Capping off a whirlwind year of new releases, national television appearances, and No. 1 hits, Mandisa plans to wrap up 2012 strong with an updated Christmas album, It’s Christmas: Christmas Angel Edition on October 9. The album features 3 new recordings including the new original cuts “It’s Christmas” and “Somebody’s Angel,” plus an all-new recording of the classic “What Child Is This.” It’s Christmas also boasts popular classics such as “What Christmas Means to Me,” “Silent Night,” and “Little Drummer Boy,” along with special duets with Matthew West and Michael W. Smith. The first single and new recording from the album, “Somebody’s Angel” will be featured in the original movie Christmas Angel debuting this December on GMCtv.

So far this year, Mandisa released a follow up to her most successful album yet, What If We Were Real, with a summer EP, Remixed: Get Movin’, a collection of some of her biggest tracks, remixed and redubbed. Mandisa spent a good portion of the year on her massively successful and almost entirely sold out tour, Girls Night Out, alongside fellow Dove Award nominee Britt Nicole and “Blessings” songstress Laura Story. Most recently, Mandisa performed her breakout single “Good Morning” on ABC’s Good Morning America, which the top-rated morning show has been using during its broadcasts as well, with many other local morning shows adopting the song as their theme song, including ABC New York. She will also be a special guest on The Doctors this fall. Mandisa’s music and lifestyle change has earned her widespread media coverage from other media outlets as well including The Today Show, LIVE! With Regis and Kelly, E!, Extra, Entertainment Tonight, US Magazine, People Magazine and CNN.

It’s Christmas: Christmas Angel Edition Track Listing:
*New Song
**New Recording
1. Its Christmas*
2. What Christmas Means To Me
3. Somebody’s Angel*
4. Christmas Bell Medley (with Silent Night)
5. Feliz Navidad (With Joy to the World)
6. Angels We Have Heard on High
7. Christmas Makes Me Cry (feat. Matthew West)
8. Little Drummer Boy
9. Christmas Day (feat. Michael W. Smith)
10. What Child Is This**
11. Mary’s Little Boy Child
12. Children Go Where I Send Thee

About Mandisa:
Three-time GRAMMY ® nominee Mandisa’s discography includes True Beauty, It’s Christmas, Freedom, What If We Were Real and her remix EP, Get Movin’ on Sparrow Records. This past fall she performed her hit single “Good Morning” on the highest rated morning show, ABC’s “Good Morning America.” The season 5 American Idol finalist is also an author with the release of “Idoleyes: My New Perspective on Faith, Fat & Fame.” Mandisa was one of several Idols selected to open Walt Disney World’s American Idol Experience in early 2009. With over 635,000 albums sold, Mandisa’s music and message continues to connect with fans. Her album, What If We Were Real, has sold over 188,000 albums and features the breakout radio hits “Good Morning,” “Waiting For Tomorrow,” and the #1 AC single, “Stronger.” With widespread media coverage including The Today Show, LIVE! With Regis and Kelly, E!, Extra, Entertainment Tonight, US Magazine, People Magazine and CNN, this American Idol alum and two-time Grammy nominee continues to be a voice of encouragement and truth to women facing life’s challenges.

As the autumn leaves hit the ground, all eyes are turning South – to Orlando, FL – to be exact, as Pastor Riva Tims, celebrates the third anniversary of the church she founded, Majestic Life Church. The festivities kick-off on Friday, October 12 @ 7 PM with Pastor Tims and the Majestic Praise choir’s live CD recording entitled, “Access Granted”, with cameos by noted gospel artists William Murphy and Preashea Hilliard. Admission is free and the event takes place at Rejoice in the Lord Ministries, 8053 Gilliam Road, Orlando, FL 32703. A Pastor & Volunteer Appreciation Gala takes place Saturday, October 13 @ 6 PM at Majestic Life Church, 6782 N. Orange Blossom Trail, Orlando, FL 32810.  The weekend concludes with one combined 10 a.m. Majestic Life Ministries service (there are usually 8 & 10 AM services) where Dr. Douglas Chukwuemeka (the pastor of the New Destiny Christian Church in Laveen, AZ) will be the special guest speaker.

Tims has recently been on the television and syndicated radio talk show circuit discussing her best-selling book, When It All Falls Apart (Charisma House). Now in its fourth printing, the book details her life with her ex-husband, Zachary Tims, a well-known televangelist and pastor who died suddenly in August 2011. They met in Bible school. He was a former drug dealer who had cleaned his life up and pursued the ministry with passion. They married and moved to Orlando where they started a church with six members in 1996. Membership eventually swelled to 8,000 worshippers over the next decade. 

Then, things fell apart. Tims’ marriage ended over her husband’s extramarital affairs. Through it all, Tims’ faith deepened and strengthened her to triumph over betrayal, infidelity and tragic loss. Tims now feels especially well equipped to specifically minister to others who have gone through similar situations. Majestic Life’s mission statement is to minister, motivate, and mentor members to mature in Christ and maximize their lives to live the Majestic Life.  “Riva Tims has walked through the valley of pain and lived to tell about it,” says J. Lee Grady, of Charisma Magazine.  “She has walked through the fire…but she’s not bitter, sarcastic or discouraged. I know her story will restore hope to many who are ready to give up.” Visit www.majesticlifechurch.com for more info.

In a stunning announcement the ladies of Trin-i-tee 5:7 have announced their decision to pursue solo careers.  

The news comes as a shock to some who are surprised that singers Angel and Chanelle would leave a brand thats become a household name.  

Other industry executives could see the writing on the wall after the group announced last month that they were leaving their long-time label Music World Gospel.

Trini-i-Tee 5:7 member Angel Taylor can be quoted as saying, “Who knows what will happen in the future, but right now we’re gonna take this time to focus on our solo careers.”

After the departure of the groups third member and the most recent CD release contributed to the duo titled “Angel & Chanelle,” you could see the effort to brand the girls individual names.  So the move to solo careers appear to be a longtime in the making.

“It’s always been my dream and Chanelle’s dream to be solo artists” says Angel, “And you know, it’s time for us to allow ourselves that experience. 

Check out our last interview with the ladies below, and to commemorate a long successful career for the group we’re going to be giving away a few copies of the ladies last CD.  Stay tuned to PATH for the free give-away announcement!

Gospel/Jazz instrumentalist, Ben Tankard’s has been nominated for a Soul Train Music Award for Best Contemporary Jazz Artist.

The Soul Train Awards will be taped before a live audience on Nov. 8, 2012 in Las Vegas. It will be aired internationally on BET / CENTRIC on Nov. 25 during the Thanksgiving Holiday Week-End. Check local listings.

Tankard, known as the pioneer or “Godfather” of Gospel/Jazz released his 18th solo smooth CD on June 5, 2012. It was a “leap of faith” for Tankard who stepped out to launch his own record label (Ben-Jamin’ Universal Music), after several years with top label giant: Verity/Sony/BMG. 

It turned out to be the BEST move of his career in that ” FULL TANK ” is topping the world charts and has not only been nominated for a Soul Train Music Award, but also a Stellar Award (his 13th), AND is on the eligibility ballot for 8 Grammy Awards! Talk about FULL TANK!

“This is the most successful record of my 20+ year career, and the music industry is buzzing with excitement about it,” Tankard says. He is currently on a 200 city tour to promote the CD and his Reality TV Show which will launch early 2013 (More to come…).

Over the years, Tankard’s music has created the musical backdrop for many top artists including over 40 songs for his first discovery as a producer: Yolanda Adams. His timeless style has always crossed genre, racial, and denominational borders and FULL TANK is no different. 

Known for collaborating well with others, Ben featured neo-soul star, Cynthia Jones on the lead single to Gospel radio with vocal cut, “Something About That Name”. Jazz guitarist Tim Bowman, and sax man, Gerald Albright jam on the lead Smoothjazz radio singles, with “Full Tank”, and “Sunday Vibes” . Take-6 front man, Mark Kibble sparkled on the Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis penned song “Black Butterfly”. This CD has something for everyone.

Tankard is a former pro basketball player that gave up his NBA hoop dreams to pursue music after a knee injury (he currently is a motivational speaker for the NBA). 

“My goal through my MUSIC is to inspire and motivate people through relaxed thought, peace, and reflection. Way down on the inside everyone has the potential for greatness, and it is time to tap into the FULL TANK that the creator gave you. Though my music is jazzy in nature and embraced non-believers, I have not Cross-Over, I have Taken The Cross Over”, says Tankard.

The Soul Train Awards, will play host to many stars including, Usher, Mary Mary, Alicia Keys, Marvin Sapp, John Legend and more….

More information: www.bentankard.org 

Cindy Trimm has dined with the queen of England, played putt-putt golf with Prince Andrew, and was appointed to the Bermuda Senate at the age of thirty. Over the last dozen years she’s become one of the most in-demand motivational speakers in the United States, and her best-selling inspirational books, such as Commanding Your Morning and The Rules of Engagement, have sold over a million copies combined. Charisma House has now published Trimm’s last installation in a three-book series of prayer and spiritual warfare, When Kingdoms Clash: Strategies for Prayer in the Heat of Battle.

The heat of battle is a topic Trimm is well familiar with, as she’s battled many things in her fifty-four years of life. She tussled with abject poverty in Bermuda where her father deserted her mother and left her with seven children to raise on her own. Their home was rat-infested, and she’s joked that when it rained, she needed an umbrella to walk from one room to the next. There was no running water, she sported used clothing, wore shoes with cardboard soles, and studied by candlelight because electricity was costly. Her biggest dream as a fifteen-year-old was to become a hotel maid simply because they earned good tips. In spite of the circumstances, Trimm went on to be appointed to the Bermuda Senate at the age of 30 before abandoning politics to concentrate on launching her ministry, Trimm International, based in Atlanta.

“The principles that I teach are principles that I use every single day of my life,” Trimm says, “not only the principles concerning prayer and spiritual warfare, but also the principles concerning what you do with your mouth and what you do with your mind—the principles concerning how God speaks to you in concepts and ideas and how you are always just one decision away from living the life of your dreams.”

When Kingdoms Clash is a cog in the wheel to drive readers into understanding and fighting for their destinies. It completes Trimm’s Art of War series, The Art of War for Spiritual Battle and The Prayer Warrior’s Way. Using historical stories and teaching from Scripture, it takes prayer warriors from the planning stages and strategies of prayer into the heat of the battle. The book aims to aid readers in developing the staying power and endurance to see the plans God has given them through to the end, and to give them the character and confidence to find joy in even the toughest of struggles. She writes, “God specializes in turning lives around. No matter where we start or how little influence we may have had before, He gives us power to transform the world around us if we will but encounter Him and give ourselves to Him without holding anything back.”

Sho Baraka is gearing up to release his third studio album Talented 10th on January 1st. The upcoming project will be Sho’s first full-length album as an independent artist.

With Talented 10th, Sho’s aim is to change urban culture by inspiring and challenging listeners to “be exceptional for the benefit of others,” he says. Armed with a deeper resolve after traveling overseas and experiencing a broader scope of pain and struggle, he hopes to bring life to his community and others through music and various art forms.

Sho’s sophomore output, Lions and Liars, debuted at #15 on Billboard Hip Hop charts, #3 on iTunes Hip Hop charts and #14 overall on iTunes charts back in 2010. Since branching out from Reach Records, Sho joined forces with a collective of artists aptly named High Society and signed a distribution deal with Syntax Distribution. Recently High Society released the highly acclaimed mixtape Circa MMXI, and he also released Protest Package I as a member of the duo Hello Revolution. He has toured Africa and continues to perform across the U.S. while also being featured on several chart-topping albums.

“I’m excited to work with an awesome artist and lyricist that transcends this Hip Hop game and touches the world in so many positive ways. Be on the lookout for greatness!” – Jon Jon Traxx (produced for Beyonce and Karmin)

“Sho Baraka has once again proven to be on the cutting edge both musically and lyrically. Conscious and creative, he is one of the most important voices in Hip Hop.” – Chris Broussard (ESPN analyst and writer)

“I have never met a person as creative and musically talented as Sho Baraka. I can’t wait to see what he gives us on this upcoming project. I know it will be fire!” – Tedashii (Reach Records recording artist)

About High Society:
High Society is a musical team of like-minded artists with the common goal of creating art that affects the culture for a higher purpose. To learn more about High Society, visit: thisishigh.com.

About Syntax Distribution:
Syntax Distribution, a division of Quality Junk, is one of the top independent digital distributors and aggregators representing more than 200 record labels. Syntax handles many top independent artists such as Tamela Mann of Tyler Perry’s “Meet The Browns,” Marvin Winans, Flame, John P. Kee, and John Tesh among others. Their record label clientele includes Central South, Crossroads, Pinecastle, CLG Distribution, iShine, Humble Beast, among others. To learn more, visit syntaxdistribution.com.

New York Times best-selling author Bishop T.D. Jakes will appear on “The Steve Harvey Show” Thursday, September 27. Steve will talk to Jakes about one of the most powerful and healing things that can transform your life today — forgiveness — and his new book on the topic, “Let It Go.”

View clips from the show as Bishop Jakes shares the recipe for forgiveness and how you can start the process to forgive someone who has hurt you.
 

About “Let It Go”:

In his new book, LET IT GO: Forgive So You Can Be Forgiven, T.D. Jakes explores what he calls “the art offorgiveness,” in which he goes beyond the topical meaning of the word, examining every facet of what it means to forgive and to be forgiven. He offers tangible examples of what can cause this crisis, and provides solutions on how to work through betrayal to accept true forgiveness.

In LET IT GO, T.D. Jakes serves as the reader’s personal tour guide through learning about and embracing forgiveness, a word that is an ever present part of our vocabulary but not something that we truly apply in our lives with any regularity or meaning. This book will serve as the definitive blueprint for anyone who finds him or herself at the crossroads of forgiveness. The inspiring thoughts and ideas within these pages will help readers to release, recharge one’s life, and press forward in peace and prosperity.

Twitter: @BishopJakes and @IAmSteveHarvey

The voice of civil rights leaders and preachers is giving wings to the passing of laws that go against biblical principles.  

The Christian Post was there to cover the Congressional Black Caucus Prayer Breakfast and preceding press conference in which the trending topic was addressed. 

Prominent black clergy, including the Rev. Al Sharpton, are encouraging American black voters to consider Maryland’s November ballot referendum on same-sex marriage as a civil rights issue, as opposed to a religious or political issue.

The question is now clear, and it’s an important one.  With the loud voices of Rev. Al Sharpton and Rev. Jesse Jackson dominating the airwaves, will conservative black religious leaders have a voice loud enough to stifle the influence they are having on the African American community?

Dozens of black clergy leaders gathered for a press conference at the National Press Club in Washington D.C., on Friday, Sept. 21 to discuss the same-sex marriage referendum. The press conference was headed by the Rev. Delman Coates, the senior pastor of Mt. Ennon Baptist Church in Prince George’s County, Md.

“In a real sense, this is about preserving our democracy. We cannot as a nation spend billions of dollars every week to export freedom abroad, and then enact laws that deny freedom of fellow Americans here at home. That is not right,” Coates said about the legalization of same-sex marriage in Maryland, according to The Washington Post.

The Rev. Al Sharpton also spoke at the press conference, telling the pastors in attendance: “This is not an issue about gay or straight, this is a issue about civil rights and to take a position to limit the civil rights of any one is to take a position to limit the civil rights of everyone.”  

The press conference was also attended by the Rev. Dr. Frederick D. Haynes III, pastor of the Friendship-West Baptist Church in Dallas, which boasts 12,000 members, the Rev. Dr. Amos C. Brown, of the Third Baptist Church in San Francisco, and the Rev. Dr. Howard-John Wesley, pastor of Alfred Street Baptist Church, Alexandria, Va., among others. 

The pastors were visiting Washington D.C. to attend the Congressional Black Caucus Prayer Breakfast, which was held as a part of the 42nd Congressional Black Caucus annual legislative conference from Wednesday, Sept. 19 to Sunday, Sept 23.

Sharpton’s remarks are in line with Rev. Jesse Jackson’s who recently performed a gay marriage ceremony and said that he has no problem marrying a gay couple.  

The Christian Post points out that not all those attending the conference agreed with the legalization of same-sex marriage, which has been a hot topic of political discussion since President Barack Obama voiced his support for same-sex marriage in May.

In a roundtable discussion on the last day of the conference, the Rev. Annette Wilson outwardly opposed Obama’s view on same-sex marriage.

“When God says a man should not lie with another man as a woman, that’s what he meant,” she told those at the roundtable discussion.

“When He says that two women should not lie together as a man would a woman, that’s what He meant. He meant what He said, and we have to give an account for it. . . . When we know what God says and then go against it, there are consequences,” Wilson added.

Polls show overwhelming that Christians are the largest group backing the traditional definition of marriage.  It seems like many civil rights leaders wearing the title of clergy are seeking to change the definition of marriage and soften the hearts towards the homosexual agenda.  Backed by the President, Americans and believers are entering un-charted territory. 

It should be noted that this is not just an Christian American struggle.  Countries and religions all over the world are dealing with similar issues that effect gays.  In the United Kingdom Pastors are fighting laws that would force them to marry gay couples.  This year Taiwan held their first public gay marriage in a buddhist temple.  Other religious Christian and Islamic countries threaten jail time and extreme discipline for performing ceremonies.

One thing is for sure, the issue of gay marriage and gay rights will be a long struggle for decades to come.

You can read more reactions and the full report at Christianpost.com

James Fortune & F.I.Y.A. to premiere their groundbreaking music video “Hold On,” on BET 106 & Park this Thursday, September 27th. The inspiring song features famed R&B songstress Monica and gospel icon Fred Hammond.

“Hold On,” has connected with audiences everywhere and is currently in the Top 10 on the gospel radio chart and in the Top 20 on Urban AC Mediabase and BDS charts.  Off of Fortune’s third album, IDENTITY, “Hold On,” is a universal song that offers hope and encouragement.

Shot in HD, the stunning video was directed by Bobby Yan on location in Atlanta’s historic Carter Center in Freedom Park.  F.I.Y.A. and Monica look absolutely gorgeous as Fred Hammond lend his signature brand of cool to the video’s aesthetics.  Also featured are cameos by Atlanta’s own, Isaac Carree and Toya Wright.

The video premieres Thursday as 106 & Park’s ‘New Joint of the Day.’  106 & Park airs nationally on BET at 6:00pmEST/5:00pmCST. 

James Fortune is a dynamic songwriter, producer and arranger.  He released his debut album YOU SURVIVED in 2005. He amassed worldwide recognition in 2009, with the award winning song, “I Trust You,” off of THE TRANSFORMATION. 

Fortune continued his meteoric rise with subsequent success in 2010 with the single “I Believe,” which earned him a second ASCAP Writer’s Award in 2011.  Fortune is a multiple Stellar Award winner and nominee.

Fortune’s current album IDENTITY debuted at Number 1 on Billboard’s Top Gospel Chart when it was released in early 2012 and spawned two Top 10 hits “Still Able” and “Never Again.”  He will be releasing a Christmas album, GRACE GIFT, October 16th featuring amazing vocalists and a combination of classic holiday tunes and original songs.