Gospel Music Heritage Month

Gospel Music Heritage Month, a celebration of gospel music’s valuable, long-standing contributions to American culture, was first designated by Congress in 2008 as a result of a push spearheaded by GMC, the Gospel Music Association and The Recording Academy®.

“We are incredibly proud and pleased that Gospel Music Heritage Month has established itself as an annual event to recognize the tremendous impact gospel music has had – and is still having – on the music scene in this country,” said Charley Humbard, president, GMC. “As the home for all things gospel, GMC will once again be in the forefront of the month-long celebration.”

GMC will celebrate this year’s Gospel Music Heritage Month with an array of special programming and on-air and online features, including:

· A dedicated website, www.gospelmusicheritage.com, featuring special web-exclusive performances; programming and videos; interviews with legendary artists who have been instrumental in keeping gospel heritage alive; current and up-and-coming artists discussing their musical influences; gospel facts, figures and historical nuggets; and more. Throughout September, visitors will also find calendars of local gospel concerts and events happening in their area as well as web banners and other materials that can be used to spread information on Gospel Music Heritage Month.

· Superfest: All new episodes will air on Sundays at 9 pm ET. DeLeon Sheffield, gospel star, Grammy Award nominee and wife of baseball star Gary Sheffield, will host the series. Founded in 2000, SUPERFEST has become one of the leading TV properties in faith-based inspirational entertainment and the live recording event is a must-stop on the annual gospel events calendar for superstars including Richard Smallwood, J. Moss, Karen Clark Sheard, Hezekiah Walker, Kiki Sheard, Regina Belle, Trin-i-tee 5:7, The Whispers, Mary Mary, Shirley Murdock, Byron Cage, Dorinda Clarke Cole and many more.

· World premiere music videos from Casting Crowns to premiere before the feature film, Facing the Giants, on Friday, Sept. 3 at 8 pm ET. The superstar group has won 23 Dove Awards and a Grammy, and has had eight chart-topping singles.

· The GMC premiere of The Gospel Live. Anthony Anderson hosts this concert special, a celebration of song in faith. Appearing are Deitrick Haddon, CeCe Winans, Keith Wilson’s Choir, Mary Mary, Martha Munizzi, Hezekah Walker, Kelly Rice, Kierra “Kiki” Sheard and Michah Stampley.

· Specially-created Gospel Music Heritage Month interstitials in all dayparts throughout September. More than three dozen artists will be featured, including Amy Grant, Billy Ray Cyrus, Melinda Watts, Byron Cage, Mary Mary, Tye Tribbett, Hezekiah Walker, Toby Mac, J Moss and George Huff. The artists will share stories describing the role gospel music has played in their lives, as well as the music’s broader influence on American culture and the importance of its recognition by Congress.

· The introduction of a new on-air campaign titled “Gospel Musicology,” a fun and interactive series of spots testing the musical knowledge of some of today’s biggest artists, including Warner Brothers recording artist Robert Randolph, as well as GMC viewers.

Walter Hawkins…Goin’ Up Yonder

Gospel music legend Bishop Walter Hawkins has died at age 61. The Grammy Award winning contemporary gospel singer succumbed on Sunday after a battle with pancreatic cancer. During his 30-plus-year career in gospel, which consisted of at least 14 albums since 1975, Hawkins created an extensive catalog of music both as a solo artist and with his family ensemble.

Hawkins, the pastor of Love Center Church, leaves two children to celebrate him– Walter Hawkins, Jr. (aka Jamie Hawkins) and Trystan Hawkins.  His older brother, Edwin Hawkins, shared: “I lost my brother, my pastor, and my best friend. Bishop Hawkins suffered bravely but now he will suffer no more, and he will be greatly missed.”

 

Vashawn Mitchell:Nobody Greater

Get your Ipods and MP3 players out and put this one on the top of your playlist.  Enjoy!

Created 2 Worship

Sometimes we just need a little reminder of why we are here. This song really ministers to me. Enjoy!

McDonald’s Gospelfest 2010

Gospel fever returns to the New York Tri-State area on Saturday, June 19, 2010 at the Prudential Center (165 Mulberry Street, Newark, NJ). The auditions are now complete and competitors are preparing to share the stage with some of the biggest names in Gospel including the legendary Dionne Warwick, Hezekiah Walker, Vickie Winans, Kurt Carr, Regina Belle, J.Moss, Cissy Houston, Keith “Wonderboy” Johnson, KOHSHI, and superstar Roberta Flack! Special Inspirational message by Bishop T.D. Jakes!

Produced and directed by Emmy Award winning Producer, A. Curtis Farrow, McDonald’s Gospelfest is a talent competition that features choirs, steppers, praise dancers, soloists, rappers and poets. Rising stars of all colors, ages, cultures and faiths will compete in a variety of categories including Soloists, Youth Choir, Adult Choir, Praise Dance, Step, Singing Groups, Gospel Comedians, Gospel Rappers and Gospel Poets.

The official hotel partner of McDonald’s Gospelfest is the Hilton Newark Airport which is located at 1170 Spring Street in Elizabeth, NJ. There is a special rate of $99 per night for the dates June 18th, 19th and 20th. To book your reservation, call 1-800-HILTONS and use the code “MGF”, or go online at www.newarkairport.hilton.com, choose your dates, then enter the code “MGF” in the “Group/Convention Code” box.

McDonald’s Gospelfest originated in 1983 under the auspices of the McDonald’s Corporation and the McDonald’s Tri-State Owners’ Association. Over the course of the past 27 years, The association has awarded millions of dollars in scholarship money. The McDonald’s Gospelfest competition has been an important fundraising event which supports education opportunities within local communities.

Tickets can be purchased at the Prudential Center Box Office or through Ticketmaster by calling 800.745.3000, or at www.ticketmaster.com. For further information, please call the McDonald’s Gospelfest Hotline at 866.898.7772.

About McDonald’s New York Tri-State Area Restaurants
McDonald’s is the world’s best-known brand and is the global leader in food service. There are more than 600 McDonald’s restaurants, owned by 100 franchisees, located throughout the New York, New Jersey and Connecticut tri-state area. For more information, please visit www.mcdonaldsnymetro.com

New Music: SIII & the Truth

I don’t know about you but I haven’t heard many great contemporary gospel groups in a while.  Some have been good but, there wasn’t enough that was different about them to provoke me to purchase their album.  So, I chose to stick with what and whom I was familiar.

Well, we all know that first impressions have a huge impact and I was more than impacted this weekend.  I caught this anointed group on Bobby Jones Gospel and I was more than thoroughly impressed.  Their sound was like a fresh wind as they gave praise and honor to Jesus Christ!  They performed a song called Crucified One.  Check out their performance and let me know what you think.  I think we will see more and more of this group!

Heritage Mass Choir

Heritage Mass Choir is a group of young Koreans who have adapted the Afro-American style of contemporary gospel music and have made it there own.  I was amazed when I saw this!  Sometimes we forget the influence, the affect, and wide spread appeal that music has.  Even though I don’t understand Korean, the music and the message shine through.  If these young people live with the power and conviction they sing with, they are a force to reconed with!  Listen and be blessed…

MARVIN SAPP’S “HERE I AM” $3.99 TODAY ONLY!

Today only! Download Marvin Sapp’s new album “Here I Am” for $3.99.  Just visit Amazon.com and enjoy! The album is great.   Although, I am a little biased since I am a Marvin Sapp fan. I have to admit that the album is a refreshing blend of contemporary worship songs with tracks that minister to your soul.  Check it out at this great price and share what you think.  

“Are You Listening?: A Love Song for Haiti

Marvin Sapp: The Best in Me

If you were able to catch BET’s Celebration of Gospel 2010 I’m sure your soul was delighted when you heard the incomparable Marvin Sapp debut his latest release. The Best in Me, the first release from Pastor Sapp’s forthcoming album, Here I Am, was released today!  Check out Amazon.com and purchase this single for just $1.29!

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