“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

Music is a calling and worship is a lifestyle. At that intersection of talent and passion, you’ll find Montell Jordan. Most of the world knows Jordan as the smooth-voiced singer responsible for such mainstream R&Bhits as, “This is How We Do It” and “Let’s Ride,”but to fellow believers at Victory World Church in Norcross, GA, Jordan is a man who uses music as a vehicle to transport people into the presence of God.

 As Victory World Church introduces their powerful worship team to the world with the debut album on Victory World Music, Jordan is at the forefront of the church’s ministry efforts. The title track and new single, Shake Heaven is an ear-grabbing wall of sound punctuated by Jordan’s soulful vocals that capture the latest chapter in his musical and spiritual evolution.

 Jordan is the first to admit the transition from mainstream music star to music minister wasn’t necessarily an easy one. He and his wife, Kristin, had been attending Victory World Church and Jordan was working on a new R&B album. Kristin was the first to know change was coming. “God revealed to her that I was going to retire from the music business,” recalls Jordan. “In her infinite wisdom, she decided not to tell me that because if she would have told me I probably would not have received that type of message. I had been working on a new R&B album and was preparing to rejuvenate my career. I was doing this while I was serving in church and we were doing children’s ministry because I was an R&B recording artist.”

Within a few months, God’s will became evident to Jordan during a time of fasting and prayer. “During that 21-day fast, God spoke to me and confirmed that I was going to retire from the music business. That was extremely traumatic and a very difficult time for me,” Jordan admits candidly. “There was a lot of uncertainty because the only thing I’d known had been music production, writing, and recording. That defined Montell Jordan. Who was Montell outside of the music world?”

As Jordan wrestled with that question and the uncertainty, God honored his obedience by opening a new door for him to use his gifts. “When I retired I didn’t even have a job,” he says. “I literally left the business not knowing what I was going to do or where this was going to lead, and then the opportunity arose for a position at Victory World Church. It literally was the transition of me moving from R&B recording artist into full-time licensed minister, because of God requiring me to lay down my life to move forward.”

As he moved forward into his calling, it became obvious God had been ordering his steps all along preparing him for the new role he was assuming. “God was very patient with me,” Jordan says. “He just kept revealing Himself to me over and over again saying, ‘I’ve got you. I’ve got you.’ That’s how we were able to make that move completely and there was no looking back.”

For Jordan, the journey began at Carver Missionary Baptist Church in California. “I grew up in South Central Los Angeles in the hood,” Jordan says. “Gang violence was very high in South Central LA and I wasn’t expected to live. Young black men in South Central weren’t expected to live past 16-years-old, but this little church is where I was groomed. That was my schooling and my foundation for music with an old Mississippi preacher named Richard Stubbs. He took a bunch of us kids and locked us in the church and started training us. We had to learn how to accompany him on piano, the organ, drums and on the guitars. We learned how to play music by ear. I served as a musician in the church from the time I was about nine-years-old until until twenty-one. I’ve been in church all my life, so I’ve known God all my life.”

That relationship with the Father provided a strong foundation as Jordan moved forward. He graduated summa cum laude from Pepperdine University and was a finalist for the Rhodes Scholarship. Though he considered law school his love of music prevailed. He signed a deal with Def Jam Records and soon became one of the industry’s hottest young R&B singers. His vast experience in the mainstream music world now enables him to serve God more effectively in his music ministry at Victory World Church.

“Part of my testimony of being from the secular world of music is I feel like I’ve been behind enemy lines,” he says with a sly smile. “I’ve been a spy going to survey the land and see what it’s like out there. I know what people are listening to, what draws crowds, and what makes the different sounds. There are certain rhythms and chords that just strike within people.”

Jordan’s music experience fused with the passion of the congregation makes worship at Victory World Church an exciting experience. “There are 105 different nations of people represented,” Jordan says of Victory, one of the fastest growing churches in the country. “We do world worship music that crosses all different lines. That’s part of the DNA in Victory World Church as we reconcile the races, reconcile the cultures, and reconcile ourselves to God. I think we’re going to change the way people hear, praise, and worship. This isn’t church as usual. There is no template for what is happening here at Victory World Church right now. There’s no book that’s written to say this is how you do multi-cultural worship in the 2000’s.  I think we are definitely at the forefront of something new.”

Jordan is excited about the people he’s working with on Victory’s Worship team. “I get to work with some really talented musicians who are also growing and learning like I am, and that have a heart for God,” Jordan says. “We are trying to sing what we think God would like to hear, to worship Him the way that we think He would like to be worshipped, and not just create a new sound and different ways to say ‘we love you God.’  We also want to be catalysts to inspire the congregation, get the people to press forward, and get into the presence of God.”

The new album, Shake Heaven features original music penned by Jordan and other members of the Victory World Church worship team. The songs are lyrically substantive and musically vibrant, reflecting the diversity of the congregation. “There will be gospel songs, rock songs, and folk songs,” says Jordan. “When you have so many different nationalities represented on the team the music is eclectic, and it’s my job to make sure that somehow it fits together.” 

The title track and first single, “Shake Heaven,” features Jordan’s friend, Beckah Shae. “She’s a ball of fire,” he says. “She’s an incredible vocalist and she’s a worshiper. There’s no question about it. She inspires me.” The album will also feature songs written by other members of the worship team and a couple of songs written by teenagers of the church. “We have some incredible artists at the church including some young writers and performers who will surprise the world. There are three 15 and16 year-old young ladies featured on the album as writers and performers who are amazingly gifted.” Jordan says.

“The album will also feature Todd McVicker, who is a worship leader and he brings more of a hip-hop rock worship feel that is best described as, ‘Green Day meets Jesus,’” explains Jordan.  “Then we also have a worship leader by the name of Greggory Gitaitis, who is a great songwriter. Greg has a song called, Open Up The Heavens that we’ve been singing at Victory World Church.  It will be on the new album and it’s just a beautiful worship song.”

Another highlight on the project is “These Hands.” “We did that song on Easter. It’s from the perspective of God’s hands talking about the things He has done for us,” Jordan says of the powerful track.
  
Jordan is excited about the worship at Victory World Church reaching beyond the walls of the church and he couldn’t be more passionate about the new music he’s creating with his team. “It’s a gift to God.  I’m giving him back the gift of music that he gave me that I used in the world. I’m giving it to him now,” he says.  “Victory World Music is something that will belong to Him and doesn’t edify me as an artist. I want to take the light off of me and focus that light onto Him.” 

Congratulations are in order for Myron and Timberlyn Butler in the birth of their third child, baby girl Mylan Drew Butler.

I just chatted with Myron, who tells me that ”[Mylan] is another extremely important part of my world. We’re glad that she’s here and that she’s healthy… she’s 6 pounds, 15 ounces, born at 11:18 on the 7th July.”

The couple also celebrated their 8th wedding anniversary on Tuesday 5th July.

So, DOUBLE congrats to ya!

Source: GospelPundit

My God this one took me somewhere.  The long awaited single from Season 3 Sunday’s Best Winner LeAndria Johnson is here!  The music is fitting to her style, and the way she sangs JESUS will forever be trademarked by her undeniable talent.  Listen to the single below!  

Check out his new single “In The Middle”

Inspiring others to continue to dream despite circumstances comes easy for Shirley Murdock because she has seen the hand of God deliver her through many tests and trials. One of Shirley’s passions is to reach people where they are in their journey through the resources which God has provided for her.

On July 6th, Murdock visited the Salvation Army Residential Home in Dayton, OH to lift the spirits of the residents. The timing was perfect as Murdock entered a very open and gracious chapel full of residents sharing triumphant testimonies of recovery from addictions. Murdock was the key speaker at the ceremony which commemorated those who graduated from a 9-month recovery program.

Shirley also celebrated her brother, Herman Erving and his 15 year deliverance from addiction. Erving has been helping others overcome this issue by serving as the Residential Counselor for the Dayton Salvation Army location.

During the ceremony, Shirley expressed the importance of knowing who you are and your worth and she transitioned with the song “The Winner”, from her upcoming project The Journey. She expounded on the importance of Dreams and how to deal with life while in the middle of it. Murdock also shared inspiring lyrics from her current radio single “Dream”, stating that with God their dreams will not die and to hold tight to them.

The day concluded with many smiles and hugs as Shirley distributed “Journey Bags” to residents for future walk towards destiny. This was one of many stops that Shirley has made while on her personal Journey.

Her Live CD and DVD, The Journey, will be released on Tyscot Music & Entertainment on October 18, 2011. For More Info on Shirley Murdock please visit: www.tyscot.com

Micah Stampley releases a new song from his forth-coming album.  The album is scheduled to be released on August 23, 2011. It is available for pre-order now on Amazon and iTunes.

One Voice features 12 songs, including two interludes. The CD was produced by Micah Stampley and co-produced by Cameron Sankey.

“We are very excited about Micah’s new CD project, ‘One Voice,’” said Mathew Knowles, founder, President and CEO of Music World Entertainment.  “This project demonstrates the depth and versatility of his extraordinary talent and will be another milestone in his career.”

Former gospel choir singer turned pop star, Monica married LA Laker Shannon Brown quietly back in November, but the couple hosted hundreds of family and friends Saturday, July 9 in downtown Los Angeles for a bigger celebration of the union.

Among the guests were fellow Lakers players Kobe Bryant and Derek Fisher, as well as MTV host LaLa Vasquez and her husband, Carmelo Anthony, of the New York Knicks.

Monica started performing at an early age, and was a member of a traveling gospel choir by the age of 10. She is best known for her album The Boy Is Mine, which earned her international recognition.

Monica has previously experienced tragedy in life; her previous boyfriend suddenly committed suicide while visiting his brother’s grave. That incident left Monica in depression for months, and only after spiritual direction from her parents was she able to heal and make a comeback on the music scene.

After the unsuccessful release of her album Through the Storm in 2003, it wasn’t until 2011 when Monica returned to the top of the charts with her single “Everything To Me”.

In June 2010, Monica met LA Laker Shannon Brown on the set of her music video for single “Love All Over Me”.

Their engagement was announced by Monica on Twitter, along with a picture of the rose-cut diamond ring Brown gave her.

The couple wed quietly at a secret ceremony in their LA home the following month, and of her marriage, Monica released the statement “This is a very special time in my life. I am blessed to have married the man that God sent me; he’s loving, compassionate, strong and supportive of my children, family, and career. I look forward to our life together.”

The wedding celebration on Saturday included a three course meal with a blue and purple theme at Vibiana, LA’s downtown cathedral.

Article Courtesy ChristianPost.com 

On July 15th, Brian Reeves & Heart After God will perform at the 10th Annual Praise in the Park concert in Indianapolis, IN. The group is truly excited about sharing great musical times with their city and is now prepping for this anticipated event.

Praise in the Park will take place on the Canal at Buggs Temple and will also feature national artists Earnest Pugh, Martha Munizzi, Beverly Crawford and many more.

Be sure to check out Brian Reeves & Heart After God on stage at 9:30am to help jump start your day!

For more info on Praise in the Park visit: www.praiseindy.com

Brian Reeves’ new project Awakening has received great reviews check out the video below if you’re not aware of this budding stars work.

Awakening is available online at Itunes.com-Purchase Today!

www.brianreevesgospel.com