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New Gospel Artist Nneka Best Drops Empowering Single, “My Help”


Gospel artist Nneka Best believes that, “My Help”, the first single from her upcoming third CD was a spiritual download from God.  “I was just walking through the house and these sounds just came to me,” recounts Nneka (pronounced Nuh-Nay-kah).  “Before I knew it, I was at the keyboard and the song was pouring out of me.  I honestly feel like it’s not my song; it came straight from Him.” The track is an up-tempo, urban-tinged song.  Taken from Psalm 121, “My Help” reminds the listener that God is the true source of aid.  Produced by renowned producer Donald Robinson, the track features the rap talents of HanSoul and can be heard here: http://bit.ly/RpxPrU.
 
Nneka Best, a gifted singer who hails from Philadelphia, PA, has had her share of recording opportunities.  Her previous projects, Higher Than I andBetter Than Life, honed the singer’s vocals and songwriting skills.  In addition to recording the singer has toured the world, spreading the good news via music.  As a member of AGAPE, she’s ministered in Belgium, France, Germany, Italy, Monaco, Spain, Switzerland and Turkey.  Her talents have opened doors for her in the states as well, giving her an opportunity to perform an original piece at a VaShawn Mitchell concert in 2011.  A graduate of Eastern University with a Bachelors of Arts in Music degree, she presently serves as the director of Eastern’s Angels of Harmony Gospel Choir as well as the Worship Leader at New Covenant Church of Philadelphia.
 
Nneka was born with music in her blood.  Her grandmother, mother, and aunts formed a singing group and Nneka followed them everywhere.  Her father is a musician as well.  Her mother was also a choir director and she ended up becoming a member of every choir in the church.  “For me, music is all I know,” says the singer.  “It’s the easiest way for me to communicate.  I am ALWAYS singing”.  Her passion for music, however, led her down the path to R&B, but poignant words that were whispered in her ear by her mother never left her: “Nneka, you won’t really begin singing until you start singing for the Lord.”
 
Through a prophetic encounter, she realized that the Lord wanted her to sing only for Him and that was the beginning of her gospel recording career.  Nneka dropped her debut release, Higher Than I, in 2005.  An eclectic release, the project flaunted her neo-soul and CCM stylings.  In April 2008, the psalmist released her sophomore CD called Better Than Life, a musical storybook of her life. For more information on Nneka Best, log on to www.obehiproductions.com.



First Lady Vanessa Long Discusses Divorce Storm with Bishop Eddie Long


In a recent meeting with the women’s ministry at New Birth Missionary Baptist Church, Vanessa Long spoke on the struggles she endured during husband Eddie Long’s sexual misconduct allegations in 2010 and her subsequent filing for divorce in 2011, a petition which she ultimately chose to close and dismiss.

“I was in the middle of a storm, and I got off the ship,” Long metaphorically explained of her marriage struggles to the hundreds of women attending the Heart to Heart women’s ministry on Aug. 21, which is coordinated by New Birth Baptist Church and serves as a speaking forum for Christian women.

Long, an elder at New Birth, told those in attendance that while she struggled with the decision to divorce Bishop Eddie Long after he was faced with multiple accusations of sexual misconduct with male minors in Sept. 2010, she ultimately chose to return to her marriage and to the New Birth family so she could share her experience and offer guidance for others.

“I realized that the best thing I could do was to let you see me as a woman, just like you. A woman capable of making good decisions and a woman capable of making bad decisions,” Long told the audience, struggling to hold back tears as she received a standing ovation.

“Instead of condemning myself, I can use what happened as an opportunity to minister myself to someone else going through a storm,” Long concluded. Long received immense support for speaking to the Heart to Heart ministry, with several congregants on New Birth Missionary Baptist Church’s Facebook page calling her speech “powerful,” “inspiring,” and spiritual.”

“God is and will always be in control. Some of us will leave the boat during the storm, but it takes a true Virtuous woman to get back on and conquer. Love you…First Lady Long,” commented Rhonda Chapman.

Long announced on Dec. 2, 2011 that she would be terminating her marriage to husband Eddie Long, who is the senior pastor of New Birth Missionary Baptist Church located in Lithonia, Ga., a suburb in Atlanta.

Shortly after her announcement, Long changed her mind several times, releasing a series of statements which both confirmed and denied her plans to file for divorce. Ultimately, on Feb. 13, 2011, the divorce case was “dismissed without prejudice,” meaning the case may be re-instituted or re-filed in the future.

Long’s divorce filing came after her husband was the subject of five separate allegations of sexual misconduct with male minors of his congregation in 2010. Four of the five alleged victims filed lawsuits against Long in Sept. 2010. In May 2011, all four lawsuits were settled out of court with undisclosed terms.

It is worth noting that Vanessa Long chose to speak on her marital struggles nearly two years to the date of her husband’s accusations of sexual misconduct. Long has been married to her husband for 23 years. They share three children together.



This Week’s Billboard Top Gospel CDs: John P. Kee Debuts at #1, VaShawn Mitchell at #3


Gospel legend John P. Kee has made a chart-topping entrance onto the charts this week with his newest album, Life & Favor, debuting at #1.

Tamela Mann’s CD ‘Best Days’ goes from #1 to #2.  And the newest project from VaShawn Mitchell, titled Created 4 This, debuts in the #3 spot.   Continue reading



TobyMac’s EYE ON IT Debuts at No. 1 on Billboard Top 200


Five-time Grammy® Award winner and multi-platinum selling artist TobyMac has made career history with his latest project, EYE ON IT, entering the Billboard top 200 at No. 1, selling nearly 70,000 units and marking the first time in 15 years an artist in the CCM genre has accomplished such. EYE ON IT released August 28 to an overwhelming response, with the album topping the Overall iTunes® Chart just hours after its release, and continuing to reign there throughout the week. This amazing debut comes as his single, “Me Without You,” continues to hold onto No. 1 on the CHR and AC Indicator charts. Continue reading



IT’S THE MOST WONDERFUL TIME OF YEAR! JAMES FORTUNE & F.I.YA. TO RELEASE FIRST CHRISTMAS CD GRACE GIFT


Hot off the heels of their successful fourth album, Identity, James Fortune & F.I.Y.A. are set to release their first ever Christmas album, GRACE GIFT on October 16th.

GRACE GIFT is a must-have addition to your Christmas collection and offers 12-tracks of original tunes and Christmas favorites. Kicking off this beloved holiday in a fun, festive and merry way, Fortune teamed with his wife Cheryl to pen several new songs. Among the highlights, are the upbeat “Christmas Time,” the inspiring “Worship The King,” and the beautifully presented “Mary’s Song,” which features Cheryl on lead. Speaking to God’s ultimate gift to us, the Fortunes also offer the sentimental title track “Grace Gift.” This song is precisely what fans have come to love about Fortune & F.I.Y.A. and it can certainly live past the Christmas holiday.

Other gems include Fortune’s re-vamp / redux of the hit song on “I Believe Part 2” bringing back vocalists Shawn McLemore and Zacardi Cortez. The slower version is no less passionate than the first and still packs a punch. The unexpected inclusion of the CCM song “Love Came Down,” with Todd Galberth on lead rounds out the project.

GRACE GIFT, produced by Terence Vaughn and Ayron Lewis, also encompasses classic songs that awaken memories of family, love and all the holidays have to offer. Using this album as a way to highlight his longtime and close-knit group of singers, Fortune paired beloved Christmas favorites with his best singers. Long time F.I.Y.A. member D’Shondra Rideout soloed on “First Noel,” and Lisa Knowles & McLemore blazed on a rousing version of “Go Tell It/Wonderful Child.” The soulful “This Christmas” features Isaac Carree & Minon Bolton.

“Our prayer is that this Christmas album will be a blessing to everyone this Holiday season and remind us of the Gift we received, that we didn’t deserve and we couldn’t earn – that’s why it was a Grace Gift,” explained Fortune. “I’m also proud to be able to feature the amazing vocalists that serve with me every week traveling across the country helping me to advance the Kingdom.”

GRACE GIFT is sure to ignite the Christmas spirit in everyone.

Fortune continues to travel the country to promote Identity, as well as his current UAC, Gospel single “Hold On” featuring R&B singer Monica and Fred Hammond. Fortune is an ASCAP Songwriter Award winner, Stellar Award multiple nominee & winner and top-selling artist who has gained critical and consumer acclaim for his songwriting and musical ability.


Grace Gift Track Listing:

1. Holy Night (featuring Josiah “Jojo” Martin)

2. Christmas Time

3. Grace Gift

4. Gabriel’s Message (interlude)

5. Mary’s Song (featuring Cheryl Fortune)

6. Love Came Down (featuring Todd Galberth)

7. Go Tell It / Wonderful Child (featuring Lisa Knowles & Shawn McLemore)

8. The First Noel (featuring D’Shondra Rideout)

9. Worship The King

10. This Christmas (featuring Isaac Carree & Minon Bolton)

11. Fortune Kids Christmas Interlude

12. I Believe Part 2 (featuring Shawn McLemore & Zacardi Cortez)



Worship Minister and Singer NIA ALLEN Presents Her Sophomore Indie Release HERE AM I


Nashville’s Nia Allen writes music that resonates sounds of pure and passionate worship. She sings with a heartfelt conviction that exudes her zeal for God and compels listeners to engage in a genuine worship experience. Nia is one of this generation’s fresh talents leading the way in praise and worship music and ministry.  She now presents her sophomore independent release HERE AM I.

HERE AM I
 is intimate worship with tracks like the acoustic driven radio single “I’m In Love With You” and the beautiful classic hymn “It Is Well With My Soul”.  She collaborated with a stellar cast for HERE AM I, including award winning producer Sal Oliveri, and Grammy award-winning producer Drew Ramsey (India Arie, Nicole C. Mullen, Jonny Lang).
 
Nia’s ministry has continued to expand and evolve on local and national levels. She has been a recurring guest psalmist of TBN’s Praise The Lord Television show and spent three years traveling across the country leading worship with Women of Faith in packed out arenas of thousands of women. Through TBN and Women of Faith she has gained national exposure as a worship leader and had the opportunity to share the stage with award winning artists like Sandi Patty, Nicole C. Mullen, Natalie Grant and others.  Her gift of setting an atmosphere with the presence of God is undeniable.

Nia is pursuing her Masters of Divinity at Vanderbilt University and conducts worship workshops teaching the core principles of worship that she has learned throughout her ministry. “I want to convey the importance of worship and what it means to have a personal relationship with the Lord,” she shares. “Your worship doesn’t have to look like everyone else’s. You can have your own intimate relationship with the Father. He loves us, and longs for connection with each and every one of His children.”  Nia hopes that her music will transcend through racial and cultural barriers, proving that worship is universal. 




THE 4TH ANNUAL GOSPEL MUSIC HERITAGE MONTH CELEBRATION KICKS OF WITH RENOWNED GOSPEL ARTISTS


Gospel music advocates, musicians, organizers and supporters will gather Sunday, September 16, 2012 at 5:00 p.m. at the Warner Theater to kick off nationwide festivities surrounding the 4th Annual Gospel Music Heritage Month Celebration.
 
Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee (D-TX) explained, “From the African American spirituals to Elvis Presley, Mahalia Jackson and Rev. James Cleveland, this unique American music has united generations, classes, and cultures. It is only fitting that we honor Gospel music’s place in both the history of the United States and in our daily lives.”
 
Since September 2008, Congresswoman Jackson Lee has led the efforts to ensure the contributions, history, and sound of Gospel music are recognized and honored throughout our nation. She has passed resolutions for the past four years designating the month of September as Gospel Music Heritage Month.
 
This year’s event will be held at the Warner Theater. Grammy-award winning Gospel artist Yolanda Adams will headline this incredible event which is free and open to the public.  In addition, the concert will feature Verity Records Gospel recording artist Crystal Akins.  Also performing are Gospel artists Maurette Brown-Clark, Damita Haddon, Lil Mo and Phillip Bryant, and 7 Sons of Soul.  Additionally, there will be a special guest appearance by the Washington Society for the Performing Arts’ Men and Women of the Gospel Choir.  Don Jackson of the Stellar Awards, Charley Humbard of Gospel Music Channel, and DC’s own Gospel music icon, Shirley MK Berkeley will be honored during the evening’s festivities as well. The event will be produced by Ernest Walker of Walker Entertainment Group.
 
Carl Davis, Chairman of Gospel Music Heritage Month Foundation, commented, “We are excited to return to our nation’s capital for this fourth year of celebration of Gospel Music Heritage Month.  It is an honor to be supported by gifted Gospel artists who are lending their gifts to emphasize the importance of educating and entertaining the public about the art form of Gospel Music,   The Warner Theater is the perfect stage from which to launch this year’s emphasis.”
“Gospel music has the ability to cross barriers of race, class, and religion, to touch the hearts of people.  Gospel music is a conduit for personal and societal uplift, and it is fitting that we celebrate this great art form every year,” adds James “Jazzy” Jordan, Executive Vice President and General Manager of Verity Gospel Music Group.
 
“This year will be the biggest celebration ever as we continue to spread the Gospel-“the good news” about this great American music art form designated by Congressional Resolution as Gospel Music Heritage Month annually each September”, noted Ron Magnus, Chair of the DC Gospel Music Heritage Month.
 
Gospel music’s historic roots have originated in the humble and soulful melodies of African American spirituals. The sound contains diverse elements from African music, melodic influences from Irish folk songs and hymns, and other uniquely American musical styles including ragtime, jazz, and blues. Gospel Music Heritage Month celebrates the vital role that Gospel music has played in shaping music history.
 
“Evolution of Gospel 2012” is free and open to the public.  For further details please visit the website at www.gospelmusicheritage.orgUp to six tickets may be ordered by emailing a name, telephone number and quantity of tickets desired at tickets@gospelmusicheritage.org or call 1-800-895-7301.

 



TBN Embarks on Record-Setting Tour of Israel and Holy Land


In April 1975 Trinity Broadcasting Network, the world’s largest religious broadcaster and America’s most-watched faith channel, sponsored its first tour of Israel and the Holy Land. On September 4 — 37 years and over 25 tours later — TBN’s Matt and Laurie Crouch will join renowned Bible teacher and TBN ministry partner Joseph Prince, along with over 1,800 participants from all over the world, for the largest and most memorable of TBN’s many trips to the land of the Bible. Continue reading



JARS OF CLAY HEADLINES FALL TOUR WITH SLEEPING AT LAST AND MARIAH MCMANUS


Multi-Platinum and GRAMMY® Award-winning Gray Matters/Essential Records recording artist Jars of Clay has announced their highly anticipated 2012 Fall tour, featuring special guests Sleeping At Last and rising newcomer Mariah McManus. During each performance, Jars of Clay will preview new songs from their forthcoming 2013 release, as well as share many of their best-known hits and concert favorites, along with a few surprises.

Launching October 4 in Virginia Beach, Virginia, the Jars of Clay Fall Tour will travel to Morristown, New Jersey; Alexandria, Virginia; Bethlehem, Pennsylvania; Foxborough, Massachusetts; and Houghton, New York, among other markets, before wrapping up October 13 in Pittsburgh. The Tour will be playing such esteemed venues as the Sandler Center for the Performing Arts in Virginia Beach; Mayo Performing Arts Center in Morristown; The Birchmere in Alexandria; Houghton College in New York; and the Levoy Theatre in Millville, New Jersey, among others.

“This Fall Tour will be a great opportunity for us to share for the first time some of the new music we have been writing and recording this summer,” said Jars of Clay’s Dan Haseltine. “We have admired the music of Sleeping At Last, and been impressed with the talents of 19-year-old Mariah McManus. We look forward to each evening being a unique time of music-making and camaraderie.”

Jars of Clay, made up of members Dan Haseltine (vocals), Charlie Lowell (keyboards), Steve Mason (guitars) and Matt Odmark (guitars), launched its breakout career with the multi-format hit “Flood” in 1995. Since then, it has amassed more than 6 million in career sales (five Gold, two Platinum and one Multi-Platinum certification), three GRAMMY® Awards, an American Music Award nod, three GMA Dove Awards, and BMI honors for songwriting as well as performing. The group also claims 17 #1 radio singles, numerous film credits, and has headlined thousands of sold-out shows and festivals.

In 2005 Jars of Clay founded the non-profit organization Blood:Water Mission (www.bloodwatermission.com) to empower communities to work against the HIV/AIDS and water crises in sub-Saharan Africa through creative grassroots efforts. To date, Blood:Water has partnered with more than 1,100 communities in Africa, providing life-saving water for over 700,000 people in 13 different countries and access to HIV/AIDS education, treatment and support for over 30,000 people. Blood:Water’s latest project is building a dam in drought-stricken Northern Kenya, which will provide a long-term water supply for 3000 people.

Sleeping At Last is the moniker for Chicago-based solo artist/songwriter Ryan O’Neal, whose song “Turning Page” was featured twice in the 2011 film The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn, Part One, placed in both the iconic wedding scene and subsequent honeymoon montage. O’Neal’s other recent song placements include TV series So You Think You Can Dance, Grey’s Anatomy, Private Practice, and Bones. Sleeping At Last pioneered an innovative recording project titled Yearbook in 2010/11, which consisted of a subscription-style release of three new songs every month for an entire year. Sleeping At Last has toured with Switchfoot, Yellowcard, Something Corporate, Zwan, and most recently, Christina Perri.

At 19 years old, Mariah McManus is an acclaimed singer/songwriter gaining notice throughout Nashville-and beyond. Her 2011 debut, Nice To Meet You, produced by Thomas Doeve and Aaron McManus, showcases the young artist’s ability to marry intimate storytelling with beautifully produced harmonies and infectious melodies.

For a complete listing of tour dates, visit www.jarsofclay.com.