When you think of the renowned Chicago Mass Choir, a few things come to mind, hit songs, longevity and pure, traditional gospel choir music. For over 23 years, the Chicago Mass Choir has made huge contributions to the Gospel Music Sound.

They have been celebrated for their music and ministry contributions across the world and on January 14, 2012, the Chicago Mass Choir will humbly walk the red carpet during the 2012 Stellar Awards. The Chicago Mass Choir’s latest CD/DVD, Chicago Mass Choir Presents “XV”-Live has earned them two 2012 Stellar Award nominations. They are nominated for Choir of the Year and Traditional Choir of the Year.

This illustrious choir recently finished a 14 city tour of Spain in December of 2011 and has been ministering non-stop since returning to the states. The choir is grateful for every opportunity, including their 2012 Stellar Award Nominations.

The choir President, Dr. Feranda Williamson expressed her gratitude for their Stellar Award nominations, “I am so excited and honored that Chicago Mass Choir is nominated in two categories for the 2012 Stellar Awards for our 15th recorded project. We have been ministering for over 23 years and are blessed to have the opportunity to share our music ministry throughout the world!”

Dr. Feranda Williamson and Chicago Mass Choir are honored to be nominated and plan to continue ministering the Word of God to the nations through their music.

Chicago Mass Choir Presents “XV”-Live CD/DVD is available in stores and online.

For more information please visit: www.chicagomasschoir.com

Chicago Mass Choir Booking info: (773) 925-6755 and (773) 418-2807 info@chicagomasschoir.com

Breakthrough artist James Fortune launches his new imprint, F.I.Y.A. Music World, on Light Records with the release of his new album IDENTITY that hits stores January 17, 2012.

IDENTITY Fortune’s third album is a powerful collection of 15 soul-stirring songs of encouragement, hope and healing that speaks into the hearts of the religious and agnostic alike. A dynamic songwriter, producer and arranger, Fortune delivers a timeless message that is realized within mere moments of listening to this rapturous body of work.

Fortune’s knack for pairing the right vocalist for the right songs is evident with a collective set of notable guest artists such as famed R&B songbird Monica and Fred Hammond on “Hold On,” a beautiful rhythmic flavored groove; Nikki Ross on the upbeat “Make A Sound,” and the phenomenal “With You,” featuring the dynamic vocal aerobics of Kim Burrell.

In keeping with his previous chart topping success with “I Trust You” and “I Believe,” Fortune continues to build on those elements that attributed to him fast becoming a beloved gospel sensation. Compelling songs such as “The Curse Is Broken” and “Still Able” strike the right chord speaking life and healing into dreary and dismal challenges of life. “Still Able” the power-filled first single has had an immediate impact at radio and is currently at number 5 on the Gospel radio chart.

James shows his dexterity with “It Could Be Worse,” which features the talents of Leandria Johnson & Zacardi Cortez, as it speaks to the traditionalist while ushering in the atmosphere of worship with the powerful line ‘praise now, it could be worse.’

The album also includes the radio-friendly and follow up single “Never Again,” a high-powered rhythmic track. Fortune will bolster the new single with an upcoming performance on this year’s Stellar Awards. Also on IDENTITY is the introspective ballad “What If,” led by Cheryl Fortune; and the album’s title track “Identity” a thoughtful and sincere composition that highlights the ultimate Christian goal – to be more like Him.

In 2005 Fortune & F.I.Y.A. set the world ablaze with their breakthrough debut album YOU SURVIVED and the lead single “You Survived” which peaked at #2 on the R&B Gospel singles chart, and became one of the most played gospel songs of that year. Fortune also received the ASCAP Writer’s Award for Gospel Song of the Year in 2006. He amassed worldwide recognition in 2009, with the award winning acquiescent song, “I Trust You,” off of the sophomore release THE TRANSFORMATION. “I Trust You,” held the number one slot on the Gospel National Airplay chart for over 30 weeks, making history by becoming the longest running #1 single for any genre.

Fortune continued amassing accolades with his meteoric rise and subsequent success in 2010 of the soaring single “I Believe,” which earned him a second ASCAP Writer’s Award in 2011. Additionally “I Believe” received a 2011 Soul Train nomination for “Best Gospel Performance” and Fortune is up for three Stellar Award nominations this year for “Contemporary CD of the Year,” “Contemporary Male Vocalist of the Year” and “Group/Duo of the Year.”

Find your IDENTITY January 17th. IDENTITY is now available for pre-order on iTunes.

Worth Dying For will premiere their new music video, “Rebuild,” on Monday, January 9th exclusively at popular Christian music destination NewReleaseTuesday.com. Starting at 12 Noon Eastern Standard Time, fans will be able to stream the full video in its entirety.

Shot entirely on location in San Francisco with the revolutionary RED CAMERA®, the groundbreaking music video is the first true glimpse of the band’s upcoming album, Live Riot, which will be available everywhere from Ammunition Records on February 7th.

“Our mission is to give a generation of last day warriors an anthem to fulfill the destiny that God has put them on this earth to fulfill, which is to infiltrate culture with the love of Jesus, to destroy what is destroying them with the love of Jesus and to rebuild what God intended from the beginning,” explains the band’s pastor, Jeremy Johnson of Ammunition Movement, who provides the prominent vocal track for “Rebuild.” “This poem of the three, infiltrate, destroy and rebuild, is our charge to a generation to rise up from the ashes and become the army that God’s called them to be. I hope this video encourages you in that way.”

The modern worship band with an aggressive rock sound has drawn obvious comparisons to musical counterparts such as Skillet and Evanesence as well as Hillsong United, Planetshakers and Jesus Culture. Listeners will find that their upcoming collection of 17 live songs creates a worship experience unlike any other.

Fans are already enjoying Live Riot’s first single, “Savior,” which is now available at iTunes. In an effort to capture their live worship experience for all, Worth Dying For shot live music videos for nearly every song on Live Riot. Starting on the release date, one video will be posted weekly on the official website at www.worthdyingfor.com.

Over the last decade, Stephen Hurd has distinguished himself as one of the leading voices in urban praise and worship music and his songs “Undignified” and “Lead Me To The Rock” are sung at faith gatherings around the globe. Now, he’s preparing to release his most ambitious project yet, O That Men Would Worship, his sixth CD and the first on his own Hurd The Word recording label. He’s designed the new CD as a tool to inspire men to take on a greater leadership role in church worship services. Recorded live at The First Baptist Church of Glenarden in Upper Marlboro, MD where Hurd is the Minister of Music, the collection is scheduled to hit retail stores on February 21, 2012 via a distribution deal with Central South Distribution, Inc.

“My goal is to get men and especially men of color to realize that worship is not a feminine sport,” Hurd says. “In this season, I feel we should come together and lift up a sound that has the power to change families and strengthen communities and help brothers to get a glimpse of what real worship is. I think when men see other men worship it gives them freedom to worship without feeling emasculated.”

Joining Hurd for this manly worship experience are Verity Gospel Music Group recording artist Jason Nelson, Christian pop artist Anthony Evans and Minister Deonte Gray who is a member of the 7 Sons of Soul vocal group. Hurd created an all male sextet of singers to back certain songs and a coed group called Extol to back the CD as a whole. Aside from co-writing most of the songs, Hurd produced the fifteen track set alongside up-and-coming producers Kenny Shelton and Anthony Brown. Celebrated producer Steve Ford, who’s worked with acts ranging from Phyllis Hyman to Richard Smallwood, created the lush string arrangements while the in-demand Phil Lassiter (John P. Kee, Marvin Sapp) delivered the hearty horn arrangements. “It was the easiest thing I’ve ever done,” Hurd says of the recording. “There was no drama. Everybody was excited to be there and came with the attitude of what can I do to make this impact?”

Although, Hurd began recording albums in the late 1990s, his first national CD release was 2004’s A Call To Worship (Integrity Music) that featured the Caribbean-styled radio smash, “Undignified.” The 2006 My Destiny (Integrity Music) CD featured the hit singles “Great Praise (The War Cry)” and “Destiny” while his 2008 Top 10 Stellar Award winning CD, Times of Refreshing. (Integrity Music), featured the radio single, “Amazing.” Visit www.hurdthewordmusic.com for more information on Hurd.

The Institute for Ministry, Arts, and Cultivation (I.M.A.C.), a subsidiary of the Jet Foundation, is gearing up for an exciting Stellar Awards Weekend in Nashville. The three day weekend, beginning January 13, 2012 and ending January 15, 2012, will feature three uplifting and inspirational events. The weekend events will feature performances and appearances by some of the biggest names in Gospel Music. Featured events include, The Zamar Fellowship, Churchin’ After the Show and the annual I.M.A.C. Gospel Honors Saluting Wess Morgan. 

The first event to kick off I.M.A.C.’s three day celebration is The Zamar Fellowship on Friday, January 13, 2012 at 6am. Musician extraordinaire Virgil Stratford is set to host the intimate morning worship event. It takes place at New Visions Baptist Church, 2830 McGavock Pike in Nashville, which is in close range to the Grand Ole Opry House. The Zamar Fellowship will prove to be the perfect way to begin a phenomenal weekend.

I.M.A.C.’s second event during the Stellar Weekend is Churchin’ After the Show on Saturday, January 14, 2012 at 10:30 p.m. This event will also take place at New Visions Baptist Church and admission is free. The event hosts are Jeff Robinson, founder of I.M.A.C., and Stellar Award-Nominee, Malcolm Williams. Churchin’ After the Show is an after party for the Stellar Awards Show, with plenty of talent on the roster to perform and appear at the event. The list of special guests includes Freda Battle & The Temple Worshippers, Jonathan McReynolds, Chenta Jones, Kenn Orr, RiZen, The Walls Group, Nate Bean & 4G , and many more! For additional artist and performance information visit www.imacconferences.org.

The weekend reaches its climax on Sunday, January 15, 2011 during the I.M.A.C Honors Saluting 2012 Stellar Award-Nominee Wess Morgan, for his contributions to the Gospel Music Industry. 2011 has proved to be a successful year for Wess Morgan -the premier artist and founder of his label imprint BowTie World Music. Morgan closed the year holding numerous spots on Billboard’s 2011 Year End chart including a Top 10 Gospel Songs Artist placement.

Morgan charted as the #10 Gospel Songs Artist on the 2011 Billboard year end chart with two song titles  “I Choose to Worship” and “You Gave Me Hope,” #13 and #43 respectively on the Gospel Songs year end charts. Morgan’s sophomore album UNDER AN OPEN HEAVEN (released October 2010) has demonstrated its impact and staying power charting at #23 on the Gospel Albums year end chart.

Scheduled to host the event is “Gospel’s New Leading Man” and 2012 Stellar Award-Nominee, Earnest Pugh and I.M.A.C.’S Founder, Jeff Robinson. The event takes place at the Celebration of Life Church, 768 Forest Retreat Road in Hendersonville, TN at 6pm.

The I.M.AC Weekend is sponsored in part by the J. Hardy Agency, Airplay 360, E3 Entertainment, J. Bender Entertainment, HumV Productions, and C-Note Entertainment.

About I.M.A.C.: 
I.M.A.C., a subsidiary of Jet Foundation was started in 1999 by Jeff Robinson as a faith-based institution that provides a platform for academic, artistic, professional and spiritual development by providing the attendees with experienced and knowledgeable clinicians. These experts help to sharpen and develop the skills, talents and minds of those attendees involved in similar industries, ministries or organizations.

I.M.A.C. is a non-denominational/multi-cultural institution open to ALL individuals involved in faith-based arts and ministries. I.M.A.C. is also open to secular organizations/entities that are looking for an institution that provides educational and networking opportunities. The I.M.A.C. Conference has presented both professional and independent artists, unsigned and upcoming artists; our stage is available to any artistic forms of Christian/Gospel expression.

Multi-platinum selling, GRAMMY®, AMA and 2010 Dove Award-winning Artist of the Year Casting Crowns will extend its massive “Come To The Well” tour into the spring by adding an additional 44 dates across the U.S., this time featuring special guests, singer/songwriter Matthew West, pop-rockers Royal Tailor (both GRAMMY-nominated) and Christian music newcomer Lindsay McCaul who was also on the 2011 fall tour lineup. Following a hugely successful fall run, which included a string of more than15 sell-out performances, playing before more than 155,000 people, the spring leg of the “Come To The Well” tour kicks off Feb. 9, in Florence, S.C. Among its scheduled 44 shows, the tour will hit arenas in major markets like Grand Rapids, Orlando, Washington D.C., Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, Birmingham, Oklahoma City, Minneapolis, Houston and many more.

The tour takes its name from the Casting Crowns’ newest studio project, Come To The Well, (released October 18, its first new studio album in two years), featuring the hit single “Courageous,” which was showcased in the recent Sherwood Pictures film by the same title. The project is filled with songs that both challenge and encourage believers in their walk, including, “Just Another Birthday” which goes for radio adds today. Frontman Mark Hall collaborated on several of the tracks with top songwriters including Steven Curtis Chapman, Matthew West and award-winning country songwriter Tom Douglas.

The week of its release, Come to the Well sold 99,138 copies, making it the highest debut on Billboard’s Top 200 at No. 2. The album additionally topped the Billboard Contemporary Christian Overall chart, while also claiming No. 1 on the iTunes Christian Albums chart and No. 3 on its Overall Albums chart. Lead radio single “Courageous” landed at No. 1 on the iTunes Christian Songs chart and peaked at a No. 1 on the Billboard National Christian Audience chart in just 10 weeks. In addition, the band celebrated its second career American Music Award win, from six career AMA nominations, on Nov. 20.

The “Come To The Well” tour is partnering with Christian humanitarian organization World Vision (www.worldvision.org). World Vision provides assistance to approximately 100 million people in nearly 100 countries by tackling the causes of poverty and injustice. Casting Crowns has helped to generate a total of 52,000 child sponsorships for World Vision to date.

About Casting Crowns:
All of Casting Crowns’ projects are RIAA certified, with a tally of three RIAA Platinum Albums, two RIAA Platinum DVDs, two RIAA Gold Albums, two Gold DVDs and two Gold digital singles, holding position as Billboard’s top-selling act in Christian music since 2007. The group also claims two American Music Awards, with six total nominations, three GRAMMY Awards and 14 GMA Dove Awards.

Despite an unprecedented eight-year career with Casting Crowns, the seven band members remain active in student ministry in the Atlanta area and tour part-time around their local church duties. Serving his 18th year in youth ministry, lead singer/songwriter Mark Hall is the student pastor at Eagle’s Landing First Baptist Church in Atlanta. As a testament to the band’s impact, Casting Crowns performed for a second time in North Korea in April 2009, in partnership with Global Resource Services, as the band continues to forge invaluable relationships with the people in the D.P.R.K. For more information on Casting Crowns and Come to the Well, visit: www.castingcrowns.com or follow Mark Hall’s Twitter at twitter.com/markhallCC.

About Matthew West
Lauded by The New York Times as “a vivid and compelling songwriter with impressive approaches to the familiar,” two-time GRAMMY ® nominee Matthew West’s discography includes acclaimed releases Happy (2003), History (2005) and Something to Say (2008). His latest studio album, The Story of Your Life, was inspired by 10,000 stories from every state in the U.S. and 20 countries. The album released on October 5, 2010, and garnered attention from CNN Online, FOX News, Billboard Magazine, Country Weekly, American Songwriter and more. The Story of Your Life gave West the largest street-week debut of his career, selling over 10,000 units the first week, landing at No. 3 on Christian Soundscan, and No. 41 on the Billboard Top 200. In conjunction with Harvest House Publishers, West teamed up with bestselling author Angela Thomas for “The Story of Your Life” book. The Heart of Christmas marks West’s first full-length Christmas project which also boasts the top 15 mainstream AC radio hit “The Heart of Christmas.” A multiple ASCAP “Song of the Year” winner, West has had four No. 1 radio hits including his latest GRAMMY-nominated tune “Strong Enough.” His songwriting credits include Rascal Flatts, Billy Ray Cyrus, Diamond Rio and more. For more information, visit www.MatthewWest.com.

About Royal Tailor
With a contagious blend of pop, R&B, hip hop and rock, Royal Tailor is a high-energy band and music ministry reaching out to a new generation of students suffering from symptoms of a visionless life. The four-member band — made up of Tauren (lead singer), DJ (guitar), Blake (bass) and Jarrod (drums) — met while in school in Indianapolis and began to hone its sound while playing for churches and youth groups around the country. In just under two years, Royal Tailor has performed more than 300 shows, most recently playing at the Nashville GRAMMY Chapter’s Block Party stage alongside artists including Old Crow Medicine Show and The Civil Wars.

Produced by Aaron Lindsey, Chuck Butler, and Daniel Kinner, Black & White showcases Royal Tailor’s distinctive musical blend, highlighting influences that range from Bruno Mars to Maroon 5 to Michael Jackson. The result is 11 high-energy tracks that make audiences want to dance, pray, shout and sing along. Royal Tailor is currently debuting new music from Black & White on the road, having just wrapped up the 20-city “The Overcome Tour,” which also featured Fireflight, After Edmund and Hyland. For more information on Royal Tailor, please visit: www.RoyalTailor.com, www.facebook.com/royaltailor or follow the band on Twitter at www.twitter.com/royaltailor.

About Lindsay McCaul
There’s a phrase often heard in music industry circles: “It all begins with a song.” That motto carries extra weight in Christian music where a great lyric transcends entertainment and becomes a vehicle to share the gospel. Lindsay McCaul is an artist keenly aware of words and their value. From her teen years pouring over the lyrics of her favorite music to her college days majoring in linguistics at Moody Bible Institute, McCaul’s gifts manifest themselves in vibrant, insightful songs crafted with thoughtful precision reflecting a compassionate heart and deep intellect. McCaul’s 11-track debut If It Leads Me Back, produced by Jason Ingram (Tenth Avenue North, Meredith Andrews), reveals considerable depth and pathos; keen songwriting paired with her shimmering voice only compels the listener deeper into the album’s overall experience. If It Leads Me Back is an auspicious beginning from a talented newcomer whose music will leave a lasting impression. Audiences nationwide will experience Lindsay live on both the fall 2011 and spring 2012 legs of the Casting Crowns “Come To The Well” tour.

For more information on Lindsay McCaul, please visit www.lindsaymccaul.com, www.facebook.com/lindsaymccaulmusic

CASTING CROWNS “COME TO THE WELL” SPRING TOUR 2012
*Dates, markets and venues subject to change without notice

FEBRUARY
2/9 (Thursday) – Florence, S.C. – Florence Civic Center
2/10 (Friday) – Virginia Beach, Va. – Rock Church
2/11 (Saturday) – Woodbridge, Va. – Hylton Memorial Chapel
2/16 (Thursday) – Grand Rapids, Mich. – Van Andel Arena
2/17 (Friday) – Troy, Ohio – Hobart Arena
2/18 (Saturday) – Lynchburg, Va. – Vines Center – Liberty University
2/23 (Thursday) – Coral Gables, Fla. – BankUnited Center
2/24 (Friday) – Orlando, Fla. – UCF Arena
2/25 (Saturday) – Tallahassee, Fla. – Leon County Civic Center
2/26 (Sunday) – Pensacola, Fla. – Pensacola Civic Center

MARCH
3/1 (Thursday) – Ft. Wayne, Ind. – Memorial Coliseum
3/2 (Friday) – Brookfield, Wis. – Elmbrook Church
3/3 (Saturday) – Toledo, Ohio – Huntington Center
3/8 (Thursday) – Johnson City, Tenn. – Freedom Hall
3/9 (Friday) – Raleigh, N.C. – RBC Center
3/10 (Saturday) – Charlotte, N.C. – Bojangles Coliseum
3/11 (Sunday) – Greenville, S.C. – Bi-Lo Center
3/15 (Thursday) – Lowell, Mass. – Lowell Memorial Auditorium
3/16 (Friday) – Newark, N.J. – Prudential Center
3/17 (Saturday) – Getzville, N.Y. – The Chapel at Crosspoint
3/18 (Sunday) – Baltimore, Md. – 1st Mariner Arena
3/22 (Thursday) – Independence, Mo. – Independence Event Center
3/23 (Friday) – Moline, Ill. – iWireless Center
3/24 (Saturday) – St. Charles, Md. – Family Arena
3/29 (Thursday) – Philadelphia, Pa. – The Liacouras Center
3/30 (Friday) – Hershey, Pa. – Giant Center
3/31 (Saturday) – Pittsburgh, Pa. – Console Energy Center

APRIL
4/5 (Thursday) – Bowling Green, Ky. – E.A. Diddle Arena
4/6 (Friday) – Chattanooga, Tenn. – UTC MacKenzie Arena
4/7 (Saturday) – Birmingham, Ala. – BJCC Arena
4/12 (Thursday) – Austin, Texas – Shoreline Church
4/13 (Friday) – Odessa, Texas – Ector County Coliseum
4/14 (Saturday) – Oklahoma City, Okla. – State Fair Arena (Private)
4/19 (Thursday) – Cedar Falls, Iowa – McLeod Center
4/20 (Friday) – Sioux Falls, S.D. – Sioux Falls Arena
4/21 (Saturday) – Minneapolis, Minn. – Target Center
4/22 (Sunday) – Fargo, N.D. – Fargo Dome
4/24 (Tuesday) – Springfield, Mo. – JQH Arena
4/26 (Thursday) – Louisville, Ky. – Broadbent Arena
4/27 (Friday) – Woodstock, Ga. – First Baptist Church
4/28 (Saturday) – Charleston, W.V. – Charleston Civic Center

MAY
5/3 (Thursday) – Tulsa, Okla. – Spirit Bank Event Center
5/4 (Friday) – Lubbock, Texas – United Spirit Arena
5/5 (Saturday) – The Woodlands, Texas – The Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion

Nothing short of a living legend, The World’s Greatest Storyteller, Dorothy Norwood has been entertaining, preaching, uplifting, mentoring, writing, and producing for more than fifty years.

On January 14, 2012, Ms. Dorothy Norwood will be the recipient of the prestigious Ambassador Dr. Bobby Jones Legends Awards at The Grand Ole Opry House in Nashville, TN during the 2012 Stellar Awards taping.

For decades, millions have been blessed by her classic, “Victory Is Mine; arguably, one of the greatest congregational hymns of all time which still appears in national commercials and Hollywood feature films such as “The Help”, 5 time, 2012 Golden Globe nominated and Oscar buzz motion picture.

On March 20, 2012, Dorothy Norwood returns with her latest and possibly the best recording of her illustrious “God’s Been Just That Good.” Ms. Norwood’s signature voice is backed by the young, bright, fresh sounding voices of Isaiah Thomas & EOP (Appears Courtesy Of Good Fellas Music Group) and the result is truly a heavenly mix.

The debut single, “Just That Good”, Ms. Norwood pays tribute to her best friend and mentor, The Queen Of Gospel, The Late Albertina Walker. Upon listening, you will be drawn into worship and your hands will go up in praise.

Dorothy Norwood officially began her gospel career in 1956, singing with Mahalia Jackson, Reverend James Cleveland, and with one of the greatest female gospel groups of all time, The Caravans. In 1960, she launched her solo career with Savoy Records, recording her first album, Johnny and Jesus in 1964. This release was quickly followed by Denied Mother in 1965, earning Norwood the title, “The World’s Greatest Storyteller.” Both projects certified gold. All total, five albums reached gold status. 1971, she recorded Live with the GMWA Mass Choir of Northern California; Live reached #1 on the Billboard Charts. To her credit, she has also had three top ten gospel albums and been in the top forty fourteen times (Billboard).

In 1972, she became an unlikely opening act for the Rolling Stones’ national tour with Mick Jagger. By 2000, Ms. Norwood was nominated for the Lady of Soul Award for her album, The Lord is a Wonder. She followed that nomination with two more at the 2001 Dove Awards for Ole Rickety Bridge (Traditional Album of the Year) and “There’s Got To Be Rain” (Traditional Gospel Recorded Song of the Year).

In 2005, Norwood won the Soul Train Lady of Soul Award for “Stand on the Word,” and was inducted into the International Gospel Music Hall of Fame twice; for her work as a solo artist as well as with The Caravans. The American Quartet Hall of Fame also inducted The Caravans in 2006 and Norwood reunited with the group to produce what would become a Billboard chart topping album, Paved The Way (Malaco). Paved The Way also garnered nominations in every major industry award group including the Grammy’s, Doves, Stellars, and Soul Train.

For nearly every year of her professional career singing gospel music, Dorothy Norwood has recorded an album.

Dorothy Norwood truly can testify that “God’s Been Just That Good!”

In order to be successful in today’s musical landscape, gospel artists need to have the necessary tools to navigate the industry. The Independent Gospel Artist Alliance, founded by Stellar Award Winner Phillip Carter and Stellar Award Nominee Earl Bynum, was started to empower, educate and motivate gospel artists. The highlight of the alliance is its annual Independent Gospel Artists Alliance Conference. This year’s event will take place from July 19 – 21, 2012 at The Mount located at 215 Las Gaviotas Blvd. in Chesapeake, VA.

Featuring 3 power-packed days of workshops and seminars, this year’s conference will tackle topics such as Distribution, Marketing, The Power of Publicity, Structuring Contracts, Licensing & Royalties, Small Business Set-up, Independent Label Operations, Artist Management, Radio Relationships, Promotional CD/Artwork Design and Performance Do’s and Don’ts. The conference will also feature CD Project Reviews, Nightly Showcases, the 2nd Annual Gospel Blue MIC Achievement Awards and more. To register, log on to the site’s website, www.indiegospelalliance.com.

In 2009, Phillip Carter formed the Independent Gospel Artists Alliance to strengthen the Independent label owner and artist through the power of networking and trade. In 2010, Sounds of Victory Ministries, in partnership with Earl Bynum Ministries, presented the first Independent Gospel Artists Alliance Conference. The annual small business conference focuses on the needs of Independent Gospel, Christian, and Inspirational Artists helping them manage their business, their career, and their music through education and networking. The Independent Gospel Artist Alliance Conference is sponsored by Sounds of Victory Ministries, Earl Bynum Ministries, LLC, The Mount, NEBO Publishing, Prayze Fest Gospel Hour, Excellence In Christian Music Awards, Rejoice America Radio, 3HP Records, CJBRadio.com, Gospel News Now and Yes Lord Radio. For more information, log on to www.indiegospelalliance.com.

Join us for a special Twitter Chat to discuss The Most Powerful Voices singing competition and learn more about Stroke Awareness at the #MPVgospel Twitter Chat, Thursday, January 5th at 9pm EST! Learn more about how you can participate and vote in the competition as well as discuss stroke risk factors with experts from The American Heart Association. We will be joined by special guests former Destiny’s Child singer Michelle Williams (@RealMichelleW) and Dr. Rani Whitfield (@ThaHipHopDoc) Those who register and attend the chat also will be entered to win prizes!

The Most Powerful Voices singing competition begins a new nationwide search for gospel performers who are eager to showcase their talents, compete for performing and recording opportunities. Register for the Most Powerful Voices online competition for your chance to win $5,000 cash prize, $5,000 worth of Roland music equipment, perform at Power Weekend in New York, a vocal coaching session from a renowned Light Records gospel artist, record a digital single with Light Records, and more! Even if you aren’t a performer, you can still vote for your favorites and enter to win a special fan prize. Sign up at http://power.watchgmctv.com/.

Most Powerful Voices is an initiative of the American Heart Association/American Stroke Association’s Power To End Stroke cause campaign. Power To End Stroke reaches African-Americans with stroke messages because of their disproportionate stroke risks compared to other ethnic groups. During the Twitter Chat, we will be discussing stroke prevention tips as well as hearing stories from survivors and their families. Michelle will be judging the finalists in the competition and will be tweeting with us about stroke risks.

“I am honored to be involved with the Most Powerful Voices gospel singing competition, because it shines a light on stroke,” Williams said. “This is very important to me because my father had a stroke in 2005 due to smoking, diabetes and an unhealthy lifestyle. His stroke left him debilitated, robbing him of his ability to talk and walk. The very next year, my grandmother suffered from stroke and I’m sad to say that she is no longer with us. My father and grandmother’s strokes have devastated my family.”

What: #MPVgospel Twitter Chat
Date/Time: Thursday, January 5, 2012 from 9-10pm EST
Hosts: @Power2EndStroke, @RealMichelleW, @ThaHipHopDoc, @TweeParties Hashtag: #MPVgospel
Custom Tweet Chat Link: http://bit.ly/tMQv8P
Custom Tweet Grid Link: http://bit.ly/tehn8L

January 3, 2012 – Gospel singer Trish Standley recently dropped her sophomore contemporary gospel album entitled, Redemption. The exceptional vocalist, who has opened up for Dorothy Norwood and shared the stage with award winners Phillip Carter & SOV, Earnest Pugh and Rev. Dr. Emory Andrews & The Oxon Hill High School Choir, recently charted on the UK Soul Chart with a single from the new release entitled “Love”.

Trish will be showcasing all of the songs from the project with an Online Listening Party on CJBRadio.com on Wednesday, January 11, 2012, at 4PM EST. In order to tune in to the Listening Party, log on to www.CJBRadio.com. In addition, Trish will be interviewed speaking on the influences for her music.

A native of Kokomo, Indiana, Trish began singing at her home church. Her songwriting career began when she took her mother’s poetry and put melody to it. Years later, after moving to Atlanta, she continued embracing her musical talents, and studied voice with Canangela Boyd-Robertson of Jan Smith Studios, owned by the famed vocalist and songwriter. Trish formed a children’s choir and served as Lead Director at an Atlanta church. In 2004, she formed the gospel ensemble, AHAVA, which consisted of nine members who worshipped at various churches throughout the Atlanta area. In 2009, she released her first album entitled Introducing…Trish which was followed by her latest release, Redemption. For more information about Trish Standley, log on to www.jansjoy.net.