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.

After weeks of back to back competition, singing in front of millions and being judged by some of the best in the business, Sunday Best finally named their fifth season winner.

18-year-old Joshua Rogers, was named the fifth season winner of Sunday Best on BET, a national gospel singing competition. As a result he also put his small home town of Greeleyville located in South Carolina in the national spotlight.

The recent graduate of C.E. Murray High School beat out thousands of hopefuls across the country, and made history as the first male winner of Sunday Best.

Sunday night, people throughout the Low country gathered at the school for a viewing party, to watch the teen claim victory over Alexis Spight.

Joshua was the first male winner of Sunday Best, and received a 2013 Ford Escape and a music contract from Music World Gospel.  Watch the interview below after Rogers wins, and following that the runner-up Alexis Spight talks!

Bebe Winans performed during the final day of the Republican National Convention at the Tampa Bay Times Forum on August 30, 2012 in Tampa, Florida.  The performance was heavily commented about on social networks, and many African-Americans express disapproval.  

It’s no secret that African-Americans traditionally vote democratic, but BeBe Winans did express that his performance was not a political endorsement.  The popular gospel singer performed two numbers on the convention’s closing night — his song “America, America,” from his new CD of the same title, and “America the Beautiful,” as the convention came to an end.

But to those wondering whether Winans was pulling a Clint Eastwood (without the empty chair routine) and endorsing Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney, Winans says not so fast.

“Why not be here? Why not be part of the process. It’s all about letting people know that we are Americans first, before any association with any party, so that’s why I’m here,” Winans said after his performance, adding that he hopes to perform at the Democratic convention next week also.

A spokesman for Winans said he was approached by both parties to perform at their presidential nominating conventions, but that the Democratic National Committee balked at his performing at the RNC, while the RNC didn’t mind him doing both. Winans was not paid for his performance.

BeBe Winans is one of the most successful Gospel artists of all time.  BeBe and his Sister CeCe recently received their star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.

The question is why did the Democratic committee not want Winans? 

Contemporary Christian Music super group Casting Crowns recently received notification of its first career RIAA certified double Platinum album. Casting Crowns, the band’s 2005 debut release, is one of only eight Christian projects ever to achieve 2x multi-Platinum status.

Joining the elite ranks of other 2x multi-Platinum Christian CDs including Satellite (P.O.D.), The Beautiful Letdown (Switchfoot) and Almost There (MercyMe), Casting Crowns was the band’s breakthrough album, spawning Gold single “Who Am I,” while making Casting Crowns a household name. The group has since become one of the most decorated acts in Christian music, reigning as Billboard’s top-selling CCM artist since 2007.

“I’m honored to work alongside Mark Hall and Casting Crowns, and congratulate them on such an incredible milestone. Their record was a game changer for Provident and CCM music and continues to minister to listeners,” notes Provident Music Group President & CEO, Terry Hemmings.

The news comes on the heels of one of Casting Crowns’ most successful tours to date, the “Come to the Well” tour, and recent recognition as Top Christian Artist and Top Christian Album (Come To The Well) at the 2012 Billboard Music Awards.

About Casting Crowns Prolific CCM music group Casting Crowns boasts a tally of one RIAA 2x multi-Platinum record, three RIAA Platinum albums, two RIAA Platinum DVDs, five RIAA Gold albums, two Gold DVDs and three Gold digital singles. The band currently holds the position as Billboard’s top-selling act in Christian music since 2007.

The group has also been honored with two American Music Awards, out of six total nominations, three GRAMMY Awards, 14 GMA Dove Awards, two 2012 Billboard Music Awards and four total Billboard Music Award nominations.

Casting Crowns’ seven band members all remain active in student ministry in the Atlanta area and tour according to their local church commitments. Serving his 18th year in youth ministry, lead singer/songwriter Mark Hall maintains his role as the student pastor at Eagle’s Landing First Baptist Church in Atlanta.

As a testament to the band’s impact, Casting Crowns performed for a second time in North Korea in April 2009, in partnership with Global Resource Services; the band continues to forge invaluable relationships with the people in the D.P.R.K. (Democratic People’s Republic of Korea).

Casting Crowns recently concluded its 43-city “Come to the Well” spring tour, which saw 40 arena sellouts. Combined, both the fall and spring tour legs drew attendance exceeding 370,000 with more than 65,500 child sponsorships through the group’s partnership with Christian humanitarian organization, World Vision.

For more information on Casting Crowns visit: www.castingcrowns.com, www.facebook.com/castingcrowns, www.twitter.com/castingcrowns or follow Mark Hall’s Twitter at twitter.com/markhallCC.

Season 2 of Mary Mary’s reality show on WE tv definitely looks appealing to say the least.  By the looks of things, there’s more drama and big decisions looming for the sisterly duo.

In the sneak peek previews below, Tina and Erica entertain the thought of strippers.  And fights are ready to break out between their other sister GooGoo’s boyfriend and manager Mitchell Solarek.

The show picks up when Tina was 7 months pregnant, and advances into present day when Tina has her baby.

Look at the preview below.  Will you be watching?

Alexis Spight and Joshua Rogers are the last two standing in the Season 5 Sunday Best competition.

The young electric singers beat out more experienced hopefuls to get the chance at winning the coveted Sunday Best crown. The winner will get a 2013 Ford Escape, and a recording contract with Music World Gospel.

106 & Park was a chance for them to take the Gospel to a young secular audience, and the pair did it admirably.

You can preview their final two performances and submit your vote for one of them by following the information below. BET will announce the winners Sunday.

Throughout the year, Chicago Mass Choir gives back to the community and they are always honored to serve their own Chicago community. The choir is also very concerned about the youth and their future in the community and across the country.

On Saturday, September 1st, Chicago Mass Choir will join Robin Robinson of FOX News and Yvonne Wesley of WGBX radio for the Englewood “Live” a free stop-the-violence music concert and festival community event.

Chicago Mass Choir will serve as one of the musical guests during the festival along with a comedy showcase, performing arts presentations, social service information, and recreational activities for children.

The Englewood “Live” outdoor concert and festival is sponsored by the Englewood Community Council and Genesis Productions. The outdoor event will be held on the campus of Englewood High School located at 6201 South Stewart Avenue at 6:30 p.m.

Chicago Mass Choir supports the sponsor’s goal to expose the positive side of Chicago and the Englewood community. The goal is to also re-ignite a spirit of family values and community pride as they celebrate the people and future of the community.

Chicago Mass Choir President, Dr. Feranda Williamson shared her heart about the community, “It was truly an “honor” to be asked to participate in the “stop the violence” gospel music concert! I strongly believe in the power of prayer and pray that through our music ministry and other groups/choirs that will be a part of the outdoor concert that a word or message through song will inspire those that do not know Christ to give their lives to serving God and to stop the senseless killings of our youth and illegal drug activities that have infested our communities. We still believe that PRAYER works!”

Chicago Mass Choir Presents “XV”-Live CD/DVD is available in stores and online.