Veteran Christian rock band Third Day has been spending a generous part of 2012 immersed in the recording of its next studio album. The forthcoming project, Third Day’s 17th career offering, is being recorded within the walls of its own state-of-the art studio, The Quarry, in Atlanta, Ga. Third Day is working with veteran rock producer Brendan O’Brien.

O’Brien is well known for his work with Bruce Springsteen, Pearl Jam, Stone Temple Pilots, Audioslave and The Fray, among others. A former vice president of Epic Records, O’Brien has won two GRAMMY Awards including 2010’s producer of the year, Non-Classical award. In addition, O’Brien has production credits on 14 albums that have topped the Billboard 200 sales chart.

“When we were getting together as a band to talk about starting work on this project, we did an exercise where each member named his top five albums of all time. Brendan O’Brien had at least one record on all of our lists,” offers bassist, Tai Anderson.

Mac Powell, the band’s front man, shares, “Our time with Brendan has been nothing less than an amazing experience. He is one of my favorite producers. Having made so many great records with so many amazing artists through the years, I consider it such an honor to be working with him. Brendan has definitely stretched me as a songwriter and vocalist more than any other producer ever has.”

The new project follows a stellar 2011 for Third Day, which included being the first Christian artist ever to receive ASCAP’s coveted Vanguard Award, as well as wrapping up its highly successful spring/fall “Make Your Move Tour” which saw numerous sell-out performances.

Additional information on Third Day’s latest record is forthcoming. In the meantime, fans can catch the band on select concert performances throughout the summer, where it intends to begin previewing select tracks from the new recording. For a current list of tour dates, visit: www.ThirdDay.com.

About Third Day:
During the last decade, Atlanta-based, multi-Platinum rock band Third Day (comprising members Mac Powell, Tai Anderson, David Carr and Mark Lee) has racked up 27 No. 1 radio singles and sold more than seven million albums, including two RIAA Platinum as well as eight Gold certifications. A Georgia Music Hall of Fame inductee (2009), Third Day has garnered 24 career GMA Dove Awards from 42 nominations, four GRAMMY Awards (with 11 career nominations), an American Music Award (with three American Music Award nominations) and multiple ASCAP honors, including its coveted Vanguard Award, for songwriting.

Long known as Christian music’s premier live band, Third Day has played for audiences reaching into the millions all around the world. Third Day has been featured by top media outlets including “The Tonight Show with Jay Leno” (NBC), “The Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson” (CBS), “60 Minutes” (CBS), ABC’s “Nightline,” USA Today, the New York Times, and even graced the cover of Billboard magazine, which called Third Day “one of the best rock bands.”

For more information on Third Day, please visit: www.ThirdDay.com, www.facebook.com/ThirdDay

Three young men were arraigned Sunday in the assault and carjacking of popular Detroit pastor and gospel singing icon Marvin Winans.

The office of Wayne County Prosecutor Kym Worthy identified the suspects as Detroit residents Montoya Givens and Christopher Moorehead, both 20, and Brian K. Young, 18, of Macomb County‘s Clinton Township. They are charged with carjacking, unarmed robbery and conspiracy, said Maria Miller, Worthy’s spokeswoman.

The charges carry up to life in prison.

The men appeared in Detroit’s 36th District Court and were ordered held on $200,000 bonds. Their preliminary examinations, in which a judge decides where there’s enough evidence for the case to go to trial, are June 1.

A prosecutor’s spokeswoman said Sunday she didn’t think the defendants had lawyers yet.

Winans, 54, was attacked Wednesday afternoon while pumping gas in Detroit. The robbers took his sport utility vehicle, Rolex watch, cash and credit cards.

“This is just an example of the diligence that our officers put forth when investigating criminal cases,” police Chief Ralph Godbee said in a statement Sunday.

Worthy said she also was pleased with closing the case, but got in a dig at the effectiveness of Detroit police. She said she was “buoyed by the fact that this case was well investigated by the police and that we were able to charge this case quickly. However, with the proper resources this could be done in all cases.”

She also said the city should be concerned about an increase in crime, especially offenses that never make it into police records.

Godbee said he agreed with Worthy that “reported crime …has slightly increased.” He called on citizens to make sure crimes are reported and that they cooperate with investigators in solving solve them.

                      The 3 Suspects

Winans sustained bruises and scrapes and was treated at a hospital and released. He is pastor of the 4,500-member Perfecting Church and delivered singer Whitney Houston’s eulogy in February.

“I’m just saddened that it has come to this,” Winans said shortly after the attack. “This kind of nonsense just has to stop. It’s just the savageness of what’s happening in the street.”

He continued with that message Sunday, as his congregants welcomed him with cheers and applause.

Recalling what he said to a woman who gave him a ride to his church after the attack, Winans said he told her, “I’m just sad … to think we have reared young men to prey — P-R-E-Y — on people that they think are weaker.”

Winans told reporters before the service that he believes Detroit can be turned around.

“The city is fixable, and it starts with the men of the city, in particular the black men,” he said. “And I … want to urge all of you men who hear me to go and get your sons. I’m not bitter. I’m not upset. I’m saddened by what has taken place. But I’m also inspired. We have to make a change in this city.”

 

This week the Billboard Top 10 sees a little shake up, with Mary Mary debuting their new album “Go Get it” at #1. The CD also came in at #16 on the Billboard Top 200 and #3 on the R&B/Hip-Hop chart.

Marvin Sapp relinquishes the top spot and falls to #2 for the first time in several weeks. Peeking into the top 10 for the first time is Deitrick Haddon with the soundtrack for the movie “A Beautiful Soul.” The movie recently opened in select theaters across the country. If you haven’t seen it yet you’ll have plenty of opportunities when the movie goes to DVD and cable outlets.

Congratulations to Stellar Award winner Angela Spivey who quietly debuts her new project “He Keeps His Promise” at #14 on the charts this week.

The Entire Top 10 List:

1 | Mary Mary – Go Get It
2 | Marvin Sapp – I Win
3 | WOW Gospel 2012
4 | Various Artists – Joyful Noise (Soundtrack)
5 | Trip Lee – The Good Life
6 | William McDowell – Arise
7 | Fred Hammond – God, Love & Romance
8 | JJ Hairston & Youthful Praise – After This
9 | James Fortune & FIYA – Identity
10 | Deitrick Haddon – A Beautiful Soul (Soundtrack) 

 

Billboard chart-topping hip hop artist Trip Lee is gearing up for the release of his debut book, The Good Life. A continuation to his latest album which released on April 10, 2012 through Reach Records, The Good Lifewill hit stores nationwide on October 1, 2012 through Moody Publishers.

“For years, I’ve been doing music that challenges our world views and points to Christ – but there have always been limitations to music, because there’s only so much you can communicate in a song,” says Trip. “The album gave listeners snapshots of The Good Life, and the book will be more like a manual on how to live it. I’m praying that this book will help the reader to turn away from lies and live the way we were created to live.”

By using personal testimonials of his own life, Trip explores the lies that have been told, and paints a new, biblical picture of The Good Life. Exploring all of life including happiness, success, and morality in light of God’s truth The Good Life redefines the term as not living to please yourself but living by faith in a good God.

“The Good Life is not climbing to the top of the corporate ladder, The Good Life is not a life free from any responsibility,” says Trip. “The Good Life is living in sync with God and embracing all that He has to offer us in Christ.”

No newcomer to the Christian music scene, Trip’s debut album, If They Only Knew, hit stores nationwide a few days after his high school graduation. That same year, he was also featured on the Dove Award-nominated, timeless classic “Jesus Muzik” with label mate Lecrae. Trip’s sophomore album, 20/20, was released in 2008 and garnered much success: breaking into the Billboard Top 200, reaching #11 on the Billboard Christian albums chart and landing at #4 on the Gospel chart. With his third studio album, Between Two Worlds, Trip offered a collection of reflections on life in a fallen world. Those reflections resonated with listeners as B2W debuted at #1 on the Christian and Gospel Billboard charts, #5 on the Hip Hop/Rap iTunes chart and #9 on the Top Albums iTunes chart. The album also received two Dove nominations and a Stellar Award for Best Gospel Rap/Hip Hop Album of the Year.

Trip’s latest album release, The Good Life debuted at #2 both on the overall and Hip Hop iTunes charts while garnering the #3 position on Billboard’s Hip Hop chart, landing at #17 on the Top 200 Billboard chart and taking the #1 slot on the Christian and Gospel Billboard chart.

Trip has traveled the world performing for thousands of listeners. In conjunction with The Good Life, Trip is currently on a promotional nationwide tour and will be a featured artist at various 2012 festivals including Spirit West Coast, Atlanta Fest and Rock The Lakes, among others.

About Moody Publishers
For more than 115 years, Moody Publishers has published trustworthy, substantive material that focuses on the most important issues in life. They continue to meet the needs of a growing and changing marketplace with products of the highest quality, through traditionally printed books, through audio and video products, and now through e-books for select electronic readers. For more information, please visit http://www.moodypublishers.com/.

About Reach Records and ReachLife Ministries
Reach Records and ReachLife Ministries strive to, “bridge the gap between biblical truth and urban context.” Founded in 2003, Reach Records is a Christian music record label dedicated to using music as a means of reaching the urban community in a biblically sound way. While Reach Records employs music to reveal biblical truth, ReachLife Ministries aims to empower ministry leaders with this music in order to grow the urban church.

For further information and a list of upcoming Reach Records and ReachLife Ministries events, please visithttp://reachrecords.com. For more information about ReachLife please visit http://reachlife.org/.

 

Rev. Al Sharpton will take up the fight against New York City’s controversial stop-and-frisk policy with a Father’s Day march down a major Manhattan street.

On Tuesday, Sharpton announced plans for the march in a press conference with elected officials and other community activists, the New York Daily News reports.

“We are not against fighting crime, but it is a crime when 85% of the people stopped in a city are of color,” Sharpton said. “It’s a crime when you are targeted by race.”

Stop and Frisk gives New York Police Officers the legal ability to stop and pat down ‘suspicious’ suspects without evidence of a crime. The NYPD made a record 685,724 stops last year.

A recent New York Civil Liberties Union report found that 42% of those stopped were black or Latino males between the ages of 14 and 24, a group that makes up 5% of the city’s population.

NAACP President Benjamin Jealous also spoke at the Tuesday press conference and drove home the idea that ‘stop-and-frisk’ is city-sanctioned racial profiling. New York Police Commissioner Raymond Kelly has repeatedly denied that allegation, and last month called the practice a “life-saving tactic.”

Fifteen-year-old gospel powerhouse Jekalyn Carr is taking the gospel industry by storm with her dynamic ministry and powerful voice. At just 15, she has already touched tens of thousands while singing and speaking at conferences across the U.S. and touring as a featured soloist with international televangelist Benny Hinn. Her much anticipated debut single release and title track from her forthcoming album “Greater is Coming,” is available May 15 on iTunes and Amazon.

With her incredible charisma and awe-inspiring voice, Jekalyn has garnered the attention of award winning gospel artists as well as renowned clergy who are amazed at her gift and talent at such a young age. “Jekalyn is just a blessing. I’m excited about what God is going to do with her. I am a fan of Jekalyn Carr,” says Stellar Award winning artist James Fortune of the 15-year-old. And, Pastor Hinn who has regularly featured the young worship leader at his crusades says Jekalyn is “God’s chosen to help lead and inspire many.”

Released on Arkansas-based Lunjeal Music Group record label, “Greater is Coming” is the confirmation anthem for the Body of Christ. It speaks of the shaking, the beating and the pressing that we experience through trials and tests with the assurance that God is preparing us for greater. Jekalyn’s heartfelt delivery with rich, full vocals resonates with believers everywhere as she sings with conviction and prophecies that “Greater is Coming.”

Though still a teen, Jekalyn exudes the confidence of a seasoned performer, singing to audiences that have included more than 17,000. Upcoming dates for Jekalyn include appearances at the Oprah Winfrey Boys and Girls Club in Kosciusko, MS and the Teen Summit at the “I Hear Music in the Air” conference in Cincinnati, OH. And, she is currently featured in Magnolia Pictures’ documentary movie “Rejoice and Shout” which also spotlights Motown legend Smokey Robinson, gospel great Andrae Crouch and chart-topping artist Kirk Franklin.

The single “Greater is Coming” is available May 15 on iTunes, Amazon and other online music stores. For media inquiries and interviews contact Louise Moore at LTLMediaPR@gmail.com or visit myjekalyncarr.net.

 

Grammy Award nominated recording artist Deitrick Haddon’s group Voices of Unity did something last week that rarely happens in today’s music industry. Rarely do second week sales of new CDs eclipse the sales of the debut week sales. However, the group’s latest CD, “A Beautiful Soul: Music Inspired by the Motion Picture” (Tyscot Records/$9.99), debuted at #16 on Billboard’s Gospel Album sales chart a week ago and this week it jumps to #10 on the same chart.

Meanwhile, the urban-flavored single, “Mo Betta” featuring Deitrick Haddon and Faith Evans, is heating up as well and rose to #33 on this week’s Top 100 BDS Gospel chart. The twelve-song set also includes the breezy urban pop tune “Running To You” (Regula leads) and the straight up urban track “New Life” (featuring Fonzworth Bentley, Haddon and raspy-voiced, Nikki Potts). Adia leads the whimsical “Incomplete” and Haddon leads the title song, “A Beautiful Soul”. It’s twelve songs in all with Haddon’s choir, Voices of Unity, in the middle of the musical musings. Among the cameo soloists are Kierra Sheard; former P. Diddy sidekick, Fonzworth Bentley; Jason Champion; Joint Heirs; Candy West, among others

In the film, Haddon stars as Andre Stephens, an R&B superstar who loses his spiritual compass after he and his best friend barely survive a brutal attack. Visit www.abeautifulsoulmovie.com for more information.

Detroit pastor and Gospel recording artists Marvin Winans was assaulted and carjacked Wednesday afternoon at a gas station on Detroit’s West Side.

The assault took placed around 3:20p.m. and the suspects of men got away with an unknown amount of cash and Winans’s SUV.

Winans was at the Citgo Gas Station at Linwood and the Davison when he was robbed. The carjackers robbed him and took his deep purple Infiniti QX56 SUV.

The license plate number on the vehicle is 0DRT73. Detroit Police are searching for the suspects.

It is also being reported that they stole his Rolex, his cell phone and he also suffered a few cuts.

Pastor Winans told officials that four or five young men followed him from inside the gas station and attacked him while he was putting gas in his vehicle. He also said he doesn’t believe he was seriously hurt, but he did plan to seek medical attention.

Pastor Winans said his attackers appeared to be among 10 young men he passed by inside the station. While pumping gas in his car he kept a close eye on the young men. “I’m just saddened that it has come to this,” Winans said. “This kind of nonsense just has to stop. It’s just the savageness of what’s happening in the street.”

He also believes his attackers did not recognize him. “And if they did, it didn’t make much difference,” said Winans, who has been active in the civic issues, including taking a stand against the proliferation of strip clubs in Detroit’s neighborhoods.

Winans is also a pastor of the 4,500 member Perfecting Church on Detroit’s East Side. In February, he gave the eulogy for singer Whitney Houston.