Richard Smallwood is set to release his new CD July 19th. According to his website, a new promise will be revealed each day in anticipation of the release date.  In the video below Richard Smallwood explains the motivation behind his new CD.

The first promise “Sow In Tears” is explained by alto Vision member Andrea on the website.

The second promise is “Mender” which is explained by new Vision member Pastor Steven Jones.  Tune into the video below to hear Richard Smallwood explain his decision to release several promise videos.

Updated Video Interview with CNN (July 11, 2011)

Lexi, brings back her show once again on the WORD network, scheduled for a September premiere.  Currently, Lexi can be heard on “The Yolanda Adams Morning Show” covering the latest Gospel entertainment news weekly.  

“The Lexi Show” will have a LIVE taping in Detroit on July 12th at the Citadel of Praise Church, and scheduled guests include Kim Burrell, Trin-i-tee 5:7, Prophetess Taketa Williams and Prophet Walker.  

Look at the flyer below for more details.

Gospel star Shawn McLemore is headlining A Gospel Music Extravaganza benefiting community outreach efforts in Houston, TX.  McLemore is the standout singer on the Smash hit single “I Believe” Featuring James Fortune & Zacardi Cortez.  

Joining McLemore in concert is Mary Griffin and the talented Jeffery Womack.  CLICK HERE to purchase tickets and get the details by viewing the flyers below.

Songwriter, vocalist and producer, Isaac D. Simpson is the visionary behind Divine Providence, also known as DP. Simpson, who comes from a long generation of singers, songwriters and entertainers, has been involved with music since childhood. He began to conduct professional workshops and direct citywide choirs at an early age. By the time he was twenty-six, he had conducted workshops throughout the U.S. and in the Caribbean Islands, Great Britain and Europe. He has shared the stage with gospel greats, Vicki Winans, James Moore, Marvin Sapp, Kurt Carr and Rance Allen. He graced the stage with Coretta Scott-King, appearing as a special vocalist at a celebration honoring her and appeared on the Bobby Jones Gospel Hour.

Originally from Los Angeles, California, Simpson founded DP in 1998 to give young Christian adults an outlet to share their music with the world. He came up with the name Divine Providence while listening to a sermon by Bishop George “Awesome” Dawson. The name means ‘instantaneous will of God.’ In just one year’s time, the energetic youth chorale from Central Ohio produced an album titled “He Loves Me.” Written, arranged, and produced by Simpson, the project is influenced by jazz and hip hop.

Isaac Simpson is a 3 time Gospel Music Academy Award winner and brought home the national title of Best Overall Artist. Fresh from their recent overseas tour of Italy and Switzerland, Isaac Simpson & DP have completed their second CD entitled “The Process,” which will be released August 9, 2011.

The Process. The highly anticipated sophomore release from international recording artist, Isaac Simpson & Divine Providence reinvents praise for the 21st century. Their multidimensional worship transcends musical genres with relatable lyrics and anointed, innovative musical arrangements. Each track has something for every individual that longs for a deeper and passionate relationship with God. “THE PROCESS,” Simpson says, “will engage the listener to develop a deeper relationship with God and flourish in every area of their life.”

Simpson believes that this generation will be saved through gospel music. “Gospel music is wonderful,” he said. “It has the ability to transcend from generation to generation.” Transcending generations is one goal Simpson shares with DP; the second is helping others bring their lives into focus with their God-given purpose.

As a motorist passed by St. John’s Baptist Church in a Sapulpa, OK, a small town outside of Tulsa, he didn’t expect to see a flaming cross planted right on the front lawn.The incident happened last week.

The Creek County Sherriff’s office took pictures and collected evidence from the scene but no arrests have been made. However, there are three persons of interests including an 18-year-old and two teenagers, all white males.

“They were bored and it was something to do. That’s what the adult said,” said Lt. Charles Redfern in an interview with Reuters. “They did say they wish they hadn’t done it.”

WATCH VIDEO HERE FROM NBC’S KFOR NEWSCHANNEL 4
 

The cross, made up of wooden parts from a waterbed was propped on a chain link fence before it was set on fire. This isn’t the first time the church has been targeted. It’s been both burglarized and vandalized, suffering broken windows and damage from thrown rocks.

The churchgoers have not let the incident get them down. “I love even the one who did this,” said church member Cornelia Booker to NBC’s KFOR NewsChannel 4. “I love them, but I don’t love what they did.”

The U.S. Attorney’s Office is joining local, state and federal authorities including the FBI to investigate the attacks.

BET‘s hit singing competition Sunday Best will return for its fourth season with a two-hour season premiere on July 10, 2011 at 8p ET. Auditions for this season’s talent took place in Dallas, Los Angeles, and Atlanta, with thousands of hopefuls participating in auditions.

Celebrity judges Donnie McClurkin and Mary Mary will return and Kirk Franklin will again serve as the show’s guest host. Kim Burrell will also return as the season’s vocal mentor.  

I spoke to season one winner Crystal Aiken at press time, and she is currently working on her second project after rising to fame on the hit show.  One things for sure, the winners become instant stars!  So who is tuning in to find out who the next big star will be?

This years season of the Monique Show is coming to a close.  You don’t want to miss this special edition of Sunday’s Best with Kirk Franklin, Mary Mary and some of the past winners of Sunday’s Best LeAndria Johnson and Y’Anna Crawley.

Also, Rickey Smiley provided some great comic relief.  Tune in below. 

Minister Isaiah D. Thomas is back with his renewed single entitled, “I Dare You” and with the full album to be released nationwide this Fall under Bronx Bridge Entertainment, Inc. and F. Hammond Family Entertainment. Thomas’ “I Dare You” which earned rankings within the top 25 on the Gospel Music Radio Charts is now available on iTunes and through other internet sources.

Thomas comments “2010 is behind me . . . the music which God has given me to share throughout the nation has been revitalized and will now be for all to hear.”

Santiago Cook-Brown, President of Bronx Bridge Entertainment, Inc. says “For the first time, “I Dare You” is finally ready to be released across the country full speed ahead.”

Minister Thomas’ attorney Chris Brown of Brown & Rosen LLC is excited to have negotiated the deal and feels that the partnership between Fred Hammond and Minister Thomas will push this project and Thomas’ career to another level. Brown states, “The praise and worship songs on this album will move masses.”

“Isaiah is a wonderful artist and great songwriter” says Fred Hammond. “I look forward to working with him, Bronx Bridge, and Global Gospel Music.” Isaiah is going to heat up the charts this Summer and the album will be ready to move this Fall.”

Antonio Murchinson, President of Global Gospel says, “This is exactly the team and support we needed for this project”. It’s Isaiah’s time to shine while still recognizing that God gets ALL the glory.”

Minister Thomas is so grateful to God for all of the great things He has done and is yet to do. He is also thankful for all of the love shown by and through supporters, radio announcers, and promoters who continuously push him and request his music.

In October 2010, the stars came out to celebrate and help raise operating revenue for the Black Academy of Arts and Letters that was founded by Curtis King 34 years ago. “In a bad economy the first thing that gets cut is arts funding,” says King whose 250,000 square foot complex is adjacent to the Dallas City Hall. “However, it’s the plays, concerts, poetry readings and other inspiring programming we offer that helps people get through rough times like these. So, we’re thrilled that these artists came together to make a CD that will raise money to help keep these programs going.”

The majority of the songs on the 13-track, Medicine – Live At The Black Academy of Arts and Letters (MCG Records/ $13.99 SRLP), were written or co-written by Sam “Shake” Anderson – a veteran bassist who has toured with the likes of Ray Charles, Curtis Mayfield and Bruce Hornsby. It was recorded live before an ecstatic, diverse and capacity-crowd at The Black Academy. Backed by the 80-voice Black Academy Choir, American Idol champion Ruben Studdard performed two of the album’s highlights. “Medicine For Someone Else” has a bluesy feel and shows off a raspier tone for the Velvet Teddy Bear while the ballad “Teach Me To Love” boasts an unplugged groove.

The album is not a typical gospel set. On it, the songs range from a brash critique of parasite preachers on “PTYHOMP (Please Take Your Hands Out My Pocket)” to the bloody waters of the Atlantic Slave Trade on Jasmine Guy’s spoken word recitation of Curtis King’s “My Language” poem. Ann Nesby (former lead singer for The Sounds of Blackness) wraps her big voice around the poignant anthem, “What Would You Have Me Do?” Yarbrough & Peoples, best known for their 1981 #1 R&B smash “Don’t Stop The Music,” deliver the funk on the percolating street jam, “Jump Til’ You Feel Something.” Tommie Young West, who recorded classic R&B sides for Louisiana’s Soul Power label in the early `70s, rocks the house on the pulsating “Won’t Have To Worry” while Brenda Ellis’ full alto pulverizes the paean, “Bask (In The Presence of the Lord).”

“I look back on my days of the handling of such mega superstars as Phillip Bailey of Earth Wind & Fire, Leon Patillo of Santana, Helen Baylor, Shirley Caesar, The Mighty Clouds of Joy, Denise Williams, and the incredible Al Green, “ says President & CEO James Bullard of Majestic Communications Group (MCG). “This project, in my opinion, is comparable to those superstars. My blood is pumping like never before. This is going to be a big project and is destine to go all the way to the top. I am excited beyond words about this project.”

Although, The Black Academy has been a fixture on Dallas’ local arts scene for over three decades, the organization also has a national standing. Its 1987 fundraising CD by Eartha Kitt entitled, My Way: Musical Tribute To Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. (Caravan of Dreams) sold over 250,000 copies. The Academy later funded national touring productions of “Black Music and the Civil Rights Movement,” “Symphony with the Divas,” and the musical, “Blues Bar.” Visit www.tbaal.org for more information.