EMI Gospel announces the signing of Tasha Cobbs, prolific singer, songwriter and praise leader. 

Having spent several years serving in church Tasha Cobbs steps into the forefront with her first national label deal and plans for a new live recording later this month.

Cobbs has shared the stage with several artists and released an underground independent album, SMILE in 2009. After receiving consumer acclaim for her popular single “Happy,” she made a name for herself with her trademark vocals and a sweet presence. Her powerhouse sound caught the attention of EMI Gospel execs and Cobbs was signed to a deal this year.

“Powerful voice, persistent effort, pursuit of worship: these things describe Tasha Cobbs and combined they create a great gospel music sound that we are pleased to record and disseminate to the world,” said Ken Pennell, President EMI Gospel.

For her upcoming album, Cobbs plans to re- record songs from SMILE will add a host of new material. The CD, (produced by her music mentor, VaShawn Mitchell), will showcase her soaring vocals from the concert and will include guest appearances by her spiritual mentor, Pastor William Murphy and songstress Timiney Figueroa.

The event takes place Northview Christian Church, where the Senior Pastor is Hart Ramsey. Concert starts at 6:00pm, at the Safe Harbor location at 500 Eastdale Loop, Montgomery, AL 36117 and is free.

Cobbs is currently the Pastor of Worship at dReam Center, under Pastor William Murphy, in Atlanta, GA and serves as the Worship Leader for the Young Adult Division of the Full Gospel Baptist Church Fellowship International under the direction of Bishop Paul S. Morton.

Cobbs’ EMI gospel debut is scheduled for release next year.

Nine-time Grammy Award winner Kirk Franklin, has been tapped to compose the Official Song of the 2012 World Choir Games and perform it at the Opening Ceremony.

“To have someone as accomplished as Kirk Franklin involved in the World Choir Games speaks to the allure and stature of this magical event,” said Dan Lincoln, president & CEO of the Cincinnati USA Convention & Visitors Bureau and director of the Cincinnati Organizing Committee for the 2012 World Choir Games.

Sponsored by Procter & Gamble Co., Franklin will perform at the Opening Ceremony, which is scheduled for 7 p.m. on Wednesday, July 4, at U.S. Bank Arena. Also performing at the Opening Ceremony will be the Cincinnati Pops Orchestra and May Festival Chorus.

“I’m excited to be part of such a significant global event that is drawing choirs from around the world to Cincinnati, Ohio, and to the United States,” said Kirk Franklin. “I am also excited to engage with the choirs and choral music fans as part of the 2012 World Choir Games.”

The World Choir Games, the largest international choral competition in the world, will be in North America for the first time from July 4-14. Close to 15,000 participants, including 368 choirs, from 60 countries are registered for the event. This year marks the 7th World Choir Games, which has previously been held in Austria, China, Germany and South Korea. Tickets to the World Choir Games events are on sale at www.2012worldchoirgames.com/tickets.

Franklin is the biggest-selling contemporary gospel artist in the history, according to SoundScan, with more than 14 million albums sold to date and more than 20 No. 1 singles on gospel radio. He has won nine GRAMMY® Awards, 39 Stellar Awards, 16 Dove Awards, eight NAACP Image Awards, two BET Music Awards, an American Music Award, a Soul Train Award, among others. For more information about Kirk Franklin, visit www.kirkfranklin.com.

Sisterly duo Mary Mary continues its month long stint on top of the Gospel Charts.  Regaining the #2 spot is Gospel star Marvin Sapp.  Last weeks #2 spot holder Zacardi Cortez falls to the #7 spot this week, while newcomer Jason Nelson continues to sell strong at #4 this week.

Next week lookout for new CDs from Ben Tankard and Regina Belle.  Those albums should sale well.

The Complete Top 10: 

1 | Mary Mary – Go Get It
2 | Marvin Sapp – I Win
3 | Various Artists – Joyful Noise (Soundtrack)
4 | Jason Nelson – Shifting the Atmosphere
5 | William McDowell – Arise
6 | WOW Gospel 2012
7 | Zacardi Cortez – The Introduction
8 | James Fortune & FIYA – Identity
9 | Andrae Crouch – The Journey
10 | JJ Hairston & Youthful Praise – After This 

World leaders, dignitaries and celebrities from around the world gathered in the vibrant Arts District near downtown Dallas Friday to attend an historic event honoring global humanitarian and faith-based entertainment mogul Bishop T.D. Jakes‘ 35 years of spiritual leadership and service. Aptly titled “A Triumphant Journey,” the three-hour, black-tie celebration was hosted by director/writer/producer Tyler Perry and CNN anchor Soledad O’Brien at the state-of-the-art AT&T Winspear Opera House. The awe-inspiring evening was a surprise for Bishop Jakes and featured an unexpected appearance by entertainment icon Oprah Winfrey who congratulated him for being a “man of conviction and beacon of light.” 

Successfully accomplishing the near impossible, wife Serita Jakes and daughter Sarah Henson enlisted the help of family, friends and staff to keep the night’s biggest moments under wraps from the notably inquisitive Bishop. Jakes, senior pastor of the 30,000 member Dallas-based church The Potter’s House, was celebrated for a career spanning more than three decades. A true man of God, his accomplishments in ministry and entertainment, as well as his dedication to humanity and family, were applauded in front of a packed audience of family, friends, parishioners, dignitaries, celebrities and fans.

A visibly moved Jakes expressed his shock at the crowd of well-wishers, some of whom traveled far and wide to participate in the celebration and took the stage to receive a resounding standing ovation. 

“I have been blown away,” said Jakes. “I love God and I’ve always loved people. Your presence here tonight says you love me back. It’s hard to overwhelm me, but you’ve done it this time!”

The night included a kaleidoscope of musical performances ranging from gospel and jazz to R&B, featuring Jordin Sparks, Ledisi, BeBe Winans, Pastor Shirley Caesar, Fred Hammond, Israel Houghton and Karen Clark Sheard. Gospel duo Mary Mary brought the crowd to its feet with their stirring rendition of “Yesterday,” and pianist Keiko Matsui flew in from Japan to perform with KEM, Kelly Price and Kirk Whalum. R&B diva Chaka Khan serenaded Bishop Jakes with a medley of her greatest hits.

In addition, film stars Loretta Devine, Mike Epps, Derek Luke, Kimberly Elise, Meagan Good and Charles S. Dutton, as well as Christian leaders Dr. Bernice King, Pastor Paula White, Pastor Bill Hybels and Pastor Sam Rodriguez paid homage to Bishop Jakes for inspiring so many. Other notable guests on hand to celebrate Bishop Jakes’ 35th anniversary include Angela Bassett, Courtney B. Vance, Gayle King, Glynn Turman, producer Debra Martin Chase, Sony executive DeVon Franklin, and Emmitt and Pat Smith.

The Dallas Black Dance Theater praised Bishop Jakes’ milestone anniversary with a stirring performance, and luminaries such as Dr. Phil McGraw, the Mandelafamily, philanthropist and former U.S. President Bill Clinton, cast members of the upcoming film “Sparkle,” and others delivered moving video presentations.

“My husband has committed his life to empowering others that they might have joy, love and hope in their lives. The event was an opportunity to salute him for the millions of lives he’s touched, the hearts he’s changed and the lives he’s saved through his stirring messages,” said Serita Jakes. “It was a blessing to honor him for 35 years of unwavering service.”

The red carpet is rolled out to welcome the iconic Bishop T.D. Jakes and his wife, Serita, at the black-tie gala to celebrate 35 years of ministry. (Photo Credit: Vernon Bryant, courtesy of TDJ Enterprises/The FrontPage Firm)

Media mogul Oprah Winfrey and Gayle King make a surprise visit to Bishop T.D. Jakes 35th Anniversary Gala. (Photo Credit: Cooper Neill, courtesy of TDJ Enterprises/The FrontPage Firm)

CNN’s Soledad O’Brien and producer/writer/director Tyler Perry entertain the crowd as co-hosts for the celebration. (Photo Credit: Vernon Bryant, courtesy of TDJ Enterprises/The FrontPage Firm)

Bishop T.D. Jakes is greeted with a warm hug from actress Angela Bassett in the press room following the star-studded T.D. Jakes 35th Anniversary Gala. (Photo credit: Cooper Neill, courtesy of the TDJ Enterprises/The FrontPage Firm)

Jordin Sparks graced the red carpet in a flirty red dress before taking stage to perform at the Bishop T.D. Jakes 35th Anniversary Celebration. (Photo credit: Cooper Neill, courtesy of TDJ Enterprises/The FrontPage Firm)

Music legends Bebe Winans and Chaka Khan pose backstage at the Bishop T.D. Jakes 35th Anniversary Celebration. (Photo credit: Cooper Neill, courtesy of TDJ Enterprises/The FrontPage Firm)

Actor Derek Luke and wife Sophia strike a pose on the red carpet. Luke expressed his gratitude for getting to know Bishop Jakes during the filming of upcoming remake of Sparkle. (Photo credit: Cooper Neill, courtesy of TDJ Enterprises/The FrontPage Firm)

Comedian Mike Epps and wife Michelle join the celebration. Epps credited Bishop Jakes for helping him grow in his faith and produce movies “my mother will go and see.” (Photo credit: Cooper Neill, courtesy of TDJ Enterprises/The FrontPage Firm)

T.D. Jakes 35th Anniversary Gala presenters, DeVon Franklin, Sony Pictures executive, and actress Meagan Good enjoy each other’s company on the red carpet. (Photo Credit: Cooper Neill, courtesy of The FrontPage Firm)

Following the T.D. Jakes 35th Anniversary Gala, (L-R) Pastor Paula White, retired NFL player Emmitt Smith, Bishop T.D. Jakes, Pat Smith (wife of Emmitt Smith), Donna Richardson Joyner (wife of media mogul Tom Joyner) gather at an intimate post-event soirée. (Photo Credit: Vernon Bryant, courtesy of TDJ Enterprises/The FrontPage Firm)

Hillsong LIVE is the expression of worship from the globally influential Hillsong Church. This year Hillsong LIVE returns with their latest church resource, Cornerstone, which will release on Sparrow Records July 03, 2012. This album will mark the 21st LIVE release from Hillsong. This local church creative team has a commitment to continually resource the Body of Christ with fresh songs of worship and a deep passion to see people connect with the Living God in a real and personal way.

Cornerstone was recorded in Sydney, Australia last fall with tens of thousands in worship at filled-to-capacity Allphones Arena. It captures the heart and sound of Hillsong Church globally representing the coming together of the Hillsong worship teams from around the world including Reuben Morgan, Joel Houston, Ben Fielding, Darlene Zschech and the international teams from London, Stockholm and Cape Town. This album offers fresh, new songs to congregations worldwide with a simple desire to place emphasis on Jesus and a prayer that people everywhere will be encouraged to find hope in Christ, the Cornerstone.

This new resource is filled with songs such as the title track, a new anthem “Beneath The Waters” (I Will Rise), an upbeat praise song, “Running” as well as the debut radio single “Hope of the World.” Cornerstone showcases 11 brand new songs written by Reuben Morgan, Hillsong UNITED, Brooke Fraser and others. It will be available for sale as a CD, DVD and a Physical Deluxe version that contains both the CD and DVD in one special package.

The idea behind Cornerstone was birthed out of an international tragedy last summer in Norway when more than 70 innocent victims, many children, were killed. Hillsong’s worship leader Reuben Morgan shares his response to this frightening shooting as he was visiting the Scandinavian Peninsula.

“When you write songs that people sing as part of their worship to God there is a bit of your soul that shares the aches of those around you. When there is tragedy, the song of lament wakes up with you, and when there is joy, the sound of praise fills your ears. To some it might seem really odd to reach for a guitar when tears are falling on scuffed up shoes, but I really don’t know any other way of being.”

While Cornerstone may have been inspired at that moment, Morgan says the message is even bigger, posing a question for every citizen of the world to answer: Who or what do we turn towards for our strength? This album, like all of Hillsong’s projects, is more than a group of songs, it is a profound message that builds faith, stirs the soul and asks and answers the big questions.

“We only just have the time to forget the face of the gunman when another chorus of sirens wail,” explains Morgan. “We have barely cleaned up after the flood when an earthquake strikes. When the earth shakes, we look to our feet and wonder what it is that we are standing on.”

Hillsong LIVE will be coming back to the U.S. to tour Cornerstone beginning in the fall. Details and tour dates to be announced at a later date.

Mega-Church leader Pastor Creflo Dollar, who was arrested last week on charges of choking his teenage daughter, slamming her into the ground and hitting her with a shoe–told churchgoers on Sunday that he did not beat her.

“The truth is, she was not choked, she was not punched,” Creflo Dollar, the pastor, said before delivering his Sunday sermon at World Changers Church International in Atlanta on Sunday.

Police in Fayette County were called to Dollar’s home at 1 a.m. on Friday. According to the police report, Dollar’s 15-year-old daughter said he “put his hands around her throat and began to choke her … then slammed her to the ground, punched her and beat her with his shoe.” There was a scratch on her neck, police said.

“There were not any scratches on her neck,” Dollar said. “The only thing on her neck was a prior skin abrasion from eczema. Anything else is an exaggeration and sensationalism.”

“The truth is that a family conversation with our youngest daughter got emotional,” he said. “And emotions got involved and things escalated from there.” His daughter told police the argument was over whether she could go to a party the next night.

Dollar was arrested on charges of simple battery, family violence and child cruelty. He spent the night in Fayette County Jail before posting $5,000 bail. He was released early Friday.

“I will say this emphatically: I should have never been arrested,” Dollar said on Sunday.

He also criticized police for rushing to judgment.

“To come and take a picture of a mark that’s been there for 10 years, and not have enough intelligence to at least ask the parent what it is, is appalling.”

According to the Associated Press, Dollar “got an enthusiastic ovation as he took the pulpit” on Sunday.

“As a father I love my children and I always have their best interest at heart at all times,” Dollar said in a statement through his attorney on Friday. “I would never use my hand to ever cause bodily harm to my children. The facts in this case will be handled privately to further protect my children. My family thanks you for your prayers and continued support.”

According to CNN’s Belief blog, the World Changers Church International is “an $18 million sanctuary that resembles a golden-domed spaceship atop a hill.” It has 30,000 members.

According to Dollar’s biography on the church website, he has five children with Taffi Dollar, his wife and co-pastor.

Also Read: Pastor Creflo Dollar Arrested on Battery Charges

Megachurch Pastor Creflo Dollar has been arrested after authorities say he slightly hurt his 15-year-old daughter in a fight at his metro Atlanta home.

Fayette County Sheriff’s Office investigator Brent Rowan says deputies responded to a call of domestic violence at the home around 1 a.m. Friday.

Rowan says the 50-year-old pastor and his daughter were arguing over whether she could go to a party when Dollar “got physical” with her, leaving her with “superficial injuries.”

Dollar faces misdemeanor charges of simple battery and cruelty to children. He bonded out of Fayette County jail Friday morning.  After the $5,000 bond was posted, Dollar’s lawyer Nikki Bonner said he’s gathering information on the case and had no comment.  

Dollar is the pastor for World Changers Church International in College Park, Georgia.

Following the release of a hot single (“Go Get It”) and a new hit album of the same name, R&B/gospel recording duo Mary Mary still make time to get around town. On June 3rd, for the second year in a row, superstar sisters Erica and Tina Campbell attended the 7th Annual ‘A Cinderella Ball,’ a yearly event in the nation’s capital that seeks to improve the quality of life of students with disabilities or life-threatening illnesses, and one of their favorite charities. Students are treated to a prom, including a private dinner, concert and dance. The event was held at the Willard InterContinental Hotel in Washington, DC, just steps away from the White House. Mary Mary rocked the event with rousing performances of five songs including Just The Way You Are, Ordinary People, Can’t Give Up Now, Go Get It and Shackles.

The next evening, June 4th, the siblings performed in New York City in honor of mega-platinum-selling R&B/pop star Lionel Richie and late soul legend Etta James as the legacy performers were inducted into the world-famous Apollo Theater’s Hall of Fame. Also on the bill for the gala evening was Chaka Khan, performing a tribute to the late Whitney Houston; Eddie Levert, in honor of Soul Train creator Don Cornelius; and Valerie Simpson, in honor of her legendary husband Nick Ashford.

GO GET IT, released on May 8, 2012, is the newest album release from Mary Mary, featuring two brand new songs, “Go Get It” and “Sunday Morning,” and remixed and remastered versions of some of the duo’s greatest hits, including “Walking,” “God In Me” and “Shackles.” Their hit TV show, “Mary Mary,” has just been renewed for a second season on cable network WE tv.

Yancy’s popular Little Praise Party CD/DVD Series for preschool age kids is being featured this summer (June 1-July 12) on endcap displays in all of the nearly 300 Family Christian Stores locations nationwide.

Little Praise Party: Happy Day Everyday and Little Praise Party: My Best Friend provide sing-along fun and worship for the youngest generation that the whole family can enjoy. A companion DVD of animated videos for each song is also available.

“Though this is a children’s album, I found myself rocking out to it much like I would anything in the rock scene.” said TheFrontRowReport.com of the new release, Little Praise Party: Happy Day Everyday. Adds JaysMusikBlog.com, “Yes, adults will enjoy most of these rocking tunes, too!.”

AlphaOmegaNews.com wrote, “Little Praise Party is definitely fitting for a Sunday school program, VBS, or just worshiping at home. It’s an excellent tool for families of preschoolers and I would even say those up through 3rd or 4th grade could have fun with this (and learn something at the same time).”

Retailers interested in featuring the Little Praise Party CD/DVD series for preschoolers can contact New Day Christian Distribution, Anchor Distributors or STL Distribution.

For more than a decade, Yancy has released radio friendly pop/rock albums and multiple projects for kids and young adults, all while sharing the stage with such artists as Mute Math, Newsboys, 4Him and Nichole Nordeman. As a writer, Yancy has teamed up with Third Day’s Mac Powell, wrote Avalon’s #1 hit “I Don’t Want To Go” and Jaci Velasquez’s “Something Beautiful,” and still found the time to compose two devotional books for worship leaders and musicians and a devotional book for pre-teens. In 2011, Yancy teamed up with Standard Publishing for an exclusive partnership to write and produce content for Standard Publishing’s 2012 Vacation Bible School. She’s also the receipient of About.com’s 2012 Readers’ Choice Award for Best Christian Indie Solo Artist.