Music World Music/Music World Gospel releases the Most Powerful Voices Volume 1 compilation CD, in stores May 3, 2011.  The compilation features ten songs by Kim Burrell, Trin-i-tee 5:7, Vanessa Bell Armstrong, Brian Courtney Wilson, Juanita Bynum, Micah Stampley, Myron Butler and Levi, Ted Winn as well as the winners of the American Heart Association’s Most Powerful Voices Gospel Music Competition-Brandon Camphor and One Way of Upper Marlboro, Maryland (artist) and Daniel Mitchell and Hillel 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 Awareness 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 legendary 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 Presentation’s “Traits for Success” on Saturday, May 7 at the Intercontinental New York Times Square Hotel, with keynote speaker Mathew Knowles.   

A portion of the proceeds from the CD will benefit the American Heart Association/American Stroke Association’s (AHA/ASA) Power To End Stroke Movement. 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.

WOW Gospel 2011, the latest installment of the popular WOW Gospel series, celebrates its seventh consecutive week atop the Billboard Top Gospel Charts. The album also sits at #57 on the Billboard Top 200 Charts. Church on the Moon from Deitrick Haddon holds to the #2 position. Triumphantfrom VaShawn Mitchell maintains the #3 position while Rehabfrom Lecrae moves to the #4 position. Lecrae‘s latest Rehab: The Overdose rounds out the week’s top five albums. In other chart news, My Songbook from VaShawn Mitchell debuts at #12 whileReport of the Lord from Pastor DeWayne Harvey & Greater Blessings Praise Team debuts at #16. 

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

Christian Comedian Akintunde is searching for the one!  The “Search for the One” Comedy competition kicked off the first leg of its competition recently in Killeen, TX.  Next stop is Chattanooga, TN on April 1st and Columbia, SC April 2nd.  

Click Here for details on entering the contest and attending the contest.  Watch the video below to see the winners of Round 1.

Daystar Television Network, which is facing two lawsuits by ex-employees, including a sexual case, is downsizing three of its production facilities.

The Christian TV network has laid off full-time production staff at studios in Houston, Denver and Ashland, Ky. The facilities will still transmit the network’s signal but be operated by a smaller technical staff, according to Daystar spokesman A. Larry Ross.

Ross told the Fort-Star Telegram the move will enable the Bedford, Texas-based network to make better use of its headquarters and achieve operational parity among its television stations nationwide.

The recent cuts do not appear to be due to the network’s audience. Daystar’s viewer base has been growing at a “rapid pace,” said Ross.

Daystar has been entangled in two lawsuits after network founder the Rev. Marcus Lamb admitted to an affair in November. Appearing on the network’s “Celebration” episode alongside his wife, Lamb said he decided to go public with the story because three persons were attempting to extort millions of dollars from them.

Jeanette Hawkins, former marketing director at Daystar, sued the company over the extramarital affair. In the suit, she claims she suffered severe emotional trauma because she was promised a Christian work environment but had to learn that her boss was involved in an affair and because she was asked to cover up the affair.

Hawkins also alleges that the Lambs defamed her on television by accusing her and two other employees of extorting money from the company. While her name was never mentioned, she contends that her name was on a letter sent to Daystar attorneys.

Daystar has countersued Hawkins, charging her with playing a leading role in the plot to extort the company. Although the suit is still active, Bedford police delivered their own verdict in December, concluding that they found no unlawful activity in their investigation.

More recently, another former employee has filed a sexual harassment suit against then Daystar Administrative Manager of Special Projects Bill Trammell, the father of Joni Lamb.

Jennifer Falcon filed a lawsuit in February, claiming that Trammell asked her to sit on his lap and touched her inappropriately during “quiet time” in his office.

Daystar has denied the allegations, calling them “outrageous.”

Both women are represented by the same attorney, James Fisher.

Despite the public confession of the affair and ongoing lawsuits, Marcus and Joni Lamb’s marriage appears to remain strong.

On Wednesday, Marcus Lamb said via Twitter that he took the day off to spend time with his wife, calling her “sweetheart” and asking of an attached photo of Joni: “Isn’t she beautiful?”

J. Moss shares a new song via twitter.  The new song is suspected to be featured on his forth-coming album tentatively titled V4: “The Other Side of Victory.”  

Strong Enough

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.