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.

Centricity Music is offering fans and film enthusiasts the chance of a lifetime….to create the official music video for Andrew Peterson’s new single, Rest Easy.  The entry information is listed below:

1.      Contest rules and information are available at www.andrew-peterson.com

2.      Initial entries need to be submitted July 9 – August 14, 2012

3.      The top ten finalists will have their videos up for fan voting at Andrew Peterson’s Facebook Fan Page, August 14-21, 2012

4.      Winner will be selected on August 21^st and the official music video will air on Peterson’s YouTube, Facebook, and Twitter pages

5.      Winner will also receive $1,000 and the top three finalists will receive $50.00.  All ten finalists will receive a copy of Peterson’s new album, Light for the Lost Boy.  

Peterson’s new project Light for the Lost Boy releases August 28^th and the official album release concert with full band is September 21, 2012 at the third annual Hutchmoot event in Nashville.  The event sold out in SEVEN MINUTES this year and registrants’ name badges will be their ticket to the concert.  Only the show is open to the general public and tickets are available online atwww.rabbitroom.com.  Tickets are $12.00 and with the purchase of Peterson’s new CD and concert ticket the cost is $18.00.  The concert will be at Collins Alumni Auditorium on the Lipscomb University campus and starts at 7:30 pm.

For more information on Andrew Peterson and his new album please visit online at www.andrew-peterson.com.

It appears Mary Mary has started a new trend entering Gospel artists into the world of reality television.  Marvin Sapp is testing the waters with the announcement of his reality show titled Marvin Sapp: Single Dad.  The show is being produced by Open River Pictures.

It is unclear whether or not any networks have picked up the new show, but a trailer was recently released showing a preview of the shows concept.

Show Synopsis: Raising two teens and a tween while pastoring a church, maintaining a music career and fighting off “God told me you are my husband!” women – requires more prayer and skills than this recently widowed Dad thinks he possesses.

Marvin Sapp has appeared disgruntled with the single life after loosing his wife of 20 years to colon cancer.  In an earlier interview onboard the 2012 One Love Cruise, Sapp illustrates how women are aggressively pursuing him the wrong way. 

Sapp is one of the best selling Gospel artists, who’s career peaked with his song “Never Would Have Made It.”  His current album “I Win” has been on Billboards Top 10 for 14 weeks. 

View the show preview below:

The fight for Copyright of the smash hit single “Nobody Greater” recorded by VaShawn Mitchell is turning out to be a back and forth battle with no truth in sight.  

Earlier this week it was reported U.S. District Court (Southern District of New York) Judge Richard Sullivan had dismissed Travis Malloy’s copyright infringement claim against songwriter Darius Paulk, EMI Christian Music Group and Sony Music Holdings related to Vashawn Mitchell’s #1 Billboard Hot Gospel Songs “Nobody Greater.” The announcement was reportedly made July 9, 2012.

Now the Malloy camp is firing back saying that the case has not been dismissed and has sent the following statement to Path MEGAzine.

“The lawsuit of Travis Malloy vs. Darius Paulk has NOT been dismissed and continues to move forward within the judicial court of Judge Sullivan.”

Here’s what we know to be fact.  In late summer 2011, aspiring songwriter, Travis Malloy, claimed co-authorship of Paulk’s song and filed a copyright infringement claim against EMI Christian Music Group for releasing Vashawn Mitchell’s blockbuster hit “Nobody Greater” without his permission. The suit also named the writer of “Nobody Greater”, Darius Paulk; and Sony Music Holdings which owns the Verity Records label that licensed the song for its successful “Wow Gospel 2011” double-disc compilation CD.

In his suit, Malloy, argued that he has not received writing credit nor royalties from radio airplay and music sales for the song. Paulk adamantly denies Malloy’s claim to authorship. “I wrote Nobody Greater during a very traumatic period in my life in 2008,” Paulk says. “It’s my testimony. I was laid-off because of downsizing at my job. I had just gotten a car and a new place. Also, my grandfather had been diagnosed with cancer. The message of the song reflects my personal struggles and victories. Travis Malloy did not contribute to the creation of this song. I wrote the lyrics and melody by myself in the privacy of my home. His claim is baseless… Truth always comes to light.”

When gospel superstar Kirk Franklin won the Stellar Award for Song of the Year in January 2012, he pulled Paulk and Mitchell to the stage with him to accept the award. “That song has ministered to me so deeply,” he said to the audience before looking back at the duo and offering, “… I would be honored to share this award with you guys.”

Travis Malloy is an aspiring Gospel singer and recently just released a self-titled digital album.  We will be following up on this case to get official news on the continuance or dismissal of the lawsuit.  Until then listen to the song “Nobody Greater” as only VaShawn Mitchell could perform it.  

Angie Hall’s debut indie project Beyond Expectations…Thought’s From An Unspoken Mindhas garnered numerous award nominations, including three 2012 Blue Mic Awards (Album of the Year, Song of the Year, Female Artist of the Year), and five 2012 Ensound Music Awardnominations from the (Urban Female of the Year, Song of the Year, Album of the Year, Female Artist of the Year, and Artist of the Year).  

As a 2012 Blue Mic Awards Nominee, Brotha Online Magazine and Angie will host a special listening party on Thursday, July 12 on Star Radio.  Her project will be featured for the hour and Angie will talk in-depth about her music and her ministry.  Log on to Star Radio www.stradious.org at 5:00PM EST to enjoy Angie’s Listening Party!

Sunday’s Best is back and better than ever.  The winner this season will win a 2013 Ford Escape and a contract with Music World Gospel.

New judges this year are sure to shake things up, as evident in the first episode.  The words “Stop… Don’t sing another word.” was an echoed over and over  for many.  Kim Burrell, Donnie McClurkin and Yolanda Adams  kept it real as they dug for talent. 

When the season kicks into performance competition mode  CeCe Winans will be one of the judges sitting at the table.  Kirk Franklin is doing a wonderful job hosting once again this year.  Gone is sisterly duo Mary Mary.

View the Top 20 artists below and tune into Sunday Best on Sundays 8pm est.

1. Danetra James

2. Julian Awari

3. Kimberly Walker

4. Alexis Spight

5. Breon Clary

6. Antwoine Overby

7. Jessica Dudley

8. Brian Luther

9. Ashfrod Sanders

10. Candace Pennington

11. Jackie Calhoun

12. Susan Hedgepeth

13. Michael Lampkin

14. Sara Escamilla

15. Jamarien Moore

16. Keith Ball

17. Kizzy Walker

18. Jeremy Hill

19. Joshua Rogers

20. Lois Blalock

GRAMMY® Nominee and Best New Artist Dove Award winner Jamie Grace is riding a wave of acclaim, popularity and radio success that now finds her debuting her new music video for her single “Come to Me” with the help of legendary singer-songwriter Joanne Cash, sister of the late, great Johnny Cash. In addition, the majority of the video was filmed at the Cash family’s own Cash Cabin Studio.

As the video debuted today on her official website JamieGrace.com, Grace comments, “Joanne Cash is by far one of the loveliest people I have ever met. When I wrote ‘Come to Me,’ I was inspired by a video where Johnny Cash shared a story with Joanne about meeting Jesus. Sitting face to face with Joanne and hearing the sweet story about her brother inspired me so much. I already enjoyed his music, but ultimately, his passion for his faith and family have taken deep root in my heart. It was a blessing to me to write ‘Come To Me’ and work with Joanne. Filming at the ranch and meeting the Cash family was an honor and a dream come true!”

The long-form version of the video, featuring an introduction from Joanne Cash, will be featured exclusively on Grace’s website. A short-form version of the video is available for viewing here.

The Cash Cabin in Hendersonville, Tenn., was the personal recording studio of the legendary Johnny Cash as well as where he overdubbed the vocals for the last few projects of his career, released via American Recordings. Commenting on the collaboration with Grace for “Come To Me,” Joanne Cash says, “I so enjoyed the video I did with Jamie Grace. She is a sweetheart, and I believe she will be used greatly by the Lord. She has Jesus in her heart, and she will follow him where He leads. I pray that ‘Come To Me’ will bless many hurting people.”

The ever-building momentum behind Jamie Grace includes a GRAMMY® nomination, two chart-topping singles and No. 1 status on three different charts (National Audience, AC and CHR), and recent nods to Grace from celebrities including country superstar Reba McEntire and The View co-host Sherri Shepherd. The breakout success of her GRAMMY®-nominated, No. 1 smash hit “Hold Me” also assisted in propelling Grace to win her first GMA Dove Award–for New Artist of the Year–earlier this year, in addition to a recent Billboard Music Award nomination.

Her current CHR single, “Come To Me,” was released to radio this spring, following her previous singles “Hold Me” and “You Lead.” “Hold Me” raked in No. 1’s across the board with a No. 1 at Christian AC Monitored, Christian AC Mediabase, iTunes ® Christian & Gospel Songs, Billboard Christian Digital Tracks and Christian CHR. Jamie Grace is one of very few artists to have their debut single go No. 1 on both AC radio charts and CHR. Her second single, “You Lead,” also the No.1 spot on the CHR chart. Jamie Grace released her Gotee debut, One Song At A Time, in September 2011. The project features many tracks that been spotlighted via TV and online placements, including VH1’s Baseball Wives and Basketball Wives LA and online ads for Microsoft’s Dell Inspiron 15R laptop computer. This fall, Jamie Grace will join the “Eye On It Tour” with TobyMac and Chris August, and later, the TobyMac “HITS Deep Tour” alongside Brandon Heath, Mandisa, Britt Nicole, Chris August and Group 1 Crew. She is currently touring across the country throughout the summer. To view Jamie Grace’s tour schedule, visit artistdata.sonicbids.com/jamie-grace/shows/.

About Jamie Grace: 
Hailing from outside of Atlanta in Lithonia, Georgia, GRAMMY ® nominee Jamie Grace is a 20-year-old-college student who, aside from her career and touring as a singer-songwriter, is also studying children’s ministry. At age 11, Jamie Grace was diagnosed with Tourette Syndrome, and has since traveled the country sharing her story and faith through music and speaking. Upon signing Jamie Grace, multiple GRAMMY ® winner TobyMac remarked “I have not been this excited to work with an artist in a long, long time.” Though she just released her first, full-length record in September 2011, Jamie Grace has been a part of the well-known Revolve tour, scored two No. 1 radio hits and has had a highly successful EP. In addition, she recently won the GMA Dove Award for New Artist of the Year.

Some may argue it’s not the Biblical approach, but Mary Mary’s Tina Campbell tells her children not to back down from bullies, says Sister 2 Sister.

Tina, who expressed that she was bullied when she was younger said that she doesn’t want her kids to go through what she went through. So, she tries to equip her children at home for those types of scenarios.

“My kids know to defend yourself, and they know how to communicate their self-defense if they feel like they are threatened. My children know you don’t start no fight…but if somebody put they hands on you, put ‘em on they back,” she said.

She added that parents need to talk to their children and get more involved in their lives to find out what pressures they’re dealing with and help them to navigate through it all.

“I sure hope that I do not communicate be violent, go out and attack everybody, because my kids know you better not be there making somebody feel like they’re nothing…you don’t do that clique thing,” she said.

Read the full editorial by Sister 2 Sister Magazine and watch video below to hear Mary Mary explain their feelings.

A new poll by The Washington Post and the Kaiser Family Foundation found that black women are among the most religious groups in the U.S., and rely on God the most in times of trouble.

The poll asked four different groups – black men, black women, white men and white women – to respond to certain religious and lifestyle questions, and found that black women were more prone to cite religion as very important in their lives.

On the question of “How important is living a religious life to you personally?” 74 percent of black women said that it was very important. That number – compared to 57 percent of white women, 70 percent of black men, and 43 percent of white men – suggests that as a whole, black people are more likely to take religious life much more seriously than white people.

Similar numbers were revealed when respondents were asked how much of a role God or faith plays when they are trying to get through tough times in life – 86 percent of black women said it was very important, compared to 66 percent of white women, 79 percent of black men, and only 51 percent of white men, who turned out to be the least religious group among the respondents to the poll.

When asked about lifestyle questions, the religiosity of each group also reflected how satisfied they are in life.

At 51 percent, black women were the most satisfied in their life than all other groups, although all four groups remained roughly near the 50-50 mark. Exactly 50 percent of white women were “very satisfied” with their life, compared to 46 percent of black men and 48 percent of white men.

The Washington Post suggested that cultural differences largely attribute to the faith divide among blacks and whites, noting that African-Americans’ exposure to gospel music, summer Bible school and “all-day church on Sundays” was a shared experienced. It was also suggested that a devotion to faith and God “more strongly connect black men and women to their slave ancestors, who leaned on religious faith to help maintain their dignity in the face of discrimination and harsh and unjust treatment.”

“Black women have been the most mistreated and scandalized in U.S. society and culture as they wrestle both individually and collectively with the triple jeopardy of racism, sexism and classism,” said Stacey Floyd-Thomas, an associate professor of ethics and society at Vanderbilt University Divinity School. “If that is the case – and I believe it is – it is no wonder that black women, due to their experience of sexism, would seek out their faith as a way of finding relief, reprieve, resolution and redemption.”

The Washington Post-Kaiser Family Foundation poll was done via telephone Oct. 6 to Nov. 2, 2011, among a random national sample of 1,936 adults.