Creative Classic Agency is excited to welcome up and coming Gospel artist JAI, of St. Louis Missouri to its evolving talented roster. Jai’s larger-than-life charisma, effectiveness in ministry and musical gifts, were the driving forces that lead CCA to bring her aboard. She is a third generation ordained minister and former Worship Pastor with endless energy and a unique sound.

Jai is featured on the song “God Is Enough” from Lecrae’s 2011 Grammy nominated album Rehab (where she also receives writing credit) and will appear on BET’s Bobby Jones Gospel in the New Artist Spotlight later this month. Having spent two years on the road as a background vocalist for Grammy Award-winning duo Mary Mary and also serving as background vocalist for Pastor Donnie McClurkin during the 2008 Barack Obama campaign, Jai is no stranger to the music industry. Jai is also featured on the single “The Invasion” from Trip Lee’s 2011 Stellar Award winning album Between Two Worlds which was debuted on BET’s 106 & Park as “New Joint of the Day” this past summer.

In August of 2010 Jai released her single “Incredible” through iTunes and other major digital platforms and received a positive response reflected in a peak position of #51 on the iTunes Christian/Gospel chart. With her independent success she has proven to be a dedicated and driven individual determined to reach her goals and continue sharing God’s message.

Creative Classic Agency looks forward to great endeavors with Jai and is immediately preparing for the release of her debut (full-length) album Culture Shock with a targeted release date of August 2011.

“We look forward to not only assisting in the growth of her music ministry, but also transforming her passion and vibrant character into a brand that demonstrates how impactful Gospel artists can be when groomed and positioned properly. The opportunities are really endless,” says CCA President, Nicole Heyward.

There is a new lyric video for Kirk Franklin’s new song “I Smile.” I like it because it’s really helping me learn the words to the song. A lot of anticipation is building for Kirk’s new CD. Expect Kirk to do big numbers when this project comes out in March.

Maximum Artist Group, formed over a decade ago by Mitchell Solarek, has been at the helm of managing several successful artists, songwriters and producers in faith-based and mainstream music.

The company’s roster of clients includes Christian powerhouse vocalist Natalie Grant, Grammy Award-winning artist/producer/songwriter Donald Lawrence, and Grammy Award-winning songwriter/producer Bernie Herms.  Maximum Artist Group has divisions in management, publishing and creative services.

“I can remember to this day where I was the first time I heard Mary Mary’s first single, ‘Shackles,’” says Solarek of the company’s new client.  “I have been a huge fan of their artistry since that day. I could not be more excited to be a part of their career.”

In addition to their upcoming album, Mary Mary recently announced plans for the ‘Still Something Big’ tour, a co-headline tour with popular duo BeBe & CeCe Winans, to begin in April of 2011.

It appears Puff Daddy AKA Diddy stopped by Bishop T.D. Jakes’ Potters House for Sunday morning worship last Sunday.  Following Diddy’s tweets it’s apparent that he’s been thinking about God a lot lately.  

The week before the  Superbowl Diddy started a Christian frenzy when he tweeted that he wanted to fill his I-Pod up with Gospel music.  He asked Twitter followers what artists should he download.  Comments started pouring in.

Might seem small but getting Diddy on fire for Christ would be a huge victory for the Kingdom of God.  Just one tweet to his more then 3 million followers garners the passions of his most loyal fans.  Later Diddy was talking to ex-NFL player Dion Sanders about what Gospel events to attend during Superbowl weekend down in Dallas.  This coming from the man known for throwing some of the biggest parties in history.  It seemed like his heart this weekend was on a spiritual mission. 

Bishop Jakes tweeted this to Diddy “@iamdiddy…was so glad that you were with us at The Potter’s House this past Sunday for worship. You are in our prayers.”

Due to a scheduling conflict with Bobby Jones’ schedule, the dates have changed for the 4th Annual Bobby Jones Gospel in New Orleans Taping. 

Path MEGAzine has been named one of the official outlets accepting and distributing sponsorship applications for the 4th Annual Bobby Jones in New Orleans Showcase.  The event is shown on the WORD network and companies interested in sponsoring the event will receive high visibility at the showcase. 

Dr. Bobby Jones is one of the most well respected faces in Gospel today.  With over 30 years on television Dr. Bobby Jones was the first Gospel show on the BET network.  Jones is responsible for breaking many artists into the industry by his numerous media platforms. 

The producer and organizer of the event, Bishop Ryan Warner of Versatile Entertainment has given Path MEGAzine the esteemed task of promoting the event and accepting sponsorship applications.  Through Path MEGAzine E-Blast, mailing-list subscribers will also find out information on registering recording artists to be on the show.  You can go to www.pathmagazine.com to join the PATH mailing list, and receive information on getting your artist on the showcase. Or email Path MEGAzine for a faster response.

The event starts on Friday, June 3rd & 4th 2011.  Musical showcases begin at 1pm and 7pm daily.  There is a music forum that takes place on Saturday morning with top industry executives.  The event is FREE for those wanting to watch the nightly showcases, and Gospel industry panel discussions.  There is also a VIP luncheon available with Dr. Bobby Jones and more.

For information on sponsorships, email Kris@pathmagazine.com or call 713. 516.6555. For more information on attending the concert visit www.bobbyjonesgospelinneworleans.com/

Thank you for your interest, and we look forward to seeing you in New Orleans!

Well it looks like the girls of Trinity 5:7 are doing just fine as a duo.  They recently lost their trio counter part Adrian, as she pursues other business ventures. 

The ladies went into the studio to record with famed producer P.J. Morton and what they left with was a sure hit.  The single “Over & Over” premiered on the Coco Brother Show last night and the song is getting immediately added by radio stations across the country. Take a listen below. 

What do you think?
 



  

Also Read:Kirk Franklin Set to Release 12th CD, “Hello Fear” In Stores March 22, 2011
 

In a surprise move Fox Sports decided to air the controversial Christian themed commercial.  The commercial was originally rejected by Fox Sports for containing too much “religious doctrine” and for being too offensive.

The network aired the commercial Just before the fourth quarter of the Pittsburgh Steelers vs. Green Bay Packers game, the 30-second biblical spot popped up in limited markets to the surprise of football fans and Christian media.

In that hour, the Look Up 316 website that the commercial advertised drew so much traffic that it was difficult to load the web page.

“The LookUp316.com website hit totals are soaring …,” Larry Taunton, executive director of Fixed Point Foundation, the group behind the ad, tweeted.

An plethora of media attention undoubtedly help to change Fox Sports mind.  It is not clear why the decision was made to reverse their decision, but to God be the glory!  The commercial features no preaching but simply encourages curious viewers to look up John 3:16.

In the television ad, a group of friends are watching a football game in a living room. They cheer when one of the players on defense tackles his opponent. Then a closeup is shown of the defensive player’s eye black where he has painted “John 3:16.” One of the viewers asks his neighbor what that means. After the neighbor shrugs, the viewer offers to look it up for them on his cell phone.

The commercial concludes with “LookUp316.com: A Message of Hope.”  Watch it below.

Multiple GRAMMY®, Stellar and Dove Award winner Kirk Franklin releases his 12th CD, Hello Fear, on March 22, 2011.

Hello Fear is an innovative musical offering that showcases Franklin’s growth and maturation both creatively and personally, while still boasting his creative genius of combining various styles and genres of music into his own unique, definitively gospel sound.   He has teamed again with five of the most sought after vocalists in the music industry—Isaac Carree, Anaysha Figueroa, Nikki Ross, Charmaine Swimpson and Eric Moore—to create the inimitable harmonies for which his music is known. The result is a Kirk Franklin masterpiece. Hello Fear is produced by Franklin and co-produced by Shaun “Harold” Martin and executive produced by Kirk Franklin, Jazzy Jordan, Jessie Hurst and Carla Williams.

Two singles from Hello Fear have been released simultaneously, and they are among the top songs added at gospel and urban adult contemporary radio this week.  “I Smile” is #1 Most Added at Gospel Radio and #2 Most Added at Urban Adult Contemporary Radio. “I Am” is #2 most added at Gospel Radio.

“‘I Smile’ is a fun, urban upbeat melody I wrote,” said Franklin. “It is a declarative statement that I’m not going to live my life based on how I feel.  I will live my life based on God’s Word. It is not easy and I acknowledge there are always obstacles, but like a lot of folks, I get tired of being guided by my emotions. When I have a deeper trust in God, I live my life in stability.”

“‘I Am’ is about exchanging all of my weaknesses for God’s strength,” Franklin noted.  This song is also about declaring what God says about me and not my situation.  As we daily transform to God’s image, we no longer identify with who we were, but who we are becoming.”

Hello Fear also includes the infectious “Give Me,” featuring dynamic newcomer Mali Music; “The Altar,” a powerful traditional song, featuring Marvin Sapp and Beverly Crawford; and “Something About The Name Jesus (part 2), ” featuring Rance Allen, John P. Kee and Marvin Winans.  This 13 track tour de force will again raise the standard of 21st century contemporary gospel music.

“I titled this album Hello Fear because—with everything going on in the world—it is the word and the feeling, that paralyzes all of us on some level right now,” said Franklin. “In my own life, fear has been a shadow that has followed me since I was a child.  But the season of running from it is over. I am turning around and speaking directly to it. This album is full of personal and painful work that invites the listener to join me on the journey of letting this familiar ‘friend’ know that his time is over.”

“Over the years, I’ve had the unique opportunity of watching Kirk produce some of his albums,” said Jazzy Jordan, Executive Vice President/General Manager of Verity Gospel Music Group. “I am always amazed at the finished product. Kirk’s music gets better and better. He is masterful, and always delivers a project full of hit songs. Hello Fear is both timely and timeless. It’s an honor to work with him. He’s a brilliant producer and artist. His fans will love this album.”
On March 19, Franklin joins Steve Harvey at the Philips Arena Theater in Atlanta for the first stop on the “Steve Harvey and Kirk Franklin Gospel Comedy Tour” (see tour dates below). Harvey and Franklin have teamed up for the first time for this tour. “We know these are hard times for a lot of people out there, with the economy, family life, even church life…it’s just hard,” said Franklin. “We want people to leave the concert inspired, happy and charged — knowing that no matter what they are facing, hard times do not last forever and brighter days are indeed ahead.” In between promoting his new CD and his concert tour with Steve Harvey, Franklin will begin taping the fourth season of BET’s Sunday Best in early spring.

Franklin received an NAACP Image Award nomination for Outstanding Literary Work – Instructional for his New York Times bestseller, The Blueprint: A Plan for Living Above Life’s Storms (Gotham Books). Franklin was recently honored at the 26th Annual Stellar Awards with the Thomas A. Dorsey Most Notable Achievement Award for his humanitarian efforts on behalf of Artists United for Haiti. After the tragic earthquake in Port-au-Prince, Franklin produced an all-star gospel recording of “Are You Listening” in an effort to raise much needed funds for the people of Haiti. Artists United for Haiti included an ensemble of over 100 singers. “Are You Listening” was also nominated for Special Event CD of the Year at this year’s Stellar Awards.

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

article courtesy of TheBelleReport.com

Congratulations to Deitrick Haddon, whose new release Church On The Moon debuts atop the Billboard Top Gospel Charts this week. The album also sits at #65 on the Billboard Top 200 Charts. Lecrae‘s Rehab: The Overdose comes in at the #2 position. Playlist: The Very Best of Marvin Sapp from Marvin Sapp debuts at the #3 position while We Give You Praise from Dr. Noah Nicholson II & The Family Worship Center sits at #4. William McDowell’s As We Worship: Live rounds out the week’s top five albums. In other chart news, The Rance Allen Group‘s The Live Experience II debuts at #10 while Love Unstoppable from Fred Hammond jumps five places to #19.

The Rest of the Top 10:

6 | Lecrae – Rehab
7 | VaShawn Mitchell – Triumphant
8 | John P Kee – The Legacy Project
9 | James Fortune & FIYA – I Believe: Live
10 | The Rance Allen Group – The Live Experience II

In the world of radio, “I Believe” from James Fortune & FIYA featuring Shawn McLemore and Zacardi Cortez remains atop the radio charts. “Nobody Greater” from VaShawn Mitchell enters at the #2 spot while William McDowell‘s “I Give Myself Away” moves to the #3 position. “He Wants It All” from Forever Jones takes the #4 spot while “I Choose to Worship” from Wess Morgan rounds out the week’s top five songs.