Montell Jordan and Victory World Music appropriately named their latest album and first single, Shake Heaven, as it certainly is shaking things up around the world with God’s eternal message.  With no prompting or promotion whatsoever, numerous youtube videos are popping up with children and teenagers performing their versions of Shake Heaven.  Besides the United States, videos are coming in from around world that includes; India, Brazil, Puerto Rico, Netherlands, and American Samoa where a Flashmob performed the song at Tafuna Airport. Check out the American Samoa link here, http://www.godtube.com/watch/?v=FCCC9CNU. 

At the same time, Jordan’s recent sermon on the “Power In Music” at Victory World Church, where Jordan serves as Worship Pastor, was placed on youtube by the church and picked up by a mainstream R&B website.  Within a matter of days the video had over 47-thousand hits! Hear Jordan’s powerful message below.

“What’s happening with Shake Heaven is nothing short of astounding to everyone on the Victory World Music team,” says Jordan. “We are so honored that God would choose us for such a time as this to allow a new sound of Praise and Worship to go all over the earth for His glory.” 

Montell Jordan goes on to say, “The Power of Music message was spoken from a place of love, God’s word of truth, and personal experience. Sharing the story of my journey from industry success to spiritual influence allows this powerful topic of music to have a greater voice for a generation that is hungry for the truth of God’s word and how it relates to their lives.  It’s a privilege for me to share my testimony and the things God has allowed me to experience and see, so that His truth can prevail on the earth.”

Back in Atlanta where Jordan, Victory World Music and Victory World Church are based, the former R&B legend was recently tapped to co-host the Dove Awards Pre-Show, along with a performance of Shake Heaven, and then serving as a presenter at the 43^rd Annual Dove Awards at the historic Fox Theatre.  Jordan also taped a segment with CBN Interactive in Atlanta and then flew to Virginia Beach, VA for a live interview on CBN.com, which also aired on ABC Family Network.

Up next for the busy Jordan is a new baby!  His wife and manager, Kristin, is expecting their 4^th child mid-May that will join the other Jordan siblings; Christopher, 22; Sydney, 16; and Skyler, 8.

For more information on Montell Jordan, and Victory World Music please visit online at www.victoryworldmusic.com. Information on Victory World Church can be found at www.victoryatl.com.

Light Records in conjunction with Tehillah Music Group announce this signing of singer, songwriter JONATHAN MCREYNOLDS.  McReynolds, heralded as Gospel’s fresh new voice, will release his debut album, LIFE MUSIC this Fall.

McReynolds, an innovative musician and remarkable talent, made a name for himself with the 2010 release of an underground, very independent EP entitled The Very Unofficial EP of Jonathan McReynolds. He describes it as “a compilation of seven of my best dorm-room productions God had given me.” From the songs bourn out of McReynolds‘ dorm room was the single “No Gray” which touched a chord with folks across the country. Internet and gospel radio stations got hold of the song and from there it caught on fire. McReynolds & his inescapable talent caught the attention of Bishop Paul Morton and Pastor Jerry Parries at Tehillah Music Group.  

McReynolds is the perfect blend of contemporary styling with Gospel messages. His perspective is refreshingly direct and the songs are poised, smooth and honest. It is R&B and Gospel at its best — love songs to a loving God.

The amazing new single, “I Love You,” likeable, catchy and uncomplicated tune hit radio with a bang. Debuting on Billboard’s Gospel singles chart, the song shows off McReynolds‘ brilliant vocals, revealing heart, strength, and maturity to his words.   This song transcends any genre classification because of its universal appeal and engaging lyrics.

Through his music, McReynolds humbly speaks for his generation “I’m doing it the way God gave it to me … you’ll find what me and my generation go through on a daily basis: insecurities, battles against the world, self-discovery and the ebbs and flows of living in Christ,” he said.

McReynolds’ full album, LIFE MUSIC will be out later this year, and the single, “I Love You” is available now on iTunes.

Worship Leader, Songwriter and Recording Artist Freda Battle has launched her new independent label Peace-O-Mind Music and inked a national distribution deal with leading independent distributor Central South Distribution. Freda Battle & The Temple Worshippers with Friends will release their long-awaited new CD, HOW GLORIOUS AND EXCELLENT IS OUR GOD available in stores and online June 12 via this exclusive partnership. Marketing, promotion and publicity efforts will be handled by the J. Hardy Agency.

Freda Battle & the Temple Worshippers returns to the music scene with their first CD in six years. HOW GLORIOUS AND EXCELLENT IS OUR GOD, which 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 13-song collection, which features guest appearances from Dove Award-nominated and Stellar Award winning worship artist Stephen Hurd, Rodney Posey, 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 songs include “Bless the Name of Jesus”, which is creating quite a buzz among praise and worship teams across the country featuring rising Washington, DC based singer Michael White, who also penned the song. Additionally, a live version of global worship anthem “Here Is Our Praise”, as featured on Battle’s sophomore studio CD HERE IS OUR PRAISE and GMWA: LIVE IN MILWAUKEE CD was recorded.

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!

Freda Battle & the Temple Worshippers are gearing up for promotional stops in support of their forthcoming release throughout the New England and Mid-Atlantic regions beginning in Philadelphia Memorial Day weekend. To book Freda Battle & The Temple Worshippers at your church, event, or conference and for radio servicing and media interviews contact J. Hardy Agency at 615-596-2203.

TRACK LISTING:

1. How Glorious & Excellent Is Our God featuring Rodney Posey
2. 150 Praises
3. House of the Righteous featuring Bobby Perry
4. Bless the Name of Jesus featuring Michael White
5. We Enter Your Gates
6. Great & Marvelous God
7. Praise and Worship Break featuring Stephen Hurd
8. Oh How I Love
9. Oh How I Love (reprise)/ I Have To
10. I Need Your Presence
11. His Presence Is Here
12. Here Is Our Praise featuring Rodney Posey (Live Version)
13. I Win (Bonus Track)

BeBe Winans, a critically acclaimed, inspirational R&B and gospel vocalist, best known as a member of the celebrated Winans family dynasty, has signed with Razor & Tie. BeBe Winans’ new album, America America, which honors our nation’s heritage, will be released by Razor & Tie on June 19th, 2012.

Cliff Chenfeld, co-owner Razor & Tie, comments, “BeBe Winans is one of our country’s great singers and he has made a timely, necessary record that will speak to all Americans. It is a brave, powerful statement. We are very proud to be working with BeBe.”

Winans is a Grammy Award-winning singer, songwriter and producer, including his Grammy for co-producing the song “Jesus Loves Me” on Whitney Houston’s smash film soundtrack from ‘The Bodyguard.’ He has achieved wide notoriety both as a solo artist and as part of the hit-making duo BeBe & CeCe Winans (the first brother and sister duo to be awarded a prestigious Star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame). He is also a noted actor who has appeared on the stage (in the Broadway production of ‘Oprah Winfrey Presents The Color Purple’) and screen (2003’s ‘The Manchurian Candidate’). As a solo artist, BeBe Winans has sold 1 million albums.

“I am very excited about this new partnership with Razor & Tie,” Winans said. “They understand who I am as an artist and what I’m trying to achieve with America America. I appreciate their business model and look forward to working closely with them to bring this new record to the widest audience possible.”

America America, Winans’ seventh solo release, is comprised of nine classic songs including “America The Beautiful,” “Lift Every Voice,” “The Battle Hymn of the Republic” and our national anthem, “The Star Spangled Banner,” all imbued with his soul-stirring touches. Winans also wrote three new songs for the album — the beautifully hopeful title track and first single, “America America” (which will feature a touching companion video directed by David Warshauer [Katy Perry, Black Eyed Peas]), the upbeat “We’re The United States of America,” and the poignant “Ultimate Sacrifice,” dedicated to our troops.

“The inspiration for America America is the time we are living in,” Winans explains. “Sometimes, we forget that we are all Americans. At sporting events, when the national anthem is sung, everyone stands — black, white, rich, poor — everyone.”

Tour dates with Dave Koz beginning in June and continuing throughout the summer will be announced shortly. The pair worked together on the title track of Koz’s 1999 release, The Dance. Winans is expected to perform songs from America America as well as highlights from his impressive career.

Winans’ poignant memories of his dear friend and frequent musical collaborator Whitney Houston will be shared in his upcoming book, The Whitney I Knew (Worthy Publishing). The book will be in stores on July 31, 2012. No one can forget the emotional performance and moving eulogy Winans delivered during Houston’s nationally televised funeral.

BeBe Winans is the latest addition to independent label Razor & Tie’s expanding roster that includes artists from various genres. The New York City-based label is one of the fastest growing independent record companies in the United States, and has garnered both Platinum sales and Grammy awards in its 20-year history.

Gospel Rapper P. Lo Jetson
2012 Most Powerful Voices Gospel Competition Winner

The winner receives:

• The opportunity to perform at the American Heart Association/American Stroke Association’s Power Weekend at a prominent New York venue (One lucky voter in the contest also won a trip to the event.)
• $5,000 worth of music equipment from Roland, which manufactures and distributes electronic musical instruments
• $2,500 from Light Records
• $2,500 travel stipend for the trip to New York
• A digital single produced and distributed by Light Records
• Personal coaching session with a renowned Light Records artist
• National recognition on GMC TV

Congratulations goes out to Marvin Sapp who spent his second week in a row at #1, once again holding off Christian rapper Trip Lee.  But this week is all about new-comer Tim Bowman Jr., who debuted his new album titled Beautiful at the #8 spot. 

Also making strong debuts is Elder Goldwire McClendon who spends his first week on the charts at #22.  Stephen The Levite debuts his new project “The Last Missionary” at #20.

Check out the rest of the top 10:

1 | Marvin Sapp – I Win
2 | Trip Lee – The Good Life
3 | WOW Gospel 2012
4 | JJ Hairston & Youthful Praise – After This
5 | Fred Hammond – God, Love & Romance
6 | William McDowell – Arise
7 | James Fortune & FIYA – Identity
8 | Tim Bowman Jr. – Beautiful
9 | Smokie Norful – Once In A Lifetime
10 | Isaac Carree – Uncommon Me