Relevé Entertainment announced today that THE MERGE SUMMIT 2012 will be held August 23-25, 2012 at the Millennium Biltmore Hotel, Los Angeles. The event, presented in association with partners EMI Music Publishing, Verity Gospel Music Group, and UPSCALE magazine, integrates faith and entertainment and provides a platform for men and women of faith to interface with, learn from and partner with leading executives and talent in the entertainment industry.

“We are so excited to announce that we will return for the fourth year”, said SUMMIT Founder and Chair Holly Carter. “Each year, THE MERGE SUMMIT has grown and changed to represent the evolution of the entertainment business, while always remaining true to our original purpose: to give a voice and opportunity for the gifts and talent of creative men and women of faith who have stories to tell”.

Added SUMMIT Co-Founder & Co-Chair Robi Reed: “Each year, I grow more excited with anticipation of the Merge. It has proven to be an invaluable source of information for all who attend. I have no doubt this time around will be even greater.”

Gospel superstar Kirk Franklin said, “I’m excited about the Merge Summit … by partnering faith with media… we are able to cast a wider net, impact culture in unimaginable ways.”  

The multifaceted program, one of the largest entertainment industry events for people of faith, is a complete weekend of education, inspiration and entertainment. Nearly 100 of the industry’s top entertainers and executives will lead more than 20 interactive panel discussions, workshops and Master Class sessions, covering the spectrum of music, television, film, radio, creative development, branding, management and new media.

Confirmed presenters (in alphabetical order), as of July 3, 2012:

Austyn Biggers, Sr. Director of Development, BET Networks 

Charlie Jordan Brookins, Senior Vice President, Original Programming, BET Networks 

Clint Culpepper, President, Screen Gems 

Debra Langford, Entertainment Industry Veteran 

Detavio Samuels, Executive Vice President/Director of Client Services, GlobalHue 

DeVon Franklin, Vice President of Production, Columbia Pictures 

Endyia Kinney Sterns, Executive Director, the Oprah Winfrey Network (OWN) 

Essence Atkins, Actress (Are We There Yet?, Half & Half, The Smart Guy) 

Harry Lennix, Actor (Man of Steel, A Beautiful Soul, The Matrix, The Five Heartbeats) 

Holly Carter, President/Producer, Relevé Entertainment (A Beautiful Soul, The Gospel) 

Jazzy Jordan, Executive Vice President/General Manager, Verity Gospel Music Group 
Jeff Clanagan, CEO, Code Black Entertainment

Jon Platt, President, North America Creative, EMI Music Publishing 
Kary McHoul, President, Nigel Lythgoe Entertainment

Kelly Griffin, Sr. Director, Music Programming, BET Networks 

Kirk Franklin, Author/Host/Recording Artist 

Mali Music, Recording Artist 

Michael Elliot, Screenwriter (Like Mike, Brown Sugar, Just Wright) 

Myesha Chaney, Kingdomanity Recording Artist 

Niija Kuykendall, Director of Development, Warner Bros. Pictures 

Rob Gibbs, Music Talent Agent, ICM Partners 

Robi Reed, Vice President, Talent and Casting, Original Programming, BET Networks 

Rose Catherine Pinkney, VP, Development and Original Programming, TV Land 

Rushion McDonald, CEO/Executive Producer, NuOpp, Inc. 

Sheldon Candis, Director (LUV)

Sheilah Belle, Editor in Chief, “The Belle Report”

Stephen A. Smith, Journalist/Commentator/Analyst, ESPN Networks 

Suzanne de Passe, Co-Chairman, de Passe Jones Entertainment 

Tirrell Whittley, Principal/CEO, Liquid Soul Media 

Touré Roberts, Pastor, One Church International 

Tracey Edmonds, Producer (Jumping the Broom, New in Town, Soul Food The Series) 

Traci Lynn Blackwell, Vice President, Current Programming, The CW Network 

Will Packer, Producer (Think Like a Man, Obsessed, Stomp The Yard, Takers, This Christmas) 

Wendy Raquel Robinson, Actress/Philanthropist 

Zola Mashariki, Senior Vice President, Production, FOX Searchlight Pictures 

For more information and to register, please visit  www.themergesummit.com

  

 

PHOTO CAPTION (L-R): Kevin Frazier and Wendy Raquel Robinson, pose with gospel artist Deitrick Haddon on the red carpet for the opening reception of the The Third Annual Merge Summit Conference. (Photo credit: Maury Phillips, Courtesy of GQ Media & PR / FrontPage Firm)

 

With more than 1000 hours of airings on PBS stations across the country, garnering the highest debut for any artist on public television thus far, a Billboard top-ten Classical Crossover album, an extensive tour schedule of over 80 concerts a year, performing before 100,000+ people and high profile media appearances in print and on television, the universally acclaimed Annie Moses Band soars to new heights in their new release, Pilgrims & Prodigals. The two-disc CD/DVD package is a collection of songs that explores the timeless theme of roaming and redemption and will be available nationwide on September 25.

The band will be seen on PBS stations around the U.S. starting in October for their brand new Pilgrims & Prodigals Public Television concert that will air throughout the fall.

Known for their breathtaking instrumental virtuosity and shimmering layered vocals, the Annie Moses Band is a family act made up of six siblings, with their parents Bill and Robin spearheading the lyrics and arrangements.  Annie Wolaver serves as the lead vocalist and violin player, Alex Wolaver accompanies on vocals and violin, Benjamin Wolaver on the cello, Camille Wolaver plays the harp and keyboard, Gretchen Wolaver performs the violin and mandolin and Jeremiah Wolaver handles the Classical and electric guitar. Collectively, they developed 13 diverse tracks blending the captivating styles of classical, jazz, folk and even a frisson of Celtic thrown in for good measure.  Eight songs on the album were written or co-written by members of the group.  Five other tunes receive inventive re-imaginings that bring fresh new seasonings to familiar standards like “Poor Wayfaring Pilgrim” and “Girl of Constant Sorrow.” 

The project’s two pop cover songs – “Love Song” (Elton John) and “I Got a Name” (Jim Croce) – take on unexpected new life.   

 “Pilgrims & Prodigals is based on the idea that everyone in the world is going somewhere,” observes Alex Wolaver, who for the first time shares lead vocalist duties with his sister Annie.  “We’re all on a personal journey.  We are all either someone who’s finding our way back home or we’re someone who’s running away from home.  Every song on this album tells one of those two stories.”

Recorded in the heart of Music City, Nashville, TN., Alex teamed up with award-winning producer Michael Omartian (Christopher Cross, Michael Bolton, Amy Grant,) to produce the new project that was originally imagined nearly a decade ago.   Pilgrims & Prodigals will be marketed and distributed in partnership with Dream Journey, the television production company behind the many highly-popular Public Television Specials. The album is being packaged as a double-disc set, containing the CD plus a companion DVD showcasing the Annie Moses Band performing the entire album in concert.

“Video is very important to us, because what we do as the Annie Moses Band is very visual,” explains Annie.  “By including the live concert DVD with the album, people can see us performing and playing each song on the album.”

Arrow Records announced the signing of legendary singer, songwriter, and actress Ann Nesby to their Atlanta-based label. Over the past 20 years Nesby has built an enviable career and has collaborated with some of the most famous and well-respected names in entertainment, such as the late Reverend James Cleveland, Luther Vandross, Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis, Sting, and Al Green. About the latest addition to the Arrow family, the label’s General Manager Cappriccieo Scates offers, “We are extremely excited to have Ann join our team. She has been the barometer for great music for many years, and we are looking forward to the success of this partnership.”

In the early 1990s, Nesby rose to prominence on the worldwide stage as lead singer of the popular music ensemble Sounds of Blackness. Her distinct and unforgettable vocals helped garner two GRAMMY Awards for the group in 1991 and 1993, as well as hit songs, including “The Pressure,” “Testify,” “Optimistic,” and “Demolition Man” (with Sting) from the blockbuster motion picture of the same name.

After her tenure with Sounds of Blackness, Ann Nesby’s career path would lead to further success as a solo recording artist, a songwriter, and a leading actress. In 1996 she released her solo debut, I’m Here For You, and the album spent a remarkable 60 weeks atop the R&B music charts. Around this same time, Ann emerged as a much sought after songwriter, penning hits for superstar artists, including Gladys Knight (“Home Alone”) and Patti LaBelle (“The Right Kinda Lover” and “Someone Like You”). She was also tapped by the then emerging playwright Tyler Perry to star in his very first stage play, I Know I’ve Been Changed.

Since then, Nesby has been recording, touring, and acting nonstop. She has released seven successful solo, studio albums: I’m Here For You, Put it on Paper, Make Me Better, In the Spirit, This is Love, The Lula Lee Project, and Ann Nesby’s Soulful Christmas. Additionally, she released a compilation of dance hits Love is What We Need in 2001 and a greatest hits CD / DVD, Ann Nesby the Best of Live, in 2007. In 2003, she was cast in her first feature film, The Fighting Temptations, as Aunt Sally Walker alongside Cuba Gooding, Jr. and Beyonce. And her duet “The Stone” with Pastor Shirley Caesar from the movie’s soundtrack earned a GRAMMY nomination in 2004.

When talking about the new chapter that she’s embarking upon with Arrow and their upcoming projects, Nesby says, “I’m absolutely ecstatic, and it gives me great pleasure to join forces with my

Pastor Taffi Dollar, CEO of Arrow Records, and new General Manager, Cappriccieo Scates, as we move forward, creating great music in the styles that I’ve based my entire career upon. It is my belief that music from the heart reaches the heart and being a part of Arrow Records is an opportunity to continue making a mark that cannot be erased. Let’s go!”

About Arrow Records

An affiliate of Creflo Dollar Ministries, Arrow Records has claimed a unique position within the contemporary music scene with its spirit-filled attitude and a praised-based roster that crosses a variety of genres, including gospel, CCM, R&B, hip-hop and jazz. “Music That Pierces The Heart” is Arrow’s hallmark and the label has been the home to multi-instrumentalist Shonlock, gospel singer Canton Jones, saxophonist Jeff Sparks, acoustic popster Jonathan Phillips, and Brooklyn-born alt-rocker Kathy Camejo.

 

A dozen years in, the Chicago-based ensemble known as Shekinah Glory Ministry (SGM) continues to dominate and set the standard for urban praise and worship music. They’ve made chants such as “Praise is What I Do” and “Jesus” universally known tunes that choirs around the globe sing every Sunday morning. With five RIAA gold and platinum record and video certifications behind them, this coterie of psalmists, minstrels and banner-wavers are poised to strike gold again with their fourth original CD, Surrender (Kingdom Records,) scheduled for a September 25, 2012 release.

Recorded this past April at its home church, Valley Kingdom Ministry International near Chicago, SGM delivered another set of soul-stirring original songs that kept the capacity audience on its feet most of the night with hands lifted towards the heavens in praise. The closing tune, “Surrender”, summed up the evening’s theme. SGM’s leader, Phil Tarver, with a heartfelt plea, prayed openly for God to break his spirit and give him a contrite heart prior to launching into the majestic declaration. “Lord, break me again until the tears pour out”, he whispered into his microphone. “Tonight the Lord says don’t throw in the white towel but wave the white flag,” he challenged the congregation as he implored it to look up and, “tell Him [God] I surrender to your purpose, to your plan, to your way.”

The thirteen-tracks all deal with some variation of concession to God’s will whether by turning one’s trials and tribulations over to Him on the up-tempo, Afro-Cuban seasoned  “By Faith” or yielding to a call to worship on the dance-flavored, “Come On”. Aside from Tarver who leads three songs, there are several new SGM voices such as Brandon Alsberry, Joan Olander, Monique Miller, Jason Robinson and Danielle Nightingale Cargo who leads the new radio single, “Champion”.  There is a guest appearance by veteran vocalist, Kim Stratton, on the riveting “Broken” and the late Pepe Epting’s tenor soars on,  “Peace for My World”.

Kingdom Records is a leader in African-American praise and worship music with hits such as Shekinah Glory Ministry’s 2001 breakthrough smash, “Praise is What I Do”. The million-selling SGM is not a choir. Instead, it’s a dynamic ensemble of psalmists, minstrels, and banner bearers who perform “under the anointing of the Holy Spirit. “ Their Hebrew name means “the glorified presence of God.” Their CDs Praise Is What I Do (#5 peak Top Gospel Albums) and Shekinah Glory Ministry Live (#3 peak Top Gospel Albums – 103 weeks on the chart) were both certified gold in 2005 and 2008 respectively. They also have three gold or platinum DVDs to their credit and their 2010 CD, Refreshed By Fire, debuted at #1 on Billboard’s Top Gospel Albums chart. Visit www.kingdomrecordsinc.com for further information on SGM and Kingdom Records.

Reggae pioneers Christafari have returned to their roots with the release of their latest album, Reggae Worship: A Roots Revival (Lion of Zion Entertainment), which is now available at all major digital retailers including iTunes,GospelReggae.com and select stores. Christafari pioneered the genre of Gospel Reggae with their first album,1993’s Reggae Worship Volume 1, which catapulted them onto the Billboard charts. 

On Reggae Worship: A Roots Revival, Christafari reworks classic hymns, reinterprets many of today’s top worship anthems and gives us a handful of original worship songs that truly capture the band’s signature sound. 

“It’s our rootsiest and most worshipful album to date,” says Christafari founder and frontman Mark Mohr. “Just imagine your favorite worship songs by artists like Hillsong United, Chris Tomlin, Michael W. Smith and Brenton Brown, done in a reggae style, plus a handful of new Christafari originals.”

As expected from Christafari, the album’s 17 worship tracks feature an arsenal of guest appearances from the top names in the genre, including Dominic Balli, Avion Blackman, Jennifer Howland, Sherwin Gardner, Monty G, Tiago Costa, Solomon Jabby, Vanessa Mardueno, Dillavou and ‘Imisi’s David Fohe.

In promotion of this album, Christafari will be leading worship at mega churches across the nation with heavy support from the Calvary Chapel network. A launch event is scheduled for July 28th and 29th at the 14,000-member Calvary Chapel of Albuquerque, before heading across the USA and then on to New Caledonia, Fiji, Brazil, Belize, Guatemala and the Virgin Islands. Multiple music videos are being shot for release in the coming months, along with heavy radio promotion and social media campaigns. 

With over a half million albums sold worldwide, Christafari is the all-time top selling Gospel Reggae artist. The band continues to tour worldwide, performing more than 100 shows each year reaching more than 50 countries. For more information, visit www.christafari.com.

Grammy nominated and Reach Records artist Lecrae is set to release his highly anticipated album Gravity on Tuesday, September 4, 2012, which will feature Mali Music, Mathai (The Voice), label mates Trip Lee and Tedashii as well as production from DJ Khalil, Street Symphony’s Heat Academy and The Watchmen.

This record is the follow up to his 2010 smash releases Rehab and the EP Rehab: The Overdose, which sold over 345,000 units combined as well as debuted at # 5 on the Billboard Hip-Hop Charts and #17 on the Top 200, Gravity will showcase Lecrae’s thought provoking lyrical technique, live instrumentation and amazing beats that will keep fans wanting more. As part of the release of the album, Lecrae will be celebrating with fans holding release parties in Manchester, UK (9/22), Denver, CO (9/27) and Houston, TX (9/28). Tickets will go on sale on July 20 and for more information log onto www.reachrecords.com. 

                                                                                         

Lecrae recently released his first mixtape Church Clothes hosted by Don Cannon which featured No Malice (formerly Malice of The Clypes) and production by Grammy award winning producer Bio-1a, 9^th Wonder, S-1 and Street Symphony. The mixtape received rave reviews from both critics and fans as well as garnered over 280,000 downloads.

“With the release of ‘Gravity’ I really wanted to expand on my previous work while still making sure to keep it all very authentic to who I am as an artist as well as a person,” states Lecrae. “When I released ‘Church Clothes’ earlier this year, it was the precursor of what’s come with this album. It introduced my music to new audiences, allowing me to impact others.”

This fall, Lecrae will hit the road for the 5^th annual Unashamed Tour 2012: Come Alive that will kick off October 4. This 30 city tour will make stops in New York, Los Angeles, Miami, Chicago Dallas and Atlanta among others and will feature label mates Trip Lee, Tedashii, Andy Mineo, KB and Pro. Always keeping his fans entertained, Lecrae will perform cuts from Gravity as well as fan favorites such as, “Don’t Waste Your Life”, “Go Hard” and “No Regrets”. Tickets will go on sale August 1, 2012.

UNASHAMED TOUR 2012: COME ALIVE TOUR DATES (*Dates subject to change) 

10/4: Pittsburg, PA  

10/5: Chicago, IL  

10/6: Detroit, MI

10/7: Columbus, OH

10/9: Buffalo, NY

10/10: Toronto, Canada

10/12: New York, NY

10/13: Virginia Beach, VA

10/14: Raleigh/Charlotte, NC

10/18: Birmingham, AL

10/19: Atlanta, GA

10/20: Orlando, FL

10/21: Miami, FL

10/23: Pensacola, FL/Mobile, AL

10/24: Little Rock, AR

10/25: Oklahoma City, OK

10/27: Dallas, TX

10/31: Lubbock, TX

11/1: Albuquerque, NM

11/2: Phoenix, AZ

11/3: Los Angeles, CA

11/4: San Francisco, CA

11/7: Portland, OR

11/8: Seattle, WA

11/10: Las Vegas, NA

11/15: Omaha, NE

11/16: Minneapolis, MN

11/17: Kansas City, KS

11/18: Memphis, TN 

ABOUT REACH RECORDS:

Reach Records is an Atlanta based full service hip-hop independent label co-founded by Grammy nominated rapper Lecrae and Ben Washer in 2004. With a growing roster that includes Lacrae, Trip Lee, Tedashii, Pro, KB and Andy Mineo, Reach Records has carved out a definitive niche in the underground hip-hop scene garnering impressive sales numbers for their artists based solely on their relationship with their fans. Known for their sold out shows and energetic stage presence, Reach Records’ Billboard chart topping and Grammy nominated acts continue to break uncharted waters within the music industry and seek new avenues to reach new fans.

 

In case you missed the interview of The King’s Men on ABC’s The View on yesterday morning we have it here for you. Click Here

And here’s a look at their performance below. 

Kirk Franklin, Marvin Sapp, Donnie McClurkin and Israel Houghton – truly gave their music fans a taste of what’s to come when they perform on ABC’s daytime talk show THE VIEW on Tuesday, July 24 (check local listings for airtimes).

In a television first, the four gospel superstars performed a medley of their best known songs all on the same stage for THE VIEW audience. It was a preview of what is shaping up to be one of the biggest gospel music tours in history. The King’s Men tour will hit major venues in 16 U.S. cities beginning on Sunday, September 16th at Comerica Theatre in Phoenix, AZ and culminating in Brooklyn, NY at Barclays Center on Sunday, October 14th.

Produced by Live Nation Entertainment, tickets for The King’s Men concert tour are on sale now at Ticketmaster.com and Livenation.com.

Between these four gospel music giants, The King’s Men have taken home over a hundred GRAMMY®, Dove, Stellar, BET, Soul Train, NAACP and American Music Awards. They have appeared on countless mainstream television shows and moved millions of fans at their sold-out live concerts nationally and internationally. Now, for the first time ever, The King’s Men bring all of their incredible and inspirational talents together under the same roof for gospel, R&B and pop music fans across the country.

 

Tyscot Music & Entertainment is excited to announce the release of Damita’s new project ‘Anticipation.’  The wait is over and now fans of Damita’s music can play it 24/7 and share it with family and friends.

Damita has been touring not stop promoting her new release and loving every minute of it. This will be an exciting release week for Damita as she meets with radio, media and performs at various venues.

The Anticipation release week will include interviews with WGRB 1390 AM Radio in Chicago and KOKA 980 AM Radio in Shreveport, LA. During these interviews and more, Damita will share what has inspired her to write many of the songs on Anticipation.

A few of those songs are “Won’t Turn Back,” “Be Revealed”, “You’re Amazing God”, “SuperShero” and “Praise You Now”.

All of the songs are special to Damita, but the song most dear to her heart is “SuperShero” which contains uplifting lyrics describing women who have overcome many obstacles in life with God’s strength and power. Written by Damita, the song is also dedicated to her late mother, Ruby Bass, and other women who have impacted her life in major way.

Through it all, Damita’s goal is to be a mouthpiece for God and reach everyone she can with her music.

Just like Damita’s journey through life, Anticipation reflects the true meaning of waiting on God and remaining in his presence.

So, to all those who love Damita and her music, the wait is over and the time is now to purchase the new project Anticipation on Tyscot Music & Entertainment.

Also available on iTunes, is The Anticipation Digital Deluxe Edition which contains 15 tracks and 1 video-“No Looking Back”, which has received close to 1 million views on Youtube.

Anticipation is NOW available in stores and online on Tyscot Music & Entertainment!  Click Here to Preview & Purchase New CD online.