Critics have gone back and forth about Tyler Perry bringing his version of Ntokage Shange’s seminal work For Colored Girls Who Have Considered Suicide When the Rainbow Is Enuf to the big screen.  Perry’s loyal fan base continues to support the Producer who was made popular by his Gospel stage plays.  Now impacting Hollywood, Perry’s films have broad appeal but are often critiqued for having flat characters and story lines and low production values, is taking a stab at a play that is considered high art. Executive produced by Perry and Nzingha Stewart, For Colored Girls will be out in theaters in November.  It features heavy hitters like Whoopi Goldberg, Kerry Washington, Loretta Devine, Anika Noni Rose, Thandie Newton, Kimberly Elise and Phylicia Rashad.  Janet Jackson and Macy Gray round out the cast.  Check out the official trailer below.

Gospel music’s dynamic duo has done it again. Black Smoke Music Worldwide CEO, Kerry Douglas, and his superstar protégé, James Fortune, have racked another smash with “I Believe.” The inspirational ballad features James Fortune & FIYA, Shawn McLemore (who has made a full recovery from a recent stroke) and Zacardi Cortez. Douglas orchestrated Fortune’s 2009 breakthrough smash, “I Trust You,” that spent 29 weeks at #1 on Billboard’s Hot Gospel Songs chart and Earnest Pugh’s recent #1, “Rain On Us.” Now, Douglas and his ace radio promoter, Tawanda Shamley, have pushed “I Believe” to #1 while also taking it to #41 on the Urban AC airplay chart.

“This is America’s song,” Douglas says of its success. “It’s #1 because America is going through hard times. People are out of work, people are sick, the economy is bad but we all want to believe that things will get better and this song reminds us that with God’s help, things will get better sooner than later. That’s why I keep saying this isn’t just a gospel song. This is a song for all of America.”

The song is available exclusively on the CD/DVD, Kerry Douglas Presents Gospel Mix Volume IV, Douglas’ hit up-and-coming artists compilation that introduced artists such as Earnest Pugh and James Fortune to the public. The package has just debuted at #4 on Billboard’s Top Gospel Albums sales chart. Six of the CD’s 17 songs are in rotation on the BDS Top 100 Gospel Playlist. The package also includes a 14-track DVD of live performances or concept videos of the various artists on the audio CD such as James Fortune, Keith “Wonderboy” Johnson, and The Brown Boyz. “We’re doing something no one else is doing,” says Douglas. “We’re not taking old hits and repackaging them. We’re taking new songs by new artists and making them today’s hits.”

MaLinda Sapp, the wife of award winning Gospel music artist and Pastor Marvin Sapp, passed away last Thursday, September 9th, in their home in Detroit losing her battle with colon cancer at the age of 43.  Marvin had just landed in Houston to be part of Verizon’s “How Sweet the Gospel Celebration” when he received the news and immediately returned home. MaLinda Sapp was surrounded by family members when she passed.

Malinda battled stage 4 colon cancer in the past and appeared to be in the clear, until recently. She has been in hospice care for the last few weeks. Marvin opted to cancel most of his travel dates and committed to only being at his church on Sunday, so he could spend all his time with Malinda. 

MaLinda Sapp’s funeral services are set for Thursday, September 16th at noon at Resurrection Life Church, 5100 Ivanrest SW, in Grandville. Family hour will be conducted at 11 a.m. on Thursday, followed by “homegoing services” at 12 noon at the Resurrection Life Church in Grandville, Michigan.

A mother of three, MaLinda Sapp was an accomplished woman.  She was a licensed counselor, psychologist, psychology professor at Grand Rapids Community College, and manager of her husband’s gospel career. She was a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Inc. And in 2008, MaLinda was named principal of the future Ellington Academy of Arts and Technology, yet the school’s opening was delayed earlier this year.

Marvin Sapp, 43, is best known for his 2007 gospel-crossover hit, “Never Would Have Made It.” In fact, it was MaLinda who encouraged him to record the song and include it on the ‘Thirsty’ album following the death of his father.  His current CD “Here I Am,” was released in March. The song “The Best In Me” was No. 1 on Billboard’s gospel charts. Prior to Marvin’s successful solo career, he sang with the 1990s gospel group, Commissioned.  MaLinda was the booking manager for her husband and played part in the production process of his timeless music.

Marvin Sapp and his wife were childhood friends that met in elementary school and married 13 years ago.  Mrs. Sapp is survived by three children Marvin II, 16; Mikaila, 13; and Madisson, 11; as well as her mother, two sisters, two brothers, and several nieces and nephews.

CLICK to visit Marvin Sapps’ Facebook Page
CLICK to visit Marvin Sapps Twitter Page

Dorinda Clark-Cole, (an intricate part of the legendary group The Clark Sisters), has signed with Light Records. Dorinda joins the growing imprint that features J.J. Hairston & Youthful Praise, Bishop Paul S. Morton, Pastor Shirley Caesar and the recently signed Ricky Dillard & New G.  Dorinda is also a dynamite preacher, and we’re excited to hear the first project that Dorinda releases under her new label.  No word yet on a release date of her forth-coming album.  

So word has it, Brother Larry Jones is no longer with the Yolanda Adams Morning Show.  Sources say that his contract wasn’t renewed.  The original announcement came from parent company syndication 1, and all though the details surrounding his departure are vague; I wish Brother Larry Jones success in his transition and future endeavors.  The nationally syndicated Yolanda Adams Morning Show can be listened to in over 15 markets nation-wide.  Anthony Valary, and Marcus D. Wiley are still with the show.  No word on if there will be a replacement for Brother Larry Jones.

The 12th annual IMAC Conference heads to the Nashville, TN area October 7-9, 2010.  Produced by Jeff Robinson, the event will convene at Celebration of Life Church in Hendersonville, TN.  The conference is designed to empower and inform those involved in faith-based arts and ministries. This year’s conference features workshops including topics such as voice development, marketing & distribution, and artist management & development. Guest clinicians and performers include Lowell Pye, Claude Deuce, Benita Bellamy, Telisa Stinson, Stan Jones, Earnest Pugh, Kyla Jade, and BET Sunday Best finalist Maurice Griffin. The event will also feature a special salute to Angela Spivey.

You can register on the IMAC website.

A Minister of Music and Musician from the Washington, DC area. Active in the Church Music Ministry 40 years Active in the Gospel Industry 25+ years Prolific in the areas of Marketing, Public Relations, and Promotions Journalist for Community, National, and Internet Gospel Publications.  Kenny Taylor advises PATH’s promotion division.

Affiliations:
Gospel Music Workshop of America
N.A.R.A.S
GMWA G.A.G
National Convention of Choruses & Choirs
S.A.G.M.A.
American Gospel Quartet Convention
Gospel Music Association

Grammy & Stellar Award winner Beverly Crawford is gearing up for the release of her highly anticipated new CD, Live from Los Angeles – Vol. 2, on September 14th. Featuring the hot new single “It’s About Time For A Miracle!”, Live from Los Angeles – Vol. 2 is the follow-up to Beverly’s #1 chart-topper “He’s Done Enough”, which dominated the Billboard Charts for over 70+ weeks & garnered 7 Stellar Award nods including Album of the Year, Artist of the Year, Female Vocalist of the Year, etc.

Universally regarded as one of the top vocalists in the world with a legion of ardent fans including Natalie Cole, President Obama, Patti LaBelle, Fantasia, etc, Live from Los Angeles – Vol. 2 features Beverly in her element – churching like a crazy woman!

“The incomparable Beverly Crawford is one of the truly great voices of our time!”-Ebony Magazine

“Beverly Crawford is my girl! Without a doubt, one of the baddest vocalists in the world!”-Natalie Cole

From traditional gospel, praise & worship, to contemporary, Live from Los Angeles – Vol. 2, (JDI/Universal) is a 10 song collection featuring gospel at its best. Produced by Michael Bereal and Professor James Roberson, Live from Los Angeles – Vol. 2 also features special guest appearances by the legendary Shirley Murdock & Shawn McLemore.

“With everything that is going on in the world right now, the Lord told me to tell his people that ‘It’s About Time For A Miracle!” says Crawford. “So no matter what you’re going through – financial trouble, sickness in your body, marital problems, whatever – God is about to turn that thang around because – It’s About Time For A Miracle!”

‘Don’t Stop, Git It, Git It!”

CLICK HERE TO BUY NOW!

NFL running back Glen Coffee has decided to end his professional football career after having played only one season.

And the decision wasn’t the result of an injury, an arrest, or any sort of scandal.

It was because of his faith.

“I found Christ in college. It changed my views on everything,” Coffee, 23, told a reporter with the Sacramento Bee the morning after announcing his decision. “But I still was a football player because it was expected of me, it was something I did all my life.”

Though Coffee was advised not to speak with the media, he decided to do so Saturday, feeling that the reasoning behind his decision needed to be known – especially amid speculation.

“His (Christ’s) will, I felt, wasn’t football,” he explained simply. And though Coffee believes that everything – including football – should be done to glorify Christ, the running back said Christ had told him “a long time ago to walk away from the game.”

“It’s giving in to his will, man,” he told the Press Register.

Selected by the San Francisco 49ers in the third round of the 2009 NFL Draft, Coffee had been competing for the No. 2 spot behind Pro Bowl running back Frank Gore before announcing suddenly on Friday his decision to retire.

Before joining the 49ers, Coffee was a starter for the University of Alabama and was named to the Associated Press All-SEC first team.

After the 2008 season, Coffee decided to forgo his senior year and declared himself eligible for the 2009 NFL Draft.

Now, with his latest announcement, Coffee says he’s going to return to the University of Alabama to get an undergraduate degree in consumer affairs. He also plans to get a master’s as well.

“It’s simple. I’m going back to school,” told the reporter from the Bee.

Mike Singletary, head coach of the 49ers, said Friday that he respected Coffee’s decision and did not try to convince him to stay.

“I appreciate his honesty and I appreciate him not coming out here and going through the motions,” said Singletary, who is himself a man of faith.

Coffee’s announcement was made just days before the 49ers’ first preseason game of the year and less than a month before the regular season was set to begin.

Singletary suggested Friday that running back Anthony Dixon was most likely to fill in Coffee’s spot. Veteran Michael Robinson is also in the running.

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