Hello Fear, the brand new release from Kirk Franklin, celebrates its sixth week atop the Billboard Top Gospel Charts. The album also sits at #4 on the R&B/Hip-Hop Albums Charts and #19 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 #12 on the R&B/Hip-Hop Albums Charts and #49 on the Billboard Top 200 Charts. Keep Living, the brand new effort from Ricky Dillard & New G debuts at the #3 position and #58 on the Billboard Top 200 Charts, while newcomer Preashea Hilliard’s debut Live Out Loud enters at the #4 position and #68 on the Billboard Top 200 Charts. The WOW Gospel 2011 compilation rounds out the week’s top five albums. In other chart news, Make It Loud, the latest from Martha Munizzi debuts at #6, while Juanita Bynum’s More Passion re-enters the charts at #7.

In the world of radio, “I Smile” from Kirk Franklin celebrates its fourth 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. (May 8, 2011)

Bishop T.D. Jakes has expanded his brand tremendously, from being founder of TDJ Enterprises, to author of more than 30 books, to film producer of the box office feature, Jumping the Broom.  Spreading a message of faith and hope, Jakes, also head of his Dallas-based church, The Potter’s House, proves that one can take their vision into a diversity of ventures, cultivating an empire that speaks volumes.  Jake’s new movie Jumping the Broom finished 3rd at the box office opening week with 13.7 million in sales.  The movie Thor was first with 66 million in it’s opening week, and Fast Five finished second with 32.5 million. 

Bishop Jakes’ mega-church, The Potter’s House, had humble beginnings as a storefront house of worship with just 10 members, and transformed into a 191,000 square foot, 8,000-seat worship center, built for $45 million. It now has more than 30,000 members and has created jobs for hundreds in its more than 50 active not-for-profit ministries.

Under TDJ Enterprises, the spiritual powerhouse produces plays, TV shows, and mega conferences; develops real estate including the $150 million Capella Park; releases Grammy award-winning music via a record label, Dexterity Sounds; writes best-selling books; and manages a multi-million dollar deal with Sony Pictures to produce movies, one of which is the soon-to-be released Jumping the Broom. Also released were NAACP Image Award winner, Woman Thou Art Loosed, starring Loretta Divine and Kimberly Elise, and Not Easily Broken, starring Taraji P. Henson and Morris Chestnut.

Jakes ventured successfully into the literary world as a best-selling author, with books that infuse spiritual guidance and real-life issues. Two nonfiction reads reached No. 3 on The New York Times Best Sellers list, Before You Do: Making Great Decisions That You Won’t Regret, and Reposition Yourself. Reposition Yourself remained on the list for 23 weeks, and spent 20 weeks on USA Today’s best-sellers list. He’s also the author of fiction novels including Cover Girls.

May we keep our brother in prayer.

For more than six decades, The Blind Boys of Alabama have been one of the leading lights in the area of gospel music. That hasn’t stopped the group from dabbling in other genres from time to time, often collaborating with mainstream rock stars. On its latest record, “Take the High Road,” which was released this week, the Blind Boys were joined by some of the biggest names in country music and the results are astonishing. Founding member Jimmy Carter wasn’t surprised at the album’s positive reception. “We had some of the best musicians in Nashville and I think it came out good,” he said from a tour stop in Wellington, New Zealand. “With the musicians and with the producers we had, they knew what they were doing, so we trusted them completely. I think everything worked out very well.

“We have Vince Gill on there, and Hank Williams Jr., The Oak Ridge Boys, Jamey Johnson, Lee Ann Womack.

“And Willie Nelson, too. Can’t forget Willie.”

Though Carter has been singing strictly gospel music since the Blind Boys formed at the Alabama Institute for the Negro Blind, he has always been a big fan of country music. “I always have been and I still listen to it all the time,” he said. “My favorite country singer of all time is Jim Reeves. Now my favorite country singers that are living today are Merle Haggard and George Jones. Those are my two favorites.” In fact, Jones attended one of the sessions, but couldn’t take part in the album for health reasons.

“I did (ask him), but at the time we made the record, he was suffering with an allergy problem,” Carter said. “He wanted to, but he couldn’t do it at that particular time.”

One particularly moving number on “Take the High Road” is the Blind Boys’ take on Hank Williams’ classic country gospel song, “I Saw the Light.” Carter also was an admirer of Williams, so it was a natural pairing to do the song with Hank Williams Jr.

“He came in and fit right in with it,” Carter said of that recording session. “I think he did it in one take.”

The group will perform at StageOne at the Fairfield Theatre Company Saturday night, May 7, and Carter promised that “when we come to Connecticut, we’ll be singing some material from that album.”

For Carter, these collaborations are part of their mission to bring gospel music to the attention of people who may not be exposed to it. In the past, the Blind Boys have recorded and performed with the likes of Peter Gabriel, Tom Petty and Prince. The group also is featured in the hit children’s movie “Hop,” which is in theaters now.

“That was a great experience to be on the same show as Peter Gabriel and Tom Petty and those guys,” Carter said. “They love gospel music and they love the Blind Boys and we were honored to be chosen to go on tour with them.

“You want to involve as many people as you can. We want to get more young people involved in our music, that’s why we collaborate with people like Ben Harper and people like that. These people relate to young people, that’s why we don’t mind collaborating with anybody.” Carter only has one rule when it comes to doing a project with another recording artist: “There has to be the gospel message to it,” he said. “We don’t accept material unless we can put it in the gospel context.”

Though the Blind Boys have been releasing albums since 1948, it wasn’t until 2002 that the group won its first Grammy Award as “Spirit of the Century” won in the best traditional soul gospel album category. The Blind Boys won the same award for the following three years and then again in 2009, the same year it was rewarded with the Lifetime Achievement Award.

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We must learn to be strategic in how we fight against the enemy. Knowing your enemy is the most important part of being strategic. So, who is your enemy and what does he want? He wants your soul. Plain and simple, the enemy could care less about your house, your car or your kids. The reason why I say that he is not offended by these things is because he uses some of these same objects to lure you. It is not the things you have that he is after, no, he is after your purpose. Many of us have been praying in hopes of keeping our car and not our salvation. We have been praying desiring to keep our house and not our hope. We believe that we are praying strategically not understanding that it is not the stuff that he cares about. He wants your soul and he will attempt to get it through the stuff that is attached to you.

We have been on our faces far too long crying out for everything that devil stole from us naturally. As we worry more and more about the things that he has taken from us naturally, we began to deplete spiritually. That is his goal. His goal is to make you lose focus on what is valuable. Once you have lost focused, you are no longer on guard for the spiritual attack because of the attack that has manifested physically.

If you would stand strong in faith, he would flee. Also, in the midst of you standing, you would also gain greater faith and be able to produce a greater level of God’s glory. So that in the end, that which was lost would only have been a trade in for the greater that was gained through your faith in God. Deny the enemy any room to move you from your place in God. He is not after your earthly possessions. He wants your soul. Resist him! Stay on the path.

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About the Author: Path contributing writer Calvin Walker has been writing editorial content for Path MEGAzine since 2007.  Calvin’s ability to break down the word of God with thought provoking analogies and real life analysis makes an impact on Christians seeking a closer walk with God.  An accomplished author, Walker released his debut book titled “The Gallery” early 2010.  Click here to read excerpts and purchase Walkers’  

The song “Miracles” is in heavy rotation across the country, but few know the lady behind the uplifting tune. Her name is Tonya Baker. Hardly a new artist, Tonya is carving out a spot in Gospel music with her incredible song and CD titled the “The LIVE Experience” available in stores and online now.

As a vocalist, this young lady is a much sought after psalmist who ministers the good news of the gospel of Jesus Christ across the country. She has previously released two recording – “Life In Him” and “Since He Came In” under her independent production company Bakehouse Music Group, LLC. of which she is President. She has appeared on tapings of The Bobby Jones Show, local broadcasts of TBN, The Gospel SuperFest, The Full Gospel Baptist Fellowship Conference Women’s Choir; numerous gospel music showcases such as The Stellar Awards Music Showcase, I Hear Music in the Air Conference, The Gospel Music Workshop of America and the Gospel Heritage Foundation New Artist Showcase. She counts it an honor to have ministered in several of the country’s mega-ministries such as Valley Kingdom Ministries (Apostle H.D. Wilson) of Chicago, Illinois, and Mt. Zion Baptist Church (Bishop Joseph W. Walker) of Nashville, Tennessee. Her music ministry has reached nations as she ministered on a 15 city European (France) tour in 2007. Her most recent France Tour 2009 has reached an additional 15 cities including the prestigious International Music Festival 2009 – Jazz at Juan!

She has served as emcee and host for many events, concerts and showcases throughout the Midwest. Tonya ministers the Word of God in workshop sessions on topics such as Worship and Integrity in Music Ministry.

As a songwriter, she has written songs that have been recorded by such national recording artists as the phenomenal Tonex, and the legendary Helen Baylor with others yet to be released. As a background vocalist, she has traveled with Byron Cage, Percy Bady, Lisa McClendon among others. She has shared the stage and opened for such artists as Shirley Caesar, CeCe Winans, Fred Hammond, Isreal Houghton, Dorinda Clark-Cole, Mary Mary and Tye Tribbett to name a few.

Tonya is now signed as an artist with Kingdom Records Inc. based in Chicago Illinois along with label mates Shekinah Glory Ministries, Elder Phil Tarver, Cynthia Jones and The Brown Sisters and most recently the legendary soul group The Whispers! She is excited about this next season of her life as the recording, “Special Friend”, has been released nationally and is available in stores and online right now! This project is distributed through the Universal Music Christian Group.

Prepare your hearts to receive her ministry… Mrs. Tonya Baker.

The Word Network, the largest African American religious network in the U.S. and the world, has just finalized an historic partnership with Juanita Bynum Enterprises.

Together, The Word Network and Dr. Juanita Bynum will be producing quality, innovative, urban programming. All this excitement and new direction will coincide with the completion of The Word Networks world headquarters expansion later this year.

As the new Director of Special Programming, Dr. Juanita Bynum will be on The Word Network Monday through Friday at 5:00 a.m. ET; in addition, she will be producing monthly special events that are EXCLUSIVE to The Word Network. You can also tune in to Dr. Bynum LIVE Monday through Friday from midnight to 1:00 a.m. ET, at www.radio1000.org.

The Word Network is excited about this new partnership and says it will continue to bring you the best in urban ministry and gospel music.

Bishop TD Jakes is set to release the second installment of Sacred Love Songs on May 31, 2011.  The project, titled Sacred Love Songs 2, is a 12-track compilation of music inspired by the new movie Jumping the Broom on Sony Pictures.

With guest artists ranging from Fred Hammond to Karen Clark Sheard, El DeBarge to Joe, Bishop Paul Morton to Ledisi, this project promises to have a little something for everyone.

The first single from Sacred Love Songs 2 is a modern remake of Kirk Franklin’shit “Love,” recorded by Anaysha Figueroa.

Td Jakes’ Jumping the Broom hits theaters Friday May 6th. 

Here’s a full track listing…

1. The Vow featuring Bishop T.D. Jakes
2. Let’s Stay Together featuring Ledisi
3. Back At One featuring Micah Stampley
4. Just Take My Heart featuring Crystal Aikin
5. Closer featuring Joe
6. The Homily featuring Bishop T.D. Jakes
7. Inseparable featuring Karen Clark Sheard & Kirk Whalum
8. My Lady And Myself Featuring Fred Hammond
9. Love featuring Anaysha Figueroa & Bishop T.D. Jakes
10. Finally featuring Bishop Paul Morton
11. How Can You Love Me featuring El Debarge
12. Don’t Go To Bed Mad featuring Terry Thomas 

Jumping the Broom Movie Trailer 

Yolanda Adams brings her new single “Be Still” to the world and it’s destined to be a Gospel classic. The first thing you notice in the song is that it is perfect for meditation, before or after your prayer time. Even if you want to just sit and write in your journal, the notes wrap you in an inspirational mind set that is both calming and encouraging. Particularly, if you are focusing on getting your prayer life in order. If that is your goal than this is the song for you.

Having heard only this one track I can say we must be in for a real treat from this album.

Yolanda’s new CD, Becoming, will be available exclusively at Walmart. The release date is May 3, 2011, but you can pre-order the album today at the Walmart website.

The single can be ordered on yolandaadamslive.com.

The song is a comforting reminder that we need to be still and listen.

It was produced by Drathoven.

R&B diva Kelly Price is making her comeback to R&B with some serious matters at hand. Known for classic hits like “Friend of Mine,” “As We Lay” and “Heartbreak Hotel,” Price took an eight year hiatus from R&B to produce Gospel music. 

Now back in full effect, Price’s forthcoming sixth studio album, ‘Kelly,’ will cover topics near and dear to her heart, including body image, teen pregnancy and family tensions. Instead of being a sad record, this album focuses on self-forgiveness (“I’m Sorry”), empowerment (“The Rain”), to addictive relationships (“HimAholic”). Plus Kelly mixes it up with a little two-step on “And U Don’t Stop.” 

“I’m grown; that’s what this record says,” Price. “I’ve made a whole lot of mistakes and dumb decisions but I’m not beating myself up over it. There’s a lot of resolve here but happiness as well. I’ve come of age doing what I know how to do: soothing myself through music and hopefully helping someone else.” 

‘Kelly,’ which will be released on May 3rd, features production from Campbell and Williams, long-time collaborator Shep Crawford and Jazz Nixon with a special feature from Mint Condition’s Stokley. The project represents a new career birth. 

“My hiatus wasn’t really an accident or on purpose,” Price states of her new drive. “It just worked out that way. When my break came from Def Jam, the timing was good to do something more personal to me-the gospel album. And when I thought about going back to a major or doing something on my own, I thought I should have the opportunity to experience being in charge of my career-and benefit from it as well.” 

Besides the forthcoming effort, Price also has a ton of projects on the table, which includes a summer tour with Dave Hollister and Angie Stone, a TV pilot, a clothing line, an audio version of her 2005 book “Inscriptions of My Heart,” a cook book and her ongoing philanthropic work on behalf of breast cancer. She will also collaborate on songs with Dave Hollister, Toni Braxton and Keke Wyatt. 

Price will perform at Singersroom’s Acoustic Conversation series on May 4th in NYC.

Recently, Shawn McLemore has become known for joining James Fortune & FIYA and Zacardi Cortez to sing the smash hit “I Believe” that spent 19 weeks at #1 on the Billboard Hot Gospel Songs chart this year. Over the years, he’s done backing vocals for gospel heavyweights Donnie McClurkin and John P. Kee, produced R&B star Regina Belle and written songs for singing evangelists Kim Burrell and Dorinda Clark-Cole. In between gigs, he’s also recorded a few solo albums. This is his time to take center stage. After a nearly fatal heart attack last year, McLemore is now back with a testimony of God’s healing power on his fourth solo CD, “One Percent Miracle” (Blacksmoke Music Worldwide), that hits stores everywhere May 3, 2011.

In July 2010, McLemore was rushed to a Houston, Texas –area hospital. “I suffered a massive heart attack,” he recalls. The doctors shocked his heart three times and had given up until one doctor suggested they give McLemore one more defibrillation. “The hospital was full of praying believers,” he continues. “My wife pulled oil on her hands and believed God was going to bring me through.” McLemore survived what doctors told his family was a 1% chance to recover and was back on the road performing and sharing his miracle convalescence within a matter of weeks. 

The Los Angeles native grew up in the church and got his start in the music industry working with choirs or background singing ensembles that recorded with Mattie Moss Clark, Douglas Miller and John P. Kee. He went on to become a behind-the-scenes star known for his powerful vocal skills a background vocalist with a who’s who in gospel music. The buzz about his work led to his debut solo CD “Wait On Him” that peaked at #33 on Billboard’s Top Gospel Albums chart in 1997.

Kerry Douglas, named Billboard magazine’s #1 indie gospel label owner in 2010, then discovered McLemore and took his career to new heights by pairing him with James Fortune & FIYA and Zacardi Cortez on the mega hit “I Believe” that spent 19 weeks at #1 on Billboard’s Hot Gospel Songs chart earlier this year. McLemore says that his soulful new radio ballad, “Any Minute Now” is a continuation of “I Believe.” In the song he sings about bad medical reports and pink slips as examples of circumstances that God will miraculously show up and bring a solution to the problem.

“This album is special because I was able to even launch it,” he says. “Even through all the situations that happened while I writing it. It all came together, and it’s the right time to produce this album, especially because of where I am in life right now. When people listen to this album, I want them to take away that there’s hope in God. There’s so much going on right now with the recession, but any minute now God is going to do something. We all should live by faith.” For more on McLemore and other Blacksmoke Music Worldwide artists, log online at www.MrKerryDouglas.com.