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.

Producer and vocalist Doobie Powell is preparing for his next live recording. Backed by his ensemble Nu Element, the session takes place on July 5, 2011 at Good Hope Baptist Church in Houston, Texas at 8:30p. The address is 3015 North MacGregor, Houston, TX, 77004.  Admission is only $5 Dollars.

Special guests for the recording include LaShun Pace, Brittney Wright, Shawn McLemore, G. Mayes & Nu Era, Zebulon Ellis, Jason Clayborn, Yunek, and Timesha Sampson.

Powell has released five independent efforts and has worked with the likes of Kim Burrell, The Clark Sisters, Donald Lawrence, John P. Kee, Marvin Winans, and more.

Gospel stars Kirk Franklin and VaShawn Mitchell are poised to bring in the Gospel night of the Tom Joyner Family Reunion of Concerts.  Also taking the stage is Dr. Bobby Jones, and more artists are expected to be added to the lign-up.  Click Here to get more information and purchase tickets.

Deitrick Haddon’s music has transcended time, since he burst on the scene in the mid 90s on Tyscot Records. He is touted as one of the most versatile artists in Gospel, and in music overall.

As a singer, musician, songwriter, music producer, choir director, pastor and now film writer, movie producer and actor; Haddon has continually pushed the gospel music envelope in various arenas.

Deitrick’s style and music is in constant demand along with the God inspired message, which he humbly delivers nationwide. Haddon’s ability to perform and write anointed and classic songs has catapulted him to produce many great projects.

Now, from Haddon’s longstanding and ongoing relationship with Tyscot, which has produced several critically acclaimed projects, comes the quintessential collectible ANTHOLOGY: THE WRITER & HIS MUSIC (Deluxe Edition) CD w/DVD.

This brand new collectible contains meticulously chosen content that showcases Haddon’s superb writing, incredible arrangements, signature vocals and music production skills!

Haddon’ tens of thousands of fans will be eager to own this amazing new collectible to enjoy classic hits and hidden gems such as “Anybody Here (Remix),”“Rise & Be Healed,” “Chain Breaker (Jiffy Cornbread Mix)”, “Live the Life”, “Rain on Me” and much more!

Along with the audio treats, the Bonus DVD contains the hit video “Well Done (Blessed & Cursed Version)” along with the foot stomping church house rocking video “I Gotta Praise (Holy One)” and others.

For new and old fans alike ANTHOLOGY: THE WRITER & HIS MUSIC (Deluxe Edition) CD w/DVD will be a must have for years to come!

ANTHOLOGY: THE WRITER & HIS MUSIC (Deluxe Edition) CD w/DVD will be available August 23, 2011!

Hello Fear, the latest release from Kirk Franklin, spends its second consecutive week atop the Billboard Top Gospel Charts. The album also sits at #13 on the R&B/Hip-Hop Albums Charts and #51 on the Billboard Top 200 Charts. Mary Mary‘s Something Big moves to the #2 position this week. Trin-i-tee 5:7‘s latest, titled Angel & Chanelle comes in at the #3 position this week, while the compilation effort WOW Gospel 2011 holds to the #4 position this week. Yolanda Adams‘s Becoming rounds out the week’s top five albums. In other chart news, Tough Love & Parables, the new release from Bizzle debuts at #15 while Shonlock‘s debut NeverOddNorEven debuts at #26. 

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 jumps 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. 

It didn’t take long for one of the young men to do something foolish with his settlement money.  Bishop Eddie Long accuser, Jamal Parris, 24, was arrested yesterday in Miami on drug and weapons charges. Parris, the one who gave the empassioned television interview about the sexual and emotional buse at the hands of Bishop Long, was pulled over after an officer spotted him operating his vehicle, a 2011 white BMW, with no tags. Upon searching the vehicle, the officer, Sgt. Seth Dubinsky, allegedly found 181 grams of marijuana, 50 plastic baggies and a Taurus semiautomatic handgun. Parris was also reportedly carrying $1250 in cash.

According to ajc.com, the officer stated the gear was “indicative of a drug dealer,” and he was jailed and charged with two felony counts: possession of marijuana with intent to distribute and possession of a firearm while committing a felony. He was also charged with operating a motor vehicle with no registration, which is a misdemeanor.

The website also states that Parris immediately demanded a lawyer, according to the officer, and kept telling him that he bought that BMW with the settlement money and that he’d been admitted to Miami-Dade College. He also reportedly said, “you guys are getting the wrong impression of me.’”

It’s an interesting turn in a situation that has been a mystery to many, being that the case was settled quietly through mediation. The fact that crime seems to follow these young men (two of the other accusers were arrested for robbing Long’s office prior to the abuse charge becoming public knowledge) seems to lend an air of suspicion to the to their claims. It doesn’t necessarily exonerate Bishop Long, since he helped the court of public opinion find him guilty by settling with no trial, but it certainly makes you wonder if there was crafty collaboration behind the scenes that led to the allegations that rocked New Birth and the religious world at large.