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. 

 

 

 

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.” 

 

Grammy award winning singer/songwriter, Le’Andria Johnson is set to join forces with Lindy’s Place Inc., Greater St. Stephen Full Gospel Baptist Church, and WYLD-AM for “A Gospel Music Extravaganza” celebrating Lindy’s Place’s 20 years of empowering women. Johnson, who just released CD/DVD,Le’Andria Johnson The Experience, has been away from the stage for a couple months after delivering her baby just one week before the September release of her album. Fans of the singer have been anxiously awaiting her return to the stage – Johnson felt the cause behind this concert was the ideal platform to resume doing what she loves the most – ministering through song.

Lindy’s Place Inc. is a New Orleans based homeless shelter for women, focused on helping to guide women towards self-sufficiency. Lindy’s Place Inc. provides services to their occupants such as: case management, self-awareness workshops, weekly education seminars, group counseling, job skills sessions, and rental assistance for those that move on from the program. Through these services, the organization has helped thousands of women break the cycle of homelessness, unemployment and poverty.

This cause is near and dear to Johnson’s heart. The singer has been vocal about the fact that her home was foreclosed on just one day before auditioning for the singing competition she later went on to win, BET’s Sunday Best. Johnson found herself battling homelessness with her three children as a single parent. Though Johnson has since been blessed with a new home and a successful career, she does not allow herself to forget the struggles she once faced. Johnson uses her platform to help those in need. Her music gives hope and inspiration to those in the same situations that she was once in.

Le’Andria Johnson is currently nominated in 7 of the top categories for the 2013 Stellar Awards including: Artist of the Year, CD of the Year, Song of the Year, Female Vocalist of the Year and more. Though Johnson has only had a few weeks rest since delivering her baby, she is ready to get back to giving live performances. Johnson recently announced an upcoming tour and plans to release a music video for her single “My Story Continues” later this month.

“The Gospel Music Extravaganza” will take place Friday, October 13th at 7pm at Greater St. Stephen Full Gospel Baptist Church. In addition to Le’Andria Johnson, the event will see special appearances by: Bishop Paul S. Morton Sr., Raymond Anthony Myles Singers, Jones Sisters, Minister Vernon Boyd, Shasta Rembert, and Bishop Earl Blackwell Jr. The event will be hosted by Lisa and Loretta Pettit of WYLD-AM.  For more information on Lindy’s Place visitwww.lindysplace.org/ for more information on Le’Andria Johnson visithttp://musicworldent.com/artists/leandriajohnson

After locking himself in the studio for months, Jonathan Thulin is releasing his new album, The White Room on October 22nd.  We wanted to release something early for you to have so today we are pleased to announce the digital release of his song, Bombs Away (Feat. Rachael Lampa).  We let several artists listen to his new album. Check out what they had to say about it:

“People have to hear this record! It’s so on its own! I love the words Jonathan uses to describe what he’s saying, It’s so unique!” – Manwell Reyes from Group 1 Crew

“Jonathan’s Thulin’s “The White Room” is one of my favorite records I’ve heard in a long time. Everything from the orchestration to the lyrics feels so intentionally aimed at the heart.  I’m so proud to be a part of this project.” – Rachael Lampa

“This is more than just an album, it’s an experience. Jonathan takes you on a musical journey with a deep message that’s hard to compare to anyone out there right now. A true artist. A must listen.” – Charmaine

 “Thulin delivers something new and refreshing for everyone to enjoy.  Though artistically complex and overflowing with passionate lyrics, somehow “The White Room” is still easy for any listener to consume.” – Shawn Cavallo from Manic Drive

Feeling left out?  Don’t worry because now you can listen to the album as well over at:http://www.jesusfreakhideout.com/listeningparty/party6.asp

You can purchase Bombs Away and leave a customer review on iTunes today: http://bit.ly/RcETEc

Don’t forget you can also purchase his other track, Dead Come To Life (Feat. Charmaine) on iTunes as well: http://bit.ly/J1FOTv

Also, if you haven’t heard, Dream announced The White Room pre-order last week.  Pick up his CD today for you and/or a friend for only $10 today, buy an extra copy on iTunes the day it comes out, send a receipt to info@dreammusicgroup.com and Dream will do something special for you.  Check this out! Jonathan will call you personally to say, “thank you”, email you handwritten lyrics from the studio, Dream will email you a zip file of his last album, The Anatomy Of A Heartflow and all purchases will come autographed!  On top of this portions will go to Gospel For Asia, a charity bringing the gospel message to Asia.

Pre-order today: http://www.dreamrecords.org/artists/jonathanthulin

ABOUT DREAM MUSIC GROUP: DREAM RECORDS

Dream Music Group, the umbrella company for Dream Records, DMG Productions, Dream Publicity, Dream Merchandise and One Moment Management, is quickly making a name for itself providing it’s artists with a genuine approach to how real artist development should be done.  By providing a partnership as a business model, Dream’s artists empower themselves to develop and carry out a real vision for their lives as they affect other people’s lives with their music and message.  Incorporating social media, press, radio and touring it’s allowing it’s artists grow together as a family.

The Ambassadors of Memphis (AOM) will host a one-night-only screening of Deitrick Haddon’s A Beautiful Soul movie at the Studio on the Square, 2105 Court Ave in Overton Square , Memphis , TN 38104 .

Sponsored by Tyscot Music & Entertainment, Allstate Insurance’s Cynthia Scales Hill and Attorney Angela Green, proceeds from this event will support the AOM’s 2012 Holiday Gift Card Giveaway Campaign.

As the holiday season quickly approaches, many people find themselves looking for love from family and friends in hopes of helping them to cope through difficult times. The movie, A Beautiful Soul encourages those who need to know: that they are beautiful in the sight of God; no one is bigger than God’s love and He will meet them wherever they are.

The one night only screening starts at 7pm and will be hosted by Sherry Mackey, Radio Personality with 95.7 Hallelujah FM. Tickets are only $6 and can be purchased online at www.ambassadorsofmemphis.org

Deitrick Haddon is excited to share this film with the city of Memphis in hopes that it will remind those with beautiful lives and beautiful hearts that they also have beautiful souls.

For more information on the Ambassadors of Memphis “A Beautiful Soul” movie screening visit: www.ambassadorsofmemphis.org

About Deitrick Haddon’s A Beautiful Soul

Directed by Jeff Byrd (“Soul Food” TV series), A Beautiful Soul is the story of Andre Stephens (Haddon), an R&B superstar who has success, fame and fortune but has lost his way spiritually. The film follows Andre after his “perfect” life is shattered in a brutal attack that leaves he and his best friend, Chris Johnson (Ri’chard), clinging to life. The tragedy pushes Andre into a spiritual journey that forces him to make a choice that could change his destiny forever. Leading the cast is Deitrick Haddon as Andre Stephens. The film also stars Harry Lennix (“The Matrix”), Robert Ri’chard (“Coach Carter”), Lesley Ann Brandt (“Spartacus”), Golden Brooks (“Girlfriends”) Vanessa Bell Calloway (“HawthoRNe”) and Barry Floyd (“The Game”).

The DVD along with the CD, Deitrick Haddon presents Voices of Unity; A Beautiful Soul (Music Inspired by the Motion Picture) is now available in stores and on-line.

For more information on A Beautiful Soul visit: www.abeautifulsoulmovie.com and www.tyscot.com

 

BEC Recordings’ artist Jeremy Camp was nominated for an American Music Award today in the Contemporary Inspirational Artist category. This is his third AMA nomination. The 40th anniversary edition of the American Music Awards will air Sunday, November 18 on ABC, live from the Nokia Theatre in Los Angeles. Again this year winners will be determined by online voting, which is now open. Click here to vote for Jeremy Camp.

GRAMMY-nominated Camp has also recently released his Christmas project Christmas: God With Us, which debuted this week at No. 1 on the Billboard Holiday Albums chart. This is Camp’s first full-length holiday project in his 10-year career. Camp’s Christmas album is filled with holiday classics as well as the original title track “God With Us.” Fans will hear favorites such as “Jingle Bell Rock,” “Joy To The World,” and “Mary Did You Know.”

In addition, Camp will be releasing a new studio project in February 2013. The debut single from this forthcoming release, “Reckless,” was the No. 1 most added song at radio at all formats.

About Jeremy Camp:
Over his stellar 10 year career, BEC Recordings’ artist Camp has established himself with these landmark accolades: over three million albums sold, Four RIAA Gold-selling studio albums including his debut album; One RIAA Multi-Platinum long-form video; 32 No. 1 Radio Hits across all formats; GRAMMY® nominated project for his album Speaking Louder Than Before; three American Music Award nominations; Billboard’s No. 3 Christian Artist of the Decade including five songs in the Top 50 Billboard Christian Songs of the Decade; Four ASCAP Songwriter of the Year awards; ASCAP Song of the Year award; Five Dove awards including two-time Male Vocalist of the Year. Jeremy is a Compassion International artist.

When Gospel recording artist BeBe Winans decided to write a book about his longtime friendship with the late Whitney Houston, he figured doing so would help him “embrace the pain” he felt over the sudden and expected loss of the world-renowned singer.

Winans has said that his book was written with the blessing of the Houston clan. But the timing of the book’s release this summer didn’t sit well with Whitney Houston’s mother, Cissy, who signed a book deal with HarperCollins in June for a book that she hopes will “tell the unabridged and unbelievable story of her daughter’s life as well as her own.” She also wanted to be the first to weigh in on her daughter’s personal life. Cissy’s book is scheduled to be released in February.

Cissy Houston told The Wall Street Journal that Winans never asked for the family’s blessing or permission for his book. She and close family friend A. Curtis Farrow said that the first time Whitney Houston’s immediate family learned of the book was when they read about it in a newspaper article, not from Winans.

Still, Winans has been traveling around promoting his book, called “The Whitney I Knew,” in between live performances and pushing his latest recording project, a patriotic album called, “America, America.”

Winans and his gospel-singing family were a major highlight at the globally televised funeral service for Houston, held at Houston’s childhood church, New Hope Baptist in Newark. At one point in the service, his brother, Pastor Marvin Winans, called BeBe and his other family members to the pulpit to perform a surprise rendition of the family’s song, “Tomorrow.” His on-the-spot decision sparked a sales windfall for the Winans. According to Nielsen Soundscan, sales of the album skyrocketed more than 1,000 percent in the few days following Houston’s funeral. In addition, the sales of individual tracks on the album increased more than 1,000 percent.

Three-time Gospel Music Academy Award winner, songwriter, vocalist and producer, Isaac D. Simpson has been through some rough experiences in his lifetime to say the least.

Being a featured guest on various national television programs as BET’s Bobby Jones Gospel Hour, TBN’s Praise the Lord and 15th Street, as well as various FOX Morning news shows, Simpson has encouraged, educated and inspired millions expressing that life is a process and God is the source of surmounting any trial— the epitome of a walking testimony he is proof of God’s grace and mercy.

When a good deed goes bad—a .22 bullet ricocheted through every major intestine in his body—the internationally known artist, and visionary behind Divine Providence, also known as DP, finds himself fighting for his life. And instead of working on a new music project he was forced to learn how to walk again, after awakening from a coma.

His current project, The Process, features powerful songs like “Encouragement,” “So Good,” “He Made A Way,” “Hide In Me” and “He Already Made a Way, that personifies emotional and musical liberation.

His current single, The Process, accompanied by a music video—a strong illustration of his near-death experience—encapsulates the true meaning of God’s grace and mercy, and is a true testament of Simpson’s violent occurrence.

I know you feel that you can’t make it/I know you feel like what’s the use/I’m holding on to something that feels so far away/Let me remind you that He’s here and he cares/Don’t give up now you’ve come too far to turnaround/Keep holding on to what God has promised and believe it is in His word.

Simpson, who comes from a long generation of singers, songwriters and entertainers, began honing his skills at an early age—directing citywide choirs. By the time he was twenty-six he had conducted workshops throughout the U.S., the Caribbean Islands, Great Britain and Europe.

Taking home the national title of “Best Overall Artist” at the Gospel Music Academy Awards, and sharing the stage with gospel greats as Vicki Winans, James Moore, Marvin Sapp, Kurt Carr, and Rance Allen, it’s no wonder why Simpson was chosen as a special vocalist to honor Coretta Scott-King on stage.

Originally from Los Angeles, California, Simpson founded DP in 1998 to give young Christian-adults an outlet to share their music with the world. He came up with the name Divine Providence while listening to a sermon by Bishop George “Awesome” Dawson. The name means ‘instantaneous will of God.’ In just one year’s time, the energetic youth chorale from Central Ohio produced an album titled “He Loves Me,” influenced by jazz and hip hop, written, arranged, and produced by Simpson.

Inspired by personal life experiences “The Process,” distributed through EMI, is proving to be one of the most superlative musical projects to date.