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

Trinitee 5:7 | MySpace Music Videos

Tyler Perry is being sued by the estate of gospel singer/songwriter Bertha James, who claims the filmmaker/director illegally used an entire verse from a song she wrote in 1950 ‘When I Think of the Goodness of Jesus’ in his 2009 film ‘Madea Goes to Jail.’

According to court documents obtained by TMZ on Nov. 26, James’s estate alleges that the 40 year-old black movie maverick, whose real name is Emmitt R. Perry Jr., "incorporated the entire Chorus in a monologue delivered by the main character in ‘Madea’ referencing her deliverance from a jail sentence and leniency for repetitive criminal conduct."

The staged court proceedings were presided over by former ‘Divorce Court’ Judge Mablean Ephriam, who has previously appeared in Perry’s 2005 debut ‘Diary of a Mad Black Woman’ and its follow-up ‘Madea’s Family Reunion,’ which was released one year later.

Lionsgate Entertainment, who distributes Perry’s movies, are also named in the suit, which seeks unspecified damages in excess of $75,000 for copyright infringement.

James’s estate is also requesting a jury trial. (from AOLBlackVoices)

TYLER PERRY TRAILER: "Why Did I Get Married, Too?" 

Spike Lee Calls Out Tyler Perry: Calls Perry’s Work "coonery and buffoonery"

The Sequel to Tyler Perry’s 2007 drama “Why Did I Get Married” is due out in April.  Tyler’s first installment featured a scene-stealing all-black cast including himself and Janet Jackson. In the film, Dr. Patricia Agnew, a psychologist, had written a best seller about marriage: hers and those of three other couples who together took a week’s vacation each year to ask themselves, “Why did I get married?” However, that year, all four relationships were strained: Patricia and her husband Gavin have the shadow of grief between them; Terry believes that Diane has abandoned him for her work; Angela, who’s built a successful business, belittles her husband Marcus, who works for her; Mike is cruel to Sheila, his religious, overweight wife. During the week, each person’s secret comes out.

Here’s a preview for the sequel "Why Did I Get Married, Too?"

Darryl graduated in 1987 with an extended Major in Mass Communication.  Working only for 6 months in the corporate world, Darryl decided that becoming an Entrepreneur was the ticket to success.  In 2009, Darryl celebrated twenty-two years as an entrepreneur.  He has become a much sought after speaker and trainer and he’s conducted trainings for numerous companies locally & nationally for the past 22 years.  Darryl has created success formulas that have helped people grasp difficult concepts ‘easily’.  He is a Mentor, Trainer & Inspirational Speaker and has helped hundreds of people reach their full potential, who in turn, have helped thousands. He has a unique gift which allows him to communicate with people from all walks of life.   

During the last 4 years, he has dedicated himself to helping companies, churches, and individuals create an online Internet presence that has helped them reach their goals.  He is the #1 Trainer for an internet company that has developed an Internet Marketing Program that is going to change the way the world communicates and markets.  The company has developed a digital suite of products that no other company has. These products will take marketing to another level almost overnight.  Darryl also loves to travel and was recently awarded the TOP 5 Recruiter for 2008 for one of the largest Travel Companies in the world. 

Darryl’s biggest accomplishment is working FULL-TIME with his wife Maria, and spending lots of quality time with their children.  Darryl believes that everyone should spend quality time with their family.  If you don’t spend time with your children, there are state run facilities that will give them Time.

Darryl Roberts loves coaching and training individuals who realize learning is an ongoing process and who are open to achieving and living the American Dream. He feels extremely fortunate to have shared impacting moments with so many UNBELIEVABLE people!

Our job is to promote the good the bad and yes sometimes the ugly. This one falls under the ugly. We found out information before the news broke but now that the parties involved are publicly reporting it, we’ve decided to keep you informed with what’s really going on.

Another Gospel artist has fallen into temptation, reportedly taking a sabbatical from all ministry activity until his situation can be reconciled. The artist I’m speaking of is Da’ TRUTH. A Stellar Award winning Gospel hip-hop artist. Sources tell Path that Da’ Truth has had an affair with Gospel Star Tye Tribbett’s wife. To make matters worse, sources close to the incident report that Tye Tribbett has also stepped out on his marriage to have a relationship with a Soprano in his choir. Da’ Truth (who is also married) has posted a message about his involvement in this web of deceit on his website www.datruth.net. I’m not going to put the whole message up, but Da Truth said one thing about his shortcomings that’s important for us all to remember.

"I ask for forgiveness as I work towards reconciliation. My greatest hope is that my failures and shortcomings are seen for what they are – MY failings and not a reflection of the God I proclaim. Despite my falling short, the resurrection and life changing power of the cross remains the same."

We should all keep these brothers, their wives and family in prayer. We all fall short, but the Gospel artists involved must realize that they are held to higher standards. We pray this situation will bring them even closer to Christ, as we all can learn from our mistakes and the mistakes others.

UPDATE: Da TRUTH’s Record Label Suspends Him

In a separate development Da’T.R.U.T.H.’s record company Cross Movement Records have announced "the suspension of the promotion and forwarding of the artist, minister and ministry of Da’ T.R.U.T.H. aka Emanuel Lambert Jr, due to recent findings of moral failure in his marriage." So far neither Tye Tribbett nor his record company Integrity Music have made a public statement about the revelations.

Lee Daniels’ PRECIOUS: BASED ON THE NOVEL ‘PUSH’ BY SAPPHIRE is a vibrant, honest and resoundingly hopeful film about the human capacity to grow and overcome.

Set in Harlem in 1987, it is the story of Claireece "Precious" Jones (Gabourey Sidibe), a sixteen-year-old African-American girl born into a life no one would want. She’s pregnant for the second time by her absent father; at home, she must wait hand and foot on her mother (Mo’Nique), a poisonously angry woman who abuses her emotionally and physically. School is a place of chaos, and Precious has reached the ninth grade with good marks and an awful secret: she can neither read nor write.

Precious may sometimes be down, but she is never out. Beneath her impassive expression is a watchful, curious young woman with an inchoate but unshakeable sense that other possibilities exist for her. Threatened with expulsion, Precious is offered the chance to transfer to an alternative school, Each One/Teach One. Precious doesn’t know the meaning of "alternative," but her instincts tell her this is the chance she has been waiting for. In the literacy workshop taught by the patient yet firm Ms. Rain (Paula Patton), Precious begins a journey that will lead her from darkness, pain and powerlessness to light, love and self-determination.

Tamela Mann’s "The Master Plan" gospel CD will be released nationwide this coming Tuesday, November 3. Following up Tamela’s 2004 "Gotta Keep Movin" and "The Live Experience," which spawned a Top 20 Billboard Gospel chart hit and 2008 Stellar Award nominations for Female Vocalist of the Year and Contemporary Female Artist of the Year, Tamela releases her sophomore solo CD to both music and television fans across the country. Tamela, who also co-stars in Tyler Perry’s "Meet The Browns" on TBS playing Cora Simmons; and husband David Mann, who plays her on-screen father, Mr. Brown, will co-present for the Gospel category on the November 3 taping of the upcoming Soul Train Awards, scheduled to simulcast on Centric and BET on November 29 at 9:00 p.m. EST. The new season of "Meet The Browns" will also begin airing on November 4.

"The Master Plan" was produced by Grammy Award winning Myron Butler (Kirk Franklin, Yolanda Adams); and Terrell Carter, and features a more contemporary urban/R&B twist to traditional gospel music. As co-writer on "I Trust In You," "Here I Am," "Anything For You" and "In Him," Tamela also performs a stirring new arrangement of "The Lord’s Prayer." Starting her music career in 1999 as lead singer of the multi-Grammy award winning Kirk Franklin & The Family; and currently on the #1 rated television show for black audiences, "Meet The Browns," Tamela, for the first time, releases a collection of gospel songs in which she makes her debut as a co-writer.

Prior to Tamela’s solo recording debut with "Gotta Keep Movin’"and the CD/DVD "The Live Experience," as a member of Kirk Franklin and The Family, Tamela was the featured soloist on the Grammy-nominated "Song of the Year" – "Lean On Me," which featured Mary J. Blige, Crystal Lewis, R. Kelly and Bono . "Father Can You Hear Me" and "Take It To Jesus" are also included on the soundtrack album of " Diary Of A Mad Black Woman ." Tamela, whose Cora Simmons role on "Meet The Browns’" television series originated from her role in the movie "Meet The Browns," has also starred in other Tyler Perry" hit films "Diary of a Mad Black Woman" and " Madea Goes To Jail "; and his plays "I Can Do Bad All By Myself," "Madea’s Family Reunion" and "Madea’s Class Reunion."

Know the 10 Commandments?  Can you recite them in order in 20 seconds or less?  Well then you’re on your way to becoming $20,000 richer. 

Marketing expert Darrel Rundus has created a contest where the only requirement is to name the Ten Commandments of God, in order, in 20 seconds or less.

According to World Net Daily, Rundus, a self-made millionaire, will dial telephone numbers of people who have signed up online on his Ten And Win website, giving each person, in the order they are randomly selected, an opportunity to recite the Ten Commandments in 20 seconds or less.

The first successful contestant gets the $20,000 prize. Rundus will make the random calls on Friday, Nov. 13. He said he will continue taking entries for the competition until that date.

Rundus told WND he was distressed that Americans readily can recite a list of 10 stores, 10 sports teams, even 10 beers, but most can’t recite the Ten Commandments. You can sign-up for the contest at http://www.tenandwin.com