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.

Worship Leader, Songwriter and Recording Artist Freda Battle along with her choir The Temple Worshippers with Friends will release their highly anticipated CD, HOW GLORIOUS AND EXCELLENT IS OUR GOD available in stores and on-line everywhere July 17 via Peace-O-Mind Music/Central South Distribution. Marketing and publicity efforts are being powered by the J. Hardy Agency.

Freda Battle & the Temple Worshppers returns to the music scene with their first CD in six years. HOW GLORIOUS AND EXCELLENT IS OUR GOD, produced by brother duo Gerald and David Langford was recorded and streamed live in Boston at Morning Star Baptist Church, where Battle serves as a worship leader proves that she still has more to offer the Gospel music community.

From the high church energy of the title cut “How Glorious & Excellent Is Our God” and the Brazilian infused tune “150 Praises” to the passionate reflection of “His Presence Is Here” and the refreshing latin-flavored praise and worship song “Oh How I Love”, this striking 12-song collection, which features guest appearances from Dove Award-nominated and Stellar Award winning worship artist Stephen Hurd, Rodney Posey, Michael White and Bobby Perry (of Bobby Perry & R.A.I.N), is evidence not merely of a collection of great singers, but seasoned ministers.

Other notable features include Boston based artists Jerome Kyles, and Ayana McDonald (of Bobby Perry & R.A.I.N), Temple Worshipper members Evette Anderson and Montez Cardwell and the prolific prowess of maestro George W. Russell, Jr. on piano.

Vicki Mack Lataillade, who is considered one of the most powerful women in Gospel music and has broken artists such as Kirk Franklin, Kurt Carr and Trin-i-tee 5:7 says, “I have loved Freda Battle since forever! She is the real deal! If you see Freda Battle in her full anointing, you will never be the same!

One of Gospel’s leading web portals for news and entertainment The Gospel Guru will host an on-line listening party on Monday, July 16, 2012.

TRACK LISTING:

How Glorious & Excellent Is Our God featuring Rodney Posey 150 Praises featuring Evette Anderson House of the Righteous featuring Bobby Perry I Need Your Presence featuring Montez Cardwell We Enter Your Gates featuring Ayana McDonald Great & Marvelous God featuring Jerome Kyles Oh How I Love featuring George W. Russell, Jr. (On piano) Bless The Name of Jesus featuring Michael White His Presence Is Here Here Is Our Praise featuring Rodney Posey Worship the Father featuring Stephen Hurd I Rest

ABOUT FREDA BATTLE & THE TEMPLE WORSHIPPERS:
Battle, who began recording albums independently in the late 1980s founded The Temple Worshippers – a city wide choral aggregation in 1997. Freda Battle & the Temple Worshippers introduced themselves to the world with their 1998 FOR ALL YOU’VE DONE FOR ME independent project, which garnered them national notoriety. Most recently Battle’s hit song “For All You’ve Done” was featured on “Beverly’s Full House” on the OWN: Oprah Winfrey Network- #1 original series in its time period for AA W25-54 among 97 ad-supported cable networks

Freda Battle & Temple Worshippers first national CD release was 2002’s SERIOUS PRAISE (Axiom Records) that featured the Caribbean-styled radio smash, “Serious Praise” and “No One Deserves”. SERIOUS PRAISE was also recognized by the Gospel Music Workshop of America with an Excellence Award Nomination for Contemporary Group of the Year. Battle and her choir amassed world-wide recognition in 2006 with their sophomore national release HERE IS OUR PRAISE (Axiom Records), which was produced by Grammy, Dove, and Stellar award winning worship artist Israel Houghton. According to Gospelflava.com, “Here Is Our Praise was one of the strongest albums of the year”.

This week the top 10 was shaken up quite a bit.  Charles Jenkins and Fellowship Chicago continue to hold on to the #1 spot for a third consecutive week.  Mary Mary adds to things that remained the same coming in at #2 again this week. 

Beginning with the #3 spot the charts see movement as Marvin Winans debuts his new CD at the #3.

At #4 Nephew Tommy from the Tom Joyner Morning Show debuted a comedy CD that charted for Gospel and the Billboard Comedy albums chart.  The CD features prank calls fooling Gospel and Christian artists.

Byron Cage, who debuted at #3 last week falls to #8, and Christian Rapper LeCrae returns to the top 10 with his new EP Church Clothes.

Outside the top 10 is a somewhat disappointing debut for famed choir leader James Hall, who debuted his new project “Trip Down Memory Lane” at #22 on the charts.

The rest of the Top 10:

1 | Charles Jenkins & Fellowship Chicago – The Best of Both Worlds
2 | Mary Mary – Go Get It
3 | Marvin L. Winans – Marvin Winans Presents: The Praise & Worship Experience
4 | Thomas Miles aka Nephew Tommy – Presents Prank Phone Calls
5 | Marvin Sapp – I Win
6 | William McDowell – Arise
7 | WOW Gospel 2012
8 | Byron Cage – Memoirs of a Worshipper
9 | JJ Hairston & Youthful Praise – After This
10 | Lecrae – Church Clothes EP

Fantasia Barrino reportedly broke down while performing on her 28th birthday in Trinidad, using her Christian faith to deal with the emotional issues that she was undergoing on stage.

Barrino reportedly performed in front of hundreds of fans last Saturday, in the Port-of-Spain section of the Caribbean country. While the 2004 “American Idol” winner encouraged her fans to dance and have a good time during the show, she also admitted that she had been through a great deal.

Still, Barrino told her fans that she was blessed.

“I have to tell God thank you because He has blessed me. Just when I thought it was all over, He kept blessing me,” Barrino told her audience, according to the Trinidadian Guardian newspaper. “He’s always been there. I made it through because of God…Everything I went through is my testimony.”

However, Barrino became emotional while speaking about the music industry and her spiritual side with fans. The Grammy Award-winning singer told her audience that the music industry is “very snakish” which resulted in her dealing with a great deal of negativity in her career.

“This year, we lost Whitney Houston…They just wouldn’t leave her alone,” Barrino said. “They did not understand that she was only human. We lose family, friends, all for the love of money.”

Click Here to read the full report on Christianpost.com  

Lamp Mode Recordings has released Json’s new music video for the single, “Brand New,” from the album Growing Pains, which debuted at #4 on the iTunes Hip-Hop Chart when it released in February. One of this year’s most anticipated Christian hip-hop releases, Growing Pains features collaborations with Lecrae, Mikeschair, Benjah, Jai and more.

“‘Brand New’ is a hype song about what it means for the believer to be made new in the image of Christ,” explains Json. “Brand New is one of those songs that just makes you wanna move. The video simply adds to that feeling. If you’ve been made brand new, then this should be your anthem.”

The song and video feature Lamp Mode newcomer God’s Servant, as well as Steve T. 

Diverse Christian singer and songwriter Orlando “Substance” Rodriguez continues to position his ministry for global impact and develop music to reach people from various cultures and ages. His contemporary worship, urban gospel and pop Christian blend of music and astute gift for songwriting has the Michigan native embarking on a year of concerts and a new partnership with America’s largest African-American owned and operated Christian media company. Substance and Urban Ministries, Inc have developed a partnership that will greater serve and broaden the impact of ministry within urban churches.

UMI’s collaboration with artists like Substance provides valuable resources and strategic initiatives that aid in delivering the gospel of Jesus Christ through music. With this divine partnership, the anointed music ministry of Substance can be heard to a vast audience and UMI will be able to deliver bible-based curriculum to more communities across the country.

Substance is widely known for his sincere ability to reflect his passion for Jesus Christ. Substance has in a short time established a committed following that crosses genres from urban gospel to Contemporary Worship. This fusion of sound was cultivated early as he was raised in the west suburbs of Grand Rapids, Michigan in a Puerto Rican household. The singer/songwriter has advanced his skills over the years penning an extensive catalog of music and launching his own production studio.

Substance is finishing up his forthcoming project TURN THE WORLD OFF produced by Chuck Alkazian (Percy Bady, Desmond Pringle, Christina Aguilera). He has also collaborated with some of the industries’ most prolific and sought after songwriters – Eddie Tucker, Steve Siler, Dwight Liles and Tony Wood.

Pictured L-R: C. Jeffrey Wright – Urban Ministries CEO; Orlando “Substance” Rodriguez; Endon Anderson and Frank Walton – Urban Ministries.

Urban Ministries, Inc. is the largest independent, African American-owned and operated Christian media company. We publish Christian education resources, including Bible studies, Sunday School and Vacation Bible School curriculum, books, movies, and websites designed for African American churches and individuals seeking a Christ-centered perspective on faith and life issues.

Grammy® and Tony Award-Winner Heather Headley announces production of her new record slated for release on September 25, 2012 featuring new R&B tracks, stirring Gospel songs, and cuts from the upcoming production of The Bodyguard where Headley reprises Whitney Houston’s role as Rachel Marron. The highly-anticipated CD project is released by in:ciite Media and its distribution partner EMI-CMG Christian Music Distribution.

Born on the Caribbean island of Trinidad the daughter of a pastor, Headley started singing and playing piano in church at a young age. Since, her multi-faceted career has been a blessing. Headley won a Tony Award in 2000 for best actress in a musical for her role in Aida and originated the role of Nala in Broadway’s The Lion King. In 2002, her debut album This Is Who I Am was nominated for two Grammy® Awards, and in 2010, she won a Grammy® in the best contemporary R&B Gospel album for Audience of One. Headley reprises the role of Rachel Marron in The Bodyguard when it debuts on West End at the Adelphi Theatre in London in fall 2012.

“I’m honored to play Rachel in the musical version of The Bodyguard, but I’m also excited to bring new music to my fans on my upcoming CD project,” said Headley. “I encourage fans to participate and visit my website to give me feedback on the unfinished tracks.”

This summer fans can participate by visiting www.heatherheadley.com to give feedback on the unfinished tracks for the new CD, which Headley is recording in May in Nashville. Fans can become a part of the official street team and stay connected for the latest songs and announcements by following Headley on Twitter at @HHTeamOfficial and @HeatherHeadley.

IMMERSE, the Gospel Music Association’s Music Training Experience, is pleased to announce the fourth annual event, to be held July 23-25 at Rocketown in Nashville, TN. An opening night worship event will be held July 22 to kick off IMMERSE and start participants with a time of inspiration and focus.

For the first time, all attendees will receive a complementary one-year “iMembership” to the Gospel Music Association which includes the privilege of voting in the annual GMA Dove Awards. As an added incentive for early registration, anyone who registers for IMMERSE before December 31 of this year will be allowed to vote in the 43rd Annual GMA Dove Awards.

Up and coming indie artists, songwriters and future business leaders will all find something to gain from the event which offers unparalleled training, intimate concerts, professional feedback and individual opportunities to connect with music experts. IMMERSE aims to continue to create a sense of community and camaraderie among the attendees and professionals who seek to spread the Gospel through music.

Along with new incentives, IMMERSE will be held at Rocketown in downtown Nashville. Founded by Christian music icon, Michael W. Smith, Rocketown moved into it’s new location earlier this year, creating an environment that both fosters community among the registrants and provides great flexibility for the various production elements unique to the IMMERSE conference.

Rates for IMMERSE 2012 begin at just $199 if registration is submitted before March 31, 2012.

“It is our desire to provide an atmosphere where creativity, camaraderie and learning can thrive,” says Jackie Patillo, the Executive Director of the Gospel Music Association. “The IMMERSE stage is set to welcome up-and-coming artists and songwriters to share their talents in front of today’s leading music professionals. As well as uncover some of the mysteries of artist development and music industry standards.”

Conference speakers, competition judges and live performers will be announced in the upcoming weeks.

Programming will include classes in music business, songwriting and artist development. As in past years, IMMERSE will offer unprecedented access to some of the most influential and established names in Christian music.

For more information on IMMERSE, please visit online at: www.experienceimmerse.com.