Did you miss the first episode of Sunday’s Best?  Season 4 kicked off with a bang last Sunday!  Check out the video of the Top 10 Contestants.  The remaining top 10 videos will be released soon.

The top ten showcased this week along with songs performed are:
1. Toneisha Harris-”Here I Am To Worship”
2. Michael Washington-”Great is Your Mercy”
3. Andrea Helms-”Because Of Who You Are”
4. Chase Stancle-”Running Back To You”
5. Amber Bullock-”We Must Praise”
6. Carlington Roberts-”Lord I Lift Your Name On High”
7. Shandandolan Reynolds-”Joyful Joyful”
8. Michael Pugh-”I Won’t Complain”
9. LaTrice Smith-”Walk With Me”
10. Rikki Valentino LaFontaine-”I Need Thee”

Music World Gospel entered into an exclusive recording agreement with BET Networks and its premiere brand, Sunday Best, the award-winning weekly gospel music competition program. The agreement will include the release of debut albums for the show’s third and fourth season winners and other music and entertainment product releases featuring “best of” compilations and a variety of specialty brand projects. 

The first release scheduled under the new agreement is Sunday Best’s third season winner, Le’Andria Johnson. Her debut project, The Awakening of Le’Andria Johnson will be released on September 6, 2011. Le’Andria’s new single, “Jesus,” produced by GRAMMY® Award winner Chuck Harmony (Rihanna, Fantasia, Chrisette Michele), will impact radio on July 25.

“Securing BET and the Sunday Best brand is an important and monumental milestone for the label,” said Mathew Knowles, founder, President and CEO of Music World Entertainment. “BET is one of the largest brands in black America. We look forward to partnering with BET and exploring the many marketing opportunities to further develop and bring greater exposure to the Sunday Best brand. Sunday Best is very important to the faith-based and African American communities. As we prepare for our first release under the new deal, the Music World team is extremely excited about Le’Andria Johnson. She is one of a few artists who come along in a lifetime who possess that special uniqueness. Beyond her vocal talent and skills, she has that raw and rare stage presence that illuminates power and grace.”

“BET Networks is thrilled to work with the Music World Gospel label in continuing to build our Sunday Best brand as the leading platform for the discovery and launch of extraordinary gospel music talent including our Sunday Best Season 3 winner, Le’Andria Johnson” said Loretha Jones, President of Original Programming, BET. “We believe the new relationship with Music World Gospel and Mathew Knowles will further the vision to share our ‘Sunday Best’ with the world.”

In June 2010, Le’Andria was crowned Sunday Best winner, with over 2 million votes from the network’s faithful viewers. Each week she wowed viewers and captured the hearts of millions, including Sunday Best’s host Kirk Franklin, judges, Mary Mary, Donnie McClurkin, and Yolanda Adams and celebrity mentor Kim Burrell. For the finale, she performed a medley of three songs, “I Love the Lord,” “He Was There,” and “In the Midst of It All.”

Le’Andria is a living testimony of faith. Prior to being crowned Sunday Best, Le’Andria auditioned for the gospel competition a day before she lost her home in foreclosure. Deciding to let nothing stand in her way, the then Sunday Best hopeful traveled to New Orleans and auditioned in flip flops and gym socks, she was almost eliminated because she did not look the part, according to show judge Erica Campbell [Mary Mary]. After her rendition of “This Is the Day the Lord Hath Made,” she was on her way to fulfilling her life-long dream of a career in music.

Le’Andria is an accomplished songwriter, producer and praise and worship leader at her hometown church, HQ Ministries in Altamonte Springs, Florida. A self-taught musician, she began singing at the age of two. She continues her commitment to the music ministry of her hometown church. Le’Andria currently resides in Orlando, Florida and is a single mother of three children.

It’s official, EMI Gospel signs their first artist of 2011; welcoming Chicago based Anita Wilson to the roster. With a voice that is nothing short of pure soul, Anita is not only recognizable, she’s unforgettable. As a member of Donald Lawrence & Company, she’s also sung background for some of Gospel’s top names, Hezekiah Walker, Marvin Sapp, and the legendary Vanessa Bell Armstrong. She most notably turned heads as the featured soloist on the single “Happy Being Me”, from award winning producer and artist Donald Lawrence’s album, Law of Confession Part I.

The new album titled “Worship Soul” is how Anita describes her music and her sound. With a signature alto sound, and her soulful worship style Anita’s music not only touches the heart it reaches the soul. The first single, Speechless impacts Gospel radio August 2011. Look for the new album early 2012!

G.I.’s sophomore album The Next Dimension hits retail and online outlets today on BGA Entertainment/Infinity/Central South Distribution.

Recent highlights for the group include embarking on their 15 city promotional tour, appearing on Essence.com as one of the Top 15 Gospel Artists to watch, multiple performances during the 2011 A.I.M. Convention and solidifying an upcoming taping for BET’s Bobby Jones Gospel. This Thursday, July 21 at 8pEST the group will host a UStream chat to celebrate the release with their supporters.

The Next Dimension is the follow-up to the groups 2009 debut album God’s Image which yielded the popular single “Get Up,” along with a #1 video on Gospel Music Channel. Presenting a more diverse offering for both Gospel and CCM fans alike, the music on The Next Dimension is a powerful array of songs that shares messages of praise, love and hope as well as demonstrating the group’s various talents as vocalists, musicians and songwriters.

G.I.’s  lead single “Forever We Will Worship” continues a steady climb on the Billboard Gospel Song chart following the momentum given by Radio One’s nationally syndicated host Corey ‘Coco Brother’ Condrey’s debut of the song as ‘Quick Pick of the Week.’

Other stand out songs on the album include “You Should Already Know,” “All I Need” and “The Greatest.” The latter was written by G.I. and produced by Michael ‘Big Mike’ Clemons (Mary J. Blige, SWV, Aaron Hall, Tyrese, Ruff Ends, DJ Rogers, Mario, Out of Eden) who carries an extensive resume both as a drummer and producer.

The group recently shot a music video for “Lead Us to Truth,” a song that discusses the urgency for believers to remain suited up in the armor of God to discern truth versus deception. The video will debut in upcoming weeks on BET, GMC, and other music video outlets.

The Next Dimension is available at retailers including WalMart, Mardel’s and via digital outlets such as iTunes nationwide today.

 ABOUT G.I.

G.I. has experienced notable career highlights including European tours and performances on major television networks. But for the group who strives to be consistent role models and even derived their name from Genesis 1:26-27, their concern remains not on accolades but rather is rooted in spreading the word of Jesus Christ as evident in the message of their music and in their works, such as the BGA Music & Arts Academy which they own and operate in their hometown of Richmond, VA. Learn more and stay connected with G.I. at www.GIForever.com

Rising Star Isaac Carree got pranked on the Monique Show!  Isaac, an admitted joker, got one pulled on him that was pretty funny!  Tune in below, and listen to his reaction in the second video.
 

America first noticed gospel music legend Vickie Winans’ nephew Tim Bowman Jr. when he scatted on the vamp of her 2009 Top 10 radio smash “How I Got Over.” That wasn’t the first time they worked together though. He also sang on a remix of Winans’ 2003 hit “Shake Yourself Loose.” Bowman and Winans have now reunited for the song “He Will” – the first radio single from his forthcoming solo CD debut, “Beautiful.”

The catchy song is quickly ascending gospel radio playlists from coast to coast while introducing the world to Bowman’s exciting blend of inspiring alternative urban Christian pop music with a techno twist. “It’s gonna be a busy year for Tim Bowman Jr.,” says Pat Butler, afternoon drive and music director for WEXL 1340-AM, a gospel radio station in Detroit. “Born to make great gospel music, he continues to bring a fresh sound to Urban Gospel. WEXL loves the new project. I still say there must be something in the water in Detroit and it’s Tim Bowman Jr.”

While Bowman is poised to takeover the music charts, he’s also a student majoring in pharmaceutical sciences. He’ll be a senior when he returns to Wayne State University in September. He’s learned from the best in the business that it’s best to have something to fall back on just in case music doesn’t work out. His dad is the smooth guitarist Tim Bowman who has enjoyed #1 smooth jazz hits such as “Sweet Sundays” and “Summer Groove.” His aunt is gospel music legend Vickie Winans and his cousins from the Winans dynasty include Mario Winans who wrote and produced Trey Songz’ recent #1 hit “Can’t Be Friends.” However, the music world is already buzzing about Bowman’s “Beautiful” project that boasts cameos from such gospel heavyweights as Dorinda Clark Cole, Marvin Winans Sr., Tim Bowman Sr. and Vickie Winans. “Each song should stand alone,” Bowman says in reflecting on the purpose in his music. “Sometimes, you only have one chance for a person to hear and connect with your message. I want every person who listens to this album to not only get that message but also to feel the

Richard Smallwood, one of Gospel music’s living legends, has been making life-changing appearances around the country as he promotes his upcoming CD Promises. He recently appeared at New York’s Greater Allen A.M.E. for an “intimate concert” that turned into a full-on worship service after he performed “Mender” and “Trust Me” from the CD. His upcoming appearances include “The Experience With Dedry Jones” in Chicago, as well as television performances of his single “Trust Me” on TBN (August 26, re-airing August 27) and Sunday Best (August 28).

Recorded live in a small studio setting, PROMISES is Smallwood’s first CD since the 2005 passing of his beloved Mother, who was the artist’s biggest fan and motivator. “I had not written a song since my mom died,” he says, “I thought the gift had dried up. I would try to write and nothing would come.”

“Trust Me,” the majestic first single, is currently available at iTunes and is on its way to the top of the Gospel radio chart. Smallwood says “it is a song to encourage those who have experienced loss. It’s telling them that what they are feeling shall pass, if they only trust God.” The message perpetuates the album’s theme of divine PROMISES, with a lyric that states “I’ll fight your battles/if you will only trust me.”

“Mender” opens with a big band horn section and ruminates about the trials and tribulations that can break one’s heart. “A loved one has departed, a friend has gone,” Smallwood sings in empathy. “Just know the pain won’t last always,” co-lead Stephanie Winslow testifies. “This too shall pass to brighter days. Don’t you know he’s putting you back together again?” Then, Vision chimes in with the declaration that like a handyman, God is “the mender of broken hearts.”

PROMISES also features “Is There Any Way?” The song was originally recorded on the late Bishop Walter Hawkins’ LOVE ALIVE III, and Smallwood reworked it in tribute to Hawkins, who was his mentor and friend. Donald Lawrence collaborates with Smallwood on “Facts Are, Truth Is;” and Lalah Hathaway (daughter of his ‘60s Howard University classmate Donny Hathaway) appears on “Praying for Peace.” “I was going through some of the songs I had written in the ‘70s and many had the same theme as this song,” Smallwood recalls. “Back then it was the Vietnam War, so we’re going through the very same thing because there’s always been fighting, there’s always been war. But now racism has reared its ugly head in a way that I haven’t seen since I was a little boy. I wanted to write something that everyone could identify with globally, which is that we need peace.”

Vision, Smallwood’s trusty ensemble of singers, appears throughout the CD – which was produced by longtime collaborator Steven Ford.

PROMISES will be in-stores July 19, 2011.

Earnestly Yours, the brand new release from Earnest Pugh, celebrates its second week atop the Billboard Top Gospel Charts this week. The album also sits at #7 on the Independent Albums Charts and #51 on the Billboard Top 200 Charts. Kirk Franklin‘s Hello Fear maintains the #2 position this week. Trin-i-tee 5:7‘s latest, titled Angel & Chanelle comes in at the #3 position this week, while Mary Mary‘s Something Big moves to the #4 position this week. The famed WOW Gospel 2011 compilation rounds out the week’s top five albums. In other chart news, Micah Stampley EP Release Me re-enters the charts at #11 while the self-titled release from Janeene Lavelle debuts at #15. 

In the world of radio, “I Smile” from Kirk Franklin celebrates its thirteenth week at the top of the radio charts. “Over & Over” from Trin-i-tee 5:7 featuring PJ Morton holds to the #2 spot while “My Heart Says Yes” from Troy Sneed comes in at the #3 position. Vashawn Mitchell‘s “Nobody Greater” moves to the #4 spot while “Well Done” from Deitrick Haddon rounds out the week’s top five songs.

“The song is anointed because it’s full of the word,” Murdock says of the inspiring ballad of hope and perseverance. “It’s like the voice of God speaking directly to your spirit, reminding you, that He’s not a man that He should lie…if He spoke it, will He not do it? This song will stir up and rekindle that word, that’s been spoken into your spirit and remind you that your dream can not…will not die.”

It’s one of a dozen musical chestnuts that Murdock either wrote or co-wrote for her first ever live concert CD The Journey (Tyscot Records) that was produced by Cedric Thompson and recorded live at The Broadcast Group Complex in Charlotte, NC. R&B divas Kelly Price, Regina Belle and gospel powerhouse Beverly Crawford performed with Murdock on various tracks. This will be Murdock’s second gospel project with Tyscot Records. Her 2007 label debut, Soul Food, included the chart hit “I Love Me Better Than That.” For more information on Shirley Murdock, log on at www.tyscot.com or http://www.facebook.com/pages/Shirley-Murdock/138053567564

One of gospel music’s favorite artists, Martha Munizzi, is speaking out about her faith on her latest CD, “Make It Loud!” The gospel singer is getting ready to record the concept video for the bold cut in her hometown of Orlando, FL, on Tuesday, July 19, 2011.

Martha is thrilled about the new concept video. “We are working with Domino Effect Productions, and they are known for great videos. Also, Young Beast Society, incredible dancers who were finalists on last year’s America’s Got Talent, will be in the video. Pablo Villatoro, of Group 1 Crew, who is featured on the title track ‘Make It Loud’, will also be contributing his creative talents,” shares Martha. “This video is going to be different than anything I’ve ever done,” she says. “I want to capture radical believers celebrating that we love Jesus and we’re not afraid to be loud about it! Edgy and Explosive are two words I would use to describe what this video is all about.”

Along with the release of the video, the Munizzi team will be launching a contest that will give their fans an opportunity to “Make it Loud!”. Details will be coming soon! For more information, log on to: www.Marthamunizzi.com