What’s next for Tye Tribbett?  Always accessible to his fans, Tye announced in July that he was retiring his group G.A. so that they could pursue some of their dreams and goals.  In a previous YouTube video Tye makes it known that he cherished his time with the group but said, “All seasons must change.”  To feel the void, he launched a nationwide internet audition for background singers.  Audition hopefuls uploaded their singing auditions to YouTube in hopes of singing with the award winning artist.

Hard at work on the new album, Tye said he had the album title before the album was completed.  The album is based off of scripture from Issiah 43: 18-19.  “Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past.  Behold, I do a new thing!  With that he’s calling the new album, “Fresh.”  The album is tentatively scheduled for release on Tuesday, October 19th 2010.  

Listen to Tye tell you in his own words about the new CD project, ‘Fresh.’ in the video below.

The Gospel Music Association (GMA) recently announced the renewal of its partnership with GMC, America’s favorite channel for uplifting music and family entertainment, to broadcast what is Gospel/Christian Music’s Biggest Night, the Dove Awards.

With the 2010 Dove Awards this past April delivering more than 300K viewers and outperforming the 2009 premiere HH rating by +54%, the GMA is also taking a bold step and hosting the 42nd Annual Dove Awards in Atlanta, GA., the first time the show has taken place outside of Nashville.

GMA’s Chairman of the Board Ed Leonard comments, “the experience of attending the Dove Awards in person, with our artists and fans gathered together in the Atlanta community to celebrate the Gospel, is incredible. We want to share that excitement with the people of Atlanta in 2011, and having moved our Immerse event back to Nashville from Estes Park, CO in 2009, we are taking this opportunity to expand the reach of the Dove Awards for 2011.”

The 2011 Dove Awards will be held in Atlanta’s historic and fabulous Fox Theatre on April 20, 2011, GMA is working in conjunction with the city of Atlanta to host the broadcast, where its television partner, GMC is also headquartered. Atlanta is the home of many of the industry’s biggest names (Casting Crowns, Chris Tomlin, Third Day, Byron Cage, Bishop Paul Morton, Canton Jones, Dottie Peoples, Brian Free and Assurance and more).

“GMC is thrilled to present the Dove Awards for another year to Gospel and Christian music fans,” said Charley Humbard, President and CEO of GMC. He added, “As the leading television provider of Gospel music, we are dedicated to making GMC the television home of Gospel and Christian music’s biggest events.”

“Georgia’s music scene is vibrant, growing and full of history,” said Kevin Langston, Deputy Commissioner for Tourism for the Georgia Department of Economic Development. “We are looking forward to playing host to the 2011 Dove Awards.”

Located on Peachtree Street in the middle of the city surrounded by some of the city’s best restaurants, hotels and more, Dove Award activities will take place in close proximity to the Fox Theatre, creating an intimate atmosphere for attendees, artists and industry VIPs.

“We Atlantans are so happy to welcome the Dove Awards to Atlanta this year,” remarked 16-time Dove Award winner and platinum selling artist Chris Tomlin. “How exciting to celebrate and share a night together honoring God in a city I have come to know and love.”

In agreement with Tomlin, Bishop Paul S. Morton commented, “To the world, Atlanta is already known to be a home for diversity in music. I am so excited that the GMA has chosen to bring the Dove Awards to our historic and beautiful city. What better way to add to the broadening musical landscape of Gospel Music.”

THIS PRIZE HAS BEEN ALREADY WON!
Prize: One winner will receive Lucinda Moore’s new CD titled “Blessed, Broken & Given”

Exceptions: See guidelines for eligibility.
Number of winners allowed: 1
Ends: The 4th email with the two correct answers wins!

Question 1: What record label is Lucinda Moore currently on?
Question 2: What is Lucinda Moore’s hometown?

Hint: Google it!

Guidelines: Must submit the correct answers by email to pathmagazine@hotmail.com, along with physical address and your email.  The winner will be contacted by email, and must respond back to our email to validate their reward.  We will then ship the CD to you.  Have fun!

Interesting Newsweek cover story titled “The Reinvention of the Reverend Al.” Writers Allison Samuels and Jerry Adler ask tough questions that are sure to stir up your opinions.  But the biggest question looms.  Is Al Sharpton needed now that we have a black president?  Here is what he has to say, and the writers who predict what he wanted to say weigh in. 

Excerpt from Newsweek Magazine:
But the interesting question is whether his role is still needed in an era when the man atop the national power structure himself is black, and Sharpton now regularly meets with him—issuing not just demands but advice. If you asked Sharpton himself, he’d undoubtedly reply, are you serious? Blacks still have twice the unemployment rate of Americans overall, and young black men are still being shot by cops under circumstances that range from tragic to suspicious. The election of Barack Obama has provoked an almost hysterical reaction from the far-right media, which last week claimed as its latest victim an obscure African-American official in the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Relaxing with a thick Ashton Churchill in a plush midtown cigar lounge, the once-and-still Reverend Al scoffs at the idea that there is, or ever has been, a new Sharpton. “My mission, my message, and everything else about me is the same as always,” he says. “The country may have changed, but I haven’t.”

So, taking him at his word, Sharpton—at 55, a half-generation younger than Jesse Jackson and seven years older than Obama—can serve as a marker against which to gauge the shifting river of American race relations. Contacted in May by the family of a 7-year-old girl accidentally killed by Detroit police, Sharpton called no angry press conference and declined to get himself arrested. Instead, he preached an impassioned, but hardly inflammatory, sermon whose message—”we are all responsible for our children’s safety”—could have offended no one except Mike Cox, a Republican candidate for governor of Michigan, who pronounced himself “disgusted” that Sharpton would come to his state to preach at a child’s funeral.

What has changed, though, is the center of gravity of political anger in America. Sharpton’s next big project is a march on Washington planned for Aug. 28, the anniversary of Martin Luther King’s “I Have a Dream” speech. Sharpton’s “Reclaim the Dream” rally will coincide with a speech by Glenn Beck near the Lincoln Memorial. Sharpton is especially cutting about Beck’s “Take Back America” tour with Sarah Palin earlier this year. “The nerve and gall,” he expostulates. “Who are they taking America back from, and who are they giving it to?” Reclaim the Dream versus Take Back America. CLICK to Read More from NEWSWEEK

GRAMMY, Stellar, and Dove award winning worship leader Israel Houghton is gearing up to release his newest effort titled Love God, Love People. The Integrity Music artist has tapped longtime music director and producer Aaron Lindsay and Tommy Sims to handle production for this new effort. Recorded at Abbey Road Studios in London, England, the-12 track effort features guest appearances from Kirk Franklin, Fred Hammond, and Take 6. Love God, Love People is due in stores August 31, 2010.

ALSO READ: Bishop Walter Hawkins Homegoing Musical Celebration Features Yolanda Adams, Mary Mary and Bebe Winans

Oakland, CA: A who’s who of the gospel world is gathered to pay final respects to Grammy Award winning gospel legend, Bishop Walter Hawkins, who passed away July 11th after a two-year battle with pancreatic cancer.

On Tuesday, July 20th, some of the biggest names in gospel music will congregate at The Paramount Theater for a musical salute to Walter Hawkins who is known for his classic gospel songs such as “Goin’ Up Yonder,” “Marvelous,” and “What is This?” The musical celebration is titled, The Man, the Music, The Ministry: A Musical Salute to Bishop Walter Hawkins.”

Among the stars confirmed to sing Hawkins’ evergreen compositions are platinum artists such as Yolanda Adams, Mary Mary, and Donnie McClurkin. Also performing is Hawkins’ sister, Lynnette Hawkins, R&B artist Ledisi, Karen Clark Sheard, Daryl Coley, Vanessa Bell Armstrong, Byron Cage, Melvin & Doug Williams of The Williams Brothers, guitarist Jonathan DuBose Jr., D.J. Rogers, Ted Winn, and The Love Center Choir.

Making a special appearance will be Hawkins’ longtime vocal muse and former wife, Lady Tramaine Hawkins, whose dramatic vocals were featured on Walter Hawkins masterpieces such as “Changed,” “Goin’ Up Yonder,” and “He’s That Kind of Friend.”

The music directors for the evening will include Hawkin”s brother, Edwin Hawkins, Donald Lawrence, Kurt Carr, Richard Smallwood, and Hawkins’ longtime music director, Rusty Watson. The masters of ceremonies duties will be shared by Bebe Winans, Marvin Winans, and Black Entertainment Television (BET) personality, Dr. Bobby Jones.

The concert takes place Tuesday, July 20, 2010 @ 7:00 pm at the Paramount Theatre, 2025 Broadway, Oakland, CA 94612-2303. Tickets are free and available on a first come, first serve basis. Contact Paramount Theater at: (510) 465-6400

The funeral will take place the following morning, Wednesday, July 21, 2010 @ 11:00 am at the Paramount Theater. Bishop Kenneth Moales (of Prayer Tabernacle Church of Love, Inc. in Bridgeport, CT) will officiate at the ceremony.

Instead of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to The Walter Hawkins Memorial Foundation. Cards, letters and donations may be mailed to: Love Center Ministries, 10440 International Blvd, Oakland, CA 94603.

ALSO READ: Israel Houghton Prepares for New CD Release

Will Smith will star as the title character in The Legend Of Cain, a re-telling of the Biblical sibling rivalry tale.

Viewer be ware.  The story will have a vampire twist. Yes, more vampires. 

Biblical tale: Cain, the older son of Adam and Eve, kills younger brother Abel out of jealousy and anger.

Smith will also produce with Overbrook Entertainment partners Jada Pinkett Smith (his wife), James Lassiter, and Ken Stovitz.

The script was written by Caleeb Pinkett and Dan Knauf, with Andrea Berloff revising. No studio or director yet for the Overbrook project. The production company is coming off The Karate Kid, which has so far grossed more that. $210 million worldwide. Smith is currently promoting that film internationally and in August he begins filming Men In Black 3.

Will this be another mis-representation of the bible?  WHAT DO YOU THINK of a vampire version of the Cain & Abel story?  Log-in and Comment.

ALSO READ: Movie: Blessed & Cursed in Stores

Internationally renown gospel artist Fred Hammond has collaborated with philanthropist Roy Campbell, his business partner, under a distribution agreement with Universal Music Christian Group for a brand new project called “Life in the Word.”

The album will feature some of the world’s greatest gospel artists.

“We are honored that Fred Hammond chose UMCG as the place where he could develop and unfurl his vision,” said Rhoda Lawrence, Vice President of UMCG. “People are thirsty for music that tackles everyday issues in their lives and they want it delivered in a way that speaks to them. Fred Hammond has the talent and the vision to propel gospel music to new heights; appealing to and inspiring music fans of all age groups and walks of life. Fred is passionate about artistry and about his lifelong mission to transform people’s lives. When you have the opportunity to play a part in something of this magnitude, first you pinch yourself and then you get to work.”

This great project will be released for purchase July 27 of this year. The first single, “You Do Great Things” is the first great primer of the production.

“The opportunity to form my label couldn’t come at a better time,” said Hammond, President and CEO of fHammond Family Entertainment. “Out of the box thinking and creativity is what we are producing here.  The projects that we have in development will further my artistic expression and expose my devoted music fans and beyond to another dimension of the Fred Hammond brand.”

Other great singles include “Dwelling Place,” a devotional song of praise, “Hiding Place” and “Need My Time With You.”

Also Read: The Legendary Keith Pringle Back With New CD – In Stores & Online