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Gospel Hit Maker, Troy Sneed, continues to put his adopted hometown of Jacksonville on the national musical map with, “Lay it Down,” his fifth Top Ten Billboard Hot Gospel Songs smash. This week, it ranks at #10* (with a bullet). “In a time when so many people are struggling with debts, unemployment, marital issues and you name it – just fill in the blank, this song just reminds us that we can take any problem to God and let Him solve it, “ Sneed says.
The simple refrain simply says “all of your problems, all of your pain… lay it down” and it’s been steadily building momentum with audiences since its release this summer. It earned an 11% gain in audience this week for a weekly listening audience of over 1.7 million listeners.“Troy Sneed has made it happen once again with a powerful inspirational message that’s simple and to the point in this season of life,” says Connye Bryant at WHLW in Montgomery, AL. “This song is definitely going to be another hit for the Worship Master, Mr. Troy Sneed!”
“Troy Sneed’s latest record `Lay it Down’ has people calling and asking where they can get it,” says Reggie Baker, program director at WPZZ in Richmond. “It is a great follow-up to `My Heart Says Yes’ and will be sung on Sunday mornings [at churches everywhere].” Mike Gamble, program director of the The Light: Sheridan Gospel Network adds that, “”Troy has become the inspirational music stylist that delivers powerful words of encouragement in every song.”
The song is featured on Sneed’s latest Top ten selling CD, “All Is Well” (Emtro Gospel). The new CD features urban-flavored songs of praise and worship ranging from the jazzy “Song for You” to “I Know You Hear Me” that recalls R. Kelly’s “U Saved Me.” The album received a sterling review from the popular blog Da Gospel Truth: “Full of refreshing live instrumentation, simple melodies, relatable lyrical content and smooth vocals… The brightness and purity of the vocals shine through on every song… if you don’t pick it up, it’s your loss.” For more information on Troy Sneed, visit Sneed online at www.troysneed.net or follow him on Twitter @TroySneed.
12 Gifts announces its first tour offering with “12 Gifts of Christmas” presented by World Vision, a 12-city, 3-hour evening arena event focused on the meaning, the magic and the music of Christmas hosted by Lisa Whelchel of CBS’ “Survivor: Philippines” and “The Facts of Life,” with Grammy® award-winning artists Steven Curtis Chapman and Laura Story, storytellers Patsy Clairmont, Luci Swindoll, Marilyn Meberg and Mary Beth Chapman, comedienne Anita Renfroe, and illusionist Harris III, kicking off on Nov. 29, 2012, and tickets are on sale now.
“I love Christmas but I’m even more excited than usual about Christmas 2012,” said Whelchel, “because I get to spend it with some of the most talented Christian performers on the planet.
Doesn’t that sound heavenly? I hope everyone will come and be a part of the 12 Gifts–it is all about celebrating Jesus with your whole family.”
12 Gifts of Christmas is a brand new event for families and an opportunity to bring families together as they celebrate the Christmas season, according to 12 Gifts.
“12 Gifts of Christmas is centered around the Christmas story,” said Rob Olds, president of 12 Gifts. “In one fast-paced and varied evening, audiences will enjoy music presented by Dove and Grammy® winning artists, fun and laughter with a comedian who’s also a YouTube phenomenon, magic and wonder with an illusionist and meaningful stories of Christmas told by the best story-tellers. Our hope is the audience will leave encouraged and reminded of the incredible gifts brought by this wonderful time of year.”
The locations for the 12 Gifts of Christmas arena tour are:
Nov. 29, 2012 Omaha, Neb. Omaha Civic Center
Nov. 30, 2012 Moline, Ill. i wireless Arena
Dec. 1, 2012 St. Louis, Mo. Family Arena**
Dec. 2, 2012 Tulsa, Okla. Mabee Center**
Dec. 5, 2012 Denver, Col. Denver Coliseum
Dec. 6, 2012 Wichita, Kan. Hartman Arena
Dec. 7, 2012 Norman, Okla. Lloyd Noble Arena
Dec. 8, 2012 Springfield, Mo. John Q Hammons Arena
Dec. 13, 2012 Reading, Pa. Sovereign Center
Dec. 14, 2012 Baltimore, Md. First Mariner Arena
Dec. 15, 2012 Greensboro, N.C. Greensboro Coliseum
Dec. 16, 2012 Duluth, Ga. Gwinnett Center
(**Event will be recorded for nationwide in-theater event)
“Family and friends getting together, catching up, telling stories-that’s one of the true highlights of Christmas for me every year,” said Chapman. “This year, Mary Beth and I are looking forward to adding the stories of our 12 Gifts ‘tour family’ to our Christmas traditions, and I’ll be sharing some of our story through music from ‘Joy’ as well. I’m looking forward to it.”
Tickets are on-sale now at www.12gifts.com or by calling (866) 440-7880. Tickets are available in individual and group pricing.
“Christmas is the most wonderful time of year and the craziest,” said Renfroe. “It’s also the time of year when we can choose between hilarity and insanity. I’m turning cartwheels (well, in my mind) to be a part of 12 Gifts tour to purvey some joy to the world this holiday season.”
12 Gifts of Christmas will present a one-time only, “12 Gifts of Christmas” NCM Fathom Event in select movie theaters nationwide on Tuesday, Dec.11, 2012. Further details will be released in November. For more information on the theater event visit www.Fathomevents.com.
“Who doesn’t love Christmas?” said Clairmont. “The lights, the presents and especially the gatherings. That is just one of the reasons why I’m looking forward to sharing in the 12 Gifts of Christmas this year. So pack up the family. Climb in the sleigh and join the festivities.”
For more information on 12 Gifts of Christmas, go to www.12gifts.com, 12 Gifts Tour on Facebook, and @12GiftsTour on Twitter.
ABOUT LISA WHELCHEL:
Lisa Whelchel is perhaps best known for her starring role as Blair Warner on NBC’s “The Facts of Life” for nine years. After that, Lisa left show business to take on her favorite role of all: mom to Tucker, Haven and Clancy. During those years, she also authored 15 books, including “Creative Correction” and her latest, “Friendship for Grownups.” Lisa can currently be seen on television’s “Survivor” on CBS Wednesday nights.
ABOUT STEVEN CURTIS CHAPMAN:
Steven Curtis Chapman has sold more than ten million records including two RIAA certified Platinum albums and eight RIAA certified Gold albums. Along with his five Grammy® Awards, Chapman has won an American Music Award, recorded 46 No. 1 US radio hits including one in each decade since the 1980s and been awarded 57 Dove Awards, more than any other artist to date. Since his recording career began in 1987, Chapman has recorded 17 projects with Sparrow Records. Chapman’s brand new Christmas project, “Joy,” released Oct. 16, 2012. Chapman has performed at the White House and has appeared on multiple national programs via CBS, NBC, ABC, CNN, MSNBC, CMT, FOX News, the Hallmark Channel and E!, including “Good Morning America,” “Larry King Live,” “Fox & Friends,” “Huckabee,” “CBS Sunday Morning,” “The Tonight Show with Jay Leno” and more. Chapman and his wife Mary Beth created Show HOPE in 2001 after bringing their first adopted daughter, Shaohannah, home from China. The ministry’s goal is to help families reduce the financial barrier of adoption, and has provided grants to more than 3,350 families wishing to adopt orphans from around the world.
ABOUT WORLD VISION:
World Vision is a humanitarian organization dedicated to working with children, families and their communities worldwide to reach their full potential by tackling the causes of poverty and injustice. Serving close to 100 million people in nearly 100 countries around the world (including the U.S.), it is World Vision’s goal to work with a community and help it to become self-sustainable through programs promoting health, nutrition, sanitation, education and economic development.
ABOUT 12 GIFTS:
12 Gifts produces premier family entertainment experiences and events in arenas nationwide. Utilizing world-class artists, speakers and other performers, 12 Gifts provides families the opportunity to escape the every day and be amazed and inspired through stories, songs and magic. Each event is filled with laughter, wonder and an invitation for families to see and celebrate the gifts in life.
The Malaco Music Group is proud to announce that both The Georgia Mass Choir’s, “I Still Have A Praise Inside Of Me” Featuring Rev. Milton Biggham & Mississippi Mass Choir’s, “Lord, You’re The Landlord” appears on the Mediabase National Gospel Chart at #21 and #28 respectfully.
The Georgia Mass Choir, ‘I Still Have A Praise’ Full CD made its “Hot Shot Debut” onto the Billboard Gospel Album Charts this past week. (Issue Date 10/12/12) (Available Online & In Stores)
The Mississippi Mass Choir are the 2012 “Traditional Choir Of The Year” Stellar Award winners for CD “…Then Sings My Soul.” The single “Lord, You’re The Landlord” Featuring Lillian Lilly is taken from that release. The Mississippi Mass Choir were the recipient of the Thomas A. Dorsey Notable Achievement Award at the 25th Annual Stellar Gospel Music Awards. The award is named in honor of the “Father of Gospel Music,” Thomas A. Dorsey and recognizes individuals doing outstanding work in the Gospel music community. They are just the second recipient to receive this award.
The Malaco Music Group houses the largest and oldest Gospel music catalog in the world.
Tyscot Music & Entertainment is excited to announce the addition of its new artist, Anthony Brown & Group therAPy to the Mary Mary Go Get It Tour.
Anthony Brown & group therAPy will open up for the Go Get It Tour on select dates. This is just one of many milestones for Anthony since releasing his debut project in August of this year.
Other milestones of note include: a Top 5 position on the Billboard Top Gospel Albums chart, a 2013 performance on the upcoming season of BET’s Bobby Jones Gospel a Stellar Award nomination in the Songwriter of the Year category, and a much-talked about TBN performance with host Donnie McClurkin. Click Here to preview and purchase CD.
Fans will be able to catch the group perform their hit radio single, “Testimony” on the tour dates listed below:
Oct 25th– Jacksonville , FL
Oct 27th – Charleston , SC
Oct 28th-Columbia, SC
Nov 15th-Washington, DC
Nov 16th– Hampton , VA
Nov 17th – Richmond , VA
Anthony Brown & group therAPy are excited and grateful to be a part of the Mary Mary Go Get ItTour. Other artists scheduled to appear in select markets include: Isaac Carree, Vashawn Mitchell (who is the group’s label head and Executive producer), Jessica Reedy and Anita Wilson.
For More Information on the Mary Mary Go Get It Tour visit:
www.ilovemarymary.com and www.mary-mary.com
CNN analyst and host of Washington Watch, Roland Martin spoke recently to the Christian Post. PATH found many interesting and debatable points Martin makes when debating the role of faith and politics.
Roland Martin a Christian, speaks about the calling on his life.
“I had somebody come to me several years ago and say, “Man, you really need to be preaching.’ I said that’s not what I do. When I was in meditation, God began to speak to me and God said, “Roland, I have enough preachers. I need people where you are in your positions. When you are on radio, when you are on television, you speak into more people in the five minutes than some preachers speak to in an entire year.”
I sign every book, “Continue to do God’s will.” I definitely believe that it is God’s will for me to use my voice the way I use it where I am. We need people who truly live their faith, represent their faith, speaking to the issues of faith through a faith prism as opposed to just having folks talking about faith when there is a crisis. So, I try to make it clear through morals and values and my faith, in my writing, in my every day discussions on the air. To me, that’s the difference maker. It’s really how [my faith] has strengthened in terms of me using my voice to do God’s will.
The following is a Q & A from Christian Post.com
CP: Is the African-American vote more important in this coming election than ever before? Why or why not?
Martin: The Black vote is always important and the reason is it serves as a tremendous base for the Democratic Party. On the national level, Democrats traditionally receive at least 90 percent of the Black vote. If you look at 2008, two million more African-Americans voted that year than they did in previous years. Black women voted at a higher rate than any other group in 2008. They (Black voters) are critical because if you look at the re-election chances of President Obama,it’s important for him to be able to say during a political campaign, “Look, I can depend on ‘X’ percentage of votes” and that allows him to be able to build a coalition.
If you look on the GOP side, when you can depend on social conservatives to be your base it allows for you to focus your resources and energy on another aspect of the demographic. That’s why right now with the Latino demographic the president has something like a 50-point lead among Latinos on Mitt Romney. So, that makes Romney’s chances more difficult. The Black vote is the same way. It is a part of coalition building and so it is absolutely important.
If you are a Democrat and you get less than 90% of the Black vote you are going to likely lose your election.
CP: Do you see any particular political issue that is dividing Christians in general? How about in the African-American Christian community?
Martin: Here’s what’s happening when we talk about politics and Christians. I’ll put it this way. Look how many conservative pastors were blasting Mitt Romney during the primary because he is a Mormon. You had some pastors calling it a cult – “I can’t give my vote to a cult.” He gets the nomination then what happens? “OK, I know I called it a cult, but…” So, what they are saying is that they are not actually voting based upon their Christian faith. They are voting based on their political position.
My point is faith is huge in many people’s lives, but when it comes to politics, a lot of times, people vote their political interest over their religious interest. I’m not speaking of individuals. I’m speaking as a collective. There is going to be pockets of people who don’t take that position, but by and large folks are not going to vote based upon their faith. They are going to vote based on their personal political interest.
CP: Recently, a group of black faith leaders said “absolutely no” to the redefinition of marriage. And their conviction has compelled them to launch a campaign aimed at mobilizing 25 percent of African-American voters who backed Barack Obama to vote their biblical values. What is your reaction to this campaign?
Martin: First of all, who are these people? My intent is not to be demeaning. The point is you’ve got to have some credibility with the group you are trying to reach that somehow you are going to sway 25 percent of the electorate. Let’s go back to 2004. I believe this election in 2012 in many ways resembles the election of 2004. The thinking in 2004 that by same-sex marriage on the ballot in those states that was going to be a galvanizing effort for African-Americans to not support the Democratic ticket, but to support the Republican ticket. The belief was that they could get 10, 12, 15 percent of the black vote. It didn’t happen. Bush got a smaller percentage of the Black vote in ’04 than he did in the year 2000. Do you realistically think you are going to see a real swing of 25 percent of Black votes who will not vote for President Obama and vote for Mitt Romney?
Those pastors have clearly lost their mind. They are not even remotely going to be effective. I would be willing to bet you right now that come election day, the most Mitt Romney may end up getting is 5 percent of the Black vote nationally.
Click Here to read the entire interview.
Since Unspoken released their Centricity Music debut EP, Get To Me, they have been making a strong impact with Christian radio and fans around the country. Their single, Who You Are, which released in June, is currently #15 on the CHR chart, #26 on AC Indicator, and #30 AC Monitored. Major stations such as KLOVE, Air1, KSBJ/Houston, TX, KTIS/Minneapolis, MN, KFSH/Los Angeles, CA, New Life Media, Way FM, KLJY/St. Louis and WBSN/New Orleans, LA are already on the song
Unspoken had that same impact with their live debut at Momentum 2012 where the appearance was hailed as the premiere performance of the event. Even other Christian artists were blown away by the song and performance with Jamie Grace tweeting, “omg I love that song;”Blanca/Group 1 Crew, “Just listened to Unspoken here at Momentum conference in Disney and they’re amazing!,” and Dara Maclean, “Killer chorus guys, love your sound!” The performance is also receiving positive online reaction at YouTube where the song has been viewed over 150,000 times with fans exclaiming….When you feel a song so deep you get goosebumps!, Good harmony, Good singers, Good Message. What more do ya want in a song?, And thank you Air 1 for playing this song and of course Unspoken for writing this song!
Unspoken’s music ministry is also leading the group to help recovering addicts through Celebrate Recovery events. The band has been active participants with the organization for the last few years, after lead singer Chad Mattson began sharing his testimony on how Jesus helped him to overcome his drug and alcohol addiction. Last weekend, Unspoken was invited to the first Celebrate Recovery One Day event in the state of Maine, where the group led worship and performed Recovery, a song inspired by Celebrate Recovery. While in Maine, the band met Celebrate Recovery’s President/Founder, John Baker.
About Unspoken
Unspoken is a 4-member band comprised of lead singer Chad Mattson, bassist Jon Lowry (who are both from Maine), guitarist Mike Gomez (Dominican Republic), and drummer Ariel Munoz (Puerto Rico). The group was initially formed in the Dominican Republic where Mattson met Gomez. When the duo returned to the states the pair hooked up with Lowry, Mattson’s childhood friend. Munoz joined the band when he met Unspoken at Nashville talent contest. The group has made great strides as an independent artist, playing with such high-profile acts as Third Day, David Crowder, Casting Crowns, TobyMac, and Pillar. With an electrifying live performance, Unspoken brings a fresh sound to the CCM market with an eclectic blend of musical backgrounds. Centricity Music is the band’s first label signing and Get To Me is their first national release. For more information on the band please visit www.unspokenmusic.com.
About Centricity Music
Centricity Music is an independent recording and publishing company based in Bellevue, Washington and Nashville, Tennessee. The company’s mission is to enable our artists to create life-changing experiences for the world. Centricity Music’s artist roster includes; Aaron Shust, Andrew Peterson, Downhere, Jaime Jamgochian, Jason Gray, Remedy Drive, Seth Mosley, Sixteen Cities, and Unspoken. Additional information is available online at www.centricitymusic.com
Versatile Entertainment presents The 4th Annual Praise Fest On The Bayou. This highly anticipated 3-day Outdoor Event is FREE to all and will take place “On The BAYOU” October 19-21, 2012 11am-6pm Co-Sponsored By The Abundant Life Tabernacle.
The inspirational event includes many local and national Christian/Gospel music artists, entertainers, and world renowned speakers. Crowds at the annual event is expected to reach 5,000 people over the 3-day period. Praise Fest On the Bayou aspires to bring different cultures together to Praise & Worship the Lord Jesus Christ as one body. The audience at this event will be a diverse crowd including, families, churches, community leaders, and professionals.
Last year Praise Fest produced three days of hand clapping, foot stumping good old gospel music and was held “On The BAYOU.” The 2011 event was absolutely phenomenal! Friday was dedicated to Senior Citizens from all across the metro area, Saturday within the festival was a Career & Health Fair segment, and on Sunday was the Final day of the fest with a close out by New Orleans’ own Minister Joshua Kagler & Harmonistic Praise Crusade. Praise Fest was comprised of thirty two gospel artist from the New Orleans area and across the country.
Not only did Praise Fest display three days of gospel music, which presented New Orleans on an international media bases, but it also gave the participants an opportunity to really feel the beat of our city. The event received nine sponsorships from various companies from the local New Orleans area and across the several states. Path MEGAzine was one of the official sponsors, and continues in that roll in 2012. More over the event gave an opportunity to present New Orleans as a vibrant city but still in recovery from the nation’s worst documented natural disaster.
Click Here or visit http://www.praisefestnola.com for more information on this FREE event.
SCHEDULE OF FESTIVAL:
THURSDAY: October 18, 2012 is Set-Up Day
FRIDAY: October 19, 2012 is Seniors Day
SATURDAY: October 20, 2012 is Career & Health Fair
SUNDAY: October 21, 2012 is The Finale
About Versatile Entertainment:
Versatile Entertainment, Inc. (“Versatile”) is an artist development, artist management, cd & dvd duplications, event planning, marketing, mobile staging, music center, productions, promotions, publishing and record company that has established a great presence in New Orleans, Louisiana over the past ten years. Versatile has demonstrated the ability to execute numerous operations, as well as putting together strong marketing strategies to gain entrance within the entertainment industry.
Lecrae continues to break new ground for Christian rappers leading the charts at #1 with ‘Gravity.’ The album is #4 on the Christian charts and #6 on the Rap Albums charts which includes rappers from all generes of music.
Tamela Mann continues at #2, selling strong with her latest ‘Best Days’ for 9 straight weeks. Continue reading
BET networks may feature programming with Christian themes on Sundays, but now the television station is reportedly looking to broaden its faith-based programs to be broadcast on weekdays and may be considering a new talk show hosted by Bishop T.D. Jakes of The Potter’s House.
Charlie Jordan Brookins, BET’s Senior Vice President of original programming, spoke to Variety magazine about moving faith-based programming into the network’s general schedule.
“We are trying to bring (spiritual themes) into the fabric of our programming in general,” Brookins said.
Still, Brookins said the new faith-based featured on the network is not looking to be “overtly preachy.”
While BET let it be known that it planned to turn author Reshonda Tate Billingsley’s novel, Let the Church Say Amen, into a film for the network, the channel will also broadcast three other Billingsley novels that will be turned into small screen pictures.
Billingsley’s I Know I’ve Been Changed, Everybody Say Amen and Say Amen Again will be featured on the network, while Let the Church Say Amen has begun shooting in Atlanta and will star Lela Rochon along with Steve Harris.
In the past, BET has featured the gospel singing competition “Sunday’s Best” along with the reality show focused on a Christian family in the entertainment industry called “The Family Crews.” However, future shows may include additional docu-series and a talk show.
T.D. Jakes reportedly shot a pilot for the network last month. The bishop of the Dallas, Texas-based megachurch The Potter’s House finished up a pilot for a talk show that he will be hosting, according to Variety.
In addition to the televised films and potential Jakes’ talk show, a reality television show is also reportedly in the works featuring the multi-generational gospel singing family from Detroit, the Sheards. While Bishop J. Drew Sheard leads a megachurch in Detroit called Greater Emmanuel Institutional Church of God in Christ, Brookins said the network is not aiming to document the family’s religion.
“It’s not about their faith,” Brookins said in a Variety report. “It’s about them as a family of faith.”
