Hello Fear, the latest release from Kirk Franklin, celebrates its eighth week atop the Billboard Top Gospel Charts. The album also sits at #7 on the R&B/Hip-Hop Albums Charts and #34 on the Billboard Top 200 Charts. Mary Mary‘s latest release Something Big holds to the #2 position this week. The album also sits at #18 on the R&B/Hip-Hop Albums Charts and #73 on the Billboard Top 200 Charts. Becoming, the brand new release from Yolanda Adams enters the charts at #3, while the WOW Gospel 2011 compilation moves to the #4 position. My Heart Says Yes, the new release from Troy Sneed, rounds out the week’s top five albums. In other chart news, Take The High Road, the new release from The Blind Boys of Alabama moves six places to #11, while James Hall & The Voices of Citadel‘s latest Won’t It Be Wonderful re-enters the charts at #25. 

In the world of radio, “I Smile” from Kirk Franklin celebrates its sixth week at the top of the radio charts. Vashawn Mitchell‘s “Nobody Greater” holds to the #2 spot while “Walking” from Mary Mary moves to 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.

Maurette Brown Clark’s debut single, “I Hear The Sound” (Of Victory) from her upcoming 4th CD release, “The Sound Of Victory” is now available on iTunes. 

In just a few short weeks, “I Hear The Sound” (Of Victory) debuts on the Mediabase Gospel top 30 chart this week and is quickly approaching the BDS Billboard Top 30.

“I Hear The Sound” (Of Victory) delivers a fresh and bright sound that inspires while providing insight to the believer as to how to address the challenges in their lives and breakthrough to victory through praise and is emerging as the Praise Anthem Of Summer 2011.

“The Louder It Gets, The Louder I Praise, The More Intense, The More I Praise, The Harder It Gets, The Harder I Praise, I Know My Victory Is On The Way & It’s In My Praise.”  Listen to the song below!

Kerry Douglas, the man who discovered and took James Fortune & FIYA and Earnest Pugh to #1 on Billboard’s Hot Gospel Songs chart has found another artist who is shaking things up in gospel music circles. Preashea Hilliard’s first SoundEFX/Black Smoke Worldwide CD “Live Out Loud” has debuted at #4 on Billboard’s Top Gospel Albums sales chart. Her radio single “Fresh Fire” is #17 on this week’s Billboard Hot Gospel Songs chart. The blazing track written by Grammy Award winners Israel Houghton and Aaron Lindsey is a fresh musical approach that blends elements of pop, rock and gospel in a unique sing-along groove that is breaking down racial and generational barriers within the church community. “This is a song that everybody can love no matter how old they are or what color their skin is,” says Douglas. “It’s just a great song.”

The youngest daughter of the renowned mega church pastor, Bishop I.V. Hilliard and Dr. Bridget Hilliard (of Houston’s New Light Church), the husky-voiced Preashea Hilliard (a.k.a. Pastor P) is making a name for herself as a dynamic praise and worship artist while building a bridge between the often-segregated black and white church music worlds. The 13-track CD was produced by Lindsey and features a duet with the legendary CeCe Winans on the acoustic ballad, “Redeemer.” Other highlights include Hilliard’s impassioned cover of Deitrick Haddon’s “He’s Able”, the spoken word tale of “Something Happens” and her father, I.V. Hilliard, joins in for the tender worship tune, “Jesus, I Love You.” For more info on Douglas and how he breaks acts, log on at http://www.mrkerrydouglas.com.
 

Houston’s unique songstress Yunēk is heating up the Gospel radio charts with her new single “Will Not Rest”.  The worshipful inspirational single from her forthcoming sophomore CD DETOUR, has been gaining swift momentum up the BDS Gospel Radio chart peaking to date at #28 and at #25 on the Mediabase Gospel radio chart.

Yunek is now on a 10-city “Detour Promo Tour” promoting the single and CD release making stops in Atlanta, Columbia, Charleston, Baton Rouge, New Orleans, Dallas, Miami, Montgomery, Spartanburg and Detroit.  Yunek will be the special guest at the 105th National Baptist Congress June 14-17 in Ft. Lauderdale, FL, appearing at the Youth Explosion and Spoken Word Café.  

Yunēk not only has the anointing in music, but has a calling to truly minister to the hearts of people.  She was recently appointed Minister of Music at Life Changers Community Church in Katy, TX where Kenyatta D. Simmons is Senior Pastor.  Yunēk also holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Social Work.  Coupling her education with a passion to minister to young people, she devotes time to mentor and minster to underprivileged and at-risk youth.  

Musical creativity and innovative songwriting on her debut album EXODUS –Three: Seventeen catapulted her into the mainstream gospel scene.  Hit’s “Got Fruit” and the dance infused single “Straddle The Fence” videos continue in rotation on Gospel Music Channel and Black Entertainment Television.  Her bold and profound sophomore project, Detour, which is set to release this summer on her own Milk and Honey independent label is a poignant collection of messages scripted to melody that Yunēk delivers with strength and depth.  Even more evident on her Detour CD, Yunēk’s style and sound exemplifies an inimitable blend of passion and inspiration and sets her apart as the premiere urban inspirational artist in Christian music.  She’s one of a kind, original…. she’s Yunēk.

Over the last weekend, two prominent gospel videos have debuted on BET‘s hit video countdown 106 & Park. Trin-i-tee 5:7 debuted their video for the single “Heaven Hear My Heart” while Kirk Franklin premiered the video for his latest single “I Smile”. This adds to recent gospel additions to the countdown from Mary Mary (“Walking”) and Deitrick Haddon (“Well Done”). These videos can be added to the countdown by voting at BET‘s website.  

Check out the behind-the-scenes footage of the ladies filming their new music video for their song “Heaven Hear My Heart.”

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.

Dorinda Clark Cole is back with a new single called “Back to You.”  Her album is scheduled for release sometime this Summer.  

The 2011 BET Awards has announced it’s nominations for the Best Gospel Artist category.  This years nominees are Byron Cage, Deitrick Haddon, Mary Mary, Karen Clark Sheard, and BeBe & CeCe Winans.  

Another big announcement was the 2011 BET Awards host: actor/comedian Kevin Hart. For a full list of nominees, visit the 2011 BET Awards site. The 2011 BET Awards will air live on Sunday, June 26, at 8PM/7c.  Congratulations to all the nominees!

Earthquakes, tsunamis, radiation, tornadoes, war, revolutions are all present realities powerful enough to induce a numbing fear capable of rattling even the faith of the elect. Welcome the antidote: Give Fear a Knock Out Punch: Biblical Strategies to Teach You to Overcome Every Fear That Binds You, by Dr. Paul Cannings, senior pastor of Living Word Fellowship Church, 7350 West T.C. Jester, Houston, Texas.

“It’s trying to help people see the power they can live in as they face their fears every day,” Cannings said. “So instead of living controlled by circumstances, they live in the power of God both spiritually and mentally.”

In his trade-mark conversational tone, Cannings casually applies lessons gleaned from Biblical stories to the chaotic lives of 21st century Christians. And characters talk back. We feel as though David is personally sharing secrets about how he tackled lions, giants and bears with solid faith in God. The Apostle Paul is seemingly alive, telling of how he handled betrayals, stonings and shipwrecks through the power of God and His Word.

“It is rare to find a book with the right blend of solid foundational teachings and practical, hands-on applications,” explained Dr. Tony Evans, prominent Dallas pastor and Cannings’ brother-in-law. “[His] writing style takes these powerful concepts and makes it easier to understand and apply immediately in your life.”

Cannings serves as president and founder of Power Walk Ministries, dedicated to providing instruction in church leadership and development, as well as marriage, family and teacher training. For more information, visit: www.lwfellowshipchurch.org, in addition to www.powerwalkministries.org.

CONTACT: Mignette Y. Patrick Dorsey Living Word Fellowship Church
Phone: 713-306-0015
Email: contact@mignettepatrickdorsey.com 

Music World Music/Music World Gospel Releases Most Powerful Voices Compilation in May during National Stroke Month

Most Powerful Voices Volume 1 Hits Stores May 17

The 5th Annual Power Awards’ “You Are The Power Concert” Featuring Chrisette Michele, Trin-i-tee 5:7 and Brian Courtney Wilson to Be Held at the Apollo Theater in New York on Friday, May 6
 

Most Powerful Voices Compilation Features Music by Kim Burrell, Trin-i-tee 5:7, Vanessa Bell Armstrong, Brian Courtney Wilson, Micah Stampley and Winners of the Most Powerful Voices Gospel Music Competition
 

Music World Gospel Partners with the American Heart Association and GMC (Gospel Music Channel) for Gospel Competition
 

(Houston, TX – May 17, 2011) – Music World Music/Music World Gospel releases the Most Powerful Voices Volume 1 compilation CD, in stores May 17, 2011. The compilation features ten songs by Kim Burrell (“Happy”), Trin-i-tee 5:7 (“I’m Still Holdin’ On”), Vanessa Bell Armstrong (“It’s Over Now”), Brian Courtney Wilson (“All I Need”), Juanita Bynum (“Soul Cry, [Oh, Oh, Oh] – Recitation Version”), Micah Stampley (“Corinthian Song”), Myron Butler and Levi (“Set Me Free”), Ted Winn (“Reap”) as well as the winners of the American Heart Association’s Most Powerful Voices Gospel Music Competition—Brandon Camphor and One Way (“It’s Possible [Gotta Have Faith]”) of Upper Marlboro, Maryland (artist) and Daniel Mitchell and Hillel (“Great Things”) of Gainesville, Florida (choir).
 

In 2010, the American Heart Association, Music World Gospel and GMC (Gospel Music Channel) partnered to educate people about stroke through an online gospel singing competition titled “The Most Powerful Voices Gospel Music Competition.” The top 20 finalists were chosen by judges, including Mathew Knowles, founder, President and CEO of Music World Entertainment. The overall winners were chosen by the public on February 14, 2011, through online voting. The winners received a performance slot at the American Heart Association’s Power Awards concert at the Apollo Theater; a professional vocal coaching session with Brian Courtney Wilson; one song recorded by Music World Gospel for the Most Powerful Voices compilation CD and a song featured at an online retailer; $5,000 worth of music equipment from Roland Corporation; $1,000 cash prize from Music World Gospel; recognition on GMC’s national television network and more.
 

“I enjoyed participating in the selection process for the Most Powerful Voices Gospel Music Competition,” said Mathew Knowles, American Heart Association spokesperson. “It is always a delightful experience to witness new and developing talent. But more importantly, the mission and purpose of this competition is to raise awareness about the risk of stroke, particularly in the African American community. And it’s an issue that is personal to me, I suffer from high pressure and must take medication daily. Our partnership with the American Heart Association and the American Stroke Association is a collective cause that our Music World artists will be actively engaged in and we fully support this initiative during National Stroke Month and throughout the year.”
 

The Gospel Competition winners—Brandon Camphor and One Way and Daniel Mitchell and Hillel—will have an opportunity to perform along with three award-winning recording artists: Chrisette Michele and Music World Gospel’s Trin-i-tee 5:7 and Brian Courtney Wilson at the 5th Annual Power Awards’ “You Are The Power” Concert at the Apollo Theater in Harlem, New York on Friday, May 6, at 8:00 p.m. EST. Mathew Knowles will be joining to present checks to the winners. For ticket information, please visit,www.ticketmaster.com. The 5th Annual Power Awards Weekend will also include the Power Networking event on Saturday, May 7 at the Intercontinental Hotel New York Times Square, with keynote speaker Mathew Knowles presenting on “Ten Traits for Success.”
 

A portion of the proceeds from the CD will benefit the American Heart Association/American Stroke Association’s (AHA/ASA) Power To End Stroke cause campaign. Power To End Stroke was created in 2006 by the AHA/ASA to help reach the ASA mission to reduce stroke and risk of stroke. The campaign raises critical awareness within the African American population. Heart disease and stroke are major health risks for all people, but the African American community is at particularly high risk. Blacks have almost twice the risk of first-ever strokes compared to whites. And blacks have higher death rates for stroke compared to whites. Stroke is a leading cause of death and a leading cause of long-term, severe disability for all Americans. African Americans are at increased risk for stroke compared to others due to increased rates of diabetes, high blood pressure and family history of heart disease or stroke. The prevalence of high blood pressure in African Americans in the United States is the highest in the world.
 

Power To End Stroke is nationally sponsored by the Bristol-Myers Squibb/Sanofi Pharmaceuticals Partnership.

For press interviews and further information, please contact:
Gwendolyn Quinn GQ Media & Public Relations: 718-622-4100 GwendolynQuinn@aol.com

Toiya Honore American Heart Association: 469-774-8785 Toiya.honore@heart.org

Toni Rigsby GMC: 770-692-4542 trigsby@gmctv.tv

www.musicworldgospel.com and www.musicworldent.com

ABOUT MUSIC WORLD GOSPEL

Music World Gospel (MWG) is a premiere faith-based record and management company under the umbrella of Music World Entertainment. MWG is dedicated to developing creative and innovative approaches to producing and promoting gospel, sacred, and inspirational music worldwide. Its mission is to reach, inspire and empower a diverse audience around the globe. MWG features a roster of award-winning recording artists, joint ventures and special projects including Trin-i- tee 5:7, Vanessa Bell Armstrong, Brian Courtney Wilson, Juanita Bynum, Micah Stampley, Pastor Rudy Rasmus, ESSENCE Gospel, the Most Powerful Voices and The Gospel Superfest brands. MWG’s joint ventures and partnerships include Universal Music Christian Group, Fontana Distribution, Integrity Africa, ESSENCE Communications, Son Flower Records, Interface Entertainment and Dr. Bobby Cartwright, Jr. The company has achieved record breaking success on the sales and radio charts, with several artists’ albums and singles debuting atop Billboard and Christian Music Trade Association (CMTA) charts and remaining in the Top 5, 10 and 20 positions for as many as 100 weeks and counting.

ABOUT MUSIC WORLD ENTERTAINMENT

Music World Entertainment (MWE) was founded by Mathew Knowles, President and C.E.O. Music World Entertainment is one of the world’s leading entertainment and music conglomerates dedicated to producing and distributing quality entertainment. The MWE worldwide platforms include successful record label ventures, recording artist and producer management services, artist development services, a master catalog series, film ventures, television productions, licensed and merchandise products, sports endeavors, community philanthropic work and investment and property holdings. The Houston headquarters is home to House of Deréon Media Center, a performance and event facility hosting special events including charity galas, corporate parties and private functions. MWE has offices in Houston, New York, Los Angeles and London.

ABOUT THE AMERICAN STROKE ASSOCIATION

Created in 1997 as a division of the American Heart Association, the American Stroke Association works to improve stroke prevention, diagnosis and treatment to save lives from stroke — America’s No. 3 killer and a leading cause of serious disability. To do this, we fund scientific research, help people better understand and avoid stroke, encourage government support, guide healthcare professionals, and provide information to stroke survivors and their caregivers to enhance their quality of life. To learn more, call 1-888-4STROKE or visit strokeassociation.org.

ABOUT GMC

GMC (www.watchGMCtv.com), the fastest-growing network in television and the number one digital network in perceived value (source: BETA Research), is America’s favorite channel for uplifting music and family entertainment. Recently, The Parents Television CouncilTM awarded its Entertainment Seal of ApprovalTM to GMC for being “an authentic family- friendly cable network.” GMC is the only television network to receive the highly coveted honor in 2010. GMC can be seen in nearly 48 million homes on various cable systems around the country, on DIRECTV on channel 338 and on Verizon FiOS on channel 224.