Who is Issac Carree?  Issac Carree is a singer, songwriter, producer, and actor.  For over a decade Issac has sung background for the likes of Kirk Franklin and John P. Kee.  Now he is stepping out to record his first album.  

Following the success of his debut single, “Simply Redeemed,” the sweet sounding Isaac Carree has now released another song on I-Tunes.  This one is called “In The Middle.”  You can listen and purchase the single on I-Tunes by clicking here.

Take a  listen to his first single “Simply Redeemed” below.  His vocal ability is quite frankly amazing. 

Singer, songwriter, producer and actor. A loving husband and father, Isaac Carree is a person that exemplifies true talent.

Native to Greensboro, NC, Isaac started his music career in 1990 when he received the opportunity to sing with John P. Kee and New Life on the hit song “Wave it Away”. Though Isaac had a voice that could stand strong alone, he preferred to work as a team. In 1996, Isaac co-founded a contemporary gospel male group called Men of Standard.

With five albums and hits such as “In Your Will”, “Trust in God”, and “Latter Rain” to name a few, Men of Standard’s success was undeniable. They went on to tour on Power 98, Shout 2000, and the Hero Tour featuring Kirk Franklin and Mary Mary. The group was honored with two Stellar awards and several Dove nominations. With such success it is hard to imagine why the group broke apart. As Isaac Carree explains, -Click to Read More {pagebreak}
“We are not broken up. We all just agreed that it was time to take a break and we all felt that God was positioning us to do things as individuals”.

Isaac had a hard time grasping the concept of becoming a solo artist. In the beginning, he never agreed with becoming a solo artist, but he knew that God wanted him to pursue this career path. As he explained, “I was doing it out of obedience.” His solo album titled “Uncommon Me”, really reflects his journey on discovering who he was a musician and a person.

“I see now why God asked me to enter this journey. I have learned things that I could not have learned being in a group. Through this obedience I have found my passion and rediscovered my musicality. ”

On the album you will be able to find parts of the old Isaac Carree, but also things that you have never heard before. The album will make you reflect, get up and praise, laugh, and just have fun.

“My album is fresh and different. There is something on there for everyone. I want people to see my personality through my music. I want listeners to approach the album with an open mind to the project, especially individuals who are familiar with my music.”

What else is there in store for Isaac Carree? “ When we are a child of God we always have work. As I accomplish one goal there will always be another one waiting right behind it.” As for advice to others, Isaac explains, “There will be detours throughout the course of life, but the key is to get back on track and fulfill your dreams. Take the time to follow and understand your journey to find the ‘uncommon me’.”

The Gospel Music Association has asked “The View” co-host Sherri Shepherd to host this years Dove Awards.   

Shepherd says fans can expect “a hot night of Godly music and comedy” at the annual event, which has been moved to Atlanta’s Fox Theatre this year from its traditional home of Nashville, reports the AP.

The comedian and actress is a Daytime Emmy winner for her work on “The View” and the host of “The Newlywed Game.” She also has a recurring role on the sitcom “30 Rock.”

Nominations will be announced Feb. 16 in Atlanta. The ceremony will be taped on April 20 and air on GMC on April 24, which is Easter Sunday.

In years past, Eddie Long’s attendance at any event associated with the Trumpet Awards, an annual event founded by media pioneer and civil rights activist Xernona Clayton in 1993 to honor African-American achievement, would merely serve as a photo opportunity significant to black Atlanta and perhaps the larger Christian community at most. Since explosive allegations of sexual impropriety with four young men surfaced in September 2010, almost any appearance by the scandal plagued preacher, including yesterday’s at the Trumpet Awards Foundation’s annual Prayer Breakfast, can attract a camera. ABC affiliate WSB Channel 2 proved that.

Billed as Long’s “first interview since four young men accused him of sexual misconduct,” the story’s only saving grace is the subject himself. Reporter Jodie Fleischer’s disclaimer that “Bishop Long’s handlers made it very clear he would not answer any questions about the accusations against him,” to her colleague Justin Farmer before the “interview” aired didn’t go far enough. While Long didn’t say anything remotely memorable with his words, to Fleisher’s credit, his body language did speak volumes.

As surprising as it may sound, Long’s humility was hard to miss. Oh it wasn’t so easy to spot when he appeared before his congregation for the first time following the allegations last September, read from an iPad and declared “I feel like David against Goliath. But I got five rocks, and I haven’t thrown one yet.”

To date, he hasn’t thrown any rocks but he sure has caught them. The once defiant minister has opted out of having his day in court and has instead agreed to mediation set to begin in February. More than likely, he will settle with the young men and continue as he’s done since September and before — being Bishop Eddie Long, albeit a slightly changed one.

In this appearance, there’s no noticeable smirk on his face. As he touted the word “hope” and emphasized the family reunion feel of the gathering, he did indeed look like a kid with his hand caught in the cookie jar. If his face didn’t reveal one hundred percent guilt, it did at least register some significant concern. Perhaps membership at New Birth Missionary Baptist Church has finally tapered off, forcing the beleaguered Bishop to take it down a notch.

When the appearance of a possibly down-low minister overshadows a breakfast where one of the honorees is Michael Pfleger, the white priest from Chicago’s South Side who made national headlines for mocking Hillary Clinton’s frustration over the futility of her white privilege in defeating her now boss in the race to the Democratic nomination, with a mainstream media outlet, there is indeed a problem.

But perhaps that was the most hopeful aspect of the Prayer Breakfast for Long as he looks ahead. Controversy doesn’t last always. Pfleger never received the Reverend Wright treatment but he was in heavy rotation and now his appearance doesn’t seem eventful at all from a news broadcast perspective. Long had to know he would receive a warm reception at the Prayer Breakfast. After all, the odds of this community turning against him are as likely as Switzerland declaring war. Still, rising Gospel radio host Cory “CoCo Brother” Condrey’s reassurance that people were praying for him either way certainly had to relieve Long. It was only a bonus that a camera was there to capture the warm moment, which has to count as a public relations triumph for Long.

No, it won’t shut up the naysayers but it won’t give them much fuel either. At the end of the day, the “speak no evil” strategy Long is employing seems to be working for him. Eventually his harshest critics will only footnote the story once he gets those legal agreements banning the gentlemen from speaking on the allegations.  The young men will undoubtedly receive a nice monetary sum of money, and this sordid chapter will be behind Bishop Long.  Unfortunately for the black church, if this happens another great opportunity will be missed.

The Bishop Eddie Long scandal presented a prime opportunity to openly address homosexuality in the black church as well as sexual misconduct and sexual molestation in the larger African-American community. Instead, it’s being swept under the rug like so much other so-called “dirty laundry.” Like the many other scandals, this one is also showing signs of fizzling out. In the end, Long might look guilty to some but will the public ever know everything that really happened…the jury is still out?

Adapted from TheBelleReport.com/Ronda Racha-Penrice

ALSO READ: Whitney Houston Sings At Funeral of Bobby Brown’s Mother

Whitney Houston paid her respects to Carole Brown, the mother of her ex-husband Bobby Brown, by singing at her funeral this week in Boston.

Whitney performed twice during the service.  She performed “Precious Lord, Take My Hand” solo, and later joined Johnny Gill for a performance of “Never Would’ve Made It.”  It appears that a couple people sneaked in cell phone recordings of the ceremony.  Watch the video clips below.

Carole Brown passed away on January 20th in Los Angeles.  What do you think about recording funerals?

BET has posted the Sunday Best 4 audition schedule. Earlier last year Mary Mary said on their LIVE internet stream that the show wouldn’t be back. Complaints poured in by fans of the competition. Shortly after news came that the show would in fact be returning for a fourth season.

I’m excited because the show has brought us some great gospel acts like Crystal Aiken, Y’Anna Crawley, Jessica Reedy, Shari Addison, and Leandria Johnson.

If you are thinking about auditioning for the show the schedule is below:

Saturday, February 19 – Dallas, TX
Saturday, March 5 – Los Angeles, CA
Saturday, March 12 – Atlanta, GA

Anybody auditioning?

Also Read: Sunday’s Best Runner-Up Jessica Reedy Releases Single “God Has Smiled on Me.”

NASHVILLE, TN – (January 25, 2011) – The Gospel Music Association (GMA) is pleased to announce that the 42nd Annual GMA Dove Awards press conference will beheld on Wednesday, February 16th in Atlanta at the historic Fox Theatre’s Grand Salon at 10 a.m. EST. The press conference will be streamed live at HEAR IT FIRST and gmc. This year marks the first time the show has taken place outside Nashville in 40 years. The show will be taped live at the Fox Theatre on April 20 and will air on gmc Sunday, April 24 at 8 p.m. EST.

GMA’s Chairman of the Board Ed Leonard will join the presenters at the historic press conference. “The GMA has been working hand in hand with the Atlanta Convention and Visitors Bureau to make sure we have a very eventful and successful awards show debut in Atlanta. This city offers such a diverse musical landscape and we are thrilled to be here,” says Leonard.

The Fox Theatre is located at 660 Peachtree Blvd. NE, Atlanta, Georgia 30308. Parking for the press conference is available in the public parking lot next door to the Fox Theatre or at The Georgian Terrace Hotel. The phone number for the Fox is 404.881.2100.

Nominees in select categories will be announced by the participating artists, while the remaining categories will be made available online at www.gospelmusic.org, www.watchgmctv.comand www.hearitfirst.com.

SHOW DESCRIPTION:

THE Stellar Awards, the premier Gospel music event that recognizing and honoring African American artists, airs its 26^th annual awards show with all-star performances by Marvin Sapp, Beverly Crawford, Deitrick Haddon, Nevel Sisters, JJ Hairston, VaShawn Mitchell, Joshua’s Troop and New Artist of the Year nominee Forever Jones. Hosted by Donnie McClurkin, this year the show honorsKirk Franklin, Vanessa Bell Armstrong and Donald Lawrence with special awards/tribute performances by The Soul Seekers, The Williams Brothers, The Rance Allen Group and Voices of Destiny (Verizon “How Sweet the Sound” winners).

Also in attendance is Gospel music powerhouse James Fortune and Fiya (leading this year’s nominee with eight nods) and presenters Andrae Crouch, Dorinda Clark Cole, Hezekiah Walker, Omari Hardwick, Shirley Caesar, Vickie Winans, J. Moss, Dr. Bobby Jones, Jessica Reedy, DeWayne Woods, Lisa Page Brooks, Wess Morgan, and Yvette Nicole Brown among others.

GMC TELECAST:     Saturday, March 5, 2011 at 8 p.m. EST  (Gospel Music Channel)

AFFILIATE STATION AIR-DATES:  
 

New York: (MNT) WWOR Sun. 1/30 at 3:00p.m

Atlanta: (FOX) WAGA Sat. 1/29 at 4:00p.m.

Chicago: (CW) WGN Sat. 3/12 at 10:00p.m.

Washington, DC: (CW) WDCW Sun. 2/13 at 3:00p.m.

Philadelphia: (MNT) WPHL Sat. 2/5 at 8:00p.m. & Sun. 2/20 at 3:00p.m.

                        WFMZ Sat. 3/5 at 8:00p.m.

Detroit: WADL Sat. 2/5 at 8:00pm

Raleigh-Durham: (ABC) WTVD Sun. 2/20 at 2:00p.m.

Baltimore: (CW) WNUV Sun. 2/13 at 3:00p.m.

St. Louis: (MNT) WRBU Sun. 2/20 at 11:00a.m.

San Francisco-Oakland-San Jose: (ABC) KGO Sat. 2/19 at12:00p.m.

 **The show will air in national syndication from January 22, 2011 toMarch 13, 2011. Check local listing for additional air-date(s) in other cities or visit www.thestellarawards.com for more information.**                                                                                

HOSTED BY:            Donnie McClurkin

SPECIAL APPEARANCES:
 

Marvin Sapp, Bebe & Cece Winans, Shirley Caesar, Vickie Winans,  Andrae Crouch, Omari Hardwick (For Colored Girls), Meagan Good (The Game), Yvette Nicole Brown (NBC’s Community), BET’s Ambassador Dr. Bobby Jones (BobbyJones Gospel), Beth Payne, Byron Cage, Shari Addison and Jessica Reedy from Sunday Best, Trin-I-Tee 5:7 and Committed (winners of NBC’s “The Sing Off”).                        

EXECUTIVE PRODUCER: Don Jackson

Producer: Barbara Wilson                

If you missed it, Mary Harvey, ex-wife of radio host, comedian, author Steve Harvey gave an interview to his friend and morning show rival Tom Joyner today. She says she wants closure with her ex-husband and the drama in the media about their past marital relationship. 

The interview comes just a week after Mary Harvey took to YouTube blasting personal business and airing Steve Harvey’s dirty laundry.  Many question her motives and whether or not she is being truthful.  Tom Joyner asks Mary some tough questions.  Click the player to listen.  Click Here to listen to Mary’s YouTube rant. 

For Full Radio Version Click Below.

Also Read: Steve Harvey’s Ex-Wife Takes to YouTube to Air Dirty Laundry

Lecrae‘s new release Rehab: The Overdose celebrates its second week atop the Billboard Top Gospel Charts this week. The album also sits at #2 on the Christian Albums Charts, #7 on the Top Rap Albums Charts, #11 on the Independent Albums Charts, and #66 on the Billboard Top 200 Charts. The Legacy Project, the brand new release from John P. Kee, while We Give You Praise from Dr. Noah Nicholson II & The Family Worship Center debuts at #4. William McDowell’s As We Worship: Live rounds out the week’s top five albums. In other chart news, Aaron Neville‘s I Know I’ve Been Changed jumps 16 places to enter at #16 while Victory from The Phoenix Mass Choir re-enters at #20.

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 “He Wants It All” from Forever Jones moves to the #3 position. William McDowell‘s “I Give Myself Away” takes the #4 spot while “I Choose to Worship” from Wess Morgan rounds out the week’s top five songs.

Fox Sports has rejected a proposed Super Bowl commercial featuring “John 3:16”, a reference to a Bible verse that has been part of the culture of football in America for decades. Fans see it on signs in end zones after field goal and extra point attempts; on players’ tape and tattoos; and Tim Tebow was famous for writing it in his eye black. And yet, many fans don’t know what it means.

In producing this commercial, Fixed Point Foundation hopes to encourage fans to look up John 3:16 and consider its meaning. The spot ends by directing viewers to a website (lookup316.com) where the verse appears along with a simple explanation. Neither the website nor the commercial sell a product, ask for money, or promote a political agenda. It doesn’t even promote the sponsoring organization. The idea is to encourage viewers to consider their source of ultimate hope and purpose.

Fox Sports rejected the commercial on the basis that it contained “religious doctrine.” Of course, it seems one can advertise just about anything else. Few movie trailers are deemed too violent or commercials too sexual for prime time. But religious messages, even ones that are part of the sport and encourage viewers to decide for themselves if the message is a worthy one, are unacceptable.

In spite of Fox Sports’ rejection, the ad will air in some regional markets, starting with the state of Alabama. It is part of an initiative called “LookUp 316.”

Below are the details:

WHEN: February 6, 2011; 5:30 PM Kickoff; Lookup 316 commercial will air twice locally during the game. Website is www.lookup316.com.

About Fixed Point
Fixed Point Foundation is committed to promoting a confident Christianity in the public square, fortifying the minds of Christians and challenging the faith of skeptics. Fixed Point Foundation is located in Birmingham, Alabama and is a registered 501c3 organization. www.fixed-point.org