Music World Gospel recording artist, Le’Andria Johnson gave birth to her fourth child today. Johnson’s exuberant message to her fans is, “it’s a healthy baby boy! Thanks for your prayers and support!” Little Caelington Forrest Walker was 6lbs, 14 ozs. Johnson and longtime mate, Forrest Walker are elated at the arrival of their new son.

29 year-old Le’Andria Johnson has had a whirlwind year. Her debut album sold over 200,000 copies and she took home both the GRAMMY® for Best Gospel/Contemporary Christian Performance of her hit song “Jesus” and the Best Female Gospel Artist Award for the Digital Gospel Music Awards. Johnson worked throughout her pregnancy recording her live DVD and music video along with several concert performances. The singer plans to spend a few weeks with her newborn and will then gear up for active promotion and touring for her album due in stores September 18th – Le’Andria Johnson: The Experience.

Johnson has been under a significant degree of scrutiny during this pregnancy due to her marital status. However the twice divorced single mother continued to stick with her music and her calling while working through her personal difficulties. As a result, Johnson is back and ready to minister to all, having lived through her fair share of less than ideal circumstances – the singer is ready to encourage others who may have been in her shoes and spread a message of hope, love and reconciliation in Christ to all. Perhaps her current singles” Complicated,” “If Jesus Can’t Fix It” and “My Story Continues” best sum up Le’Andria Johnson’s outlook for the future.

Johnson is ready to get back in front of audiences to spread her gift of song. Her album Le’Andria Johnson: The Experience is available in a standard and deluxe edition. It is currently available for pre-order on iTunes and Amazon. Amidst the busyness of her career, Johnson will pause from it all for some well-deserved family time with her newborn.

Andrew Peterson‘s latest project, Light for the Lost Boy was one of the most eagerly anticipated albums of the year, and after releasing last week the project has been hailed as Peterson’s best album to date. The project, produced by longtime friend and producer Ben Shive (Jeremy Camp, Sara Groves, Matt Wertz), along with Cason Cooley (Katie Herzig, Mat Kearney, Audrey Assad), features ten new songs written by Peterson. The album will be available in three formats; CD, special edition CD with a 32-page booklet written by Peterson and seven acoustic extra songs, and on a vintage vinyl record. The special edition and vinyl projects will only be available online and at Peterson’s concerts.

“I can’t remember a record that made me this nervous,” Peterson says. “It sounds so different, and I was really hoping the songs would connect with people. As much as I wish I were cool enough to not care what my listeners thought, the day of the release I was glued to my computer-it was such a joy to be able to read peoples’ thoughts and to thank them in real-time for their comments. I was moved to tears several times. I can’t express how glad I am that God lets me do this.”

“Whenever we release a new album from one of our artists it is always with nervous anticipation,” says Steve Ford, Vice President of Marketing, Centricity Music. “However, Andrew’s Light for the Lost Boy deeply moved me so I really felt that the project would resonate the same way with anyone who heard it. I’m thrilled with the strong response Andrew is receiving from the fans and media and it’s so well deserved for this incredibly talented artist.”

 

Left To Right: Craig Edwards, FOX 17/TN Mornings; Kelly Sutton, FOX 17/TN Mornings; Andrew Peterson; 
Erin Como, FOX 17/TN Mornings; Nick Paranjape, FOX 17/TN Mornings

Press reviews for Light for the Lost Boy have been stellar with the project receiving 4 and 5 star reviews.

JesusFreakHideout.com (rare 5-star review) – Light for the Lost Boy is one of the year’s best and bravest records yet.
ChristianityToday.com (4-star review) – Lost Boy places the mantle of Rich Mullins squarely on Peterson’s shoulders.
NewReleaseTuesday.com (5-star review) – The songwriting is superb. Don’t be surprised if you find a treasured lyric not just in one song, but at least once in every song!
Sound Opinion – It’s the best album of the year so far….
Christian Manifesto – Andrew Peterson has once again delivered a pioneering album, a timeless project that redefines what music can do….
The Phantom Tollbooth – Light for the Lost Boy by Andrew Peterson is his boldest, most imaginative work.

Peterson performed “You’ll Find Your Way” from the new project recently on FOX 17 TN Mornings in Nashville, TN. Then on Sept. 21, Peterson will perform an album release during his 3rd Annual Hutchmoot event in Nashville with a full band that includes Ben Shive, Andy Gullahorn, and opening act, Caleb. This is the first date on the Light for the Lost Boy tour that runs through November. In October, Peterson will head to Chicago, IL for appearances on Moody’s national radio show, Midday Connection (11th), and WGN Midday News (12th).

For more information on Peterson and his upcoming tour dates please visit online at www.andrew-peterson.com.

It is with profound sorrow that we announce the passing of legendary drummer, musician Marvin McQuitty on Tuesday, September 11, 2012 in Houston, TX.

Drummer Marvin McQuitty, collaborated with everyone from the gospel artists Fred Hammond and Israel & New Breed to the pop stars Stevie Wonder and Jessica Simpson, passed away this week at age forty-six. 

McQuitty, a true talent, made an indelible impact on music and his loss is felt throughout the industry. His humble spirit, kindness and generosity will be missed. Here is a clip of McQuitty playing with Aaron Spears, Teddy Campbell, and Gerald Heyward at the 2006 Modern Drummer Festival http://youtu.be/d8DmUPZWmKA (Marvin is at far right.)

Messages of condolences from all musicians and artists have poured in. Below is a tribute clip of McQuitty put together by Hudson Music:  

The Memorial Service for Marvin McQuitty will be held Monday, September 17th at 11:00am. The service will take place at Grace Church of Humble located at 7224 North Sam Houston Parkway East, Humble, TX 77396

There will also be a “Celebration of Life” Service held in Marvin’shometown of Detroit, MI next Wednesday, September 19, 2012 at 11:00am at Straight Gate International Church. Straight Gate is located at 10100 Grand River, Detroit, MI 48204

In lieu of flowers and other gifts the McQuitty Family is requesting that donations be made in honor of Marvin to support his daughter’s college education.

To make a donation via any Major Credit Card or Paypal please login in to any one of the following sites: www.marvinmcquitty.com or www.newbreedmusic.com. 

Checks may also be mailed/made payable to: Grace Church of Humble and designated to Marvin McQuitty Memorial Fund and mailed to the address above.

While we will miss his presence here on earth, we look forward to the day when we will see him again.

GMA Dove Award nominated The City Harmonic releases today its third music video, “Mountaintop,” which became the fastest-rising song ever for the band at radio and is featured on the band’s highly acclaimed and first full-length album, I Have A Dream (It Feels Like Home). Uniquely filmed in one continuous take on location near their hometown of Hamilton, ON Canada, “Mountaintop” also incorporates videos sent to them by fans and artists from all around the world, including clips from Michael Tait (Newsboys), Aaron Gillespie, Daniel Bashta, AJ Cheek and more.

“Mountaintop” follows the release of The City Harmonic’s “I Have A Dream (It Feels Like Home)” and “Manifesto” videos, the latter receiving more than 1,600,000 views on YouTube. For the new video, the aforementioned artists and music fans sent to the band video of themselves, friends or church groups, etc., singing along with the song. The resulting video can be seen below. 

Receiving a 2012 “New Artist of the Year” GMA Dove Award nomination, followed by wrapping up a 65-city tour with Newsboys and appearances on main stages across the US in front of tens of thousands during the summer festivals, The City Harmonic now launches its’ first headline US tour next week in Sacramento, CA Sept. 20 with the bulk of the dates in November. The tour hits both coasts and much of Middle America before wrapping up Dec. 2 in Waco, TX. Featuring special guest artist Daniel Bashta, writer of the hit song “Like A Lion (God’s Not Dead),” and nationally recognized author/speaker Bob Lenz, the tour also introduces Eric Brandon and will be in partnership with Compassion International and Life Promotions.

The City Harmonic “I Have A Dream Tour” tour itinerary follows:
20-Sep Sacramento, CA 
21-Sep Santa Barbara, CA
23-Sep Glendale, AZ
8-Nov Bluefield, VA
9-Nov Elizabeth City, NC
10-Nov Lancaster, PA
11-Nov Winston-Salem, NC
15-Nov Colorado Springs, CO
16-Nov Aurora, CO
28-Nov Elk City, OK
29-Nov Abilene, TX
30-Nov Tyler, TX
1-Dec Spring Branch, TX
2-Dec Waco, TX
* Tour dates subject to change

More information on The City Harmonic and its touring can be found at:
www.thecityharmonic.com
http://www.facebook.com/thecityharmonic
http://www.myspace.com/thecityharmonic
http://www.youtube.com/thecityharmonic
http://twitter.com/thecityharmonic

The controversial Florida Pastor Terry Jones is defending himself after his promotion of an anti-Islam film deemed offensive by some Muslims prompted protesters to attack U.S. embassies in Cairo, Egypt and in Benghazi, Libya on Tuesday.

“The fact that angry protesters climbed the wall at the U.S. Embassy in Cairo, today, ripped down the American flag and tore it apart further indicates the lack of respect that Islam has for any other religion, any other flag, any freedom of speech, freedom of expression and freedom of religion. It further illustrates that they have no tolerance for anything outside of Mohammad,” Jones said in a statement shared Wednesday with The Christian Post.

“Islam is a religion that is totally incompatible with Western free society. It is a religion that cannot be criticized because of their extreme fear and knowing that if the religion of Islam is criticized and examined it will be revealed for what it is, a total deception,” he added.

Over 2,000 Muslim protesters reacted violently to the film, entitled “Innocence of Muslims,” which was previewed online by Jones on Sept. 11 as a part of his annual “International Judge Mohammed Day.” The film was written and directed by Israeli-American filmmaker San Bacile, who is based in San Diego, Calif., and is reportedly in hiding. Bacile, 52, told the Wall Street Journal that “Islam is a cancer.”

“Innocence of Muslims,” which allegedly insults the prophet Muhammad, caused angry protesters to storm the U.S. embassies in Cairo and Benghazi. Four Americans, including U.S. Ambassador Christopher Stevens, were killed at the Benghazi Embassy as a result of a firebomb.

U.S. political leaders and the U.S. Embassy in Cairo have issued statements reacting to the attacks and the film.

“The Embassy of the United States in Cairo condemns the continuing efforts by misguided individuals to hurt the religious feelings of Muslims – as we condemn efforts to offend believers of all religions,” the consulate has stated.

The statement drew criticism from GOP candidate Mitt Romney, who told reporters in a press conference Wednesday morning that the U.S. Embassy at Cairo’s statement was “akin to [an] apology” and a ”severe miscalculation.”

“I’m outraged by the attacks on American diplomatic missions in Libya and Egypt,” the Republican presidential candidate said in an earlier statement released Tuesday evening.

“It’s disgraceful that the Obama administration’s first response was not to condemn attacks on our diplomatic missions, but to sympathize with those who waged the attacks,” Romney added.

Secretary of State Hillary Clinton also issued a statement saying that the “inflammatory material posted on the Internet” does not justify “violent acts of this kind.”

Click here to read the full Story on Christian Post.com

Over the last half dozen years, Earnest Pugh has established himself as Gospel Music’s Leading Man with soul stirring, #1 radio smashes such as “Rain On Us” and “I Need Your Glory” that also hit the Adult R&B Airplay charts. Now, he’s joining the ranks of Johnny Mathis, Mahalia Jackson and Nat “King” Cole by creating a holiday album, “Christmas with Earnest Pugh & Friends” (EPM Music Group/$15.98 MSRP), due in stores on October 16th that is sure to become an annual yuletide listening treat.

The fourteen-track set marks Pugh’s first time sitting in the producer’s chair and he shares the mic with some of his best and most talented friends in the music biz. The initial radio single, “Ring Dem Bells”, a rousing mid-tempo ballad features impassioned backing vocals by Charles Butler & Trinity. A soulful “Silent Night” features the smooth tenor of Quadrius Salters. Baritone Keith Williams joins Pugh on “Holy 2 U” while powerhouse soprano Chrystal Rucker does a majestic rendition of “Do You Hear What I Hear?” with a simple piano arrangement. Lisa Knowles of the Brown Sisters and Pugh trade adlibs on a churchy rendition of “O Come All Ye Faithful”. Vincent Tharpe & Kenois create a warm and cozy groove on “Go Tell It” while newcomer Martha Buries brings a jazzy vibe to Ann McCrary’s “Remember Not 2 Forget”. Veteran vocalist Nikki Ross sits us down on the front pew of a Sunday morning church service to deliver a dramatic version of  “Walk in the Light”. 

Christmas music has always been a staple In Pugh’s home. “With very little money and twelve kids – music was all we had when I was growing up,” he remembers. “Our household was filled with love, music and good food during the holidays. This CD is near and dear to my heart because it was one of the final requests that my mother made just prior to passing away on New Year’s Eve 2006, that I make a Christmas CD. The concept of the CD catches me interacting with some kids during a choir rehearsal to prepare them to go caroling throughout the neighborhood”. There are currently plans in the works for a 10-city Christmas with Earnest Pugh Tour that would also feature EPM Music Group artists such as Vincent Tharpe & Kenosis, Chrystal Rucker and Keith Williams. For more info on EPM and it’s various projects, visit www.epmmusicgroup.com.

It’s been over 3 years and Dontavies Boatwright is still one of the most memorable finalists from BET’s Sunday Best. And now, the time has finally come for the Season 2, top 5 finalist as he releases his debut single “Glory to Glory-Sunday Best Medley”.

The song, a blend of two Fred Hammond classics: ‘Glory to Glory’ and ‘Blessed’, was arranged by Boatwright while on season 2 of the hit gospel program.

“I decided to let this be the song I start with because it would be what many will remember about me from Sunday Best”, Boatwright says. “I am grateful for the opportunity and platform that the show gave me, and releasing this first song is in part tribute and thanks to the show and all the viewers, and a salute to one of my favorite artists, Mr. Fred Hammond”!

Glory to Glory-Sunday Best Medley, the first single from Dontavies Boatwright’s self-titled debut project on the PEInc Gospel label, is due out in the winter of 2013.

“GLORY TO GLORY-Sunday Best Medley” by Dontavies Boatwright will be available everywhere online starting Tuesday, September 25th.

About PEInc Gospel: Pronounced ‘pink’, PEInc Gospel is a division of Parriscope Entertainment Inc., in Jacksonville, Florida, and was established in 2011 by Executives Elisha Parris and Robin Williams. The pair tapped Elder Dwight Follins and radio personality Wanda Patterson, as President and Vice President of the label. Dontavies Boatwright is the first artist signed to the PEInc Gospel label.

Learn more about Dontavies Boatwright at www.boatwrightsings.com.

Follow Dontavies on Facebook: boatwrightsings and Twitter: @Don_Boatwright
 

Brandon Heath returns to his roots, while creating new ones, with his fourth full-length album Blue Mountain releasing October 9. The first single “Jesus In Disguise” is climbing radio charts and its music video premiered on VEVO this week.

Heath, a Nashville native, merges ancient tones and modern music-making on Blue Mountain, a 12-track journey full of heart and back-porch ease. He fleshes out characters created for, and residing in, the fictional Appalachian setting called ‘Blue Mountain,’ which, as is frequently the case with great art, are slices of the storyteller himself. “Through the characters on ‘Blue Mountain,’ I’m more outside of myself, but maybe more true to myself than I’ve ever been. Funny enough, by the time I had finished this record, I realized that ‘Blue Mountain‘ is me.

Jono Davies of louderthanthemusic.com, notes, “Sometimes being creative can mean being unusual, but not with Brandon, he basically lets his songs grow into interesting pieces of musical art.” “These aren’t just good songs, they are also great stories about how Brandon feels about life, love, God, hurt and everything else in-between.” Read the entire review here: http://bit.ly/OlEPWp.

Teaming again with producer Dan Muckala, Heath aims for a rootsier musical space with Blue Mountain, crafting tracks that are a hybrid of the driving acoustic music of both his youth and this project’s imagined locale, together with the loops and beats that have become part of Heath’s signature sound.

Heath will celebrate Blue Mountain‘s street day by taking center stage for his debut performance on the Grand Ole Opry — a childhood dream. “For as long as I can remember, I have wanted to perform on the Opry. The fact that it’s on my album’s release day is even bigger! For a kid from Nashville, it’s a dream come true.”

Later that week, Heath will team with label-mate Matt Maher for the 24-city “Blue Mountain Tour” which kicks off on October 11 in Milwaukee, Wis. For tour information, please visit www.brandonheath.net.

About Brandon Heath
Since Brandon Heath’s debut on Reunion Records with Don’t Get Comfortable (2006), he has become one of Christian music’s most beloved and respected artists and songwriters.

Heath has twice been honored as GMA Male Vocalist of the Year (2009 and 2010), additionally garnering an Emmy Award, five GRAMMY nominations, an American Music Award nomination and multiple GMA Dove Awards and songwriting honors. His award-winning songs and signature vocals reflect a soaring radio career that includes four No. 1 hits: “I’m Not Who I Was,” “Wait and See,” the 2009 GMA Dove Award-winning Song of the Year, “Give Me Your Eyes” and the eight-week chart topper, “Your Love.”

Heath, a Nashville native, first began writing at age 13 and credits his hometown’s legendary hotspot for songwriters, the Bluebird Café, as the place he first experienced music that moved him. His artistry and ability to connect with audiences have compelled countless media outlets across the nation to platform his story and music. Highlights include Billboard magazine, “CBS Evening News with Katie Couric,” Relevant magazine, a 2011 feature by the Wall Street Journal and selection as a presenter during the 54th Annual GRAMMY Awards.

Other key spotlights include Discovery Channel’s “On The Case With Paula Zahn,” which highlighted “Give Me Your Eyes” (What If We 8/19/2008), and a feature by The New York Times Sunday edition, touting Heath as a GRAMMY-nominated newcomer “that shouldn’t be allowed to slip through the cracks.”

Heath’s third album, Leaving Eden, (1/18/2011) debuted No. 1 on the Billboard Christian Sales chart and is supported by non-stop direct-support and headlining tours. Blue Mountain will be available everywhere on October 9, 2012.

For more information on Brandon Heath, please visit: www.brandonheath.net and follow Brandon Heath’s Twitter atwww.twitter.com/brandonheath

It’s that time again, time to vote for the Stellar Awards nominees.  The ballot is open for fans to vote, so make it count by voting for your favorite artist.

The ballot is open for public voting from September 17 – October 15, 2012. The awards will be announced during the awards telecast on Saturday, January 19, 2013 in Nashville, TN.

The 28th Annual Stellar Awards is still Gospel’s most coveted award.  Artists across the country will convene at the Grand Ole’ Opry hotel located in Nashville, with high hopes of getting the recognition that parallels a successful singing ministry. 

To vote go to www.thestellarawards.com and click the ‘final ballot’ button on the homepage.  

Atlanta West Pentecostal Church Choir of Lithia Springs, Ga., was named regional winner of Verizon’s How Sweet the Sound competition and received $10,000 and other prizes. The choir will go on to represent the Atlanta area at the grand finale in Brooklyn, N.Y., on Nov. 4. The first runner up prize of $5,000 was awarded to Out For Souls, led by Cedric Sesley. Atlanta West Pentecostal Church Choir also won Verizon’s People’s Choice Award and $5,000.

The evening was hosted by GRAMMY(®) Award-winning gospel legends Donald Lawrence and Yolanda Adams, and award-winning artists CeCe Winans, Hezekiah Walker, Erica Campbell and Fred Hammond served as judges.

In addition, participating choirs were encouraged to collect and donate no-longer used wireless phones to HopeLine from Verizon. The choirs collected nearly 150 phones combined, and Anointed Voices received the HopeLine Champion Award for collecting the most phones. Verizon, through HopeLine, will award a $2,500 grant in support of a domestic violence program chosen by Anointed Voices. Verizon’s long-running HopeLine program puts the nation’s most reliable wireless network to work in the community by turning no-longer-used wireless phones into support for those affected by domestic violence. Proceeds from HopeLine are used to provide wireless phones and airtime to victims of domestic violence and cash grants to local shelters and non-profit organizations that focus on domestic violence prevention, awareness and advocacy.

Since the launch of the cell phone recycling program in 2001, HopeLine from Verizon has collected more than 9 million phones, given out more than $14.2 million in cash grants, and distributed more than 123,000 phones with more than 400 million minutes of free wireless service for use by domestic violence survivors.

For more information on Verizon’s How Sweet the Sound competition and to view photos from the regional competition, go to www.howsweetthesound.com. To learn more about HopeLine from Verizon, visit www.verizonwireless.com/hopeline.