The highly anticipted third offering from the soul-stirring James Fortune & FIYA will be out tomorrow.  At press time the group has planned an album release party on Wednesday, January 27th in Houston, Texas at "The Bridge" – Southwest Community Christian Center.  It will be Free admission and plenty of fans & media will be on hand to celebrate the upcoming release which goes on sale nationally Tuesday January 26th.  Path MEGAzine will be in the house.  Make sure you grab this one you guys.  I can tell by the snippets that it’s hot!  See below.

I have the entire CD titled "The Winner in Me."  The 2009 release was full of inspirational songs that was very personal to the R & B turned Gospel Artist Coko.  The production was top notch, and I love anything that the Nashville String Machine puts their hands on.  Watch the video of the title cut "A Winner in Me." 

Read Also: James Fortune Releases New CD Titled "Encore"

Grammy-winning gospel singer, Kirk Franklin, is the latest celebrity to step up to the plate to lend a helping hand to the earthquake victims in Haiti.

Franklin took the lead for a special performance of "A Song for Pain" during last weekend’s Stellar Awards in Nashville. Franklin gathered many Gospel stars and fans together to contribute vocals to the song that he wrote and produced.

The song, which has been recorded and will be available for purchase via iTunes, also features the vocal talents of Yolanda Adams, Shirley Caesar, Dorinda Clark-Cole, Fred Hammond, Karen Clark-Sheard, KiKi Sheard, BeBe & CeCe Winans, Smokie Norful and Mary Mary, among them. All of the artists, musicians and engineers donated their talents to make this project a reality.

All of the proceeds from record sales will go towards Haiti. In addition, The Gospel Music Channel will air an hour-long special on January 23, 2010, which will include footage of the live studio recording. A music video for "A Song for Pain" will also be created using the video footage gathered at the recording.

Also Read:  BET’s Sunday’s Best – Audition Locations for Season 3 Announced

Well its that time again.  Time for auditions for the hit show "Sunday’s Best."  Audition dates are fast approaching, so make your plans now.  Chances are you’ll have to travel to make it to one of the three cities where the auditions are being held. 

This year saw the BET hit show go to Nigeria, Africa to find talent abroad.  This is the first season that the judges have held auditions outside of the United States.

The Sunday Best season 3 auditions will be held in three cities. The third city will be announced soon, so make sure you keep checking back with us to get the latest SB3 information and updates.

DETROIT
When: February 20, 8 a.m. – noon
Where: COBO Center
1 Washington Blvd.,
Detroit, MI 48226

NEW ORLEANS
When: February 27, 8 a.m. – noon
Where: Ernest M. Morial Convention Center
900 Convention Center Boulevard
New Orleans, LA 70130-1799

NEW YORK
When: March 6
Where: TBD

Note: Rules and Regulations and song list will be posted soon!

Read Also: Kirk Franklin Gathers Gospel Music’s Best to Sing a Song For Haiti

Artist Of The Year – Hezekiah Walker & Love Fellowship Choir, Souled Out (Verity)

Song Of The Year – "God In Me" by Mary Mary, The Sound (Columbia)

Male Vocalist Of The Year – Smokie Norful, Smokie Norful Live (EMI Gospel)

Female Vocalist Of The Year – Vickie Winans, How I Got Over (Destiny Joy)

Group/Duo Of The Year – Mary Mary, The Sound (Columbia)

New Artist Of The Year – Crystal Aikin, Crystal Aikin (Verity)

CD Of The Year – Hezekiah Walker & Love Fellowship Choir, Souled Out (Verity)

Choir Of The Year – Hezekiah Walker & Love Fellowship Choir, Souled Out (Verity)

Producer Of The Year – Donald Lawrence & Daniel Weatherspoon, The Law Of Confession Pt. 1 (Quietwater/Verity)

Contemporary Group/Duo Of The Year – Mary Mary, The Sound (Columbia)

Traditional Group/Duo Of The Year – Lee Williams & The Spiritual QCs, Fall On Me (MCG)

Contemporary Male Vocalist Of The Year – Smokie Norful, Smokie Norful Live (EMI Gospel)

Contemporary Female Vocalist Of The Year – Crystal Aikin, Crystal Aikin (Verity)

Traditional Male Vocalist Of The Year – Donnie McClurkin, We All Are One (Verity)

Traditional Female Vocalist Of The Year – Dottie Peoples, Do It! (DP Muzik Group)

Contemporary CD Of The Year – Hezekiah Walker & Love Fellowship Choir, Souled Out (Verity)

Traditional CD Of The Year – Shari Addison, Shari Addison (Verity)

Urban/Inspirational Single Of The Year – "God In Me" by Mary Mary, The Sound (Columbia)

Music Video Of The Year – "How I Got Over" by Vickie Winans, How I Got Over (Destiny Joy)

Contemporary Choir Of The Year – Hezekiah Walker & Love Fellowship Choir, Souled Out (Verity)

Traditional Choir Of The Year – Bishop Paul S. Morton & The FGBCF Mass Choir, Cry Your Last Year (Light)

Special Event CD Of The Year – The Clark Sisters, J. Moss & Kierra Sheard, Silky Soul Music – A Tribute To Maze (Barantera Music Group)

Instrumental CD Of The Year – Ben Tankard, Mercy, Mercy, Mercy (Verity)

Rap/Hip-Hop Gospel CD Of The Year – Da’ T.R.U.T.H., The Big Picture (Cross Movement)

Children’s Performance Of The Year – Rev. Dr. Emory Andrews & Oxon Hill High School Choir, Amazing (Yrome)

Quartet Of The Year – Lee Williams & The Spiritual QCs, Fall On Me (MCG)

Praise & Worship CD Of The Year – Stephen Hurd, Times Of Refreshing (Integrity)

Recorded Music Package Of The Year – Denise Trotman for Donald Lawrence’s The Law Of Confession Pt. 1 (Quietwater/Verity)

Stellar Radio Awards:

Internet Radio | http://www.ishoutforjoy.com
Small Market | WEUP 1700 AM – Huntsville, AL
Medium Market | Hallelujah FM – Little Rock, AR
Large Market | WTLC 1310 AM – Indianapolis, IN
Major Market | WLIB 1190 AM – New York City, NY

Rafeal Ross is an anointed Gospel artist on the brink of increase.  As God continues to enlarge his career and impact on the body of Christ; we thought that we’d give you a first look at one of Gospel’s rising stars.

Rafeal’s ministry crosses over Gospel lines, incorporating various styles of Gospel music including Christian contemporary and traditional Gospel.   Listen to this great interview and hear samples of his music ministry.  Visit www.pathmegazine.com to see more great interviews.

Rafeal Ross Bio:

The world is being introduced to a new era of worship warriors that are on the rise.  These psalmists of the gospel have phenomenal musical aptitude, a fresh authoritative anointment and are delivering compositions of praise and worship music that is altering a generation.  You have now been introduced to Rafeal Ross.  The music ministry of Rafeal Ross brings forth a life changing experience before the presence of God and is powerfully manifested in Rafeal’s long awaited debut CD, New Creation – Live released in January 2010.

<span >New Creation – Live reflects Rafeal’s personal journey with God, demonstrates his formal musical training and proclaims his all-encompassing passion for God and His people.  Through New Creation – Live, Rafeal shares the freedom which dwells in his awesome gift of worship and praise and is a testament of God’s faithfulness in keeping promises made to Rafeal many years ago.

<span >The completion of this project is evidence of Rafeal’s loyalty to the Kingdom, delivering relevant songs that speak of Christ’s hope and plan for reconciliation to a hopeless world. The project is a “family affair” of sorts, with many of the contributing vocalists coming from Ross’ home church. Singers from Mount Pleasant Baptist Church Mass Choir: Kela Randle, Shawn Battle, and Nicole Newman all supplied background vocals for the recording.  New Creation – Live not only debuts Rafeal’s riveting vocal abilities, but also debuts a prolific songwriting and composing gift, as he co–wrote & produced many of the original songs with local Contemporary Christian artist, Tifani Wilson (Min. of Music, Grace Covenant, Chantilly VA) and the Metropolitan area’s own, Producer, Tyrone Powell (Innerman Sound Production Company,  Fredericksburg VA).

<span >This project embodies a fresh sense of worship that incorporates a fusion of formal classical music training with traditional and contemporary gospel creating a symphony of worship which crosses multiple cultural spheres with the unwavering message and call of Christ’s hope and plans for reconciliation.  This adds to Rafeal’s loyal stance to win many souls to Christ.  His music is a vehicle through which the anointed, masterful ministry of Rafeal’s musical gift brings God’s transformative healing to needy spirits, minds and bodies.
<span >Rafeal Ross enters a new season, broadening his pinnacle of influence and ministry to become a Gospel Recording artist and by starting Rafeal Ross Ministries, LLC.  These efforts mark a milestone and bold new step.  These steps are carrying him closer to the fulfillment of his destiny — to use his voice to touch all nations.  “I am honored to be a minister of God used to encourage and empower the Body of Christ.  I can’t help but be awed that He would choose and anoint me with this gift,” exhorts Rafeal.

<span >The calling of music on Rafeal’s heart has manifested itself into a life of creative ministry. Beginning at the early age of seven, Rafeal has directed multiple choirs and utilized his natural gift as a musician – playing the piano by ear.  Acting with the authority and purpose of God, Rafeal continued the process of perfecting his gift. He earned a Bachelors of Music Degree in Vocal Performance from George Mason University in Virginia; traveled throughout the United States and internationally to countries such as Switzerland and Austria, and ministered with acclaimed gospel artists Myron Butler and Levi, Tramaine Hawkins, Richard Smallwood, Earnest Pugh, and LaShun Pace.

<span >Rafeal has served faithfully for over the last 25 years in the music ministry and is currently the Director of Music and Arts for Mt. Pleasant Baptist Church, Herndon VA, under the tutelage of Pastor Rev. Dr. James Graham, Rafeal has used music to encourage and transform the lives of the young and old.  Rafeal recently received the Independent Gospel Music Awards Praise and Worship Song of the Year Award for “Praise Awaits”, which is quickly becoming an anthem for congregations across the world

<span >From conception, God placed a mandate on Rafeal’s life to not only be a worshipper; but to help usher the Body of Christ into an atmosphere of worship.

Path MEGAzine has learned that evangelist Oral Roberts has died.

Roberts died Tuesday, a day after he was hospitalized following a fall at his California home. He was 91 years old.

"Oral Roberts was the greatest man of God I’ve ever known," said Oral’s son, Richard Roberts. "A modern-day apostle of the healing ministry, an author, educator, evangelist, prophet, and innovator, he was the only man of his generation to build a worldwide ministry, an accredited university, and a medical school."

Roberts founded Oral Roberts University in 1963 and served as the school’s president until 1993.

Funeral arrangements are pending.

We will have more on this story as details become available.

On the heels of his recent live recording, Verity Gospel Music Group artist Marvin Sapp is set to release his newest album, titled Here I Am. The first single from the album, "The Best In Me", hits radio this week, with the full-length album releasing in stores March 16, 2010. This is the eighth solo release for the Grand Rapids-based pastor, whose last release Thirsty garnered eight Stellar awards and produced the history making single "Never Would Have Made It". Here I Am is available for pre-order at the Verity Records website.

BeBe Winans has been cleared of all charges related to allegations of domestic assault against his former wife, Debra. According to an official statement I’ve just received from BeBe’s camp, the case was dismissed on Friday, December 4th, and is now closed.

The Press Release From BeBe Winan’s Camp:

BEBE WINANS EXONERATED OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE CHARGES
(Dateline: December 7, 2009; Nashville, TN; Source: W&W Public Relations, Inc.)

Gospel singer BeBe Winans has been exonerated of all charges of allegations that he assaulted his ex‐wife Debra Winans. Judge Gloria Dumas of the General Sessions Court for Metropolitan Nashville‐Davidson County signed an order on Friday, December 4, 2009, dismissing all charges with prejudice. With this order, this domestic matter is over and cannot be reopened.

"This has been a trying year, beginning with the death of my father, " says Winans. "Even though this allegation has affected not just me, but also the entire Winans family, my children and certain aspects of my career, I chose to stay quiet because I knew the truth. To be exonerated of all charges shows the power of trusting in God, and is a wonderful Christmas gift for me and my children."

On February 13, 2009, the Grammy Award winning singer was accused of allegedly shoving his ex‐wife to the ground during an argument. Court filings stated that the alleged altercation was based on custody issues dealing with their two children. Winans was arrested on March 11, 2009 on a misdemeanor domestic assault charge and was briefly held at the Davidson County jail before posting $1000 bond.

During the media frenzy, Winans maintained his innocence all along, choosing to take the high road, never responding to his ex‐wife and allowing justice to prevail. The allegations, however, have stirred up a fire inside Winans to begin a persistent effort to fight for the father or the man who may be going through the same struggle. "This situation has made me a changed man," says Winans. "But it has also helped me see that there needs to be legislation that protects the rights of fathers when it comes to the custody of their children. All men are not deadbeat Dads, all men are not abusing women. And it’s unfortunate that the legal system and society assume the worst before they hear the truth. My children are my first priority and I want and need to become the voice for the men around the world who are doing the RIGHT thing!"

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Oprah Drops BeBe From Show

The case exploded into mainstream media last month when Oprah Winfrey removed BeBe Winans from his role as host of her "Karaoke Challenge" segments, following criticism and pressure she faced for not abiding by her generally strict stance against domestic violence.

Despite the allegations and attendant scrutiny, BeBe Winans has remained at #1 on Billboard’s gospel music charts with his latest release, Still- the long-awaited reunion project with his sister, CeCe Winans.

You can catch the full taping of this show December 9th @ 9pm.  If you miss the premiere of Christmas at Union Station at 9pm, you can catch encore broadcasts on Sunday, December 9 at 1:00am, 6:00am and 8:00pm. Tune into Gospel Music Channel throughout the Christmas season to see additional airings and the other four exclusive concerts that’s scheduled to follow. Log on to www.gospelmusicchannel.com for complete listings.

O Holy Night

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