this new effort.

Recorded at Abbey Road Studios in London, England, the-12 track effort features guest appearances from Kirk Franklin, Fred Hammond, and Take 6. Love God, Love People is due in stores August 31, 2010



Our deepest sympathy, prayers and thoughts are for Gospel Pioneer and Legend Bishop Walter Hawkins and his family during this time of bereavement.

Bishop Walter Hawkins , died Sunday, July 11th at his home in the San Joaquin Valley community of Ripon, said his older brother, gospel singer Edwin Hawkins. He was 61 and had pancreatic cancer.

Please keep the Hawkins family in prayer .

Arrangements are still being prepared and we will keep you informed when they are released to the public.



Week of August 9th 2010


Calling all gospel singers!
An all new MIAMI MASS CHOIR is forming, under the leadership of Pastor Marc Cooper
The Stellar Award Winning Miami Mass Choir is making a comeback as the Adrienne Arhst Center’s resident choir for the 2011 Free Gospel Sundays Season!

Pastor Marc Cooper is looking for the best gospel voices in South Florida to perform on the Knight Concert Hall stage!

Auditions for the MIAMI MASS CHOIR will be held on Saturday, August 7, at the Adrienne Arsht Center!

Candidates must pre-register no later than July 19!
Download the audition application at Arsht Center!

MIAMI MASS CHOIR AUDITIONS Application

Grammy Nominated Singer-Songwriter-Producer DEITRICK HADDON To Make Film Debut In “Blessed & Cursed”

All-New Film Stars Sheryl Lee Ralph and Drew Sidora, Alongside Gospel Stars J. Moss, Mali Music, Jorel Quinn, Kierra Sheard, and IRROC Motion Picture Available Exclusively ON DVD July 27, 2010

In a twist on the Biblical story of David and Saul, Blessed & Cursed (120 minutes run time) depicts Dwight Hawkins’ (portrayed by Deitrick Haddon in his first ever acting role) struggle to realize his God-given purpose. Compelled to help his father after his dreams of becoming a Bishop are derailed, Dwight must choose between family obligations and pursuing his own dreams of superstardom. One day he receives an opportunity to become a psalmist at the city’s largest church but this new position is too good to be true as Dwight gets caught in a diabolical scheme of jealousy orchestrated by the church’s pastor. “I grew up in the church and unfortunately it wasn’t all great experiences,” Haddon says. “I intentionally brought these up in the movie. I feel this movie will be a witnessing tool to win people back into the church.”

Haddon was inspired to pen the film script as he was preparing a sermon. “I’m a pastor now, so I’m doing more studying than I’ve ever done in my life,” said Haddon. “I was studying the story of Saul and David and the dynamics within their relationship…this movie just opened up to me.” Soon after, Haddon pitched the script to his manager, Holly Carter (Releve Entertainment), and Tyscot Records’ Vice President, Bryant Scott, and got the reels rolling. The film was shot in Haddon’s hometown of Detroit, MI. There are cameos by Haddon’s wife, singer DAMITA, soul legend Rance Allen, and TV personality Bobby Jones. This is the legendary Tyscot label’s first foray into film.




Week of August 2nd 2010
Marvin Sapp Wins BET Award —

Congratulations to Marvin Sapp who won the "Best Gospel Artist" award at the 2010 BET Awards on June 27, 2010 at the Shrine Auditorium in Los Angeles, CA. The award was a part of a significant gospel presence at this year's award as Sapp joined Kirk Franklin, Kim Burrell, Fred Hammond, Karen Clark-Sheard, and Yolanda Adams for a performance of "Are You Listening".










The Rance Allen Group Set to Record.
Tyscot Records recording artists The Rance Allen Group are preparing for their next recording.
This session will be a live CD/DVD recording known as the "All Star Live Tribute" taking place on July 16, 2010 at Greater Grace Temple in Detroit, MI.
This will be the group's second live recording and their fourth project with the Tyscot label..









Tamela Mann is finally being recognized for her outstanding work. She was nominated for BET’s “Best Gospel” for the upcoming 10th annual BET Awards for her current album, “The Master Plan.”
She is a blossoming gospel artist and star on Tyler Perry’s “Meet the Browns.”
The awards ceremony will take place Sunday, June 27 at the Shrine Auditorium in Los Angeles.

“The Master Plan,” her third solo album, had a great start, debut at number two on Billboard’s Gospel Album chart. Tamela has been on the gospel scene for some time, working with Grammy award winning Kirk Franklin & The Family and began making her grand entrance with collaboration with other great industry singers like Mary J. Blige, Crystal Lewis, and many more.

On her latest album, she make her debut as co-writer on “I Trust in You,” “Here I Am,” and “In Him.”

More info is available at www.tamelamann.com.




Week of July 26th 2010 DeWayne Woods is back!
And with some new sounds for gospel lovers. His upcoming album is sure to win the hearts of worshippers with his comforting ballads, up-tempo grooves, and praise and worship songs. “My Life’s Lyrics” is the artist’s sophomore production. He says this one is different, better, and stuntin’ with that grown up feel.

“I’ve grown up a lot since I recorded my last CD, and the songs on this project reflect that,” he said. “’My Life’s Lyric’ is an album full of testimonies of everything that I’ve been through.

Jeremiah 29:11 is my favorite scripture and that powerful word is the foundation for this project.”

The album features production work from P.J. Morton, Aaron Lindsey, and Daniel Weatherspoon.

“Living on the Top” is the current single now available for purchase. The full project will be in stores June 22.



Juanita Bynum Signs Recording Deal With Music World Entertainment
Juanita Bynum has joined Mathew Knowles’ Music World Entertainment with a management and joint venture recording agreement.

Bynum will record under a newly formed joint venture with the company’s premiere faith-based label, Spirit Rising.

Her highly-anticipated album, THE DIARY OF JUANITA BYNUM, is scheduled for a 2010 fourth quarter release on Spirit Rising/Son Flower Records. Bynum is the owner of Son Flower Records.

Bynum is a respected international figure with over 25 years in ministry. She is the founder and president of Juanita Bynum Ministries based in Norcross, Georgia. An acclaimed music artist since 2000, her albums have included gospel classics, inspired original songs and holiday recordings.

“Dr. Juanita Bynum has built a solid foundation with her ministry leading the way to her music and literary accomplishments. Her global brand potential is extraordinary,” said Mathew Knowles, President and C.E.O. of Music World Entertainment. “She exemplifies the strength of human character and has the passion and talent to inspire.”

“I am elated about what the ingeniousness of Mathew Knowles mixed with the gift that God has given me is about to produce,” said Juanita Bynum. “It’s a new day, I’m a new Juanita Bynum and I’m ready for this new start.”

For more information on Juanita Bynum, please visit www.juanitabynum.com



Karen Clark-Sheard on the Road
"Touring" carries a different meaning for singer Karen Clark-Sheard these days.

The gospel legend and native Detroiter is on the road in the hit play “Church Girl” while promoting her fifth album, “All in One,” out this week. The release signals Clark-Sheard’s first solo project in four years and her first album on her own EMI Gospel-distributed label, Karew Records.

“This gospel stage play not only allows Karen to showcase her abilities as an actress and a singer, but also provides great promotion for her album,” says Darrel Thompson, Karew Records general manager. “Feeding off the play’s promotion also gained her exposure outside the traditional gospel media.”

Claiming a Hot Shot Debut at No. 3 on Billboard’s Top Gospel Albums, the urban-flavored “All in One” held the same position last week. The album’s 11 tracks include the go-go-influenced lead single, “Prayed Up.” A video for the single is in the works.

“All in One” is the second release on Detroit’s Karew Records following 2009’s “A Clark Family Christmas.” Clark-Sheard and her husband, Bishop J. Drew Sheard, launched the label with plans to sign and develop other artists.

Read the full story at detnews.com


Week of July 20th 2010
Kirk Franklin Addresses Heartfelt Concerns in New Book ‘The Blue Print’

Whether on stage, in interviews or in his music, Kirk Franklin’s life has been an open book. Fans who read his autobiography, “Church Boy” know Franklin was abandoned as a child and was judged and sometimes rejected by the environment from whence he came.

On Oprah he confessed to having a porn addiction in 2005. But there are untold details in Franklin’s life story that further shaped him into the man he is today that are now being revealed on the pages of his very own book.

Franklin hopes to help others conquer their personal storms with the release of “The Blueprint: A Plan for Living Above Life’s Storms” (Gotham Books).

In Franklin’s self-help digest God is the master architect who has already designed a “time-tested” plan for living blessed lives. He says he learned that anytime he deviated from the Master’s plans, he was re-directed and wants to share how finding a successful blueprint for life helped him handle hard knocks.

The book reads like a conversation with Franklin, combining his hip language with vivid, realistic scenarios that readers can easily see themselves in as he approaches key life lessons.

The Blueprint is a page-turner written from his experiences as an African American, a father and husband. It addresses matters that are dear to the author’s heart such as broken families (he says he never saw a black man who was faithful in marriage), selfish singles, and a luke-warm faith walk to name a few. Franklin’s message urges readers to accept responsibility for some of the obstacles they’ve encountered, face their fears, return to Godly virtues and move on.

This progress can be achieved in Franklin’s words, by getting rid of the “sexies” and understanding that life’s hardships can not be rectified with a step plan.

Read an excerpt below:
BOOK EXCERPT: Chapter 7, The Blueprint for My Soldiers
To be honest it has been difficult lately to find a community of brothers with whom I share the same passions. Not because of some economic or social reason, but simply because it’s getting harder and harder to find men who want to grow, who want to be better than they are. I celebrate the powerful black man in society– the father, the leader, the professional. I wish the media showed more of him. But for the moment I’m concerned about what I do see, about what needs to change. whether it’s the married man who can’t see pass the girl at the other table or the one who desires to be just a church goer rather than an ambassador for change in the world around him. Because my past can’t be an excuse for the being the father and husband I need to be, I won’t make excuses anymore. And I’m tired of those who do. Values seem to be a thing of yesterday; the notion of manhood is fading as fast as Milli Vanilli in the nineties. It makes me think of Michael Jackson’s song “Man in the Mirror.” Even though that song is almost twenty years old I believe it described the challenge faced by my brothers and society.





GOSPEL DUO MARY MARY INSPIRE GIRLS TO “BE U” GRAMMY-AWARD WINNING GROUP RELEASES BOOK ON LIFE PRINCIPLES Mary Mary is the gospel duo of sisters Erica and Tina Campbell, and though they have world-wide recognition, three Grammy Awards and sold millions of records, Mary Mary feels a strong calling to inspire, encourage and motivate young girls to live an authentic and integrity-filled life.

In their debut book release, Be U : Be Honest, Be Beautiful, Be Intentional, Be Strong, Be You! (Howard/Simon and Schuster) Mary Mary builds on their “Be U” slogan through personal stories, spiritual encouragement, and words of empowerment, as they remind young women to understand who God created them to be and discover the courage to be themselves.

“Be you is our mission statement for life, it keeps us focused on authenticity and truth, and keeps us honest: honest to God and honest to ourselves,” says the Campbell’s. “God didn’t make a mistake when He created you, so you should accept who you are and what you are and live on purpose and not by accident.”

Be U includes over twenty messages inspired by several popular Mary Mary songs and complimented by an interactive Q&A for readers, Bible scriptures, and Be U Affirmation statements. Be U is divided into four sections -Be Honest, Be Beautiful, Be Intentional and Be You featuring topics that include:

So Close: “If you are crying out to Him and you don't sense His presence or see your prayers being answered, why not try and speak His language? Speak the words of the Bible... His presence is not contingent upon your behavior, good or bad.”

Try: “With Him, I’m able to manage the craziness, and take the challenges in stride. No matter how hard Tina tries, Tina will fail. But when I put my life in God’s hands, He looks beyond my faults and gives me another chance.”

Stand Still: “If we all made a greater effort to stand still, wait, and try to hear what God is saying, we could avoid some of the trouble, hassles, and headaches we experience. Stand still and watch your great big God move on your behalf.”

Forgiven Me: “When we hold onto sin, we convince ourselves that we deserve to live a miserable life and that God will never bless us again. Stop blaming yourself and hanging your head in shame and celebrate what God has done for you. Leave your old, forgiven sin with Him, and move on.”

What a Friend: “Don’t think that God can’t be a friend to you because you’re not deserving of Him. God loves you. He still cares. He is about lifting, restoring, repairing, renewing and reviving. He’s that kind of friend today, tomorrow and forever.”

Other Be U themes include God’s unconditional love, the importance of trusting in God, solitude with God, helping others, expressing gratitude and the importance of honoring friendship and family. “I definitely feel privileged to have been brought up in a Christian family,” says Erica. “Our mom used to say it is better to be saved from things rather than to be saved out of things. A lot of what our parents taught us kept us from living like we were completely out of control - although we weren’t perfect.”

Together, the sisters share personal insight from many of their songs including the premature birth of Tina's daughter and the diagnosis and treatment of Erica's husband’s kidney cancer. The singers have also had to trust God when it comes to sharing their faith with the public, which often times can be challenging. Mary Mary is diversifying by venturing into new areas including bath products and candles called Be U by Mary Mary and a clothing line for young women and teens called Be U Collection by Mary Mary.

Author Bio
Growing up as sisters in a large family in Inglewood, California, Erica and Tina Campbell first sang publicly in the local church choir, and received their first break in 1998 with a song on the Prince of Egypt soundtrack. Now, they are three-time Grammy winners — most recently a 2010 win for Best Gospel Song for their hit single, “God in Me,” which spent seven consecutive weeks at the #1 spot on Billboard’s Hot Gospel Songs chart. They are also Dove, Stellar, MOBO, and American Music Award winners. Their studio albums Mary Mary, Incredible, and Mary Mary: Thankful have reached platinum or gold certified status. Their newest album, The Sound, is on its way to reaching the same status. In early 2010, they joined more than 70 other musicians and actors to record the Quincy Jones produced classic, “We Are the World” to raise money for earthquake survivors in Haiti.

Their group name was inspired by the two Mary’s in the Bible — Mary, the mother of Jesus, and Mary Magdalene, a “loose” woman. Mary Mary wants their duo name to communicate that God’s love is extended to all. This R&B, urban gospel duo performs for audiences of thousands across the country.

Title : Be U: Be Honest, Be Beautiful, Be Intentional, Be Strong, Be You! by Mary Mary
Publisher : Howard Books
Pub Date : April 2010
ISBN : 978-1-4391-6071-8