Integrity Media, a distributor of Christian media, announced today the sale of their assets to the Colorado ministry David C Cook. Integrity’s CEO, Michael Coleman, said in a statement that the decision was necessary due to the changes in the music industry and the low sales as a result. “At the end of 2010, music business sales were less than half of what they had been 10 years ago,” said Coleman. “Music sales and licensing in the U.S. alone dropped from $14.6 billion to $6.3 billion between 1999 and 2009 and the decline has continued into 2011. And on top of the general economic downturn, music companies are facing challenges like digital piracy and a shift in consumer thinking from ‘ownership’ to ‘access.’”

He added, “The company has been making changes to try to adapt to these monumental shifts in the marketplace but it has been quite a challenge. An earlier staff reduction and the listing of our property in West Mobile were part of the most recent changes. This combined with the sale of our music assets will help us address a number of issues as we navigate this changing landscape.”

In addition to the sale, Alabama-based Integrity plans to sell their international divisions located in the United Kingdom, Singapore and South Africa.

David C Cook’s former senior vice president of sales and marketing, C. Ryan Dunham, will serve as the president for Integrity Music.

He stated, “The acquisition of Integrity Music makes sense from both a ministry as well as a business standpoint. Both organizations are widely respected for their international reach and their worship music catalogs.”

“David C Cook is no newcomer to the worship music ministry. In 1993 Cook acquired Kingsway, a worship music company in Eastbourne, England, and partnered with EMI Christian Music Group to produce the Thank You Music song catalog,” Dunham continued.

While Integrity will operate independently within David C Cook, its headquarters will be relocated in Colorado Springs after the 90-day transition is completed. The sale’s impact on the artists was not directly addressed in the statement, but the company promised a fresh perspective and a greater variety of worship titles. The company also said it will provide more options for a meaningful worship to the global church.

Coleman told Charisma, “Cris Doornbos (CEO of David C Cook.) and I share a deep passion for serving the global church and for the role worship music plays in making disciples around the world.

“As Integrity prepares to celebrate 25 years in ministry, I look forward to seeing the expanding impact of Integrity songs and products around the world.”

Ex-New York Giants wide receiver Plaxico Burress, a week after his release from prison on gun charges, pledged on Monday to preach against gun violence to America’s children.

The 2008 Super Bowl star said the volunteer effort was the right move after serving nearly all of his 20-month sentence for weapons possession. In November, 2008, Burress carried a gun into a Manhattan nightclub and accidentally shot himself in the leg.

“I paid a tremendous price for a bad decision,” said Burress at a news conference organized by his partners in the effort, the National Urban League and the Brady Center to Prevent Gun Violence.

“All those 20 months and all those days I was saying to myself how can I take the next step and how can people learn from what happened to me,” he said.

Burress, 33, who hopes to return to play in the National Football League, said he plans to speak with audiences around the country and will be mentored by former NFL coach Tony Dungy, who has helped disgraced football star Michael Vick resurrect his reputation.

After months of anticipation leading up to the elevation of Bishop Hezekiah Walker, the special day finally came this passed weekend.

Thousands packed into the new sanctuary of the Prayer Tabernacle Cathedral in Bridgeport, CT to witness the “Enthronement” service to officially install Bishop Walker into the office of Presiding Prelate of the Pentecostal Churches of Jesus Christ (PCJC).

Some of the pictures can be seen below.  Lets congratulate and pray for the Bishop as God enlarges his territory.

Pictures Take By: Dre Photography/Dr.D

Gospel artist Yolanda Adams says she had to put recording on the back burner for several years as other business and career opportunities began crossing her path. And if a turkey burger hadn’t been simmering on the front burner, we may still be waiting for a new album from the teacher-turned-singer.

After securing her own syndicated radio show in March 2007, and launching a new clothing line, fragrance and real estate business, the Texas native looked up and discovered five years had passed since the release of her last studio album, “Day by Day.”

“I was having so much fun, I forgot about the music,” she tells EUR in an exclusive interview.

“Then finally, I was meeting with some of the executives at Walmart about a turkey burger that I’m developing for busy moms, and they said, ‘Well what about the music?’ I said, ‘Oh yeah. We should do that, huh?’”

Adams said they gave her an offer she couldn’t refuse, an album she would release on her own independent label, N-House Music Group, to be available exclusively in its stores nationwide.

CLICK HERE to Read More on EurWeb.com

Yolanda Discusses Her Single Be Still

It’s official; Fantasia will play the role of Mahalia Jackson in the upcoming film “Mahalia” based on Jules Schwerin’s 1993 book, “Got to Tell It: Mahalia Jackson, Queen of Gospel.” According to the New York Post, the budget for the production is $23.9 million and the singer will earn a percentage of the film’s gross profits.

For those of you who don’t know, Mahalia Jackson, was one of the most influential Gospel singers of all time.  Mahalia was the preeminent voice of Gospel for decades. Her voice was the voice of the Civil Rights Movement and she was well-respected by all races during a time of extreme racial tension.

The producers previously stated that Fantasia would lip-sync over Mahalia’s vocals. Personally I would like to hear Fantasia sing some of Mahalia’s legendary hits!

No word yet about when the film will begin production.

The International Auxiliaries In Ministry Convention (AIM), the annual summer convention of the multi-million member Church Of God In Christ, Inc., will convene July 4 – 8, 2011 in Houston, TX. AIM is expected to attract over 30,000 delegates for a week of training, fellowship and spiritual renewal.

The music ministry, under the leadership of International President Dr. Judith McCallister & International Vice President Kim Burrell, is preparing to fulfill its duty of awesome praise and worship for the convention now! The local music and worship arts ministry is headed by Minister Ron Summers.

All denominations are invited to attend the rehearsals. Participants (choir members & musicians) must register with COGIC AIM to participate. Registration is available at rehearsals.

Rehearsal dates:

May 2nd, 7pm New Life Tabernacle COGIC 3021 DeSoto Houston, Texas 77091

May 16th, 7pm Kingdom Harvest COGIC [215 N. Masters Drive – Dallas, TX 75217

June 6th & 20th, 7pm Williams Temple COGIC 2524 Delano Street Houston, TX 77004

Event dates:

May 20th, 7pm Pre-AIM Choir Mania at New Life Tabernacle COGIC, featuring Texas Connection Choir, Kevin Lemons & Higher Calling & guests from around the nation.

July 1st, TBD Gospel Explosion

July 3rd, TBD AIM Musical

Elder Carl Davis is host pastor.

Angel & Chanelle, the new release from Trin-i-tee 5:7, makes a strong entrance, debuting atop the BillboardTop Gospel Charts. The album also sits at #2 on the R&B/Hip-Hop Albums Charts, #5 on the Independent Albums Charts and #20 on the Billboard Top 200 Charts. Kirk Franklin‘s Hello Fear takes the #2 position this week and also sits at #8 on the R&B/Hip-Hop Albums Charts and #33 on the Billboard Top 200 Charts.  Tedashii‘s new release, Blacklight comes in at the #3 position this week. The album also remains atop the Top Christian Albums charts, #9 on the Top Rap Albums charts, #14 on the Independent Albums charts, and #87 on the Billboard Top 200 charts. Mary Mary‘s latest release Something Big moves to the #4 position this week, while the new compilation effort T.D. Jakes Presents: Sacred Love Songs 2 rounds out the week’s top five albums. In other chart news, I’m Back, from Lonnie Hunter featuring Structure, moves six places to #8, while Troy Sneed‘s latest My Heart Says Yes moves four places to #21. 

In the world of radio, “I Smile” from Kirk Franklin celebrates its ninth week at the top of the radio charts. Vashawn Mitchell‘s “Nobody Greater” holds to the #2 spot while “My Heart Says Yes” from Troy Sneed moves to the #3 position. “Well Done” from Deitrick Haddon moves to the #4 spot while “I Give Myself Away” from William McDowell rounds out the week’s top five songs. 

Kim Kardashian may have got married quick, but the union seems to be centered around their Christian faith.  The new 20.5-carat diamond on Kim Kardashian’s new engagement ring may turn heads, but it’s the two Bible verses inscribed inside the ring that’s garnering the most attention.

“It’s engraved, with two things from the Bible,” fiance Kris Humphries told People magazine.

“There’s one verse [Proverbs 31: 10-31] about the perfect godly woman,” he said. “The other [1 John 3:18] is about love. It took me . . . a few days to pick them out and research the perfect ones.”

Humphries, whose name shares the first initial as his wife-to-be, also etched a third message on the $2 million sparkler, reading “K ♥ K.”

1 John 3:18 (NIV) reads, “Dear children, let us not love with words or speech but with actions and in truth.”

Proverbs 31 (NIV) reads in part, “Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting; but a woman who fears the LORD is to be praised.”

Humphries recently proposed to Kardashian on May 18 after 7 months of dating. According to People, the NBA player spelled out, “Will you marry me?” in rose petals in her bedroom, while waiting on bended knee.

In a new interview with PR.com, Kim Kardashian also shares that fiancé Humphries is Christian and that Christianity is a big part of her life.

If her dad Robert Kardashian were still alive, he would “love” Humphries, Kim told PR.com in an interview published Thursday.

“Oh, I think he would absolutely love [Kris], because he’s just really funny and just a good person, and you can tell. And the fact that he’s a Christian, I think that he would just really, really like him,” said the star of “Keeping Up With the Kardashians.”

“Is Christianity a big part of your life?” asked the PR.com.

“Absolutely!” replied Kim.

When the reporter for PR.com observed that her faith is not something that’s ever covered on the show, Kim said the family doesn’t “show every detail of our lives.”

“I think that’s the beauty of our show, that we might be perceived to show everything on camera, but there is so much that’s just really close to us and private. My mom opened up her own church, but she doesn’t broadcast that all the time just because of certain things,” said Kardashian. “There’s a ton that… well, people don’t know everything about us.”

Speaking to CNN’s Piers Morgan earlier this year, Kim said she always gives away 10 percent of her earnings to her church.

“Whatever it is, I give 10 percent away to the church and that’s what I was taught. Every year, absolutely.”

Click to Read the Full Story

Article Derived from Christion Post.com

Dr. Mark A. Williams is a new artist with a fresh delivery and is a man of multi-faceted gifting. Dr. Williams is a board-certified Otolaryngologist (Ear, Nose and Throat Surgeon) and is respectively known as “The Voice Doctor” in the Christian music community. He has penned a new worship CD, Everything, and with this has successfully merged Music, Medicine and Ministry.

Everything will be available June 21 released on Williams’ own independent label ATAP Music Group and is distributed by Comin’ Atcha Distribution/SonyRed. “I’m very excited about our partnership with Dr. Mark Williams and ATAP Music Group,” states Joe Langham, CEO of Comin’ Atcha Distribution. “Dr. Williams is an extraordinary artist and we welcome him to the CAD family.”

Employing the talents and the ingenious orchestrations of award winning Contemporary Christian and Gospel music producer Roger Ryan (CeCe Winans, Take 6, Mandisa) and the innovative style of Gospel’s rising super producer Daniel Weatherspoon (Donald Lawrence, Fred Hammond, Darwin Hobbs), Williams has captured the essence of true worship that is engaging audiences in a powerful, pure worship experience. “Dr. Williams’ voice is so smooth and full of quality. This project is absolutely one to capture the ear of anyone who listens,” says Ambassador Dr. Bobby Jones.

The praise anthem and first radio single “The King of Glory” has been making its way up the Gospel radio charts. “This is a happy praise song full of energy, you have got to feel better when you hear it,” asserts Percy Davis, WOAD Radio – Jackson, MS. Dr. Williams has been touring promoting the single and will be making stops at the Florida Gospel Announcers Guild conference June 24-26, The Gospel Music Workshop of America in August and The Chicago GAG this fall.

“The melodies on this CD in particular are exceptional ‘Awesome God’ could have languished as a middle-of-the-road praise ballad but it is so melodious and well-articulated, it hypnotizes,” says Bob Marovich, Editor of The Black Gospel Blog. EVERYTHING is a well balanced mix of contemporary praise, jazz-infused ballads and endearing worship that all gospel music fans will enjoy.

Williams’ relocated to Nashville from Cincinnati to open The Ear, Nose and Throat Specialist of Nashville and The Voice Care Center of Nashville three years ago. He now has two thriving office locations. One of Dr. Williams’ primary goals is to educate singers, preachers and speakers in proper vocal technique and voice hygiene to help prevent the development of voice problems and ultimately enhance the worship experience.

By the grace and orchestration of God, Williams purposefully and successfully balances being a husband and father, a surgeon, a gospel vocalist, and a worship leader and elder at his home church Oasis Church. Dr. Mark Williams is one of those rare artists who possesses far more than a gifted voice; He connects with the heart of people,” states Danny Chambers, Lead Pastor of Oasis Church Nashville. “Whether teaching or singing he is always inspiring helping people to see life from a different perspective, God’s perspective.”

More information on Dr. Mark Williams’ Music, Medicine and Ministry can be found at www.DrMarkAWilliams.com.

Congratulations to Trin-i-tee 5:7 who debuts at #1 on the Gospel and Christian charts with their new CD “Angel & Chanelle.”  The CD also enters #2 on Billboard’s Top R&B/Hip Hop Album Chart, #5 on the Independent Chart and #19 on the Billboard 200.

In the world of radio the song “Over and Over” is #7 on Billboard’s Hot Gospel Song Chart” and “Heaven Hear My Heart” is approaching the Top 30.

Trin-i-tee 5:7 released their first CD as a duo and it’s receiving stellar reviews.  For Angel and Chanelle it marks their 7th recording to date. The project features two versions-the Standard CD, which includes 12 songs, and the Deluxe CD, which features 17 songs.

The duo’s hit single, “Over and Over” remains in the Top 10 on Billboard’s Hot Gospel Song chart, entering this week at #7, with a cumulative listening audience of 52 million to date. And the second single, “Heaven Hear My Heart,” is steadily approaching the Top 30 at UAC radio. Music videos for “Over and Over” and “Heaven Hear My Heart” are playing on international, national, regional and local video outlets everywhere. “Over and Over” premiered on GMC and GMCTV.com and “Heaven Hear My Heart” premiered on BET’s 106 and Park. Both videos are also available on Music Choice as well as other Internet outlets, including Yahoo Music Video, ESSENCE.com, BET.com, CentricTV.com and numerous others.

On Saturday, June 11, at 6:00 p.m. CST, the duo will perform at the Apple store in Chicago as part of the retail giant’s Black Music Month series. The store is located at 679 North Michigan Avenue, Chicago, IL 60611.

Lauded by critics, Angel and Chanelle received five of five stars from The Black Gospel Blog. “The group still turns out the experimental, envelope-pushing music that fans have come to know and love about them,” notes Robert Marovich.

“With a renewed commitment to being fearless in their artistry and a fresh collection of songs filled with two-part harmony, Trin-i-tee 5:7 is ushering in a new season,” states Lindsay Williams of GMCTV.com. “Angel and Chanelle, doesn’t miss a beat. The voices are so lush. Angel and Chanelle re-establishes Trin-i-tee 5:7’s position in the industry and charts their new course as a party of two.”

“Angel and Chanelle reflects the two original members’ newfound spiritual and artistic freedom with modern worship inspirations, surprising theatrical rock, and plenty of stylish urban programs” states Andrew Greer of Christianity Today. “Seventeen songs…but the invigorating duet keeps it fresh with their hip vocals.” “Angel and Chanelle is a compilation of an impressive 17 tunes that range from the semi-traditional to the very contemporary” says music reviewer Arnell Pharr of Rolling Out magazine. “What I appreciate most about this pair’s music is that they actually have lyrics – words that speak, that say something to the hearts and minds of people.”

The New Orleans natives are wrapping up their 25 city promo tour, which included several national and local radio and television appearances: 106 & Park, The Mo’Nique Show, TBN, two JCTV’s 1 Music Square specials, Bobby Jones in New Orleans, SIRIUS XM Satellite concert series, and church and retail visits, as well as other special events, including a special benefit concert with the American Heart Association at the world famous Apollo Theatre in New York City.

www.trinitee57.com

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