Via Vicki Winans AUGUST 2011 
$1,000 PER WEEK (4 WEEKS)

**YOU MUST BE A @VICKIEWINANS FOLLOWER ON TWITTER BEFORE 7/31/2011 AT 11:59 TO ENTER THIS AUGUST 2011 CONTEST – NO EXPCEPTIONS**

Click here to download the Twitter Contest Application

By writing and submitting a 140 word or less story using the 5 different song titles provided by Vickie Winans for 4 WEEKS in the month of August 2011, you are totally agreeing to all the terms, conditions and rules of the contest which are below:

1. No story can be longer than 140 words. The winning story can and will be posted on the internet, twitter, facebook, websites or in any form at the discretion of Vickie Winans for the purpose of announcing the weekly winner only. No submitted story will be sold under any circumstances at anytime by Vickie Winans or members of her staff.

2. You are allowed to submit 1 story per VERIFIED follower each week using the 5 specific song titles provided by Vickie Winans for that week. This is a must or your story will be disqualified! You may include other song titles to help complete the story, but the 5 specific song titles given by Vickie Winans for that week MUST be used. Only followers can enter! The first 5 song titles will be tweeted on August 1, 2011.

3. The age limit for entries is from 10 years old and up! ALL followers, must complete, sign and mail in an application. All minor children under 18 years old must have a parent or legal guardian fill out the entry form application. (CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD & PRINT THE ALL FOLLOWER’S APPLICATION). Any parent or legal guardian must also be available to complete any paper work associated with this contest which is at the sole discretion of Vickie Winans and her staff! All minor followers’ applications must be signed by an adult or legal guardian mailed in. You can, however email the story as long as an applications are mailed and received! ACTUALLY THIS APPLIES TO EVERYONE ENTERING THE CONTEST! Such paperwork will include but not be limited to the name of the adult(s) to whom the winning check(s) will be written. Note: The story MUST be written by the FOLLOWING child. You will be required to sign off on that proof. Parents in the same household who are followers can write a store too, as long all parties have Twitter accounts and are actual followers!

4. All completed weekly song-titled story entries must be emailed to vwinans@aol.com with this subject line, “Twitter Story Entry” before 11:59.p.m. on or before the following dates below:

August 6, 2011 – FOR WEEK ONE
August 13, 2011 – FOR WEEK TWO
August 20, 2011 – FOR WEEK THREE
August 27, 2011 – FOR WEEK FOUR

**Any stories EMAILED after those times for the designated week, will not be entered!

ALL SIGNED APPLICATIONS BY FOLLOWERS REGARDLESS TO AGE MUST BE MAILED TO:

VICKIE WINANS FOLLOWER’S CONTEST
6689 ORCHARD LAKE RD. #256
WEST BLOOMFIELD, MI 48322

BOTH DOCUMENTS ARE REQUIRED TO WIN, BUT ONLY 1 APPLICATION PER FOLLOWER IS NECESSARY) 
APPLICATIONS SHOULD BE MAILED ASAP IN AUGUST AND RECEIVED BY AUGUST 20, 2011.

5. Using the song titles given through my @vickiewinans Twitter (only) for that week can be used. You can write whatever 140 word story you wish! WRITE TO WIN! LOL!

6. The 4, $1,000 prizes will be announced on September 15 and all checks will be mailed to the winners on September 19 by way of Fedex. REMEMBER ALL ELIGIBLE FOLLOWERS CAN ENTER ALL 4 WEEKS IF YOU DESIRE!

I love my followers!!!!!!!

Vickie Winans
The Vickie Winans Twitter Follower’s Contest

Media personality Jawn Murray and EMI Gospel join efforts to find the best unsigned artist in Gospel Music for “Jawn Murray Presents: UNTAPPED,” a music compilation set to hit stores on September 7, 2011. A music competition, “Jawn Murray Presents: UNTAPPED” features 10 new gospel artists that were judged based on criteria set by EMI Gospel based on feedback by Murray, EMI executives and celebrity judges Dr. Bobby Jones (‘Bobby Jones Gospel’), singer and TV talent Lexi, Grammy-nominee VaShawn Mitchell and radio host Gerard Bonner (‘Bonnerfide Radio’).

“The competition is finally over and I believe our top 10 represent a solid collective of potential superstars from varied backgrounds and different styles of music. I’m glad to be able to use my platform to help these artists gain greater visibility and exposure in gospel music,” said Murray.

After deliberating over more than 300 submissions, the “Jawn Murray Presents: UNTAPPED” finalists are (in alphabetical order): Brian Reeves, Charles Butler & Trinity, Derrick Bull & Remnant, FaLawna Barton, Joy Lewis, Lawrence Flowers & Intercession, Madelyn Berry, Tasha Page-Lockhart, Tobbi White-Darks and Tonia Hughes.

“We’re amazed at the talented, but unknown, gospel artists we often hear. Working with Jawn Murray on the UNTAPPED project has been a great way to introduce some of these gifted artists to the world.” Ken Pennell, President of EMI Gospel.

One finalist from “Jawn Murray Presents: UNTAPPED” will receive the grand prize of a recording contract with EMI Gospel. That artist will be announced later this fall.

After much anticipation The sequel to “Waiting to Exhale” is getting close to a recording date.

At the Essence Music Festival, the author Terry McMillian said she’s working on the third draft of a script and hopes to have it finished by July.

“This won’t be on the screen until sometime in 2012 though,” she warns.

McMillan broke the story on Twitter a few months ago, tweeting, “We are working on the script for ‘HAPPY.’ Will know in about a month or so when we’ll begin production.”

And on Whitney Houston, she’s still hopeful she’ll come around and recover in time.  Whitney reportedly entered rehab again.

“We’ll know soon enough,” she said. “I’ve been told that’s she wants to do it, and I think the studio wants her to do it. We all want her to do it… I just hope she’s healthy.”

The funeral arrangements for Bishop F.C. Barnes are as followings:

Memorial Service: Friday, July 15, 2011, 7:00 pm

Funeral Service: Saturday, July 16, 2011, 11:00 am:

All services will be held at:

Red Budd Holy Church
627 Cleveland Street
Rocky Mount, NC 27803

The funeral arrangements are being handled by:

Hamilton Funeral Chapel, Inc
726 S. Tarboro Street
Wilson, NC 27893
252 291-0234

All condolences sent to the e-mail address ydeejay1@yahoo.com will be printed and given to the family.

From Malaco Records: The Malaco Music Group regrets to inform you that Gospel Icon, Bishop F.C. Barnes passed away early this morning, July 11, 2011 at approximately 2:30 am. He was 82.

Bishop Barnes began singing in quartets when he was 14 years old. He would later record eight albums with Rev. Janice Brown and “Rough Side of the Mountain” became the most popular album remaining #1 on the gospel charts for more than a year, selling over 500,000 copies. Bishop Barnes spent his entire recording career on Atlanta International Records, (Air Gospel) a subsidiary of The Malaco Music Group. He recorded 15 albums, not including appearances on several LP’s with his son, Gospel Legend Luther Barnes and the widely successful direct marketing campaign infomercial entitled, Gospel Legends.

Bishop Barnes has received numerous Stellar Award nominations as well as a Dove Award nomination. In 2010, Bishop Barnes & Company received a Stellar Award nomination for their latest CD “The Old Time Way.” On this CD, he recorded his first collaboration since Rev. Janice Brown with Darrell Luster on the single, “God Is God” (He Won’t Change) which received considerable airplay and garnered an appearance on BET’s Bobby Jones Gospel.

According to Malaco’s Executive Director – Gospel Division, D.A. Johnson…

“I was saddened when I received the news of the passing of Bishop F. C. Barnes. Bishop Barnes was the true patriarch of his family, consummate leader to his church ministry, highly dedicated professional in his dealings with his music ministry and always a gentleman. He wrote one of the greatest songs of all time so I affectionately referred to him as, “Mr. Rough Side Of The Mountain” I’m honored to have had the opportunity to serve in his music legacy. Bishop F. C. Barnes will be greatly missed.”

Please pray for the entire Barnes Family.

Funeral Arrangements will be forthcoming.

To listen to clips and read the complete bio of Bishop F.C. Barnes, visit www.malaco.com

Albums: 

When it Rains it Pours, Rough Side of the Mountain, No Tears in Glory, Rev. F.C. Barnes – Live Keep Me All the Way, I shall Not Be Moved, I Can’t make It (Without the Lord), Hold On God will Heal the Land, God Delivered, Come on in the Room, Can’t See You, Barnes Family Reunion, Barnes Family Reunion II, The Old Time Way

Earnestly Yours, the brand new release from Earnest Pugh, debuts atop the Billboard Top Gospel Charts this week. The album also sits at #11 on the Independent Albums Charts and #71 on the Billboard Top 200 Charts. Kirk Franklin‘s Hello Fear moves to the #2 position this week. Mary Mary‘s Something Big comes in at the #3 position this week, while Trin-i-tee 5:7‘s latest, titled Angel & Chanelle 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, If You Didn’t Know, Now You Know, the new release from Norman Hutchins debuts at #11. Lee Williams & The Spiritual QC’s new release titled God’s Groove: The Re-Mix debuts at #18 and No Pain No Love from Pastor AD3 debuts at #24.

In the world of radio, “I Smile” from Kirk Franklin celebrates its twelfth 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 Vashawn Mitchell‘s “Nobody Greater” comes in at the #3 position. “My Heart Says Yes” from Troy Sneed moves to the #4 spot while “Well Done” from Deitrick Haddon rounds out the week’s top five songs.

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.