Another Gospel star is considering a big move to the lone star state.  Earnest Pugh is in talks to move to Houston, Texas as minister of music of Silverlake Church.  

The budding Mega-Church is lead by Pastor Reginald DeVaughn, who founded one of the fastest growing churches in the suburban area of Pearland 18 years ago.  

Path MEGAzine was the first to learn about discussions that would bring the musical talents of Earnest Pugh from Washington, DC to a prominent suburb of Houston called Pearland.  

There is apparently a verbal agreement in place that is not inked on paper, but both parties seem optimistic about getting the deal done.  “I am very optimistic about the Houston situation, but unfortunately we have not formally established all the details yet says Earnest Pugh, Pastor DeVaughn and I are still negotiating and trying our best to identify an actual start date.” 

Mentored by the legendary Richard Smallwood, Pugh has had a long journey to become one of Gospel’s most marketed talents.  With hits like “Rain on Us,” and “I Need Your Glory,” Pugh was Dubbed “Gospel Music’s Leading Man,” because of his Billboard Chart success.  Such experience can really transfer over to worship services, and set the atmosphere.  An atmosphere that Pastor DeVaughn hopes to have in place soon.

Pastor DeVaughn hopes to have Earnest in place by October. “October will be a month of taking it to the next level,” DeVaughn emphatically tells PATH. 

Earnest Pugh will join a growing list of artists that are flocking to Houston and surrounding areas.  No longer a Gospel secret, Houston is home to artists Yolanda Adams, James Fortune, Kim Burrell, Le’Andria Johnson, Brian Courtney Wilson, Vanessa Bell Armstrong, Zacardi Cortez, Shawn McLemore and a plethora of others.  The community of Houston buys up albums, consistently ranking in the top 10 among CD units purchased according to Nielsen Soundscan.

Silverlake’s Church website boasts over 5,000 members belonging to the flock, and the church plans to expand and enhance the Pearland area by building on 40 acres of land.

PATH will keep you updated on the news as it develops. 

Hypocrite Greek origin: hypokritḗs – a stage actor, hence one who pretends to be what he is not. Standard definition: a person who puts on a false appearance of virtue or religion or acts in contradiction to his or her stated beliefs.

Experience the electrifying collision of authentic Soul and bangin’ Hip Hop music encased in the powerful Word of GOD. Popular Christian Soul Duo Joint Heirs teams up with Christian music’s most dynamic and fastest lyrically speaking rap artist Andale’ in a mixtape that addresses the thought-provoking, soul-searching question – Are you a hypocrite???

Exclusive Free Download on Rapzilla.com

The FREE Mixtape features all new tracks including their first collaboration and single “Beelevuh”; Joint Heirs’ throwback 70’s soul hit “Supernatural”; and the long awaited and highly anticipated all new track from Andale’ “Put Yo Handz Together”.

Watch the video single “Beelevuh” below.

Music lovers and fans everywhere are anxiously awaiting the September 4th release of inspirational recording artist Lexi’s new album ‘Phenomenal’ from Malaco Records. With a distinct, inspirational sound, the CD’s first single “Burn It All Down” is riding high on the gospel music charts and resonating in the hearts of listeners.

With a career that spans over a decade and having worked with some of the biggest names in both gospel and secular music such as Fred Hammond, Vanessa Bell Armstrong and the late Gerald Levert, Lexi is praying that her fifth recording takes listeners on a spiritual journey and brings them closer to God. When speaking about Phenomenal, she says, “I asked the Lord to please put me in the position to bless people. That’s my passion. And I believe that God is helping me do that.”

In addition to prepping for the September release of Phenomenal, Lexi, a devoted mother of one son, stays busy running her own company, Frontline Productions, hosting her talk show, The Lexi Show, now in its sixth season on the Word Network and serving as the entertainment correspondent for the syndicated radio program, The Yolanda Adams Morning Show.

The Saint Paul’s Baptist Church of Richmond, Virginia announced that Byron Cage will join the organization as the new Minister of Music. Mr. Cage will oversee and lead the implementation of a dynamic, multigenerational worship ministry as well as provide high achievement leadership at all three campuses.

“We are excited to welcome such an anointed leader and worshipper to our team” said Dr. Lance D. Watson, Senior Pastor of the Saint Paul’s Baptist Church. “Byron is an artist, musician, producer, and composer and for years has provided outstanding leadership to the music and fine arts ministry of Ebenezer AME Church in Fort Washington, Maryland. Saint Paul’s is a progressive, forward thinking multi-site congregation of more than 12,000 “people on the grow.” We are certain that he’s going to be a tremendous asset to our Fine Arts team as we position ourselves to go to the next level musically and spiritually. We consider ourselves truly blessed and fortunate to have such tremendous talent, join our team!” says Dr. Watson.

A growing number of artists are holding down jobs as minister of music, while recording and touring.  The task is not an easy one, often requiring the artist to perform on Saturday and rush back to their home church for Sunday service.  This, coupled with loosing Sunday as a concert date is a tough decision many artists are faced with.  

We congratulate Mr. Cage, and wish him luck on his new position.

UPDATE: Per Byron Cage. “I still serve as Senior Minister of Worship and Music at Ebenezer A.M.E. I now split my time between both.”

Source: My Spirit DC.com

PATH received an early notice that BET is set to premiere it’s first reality show centered around Gospel artists.  Karen Clark-Sheard’s family is currently shooting a reality show tentatively titled “The Sheards.”

Word has it that former Sunday Best hosts Mary Mary sent BET scrambling for their own reality show, after Mary Mary decided to bring their show to WE TV.

The show will include Gospel superstar Karen Clark-Sheard, 51, and her children.  Rising Gospel star Kierra Sheard, 25, and son, producer and aspiring R&B singer J. Drew Sheard.  It’s not known whether Karen’s husband Pastor John Drew Sheard will  be in the reality show.  It’s also unclear whether Karen’s sisters (The Clark Sisters) will make an appearance.

DaGospelTruth.com broke the story after hearing for sometime that the network was planning a faith-based reality show.  

Karen is one of the four sisters that make up the legendary singing group the ‘Clark Sisters,’ that includes Dorinda Clark-Cole, Twinkie Clark and Jackie Clark.  Many artists look up to The Clark Sisters, and they’re recognized as one of the best-selling Gospel groups of all time. 

With this news, it has confirmed what we expected after Mary Mary broke the ice.  Gospel artists have the reality bug.  We’ve confirmed that Mary Mary is coming back for season two of their show, while Marvin Sapp and Kim Burrell are taping reality shows as well.  

For a detailed report on Karen Clark Sheards reality show on BET visit DaGospelTruth.com

What do you think is Reality TV a ministry tool, or is it only going to get the Saints in trouble?

EMI Christian Music Group announces the release of Hillsong’s The Global Project. Partnering with ministries across Asia, South America, and Europe, Australia’s Hillsong Church has broken language and cultural barriers to produce The Global Project, a collection of Hillsong’s most impactful songs recorded in nine languages. The nine albums will simultaneously release across the world on September 18th.

The Global Project aims to unite the body of Christ, break down denominational, cultural and geographical barriers and bring churches and ministries from different cultures together. The Global Project will be available in Spanish, Portuguese, Korean, Mandarin, Indonesian, German, French, Swedish as well as Russian.

Well-known Hillsong anthems, “Mighty to Save” and “Hosanna,” as well as newer songs such as “God Is Able” from last year’s release of the same name, have been played by churches across the globe, but never before have Christians of so many cultures been able to listen to the recordings in their own tongue.

“We are directed to ‘go into all the world’ and as a church we are committed to proclaiming Christ for the entire planet,” shares Hillsong worship pastor, Reuben Morgan, about the motivation for the project. “There is something powerful about singing a song in your own language. God cares about all people in all nations and it was a privilege to work with so many great people and churches who are passionately bringing truth and hope to their countries.”

The Hillsong worship team performs on each of the albums, but the local vocalists in the nine countries provide vocals in their respective languages. Worship leaders in the participating countries believe The Global Project makes a significant statement to the world, such as Sidney Mohede, worship leader at JPCC True Worshippers in Indonesia. “As part of the global Church, there is no better time than now to show that the more we are united in love, the more the world sees our Christ,” Mohede said.

GRAMMY® Award-winning Spanish recording artist Pastor Marcos Witt echoed the sentiments. “Hillsong has been a force of God on the earth to bring refreshing and renewal to believers everywhere. They’ve reignited our passion for Christ using ingenious creativity.”

The Global Project is at the heart of Hillsong Church’s vision. Senior Pastor of Hillsong, Brian Houston exclaims, “We exist to champion the cause of local church.” For more information, please visit Hillsong.com. 

About Hillsong LIVE:
Hillsong LIVE is the congregational expression of worship from Hillsong Church – a global church with local expressions. Their music captures the heart and sound of Hillsong Church globally and represents the coming together of the Hillsong worship team from around the world; including Reuben Morgan, Joel Houston and many more. Since 1992, Hillsong LIVE has resourced the local church and received gold and platinum album status multiple times, writing such well known worship songs as “Shout To The Lord”, “Inside Out”, “Hosanna”, “The Stand” and “Mighty to Save,” which was awarded the 2009 Dove for Worship Song of the Year. The Hillsong brands have sold more than 12 million albums.

About Hillsong Church:
In August 1983, Brian and Bobbie Houston founded the Hills Christian Life Centre in the Hills District of Sydney, Australia. It has grown from a congregation of 45 to what is said to be the largest local church in Australian history. It has now expanded to be a global church with local expressions in significant cities; with churches in Australia, London, New York, Paris, Cape Town, Stockholm, Germany, Kiev, Amsterdam and Copenhagen. Each week, tens of thousands of people across the globe call Hillsong Church ‘home’ and the reach, impact and influence of this local congregation is seen across many nations.

Kansas City’s pride and joy, Chrystal Rucker, has been singing professionally for over two decades. The Missouri songbird became known within the Church of God in Christ (COGIC) denomination  (where her father the late Bishop C.N. Rucker was a prominent pastor) for her own spine-tingling renditions of Judy Garland’s “Over the Rainbow” and Tramaine Hawkins’ “Changed.” She’s even fought her way back to good health after suffering a stroke in 2007 at the age of 35. Now, she’s accomplished another life-altering feat: her first Top Ten hit.
 
Rucker’s first national CD release,  “You Deserve” (EPM Music Group), has debuted at #10 on next week’s Billboard Top Gospel Albums chart. “We salute Chrystal on this her first national release as this is a testament that God rewards faithfulness and consistency,” says EPM CEO, Earnest Pugh. The 11-track album features the soul-stirring title song that has cracked the Billboard Hot Gospel Songs chart while earning Rucker kudos as one of gospel’s new treasures. “To say that Chrystal Rucker is a power vocalist is an understatement,” a GospelFlava.com reviewer Gregory Gay writes in a recent commentary. “To her credit, she can preach in the middle of the song and close with a run that will leave the listener in awe, asking, `Now, how did she do that?’”
 
Even though she’s a church girl, Rucker shows she has a flair for urban pop on mid-tempo charmers such as “I Am So Grateful,” the jazzy “Nothing Less” and the infectious hand-clapper, “Make Me Wanna.” She creates a contagious joy on the heart-thumping “Come Bless His Name” while channeling the most poised and refined performance of the album on the soaring gem, “You Will Be My God” that has received the most acclaim from music critics. “It is one of the most beautiful anthems I’ve heard all year,” writes Bob Marovich of The Black Gospel Blog in a recent review. “The singer’s soaring high notes and breathtaking vocal lines are nothing short of perfection.” For more information on Chrystal Rucker and other EPM Music Group artists, visit www.epmmusicgroup.com or www.chrystalrucker.net.

Following four back-to-back GRAMMY Award-winning albums, Israel Houghton returns with New Breed to land his fifth consecutive Billboard Top 200-selling album. The first live recording in five years from Israel & New Breed, Jesus At The Center on Integrity Music / RGM-New Breed, not only hit No. 32 on the Billboard Top 200 chart, but also logged a 346% gain at digital retail over the debut of Israel’s 2010 GRAMMY Award winning album, Love God. Love People.. Jesus At The Center further launched this week to No. 1 on the overall Christian/Gospel Current Digital Albums and Contemporary Christian Overall Billboard retail charts.

Recorded live over four days in front of more than 29,000 worshippers at Houston’s Lakewood Church, the Jesus At The Center double-CD, 18 song album with three additional studio singles features Israel & New Breed returning to their roots, delivering new anthems for the modern day church.

After hearing the album, USA Today’s Brian Mansfield calls Israel Houghton “an impassioned worship leader with impeccable pacing” who has “a killer band that blends ’80s synth-funk, Latin dance, even arena rock.” Associated Press says the music is “superb praise and worship” as Worship Leader confirms it is “a multicultural, polyrhythmic, choral feast of pop-shaded, rock-informed worship that combines and fuses a universe of musical possibility” and watchgmctv.com says, “Jesus at the Center is fresh, relevant and masterful.” CCM calls the music “soulful gospel, crossed with contemporary worship, Latino zest and shaken up with a rockin’ funk” whilegospelflava.com says, “New Breed delivers excellence in production (with both Houghton and Aaron Lindsey at the helm)…Quick and swift melodies, catchy phrases, and superb arrangements will live in your heart.”

Featured this morning on WGN TV (Chicago) and this weekend on The Tavis Smiley Show (www.tavissmileyradio.com), and with multiple major print and broadcast network appearances and features leading up to the release of the album, including ABC’s “The View,” Israel & New Breed is also gathering significant radio airplay across the nation. Jesus At The Center has sparked the No. 11 and climbing Gospel Monitor hit single, “It’s Not Over (When God Is In It),” and the Christian AC single, “Your Presence Is Heaven.”

In addition to the singles and the Jesus At The Center two-disc album, a companion DVD recorded live in high-definition featuring all 18 songs along with behind the scenes footage, story behind the song vignettes and other bonus material, is available at retail now. An exclusive iTunes® LP is also available and includes not only the new music, but also video Work Tapes, a Photo Montage, chord charts and the “Jesus At The Center” video tutorial. A buy link for the album is http://jatc.tv/LP/.

Co-writing all the songs, except the Bob Dylan cover, “To Make You Feel My Love,” and “You Have Me,” by Michael and Lisa Gungor, Israel says, “The overarching story of the album is that sometimes we can be so ‘churched’ that we can lose sight of the ‘who, what, why’ of worship. This project simply places Jesus where he is supposed to be. We intentionally removed the metaphors and simply focused on his name.”

Guest vocalists on Jesus At The Center include Aaron W. Lindsey, Michael Gungor, T-Bone, Jason Nelson, James Fortune, Bishop Michael Pitts, Jeremiah Woods, Daniel Johnson, Charlin Moore, Adam Ranney, Tina Baker, Onaje Jefferson, Krystle Harper and Israel’s daughter, Mariah Houghton.

Taking the message and music on the road, Israel Houghton will share the stage for the very first time with peers Kirk Franklin, Marvin Sapp and Donnie McClurkin on The King’s Men tour. The 15-city major market US tour begins Sept. 16 at Comerica Theatre in Phoenix and travels coast-to-coast through Los Angeles, Chicago, Houston, Atlanta, Washington, DC and more before culminating in Brooklyn, NY at Barclays Center Oct. 14. For all the tour dates and ticket information, see www.livenation.com.

Prior to The King’s Men tour, Israel & New Breed presents their annual Deeper Conference 2012, which will be held Aug. 29 through Sept. 1 at Lakewood Church and Grace Church of Humble, TX. Hosted by Israel, the worship conference features guest speakers Jentezen Franklin, Steven Furtick, Darlene Zschech, John Gray and Jason Nelson. For all the details and registration information, go to http://deeperconferences.com/speakers.

In 1995, Israel and Meleasa Houghton founded New Breed Ministries, an organization they continue to run and that is comprised of noted musicians and singers who serve within their respective churches and together serve the Church at large. Since then, Israel & New Breed has amassed a legion of followers that crosses generational and African American, Latin and Caucasian listener lines. While blasting down barriers, Israel has been fittingly graced with 2 Gold-selling albums, 4 GRAMMY Awards, 12 Dove Awards, 2 Stellar Awards and a Soul Train Award.

Active as worship leader in his local church, Joel Osteen’s Lakewood Church (Houston), Israel has served as worship leader at Hillsong conferences and Franklin Graham crusades. He has written or co-written 11 CCLI Top 500 favorites, been featured on The Tonight Show with Jay Leno, accompanied Alicia Keys at the 2007 MTV Video Music Awards for a performance of George Michael’s “Freedom ’90,” and performed at the 50th Annual GRAMMY Awards. He uses his own multi-cultural upbringing as a reference point with a desire to draw people of all races, ages and cultures together. More information on Israel & New Breed is available at www.newbreedmusic.com.

About Integrity Music:

Kingsway and Integrity Music compose the music division of David C Cook, a nonprofit global resource provider serving the Church with life-transforming materials. Headquartered in Colorado Springs, Colorado, Kingsway and Integrity Music’s resources are distributed in more than 160 countries and sold worldwide. Additional information can be found at http://kingswayworship.com andwww.integritymusic.com.