(Nashville, TN) — Popular gospel recording artists, JJ Hairston & Youthful Praise, will continue their recording relationship with long time partner Light Records.

JJ Hairston & Youthful Praise started their recording career in 2004, with the release of Awesome God which was their debut project on Light Records. Youthful Praise has since enjoyed great success and has established themselves as one of today’s significant contemporary choirs.

Their current project, RESTING ON HIS PROMISE, has topped the charts over the last year, yielding two hit songs; the title single, “Resting On His Promise,” and everyone’s favorite “Lord You’re Mighty.”

“I’m so excited about renewing my contract with Light records. James Robinson, Evidence Gospel and Light Records have had a key role in my entering into the gospel music industry,” said Hairston. “Furthermore, the staff at Light are like family to me. So my contract renewal was not only a smart business move for me and YP, but also a re-commitment to my extended family at Light records.”

SVP & General Manager of Light Records, James Robinson said, “I am very pleased that JJ Hairston & Youthful Praise has decided to continue their long time relationship with Light Records. JJ has been with Light his entire musical career and it speaks volumes that he’s chosen to stay. I am honored to be associated with this very powerful artist and ministry and have great anticipation for his future.”

Hairston was recently the opening act on the 2011 Stellar Awards and can be seen on TBN in upcoming episodes of the new show 15th Street Live. JJ Hairston & Youthful Praise have plans for a live recording this Summer.

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At least one Christian was killed and others injured when thousands of Islamic extremists set fire to 59 churches and at least 28 homes in western Ethiopia in the past five days, Christian leaders said.

More than 4,000 Christians in and around Asendabo, Jimma Zone have been displaced as a result of attacks that began on Wednesday (March 2) after Muslims accused a Christian of desecrating the Quran by tearing up a copy, sources said.

“The atrocity is still going on, and more people are suffering,” said a source in Addis Ababa who is in close contact with area church leaders.

The Christian killed, believed to have been a member of the Ethiopian Orthodox Church, has not yet been identified.

“One Orthodox believer, whose daughter is a member of Mekane Yesus Church, has been killed,” an Ethiopian church leader told Compass. “Ministers were injured, and many more believers have been displaced.”

A pastor based in the Ethiopian capital of Addis Ababa noted that evangelical church leaders have reported the attacks to authorities and asked officials for help, but no action had been taken at press time.

“The church requested more police protection,” he said. “The authorities sent security forces, but they were overwhelmed by the attackers.”

After the destruction began at Asendabo, it spread to Chiltie, Gilgel Gibe, Gibe, Nada, Dimtu, Uragay, Busa and Koticha, as Muslim mobs in the thousands rampaged throughout the area, sources said.

“Police at the site are not taking any action – they just watch what is happening,” said another source. “It is difficult to estimate the attack in terms of deaths, since we have no access to any location.”

Those displaced are in shelters in Ako, Jimma, Dimtu and Derbo, he said.

“We are very concerned that the attack that began on March 2 in Asendabo, which is the rural part of Jimma, is now heading to Jimma town,” he said.

The extremists also destroyed an Ethiopian Kale Hiwot Church (EKHC) Bible school building and two church office buildings, the source said. Of the churches burned, he said, 38 belonged to the EKHC; 12 were Mekane Yesus buildings; six were Seventh-day Adventist structures; two were Muluwongel church buildings, and another belonged to a “Jesus Only” congregation.

“Women and children are the most affected in this sudden attack,” he said. “It is needless to mention the believers’ houses and properties burned down. The overall estimated cost, may be worth over 60 million birr [US$3.55 million].”

Anti-Christian attacks in western Ethiopia in 2006 killed at least 24 people.

“Attacks on the church have been a common occurrence in predominantly Muslim areas of Ethiopia like Jimma and Jijiga,” the source said, adding that Christians are often subject to harassment and intimidation.

Asendabo, in Oromia Region, is about 300 kilometers (186 miles) from Addis Ababa.

The attacks erupted as heavy fighting was taking place at the borders of Kenya, Ethiopia and Somalia. Ethiopian troops were trying to repel Islamic extremist al-Shabaab troops from Bulahawo, Somalia, near Mandera, Kenya, with several casualties and hundreds displaced.

Ethiopia’s constitution, laws and policies generally respect freedom of religion, but occasionally some local authorities infringe on this right, according to the U.S. Department of State’s 2010 International Religious Freedom Report.

According to the 2007 census, 44 percent of Ethiopia’s population affiliate with the Ethiopian Orthodox Church, 19 percent are evangelical and Pentecostal and 34 percent are Sunni Muslim.

Now, there’s an unlikely duo. Dolly Parton and Queen Latifah are set to hit the big screen together in a “musically-driven feature that tells the story of an unlikely partnership between two strong-minded women who are forced to work together to save a small town Gospel choir after budget cuts threaten to shut them down,” according to the press release. Joyful Noise will feature some songs penned by Parton, who made her acting debut in the 1980 flick 9 to 5.

“I’m really happy to be doing a movie with Queen Latifah,” Parton says in a statement. “I really like her and have often thought we would be fun together. Even though we play rivals in the movie, I’m sure we’ll have our fun behind the scenes. I’m so happy to be doing a movie about music – especially happy because it’s gospel music which I grew up singing and loving. I think we need something uplifting in this day in time! So yep, happy, happy, happy – that’s me.”

In an effort to fill in seats for one of the concert scenes, the producers have put out an open call for extras to participate in the movie.  The concert scene will feature Kirk Franklin, along with the movie’s leading actresses Queen Latifah and Dolly Parton.

The filmed concert will take place THIS MONDAY, March 14th, at The Frederick Brown Jr. Amphitheater. Extras are asked to arrive at 7:00am and be available for 6 to 8 hours.  No acting experience required, and you can just be a fan of Gospel music.

To attend, email joyfulaudience2@gmail.com

The Church Boyz are set to release their new album on Blacksmoke Records online and in-stores March 8, 2011.  Check out the single “Krazy” below.

The new inductees into the Christian Music Hall Fame were announced this week.   “We believe these artists are most deserving to be recognized for their outstanding contributions to not only Christian music, but for their ministries as well,” states Andy Woolard, Director of Operations for the Christian Music Hall of Fame. “We are excited to pay tribute to the great careers these artists have had and those who continue to encourage others with their music and ministries.”

This year’s inductees are:

DeGarmo & Key
Dixie Melody Boys
Jeoffrey Benward
Nicole C. Mullen
Susie Luchsinger
Take 6
Wayne Watson

The inducted artists will be formally recognized during the 3rd annual Visionary Awards show to be held in the Dallas, Texas area on November 5, 2011. The Visionary Awards are an annual event highlighting the top talent in a variety of genres of Christian music.

NASHVILLE, Tenn. – While Nicole C. Mullen graced the stage at the National Religious Broadcasters convention recently with two musical performances, she said in an interview this week that she always remembers how insufficient and unqualified she is.

Mullen is one of the most respected artists in contemporary Gospel and R&B. The winner of multiple Dove Awards and a Grammy Award revealed that even though her career proves her to be one of the most talented musicians, she doesn’t cease to forget her humble background and that she is not the most qualified before God.

“I’m here not because I’m the greatest singer or the greatest writer, or because I’m the most qualified, I’m here because God decided saying, ‘I’m going to use that one to show my glory’ and that was His decision but it’s for us to be available and to open up our lives to Him and say ‘flow in me,'” said Mullen to The Christian Post.

Mullen recalled that her lifelong career only allowed her to see that “the Lord is able to take the little and make it much.”

At a glance, her life while growing up was far from glamorous. She was very upfront and said, “I see the hand of the lord who can take a little girl from Cincinnati, who stuttered badly, who sucked her thumb, who wet the bed, who was least among us.”

But despite her weaknesses, she was excited to say that through her ,God was able to prove that He could do something with “a nobody” for His glory. As she smiled she said that everything she has been able to accomplish was purely for His glory while proudly saying, “and that’s probably my greatest reflection.”

The 47-year-old wants people to remember that above being a singer she also wants to be looked at as a mother, a mentor, a wife and foremost as a lover of Christ.

Although being away from her husband and five children, two of whom are adopted, is one of the hardest things for her to do – as well as singing the same songs all the time – she knows that her sacrifice doesn’t compare to Christ and that if everything was self-centered nothing would be done.

“When I remember that it’s so not about me, it’s not about how I feel, it’s not about my agenda, but it’s about His kingdom, it’s about Him being glorified then all of the sudden, me shrinks and He grows and I think that’s the object of it all.”

Early this year, it was announced that Nicole will be formally inducted into the Christian Music Hall of Fame on Nov. 5. When asked about the best advice for aspiring artists, she said that “First of all I would say, take your gift and pray about it, give it to the Lord if you feel like he has gifted you to sing or to play or to do drama or anything in the arts make sure you are committed to Him” followed by a recipe of incessant practice.

She also wants them to know that if they have to begin their career by performing in small venues, or even nurseries or just in front of three people then let it be so because “if you are found faithful in the little then according to the scriptures He’s able to make a little bit much.”

Her formula for success constitutes of having absolute faith because without faith “we will lose a whole lot; we will not have gained anything.”

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J. Anthony Brown of the Tom Joyner Morning Show often does remixed parody’s of artists songs.  The often hilarious renditions did not escape the Gospel music industry this time.  J. Anthony Brown releases his version of “I Smile” by Kirk Franklin.  The song pokes fun at Kirk Franklin’s height, or lack of it.  It’s pretty funny I’ll give him that!  Listen to it on RNBPhilly.com by clicking the player below.

The 2011 Image Awards aired recently honoring the best achievements by people of color in TV, music, literature and film.  Tyler Perry’s “For Colored Girls” dominated last night’s NAACP Image Awards; winning the best picture, director and supporting-actress prizes.

Halle Berry won the outstanding actress prize “Frankie & Alice,” and also shared a heartfelt acceptance speech about achieving her childhood dream.

Aired on FOX, The Friday event was held at the Shrine Auditorium and hosted by Wayne Brady and Holly Robinson Peete. Sade, who got the most nominations in music with four nods, unfortunately won none.

This year, the prize-giving event comes under fire for celebrating Jay-Z, Minaj, P. Diddy, Kanye and other artists who often use offensive lyrics and derogatory images. “It is unconscionable that the NAACP would sully its brand, squander its legacy, and take such a stand contrary to the aspirations and dreams of the mainstream of the African-American community,” said Reverend Delman Coates, senior pastor of the Mt. Ennon Baptist Church.

“While artists are free to produce their own art, it is not acceptable for public corporations and established civil right organizations to sanction the kinds of lyrics promoted by some of these artists,” he continued. “These are the wrong images for a civil rights organization to nominate and endorse.”

In response to the criticisms, the Pasadena branch of the NAACP promised to review the complaints to see if they are valid. “I think the national office is going to review the policy of the nominees and the participants,” said NACCP President Joe Brown. “Hopefully this will eliminate inviting those whose lyrics are considered disdainful.”

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What will come out in the decades after Oprah’s reign on network television? I’m hesitant to speculate, but I don’t think it’s a positive thing for the people of God to welcome her as a good source for spiritual growth.

In the past Oprah made headlines by announcing on her show that she didn’t feel Christ was the only way to salvation.  She later said she had a problem hearing church scriptures that referenced God as a jealous God.  None of her beliefs have seemed to hurt her career, but if we really new the secrets about Oprah would that change?

It’s coming out that Oprah’s cousin Jo Baldwin was fired for speaking about Jesus all the time. Baldwin reveals that Oprah has threatened her cousin and other family members about revealing certain secrets about her. Says Baldwin, “I admit I was afraid of Oprah for 20 years. Absolutely terrified. She’s powerful and dangerous. She told me if I ever opened my mouth [about what I know] she’d sue my pants off.” Does Oprah have something to hide, or is this a routine process when it comes to hiring family that may be looking to make a buck off her?  Jo Baldwin speaks to Kitty Kelly, author of the book “Oprah: A Biography.” The conversation gives us insight into Oprah’s beliefs and family.

“When I received my PhD in 1985 from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, Oprah asked me where I was going to work,” said Jo Baldwin in the summer of 2010. “I said I would be applying for a position at Ebony magazine as a copy editor. Oprah said she did not like Linda Johnson Rice [owner of Ebony] and I should come to work for her instead. So I did.”  “I was to work for her for three years, but she fired me without notice after two years… I heard from someone later that she got rid of me because she got tired of me talking about Jesus all the time… Oprah preferred the teachings of Shirley MacLaine’s books, such as Dancing in the Light and Out on a Limb, which Oprah made me read but I didn’t think much of.”

Jo Baldwin, a tenured professor at Mississippi Valley State, is also an ordained minister who preaches at two churches every Sunday. Deeply religious, the Reverend Jo, as her parishioners call her, feels her famous cousin has lost her way and is mired in godless New Age mumbo jumbo.

Baldwin’s feelings, like many in Oprah’s family, stem from resentment over the way she has been treated.

The power of Oprah’s vast wealth makes most of her relatives quake. They want to be part of the luxurious life that she offers on occasion (her lavish Christmas presents, her birthday checks, even her hand-me-downs) but they chafe at the way she has dismissed them since becoming famous and they know that she does not cherish them as family. She prefers instead her celebrity friends. Oprah holds Maya Angelou as the mother she should’ve had; she sees Sidney Poitier as her father, Quincy Jones as her uncle, and Gayle King as her beloved sister.

Jo Baldwin became estranged from her famous relative who continues to put distance between herself and her blood relations. Oprah will not give her mother, Vernita Lee, her personal phone number. If her mother needs to call Oprah, she must call the studio and talk to Oprah’s producers.

Jo Bladwin tells Kitty Kelly that the main reason she is not close to Oprah is because of the differences in their religious convictions.

“Mainly, Oprah wanted to shame me for being a follower of Jesus as if to say, ‘What is He doing for you that’s so great?’ Oprah inflicts emotional wounds that could lead to physical illness, if they aren’t healed. My faith has kept me from getting sick [over her].”

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Also Read: All 4 Accusers Confront Bishop Eddie Long in Face to Face Mediation Talks

Are you ready for the Stellar Awards?  The 26th annual Stellar Awards will air Saturday, March 5th on GMC (Gospel Music Channel).  Hosted by Donnie McClurkin the show is something you don’t want to miss. 

A select few cities have already aired the broadcast but if you haven’t seen it yet, you’ll definitely want to be in place Saturday to catch the national debut on GMC.  Check your local listings for your local GMC channel and let us know what you think about the awards.  In the mean time, check out what you can expect in the video below.