For almost two decades, Chrystal Rucker has been the darling of the Church of God in Christ (COGIC) denomination where she’s become known for her own spine-tingling renditions of Judy Garland’s “Over the Rainbow,” Tramaine Hawkins’ “Changed” and Lecresia Campbell’s classic, “Safety.”

Then, in 2007 she suffered a stroke at the age of 35. If she couldn’t sing, she couldn’t work and over the next two years, she fought hard to get back to full health so that she could sing again and take care of her daughter. “When you have someone you have to live for it makes all the difference in the world in your healing process,” Rucker says.

After years of appearing on the albums of other artists, Rucker is back in top form and unveiling her first nationally-distributed solo CD, “You Deserve” (EPM Music Group), a brilliantly fascinating collection of heart-wrenching gospel ballads and pulsating praise tunes that hits retail stores and online portals everywhere on August 14, 2012.

The eleven-track set features the dynamic radio smash, “You Deserve,” which glistens with Rucker’s cascading high notes and squalls. Rucker also reintroduces Tramaine Hawkins’ 1975 classic, “Changed” and delivers a reverential hymn medley of “Great is Thy Faithfulness” and “Grateful.”

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 anthem, You Will Be My God” that shows off heavenly high notes and a tender sound of praise. For more information on Chrystal Rucker and other EPM Music Group artists, visit www.epmmusicgroup.com or www.chrystalrucker.net.

This week there’s a little shake-up among the top 10 of the Billboard Gospel charts.  Number 1 remains the same as Mary Mary continues to sell strong with their latest effort “Go Get It.”

Jumping up to the #2 spot this week is BeBe Winans, who released a solo project called “America, America” earlier in July.  The album jumps from #11 to the #2 spot this week.

Music World Gospel artist Amber Bullock makes a strong debut with the release of her new project “So in Love.”  The former Sunday Best winner comes in at #3.

Next week industry experts expect Gospel rapper ‘K.B.’ to debut his new project “Weight & Glory” in the top 10.  The Reach Records artist has a sizable underground following, and strong promotion from fellow artist and label owner Lecrae.

Below is the rest of the Top 10:

1 | Mary Mary – Go Get It
2 | BeBe Winans – America, America
3 | Amber Bullock – So In Love
4 | Charles Jenkins & Fellowship Chicago – The Best of Both Worlds
5 | Marvin Sapp – I Win
6 | William McDowell – Arise
7 | WOW Gospel 2012
8 | JJ Hairston & Youthful Praise – After This
9 | Nephew Tommy – Prank Phone Calls
10 | Marvin Winans – The Praise & Worship Experience

 

Following their month-long domination at No. 1 on the Christian AC radio chart with the title track from their best-selling CD The Hurt & The Healer, the multi-platinum, Grammy-nominated, American Music Award and multiple GMA Dove Award winning band MercyMe has delivered The Making of The Hurt & The Healer short film. MercyMe unveils it atMercyMe.org this week, where for a limited time it will be available direct to fans first for $5. This fall it will be available through iTunes®.

With a total running time of just over 30 minutes, The Making of The Hurt & The Healer includes high definition video filmed in the recording studio and on the road over the course of eight months. In addition to live perfmormances of “The Hurt & The Healer” and “You are I Am,” the film features footage from the studio, bloopers, interviews with the guys telling stories behind the songs, and an overall, true behind-the-scenes look at the beginning to end creation of The Hurt & The Healer. Click here to view the trailer.

As MercyMe visits markets across the country throughout the summer,FairTrade will release the next single, “You Are I Am,” on August 17th, the follow-up to their No. 1 hit, “The Hurt & The Healer.”

[Get Connected with MercyMe]
Website – http://mercyme.org
Twitter- @mercyme
Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/mercyme
YouTube – http://www.youtube.com/user/mercymevideo “The Hurt & The Healer” music video

About MercyMe 
Since their debut in 2001, Grammy-nominated, American Music Award and multiple GMA Dove Award winners MercyMe have sold over 6 million units in CD and DVD sales, while being one of few Contemporary Christian music groups to have had all of their recordings certified Gold or Platinum, as well as garner 23 No.1 multi-format Christian radio singles, and four consecutive mainstream radio hits with “I Can Only Imagine,” (No. 4 AC/top 25 on Top 40/Hot AC), “Here With Me” (No. 4 AC), “Homesick” (top 10 AC), and “So Long Self.” In 2009, BILLBOARD named MercyMe’s “Word Of God Speak” the #1 Song of The Decade and the group the #1 Christian Songs Artist of the Decade, with an additional #1 as the Christian AC Song Artist of The Decade as one of the industry’s most notable talents. MercyMe made history as “I Can Only Imagine” surpassed 1 million digital downloads, making it the first song in Christian music to go platinum in the digital domain. The multi-platinum selling band has sold out venues including Radio City Music Hall and has been seen on The Tonight Show, CNN, Fox New Channel’s Fox & Friends, ABC News, CBS’s The Early Show, and on the pages of Entertainment Weekly, The New York Times, USA Today, Billboard, and more.

For the last five years, Gerald Scott & Co. has been one of the DMV (Washington, D.C., Maryland and Virginia area) metroplex’s top local acts and now the dynamic ensemble is poised to become one of the nation’s leading gospel acts. Although, the group has released two successful indie projects in the past, they are stepping up their game with their third CD release, “Incredible” (Habakkuk Music), that is in stores now.
 
The bouncy radio single, “Alright,” is reminiscent of a new wave Earth Wind & Fire `70s jam. “We’ve been getting amazing feedback from it,” says Scott. “It’s very uplifting and encouraging. I like to call it a great song you can roll your windows down and ride to, so people are loving it and I’m just glad about that.” Many people are glad and Scott and company are picking up fans in high places. Stellar Award winning gospel artist, Jonathan Nelson, says, “His music is refreshing” and renowned worship leader, Stephen Hurd, adds that, “God is using Gerald in a way that will reach far and wide and touch people.”
 
“Gerald Scott is a phenomenal songwriter,” says Habakkuk CEO, April Washington Essex. “It’s like he writes from the heart of God. What’s more, he’s got the whole package: anointed ministry, great vocals & arrangements, exciting performance and he’s still young!”  Scott composed and produced all of the ten songs on the “Incredible” CD that ranges from lush, congregational worship tunes such as “Higher” to the ferocious rock vibe of “No Condemnation.”  In between there are down-home church songs like “God is Good”, the pop-styled ballad “Back With You” and the exhilarating rhythm of the title tune. Each track shows off not only Scott’s warmly earnest tenor but also the rich harmonies of the Co.
 
“We’re going up and down the east coast promoting this CD,” says Scott. “We’re going to be everywhere each weekend – from New York to Orlando, Florida.” Follow the group on Twitter #gscottco or visit www.habakkukmusic.com for more information on the label.

After a 3 week run on top of the Billboard Gospel charts, Charles Jenkins & Fellowship Chicago relinquish the #1 spot to Gospel greats Mary Mary.  For Mary Mary this marks a return to #1 for their latest CD effort titled “Go Get It”. Charles Jenkins falls to the #3 spot.

Moving up to the #2 spot is Marvin Sapp, and Nephew Tommy of the Tom Joyner Morning Show comes in at #4 with his new comedy CD.

Next week, expect former Sunday Best winner Amber Bullock to debut her new project in the top 10.  Amber is currently on a promotional tour promoting her new album nationally.

The rest of the Top 10:

1 | Mary Mary – Go Get It
2 | Marvin Sapp – I Win
3 | Charles Jenkins & Fellowship Chicago – The Best of Both Worlds
4 | Nephew Tommy – Prank Phone Calls
5 | WOW Gospel 2012
6 | William McDowell – Arise
7 | Marvin Winans – The Praise & Worship Experience
8 | James Fortune & FIYA – Identity
9 | Various Artists – Joyful Noise (Soundtrack)
10 | JJ Hairston & Youthful Praise – After This 
 

Christian Comedian Akintunde, made a big splash on this past weekend at the 18th annual “Essence Music Festival” in New Orleans, LA. delivering a “Stand Out” performance in the TBS “LOL Lounge”. Akintunde was featured along side actors Michael Jai White and Tasha Smith (stars of Tyler Perry’s “For Better or Worse”), and fellow comedian and writer, Deon Cole (Conan) among others.

On Sunday, The Minister of Comedy (as he is known), and fellow Christian Comedian Mike Goodwin, delivered the laughs to attendees of the “African Pride” suite at the Wyndham Hotel. This year marks Akintunde’s first appearance at the annual Music festival. On Friday, Akintunde headlined a comedy event at Greater Grace Cathedral in Detroit, MI. The weekend festivities kicked off a busy month for the 19 year comedy veteran. Which includes stops in St. Louis with the “Creflo Dollar Change Convention” (7/20), Nashville TN for Cece Winans’ annual youth conference, “Always Sisters Forever Brothers” (7/ 21), and a highly anticipated return to his hometown of Savannah GA on The Rebirth of Comedy Tour (7/27).

OTHER DATES INCLUDE: 

7/28 Bishopville, SC. – Champions of Faith
8/4  Greer, SC.         – Rebirth of Comedy Tour
8/5  Columbia, SC.    – First Sundays at The Margaret H. Miller Ctr.
8/11 Hephzibah, GA. – Rebirth of Comedy Tour
8/17 Toronto, ON.     – Creflo Dollar Change Convention

For Akintunde’s complete schedule. log onto www.akintunde.net

Stellar Award winning recording artist Troy Sneed has enjoyed an amazing hit-making streak over the last decade with Top Ten gospel hits such as “My Heart Says Yes”, “Work it Out”, “The Struggle is Over” and “Hallelujah.” Now, after only a week in circulation, his new radio single “Lay It Down” has debuted at #29 on next week’s Billboard Hot Gospel Songs chart.

The catchy, mid-tempo sing-a-long was emailed to radio stations last week and has rapidly resonated with gospel radio programmers from coast to coast. “Troy Sneed has made it happen once again with a powerful inspirational message that’s simple and to the point in this season of life,” says Connye Br yant at WHLW inMontgomery, AL. “This song is definitely going to be another hit for the Worship Master, Mr. Troy Sneed!”

“Troy Sneed’s latest record `Lay it Down’ has people calling and asking where they can get it,” says Reggie Baker, program director at WPZZ in Richmond. “It is a great follow-up to `My Heart Says Yes’ and will be sung on Sunday mornings [at churches everywhere].” Mike Gamble, program director of The Light:  Sheridan Gospel Network adds that, “”Troy has become the inspirational music stylist that delivers powerful words of encouragement in every song. `Lay It Down’ is yet another great song.”
 
“Lay it Down” is the second radio single from Sneed’s forthcoming seventh solo CD, “All is Well” (Emtro Gospel), which hits stores everywhere August 7th. The first single, “All is Well” peaked at #14 on the Hot Gospel Songs chart this spring.  The new CD features urban-flavored songs of praise and worship ranging from the jazzy “Song for You” to  “I Know You Hear Me” that recalls R. Kelly’s “U Saved Me.” For more info on Sneed, visit him online at www.troysneed.net and follow him on Twitter at  www.Twitter.com/TroySneed 

Casey McGinty (Sr. VP, EMI CMG Publishing) Eddie DeGarmo (President, EMI CMG Publishing) Aaron Lindsey, Ken Johnson (Production and Booking Manager for Aaron Lindsey) Matt Ewald (Creative Director, EMI CMG Publishing) Jimi Williams (Director of Worship Resources, EMI CMG Publishing) Jeremy Ash (Creative Director, EMI CMG Publishing)

EMI CMG Publishing announces the signing of GRAMMY-award winning songwriter Aaron Lindsey to their critically acclaimed roster of writers. Over the last 20 years, Lindsey has become a well sought after musician, producer, and clinician in Gospel and Christian music. Recognizing the variety of Lindsey’s writing talent, EMI CMG Publishing sees his great potential in various styles of the Christian music industry.

“During the time that I have been administering and controlling my own publishing, I have realized that I have not explored the full depth of what I am capable of writing and producing,” shares Lindsey on his move to EMI CMG Publishing. “Eddie DeGarmo and John J. Thompson were critical to my final decision because there was a transparency and positivity present that gave me the sense that they recogized my potential as a pop Christian/CCM writer as well as a gospel writer.”

Throughout his career, Lindsey has become one of the top producers and songwriters in the gospel genre. His friendship with Israel Houghton led him to become partner and co-founder of New Breed Productions and the group Israel & New Breed. For over eight years the partnership co-wrote, produced, and birthed some of the most powerful songs used in churches today.

“Anyone who has been paying attention knows all about Aaron’s success in Gospel Music,” says EMI CMG Publishing President Eddie DeGarmo, “but fewer understand the passion, expertise and finesse he brings to other genres such as pop and rock. It’s a true honor to work with a songwriter – and person – of his caliber, and we can’t wait to see this next chapter of his ministry and career unfold.”

As a multiple Stellar, Dove, Soul Train and GRAMMY winner, Lindsey’s accomplishments have been acknowledged and respected among his peers and avid music lovers internationally. Over the years, Lindsay has written and produced artists such as Yolanda Adams, Israel Houghton, Marvin Sapp, Martha Munizzi, Fred Hammond, Lakewood Church, and GRAMMY-nominated newcomers Royal Tailor.

About EMI CMG Publishing:
As a full-service publisher, EMI CMG Publishing represents more than 40,000 songs, hundreds of copyright catalogs and over 300 writers, including Chris Tomlin, Ben Glover, VaShawn Mitchell, Jeremy Camp, Gerald Crabb, Matt Redman and Sanctus Real, to name a few. EMI CMG Publishing also administers such prominent catalogs as Hillsong and Integrity, as well as administering for top-selling artist/writers such as TobyMac, Casting Crowns, Third Day and Kirk Franklin. As the current BMI, ASCAP and Billboard Christian Music Publisher of the year, EMI CMG Publishing is recognized as an industry leader in Christian music worldwide. Its mission is to impact modern culture with the timeless relevance of Christ through its diverse roster of writers and songs. EMI CMG Publishing is a division of EMI Christian Music Group. For further information, please visit www.emicmgpublishing.com.

About Aaron Lindsey: 
For over 20 years Aaron Lindsey has shared his passion for music with people. As the son of a Minister of Music and choir director, Lindsey has always been surrounded by song. As a multiple Stellar, Dove and Grammy winner and recipient of the 2005 Soul Train Gospel Album of the year award, Lindsey’s accomplishments have been acknowledged and respected among his peers and avid music lovers internationally. In addition to his continuing efforts with New Breed Productions, Lindsey and wife Adrian, founded Whatbox Global Media, Aaron Lindsey Publishing, and Groove Habitat Studios and became a premier songwriter for Warner Publishing in 2006. Lindsey’s first joy and ministry are to his wife, daughter, and sons.