The finale of the Verizon Wireless How Sweet the Sound national choir competition, set to take place at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, NY this Sunday, November 4, 2012, has been postponed until further notice.

“The safety and care for our audience, our extended communities in New York, New Jersey and Connecticut, and all of our performers is our first priority,” said Steven Marrs, President of Momentum Entertainment Group, which helps to produce the event. “Our thoughts and best wishes are with all those affected by the devastating, life-altering hand of Superstorm Sandy.”

The program’s producers are said to be looking at various alternate options for the future. Once a decision has been made, the public will be updated on plans. Watch the official website for details.

Beginning Monday, November 5, 2012, customers will be able to receive a refund at their place of purchase.

In a new online poll, Vanity Fair and 60 minutes posed the question “if you were directing a new film version of the New Testament, which actor would you cast to play Jesus?” Denzel Washington was the winner with 21 percent of people preferring him to take on the role of Jesus Christ on the big screen.

Daniel Day-Lewis, Al Pacino, Ryan Gosling, Woody Allen and Phillip Seymour Hoffman were also amongst the list of actors included in the survey. Actor Jim Cavizel starred as Jesus Christ in The Passion of the Christ in 2004, which was the last major box office film to depict Jesus Christ.

Washington, a devout Christian may welcome the roll, but it wouldn’t come without its share of risks.  Actor Jim Cavizel said playing Jesus in Passion of the Christ ruined his ability to get work in Hollywood.  

If Washington were to take on the role of Jesus, it would not be the first time he has starred as a character with religious or spiritual undertones.

In 1996 Washington appeared as an angel alongside Whitney Houston in The Preacher’s Wife. And in 2010 the Academy Award winning actor starred in the post-apocalyptic sci-fi hit The Book of Eli, where he fought to protect a King James Version of the Bible, which was portrayed as a sacred book that holds the secrets to saving humankind.

In 2006 Washington lent his voice to the Audio Bible CD ‘The Bible Experience,’ narrating the Song of Songs chapter.

Washington’s American Gangster co-star Russell Crowe will play Noah in the biblical epic film of the same name, which is currently in production and will hit theaters sometime in 2014.

Currently, Denzel Washington is set to debut his new film ‘Flight’ in theaters this Friday.

Chris Brown recently revealed that his road to stardom began with a childhood singing in church and outlined some defining moments in his career on “This is How I Made It.”

Brown, 23-year-old singer, recently appeared on MTV’s “This is How I Made It” program where he opened up about his humble beginnings in a church where he grew up in Tappahannock, Va.

“It was difficult growing up. We didn’t have everything we wanted,” Brown revealed on the episode that aired Saturday. “We were used to two pairs of shoes for a school year. We used to go to church every day. I was one of those kids that had more church clothes than school clothes.”

The Grammy Award-winning R&B star said church taught him a lot about music and he spoke about the place of worship becoming a form of discipline for him as a child.

“Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday we had choir rehearsal and the band, the whole nine. So being able to get that music lesson was also a blessing in itself,” Brown said. “It was also a discipline. I think my mom knew what she was doing like, ‘OK I’m going to keep you out the streets and put you in the church first.'”

The singer-songwriter and dancer recalled one incident where he experienced the holy ghost while performing “His Eye Is On The Sparrow” in church.

“The first time I performed, wow I was in church. I was about nine or 10…I finally got a chance to perform it and it was emotional,” Brown recalled. “I started crying for no reason and my mother was like ‘that’s the holy ghost baby.'”

According to Brown, seeing his mother’s happiness while she watched her son perform made him realize that he wanted to pursue a singing career.

“Seeing my mom happy is an overwhelming feeling and I was like wow I really want to do this,” he said.

Although Brown has received many accolades in his career, he spoke briefly about an incident that changed his life and the outlook that many fans had on him — the night where he engaged in a physical altercation with singer Rihanna. However, the singer said the incident was one of his most humbling experiences that just may cement his legacy.

“Having to get personal opinion back and having to gain personal success back, you know, it’s not all the way back you know. But it’s one of my most humbling experiences,” he said on the MTV show. “My story or my life or my legacy can hopefully show them that once you’re down, that don’t just mean you’re down forever. You never let up.”

Source: Christian Post

Pillar, one of the most successful Christian Rock bands of all time announced on their social media pages and in e-mail to their fans this weekend that they will be reforming their marquee line up to record their first album in four years, and first for next level record label idefi Music.

“We’re going to be doing a record and are shooting for a summer 2013 release” says Pillar singer Rob Beckley. “It’s going to have that gritty sound but will come from a more mature place lyrically.”

Considered by many to be the band’s definitive line up, founding members Beckley, and Michael “Kalel” Wittig, were joined by virtuoso guitarist Noah Henson for the 2002 release “Fireproof.” The album immediately topped the charts and in the course of selling over 300,000 copies, won two Dove Awards and established the band at the vanguard of Christian Rock. During touring for the album Lester Estelle Jr., a much respected drummer joined the band cementing one of the most musically solid bands of the era. The effort spawned several hit singles including the title track and the band’s signature song “Fireproof.” 

In 2004, the band again topped the charts with the release of “Where Do We Go From Here”. The album immediately shot to number one and included the singles “Bring Me Down” and “Frontline.” 

“What was cool about ‘Fireproof’ and ‘Where Do We Go From Here’ was we were young and touring….those were pretty authentic records,” Beckley says. 

The band’s next full length “The Reckoning” not only furthered the band success but added a Grammy nod for “Best Rock or Rap Gospel Album.” Their follow-up “For Love of the Game” brought more Dove nominations and hit singles but would be the end of the band’s most successful line-up as Estelle and Wittig departed. 

Beckley says the band is very excited to be back together again.  He says that he’s very thankful for Pillar’s fan base. “We’re going to rally the troops so to speak…what made Pillar successful was not the music but the fans. The Underground Army has been in hiatus for a while and now it’s time to re-enlist,” he says. “One thing we know is that our fans were the driving force behind what we did. We’re really relying on them to support and get the word out about the new record.”

As to idefi, Beckley says he’s happy to be part of a groundbreaking business model. A thought echoed by idefi CEO Brady Deaton. “I am so proud to think that the idefi model gave them another option, one that included staying together and continuing to make great music while getting paid royalties on their music sales from day 1!”

Idefi Music LLC is a web based “all access” record label that allows performers of any age, level of experience or genre to upload music and create a profile for free. Idefi’s mission is to give artists freedom and control. They offer duplication, world-wide distribution, support for recording, help with music video creation and tour support as well as marketing based on a reward point system. Sign up for Pillar updates and get Rob’s single “Value of My Heart” for free at www.pillartour.com.

For more information about Pillar and idefi visit www.idefimusic.com. 

Shawn McLemore proudly shared the news via Twitter of pre-production beginning for the live recording of his wife, Rhonda McLemore in the city of Houston January 2013.

Now if you don’t know Rhonda McLemore, then you must have been sleeping over the past 15 or so years. She has sang with everyone from John P. Kee and New Life to Donnie McClurkin and Pastor Gregg Patrick and The Bridge Project.

McLemore last sung as apart of the duo group ‘Lyric Sings’ with the late Roz McDuffie in 2007. The two powerhouse vocalists were making waves in the Gospel community before Roz McDuffie fell ill with stomach cancer and passed away shortly after.

Over the years Rhonda has remained relevant, in part due to the smash hit single ‘I Am a Witness’ released by first time Gospel artist Pastor Gregg Patrick. The single landed them in the Top 10 on the Billboard Gospel charts.

Highly sought after for background vocals and recording over-dubs, Rhonda is prepared to step into spotlight once again. With another powerhouse vocalist as her husband, you can expect some good tunes from this live recording.

Check out the video below, once you’ve heard her, you too will be a witness!  Listen to the whole video and I guarantee you you’ll be shouting by the end of it!

It’s Here! The long awaited CD from one of Gospel music’s best-loved choirs – Dr. Charles G. Hayes and Cosmopolitan Church of Prayer Choir (The Warriors) BACK AGAIN. After fifty years of contributing a rich legacy to the history of Gospel music, BACK AGAIN marks the first release on Dr. Hayes’ own label Cosmo Sounds. “I am excited about our new release. After more than 30 records, you would think this would be an easy task, but we treated this recording like it was our first,” states Dr. Hayes. “We’re back again and being used as God’s vessel. We pray that listeners will experience the presence of God.”

Chart-topping recording artist Jason Gray released his first Christmas project earlier this year and is now scheduled to headline his first holiday tour.  The Christmas Stories Tour will launch November 28^th in Illinois and run through December 9^th in Ohio.  The ten-city tour will feature Gray performing with a full band spotlighting songs from Christmas Stories: Repeat The Sounding Joy, presenting a deeper story celebrating the birth of Christ, while focusing on the details inside the Christmas narrative.

“This is my first official headlining tour and I’m so excited to bringing my family and friends with me to help tell the Christmas story!,” says Gray.  “I’ve dreamed of a tour like this for years and am so grateful: my sons will be on stage and behind the scenes, my wife will be sharing her passion for serving the poor with World Vision, and my closest musician friends will be making me sound better than I ought to. I’m also excited to bring my new friend Ben Rosenbush out as the guest artist. Ben is an independent artist from Minneapolis and I’m a big fan.  I’m excited to share him with others, as both he and his music are very kind. “

Christmas Stories: Repeat The Sounding Joy is already receiving strong support with coverage or upcoming coverage from Christianity Today, Phantom Tollbooth, NewReleaseTuesday.com, gmctv.com, Christian Musician, Power Source Magazine and more. JesusFreakHideout.com says, Those looking for something accessible but a little more meaningful than songs about snow and sleigh bells could find a real holiday treasure in this collection. Best-selling author and Pastor Max Lucado added his voice to the accolades, saying, “I love Jason’s voice, his songs, and most of all his heart. This Christmas release is a Christmas gift for us all!” 

For tour updates and Gray’s latest blogs, videos, and information please visit online at www.jasongraymusic.com

Christmas Stories: Repeat The Sounding Joy Tour Dates: (Subject to change)

11/28 – La Harpe, IL

11/29 – Hot Springs, AR

11/30 – Jackson, MO

12/1 – Aura, IL

12/2 – Weston, IL

12/5 – Rapid City, SD

12/6 – North Mankato, MN

12/7 – Waukesha, WI

12/8 – Zeeland, MI

12/9 – Zanesville, OH