Whitney Houston’s daughter, Bobbi Kristina, is set to break her silence on her mother’s death to talk show legend Oprah Winfrey.

The Christian Post has confirmed that Oprah has signed up members of Houston’s family for an exclusive interview, which may also include Houston’s brother Gary, as well as sister-in-law and manager, Patricia.

The hugely anticipated interview will air March 11 at 9 p.m. on Oprah’s cable network OWN. The interview will be part of “Oprah’s Next Chapter” series.

Speculation is that Bobby Kristina will let a few cats out of the bag during the exclusive interview.  The main point of interest is who leaked the pictures showing Whitney Houston in her casket.  Reports have been swirling that the culprit is Bobby Brown’s sister Tina Brown.  The photos were sold to the Enquire, and Cissy Houston (Whitney Houston’s Mother) asked police to investigate.  

A news release by Own has described that daughter Bobbi Kristina will share “personal memories of her mom and how she would like the iconic superstar to be remembered. The family also addresses the rumors and speculation surrounding Houston’s death,” according to the LA Times.

Bobbi Kristina has been the center of a whirlwind of media attention since her mother tragically and suddenly died just a day prior to the Grammy Awards ceremony. It has been reported that Bobbi Kristina has been struggling to cope with her mother’s untimely death, and in the aftermath she was rushed to Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles.

Other questions will be centered around Bobbi Kristina’s father Bobby Brown.  What was the real reason Bobby Brown left the funeral?  Many blame him for Houston’s alcohol and drug problems in the years prior to her death, and he sparked further controversy when he stormed out of the televised funeral service after just 20 minutes. He later released a statement complaining at how he and his guests were treated. He argued that they had been asked to move numerous times by the security at the funeral. However, other reports have said that Brown turned up with as many as nine guests even though his invitation only allowed two. 

At the time of Houston’s death she was attempting to make a personal and professional comeback. She had completed filming new movie “Sparkle,” which also stars Jordin Sparks, and was due to release new music in the near future. However, since her death the singer’s songs have had a huge resurgence in sales, with more than 1 million of her albums and singles selling since her passing. 

It wouldn’t surprise me if Oprah also landed the first Bobby Brown interview since Whitney’s death as well.

This week the hugely succesful WOW Gospel compilation stays at #1 for a second straight week.  Le’Andria Johnson received a sales boost propeling her latest project to the #2 position.  Le’Andria Johnson continues to have two albums in the top 10.

Johnson’s label-mate Amber Bullock gets ready to release her debut CD March 6th.  Look for that project to make a strong Top 10 debut.

View the rest of the Top 10 Gospel albums below:

1 | WOW Gospel 2012
2 | Le’Andria Johnson – The Evolution of Le’Andria Johnson
3 | James Fortune & FIYA – Identity
4 | Fred Hammond – God, Love & Romance
5 | Le’Andria Johnson – The Awakening of Le’Andria Johnson…
6 | William McDowell – Arise
7 | Brian Courtney Wilson – So Proud
8 | Marvin Sapp – Playlist: The Very Best Of…
9 | Kirk Franklin – Hello Fear
10 | Various Artists – Joyful Noise Sountrack

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.