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.

Osama Bin Laden is dead. Killed by Navy Seals with an exuberant President taking claim that has many saying this is just what Obama needed to be re-elected for a second term. Every president is identified by a moment in history, a catastrophe or a triumph that overcomes the odds. But as Christians are we to celebrate?

Television, Facebook and twitter went crazy yesterday as news broke that President Obama would be announcing the death of Osama Bin Laden. People took to the streets by the thousands outside the white house in Washington, and at ground zero in New York. Debates erupted as to who should get credit for the assignation, and what was President Obama’s real involvement in the moment that will be forever remembered in history.

PATH was under fire as a Facebook post made by PATH ignited a debate that went as far as to mis-quote the organization. The outpouring of our Facebook friends even rendered an apology by the re-poster. The PATH statement read, “This is what Obama needed.. To attach himself with triumph. OBAMA for a second term!”

Over 30 people instantly liked the comment, but two people insisted that a Christian magazine was celebrating in the death of another. That was not the intent, but as a journalist I know that is how politics is won. The statement was a declaration to how history will now record Obama’s term as President.

The statement brought up debates on capital punishment, and Christians celebrating in the death of another. I choose to look at it as a victory for man-kind. The man that is responsible for the death of tens of thousands of people can not hurt anyone anymore, and the victims of 9:11 finally have their justice.

Signs are already being printed reading “Obama got Osama!” The fact is that history will record this day as a victory for America, the world, and Barack Obama.

Some Christians even went as far as to say that Obama’s speech was Anti-Christian, as Obama pointed out the following in defense of Muslims: “As we have stated repeatedly since the 9/11 terror attacks, bin Laden never represented Muslims or Islam In fact, in addition to the killing of thousands of Americans, he and Al Qaeda caused the deaths of countless Muslims worldwide.”

It seemed as if Kinkos was called up at midnight as Obama signs appeared and were waved in the air while the crowds chanted “USA-USA.”

In the midst of celebration, serious questions remain. What will now be the outcome on a world-wide scale? Threat levels will go up in the U.S. TSA agents will check you even tighter in the coming weeks. But will the United States see retaliation? These are all questions that will be analyzed and watched in the coming months. But today I’m proud to be an American, a Christian, and I’m proud of Barack Obama.

Bishop and Gospel artist Larry Trotter is on a campaign to support the proposed ban of blunt wraps in the city of Chicago. Bishop Larry Trotter is the senior pastor of Sweet Holy Spirit Church of Chicago.  Trotter backs legislation sponsored by state Sen. Kwame Raoul (D-13th Dist.) and state Rep. Art Turner (D-9th) to ban the sale of the fruit-flavored cigar wraps that are usually emptied of its tobacco and replaced with marijuana.

The wraps, which come in other flavors such as vanilla, are easily accessible in convenience stores, gas stations and liquor stores for a low price, especially to youth, the pastor said.

“Having this product in mainstream stores is like having drug pushers in our neighborhoods,” said Trotter.

The pastor said April 11 from his pulpit that he’ll embark on a sevenday, 50 church campaign throughout Cook County to spread awareness and garner support for the proposed ban.

Trotter already has received the support from many residents in the city as well as the south suburban community.

“The American Lung Association in Illinois has worked for many years to protect children from flavored tobacco products. Illinois was the first state to ban the sale of ‘beedies’ flavored cigarettes and the federal government immediately banned them nationwide. We are hopeful for similar action for blunt wraps,” said Harold Wimmer, president and CEO for the American Lung Association in the Upper Midwest.

Article derived from a Chicago Defender Report 

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich., April 27, 2011 /Christian Newswire/ — Zonderkidz™, the children’s division of Zondervan, today announced the NIV Adventure Bible Memory Game for iPhone, iPad and iPod touch, as well as a new online destination for the NIV Adventure Bible, www.AdventureBible.com. The app and website bring new interactivity to the bestselling NIV Adventure Bible, America’s most-read children’s Bible with more than six million copies sold. The game made its debut in Apple’s App store this week; the website is currently live in the beta phase. 

Memorization is the key to understanding and retaining information. In a young Christian child’s life, Bible stories form the building blocks of faith, and research shows that children who engage with the Bible before age 10 are more likely to read the Bible regularly as teenagers. The NIV Adventure Bible Memory Game reaches children by understanding how they learn and then takes them on a fun and rewarding journey through God’s Word. 

“Reading and memorizing Scripture is important at an early age because it helps children begin to understand God’s love and plan for their lives,” said Annette Bourland, senior vice president and publisher with Zonderkidz. “By coupling and integrating proven techniques with a technology platform many children understand, the NIV Adventure Bible Memory Game engages children in a completely new way that can impact their faith and their futures.”

Mobile apps continue to be among the fastest-growing segments in consumer software, and publishing groups, such as Zonderkidz, are moving into the space in order to provide children educational content that combines interactive features, artwork and games. 

The bulk of the NIV Adventure Bible memorization games are designed around word scramble and fill-in-the-blank. Children can review verses for the various levels and then take the quiz. They also can take them at varying levels of difficulty which are differentiated by the number of blanks they need to fill in.

Games on all iOS devices including the iPad and iPod touch and iPhone are segmented into easy, medium and hard levels. Users can record themselves reciting up to five favorite verses. “Shake to Scramble” randomly selects a Scripture verse and creates a new scramble. Users earn animal sound effects and Bible illustrations for correctly completing verses. 

The mobile app comes at the same time as the launch of the NIV Adventure Bible’s new beta website, www.adventurebible.com. This online destination provides a safe place for families, Christian school teachers, and children’s ministry leaders to get a passport into biblical adventure with maps, timelines, devotionals, sermon outlines and many other activities and educational resources. There are even three online games to test Bible knowledge, a Bible search function, and a teacher dashboard to make assignments and watch the progress of their students’ activity on the site. Everything on the site is free and is being praised by Christian school teachers and children’s ministry leaders as a wonderfully rich and robust site to supplement their existing curriculum.

“The new AdventureBible.com is full of interactive resources and activities to aid both in family time or teacher lesson planning and to encourage further learning beyond the text of the Bible,” added Bourland.

The NIV Adventure Bible uses the updated NIV text, which was completed in the fall of 2010 after years of rigorous translation work by the Committee on Bible Translation (CBT, www.NIV-CBT.org). The updated NIV translation utilized the oldest and best-attested biblical manuscripts along with the finest contemporary English language scholarship in order to create a Bible that was not only accurate, but highly readable and easy to comprehend.

The NIV Adventure Bible Memorization Game was designed by Momentum Design Lab and is currently available in the Apple iPhone and iPad App Stores as a Lite (Free) edition and a full edition sells for $4.99.

After spending five years traveling nationally and internationally with multi-award winner duo Mary Mary as their soprano background vocalist, it is now time for this powerhouse vocalist to step out on her own and allow God to use her gift for His Glory. TaMyya J has been perfecting her skills as a well-rounded artist. You can catch her hosting her urban radio show “Never Missed A Beat” every Saturday night on WEHA Gospel 88.7 FM out of the AC vicinity. TaMyya was the representative for Fashion Fair Cosmetics’ Spring Campaigns from 2005 thru- 2007, (Fashion Fair Cosmetics is the #1 black cosmetic line, and a division of Johnson & Johnson Publishing which is the home of Ebony & Jet}. TaMyya was also the singer, songwriter and arranger on her debut CD entitled “SUDDENLY” which was released independently in 2005. In 2009, TaMyya was nominated for a Video of the Year Award in the “Pop” category from the Gospel Music Channel (GMC). The message that TaMyya conveys through her music is a message of faith, hope and deliverance.

TaMyya says “I thank God for this opportunity to work with Fred Jerkins III and the DarkChild Gospel team, and I am going to work hard to make this the best CD ever.”

Combining the incredible production of Fred “Uncle Freddie” Jerkins III “(one of the top producers of our time)” with the powerful vocals of TaMyya  J, this project is bound to be what everyone is saying “a must have CD”.

DarkChild Gospel promises to create the “The Must Have” CD of the century. DarkChild Gospel is a record label and production company that takes gospel to the next level! Headed by the Grammy and Dove award winning Fred “Uncle Freddie” Jerkins III, DarkChild Gospel is bound to exceed expectations. Uncle Freddie has co-written hits for many “A” list artist in the mainstream and the gospel markets. If you’re not familiar with his work here are a few songs that you might know written and produced by him “Say My Name” and “Lose My Breath” by Destiny’s Child, “Deja Vu” by Beyonce’ , “Rock My World” by Michael Jackson, “The Boy Is Mine” by Brandy, “Revolution” Kirk Franklin, “You Don’t Know” and “Why Me” by Kierra “Kiki” Sheard, “Follow Me” by Virtue, “Need To Know” by Dawkins & Dawkins and Deitrick Haddon “Power”.  Look for an early summer release on this project,

CONTACT: Linda Johnson, CEO MYYA Management 
P. O Box 9744 
Norfolk VA 23506
E-mail: tamyyaj@yahoo.com
Tele: (767) 652-4774

Maurette Brown Clark has returned once again with her signature brand of “Praise & Worship” on her upcoming 4th CD “The Sound of Victory” on Atlanta International records (Air Gospel), distributed by the Malaco Music Group (also available on DVD).

The Sound of Victory was recorded “Live” in front of thousands during a “crazy church” service at Calvary Revival Church, Norfolk, VA (Bishop B. Courtney McBath, Sr. Pastor).

The debut single, “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.

“The Louder It Gets, The Louder I Praise, The More Intense, The More I Praise, The Harder It Gets, The Harder I Praise, I My Victory Is On The Way & It’s In My Praise.” 

Lecrae and Reach records are now casting for his new music video.  The Grammy nominated artist is taking Gospel rap to levels never before seen.  For the first time a Gospel rap album “Rehab” set at number 1 in sales on the Billboard charts.  Are you interested in being in the new video?  Take a look at the casting call below:

We are now open casting for Lecrae’s next music video shot in Nashville TN. DATES: MAY 2nd and 3rd, 2011 (with the 4th being a rain date) TIMES: TBA LOCATION: Nashville, TN

POSITIONS NEEDED: (PLEASE INCLUDE HEAD SHOT/PHOTO WITH EMAIL) – 10 young urban males (16-25) (all races) – to play neighborhood friends – 2 urban females (18-25) – to play neighborhood friends – 5 older urban males (late 20s to 40s) – to play thugs

If interested please send your information, availability, AND picture to lecraecasting@gmail.com

As the weeks draw closer, the excitement is building for Shirley Murdock’s first “Live” CD/DVD recording on April 28, 2011 in Charlotte, NC. In what is already being billed as an “Amazing Live Music Event”, attendees will enjoy a one-of-a-kind evening filled with an abundance of audience participation and entertaining surprises from beginning to end.

April 28th will be a Night of Firsts for Ms. Murdock along with her phenomenal guest artists who will join her “Live” for the first time including Regina Belle, Beverly Crawford, and Kelly Price.

This groundbreaking project is being produced by two time Grammy & Stellar Award Winner, Cedric Thompson (Donald Lawrence & Tri City, Karen Clark-Sheard, Marvin Sapp, and Vanessa Bell Armstrong). The word out is that every song has been hand picked to show the many sides of Shirley. Attendees and music lovers will have a bird’s eye view into Shirley’s relationship with God.

Shirley Murdock is eagerly anticipating her first live project as she prepares to share her heart and express her love for God on each song. Murdock stated, “I am excited about the opportunity to capture the experience of live ministry. When you capture the live moments, they are captured forever.”

“With this new project, titled The Journey, I want to convey and evangelize messages of hope to everyone. For me, the journey has been a process and I can see the checkpoints in my life and how all the pieces of the puzzle are coming together.”

Shirley Murdock “Live” CD/DVD Recording Details:

Place: The Broadcast Group Complex 8400 Regent Pkwy (formerly 1400 convention Dr.) Fort Mill, SC 29715 Time: 7 p.m. EST (Doors open at 6p.m.) Price: Tickets are $12 in advance; $18 (day of show)

To purchase tickets please visit: www.ez-tixx.com or call 877-993-8499.

This will be Murdock’s second release on Tyscot Music & Entertainment.