I’m so happy for Isaac Carree!  He’s paid his dues for nearly 20 years in the industry, and his new solo album debuts #1 on Billboard!  Uncommon Me, by Isaac Carree has garnered raving reviews for the singer who started out with John P. Kee and spent long stints singing background for Kirk Franklin and many others. 

I’m equally happy for Gospel rap artist “PRO” who debuted at #2 on the charts with his album Dying to Live.  Once again Gospel rap continues to shock the industry with high sales and 2 rap albums in Billboards Top 10.  You can check out PRO rapping recently with Lecrae and Reach Records at the GMWA.  Click Here.

Also making a strong debut on the charts is Deitrick Haddon’s Anthology Project which landed the #7 spot. 

Congratulations to everyone who made the Top 10!  It’s good to see some new faces on the charts.  The rest of the top 10 is below.

1 | Isaac Carree – Uncommon Me
2 | PRo – Dying to Live
3 | Kirk Franklin – Hello Fear
4 | Donald Lawrence – YRM (Your Righteous Mind)
5 | WOW Gospel 2011
6 | Mary Mary – Something Big
7 | Deitrick Haddon – Anthology: The Writer & His Music
8 | Earnest Pugh – Earnestly Yours
9 | Deitrick Haddon – Church on the Moon
10 | Lecrae – Rehab

Mathew Knowles’ Music World Gospel, an imprint label of Music World Music, today signed an exclusive International Distribution Agreement with Houston-based gospel recording artist James Fortune and Fiya World, LLC for recordings distributed worldwide, excluding North American. This Agreement covers any and all product that Fiya World, LLC wishes to place forth for distribution that feature the performances of James Fortune and/or FIYA.

Fortune is a Stellar Award winner and the winner of two prestigious ASCAP Awards for Gospel Song of the Year for “You Survived,” (2006) from his debut CD of the same title, which peaked at #2 on Billboard’s Hot Gospel Song chart, and “I Trust You,” (2009) from his sophomore CD, The Transformation. His groundbreaking, chart-topping and history-making single, “I Trust You,” is the longest #1 hit single in gospel music, eclipsing the six-month run of Marvin Sapp’s hit single, “Never Would Have Made It.” “I Trust You” remained at #1 on Billboard’s Hot Gospel Song charts for 29 consecutive weeks. The Transformation peaked at #3 on Billboard’s Top Gospel Album chart. Fortune’s third CD, Encore peaked at #2 on Billboard’s Top Gospel Album chart and the first single and title track, peaked at # 4 on Billboard’s Hot Gospel Song chart.

“James Fortune has had very successful records in the U.S.,” said Mathew Knowles, founder, President and CEO of Music World Entertainment. “We look forward to building his platform and brand worldwide. Music World Entertainment has achieved an overwhelming amount of success internationally. Gospel music is growing tremendously in the foreign territories. And we, as well as our partners, are on the frontline of expanding gospel music globally.”

“We are excited about teaming with Mathew Knowles and Music World Gospel internationally,” said James Fortune, founder and CEO of Fiya World, LLC. “I look forward to having my music, as well as my artists’ music, heard around the world. I’m also looking forward to exploring touring opportunities and selling more records. Music World’s success is unprecedented globally.”

Singer/songwriter/producer/musician, Travis Malloy, has filed a lawsuit against Darius Paulk, alleging that the songwriter failed to give him proper co-writing credits causing Travis Malloy not to be able to collect royalties and benefit from the success of EMI Gospel recording artist Vashawn Mitchell’s rendition of, “Nobody Greater.”

The suit was filed August 30, 2011, Case Index #11-CV-6075RJS in the U.S. District Court- Southern District Court of New York seeks damages of one million dollars. Also named as defendants are, EMI CHRISTIAN MUSIC GROUP, INC., Sony Music Entertainment, INC, d/b/a SONY MUSIC HOLDING, INC.

Christopher Brown, of Brown & Rosen LLC, attorney for the plaintiff states, “This is a rather interesting case. When a writer alleges that he has written the entire song as Mr. Paulk has, despite not having the ability to write or play music, you must ask yourself, “Then who wrote the music?” Music like lyrics, are also entitled to copyright protection. Otherwise, several genres of music, including jazz, would never exist. Music is just as important as lyrical content and arrangement.” Said Brown.

“The court will have to address this matter and decide who wrote the music to ‘Nobody Greater”. There is a witness that saw Mr. Malloy creating the music while working with Mr. Paulk. The witness statement has been provided to the Court. All parties will have a chance to address the allegations.”

Nobody Greater is featured on several compilations, one being, the award winning platinum selling brand, WOW Gospel. The song has garnered many industry awards, peaking at #1 on the Billboard Gospel Radio and Retail charts, nominated for Grammys in the categories of; Best Gospel Performance and Best Contemporary R&B Gospel Album. Nobody Greater has caused Vashawn Mitchell to be nominated for 10 Stellar Gospel Music Awards 2011.

About Travis Malloy

Travis Malloy, a native of Pittsburgh Pennsylvania, is a singer, songwriter, producer and musician. Travis graduated from The Pittsburgh High School For The Creative And Performing Arts (CAPA), where he studied in the vocal department for four years. Travis Malloy is currently signed to Cory Rooney Entertainment.

Press Release Courtesy of Sheilah Belle and The Belle Report

Louisiana Capitol City’s Number One Gospel Radio Station and 2009 Stellar Award Winning “Station of the Year” WXOK-AM Heaven 1460 will mark it’s 58th year of service to the Baton Rouge Community on Friday, October 28th with an All-Star Gospel Celebration presented by Woman’s Hospital of Baton Rouge featuring over 15 local and national recording artists including Myron Butler, G.I., Maurette Brown-Clark, Isaiah D. Thomas, Lisa Page-Brooks, Brian Courtney Wilson, Todd Dulaney, Jai Reed, Troy Sneed, Lowell Pye, Le’Andria Johnson, Shirley Murdock, James Fortune & FIYA, Isaac Simpson & D.P., Gifted, Pastor Ricardo Handy and The MT. Zion II Music Ministry, The Light House Juniors, & The Voices of Heaven Mass Choir. The Celebration will commence under the theme “Never Shall Forget after 58 years…” which is in-part a tribute to Tyscot Recording Artist Pastor Rance Allen who will receive the most coveted “Eula Mae Hatter Award” for his life-long service within the gospel community.

WXOK is also proud to honor two local musical prodigies former JDI Recording artist and founder of Shabach Praise Company; Minister Timothy Britten and former Tyscot recording artist and Director of The Voices of Praise; Kenneth Mitchell with WXOK’s Spirit of the City Awards. Citadel Broadcasting is proud to welcome hundreds of life-long listeners and fans of WXOK Heaven 1460 to share in this momentous occasion. Tickets will be made available beginning Wednesday, September 14th and more information is available locally on Heaven 1460 WXOK and online at Heaven1460.com.

WXOK’s 58th year Celebration is slated for Friday, October 28th at the Gloryland Baptist Church “Glory Center” 6745 Greenwell Springs Road at South Choctaw, Doors open at 6pm and the celebration begins at 7pm sharp. The evening will also feature a Pre-Concert Outdoor Festival beginning at 5pm and post event Press/Media Reception for details log on to heaven1460.com or call 225-926-1106.

About Heaven 1460, WXOK-AM

For 58 years WXOK has served Baton Rouge since it began as the first Radio station to cater to an African American audience in this area. WXOK has served as home to the voices of Mayor Melvin “Kip” Holden, Eula Mae Hatter, Mary Manson Gordon, Al Jai Wallace and the blues-o-logest E. Rodney Jones; Now Heaven 1460s line-up includes: Yolanda Adams, Bro. Larry Jones, Donnie McClurkin, J’Michael, Kathy Ann, Bruce Peterson, Debra Keller DJ Eagle Eye, Jor’Dan Armstrong and Nita Morgan.

The Gospel Music Heritage Foundation is finalizing plans for “Evolution of Gospel”, the third annual national kick-off for Gospel Music Heritage Month, to be held this Saturday, September 3, 2011 at 6:30 P.M. at the Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington, D.C.

Heading up the event is Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee, the author of the Congressional Resolution that crowned September as Gospel Music Heritage Month. Jeff “Jazzy” Jordan and Carl Davis, are Co-Chairmen for the event. The Foundation will honor Gospel Ambassador Dr. Bobby Jones as a “Living Legend” at the event, for extraordinary commitment to and encouragement of the preservation of human legacy within the lives of every American. Also being honored is Ms. Catherine Hughes and First Lady Michelle Obama making the three the first ever recipients of the award.

Scheduled performers include Richard Smallwood, Marvin Sapp, and Kirk Franklin.

About the Gospel Music Heritage Foundation: The Gospel Music Heritage Month Foundation was established three years ago to celebrate and educate people everywhere about the rich heritage of the gospel music genre through word and song. In 2008, Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee (D-TX) and Senator Blanche Lincoln (D-AR) led the passing of a resolution in both chambers declaring September as Gospel Music Heritage Month.  This year’s program will feature appearances by Kirk Franklin, Marvin Sapp, and Richard Smallwood. The celebration’s format tells the story of gospel through narration and song, beginning with the Middle Passage, and it winds its path through gospel voices like Thomas Dorsey and Walter Hawkins. It ends with spotlights on contemporary gospel music and artists.

Gospel rap took a big step forward towards being widely accepted in the traditional Gospel market that controls radio air time.  For the first time Gospel rap was rewarded at the Gospel Music Workshop of America (GMWA) with its own nightly showcase.  GMWA is known as an influential Gospel music conference that brings together members of the Gospel Announcers Guild (GAG).   

Before the showcase, Top Rappers from several record labels held a Q & A forum with over 50 radio hosts, programers, and publications in attendance.  The goal of the panel was to open up dialog that would bring the emerging genre of Gospel rap closer to receiving continuous air-time on more radio stations.

Some of the people in attendance included rappers Lecrae, Jai, Tedashii, Thi’sl, Trip Lee along with industry execs Shamael Lataillade, and Bishop Al Hobbs.

Gospel Rap (sometimes referred to as Holy Hip Hop) has the fastest growing fan-base out of all of the Gospel genres.  This year rapper Lecrae had two albums in Billboards top 10.  A first for Gospel rap.  Rappers Trip Lee, Thi’sl, and Tadashii also made Top 10 debuts the new norm.  Parents and radio announcers across the country are starting to understand that this genre will play a key role in offering a Godly alternative to it’s secular rap counter-part.  

Top record execs were in attendance trying to get a feel for the heart beat of Gospel rap.  Some were even actively looking for new talent.  

The founder of Tyscot Records, Bishop Leonard Scott was in attendance gauging the audiences interest.  As you’ll see in the accompanying video below, the crowd was in a state of pandemonium over some of their favorite rappers from the Reach Records label co-owned by Gospel rap superstar Lecrae.

Many radio programmers pledged immediate rotation and airtime after the forum and concert concluded.  As a fan if you want more time blocks of Gospel rap, be sure to call or write-in to your local Gospel radio stations and let them know.  Also, be sure to buy the music.  Nothing speaks louder to industry executives then soaring record sales.  Trust me, the industry is now paying attention. 

Joel and Victoria Osteen, pastors of Houston-based Lakewood Church, have been slapped with a $3 million copyright infringement lawsuit by a little known New York band named The American Dollar.

The legal dispute centers on a song by band mates Richard Cupolo and John Emanuele, titled “Signaling Through the Flames,” which the Osteens used in television commercials for their DVD, “Supernatural.” The plaintiffs and their publishing company, Yesh Music, claim the pastors used the song without permission.

The songwriting duo signed an agreement last year that allowed use of their song by the Osteens and Lakewood but the agreement was only for one year and expired back in February, according to the plaintiff’s lawyer, Jarrett Ellzey. The band claims that the church has been using the song after the agreement expired.

Ellzey acknowledged to Houston Press that his clients were told by their publisher that their song would be marketed to a few megachurches. But the pair did not know, the lawyer said, that Lakewood, America’s largest church, would be one of the targets.

“They don’t want to be tied to a global televangelist for the rest of their careers, and a controversial one at that,” Ellzey told the local publication.

Despite their licensing agreement with the Osteens and Lakewood, the suit by Cupolo and Emanuele, and their publisher, asserts that “Yesh is not affiliated with any religious groups or political organizations, and does not desire to have its music associated with Defendants,” as reported by Houston Press.

Ellzey also said that the band cleared their song for use by the Osteens and Lakewood in a streaming web video and in live performance, but not in any video of those live performances.

The songwriters say they are asking for $3 million in damages because the 58-second clip of their instrumental “contributed to the success of the Defendant’s DVD and their marketing campaigns for other products, and substantially increased revenues and profits” for the Osteens and Lakewood, according to Houston Press.

In response, Lakewood spokesman Don Ilof said the two musicians are “apparently confused about the scope of the license, and are now demanding $3 million for uses that are authorized. We think this is unreasonable,” as reported by click2houston.com.

Iloff also told the Houston Chronicle that the church did not realize its licensing agreement had expired and offered to renew it before the band filed suit. “Now they’re asking for $3 million,” he said. “They see deep pockets.”

Lakewood Church in Houston is the largest church in the country with more than 40,000 weekly attendees.

Via Christian Post.com

Bishop Eddie Long accusers Jamal Parris and Spencer LaGrande have broken their silence for the first time since a financial settlement was reached in the case.  Speaking to Atlanta WSBTV Channel 2, the young men reveal additional details about their relationship with the Mega-church Pastor, which included how the touching and manipulation intensified throughout their relationship.  

The two announced plans to release a tell all book that they hope will help other people recognize the warning signs of abuse.  

The book could come at a stiff price if they decide to go forth with it.  As apart of the settlement (rumored to be as much as 25 million) the 4 accusers were not supposed to discuss the details surrounding the case.  Representing two out of the now 5 accusers, Jamal and Spenser said that they didn’t care about the money and that it was never about the money.  At the end of the interview, Parris defiantly challenges Bishop Eddie Long as it relates to coming after the settlement money.  “If you keep fighting me again, I’m going to embarrass you again,” Parris angrily says.    

Eddie Long’s Response:

New Birth Members,

We have a long history of dutifully serving those in need in the local and global communities and we will continue to do so. We are committed to the calling of a strong, viable and relevant ministry of the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

Unfortunately, we are in the media again and people are wondering what I am going to say. All I have to say is what we stated earlier. All parties involved decided to resolve the civil cases out of court. The decision was made to bring closure to this matter and allow us to move forward with the plans God has for this ministry.

I will continue to honor and abide by my commitment of confidentiality and restraint as it relates to the resolution of the civil litigation and will not be diverted from the important work of the ministry.

I thank God for your faithful support of my journey to South Africa where thousands where blessed and more than 700 people gave their lives to Christ. We also were able to sow more support into the HIV/AIDS Hospice in Johannesburg that we partnered with last year. We built a wonderful bridge of relationships with pastors and community leaders to further establish the Kingdom and bless others.

I love you and thank you for your continued commitment and dedication.

Your Pastor,

Bishop Eddie L. Long

Sunday’s Best gospel music competition is down to Amber Bullock and Andrea Helms! It is now up to America to pick a winner.

Be sure to make your voice heard by voting. You will have until Saturday, September 10th to to vote. The winner will be announced on Sunday, September 4th.

Voting methods:

1. Online– http://www.bet.com/shows/sunday-best/games/sunday-best-finale-voting.html

2. Phone– 1-888-5-BEST-01 for Andrea Helms and 1-888-5-BEST-02 for Amber Bullock

3. Text– For $0.99 per vote, text the promoted keyword associated with the contestant to 53055 (1 for contestant 1, or 2 for contestant 2). Only send the text keyword to the short code 53055.

To see both contestants perform watch last weeks final episode before one of these ladies is crowned Sunday’s Best!

This week, Kirk Franklin’s Hello Fear regains the #1 position on Billboard’s Gospel Albums chart, after Donald Lawrence debuted at #1 last week with his new project, YRM (Your Righteous Mind).

 Donald Lawrence now follows at #2, with the WOW Gospel 2011 project at #3, Mary Mary’s Something Big at #4, and Earnest Pugh rounding out the top 5.

The full top 10 at Billboard:

1 | Kirk Franklin – Hello Fear
2 | Donald Lawrence – YRM (Your Righteous Mind)
3 | WOW Gospel 2011
4 | Mary Mary – Something Big
5 | Earnest Pugh – Earnestly Yours
6 | Pastor James R. Adams – Times of Refreshing
7 | Richard Smallwood – Promises
8 | Deitrick Haddon – Church on the Moon
9 | Lecrae – Rehab
10 | Various Artists – Gospel’s Best Worship