The Rance Allen Group has recorded with many great singers over the years and they definitely know good singing when they hear it. When the group travels across the country, they also love to stop and enjoy good choir music. There is nothing like hearing choirs harmonize and sing praises unto God.

Now they are looking for the BEST choir in the country to sing and share with in song. Yes, the Rance Allen Group wants to come and sing with your choir! There are no restrictions on the type of choir they are looking for which means all-male, traditional, and contemporary choruses are invited to participate.

Here is how you enter the contest: Send a Youtube link of your choir singing the group’s latest single “Holy One” to: tygetssocial@gmail.com along with the name of your church, the minister of music’s name & his/her contact info.

The Best Choir Competition Contest Deadline is November 30, 2011. Please have all submissions in by this date.

The grand prize winner will get the opportunity to perform with the group at during a Sunday Morning service at the winner’s church.

The Live Experience II CD & DVD are available online and in stores.

Article courtesy of EurWeb:

Producers of the upcoming Mahalia Jackson biopic have apologized to its star Fantasia Barinno for comments given to the New York Post by a financing broker for the film that were not authorized.

Under the headline “’Idol’ Threat to Gospel Flick,” the Post’s Page Six quoted “executive producer Adrian Taylor” as saying production on the film had to be pushed back because of Fantasia’s pregnancy with her married boyfriend, Antwaun Cook, and that Producers were “furious” with the 27-year-old for not telling them about her unexpected pregnancy until she was four months in. Taylor also told Page Six that producers now think Fantasia’s has “the wrong image” to play the gospel icon because she’s “having a child out of wedlock.”

In a statement to EUR, the film’s producers Double Dutch Productions, LLC claims that Adrian Taylor, who is quoted in the article, is not an executive producer, but rather the film’s “financing broker” whose comments “were not authorized, approved or condoned by the producers of DDP. The information and comments expressed within this article regarding the project were solely those of Adrian Taylor.”

The full statement to EUR reads:

Double Dutch Productions, LLC. (DDP) extends apologies to Fantasia Barrino for the inaccurate, non-factual and disparaging statements of Ms. Barrino’s reputation, character and image, that was stated in the October 7, 2011 article of the NY Post’s Page Six column. 

The comments made in the article by financing broker Adrian Taylor, were not authorized, approved or condoned by the producers of DDP. The information and comments expressed within this article regarding the project were solely those of Adrian Taylor. 

Taylor is not an employee of this production company nor an active participant of any facet in the producing of this film. Taylor has been reprimanded on two previous occasions for speaking to the press about this project.  He was told that he was not a spokesperson nor a producer of the film, nor involved in the production or publicity of the film. Mr. Taylor’s credit of Executive  Producer will be valid only pending a final contract for financing. DDP and its producers disavow any statements or comments attributed to this article that were inappropriately made. Mr. Taylor does not speak for this company or the production of this film. 

The Mahalia Jackson family has not made any negative comments non-what-so ever about Ms. Barrino and her participation in this film project.

We at DDP want to assure Ms. Barrino that in no way are we responsible for the information that was included in the article. ANY FUTURE COMMENTS FROM OUTSIDE PARTIES REGARDING THIS FILM THAT ARE NOT DIRECTLY PROVIDED BY DDP OR ITS PUBLICIST WILL BE DEEMED AS VOID, BOGUS AND INACCURATE.
 

Far away from her Houston home Yolanda Adams was tearing up the stage in the UK for a special Michael Jackson tribute.

According to the UK’s Telegraph, Yolanda stole the show!

Yolanda Adams’s soaring gospel-tinged Earth Song banished the uncomfortable memory of Jackson’s 1996 Brits performance and Jarvis Cocker’s bottom-baring stage invasion. The image of a young Jackson on the screen behind the Texan singer – one of few shown due to image copyright issues – seemed desperately poignant against the “what about us” refrain. It was the only performance of the night which bettered the original: gone, but by no means forgotten, Michael would have been proud.

That’s an awesome review for Yolanda Adams who was sharing the stage with a who’s who list of secular performers like Cee Lo Green, Christina Aguilera, Gladys Knight, Smokey Robinson and Beyonce. 

Jackson’s children Prince, Blanket and Paris took to the stage to thank a warm capacity filled crowd.  Check out the video of Yolanda’s performance below.

 About Yolanda Adam’s:Yolanda Adam’s is the host of the Yolanda Adam’s Morning Show, one of the highest rated Gospel radio shows in the U.S.  Adam’s is one of the best selling Gospel artists of all time.

Fantasia Barrino called in exclusively to “The Wendy Williams Show” to set the record straight about her pregnancy, relationship and rumors surrounding her involvement in the legendary gospel singer Mahalia Jackson biopic.

Fantasia says that no contracts was signed, and production was not halted because of her pregnancy.  Fantasia claims she was told that investors backed out, and the producers were currently seeking alternative funding for the movie. 

Reports swirled Tuesday when it was released that the estate of Mahalia Jackson was upset due to the fact Fantasia was pregnant by a married man named Antwaun Cook.

Watch the video below to see the Fantasia Barrino interview with Wendy Williams.

The demand for religious films is on the rise, especially in the advent of Tyler Perry plays and big screen movies produced by churches and Pastors like Bishop T. D. Jakes.

Megachurch preacher Creflo Dollar is catching the wave and has opened up a film division within his Christian empire.

According to reports, the new company, CAD Productions will produce at least three faith-based films a year, with one in the making right now.

“Breaking News” focuses on a well-known pastor stuck in the middle of a media scandal after his daughter’s lesbian friend falsely accuses him of infidelity.

Where did that plot come from? One can only guess.

The film is currently being cast, but we do know that the film will be directed by Delano Massey.

Source: EurWeb.com

Representatives for the New York City Office of the Chief Medical Examiner will appear in Manhattan Supreme Court on Nov. 23 to challenge an injunction filed by the mother of Zachery Tims to prevent disclosure of the Florida pastor’s cause of death.

The medical examiner’s office was set on Friday to release information on the cause of death of the Apopka, Fla., pastor, who was found unresponsive in a Times Square hotel on Aug. 12, when legal action prevented them from doing so.

According to Central Florida 13 News, a spokesperson with the New York City Law Department provided official documentation showing that a state justice has ordered the findings of the 42-year-old Tims death to not be released until a hearing next month.

“The Medical Examiner’s Office does not release autopsy reports to the public. Rather, it discloses the cause and manner of death upon public inquiry. The City feels it’s important to make this information available to the public. The Law Department will defend this challenge to the Medical Examiner’s ability to do so,” said Ave Maria Brennan of the New York City Law Department.

In order to keep this information from the public, Tims’ family will have to prove to the justice that there is compelling reason to withhold its disclosure. Though Tims’ New Destiny Christian Center (NDCC) has announced its resolve to move ahead with its ministry, there is, nevertheless, still a great deal of interest engendered by this case. Speculation has been rife concerning the cause of his death, especially since the pastor’s autopsy was proven inconclusive. For many, the result of November’s hearing might finally resolve this issue.

If the toxicology results are kept confidential and Tims’ family keeps his cause of death from being disclosed, it is likely that allegations of a possible drug overdose will forever haunt the Florida minister.

Tims is survived by his four children whom he shared with ex-wife and pastor, Riva Tims, who has been receiving calls from NDCC members to return to the church and take over for the inspirational pastor.

In an unprecedented act of officially sanctioned repression, Egyptian security forces opened fire on Coptic Christian demonstrators in Cairo on Monday, leaving at least 26 dead by the official count and hundreds injured. Despite media reports implying that the Christians attacked security forces, One Free World International’s sources in Egypt confirm that these actions were carried out against an unarmed crowd of protesters staging a peaceful demonstration with no plan for a violent confrontation with security forces.

“Egyptian Christians are in urgent need of our help,” stated Rev. Majed El Shafie, President and Founder of One Free World International. “We cannot afford to sit idly by and leave our brothers and sisters to face this crisis alone. Please stand up and make your voice heard on behalf of our brothers and sisters in Egypt who live and worship in daily apprehension and fear of violent reprisals.”

Thousands of Christians had gathered in the Shubra district of northern Cairo to stage a peaceful sit-in at the state television building to protest the interim government’s lack of response to a string of anti-Christian attacks in recent months. The violence erupted when bands of armed young men began attacking the Christians. After initially standing by without taking any action to protect the Christian demonstrators, the Egyptian security forces themselves then engaged the demonstrators directly with lethal force. According to One Free World International sources on the ground, security forces fired indiscriminately into the crowd with live ammunition and drove armored vehicles and tanks into the crowd, ruthlessly crushing any demonstrators in their path.

The assaults by Egyptian authorities continued even after the Christian protesters began to disperse from the area. Gangs attacked cars thought to be carrying Christian passengers and the security forces went so far as to follow wounded Christians to the Coptic hospital where they attacked both the wounded and the medical staff caring for them. At least 150 Christians have been arrested, in the words of Egypt’s official state media outlet, as “instigators of chaos.”

The Christian community in Egypt, which makes up approximately 10% of the population, has been under increasing pressure from ultra-conservative Islamic forces whose influence has grown in the power-vacuum left by the demise of the Mubarak regime earlier this year.

“Remember that the persecuted Christians are dying every day, but they are still smiling,” says El Shafie. “They are in a very deep dark night, but they have the candle of the Lord. The enemy can have a very strong weapon and a very strong army, but we have the Lord Almighty. They can kill the dreamer, but they cannot kill the dream.”

For more information, visit www.onefreeworldinternational.org.

Alfreda Mitchell known as Freda, has been singing since the young age of five. As a young adult shortly after joining the 100 voice Echoes of Zion Choir, at Greater Saint John Missionary Baptist Church, Freda became one of the lead vocalist. She later became lead vocalist for Four Young Ladies; known as the Saint John Specials.

Always performing her own material, Freda has performed with many Gospel Greats, such as: Vickie Winans, Albertina Walker, Tonex, Gospel Elites, Helen Baylor, Hezekiah Walker, The Caravans, Marvin Sapp, Tramaine Hawkins, Margaret Dereaux, and Twinkie Clark. She has also appeared as a guest on the Oprah Winfrey Show. In addition, she has performed for the Royal Family in Italy, and the Pope in Saint Peter’s Square.

Upon releasing her debut CD, “When God Steps In,” Freda received a Gospel Academy Award for female vocalist of the year, and was a Stellar Award Winner in Los Angeles as well as a Showtime at the Apollo Winner.

Her gift to minister in song has extended as far as Paris, France, Germany, Italy, London England, Denmark, Finland, Switzerland, Australia, Bahamas, The Virgin Islands, New Zealand, and China.

Freda has performed sermonic solos for a host of pastors, such as: the late Bishop G.E. Patterson, Dr. Jeremiah Wright, Bishop Noel Jones, Bishop Kenneth Ulmer, Bishop Ernestine Reems, Dr. Fred and Betty Price, Marilyn and Sarah Hickey, and Rick Joyner to name a few.

Freda has been blessed to sing for high profile politicians, such as former president Bill Clinton, former governor and former president George Bush.

Freda Mitchell is available for phone interview. Please contact Tammy Nagle at 510-431- 6832 ext 2, to set up a time that is convenient; or for more information.

Please visit Freda’s excellent website at www.fredamitchell.com for more information, including mp3’s and contact info.

Be sure to visit her online press kit at: http://reverbnation.com/fredamitchell for full bio, detailed copy, and downloadable jpeg photos.

Congratulations to Jessica Reedy, whose debut release From The Heart debuts atop the Billboard Top Gospel Charts this week. The album also enters at #5 on the Independent Albums Charts and #43 on the Billboard Top 200 Charts. The Awakening of Le’Andria Johnson from Le’Andria Johnson moves to #2 on this week’s charts. Man Up, the brand new release from 116 Clique debuts at the #3 position followed by Lecrae‘s Rehab, which jumps seven places to the #4 position. Kirk Franklin‘s Hello Fear rounds out the week’s top five albums. In other chart news, The Journey, the brand new release from Andrae Crouch, debuts at #6 while the new compilation Coco Brother Presents: Gospel Mix, Vol. V debuts at #8.

The full top 10…

1 | Jessica Reedy – From the Heart
2 | Le’Andria Johnson – The Awakening of Le’Andria Johnson…
3 | 116 Clique – Man Up
4 | Lecrae – Rehab
5 | Kirk Franklin – Hello Fear
6 | Andraé Crouch – The Journey
7 | WOW Gospel 2011
8 | CoCo Brother – Gospel Mix V
9 | Isaac Carree – Uncommon Me
10 | Donald Lawrence – YRM (Your Righteous Mind)

In the world of radio, “I Need Your Glory” from Earnest Pugh spends its second week at the top of the radio charts. “I Smile” from Kirk Franklin moves to the #2 spot while Isaac Carree‘s “In The Middle” moves up to the #3 position. “Be Still” from Yolanda Adams holds to the #4 spot while “Over & Over” from Trin-i-tee 5:7 featuring PJ Morton rounds out the week’s top five songs.

Members of legendary gospel singer Mahalia Jackson’s estate are upset that Fantasia Barrino has become pregnant by a married man as she prepares to play the Queen of Gospel in the biographical film “Mahalia!”

According to the New York Post, producers are also furious with the 2004 “American Idol” winner for not telling them about her unexpected pregnancy until she was four months in. “She [initially] claimed that she was putting on weight for the role,” an insider told the paper.

Production of the movie has been pushed back because of Fantasia’s pregnancy with her married boyfriend, Antwaun Cook.

“The family thinks if Fantasia plays the role, it’s going to sully the name of Mahalia,” executive producer Adrian Taylor told the Post. “They think she’s got the wrong image, having a child out of wedlock.”

Barrino’s pregnancy has also caused chaos with scheduling conflicts because filming has been delayed until after her due date on Dec. 27. Director Euzhan Palcy may now be forced to drop out of the project.

Producers are now scrambling to finish the movie by fall 2012. Barrino has been asked to start filming as soon as January and is in negotiations to alter her contract to allow time for breast-feeding and nurturing her child on set.

In the meantime, producers are working to find a replacement if Barrino doesn’t agree to start shooting after New Year’s. Missy Elliott has been suggested.

Because of the unexpected bump, the film’s budget has been increased from $23 million to $27 million.

Dino Gankendorff, who represents Mahalia Jackson’s estate, told The Post, “I’m not really aware of any objections that the heirs have to the casting of Fantasia. I understand that they were getting ready to film and that she is pregnant, and I don’t know who is she pregnant by.”

Barrino’s rep said, “This is the first time I’ve heard about this. I have no comment.”

Source: EurWeb.com

ALSO READ: Fantasia Addresses Mahalia Jackson Movie Drama on The Wendy Williams Show