The second CD from multiple Stellar Award winner DeWayne Woods will be released June 22, 2010 on Quiet Water Entertainment/Verity Gospel Music Group. The CD can be pre-ordered now at Amazon.com. Offering a mixture of comforting ballads, funky up-tempo tunes, and lively praise and worship songs, MY LIFE’S LYRIC is an eclectic and brilliant follow-up to Wood’s award-winning debut CD. It is also, according to Woods, a more mature and sophisticated album.

“I’ve grown a lot since I recorded my last CD, and the songs on this project reflect that,” says Woods. “MY LIFE’S LYRIC is an album full of testimonies of everything that I’ve been through. Jeremiah 29:11 is my favorite scripture, and that powerful word is the foundation for this project.”

Each track on MY LIFE’S LYRIC not only represents a different experience and a different aspect of Woods’ life, but most of all, each song expresses another trait of God’s awesome character. With producers including P.J. Morton, Aaron Lindsey, and Daniel Weatherspoon, MY LIFE’S LYRIC includes the debut single “Living on the Top,” a remake of the song made famous by Douglas Miller in 1992. “Living on the Top” is currently available for purchase at iTunes, Amazonmp3.com and walmart.com. A second single, “I Won’t Be Afraid,” will be serviced to radio soon.

“I was drawn to ‘Living on the Top’ because it speaks to what is being taught, even now, in churches about understanding our place in God and our positioning in the Kingdom,” says Woods. “‘I Won’t Be Afraid’ shows us the dynamics between fear and faith. We know the scripture that talks about faith being the substance of things hoped for and the evidence of things not seen; but fear is the substance of things that we do not hope for, and the evidence of things that we do see,” shares Woods. “If we understand that and know that God has taken care of everything that concerns us, we should know that we have nothing to fear.”

“We put together a phenomenal group of producers who were able to take DeWayne to another level musically,” says Donald Lawrence, Woods’ mentor and president of Quiet Water Entertainment. “MY LIFE’S LYRIC is an amazing album that showcases DeWayne’s powerful vocals and his connection with God, and it is also an album that explores DeWayne’s wide range as a modern gospel artist.”

MY LIFE’S LYRIC is a skillfully crafted expression from the heart of one of gospel music’s brightest stars. With a new project and more inspiration to share, DeWayne Woods is prepared to captivate the gospel music industry once again. MY LIFE’S LYRIC effortlessly picks up where Introducing DeWayne Woods & When Singers Meet left off.

Single Day Tickets NOW AVAILABLE for the Fourth of July weekend-long Celebration in New Orleans, LA – July 2nd, 3rd, and 4th.

As ESSENCE celebrates its 40th anniversary, this year’s ESSENCE MUSIC FESTIVAL(EMF) is presenting three female headliners who are icons emblematic of the ESSENCE brand. Each night of the Fourth of July weekend-long celebration in New Orleans will conclude with a headlining performance from these powerful women: Janet Jackson (Friday, July 2), Alicia Keys (Saturday, July 3) and Mary J. Blige (Sunday, July 4). This year’s multi-generational list of performers also features some of today’s greatest African-American artists and also honors the local music of New Orleans (full night-by-night line-up is below).

Throughout the weekend, EMF attendees are invited to free daily seminars featuring some of the biggest names in entertainment and the nation’s most influential speakers, artists, authors and leaders. The matching of the day-long experiences with live music late into the evening–all set against the classic backdrop of New Orleans–makes for a truly unique weekend. Each night, music fans will gather at the Superdome and this year, longtime festival participant Steve Harvey will also take part in the nightly musical celebrations serving as co-host for the three nights of Superdome musical performances with his radio colleague Nephew Tommy.

LINE-UP:
The 2010 ESSENCE MUSIC FESTIVAL night-by-night line-up (as of 5/6) is as follows

Friday, July 2

• Main stage: Janet Jackson, Charlie Wilson, Raphael Saadiq, Monica
• Superlounges: Chrisette Michele, Irma Thomas, Arrested Development, Big Sam’s Funky Nation, Mary Mary, Irvin Mayfield & the NOJO, WAR, Little Freddie King.

Saturday, July 3

• Main stage: Alicia Keys, Gladys Knight, LL Cool J, Keri Hilson.
• Superlounges: Laura Izibor, Sam & Ruby, De La Soul, Kermit Ruffins & the BBQ Swingers, Mint Condition, Leo Jackson & Melody Clouds, Joe, Rebirth Brass Band

Sunday, July 4

• Main stage: Earth Wind & Fire, Mary J Blige, Jill Scott, Trey Songz.
• Superlounges: Estelle, Hot 8 Brass Band, Lalah Hathaway, Ivan Neville’s Dumpstaphunk, Ruben Studdard, Shamarr Allen and The Underdawgs, Melanie Fiona, PJ Morton Band, Soul Rebels Brass Band.

TICKETS
For those who haven’t yet purchased weekend passes for the 2010 ESSENCE MUSIC FESTIVAL, single day tickets go on sale May 6th and are priced from $53–$212 per person per night. Meanwhile, weekend packages ranging from $159–$636 per person continue to offer music fans the best way to enjoy a full three days of entertainment.
For additional information about ticket sales, accommodations and the latest news about the ESSENCE MUSIC FESTIVAL, visit www.essencemusicfestival.com. For the most updated information on the ESSENCE MUSIC FESTIVAL’s weekend long festivities, connect with them on Facebook and Twitter.

ABOUT THE ESSENCE MUSIC FESTIVAL
The presenting sponsor for the 2010 Essence Music Festival is Coca-Cola. Other 2010 sponsors include Coors Light, CoverGirl Queen, Ford, McDonald’s, Olay, Pantene, Tide, and U.S. Army; AARP, CNN, HBO, My Black is Beautiful, TBS, TVOne.
The 2010 ESSENCE MUSIC FESTIVAL is executive produced by Essence Festivals LLC and produced by Rehage Entertainment. Essence Festivals LLC is a division of Essence Communications Inc. (ECI).

ABOUT ESSENCE COMMUNICATIONS INC.
Essence Communications Inc. (ECI) is the number one media and communications company dedicated to African-American women. With a multi-platform presence in publishing, live events, and online, the Essence brand is “Where Black Women Come First”. The company’s flagship publication, ESSENCE magazine, is the preeminent lifestyle magazine for African-American women; generating brand extensions such as the Essence Music Festival, ESSENCE Black Women in Hollywood, Window on Our Women (WOW I & II) and Smart Beauty I, II & III consumer insights, the Essence Book Club, Essence.com, and ventures in digital media (mobile, television and VOD). For 40 years, ESSENCE magazine, which has a brand reach of over 8 million, has been the leading source of cutting-edge information relating to every area of African-American women’s lives. Additional information about ECI and ESSENCE is available at www.essence.com.

The 9th Annual I Hear Music In the Air Conference will be held in Cincinnati, OH on May 28-30, 2010.  This year’s conference kicks off on Saturday with the “People’s Choice” Awards ceremony hosted by the dynamic duo and stars of TBS “Meet the Browns”, David & Tamela Mann and Bishop Greg Davis.  Also guest appearances from Ashmont Hill and Called II Worship. The following day is filled with exciting events all day.  There is a Teen Summit and I Hear Music IDOL which is free and open to the public. Contestants have the opportunity to submit their demo in hopes to perform and compete for prizes.  Christopher, D Maub, Ray Bady and Speak Life will entertain the audience during the competition also. Later that night, the highly anticipated, “Evening with Marvin Sapp” will feature special guests Byron Cage, Darwin Hobbs, Rodney Posey, Christopher and Kathy Taylor Brown. The weekend ends on Sunday, May 30 with the “Legends Ball” that features a keynote address from Pastor Damon Lynch Jr. and The Lifetime Achievement Award presented to The Clark Sisters.  Other honorees for the event are Lincoln Ware, Minister Natalie Brooks, The National Urban League, Sesh Communications and Reverend H. L. Harvey.

Famed preacher and artist Juanita Bynum has signed both a recording contract and management deal with Matthew Knowles and Music World Entertainment. Earlier this month, Bynum released her latest effort More Passion. This deal sees her releasing another effort later this year titled The Diary of Juanita Bynum.

Also new to the Music World family is worship leader and Stellar award nominee Micah Stampley.  Stampley has signed a management and recording joint venture with Music World Entertainment‘s faith-based label Spirit Rising Music. Stampley’s 2005 debut release, The Songbook of Micah was the second highest debut for a male gospel artist in Billboard history, entering at #3 on the Top Gospel Charts. The producer and psalmist joins Brian Courtney Wilson, Trin-i-tee 5:7 and now Juanita Bynum as part of the Spirit Rising family. Stampley’s new album is due in stores later this year.

Verity Gospel Music Group artist Richard Smallwood along with his famed choir Vision is in the studio working on a brand new project. The new album, titled Promises is slated for an October 27, 2010 release date. The six-time Grammy nominee’s last effort, Journey: Live In New York, released in 2007 and featured guest appearances from The Hawkins Singers, Chaka Khan, and Kim Burrell.

BET Sunday Best Season 2 winner Y’Anna Crawley has signed an endorsement deal with Shure Pro Audio. This endorsement deal kicks off a huge season for Crawley, whose new single, a cover of the Bill Withers classic “Grandma’s Hands”, is due at radio on May 4. Crawley’s long awaited solo release is due in stores on July 13, 2010, featuring production from famed duo Buster & Shavoni.
 

From May to June 2010, Deitrick and the cast of “Blessed & Cursed” will hit the road and take over youth departments across the nation promoting the upcoming movie and soundtrack to this summer’s blockbuster hit “Blessed & Cursed”. The tour will feature a screening of the movie and live performances from artists in the movie including Deitrick Haddon, Damita Haddon, Kiki Sheard and others. To book the tour at your church, contact Holly Carter or Ronnie Pitre at (323) 468-9470 or (310) 261-1052.

Tyler Perry does it again as he connects with his fan base and finishes #2 at the box office last weekend with 30.2 million and ticket sales.  Clash of the Titans finished #1 with 61.4 million in box office sales with third place going to How to Train Your Dragon with 29.2 Million.

Studio research showed that 80% of the crowd was female, 75% was over 25, and 80% was African American. I was part of the 20% of men who saw the movie and found it quite entertaining and funny.  I don’t know why I always sit next to the woman who loudly agrees with every sentence Tyler Perry relates to the African American experience, but after a while I was able to tune her out and found myself well involved in the movie myself.  There were a couple of scenes that came across un-realistic, but overall the sequel didn’t disappoint loyal fans.

The director consistently brings his fan base out to theaters with a new offering twice a year and only last year’s Madea Goes to Jail debuted bigger with $41M. His past eight films have averaged a domestic gross of $53M while being produced for budgets of under $16M. For the month of April, Why Did I Get Married Too ranks as the seventh biggest opener ever and the largest for a film opening in less than 3,000 theaters. Next up for the movie mogul is directing a different writer’s story titled, For Colored Girls Who Have Considered Suicide When the Rainbow Is Enuf featuring Jackson, Mariah Carey, and Whoopi Goldberg debuting over Martin Luther King weekend next January.

Single, “Prayed Up” Heating Up At Radio

Detroit, MI– Grammy Award winner Karen Clark Sheard is about family. Family has been key to her success as one of music’s most dynamic vocalists. Whether it’s an inspirational R&B track or a down-home gospel groove, Sheard’s multi-octave vocal range and dizzying vocal gymnastics with and without the legendary Clark Sisters have inspired today’s brightest pop divas such as Beyonce and Mariah Carey, among others. It started as a child when Sheard was trained to sing by her mother (gospel music pioneer Dr. Mattie Moss-Clark) and has come full circle with her 20 year old son (J. Drew Sheard II) producing tracks on her first CD in four years, All in One (Karew Records/EMI Gospel), a slick set of urban-flavored gospel that will hit retail and digital stores on April 6, 2010.

Sheard’s Go-Go flavored, up-tempo radio single “Prayed Up” (available digitally on March 16th) is making a fast impact at radio. The song is currently #26 on Billboard’s Hot Gospel Songs chart and rapidly building momentum. The song’s success is a dream come true for Sheard who has aspired to own a record label for years. Sheard and her husband, Bishop J. Drew Sheard (Pastor of Greater Emmanuel Institutional Church Of God In Christ in Detroit, MI, found Karew Records.

All in One features eleven original songs ranging from neo-soul ballads such as “He Knows” a duet with sister Dorinda Clark Cole to the futuristic pop vibes of “Take Me.” In between, there are worship tunes, and good ole Sunday morning church tracks. Sheard pulls in family members for vocal cameos such as sister Dorinda Clark Cole, daughter Kierra Sheard and niece Angel Chisholm. Her cousin Bill Moss Jr. plays the keys. Her son, J. Drew and her cousin J. Moss both individually wrote and produce various tracks on the project. On top of that, Sheard, who won a Grammy for composing the Clark Sisters’ #1 2007 comeback smash “Blessed and Highly Favored,” also co-wrote several of these future classics.

Aside from three decades of hits with her sisters, Sheard is also known for solo hits such as “Balm in Gilead” and “Nothing Without You.” Sheard released four critically acclaimed solo album projects, starting with her 1997 debut Finally Karen, a classic; 2nd Chance; The Heavens Are Telling and It’s Not Over. Sheard expresses, “With this new CD, I want to reach my young people but then I have some music the older church folks can rock to, as well.”

Fans of theater can applaud Sheard’s upcoming role in the new musical stage play, “Church Girl” that also stars Robin Givens. The national tour kicks off March 23, 2010 at Detroit’s Music Hall Center and is scheduled to stop through a dozen other cities. On April 6, 2010 Sheard will reminisce about her career and give a mini-concert at “The Experience with Karen Clark Sheard” taking place April 6, 2010 at the Harold Washington Cultural Center in Chicago, IL. All In One CD in-stores April 6 and available on-line at Amazon, ITUNES and more. For more information, visit www.karewrecords.com