Praise Philly Host CeCe McGhee talked to CeCe Winans about the upcoming “Still Something Big Tour” with her brother BeBe Winans, Mary Mary and VaShawn Mitchell. Listen to find out if this is truly the last tour for BeBe and CeCe Winans.

Click Here to see why BeBe Winans said it’s time to pursue different things.

This Saturday, March 26, marks what would have been the 61st birthday of soul singer/superstar Teddy Pendergrass.

To commemorate his memory and the mission of inspiration he was leading upon his untimely passing, his ongoing production company TED ON MUSIC is offering the recording “I Am Who I Am” – a previously unreleased song that was among the last that Pendergrass recorded in his lifetime – to national radio and other broadcast outlets on Friday, March 25, 2011.

Composed by Teddy Pendergrass with his longtime friend and Musical Director Bill Jolly, the song is an inspirational and autobiographical gem for which Pendergrass plumbed the depths of his soul to share his spiritual essence and the source of his Heavenly fortitude.

Three-time Emmy-winning composer/arranger/musical director/keyboardist Bill Jolly – who directed the Sony/PBS/Live Nation television special “Love Train: The Sound of Philadelphia” – shares:

“Teddy told me, ‘I want to share a song about my life that will inspire people by shedding light on the times I was regretful, yet how I found strength and self-acceptance down the line. I want this song to live on long after I am gone.'”

Dynamically produced with additional arrangements by multi-platinum producer Herb Middleton (Al Green, Mary J. Blige & Usher) and vocal support from Jeff Smith’s Philadelphia Boys Choir and Chorale, it is a rapturous performance – buoyed by bluesy guitar and gospel grace – that will touch the souls of all who hear it with a compassionate heart. The single will be available to fans via iTunes (worldwide), Amazon.com, Rhapsody and most digital outlets. A percentage of proceeds will go to the Teddy Pendergrass Alliance, which provides opportunities for individuals with spinal cord injuries.

Pendergrass wrote the song expressly for inclusion in the biographical film of his life that he was helping to develop. “I Am Who I Am” was intended to sum up and reflect his feelings after having gone through his earthly trials and tribulations, yet still came out feeling victorious and strong.

“It was long ago but it seems like only yesterday / When I thought my life was over and done / But now that time has passed and I see things so differently / It took a long time for me to understand / I am who I am / I’m more than just what you see / No one can discourage me / See I am just what I am / And it’s all a part of God’s plan / So here I stand still the same man / I am who I am”

Teddy’s widow, Joan Pendergrass, states, “Feeling incredibly whole and wanting to express to his fans the truth about his struggles and triumphs, he wrote these lyrics with no regrets for the world to hear…and he was proud about it. Forget his disability! When he recorded this song 25 years after the accident, he was standing tall in his spirit…still the same man… declaring ‘I Am Who I Am.’ This song should be an inspiration to all.”

I Am Who I Am

MEDIA: Jalila Larsuel at jlmediapr@gmail.com and visit www.teddypendergrass.com

The Verizon Wireless How Sweet the Sound Competition is back for 2011.  You can register your choir for free by clicking here.  Choirs across the country will join together to worship and rejoice—and those who have already participated know it’s an inspirational and spiritual experience you will never forget.
 
Registration ends Friday, April 15, 2011.  Click the flyer below to register now!

The time has come to stand up, clap your hands and raise them high! How Sweet the Sound 2011 is here, and registration is underway. Choirs across the country will join together to worship and rejoice—and those who have already participated know it’s an inspirational and spiritual experience you will never forget.

Verizon Wireless | One Verizon Way | Mail Code: 180WVB | Basking Ridge, NJ 07920

Verizon is the sponsor of the How Sweet the Sound Choir Contest. How Sweet the Sound™ is a trademark of Hill, Holliday, Connors, Cosmopulos Inc., D/B/A Erwin-Penland. All rights reserved. © Verizon 2011.

Watch Mack Avenue Records jazz saxophonist Kirk Whalum and the world renown Lalah Hathaway’s appearance on The Mo’Nique Show on Thursday March 24th on BET at 11pm/10C. Kirk and Lalah will perform two songs, and give an insightful interview to the Academy-Award winning hostess, Monique. Kirk Whalum is establishing a first for a jazz artist by proving that there are no barriers when it comes to great music. Whalum scored four Grammy nominations in three diverse categories – Pop, R&B and Gospel for two CDs: “The Gospel According to Jazz: Chapter III (GATJ3)” and “Everything Is Everything: The Music of Donny Hathaway both released in 2010- March and August respectively. He took home his first GRAMMY ® as the winner of the “Best Gospel Song” category for his hit song, “It’s What I Do” featuring Lalah Hathaway from Gospel According to Jazz: Chapter III (Mack Avenue).

Whalum has been a recording artist for 25 years and has over 25 solo recordings to date. He is an ordained minister with a Masters of Art in Religion. 2010 was a whirlwind of successes for Kirk Whalum. Earlier in the year “The Gospel According to Jazz-Chapter III (GATJ3)” debuted at #4 on the Billboard Jazz Album chart and #11 on the Billboard Gospel Chart while just a few months later the tribute CD “Everything Is Everything” debuted at #4 on the Billboard Jazz Chart. It’s no surprise that Whalum is breaking new ground.

January however was a bittersweet month for Whalum and Hathaway connoisseurs, as it will mark the 32nd anniversary of the tragic death of Donny Hathaway. Although brief, Hathaway’s career left a legacy that influenced artists in all genres; from gospel to rock-n-roll, that many artists have covered Hathaway but none like Whalum. “Everything Is Everything: The Music of Donny Hathaway” is the consummate interpretation of Hathaway’s musical legacy.

Atlanta’s historic Ebenezer Baptist Church — a spiritual pillar of the Civil Rights Movement — marked its 125 birthday with a special ceremony on Sunday, reports Fox 5 Atlanta.

It is the church which raised Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

Founded in 1886, the Auburn Avenue area church has long been an important place of worship and social change. The church is also a designated national historic landmark.

U.S. Representative John Lewis, who worked alongside Dr. King, was honored during Sunday’s service. It comes one month after he was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom.

Dr. King’s sister, Christine Farris King, said she’s now Ebenezer’s oldest member.

Read more at Fox 5 Atlanta.

Tyscot artist, Shirley Murdock, will record her first “Live” CD/DVD on April 28, 2011. Ms. Murdock is extremely excited about this new venture! The word out is that she has invited some very special guest artists to join her on this groundbreaking project.

Ms. Murdock’s “Live” CD/DVD recording is scheduled to take place in Charlotte, NC and preparations are quickly being made to ensure an anointed and successful recording. This will be Murdock’s second release on Tyscot Music & Entertainment

Since releasing her previous project Soulfood in 2007, Murdock has been involved in several major plays including: Je’Caryous Johnson’s “3 Ways to Get a Husband” and in two of John Ruffin’s popular favorites “Love Me or Leave Me” and “The Ideal Husband”. The latter two have recently aired on the GMC.

Further details regarding Shirley Murdock’s “Live” recording will be announced in the coming weeks. Please visit   www.tyscot.com for updates and news.

Gospel music great Fred Hammond told entertainment reporter Jawn Murray that he’s recording a full jazz project.  Hammond will be stepping away from Gospel for a moment to record a love-style jazz project.  Hammond said the jazz album will bring him back to his musical beginnings as a bass player.

Fred Hammond is currently on the Tom Joyner Cruise playing Jazz music LIVE and ministering along-side Dr. Bobby Jones during morning worship sessions. 

Take a listen to Jawn Murray’s entertainment report on “The Tom Joyner Morning Show” to get more details about Fred Hammond’s move way from Gospel.

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Recently, we brought you the story about a pole dancing ministry done in Jesus’ name.  Now we’re hearing another story also coming out of Houston where the Pastor refused to serve members of his church communion because no one volunteered to give their tax refund to the church.  The Pastor denies the allegation made by a member, but does admit to withholding communion calling some of the members “devils and demons” whose spirits weren’t right.   

The money would’ve been earmarked for a new parking lot outside the church. 

Two days later, Reverend John Goodman of Houston Unity Church has changed his tune. He apologized for calling some of his church members “devils and demons.”  Again, that’s only SOME of the congregation.  Read More Here and watch the second video below to hear the apology.  The first video is the initial report, with the second video showing an amateur recorded video of the service which Goodman says proves he never threatened the members with any penalties pertaining to their income tax.

The radicalism that the body of Christ is seeing as of late is increasingly becoming a cause for alarm.  The word says “Study to show yourself approved.”  It’s important that we don’t let church hurt impact our worship, maybe just where we worship.  Taking a line from Bishop T.D. Jakes, “Let’s Just Pray!” 

After two weeks of a successful promotional run, Franklin is preparing to release his 12th CD, in stores Tuesday, March 22, 2011. In addition to rehearsing for his tour with Steve Harvey, shooting a new movie and music video; promoting the paperback version of his New York Times bestseller, The Blueprint; and taping audition segments for BET’s Sunday Best, Franklin has been doing extensive church and promotional visits around the country. The promotional tour began on March 8 at Greater Allen Cathedral (Rev. Dr. Floyd Flake and Rev. Elaine Flake, Senior Pastors) in Queens, New York, with a listening party and performance for an enthusiastic crowd of over 3,500 people. On March 9, Franklin filmed a music video in Atlanta for his new crossover hit, “I Smile,” which will include special cameo appearances by Steve Harvey, Rickey Smiley John Gray. The video will premiere on BET’s 106 & Park.

On March 10, Franklin traveled to Chicago and hosted his second listening party and performance at New Life Covenant Church (John F. Hannah, Senior Pastor) for a crowd of 1,500 people. The next day in Cincinnati, OH, I Hear Music hosted a listening party with Franklin at Inspirational Baptist Church-City of Destiny (Bishop Victor S. Couzens, Senior Pastor) for an audience of staunch supporters. Franklin then returned to Atlanta, to tape segments for and participate in the final audition process for BET’s Sunday Best at the Greater Travelers Rest Church. Later that week, Franklin taped a performance of a song he wrote for the upcoming movie, Joyful Noise, starring Queen Latifah, Dolly Parton and Courtney Vance. He also taped the Mo’Nique show, where he performed two songs from Hello Fear CD—“I Smile,” and “Before I Die,” as well as discussed the forthcoming paperback release of The Blueprint: A Plan for Living Above Life’s Storms (Gotham Books). Franklin recently received an NAACP Image Award nomination for Outstanding Literary Work – Instructional for that book.

Franklin continued his promotional tour in Atlanta, with radio and other media interviews prior to the opening night performance at Phillips Arena Theater for the Steve Harvey and Kirk Franklin Gospel Comedy Tour, where he performed to a sold-out audience of 12,000 people.  On Sunday, March 20, Franklin ministered the Word at Changing A Generation Full Gospel Baptist Church (Bishop Paul S. Morton, Senior Pastor).

The first single from Hello Fear, I SMILE, is Top-10 at Gospel and Urban radio, and was the biggest debut for any Gospel digital track – coming in #1 on the Christian/Gospel Digital Tracks chart.    

For additional information on Hello Fear and Kirk Franklin, please visit, www.kirkfranklin.com.

Steve Harvey and Kirk Franklin Gospel Comedy Tour

 Date                                    City/State                         Venue

Saturday, March 26               Tampa, FL                   St. Pete Times Forum

Saturday, April 2                   Memphis, TN                Desoto Civic Center

Saturday, April 9                   Nashville, TN                Bridgestone Arena

Saturday, April 30                 Charleston, SC             North Charleston Coliseum

Saturday, May 7                   Bossier City, LA           Century Tel Center

Saturday, May 21                 Jacksonville, FL            Veterans Memorial

WOW Gospel 2011, the latest installment of the popular WOW Gospel series, celebrates its sixth week atop the Billboard Top Gospel Charts. The album also sits at #53 on the Billboard Top 200 Charts. Church on the Moon from Deitrick Haddon holds to the #2 position. Triumphant from VaShawn Mitchell maintains the #3 position while Israel Houghton‘s Love God. Love People: The London Sessions moves twelve spots to the #4 position. Rehab from Lecrae rounds out the week’s top five albums. In other chart news, Live At the Cathedral from Pastor E. Dewey Smith, Jr & The Hope Mass Choir re-enters the charts at #13 while Won’t It Be Wonderful from James Hall & THe Voices of Citadel jumps twelve places to #15.

In the world of radio, “I Give Myself Away” from William McDowell celebrates its first week atop the radio charts. Vashawn Mitchell‘s “Nobody Greater” movess to the #2 spot while “I Believe” from James Fortune & FIYA featuring Shawn McLemore and Zacardi Cortez takes the #3 position. “Walking” from Mary Mary takes the #4 spot while “I Smile” from Kirk Franklin rounds out the week’s top five songs.