Following four back-to-back Billboard Top 200-selling, GRAMMY Award-winning albums, Israel Houghton returns with New Breed for their first live recording in five years, Jesus At The Center, releasing today amidst wide acclaim on Integrity Music / RGM-New Breed. Recorded live over four days in front of more than 29,000 worshippers at Houston’s Lakewood Church, the Jesus At The Center double-CD, 18 song album with three additional studio singles features Israel & New Breed returning to their roots, delivering new anthems for the modern day church.

Leading up to the release of the album, Israel appeared on ABC’s “The View” July 24 as part of The King’s Men tour group interview and performance. He also taped BET’s “Bobby Jones Gospel” and “Lift Every Voice” shows to run this fall (check your local listings for times), and will appear with The King’s Men on BET’s “Sunday Best” finale episode Sept. 2. He is further scheduled to make appearances on FOX’s “Good Day Houston” and WGN TV’s “Morning News” Aug. 22.

Recently featured on Yolanda Adams and Tom Joyner radio shows, Israel & New Breed is also gathering significant airplay across the nation with its Jesus At The Center hit singles. The song “It’s Not Over (When God Is In It),” featuring acclaimed vocalists Jason Nelson and James Fortune, is a Top 12 Gospel Monitored hit and climbing while the Christian AC single, “Your Presence Is Heaven” produced by Ed Cash (Chris Tomlin, Britt Nicole), is rapidly climbing the charts.

As broadcast media continue to feature Israel & New Breed, and with covers or features in Associated Press, Charisma, Gospel Today, CCM, Worship Leader, All About Worship and more, the music critics are similarly offering their applause:

“Israel & New Breed…led by singer Israel Houghton, provide many superb praise and worship songs on their new album, Jesus at the Center. Houghton co-wrote the majority of songs on the double-disc album, offering solid, upbeat gospel tunes that are fused with jazz and rock melodies. The 21 tracks…flow easily as the group delivers a series of powerful messages about faith and empowerment.” – Associated Press

“Like efforts past, [Jesus At The Center] consists of two main movements. The first one is a praise-fest featuring a string of high-octane numbers, running the gamut from corporate choral praise (“Jesus the Same,” “More Than Enough”) and contemporary gospel (“No Turning Back”) to Latin electro-pop (the Pitbull-esque “Te Amo”), and even a gospel-ska hybrid (“Rez Power”)… the second movement, a stretch of worshipful, impassioned slow-burners that segue right into one another.” – AllMusic.com

“A vision that has been stirring for 12 years and is finally coming to fruition in a worldwide release featuring soulful gospel, crossed with contemporary worship, Latino zest and shaken up with a rockin’ funk.” – CCM

“With this album, Israel Houghton delivers another must-have live worship project…Jesus at the Center is fresh, relevant and masterful.” – watchgmctv.com

In addition to the Jesus At The Center two-disc album, a companion DVD recorded live in high-definition featuring all 18 songs along with behind the scenes footage, story behind the song vignettes and other bonus material, is available at retail now. An exclusive iTunes® LP also releases and includes new music, video Work Tapes, a Photo Montage, chord charts and the “Jesus At The Center” video tutorial.

“The overarching story of the album is that sometimes we can be so ‘churched’ that we can lose sight of the ‘who, what, why’ of worship,” said Houghton. “This project simply places Jesus where he is supposed to be. We intentionally removed the metaphors and simply focused on his name.”

In addition to Jason Nelson and James Fortune, guest vocalists on Jesus At The Center include Aaron W. Lindsey,Michael Gungor,T-Bone, Bishop Michael Pitts, Jeremiah Woods, Daniel Johnson, Charlin Moore, Adam Ranney, Tina Baker, Onaje Jefferson, Krystle Harper and Israel’s daughter, Mariah Houghton.

Taking the message and music on the road, Israel Houghton will share the stage for the very first time with peers Kirk Franklin, Marvin Sapp and Donnie McClurkin on The King’s Men tour. The 15-city major market US tour begins Sept. 16 at Comerica Theatre in Phoenix and travels coast-to-coast through Los Angeles, Chicago, Houston, Atlanta, Washington, DC and more before culminating in Brooklyn, NY at Barclays Center Oct. 14. For all the tour dates and ticket information, see www.livenation.com.

Prior to The King’s Men tour, Israel & New Breed presents their annual Deeper Conference 2012, which will be held Aug. 29 through Sept. 1 at Lakewood Church and Grace Church of Humble, TX. Hosted by Israel, the worship conference features guest speakers Jentezen Franklin, Steven Furtick and Darlene Zschech. For all the details and registration information, go to http://deeperconferences.com/speakers.

While blasting down barriers, Israel has been fittingly graced with 2 Gold-selling albums, 4 GRAMMY Awards, 12 Dove Awards, 2 Stellar Awards and a Soul Train Award. Active as worship leader in his local church, Joel Osteen’s Lakewood Church (Houston), Israel has also served as worship leader at Hillsong conferences and Franklin Graham crusades.
 

Millions of movie goers poured into theatres this past weekend to see the hilarious #1 Comedy In America, “The Campaign” starring Will Ferrell and Zach Galifianakis. Not only did they laugh uncontrollably, but was uplifted by the spirited song “Bye & Bye” by the Georgia Mass Choir which also appeared in the film.

The Georgia Mass Choir, affectionately known as ‘America’s Choir’ is poised and ready to declare ‘I Still Have A Praise’ with the album of the same name. (Available Online & In Stores October 2, 2012) Reverend Milton Biggham, Savoy / Malaco Records Executive Director as well as founder and director of this award-winning choir, returned as the featured lead vocalist on the Billboard & Mediabase chart topping single, “I Still Have A Praise On The Inside Of Me” from their much anticipated release. (Available Online Now)

Reverend Biggham, sometimes referred to as the ‘King of Gospel Choirs’ for his invaluable and expansive contribution to the world of gospel choir music, is credited for producing many Gospel Legends including, Rev. James Cleveland, The Caravans, Lou Rawls and many others along with discovering stand-out gospel artists Kirk Franklin and Donnie McClurkin through his direction in their work with both the Georgia Mass and The New York Restoration Choirs. Kirk Franklin enjoyed his first hit with “Joy” and Donnie McClurkin’s debut single, “Speak To My Heart” also claimed the top of the charts.

Biggham’s biography reads like a ‘Who’s Who’ of gospel music, though he is most widely recognized for his work as Gospel Music Director of the Georgia Mass Choir for both the platinum-selling soundtrack and the award-winning motion picture “The Preacher’s Wife” starring the late Whitney Houston and Denzel Washington.

During the promotion of the movie, “The Preacher’s Wife,” he traveled with the Georgia Mass Choir while they performed in a ten-city concert tour with Whitney Houston. In addition, the choir made guest appearances on high-profile television programs such as: Saturday Night Live, Good Morning America, The Today Show, The Ebony Awards, The Dove Awards, and The NAACP Image Awards. The choir also starred in a commercial for Volkswagen which aired throughout Europe, on the Tom Joyner Morning Show, performed during the opening ceremony of the prestigious 1996 Olympic Games in Atlanta, Georgia, and at the 2000 NFL Super Bowl.

These accomplishments truly makes the Georgia Mass Choir, ‘America’s Choir.’

 

PATH MEGAzine has joined with the producers of Deitrick Haddon presents…A Beautiful Soul to give away 5 DVDs of the movie before it hits stores.  The contest will take place this week, with details forth-coming in PATH’s daily newsletter and social networks.  

The success of the Tyscot/Man Haddon film Deitrick Haddon presents…A Beautiful Soul can be contributed to its all star cast. The cast included actors such as, Vanessa Bell Calloway, Golden Brooks, Robert Ri’chard, Barry Floyd and Harry Lennix.

The entire cast gave their all from beginning to end and since released in theatres, they have expressed their love for the film to various media outlets.

Cast member, Harry Lennix, who played the role of “Jeff Freeze”, (Andre Stephen’s manager) in the film discussed how he became involved in the film, his role, working with Deitrick Haddon and more with Blackfilm.com:

“The initial inquiry came from my friend Holly Davis Carter, who’s a dear friend I’ve known for many years and know to be associated with quality projects. Then I read the script and thought it had tremendous appeal, a cautionary tale for our modern times, and also had resonances to movies from the past like “It’s A Wonderful Life”. So I was interested from the first time I heard about it.”

Harry Lennix also explained the difference between his role as “Jeff Freeze” and his role as “Red” in The Five Heartbeats, “I play a character by the name of Jeff Freeze. I’m the manager for Deitrick Haddon’s character and just a kind of smooth Hollywood operator. Red is a far more malevolent figure than Jeff Freeze. Jeff is an operator but he’s not a pariah.”

Throughout his career, Lennix has worked with many actors, but this was his first time working with Deitrick Haddon. Harry Lennix shared his thoughts about Deitrick’s music and working with him on the set of A Beautiful Soul.

“I had not heard Deitrick’s music before working with him. As soon as I found out that I would be working with him I went to YouTube and found some tracks he’d done and was immediately impressed. At first I thought I was listening to Prince, he’s got a piercing voice like a clarion bell; he’s got a very clear voice mechanically speaking. To put that kind of voice onto inspirational music is a revelation. I think he’s a trendsetter. I don’t know a whole lot about modern Christian music, but having been a seminarian once I thought that he has tremendous potential to get this word out to a lot of people who are so in need to hear it. I have a great amount of respect for Deitrick, I’m very fond of Deitrick, and it was great working with him. He was a top-notch professional and all he wanted the entire time was to do the best job he could do.”

Lastly, Lennix stressed the importance of films like A Beautiful Soul reaching the masses, “There’s a need for content. The success of “Think Like A Man” shows that there’s an audience for the content, and I think “A Beautiful Soul” will prove the same thing. We are very sanguine about the potential for this movie to get into the national consciousness. We want to be responsible for making these images of ourselves, and who better to do it than people who are like-minded.”

On August 21, 2012 Tyscot Films will release the PG-13 Rated film, “Deitrick Haddon’s A Beautiful Soul” on DVD ($19.95 List Price).

Join PATH MEGAzine’s facebook and our Twitter to be the first to know how to win the DVDs.

About the film… Directed by Jeff Byrd (“Soul Food “ TV series), the film also stars Harry Lennix (“The Matrix Revolutions”), Robert Ri’chard (“Coach Carter”), Lesley Ann Brandt (“Spartacus: Gods of the Arena”), and Barry Floyd (“The Game”). Currently available in stores and on-line is the Tyscot Records CD release of “A Beautiful Soul (Music Inspired by the Motion Picture) from Deitrick Haddon presents Voices of Unity, which contains original music by Deitrick Haddon, Kierra Sheard, Canton Jones, Fonzworth Bentley and Faith Evans, among others. The Top 30 gospel radio single, “No Betta” is a duet showcasing Deitrick Haddon and Faith Evans.

Co-founder of Good Steward Music and GS Records, psalmist, singer, songwriter and new artist Stephen B. Steward reveals his radio single “With My Whole Heart” from his forthcoming project entitled ENTER YOUR GATES, slated for a January 2013 release. “With My Whole Heart” is Going For Adds this month at Gospel Radio.

Composed by GRAMMY, Oscar, Stellar, and Dove Award winner Andrae Crouch this single speaks volumes as its smooth flowing melody talks dedication and worship. “We collaborated on this particular song because scripturally, he was right on.”, states Andrae Crouch.

CLICK HERE to listen to an ORIGINAL and REMIX version of “With My Whole Heart”. Choose your favorite mix of the song by texting GSM to 72727.

Stephen B. Steward is a passionate worshiper who has witnessed the healing power of Praise and Worship, now wants to introduce fresh, inspiring songs of worship and declaration, from the heart of a servant to the heart of a King.

With the composition of more than 200 worship songs accredited to his name Stephen B. Steward’s music has captured the attention of the Gospel Music Association, who describes his music as “instantly memorable”.

For more information on Stephen B. Steward visit www.stephenbsteward.com. Connect with Stephen B. Steward at http://www.facebook.com/Stephenbstewardmusic and https://twitter.com/stephenbsteward

Have you ever wanted to visit the Holy Land — the land of the Bible where Jesus lived, died, and rose again? On September 4 Trinity Broadcasting Network’s Matt and Laurie Crouch, along with internationally acclaimed Bible teacher Joseph Prince, will lead an unforgettable ten-day tour of Israel and the Holy Land. And they want some blessed individual, along with a friend or loved one, to join them as their special guests — for free!

That’s right! TBN, America’s most watched faith channel, is offering an all-expenses-paid trip for two to the Holy Land, and all you have to do to register for this incredible giveaway is visit TBN’s Facebook page. “Facebook has become the premier social site for people all over the world,” said Matt Crouch, TBN’s Vice President of Administration. “And TBN’s Facebook page is the go-to site for keeping our viewers and friends informed about programming, features, and special news — like this once-in-a-lifetime trip to the Holy Land.”

TBN’s Holy Land tour is truly deluxe, including round-trip airfare to Israel and back, first-class accommodations and meals, guided sightseeing tours throughout the Holy Land, and special worship services with Pastor Joseph Prince. Among the sites included in the tour will be ancient Jerusalem; the Mount of Olives; the Pool of Siloam, where Jesus healed the blind man; the Upper Room, where He conducted the Last Supper with his disciples; the tomb where He was laid after his death, and from which He arose; the Western Wall, where generations of Jews have prayed; and much more.

“TBN’s tours to the Holy Land are always a blessing to all who participate,” said Matt Crouch. “We’re excited about this trip, and especially about the winner of this contest who will be TBN’s extra-special guest.”

Requirements to register for the trip giveaway are simple: to participate you must be a U.S. resident, at least 21 years of age, have a valid U.S. passport, and be available to travel September 4th through 13th, 2012. Deadline to register for the contest is Midnight, August 23, 2012. The winner will be randomly selected and informed after that date.

For more information or to register for TBN’s Holy Land Trip Giveaway log on to www.tbn.org/contest or www.facebook.com/trinitybroadcastingnetwork.

 

Nashville, Tenn – 9 August 2012 – GRAMMY-nominated artist Francesca Battistelli will kick off her first headlining tour, the “Hundred More Years Tour,” September 20th. Sponsored by World Vision, the tour will kick off in Jackson, KY and will showcase Dove Award-winning Artist Of The Year Battistelli, as well as feature Sidewalk Prophets and special guests Andy Cherry and City Harbor. The “Hundred More Years Tour” will run through October 28th.

Concertgoers will be able to hear songs from Battistelli’s hit albums, My Paper Heart and her sophomore release Hundred More Years, which debuted at No. 1 on the Christian Album chart and No. 16 on Billboard’s Top 200 chart. That project’s first single, “This Is The Stuff,” debuted in the Top 20 on Billboard’s Christian chart and Top 10 on iTunes’ Christian and Gospel chart.

“I am thrilled to be announce my first headlining tour!” exclaims Francesca Battistelli. “It’s been a dream for so long, and I pray that it will be a night where everyone feels the presence of God and has a great time. I’m honored to be sharing the stage with Sidewalk Prophets, Andy Cherry, and City Harbor, and I hope to see you all there!”

For more information about the tour, please click here to find out more. For tickets, please visit here to order yours today.

Hundred More Years Tour Dates:*

September
20 – Jackson, KY- Douthitt City Park
21 – Elizabethtown, KY- Severns Valley Baptist Church
22 – Springfield, IL- Prairie Capital Convention Center
23 – Springfield, TN- The Center
27 – Savannah, GA- Calvary Baptist Temple
28 – Knoxville, TN- Knoxville Christian Center
29 – Cleveland, TN- First Baptist Church Cleveland

October
5 – Pensacola, FL- Olive Baptist Church
6 – Brookhaven, MS- Old Brook Festival
12 – Evans, GA- Lady Antebellum Pavilion
13 – Brunswick, GA- Mary Ross Park
14 – North Port, FL- South Biscayne Church
20 – LaHarpe, IL- LaHarpe Community School
22 – Marshall, TX- Baker Auditorium
23 – Waco, TX- Columbus Avenue Baptist Church
26 – Bourbonnais, IL- Olivet Nazarene University
28 – North Platte, NE- North Platte Community Playhouse
*Tour dates are being added to schedule / all dates subject to change

About Francesca Battistelli
Fervent Records’ Francesca Battistelli was awarded the Gospel Music Association’s Artist of the Year and Female Vocalist of the Year (for the second year in a row) at the 42nd Annual Dove Awards. The accolades came on the heels of the successful release of her sophomore album, Hundred More Years, which debuted at No. 1 on the Christian Album chart and No. 16 on Billboard’s Top 200 chart. Featuring the No. 1 hit single “This Is The Stuff,” Hundred More Years is the follow-up to Battistelli’s debut My Paper Heart, which also delivered the No. 1 single “Free To Be Me” and hits “It’s Your Life,” “I’m Letting Go” and “Beautiful, Beautiful.” With close to 730,000 albums sold and well over 1.25 million downloads to date, Battistelli has become the best-selling new artist in the genre in the past eight years. Battistelli has earned a Grammy nomination (Best Gospel Performance), six Dove Awards and 18 Dove Award nominations. Her music has also been featured in the movie “Soul Surfer,” as well as on TV, such as TLC’s “Jon & Kate Plus 8,” “ABC’s Extreme Makeover: Home Edition,” NBC’s The Biggest Loser,” Fox’s “So You Think You Can Dance,” and several other television and movie outlets. Battistelli and her husband, Matt are the proud parents to son Eli (2) and new daughter Audrey, who was born July 3rd.
Francesca’s website | twitter

About Sidewalk Prophets
Sidewalk Prophets have made an impressive debut on the CCM scene, winning “New Artist of the Year” in 2010 and garnering four Dove Nominations to date, including “Pop Contemporary Song of the Year” and “Group of the Year.” Produced by Ian Eskelin (Francesca Battistelli), their debut album These Simple Truths has sold more than 100,000 units and 322,000 digital tracks making Sidewalk Prophets one of the top-selling new artists of the genre. The album delivered the smash No. 1 singles “You Love Me Anyway” and “The Words I Would Say,” which topped Billboard’s AC/Indicator Chart for five consecutive weeks. 
Sidewalk Prophets’ website | twitter

About Andy Cherry
Twenty-five year-old Andy Cherry, songwriter and worship leader, hails from Charlotte, N.C. Sonically, his thoughtful, complex arrangements stitch together the warmth of American roots music with the moody tones of British rock. Lyrically, Cherry challenges commonly held assumptions about God, urging listeners to open up, be bold enough to ask God the tough questions, and believe that He has the shoulders to bear those questions.
Andy Cherry’s website | twitter

About City Harbor
Hailing from Nashville, City Harbor’s Josh Varnadore and Molly Reed will release their much anticipated debut album in early 2013, highlighted by their debut radio single, “Somebody Tell Them.” Their songs come from a desire to know Christ and to make Christ known to the world around. As they explain, “when we see hurting people, struggling loved ones, and injustice in the world we’re always thinking somebody’s gotta do something but inside we know it has to start with us. All too often we miss the moment to share our faith or show love.”
City Harbor’s website | twitter

An unforgettable night of tributes and performances will be featured at the GMA Gospel Music Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony on Tuesday, August 14, 2012 (7:00 PM CST) at Trinity Music City in Hendersonville, TN. Dailey & Vincent, Dottie Peoples, Gordon Mote, Greg Long, The Isaacs, Jamie Grace, Michael W. Smith and The Talleys are among the artists set to provide recognition to this years inductees: Aretha Franklin, The Hoppers, Rex Humbard, Ricky Skaggs and Love Song. Jason Crabb and Jaci Velasquez will host the evening’s festivities.

Jackie Patillo, Executive Director of the Gospel Music Association and President of the Gospel Music Foundation commented: “It is great to see our christian and gospel music communities come together to pay tribute to this years GMA Gospel Music Hall of Fame inductees. It is an honor to recognize our trailblazers and remind the world of the people God has used to spread the gospel through music.” The event is FREE and open to the public.

This year marks the 39th anniversary of the GMA Gospel Music Hall of Fame which was established in 1971, and has inducted more than 150 members since its inception. Previous inductees include Johnny Cash, DeGarmo & Key, Dolly Parton, Elvis Presley, Mahalia Jackson, Amy Grant, the Statler Brothers, the Winans, the Blind Boys of Alabama, Andrae Crouch, Sandi Patty, Andrae Crouch & the Disciples, Vestal Goodman, Tennessee Ernie Ford, Shirley Caesar, The Oak Ridge Boys, the Blackwood Brothers, Petra, Bill Gaither, Gloria Gaither, the Happy Goodman Family, Larry Norman, George Beverly Shea, Albertina Walker, The Imperials, Pat Boone, Dottie Rambo, Evie, Larry Norman, Richard Smallwood, Jake Hess, The Lewis Family, Cliff Barrows, Thomas A. Dorsey, the Cathedral Quartet, the Fairfield Four, Billy Graham and The Jordanaires. The Gospel Music Hall of Fame is dedicated to fostering an appreciation of the historical development of gospel music and its impact on our culture by collecting, preserving, exhibiting and interpreting its collections for a global audience, as well as honoring those who have made outstanding contributions to gospel music. For a full list of GMA Gospel Music Hall of Fame Members click here.

ABOUT THE INDUCTEES:

ARETHA FRANKLIN
Although born in soul’s capitol city, Memphis. The Franklin family soon moved to Detroit, MI, where her father, Baptist minister Reverend C. L. Franklin, soon became one of the most revered public figures in black America. During her late preteens, Franklin was regularly singing solo numbers in her father’s New Bethel Baptist Church. She grew up with local and national celebrities visiting in her family home, including gospel greats Albertina Walker and her group The Caravans, Mahalia Jackson and Clara Ward, three women who played a pivotal role in her vocal development.

In 1972, she released the gospel album Amazing Grace. The album eventually became her biggest-selling release ever, selling over two million copies and becoming the best-selling gospel album of all time. In 1987 she again returned to her gospel roots with the album, One Lord, One Faith, One Baptism, which though it did not repeat the success of Amazing Grace despite a powerful rendition of “Oh Happy Day”, featuring Mavis Staples, but did reach the Top 10 of Billboard’s gospel chart.

Rolling Stone magazine ranked her atop its list of The Greatest Singers of All Time as well as the ninth greatest artist of all time. She has won 18 competitive Grammys and two honorary Grammys. She has 20 #1 singles on the Billboard R&B Singles Chart and two #1 hits on the Billboard Hot 100: “Respect” (1967) and “I Knew You Were Waiting (For Me)” (1987), Since 1961, she has scored a total of 45 Top 40 hits on the Billboard Hot 100. She also has the most million-selling singles of any female artist. Between 1967 and 1982 she had 10 #1 R&B albums-more than any other female artist. In 1987, Aretha became the first female artist to be inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. She was the only featured singer at the 2009 Presidential Inauguration.

DALLAS HOLM
Dallas has earned his influence in today’s Christian music throughout more than 40 years of writing, singing and ministry in some 4,000 concerts in every state in the USA as well as many countries abroad. His 38 recordings have garnered gold records, multiple Dove awards, Grammy nominations, number one songs, and countless accolades.

Artists such as Steven Curtis Chapman, Twila Paris and Greg Long of Avalon all make reference to Holm’s significant impact on their lives and ministries. Holm can be seen on several of the Bill Gaither Homecoming videos. On one video Gaither introduces Dallas by saying, “This is one of the nicest guys in our entire industry.” This broad appeal and respect by peers has undoubtedly been one of the reasons for Holm’s amazing longevity and relevance. They became the first Contemporary Christian band to receive an RIAA certified Gold Album for Dallas Holm and Praise LIVE.

THE HOPPERS
Multi-award winning family group The Hoppers have been singing to global audiences for over 55 years with appearances ranging from presidential religious inaugural ceremonies and New York’s Carnegie Hall to singing conventions and church platforms. They have performed throughout the United States as well as in Israel, Europe and Africa. Their unique blend of harmonies and song choices have created a legacy of musical excellence embraced by leading pastors and event organizers. Known as America’s Favorite Family of Gospel Music, they are favorites on the Gaither Homecoming videos and tours, and their recordings frequently land at the top of the BILLBOARD sales charts and The Singing News radio charts.

Comprised today of family members Claude & Connie, son Dean and his wife, Kim, and son Mike Hopper, The Hoppers were formed in 1957 in the rural-farm town of Madison, NC, and have grown continuously for decades, touching countless lives around the world. A cancer survivor, Connie has been honored with the prestigious Marvin Norcross Award, in addition to numerous industry and fan honors; and she has been inducted into the Southern Gospel Music Hall of Fame. Sons Dean and Mike have continued the family legacy with their musical talents and business abilities; and Kim, Dean’s wife, hails from her own nationally acclaimed musical family, The Greenes. She is noted for the excitement she brings to any live performance, and her unmistakable, rafter-ringing soprano vocals have taken The Hoppers to new heights for many years.

REX HUMBARD
In 1932, Rex Humbard did his first radio program on KTHS Radio, Hot Springs, Arkansas; at the age of 13. His father, Alpha Rex Emanuel Humbard, ran an orphanage and church in downtown Hot Springs. In the midst of the Great Depression, church attendance was poor and offerings for the orphanage suffered greatly. Rex did his radio program every week, singing, playing his guitar and telling the listeners about his father’s church. One year later the seats were full to capacity and the orphans had a new lease on life. From that time forward, Rex Humbard realized the power of the media and the importance of the “life changing” message contained in gospel music.

From 1945 through 1952 (during the war years), Rex and his wife, Maude Aimee, traveled to every section of the USA and Canada conducting tent crusade meetings. In each of these cities they purchased radio time and appeared daily singing gospel music and promoting the tent crusades. In 1949, Rex did his first TV show in Indianapolis, Indiana on the local CBS station. Once again, gospel music was the center piece of the program.

The Rex Humbard Ministry program ran from 1952 to 1985. In the early 1970’s, Time Magazine did a feature story on Rex Humbard and coined the phrase “tele-evangelist” to describe Rex. In 1999, Rex was named as “one of the 25 shapers of the 20th century” by US News and World Report because of his visionary use of the media to promote his message of hope, love and salvation. One of the most vital parts of his ministry was gospel music.

LOVE SONG
In the early 70’s, during the beginnings of what became known as the “Jesus Movement,” a group of young, longhaired, “hippie” musicians called LOVE SONG began to use their music to express their newfound faith in Jesus Christ. A mixture of rock and pop, LOVE SONG’s music was entirely new and unique for the Christian music world.

The music was fresh, sometimes radical, and yet truly inspirational for a generation of young people searching for truth. It helped blaze the path for what we know today as Contemporary Christian Music. They flourished amidst the swirl of national media attention from top record labels and interviews with magazines including ROLLING STONE. God used them in a powerful way to bring many people to Himself. “In a world of imitators, Love Song has been an originator, the first domino that started the others going”

RICKY SKAGGS
Fourteen-time Grammy Award winner and two-time Dove Awards winner, Ricky Skaggs, is affectionately known as one of bluegrass music’s most recognized ambassadors. Singing comes naturally to Skaggs, and singing Gospel songs even more so. At the tender age of 3, he began by harmonizing with his mother as she sang Gospel songs. He began to perform in his church, singing with his parents there. His illustrious path to stardom has always included Gospel songs, as he loves to sing about Jesus and His love for all of us.

From there, Skaggs went on to put his own stamp on the mainstream country and bluegrass formats, resulting in twelve #1 hits, eight Country Music Association Awards and eight Academy of Country Music Awards. 1997 marked Ricky Skaggs’ triumphant return to bluegrass and the establishment of his own Skaggs Family Records label, which has gone on to break new sales records in the genre. Now in his 40th year as a professional musician, he continues to record and tour with his band Kentucky Thunder as one of music’s most sought after live performers.

The long awaited new project from J Moss, V4… The Other Side, debuted at #1 on Billboard’s Gospel Albums chart this week. This represents the highest chart debut of his career! 

Mary Mary is ever-so consistent in sales coming in at #2 after three months on the charts. 

Amber Bullock rebounds, going from #21 to #9 this week, and her label-mate Le’Andria Johnson pops back into the Top 10.

Check out the rest of the top 10:

1 | J Moss – V4… The Other Side
2 | Mary Mary – Go Get It
3 | WOW Gospel 2012
4 | KB – Weight & Glory
5 | Marvin Sapp – I Win
6 | Charles Jenkins & Fellowship Chicago – The Best of Both Worlds
7 | Le’Andria Johnson – The Awakening of…
8 | James Fortune & FIYA – Identity
9 | Amber Bullock – So In Love
10 | Le’Andria Johnson – The Evolution of…

 

Evangelist Billy Graham is in stable condition after being admitted to a hospital in Asheville, N.C., Saturday night.

Graham, 93, was evaluated and treated for a pulmonary infection. He was alert when he was being admitted to Mission Hospital and is now resting comfortably, according to spokesman A. Larry Ross.

“Appropriate antibiotics are being administered and … his condition is stable,” Ross said in a statement.

Graham is currently retired, after having preached the Gospel to nearly 215 million people in more than 185 countries and territories. He spends most of his time in his home in Montreat, N.C., due to age-related conditions.

Though retired, the respected evangelist is still involved in ministry and is also working on a new book focused on the Gospel message that he preached in the span of over 70 years.

It was also recently announced that the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association will hold the largest North American evangelistic event it has ever held next year on the week of Graham’s 95th birthday.

The event “could be Billy Graham’s final call to America to turn to God,” according to Preston Parrish, BGEA vice president for My Hope With Billy Graham.

In a prayer letter last month, Graham lamented the moral direction of America and said his heart “aches” for it. He pointed to the millions of babies that have been aborted as well as indulgence, pride and a lack of shame over sin that are “now emblems of the American lifestyle.”

“The wonderful news is that our Lord is a God of mercy, and He responds to repentance,” he stated.