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

Stellar award winning artist Maurette Brown Clark is set to return with her second live recording for her fourth release. The recording takes place on April 23, 2010 in Norfolk, VA at Calvary Revival Church.

The vocalist’s most recent effort titled The Dream produced the chart-topping hits “One God” and “It Ain’t Over”, garnering Clark a 2008 Stellar for Praise & Worship CD of the Year. The same album produced a Stellar for Children’s Performance of the Year for her daughter Jada for the single “I Am What God Says I Am”.

Diligence is earnest, persistent, steady effort with full concentration and carefulness. Thus, it is in total opposition to mankind’s and society’s goal to make everything as effortless as possible.

As we revisit the text of Matthew 7:14 we find Jesus giving illustrative instruction concerning the way to life. He uses for concrete example the city gates of Jerusalem. The gates were varied in name, size and location.

Jerusalem was the site of many pilgrimages and was under Roman occupation at the time. Hence, there were always many people from many different places, in the city, coming and going at all times. As the throngs entered the city they would simply flow toward and through the easiest point of egress which would be one of the wider gates.

Unless some state of alert had been declared, one would simply “go with the flow” of the crowd and gain entrance to the city. Thieves, robbers, murderers and more were able to melt and blend into the crowd by using the wide gate. No effort or aforethought was needed; hence, no diligence.

The narrow gates however, took some effort to go through in that many people were trying to get through a small space at the same time. The word strait in Matthew 7:14 is the Greek word stenos and means “narrow” and comes from a root word meaning to crowd.

“Strait is the gate and narrow is the way” literally means that the way to life is not as easily entered as the way that leads to death and hell. Diligence must be given and is needed to “find the way and walk therein.”

“There is a way which seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death.” Proverbs 14:12

It would seem right to find the easiest route, the most popular route, the one that required the least effort the one that required the least change. Nevertheless, that route, the one which requires little or no diligence at all leads to death.

Diligence is needed in everything that pertains to God and godliness. Diligence is needed in marriages and relationships of value. Diligence is needed in parenting and education. Diligence is needed in business and in everything that we do that is worthwhile and valuable to us. Diligence is needed. When there is no diligence there is no life, there is only death.

The definition of death is separation. When there is no diligence, divorce ensues both spiritually and naturally. Hence, in a world which strives to make all things effortless, concentrated effort must be made. Diligence is needed. Stay on the path . . . . . .

About Contributing Writer: Copyright©2010 Anya M. Hall – Dr. Anya M. Hall is an anointed vessel of the Lord used as an Apostle, Teacher and Bishop in the Body of Christ teach, train, raise up and send forth strong leaders. She is the Founder of TeKton Ministries Int’l and STRATEGOS Kingdom Academy. For more information or to contact her go to: www.tektonministries.com or call 1-866-95-SHIFT or email: apostle@tektonministries.com .

Verity Gospel Music Group artist Deitrick Haddon is preparing to make his motion picture debut in the new movie Blessed and Cursed. Written by the artist, the movie serves as a modern day adaptation of the Biblical account of Saul and David. Joining Haddon in the film are actors Sheryl Lee Ralph and Drew Sidora. In addition, the film features guest appearances by Kierra Sheard, Karen Clark Sheard, Damita Haddon, Dr. Bobby Jones, J. Moss, Jor’el Quinn of 21:03 and Rance Allen.

The movie is set to release to DVD on June 15. Haddon is also releasing an accompanying soundtrack to the movie, featuring the lead single “Judah”, which has just been released to radio.

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Three New Communities for 14-City Choir Competition

Basking Ridge, N.J.– Registration is now open for How Sweet the Sound™, which is back in 2010 and bigger than ever with the expansion to three new communities. Now in its third year, How Sweet The Sound – a national program created by Verizon Wireless – gives church choirs nationwide a chance to win the title of “The Best Church Choir in America” and up to $50,000 in cash and prizes.

How Sweet the Sound is much more than a singing competition for choirs – it is an opportunity to celebrate the unique ways that music connects people within their communities. Interested choir representatives can visit www.HowSweetTheSound.com or select Verizon Wireless retail locations for more information and to register for a chance to compete at concerts that will take place in the following cities:

• Houston
• St. Louis
• Washington, D.C.
• Philadelphia
• New York
• Detroit
• Chicago
• Atlanta
• Memphis, Tenn.
• Los Angeles
• Oakland, Calif.
• Jacksonville, Fla.
• Cleveland
• Charlotte, N.C.

“We are excited to expand How Sweet the Sound to add Jacksonville, Cleveland and Charlotte and to bring the joy of Gospel music to a new audience, ” said Joe Saracino, vice president of marketing for Verizon Wireless. “Gospel is a genre that attracts people from all walks of life and we are proud to have created such a special program that celebrates music and recognizes the many volunteers who make church choirs such an important part of the community. ”

Last year, Atlanta West Pentecostal Church Choir was named the overall winner for the How Sweet the Sound tour. According to choir director Brandon Frazier, the choir is using their prize money to record its first Gospel music album.

Entry and Selection Process How Sweet the Sound invites choirs affiliated with a church or other church organizations (as defined by the organization’s tax-exempt ID number) within one of the 14 tour regions to enter (visit www.HowSweetTheSound.com for specific geography). Choirs interested in a chance to perform onstage in their cities must submit an application and audition video no longer than three minutes. All registration forms and audition videos must be received by May 17, 2010. To register online, visit www.HowSweetTheSound.com. The audition video may be submitted by mail, uploaded online, or dropped off at participating Verizon Wireless Communications Stores. To enter by mail, send tapes to How Sweet the Sound, 125 E. Broad Street, Greenville, SC 29601.

Small and large choirs are eligible to enter the competition. The Few Voices category is for choirs consisting of six to 35 participants, while the Many Voices category is for choirs with 36 to 100 participants. Audition videos will be reviewed by professional music producers, music executives and Gospel radio personalities from each city. The judges will select up to 16 choirs – eight from each category – from each stop of the tour. The video submissions of the 16 choirs will be posted on www.HowSweetTheSound.com where members of the community can vote for their favorite choirs.

Once the online voting is complete, four choirs from each category will be selected to perform onstage in the regional event where two winners, one from each category, will win $10,000 for their choir. One overall winner will be selected at each regional concert, and each choir member from the overall winning choir will also receive a Verizon Wireless phone and a $50 gift card. The overall winning choir from each city will also advance to the grand finale where they will compete to win more than $25,000 in cash and prizes.

In addition, the Verizon Wireless V CAST People’s Choice Award will be given to the choir that captures the heart of the audience at each regional performance and at the grand finale performance. The V CAST People’s Choice Award winners will receive $5,000.

Verizon Wireless will select a local artist in each city of the 14 cities to represent their city during the How Sweet the Sound 2010 tour. The selected artists will create a custom fine art piece that pays tribute to the event in their hometowns.

HopeLine®
Verizon Wireless will collect no-longer-used wireless phones, batteries and accessories — in any condition and from any provider — at stores nationwide and in bins onsite at every How Sweet the Sound event as part of the company’s ongoing HopeLine program which raises awareness of domestic violence. The phones are either refurbished for reuse or recycled, and the proceeds from the program provide wireless phones and cash grants to local shelters and non-profit organizations that focus on domestic violence prevention and awareness. In 2009, more than 7,500 phones were collected during How Sweet the Sound, and at the grand finale, Verizon Wireless donated $25,000 to the National Network to End Domestic Violence (NNEDV) to support its Women of Color Leadership Initiative. Additional details will be announced as the selection process gets underway. All details about the entry and selection process and the official rules can be found by visiting www.HowSweetTheSound.comor by calling 800-230-0053.

It’s been over 3 years and we’re so blessed to still be publishing Path MEGAzine.  To God be the Glory!  We do our best to bring you your favorite Gospel artists, news and entertainment in a unique and engaging way.  Amidst all the opposition and trials, God has blessed us to help others stay on the Path during the work week by providing positive programming on the internet.  The Path represents staying on God’s Path, and finding the purpose he has for your life.  Tuning into inspirational programming can feed your spirit with encouraging entertainment and products that will align you with the word of God. 

The Path MEGAzine’s biblical theme states,” In all your ways acknowledge him and he will direct your paths.”(Proverbs 3:6)  Furthermore, Apostle Paul writes “Whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about these things.  Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me—put it into practice.  And the peace of God will be with you.”(Philippians 4:8-9)  I feel that the greatest continuous sensation someone can experience in life is peace.     

 I encourage you to check Path MEGAzine daily for the news, music videos, and interviews that will uplift your daily living.  Get involved by submitting your testimonies in the Article/Testimony tabs so others can be encouraged by what you’ve been through.

Now in our fourth year, we will be doing some ground-breaking things with Path MEGAzine.  This Thursday we’re announcing our partner referral program, where we will be paying our subscribers for referrals given to Path MEGAzine.  That’s right.  You can earn money by sending advertisers to us!  If the referral leads to a sale, you can either choose money or a free E-Blast to promote your ministry, product, church, company or service.  That’s a $200 dollar value for just one referral.  This is a way for us to say thanks for the past 3 years of spreading the word about Path MEGAzine.com.  The referral program begins on Thursday, March 25^th and goes on through Easter until Tuesday, May 7^th.  Full details will be released this upcoming Thursday via Email Blast and the Path MEGAzine’s website.   

Stay tuned for our Annual subscription drive in April.  You’ll have the opportunity to win thousands of dollars worth of free merchandise and gift certificates.  Travels this week take us to Bobby Jones in New Orleans annual taping and showcase.  For a list of our travel itinerary visit Path MEGAzine on Facebook.com/PathMEGAzine.   I wish everyone success in the days endeavors, and make sure you “Stay on the Path!”

Singer, songwriter, and producer Kirk Franklin adds another title to his resume as the Fo Yo Soul/Verity Gospel Music Group artist is penning a brand new book. The new effort, titled The Blueprint: A Plan for Living Above Life’s Storms, is set for release on May 18, 2010 and will also be available on audiobook. In support of this release, Franklin will embark on a 9-city book tour which kicks off on May 18 in Atlanta, with stops in Washington, DC, New York City, Cleveland, Dallas, Detroit, and Houston. The tour concludes on May 28 in Los Angeles, CA.