Shawn McLemore’s CD release party was one to remember.  The heartfelt expressions of respect from industry peers and executives, and the sweet sounds of one of Gospel’s anointed voices made this CD release party memorable.  

McLemore’s new project “One Percent Miracle” was birthed out of his real life brush with death.  Having suffered a heart attack, McLemore was starting to slip when his wife put oil on his hands, and the people interceding for him began praying.  McLemore would eventually recover, and was back touring with James Fortune within a couple of months.  

Shawn McLemore has several CDs but this one is by far his most anointed project ever.  McLemore’s fame hit an all time high this year, standing out in the hit song “I Believe” that also featured James Fortune and Zacardi Cortez.

The release party brought out many wanting to celebrate with the distinguished artist.  Guests included Rhonda McClemore, Brian Courtney Wilson, Comedian Marcus Wiley, Nicki Ross, Pastor Gregg Patrick, Kerry Douglas, and Path publisher Kris Patrick.

Shawn performed the lead single off the album “Any Minute Now,” and the crowd erupted.  What made this event so special was that it was Shawn McLemore’s birthday as well.  No word on how old he is.  =)

Shawn’s teenage daughter sung happy birthday to her father and fighting back tears Shawn was touched.  

Towards the end of the ceremony head of Black Smoke Records Kerry Douglas decided to bless the audience.  Dropping the CD from $15 to $10 for anyone that purchase that night.  Wanting to support Shawn, the crowd started to shout for Kerry to leave it at $15 dollars!  That’s just the kind of love that surrounded this release party.  The kind of love all Gospel artist should be shown for their ministry. 

We wish Shawn the best on his sales, and encourage everyone to go out and get the CD “One Percent Miracle” today.  CLICK HERE to purchase the project.
 

 Shawn sings single “Any Minute Now”

 
Shawn (right) welcomes Brian Courtney Wilson and Comedian Marcus Wiley

 

Bishop James Dixon (left) prays over Shawn’s Family.  Rhonda McLemore (wife) and daughter Sharhonda.

 

Shawn’s birthday cake!

 
Shawn McLemore and label owner Kerry Douglas 

 
Brian Courtney Wilson and publisher Kris Patrick 

Photo Credits: Bruce Miller bruce@forza.cc

Kirk Franklin releases his new music video for “I Smile.”  I like it!  It’s simple, not a lot of effects, but it’s very effective getting the heart-felt message across.  The video is loaded with celebrities, background singers, and winners of the I smile contest that Kirk Franklin held months ago.  Some of the notables in the video include Mary Mary, Donnie McClurkin, Jill Scott, Issac Carey, and Nicki Ross.  Click the video player to watch on PATH.

Hello Fear, the brand new release from Kirk Franklin, celebrates its seventh week atop the Billboard Top Gospel Charts. The album also sits at #5 on the R&B/Hip-Hop Albums Charts and #22 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 #13 on the R&B/Hip-Hop Albums Charts and #47 on the Billboard Top 200 Charts. The WOW Gospel 2011 compilation moves to the #3 position, while the latest from Lonnie Hunter featuring Structure, titled I’m Back, enters at the #4 position. Keep Living, from Ricky Dillard & New G, 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 debuts at #17, while Tonya Baker‘s new effort The Live Encounter debuts at #23. 

In the world of radio, “I Smile” from Kirk Franklin celebrates its fifth 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. “Well Done” from Deitrick Haddon moves to the #4 spot while “My Heart Says Yes” from Troy Sneed rounds out the week’s top five songs.

Two prime time dramas with African American males in the lead have just been given the axe.

Entertainment Weekly is reporting that NBC is passing on picking up its sci-fi action-drama “The Event” for another season. Blair Underwood starred in the show as the US president.

Though the series about aliens covertly living among us started strongly for the network, it faded gradually in the ratings and, after its winter hiatus, fell below the line. “Event” averaged 7.4 million viewers and a 2.5 adults 18-49 rating once DVR use is added in, which just wasn’t enough for a costly and serialized show.

Meanwhile, Dick Wolf’s attempt to move his franchise to the City of Angels failed, too: NBC has dropped Law & Order: Los Angeles, which starred Terrence Howard as Deputy District Attorney Jonah “Joe” Dekker.

Coming off the success of his hit film “Jumping the Broom,” Bishop T. D. Jakes appears on TV One’s “Washington Week with Roland Martin” Sunday at 11am Eastern.

On the show, taped on Friday, host Roland Martin asked Bishop Jakes to respond to comments made by conservative preacher Franklin Graham:

Roland Martin: Rev. Franklin Graham has made some comments on several occasions as recently as three weeks ago really questioning, if you will, the faith of the President. He said the President has told him he’s a Christian, but he basically said that going to church does not make you a Christian. But the President is on record as saying that he walked down that aisle, he gave his life to Christ, so what do you say to folks like Rev. Graham who, frankly, are muddying the water but other people who are questioning the Christianity of this President?

Bishop T.D. Jakes: I find it insulting. We didn’t question the Christianity of President Bush when he said he accepted Christ, and I’m disappointed in Rev. Franklin Graham in that regard. I wish he had the diplomacy of his father, who brought the gospel to people without being nuanced by politics because when you do those things you offend people that you are actually called to save and to serve. And I would hope that he would see the rationale in apologizing for such statements – because if the President’s faith is suspect then all of our faiths are suspect, because the Bible is quite clear about what it takes to be saved and the President has been quite open about his accepting Christ and him openly confessing it before men. And if it’s good enough for the Bible it ought to be good enough for the rest of us.

Also Read:  ‘Heaven Is for Real’ Headed for Hollywood With T.D. Jakes as Co-Producer

Action News 2 in Atlanta is reporting that it appears the parties in the Bishop Eddie Long sexual misconduct lawsuit are no longer close to settling the case. The judge in the case now says he is preparing for a trial in the fall. Channel 2’s Tom Jones talked to an expert mediator who said this is not unusual. “Sometimes when you think you got something resolved, something will come up,” Mediator Elmer Gobel said.

It was Easter week when the judge in the case said the parties engaged in a marathon mediation session and came out of it close to a settlement. Judge Johnny Panos said back then: “They’ve resolved a lot of major issues and there’s a few fine details that need to be worked out.” Now Panos said he is preparing for a trial in August or September. He wouldn’t say why he no longer believes the two sides are close to a settlement.

Four former New Birth Missionary Baptist Church members filed lawsuits against Long, his church and youth academy, after they said he used his power and influence to entice them into sexual relationships. Long has denied the claims.

Gobel, who has no connection to the Long case, said mediations are often contentious and drawn out affairs. “It’s not the kind of thing that you sit down at a table and 10 minutes later everybody’s agreeing,” he said. Gobel also trains mediators. He says mediation can be grueling and emotionally charged. “It’s kind of like putting a piece of a puzzle together,” Gobel said. Gobel said one day you can have an agreement and then the next day it’s gone. “Sometimes you think you got an agreement that’s airtight and as attorneys or others will sit down and look at words. Words mean different things to different people,” he said.

Bishop Long’s spokesperson would only say there is nothing to report when asked about a settlement in the case. Attorneys for both sides did not return phone calls seeking a comment.  Watch the exclusive video report by clicking player below.

The Word Network, the largest African-American urban religious television network on the globe, is excited to announce the addition of multi-Grammy Award nominated gospel music legend Vickie Winans to its television family. Winans’ new weekly variety and magazine program, “The Vickie Winans Show”, is in development and scheduled for an autumn premiere.

Amongst the changes at The Word Network, Juanita Bynum II was hired as well. You can read that story by clicking here: Juanita Bynum in New Partnership with The Word Network  

“I am sooooooo excited,” Winans beams. “Somebody has finally given me the opportunity to do the shows I’ve been carrying around in my heart for years. We’re going to do a little bit of everything: fashion shows, cooking shows, children’s shows, celebrity interviews, musical performances an d videos, comedy shows, etc. You name it and we’re going to do it.”

The self-managed artist is also a successful businesswoman who owns a jewelry store and wig shop, Accents by Vickie Winans. Winans burst on the gospel music scene in 1985 with her signature smash “We Shall Behold Him.” She’s remained one of gospel music’s Top 10 artists with appearances on NBC Today and Oprah. She has appeared on the cover of Jet magazine, served as celebrity spokesperson for Daimler-Chrysler and Quaker Oats. Other hits include #1 songs “As Long As I Got King Jesus”, “Shake Yourself Loose” and “How I Got Over.” Winans is also preparing to star in a drama/comedy feature film entitled, “Amazing Grace!”

ESSENCE proudly announces the day-by-day line-up for the ESSENCE Empowerment Experience, taking place July 1-3 in New Orleans at the 17th annual ESSENCE Music Festival. Having already announced participation by Steve Harvey, Iyanla Vanzant, Terry McMillan, Soledad O’Brien, Rev. Al Sharpton, Tavis Smiley, Dr. Cornel West, CeCe Winans and Marvin Sapp, the dynamic ESSENCE Empowerment Experience “Weekend of Transformation” has added CNN anchor Anderson Cooper, The View hostess and actress Sherri Shepherd, “Jumping the Broom” star Laz Alonso, commentator Sophia Nelson and an array of others.

“The ESSENCE Music Festival’s unique offering of world-class music, arts and culture also features one-of-a-kind enrichment opportunities within the Empowerment Experience,” states Michelle Ebanks, President of ESSENCE Communications Inc. “This year’s theme of ‘transformation’ is perfectly aligned with the ESSENCE brand mission to uplift and inspire, which we accomplish via critical information and dialogue from our nation’s top thinkers and innovators over three full days.”

The 2011 ESSENCE Empowerment Experience is free and open to the public. The day-by-day line-up (as of 5/12) is as follows:

Friday, July 1: “Transforming Your Life” – Sponsored by My Black is Beautiful

“Family Feud” auditions with show producers and live segments hosted by Steve Harvey “Conversation with Sherri Shepherd and Demetria L. Lucas,” led by an ESSENCE editor Keynote address: Iyanla Vanzant Keynote address: “Choose Love” by Phill Wilson “Terry McMillan Presents,” featuring authors Sharifa Rhodes-Pitts, Dolen Perkins-Valdez, Danielle Evans and Tayari Jones “Reel Men on Real Love,” featuring Laz Alonso, Terrence J., Lamman Rucker and Thompson Young

Saturday, July 2: “Transforming Your Community” – Sponsored by U.S. Army

“Conversation with Steve Harvey,” led by Soledad O’Brien “America I Am: The African-American Imprint,” hosted by Tavis Smiley, featuring Dr. Cornel West, Iyanla Vanzant, Tom Burrell and Jeff Henderson “Conversation With Terry McMillan,” led by Soledad O’Brien Keynote Address – Rev. Al Sharpton “Black in America: Historically Black College and University Discussion”, moderated by Soledad O’Brien “State of Black Women,” moderated by ESSENCE Editor-in-Chief Constance White, featuring Dr. C. Nicole Mason, Sophia Nelson, Louisiana State Senator Karen Carson Peterson “Women of Reality TV,” moderated by Anderson Cooper, featuring the leading women of reality television including: NeNe Leakes, Cynthia Bailey, Shaunie O’Neal, Evelyn Lozada and Tami Roman

Sunday, July 3: “Transforming Your Soul” – Sponsored by Verizon

“All-Star Gospel Salute” featuring CeCe Winans and Marvin Sapp A full-day of praise and worship, with performances by Kierra Sheard, Deitrick Haddon and Dr. Juanita Bynum, Kelly Price, Tyronne Foster and the Arc Singers, Vanessa Bell Armstrong, and Fred Hammond Opening/Closing Prayer by Bishop Lester Love

7x Stellar Award Winner, Grammy and Dove Award nominated Songwriter & Producer Stan Jones officially debuts his single “Love Somebody” today.

Jones’ anticipated single “Love Somebody” is from the forthcoming album More 2 Me tentatively scheduled for a September 2011 release. 

Stan Jones has continued presence on Billboard charts having penned the powerful worship tune “He Has His Hands on You” by Marvin Sapp, currently the #9 Gospel song in the country according to Billboard’s Hot Gospel Song Chart.

Jones is predicted to have a standout year of much deserved success and new innovative material that is sure to inspire fans and peers alike.

For radio servicing and interviews contact CCA at 914/560-3735.

About Stan Jones: Stan began demonstrating his range of artistic gifts at age 12. Born into a musically inclined family, Stan grew up listening to an array of artists but early favorites included Commissioned and The Winans. Leaving home after High School to handle production duties and play drums for The Bolton Brothers laid the foundation for his career path as well as mentorship by The Williams Brothers which led to his first album placement: “What’s Wrong With Right” on Doug Williams’ 2003 solo debut. Today the 2x Grammy nominee, 4x Dove Award nominee, 7x Stellar Award winner and 13x Mississippi Music Award winning Producer/Songwriter/Singer resides in Jackson, MS where he is co-owner of the Terminal Studios recording facility.

The Stellar Awards will introduce two new categories for its 27th Annual presentation. The committee has added “Spoken Word CD Recording of the Year” while revamping the “Music Video of the Year” category into “Long Form Video of the Year” and “Short Form Video of the Year.” Nomination submissions for the 27th annual Stellar Awards are open through June 30, 2011 at the Stellar awards website.

For an example of a long-form music video, take a look at Deitrick Haddon’s new video ‘Church on the Moon Part I’ below.