After selling out numerous stops on her nationwide “Girl’s Night Out” tour last spring, three time GRAMMY ® nominee Mandisa has already sold out shows in major cities including multiple markets selling out in less than an hour. In response, additional dates are being added to her “Girl’s Night Live” tour, which launched only last weekend. The tour will visit nearly 40 markets and will wrap in May. A full list of tour dates and other tour information is available at http://girlsnightlive.com.

“Whether single or married, girl time and God time are extremely important,” says Mandisa. “‘Girl’s Night Live’ will throw you and your girlfriends a God sized party that will send you home feeling stronger!”

As part of the “Girl’s Night Live” tour, Mandisa will partner with local radio hosts to lead all concert goers in a dance fitness routine to her catchy track “Good Morning” as part of Mandisa’s live show. Contest winners from the radio promotion will also win meet & greets and a chance to appear on stage during the song. The multiple GRAMMY ® nominee will also be placing an instructional video online of “Good Morning’s” dance routine.

Sponsored by well-known philanthropic organization Food For the Hungry, GRAMMY ® award-winning “Blessings” songstress Laura Story will join the bill. Mandisa will also once again join forces with comedian Anita Renfro, whom she toured with last spring, along with recent GRAMMY ® nominee Jamie Grace and GMA Dove Award nominee Britt Nicole in select markets. 

About Mandisa:
Three-time GRAMMY ® nominee Mandisa’s discography includes True Beauty, It’s Christmas, Freedom and most recently What If We Were Real on Sparrow Records. The season 5 American Idol finalist is also an author with the release of “Idoleyes: My New Perspective on Faith, Fat & Fame.” Mandisa was one of several Idols selected to open Walt Disney World’s American Idol Experience in early 2009. Known for her transparency, Mandisa has been seen on Today, CNN Online, E! News Live, EXTRA as well as the pages of US Weekly and People discussing her weight loss journey. She is also a multiple GMA Dove Award nominee, and earned her first No. 1 radio hit this year with “Stronger.”

In the late 1970’s, Mrs. Willie Mae Richmond was given the vision to organize and manage one of the hottest female quartet groups in gospel – The Brown Singers. They were formed with the mission to minister healing, peace, and comfort to the broken. This legendary group has always been at the front line of the female quartet market, delivering an unwavering source of traditional and now contemporary gospel music. Now, Lisa Knows & The Brown Singers continue to carry on this legacy by garnering three Stellar Award nominations for their Experience The Evolution release, a string of radio hits -“Work On Me”, “I Need You Lord Jesus”, “Zion”, and “I Got Jesus” and remain reigning as Queens of Quartet!

March 3, 2012 Olivette Baptist Church Nashville, Tn

March 31, 2012 Word of Faith International Saginaw, Mi

April 1, 2012 Omega M B Church Chicago, Il

April 8, 2012 Morning Star F.W.H New Haven, Ct

April 22, 2012 Ripley Baptist Church Center Ripley, Ms

April 29, 2012 Christian Chapel Church Demopolis, Al

With the most-added Billboard Christian AC single this week as well as the No. 2 Christian song on iTunes, the buzz for MercyMe’s May 22nd release, The Hurt and The Healer, is rapidly escalating.

With an uninterrupted string of 23 #1 career singles, the award-winning and multi-platinum selling band sure seems to have another hit on their hands with the title track garnering a whopping 61 adds from AC, CHR and Inspo formats combined. In addition, the single even debuted at No. 28 on the AC-Monitored and No. 29 on the AC-Indicator charts its first week out.

“The Hurt & The Healer is a celebration of that moment when these two worlds collide…. the deep need for healing and the God who provides it, ” remarks lead vocalist Bart Millard.

Produced by Brown Bannister and Dan Muckala, The Hurt & The Healer features signature MercyMe anthems, engaging pop songs and worshipful and intimate moments.

“For whatever reason, God has called us to help people through the healing process, so as we began this project, we thought, ‘do we even try to fight it, this is kind of who we are,’ ” said Millard recalling songs like their worldwide hit “I Can Only Imagine,” “Homesick,” “Bring the Rain,” “Finally Home” and more. “The idea is to create an album to help bring healing to people, but not just healing; even in the midst of life’s worst moments, there’s this irony of feeling more alive than anytime before; that moment when we embrace our kids a little tighter and we reevaluate what’s important in life,” he continues. “The whole album revolves around this common theme, but it’s not all really heavy. We hope it helps people get to a better place in these moments that seem to cripple us at times.”

On April 19, just after closing out another successful Rock and Worship Roadshow tour, MercyMe will embark on a headline tour also featuring Chris August and Moriah Peters. More dates are currently being added, and current shows can be seen below or by visiting MercyMe’s website.

About MercyMe
Since their debut in 2001, Grammy-nominated, American Music Award and multiple GMA Dove Award winners MercyMe have sold over 6 million units in CD and DVD sales, while being one of few Contemporary Christian music groups to have had all of their recordings certified Gold or Platinum, as well as garner 23 No.1 multi-format Christian radio singles, and four consecutive mainstream radio hits with “I Can Only Imagine,” (No. 4 AC/top 25 on Top 40/Hot AC), “Here With Me” (No. 4 AC), “Homesick” (top 10 AC), and “So Long Self.” In 2009, BILLBOARD named MercyMe’s “Word Of God Speak” the #1 Song of The Decade and the group the #1 Christian Songs Artist of the Decade, with an additional #1 as the Christian AC Song Artist of The Decade as one of the industry’s most notable talents. MercyMe made history as “I Can Only Imagine” surpassed 1 million digital downloads, making it the first song in Christian music to go platinum in the digital domain. The multi-platinum selling band has sold out venues including Radio City Music Hall and has been seen on The Tonight Show, CNN, Fox New Channel¹s Fox & Friends, ABC News, CBS¹ The Early Show, and on the pages of Entertainment Weekly, The New York Times, USA Today, Billboard, and more. www.mercyme.org

MercyMe spring tour dates – 
Thurs, April 19 – PANAMA CITY, FL – Marina Civic Center
Fri, April 20 – PENSACOLA, FL – Extraordinary Women Conference-Pensacola Civic Center
Sat, April 21 – HAIWASSEE, GA – Anderson Music Hall
Sun, April 22 – MURFREESBORO, TN – World Outreach Church
Fri, April 27 – BIRMINGHAM, AL – Extraordinary Women Conference-BJCC Arena
Thurs, May 3 – AGAWAM, MA – Bethany Assembly of God
Fri, May 4 – PORTLAND, ME – University of Southern Maine
Sat, May 5 – MONCTON, NEW BRUNSWICK (CAN) – Moncton Wesleyan Church
Sat, May 6 – HOULTON, ME – Millar Arena
Thurs, May 10 – MCALLEN, TX – McAllen Convention Center
Fri, May 11 – SAN ANTONIO, TX – Castle Hills First Baptist Church
Sat, May 12 – LUFKIN, TX – George H. Henderson Expo Center

Alexis Allen, better known as Lexi, the Media Personality for Inside Inspiration on the syndicated “Yolanda Adams Morning Show,” and the TV Personality and Host on the Word Network’s “The Lexi Show,” is set to release her highly anticipated single, “Burn It All Down” (Malaco Music Group) Tuesday, March 13, 2012 at All digital outlets.

On March 9 -10, 2012, Lexi will attend Radio One’s Praise 103.9 Inspiration and Music Conference in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. There she will (as she likes to say) “shake hands, say hello, kiss babies” and make her “Live” performance debut of the single, “Burn It All Down.”

“Burn It All Down” exemplifies Lexi’s new wisdom, persona, style, growth, admiration, worship and spiritual outlook. Like never before, you will witness through song how she has overcome tremendous personal adversity and her maturation as an artist and woman of God which is nothing short of amazing. “Burn It All Down” will bless and inspire you into a place of worship and praise drawing you back to the place when you first believed and received HIM! A new life, a new wholeness – Burn It All Down leaving only God’s truth!

Listen to the single below.

During a recent visit to Nashville, David M. Edwards performed at the National Religious Broadcasters (NRB) Convention and Exposition during the Tonight’s Entertainment program at the Gaylord Opryland Hotel and joined LifeWay for a segment of The Choir Room EXTRA show to discuss his ministry, writing, teaching, and upcoming CD.  
 
“I was proud to serve alongside my fellow worship leaders and artists as we joined together to praise His name during the music program at NRB,” said Edwards, recording artist, creative director of the International Center for Worship and artist-in-residence at Regent University. “It’s always nice to see familiar faces and have time to fellowship and lift up the name of Jesus Christ.”
 
Edwards sang “Jesus You Reign” from his current EP, Rising Up To Heaven, during the Tonight’s Entertainment show at NRB, which featured a variety of singer/songwriters, worship leaders and recording artists and was hosted by comedian/actor/singer, David Mann. Artists for the evening included Tamela Mann, Brian Courtney Wilson and Edwards, among others.

Following his time at NRB, Edwards sat down with Mike Harland, director of LifeWay Worship, to share about his writing, leading worship, ministry, teaching, his upcoming CD and more. To check out Edwards’ episode of The Choir Room EXTRA, please watch video below. 

For more information on David M. Edwards, visit www.davidmedwards.com. 

Edwards’ latest EP, Rising Up To Heaven, is released by Maranatha! Music and EMI-CMG Distribution. Edwards is the author of Worship 365: The Power of a Worshiping Life and the Worship 365 events. He is a columnist for Rev! Magazine and a popular conference speaker.  In 2010, Edwards was honored with the appointment as Artist-In- Residence, in the School of Divinity at Regent University, in Virginia Beach, Va., where he has taught Worship + Renewal since 2008 and serves as the Creative Director of the Regent University International Center for Worship. Edwards is an official spokesman for the Bible League, which is one of the world’s largest evangelical, non-denominational Scripture placement agencies.

Maranatha! Music is a pioneer in praise and worship music resource publishing. Best known for the Praise Series, Praise Band Series, The Invitation CD and Top 25 Series; Maranatha! Music has sold more than 30 million records worldwide.  

For more information on Maranatha! Music, visit www.maranathamusic.com.

Wow OK, so when I found out that Mary Mary was having a Reality TV show, I thought to myself “how interesting could holy Gospel artists’ lives be?” After-all reality TV audiences tend to like drama, mess, partying, and fighting.

After looking at the preview of the show it looks pretty interesting. Fans of Mary Mary will get an in depth look at all that goes into the duos success. Some of us nosy folk will get the chance to see Erica have her baby and interact with her husband and family.

The preview shows the two sisters don’t always get along. Even toying with the idea of taking their careers solo. Managers push the duo and extended family and siblings interact with the two sisters.

Mary Mary will premier on WE tv Thursday, March 29th at 10pm ET/PT, in a special time slot, then continues each week at 9pm ET/PT with ten, hour-long episodes.

Take a look at the preview below. What do you think?

In Bishop T.D. Jakes’ new book, Let It Go: Forgive So You Can Be Forgiven, he explores what he calls “the art of forgiveness,” in which he goes beyond the topical meaning of the word. Rather, he takes it apart, examines every facet of what it means to forgive and to be forgiven, offers examples as to what may have caused the crisis, and provides solutions on how to work through betrayal and accept true forgiveness.

So why an entire book on the topic of forgiveness? Because in the tradition of T.D. Jakes, he puts forth forgiveness as a life lesson, something that is as necessary as the air we breathe. LET IT GO is a comprehensive road map to forgiveness, arming readers with the knowledge and spiritual instruction that will enable them to release from past offenses and acts that may be holding them back. “Forgiveness is essential if we are to grow into the fullness of who God created us to be…When we refuse to forgive, we basically insist on setting our standards higher than God’s,” explains T.D. Jakes. “Forgiveness isn’t about weakening you but strengthening you to live again and love again performing at your highest capacity unencumbered by yesterday’s maladies.”

Using deeply personal circumstances and examples from his life’s journey, T.D. Jakes opens up to readers about his own confrontations with forgiveness and how embracing it helped put his career and life on a trajectory that he could have never imagined. In one instance, he writes about a relationship in which he harbored resentment towards someone whom he felt was taking advantage of – and cheating – him and his then small church. That relationship took an unexpected turn when that very person asked for forgiveness when challenged about his unethical business practices. In the end, T.D. Jakes did forgive him, and it would be that very person who unexpectedly helped to engineer T.D. Jakes’ television debut, with sermons that would allow him to reach people around the world. “Even now…I look back and think to myself, I was right in my assertion I was being used…But that isn’t the important thing to remember,” writes T.D. Jakes. “The truth of the matter is the important thing to remember was that my greatest opportunity was born in the middle of an offense. I learned that day that it is possible to be right about the issue but you can be wrong to take on the fight.”

In LET IT GO, T.D. Jakes offers readers tips and suggestions about how to deal with disappointments and forgive in a way that will most benefit their lives going into the future:

• Realize that disappointments will come. The difference in people emerges in how they respond to the conflicts they encounter.
• Learn to manage the disappointments in life…Since we cannot control when offenses will come or through whom they will arrive, then we can only control the way in which we experience them.
• Understand that forgiveness does not equal vulnerability. On the contrary, forgiveness requires great strength and maturity of character.
• Love above the offense. Find ways to communicate about the things that are not always polite or flattering. Hiding or not discussing them doesn’t help intimacy and build trust; it destroys the relationship.
• Think of anger differently, as not only a negative emotion. If properly allocated and managed, anger can do a lot to ease the torment of a boundary that has been disrespected.
• Write off the past, take back the power in your life even if the person cannot or will not right the wrong you have been done.
• Never be afraid to enter into a confrontation, but make sure it is worth the energy and effort.
• Practice self-forgiveness and self-love. Change the way we think about ourselves. When we change our thoughts and beliefs, it makes it easier to develop new ideas that will reflect a healthier identity of our true worth.

“Whoever said opportunity only knocks once, must have died young. If you live long enough, you discover that life does give second chances – and third and fourth,” says T.D. Jakes. “The word ‘forgiving’ means you have been ‘giving’ to that which is prior, before your present moment and the gifts of your future. Now that you have been liberated from old grudges, released from deep-seated resentments, and set free from the snares of not forgiving, a most important question looms…To what endeavor will you give that extra energy and passion that you just freed up?”

In LET IT GO, T.D. Jakes serves as the reader’s personal tour guide through learning about and embracing forgiveness, a word that is an ever present part of our vocabulary but not something that we truly apply in our lives with any regularity or meaning. This book will serve as the definitive blueprint for anyone who finds him or herself at the crossroads of forgiveness. The inspiring thoughts and ideas within these pages will help readers to release, recharge one’s life, and press forward in peace and prosperity.

Tim Tebow, the Denver Broncos starting quarterback, has recently said he has been giving advice to New York Knicks starting point guard, Jeremy Lin.

Tebow, a Christian athlete who has frequently made his faith known, said he can identify with Lin who rose to fame just three weeks ago. The Broncos quarterback spoke about providing Lin with advice since he could identify with the rising Knicks star.

“He’s a good guy and very humble,” the QB said. “There are a lot of exciting things happening for him. We talk a lot on the phone, because I know what he’s going through, and I’ve been giving him some advice. He’s handling it pretty well and staying focused.”

Lin’s humility and faith have caused many to compare him to Tebow, even before the NFL star revealed that he was in contact with the NBA player. Skip Bayless, controversial sports media personality, tweeted a comparison between the two after hearing Lin speak about his faith following a win over the Toronto Raptors on Feb. 13.

“Jeremy Lin saga is getting Tebowesque,” Bayless tweeted to over 500,000 followers. “Took over late, 3 to win it at :05! Said he loves the pressure. Even thanked Lord & Savior Jesus Christ.”

The Christian Post reports that Lin, who has also been vocal about his Christian faith as a professional athlete, said Tebow inspired him even before they met. In an interview with 95.7 The Game in San Francisco, located a short distance from his hometown of Palo Alto, Lin spoke about his respect for the Denver Broncos quarterback.

I think the things he says in interviews, his approach to the game is just unbelievable and I respect him so much,” Lin said. “I want to be able to do some of the things that he does in terms of the amount of charity work and the nonprofit work, and the way he impacts people off the field. I think that is what is most inspiring to me about him.”

Read More by The Christian Post

“We’re breaking the hits,” says Black Smoke Media Worldwide’s CEO Kerry Douglas as he discusses his latest Top 10 radio smash, “One More Time.” The soul-stirring ballad features gospel legend, John P. Kee and Douglas’ next superstar singer, Zacardi Cortez. The single has been at radio for six months and just reached The Top 5 at Billboard. “One More Time” is one of the songs anchoring the solo CD debut, “Zacardi Cortez: The Introduction” (Black Smoke Media Worldwide), scheduled for release on May 22, 2012. The spine-tingling singer’s premiere set will feature both contemporary and traditional gospel tracks with cameos by Donnie McClurkin, Lalah Hathaway and Kierra Sheard.

Douglas has been quietly building a platform for Cortez over the last six years. Although, Cortez has been singing professionally since his youth when he started off singing with John P. Kee’s VIP Mass Choir , Douglas brought him to national prominence when he featured Cortez on James Fortune & FIYA’s breakthrough Top 20 radio smash, “The Blood,” in 2007. The various YouTube videos of Cortez’ performance have gathered over a half million hits and continues to grow. Last year, Cortez joined Fortune and Shawn McLemore for their #1 radio anthem, “I Believe,” which charted for over twenty (20) weeks. Ever since, fans have demanded more music from Cortez and now his career is about to unfold with a highly anticipated CD, that will be one of the most talked about albums of 2012.

Over the last year, Cortez has been in the studio with artists as diverse as pop star John Legend and Lalah Hathaway. He’s recorded 30 songs in preparation for his debut and is now cutting the CD down to the final dozen songs. “We had Zacardi record a number of different things to see what worked best with his awesome voice and to also make him appeal to a variety of gospel fans,” says Douglas who just booked Cortez with Ricky Smiley, Superstar Comedian and national radio show host with over nine million listeners, on an upcoming eight (8) city comedy tour. “Zacardi is one of the best singers on this planet and when people hear this album, the world is going to fall in love with Zacardi and see why he’s gospel’s next big voice.” For more information, please visit www.mrkerrydouglas.com.

Image Entertainment, Inc. is proud to announce the release of Trinity Goodheart, a modern parable of lost love and regained family values. The DVD has an on sale date of March 27, 2012 at an SRP of $14.98. It will also be available by digital download.

When a kind hearted angel leaves a pendant for 12-year-old Trinity Goodheart, the precocious, street-wise youngster concludes that her long lost mother must be in danger and needs her help. Trinity’s subsequent sojourn results in an effort to reunite her disjointed family; and in the process, Trinity teaches them the values of love, faith and forgiveness.

Trinity Goodheart is played by the vivacious Erica Gluck (“The Game,” “Girlfriends”), with Grammy-nominated singer/songwriter Eric Benét in his first dramatic lead role starring as her father. The film also stars Mark LaMura (“Something Borrowed,” “One Life to Live,” “As the World Turns”), Jennifer Van Horn (“The Joneses”, “All My Children”), Karen Abercrombie (“Strong Medicine”) and Willie Stratford. The film is executive produced by Rick Eldridge (“The Ultimate Gift”) and directed by Joanne Hock (“Redneck Roots”), marking her feature film directorial debut.

Trinity Goodheart, the first original feature film from GMC, made its world premiere to enthusiastic response on GMC Television last summer, and has received 5 out of 5 DOVES from the Dove Foundation. The film also received the Dove “Family Approved” Seal for All Ages.

View the trailer below.