Video | Jessica Reedy sings "God Has Smiled On Me"

Ms. Jessica Reedy sings "God Has Smiled on Me" at the Stellar Awards 2011 Concert in Nashville.
Jessica just signed her first contract with Light Records/eOne Entertainment.

I really love her! Her range as a singer is awesome and her personality is great.

Watch now.

2011 Stellar Awards Nominees Are In...

James Fortune & Fiya and BeBe & CeCe Winans lead the pack of nominees for the 26th Annual Stellar Gospel Music Awards with 10 nominations each. Right behind them are Gospel superstars, Fred Hammond and Marvin Sapp, with seven nominations a piece. The nominees were announced at a first ever live telecast on the Gospel Music Channel television network at Mt. Zion Baptist Church in Nashville.

The 26th Annual Stellar Gospel Music Awards will be take place on Sat., Jan. 15, 2011 at the Grand Ole Opry House in Nashville. Tickets for the show range from $35 to $200 and are on sale now through Ticketmaster.

Complete list of nominees after the jump

D-MAUB to Release "Your Future Presentation:The 1st Showing" Compilation CD

He's BAAAAACCKKK!

 D-MAUB and One Route Entertainment is releasing a compilation cd with some of his most favorite and memorable tracks (such as “I’m a Creature” featuring contest winner KAS and “On The High” with K-Drama and Street Pastor).  The album will be available online October 31 at http://www.onerouteenterainment.com/ as well as Holy Culture Download and The Bus Shop.



Check out Humble Tip - S.P.F (Salvation Prevents Fire) Music Video ft. K-Drama & D-Maub.

Toni Rackard Prepares to Release "Unconditional Love" CD

Passionate Praise is one way to describe the inspiring, contemporary gospel grooves of Tampa, Florida’s rising gospel star, Toni Rackard. For the last dozen years, she’s quietly built a following on the Florida music scene and even toured Europe with the renowned Harlem Gospel Choir. As her first national radio single “You Pulled Me Through” (a sizzling duet with Marvin Winans Jr.) continues to gain momentum at gospel radio stations around the country, buzz is also building for the release of Rackard’s forthcoming debut CD "Unconditional Love" on October 26, 2010.

The project is the first joint venture between Rackard’s Beyond The Veil (BTV) recording label and the Emtro Gospel/Taesis Music Group. “We are planning to release other artists in the future,” says Rackard’s husband, Derrick, BTV’s CEO. Emtro Gospel has enjoyed Top 10 radio hits such as Alvin Darling’s “All Night,” “Troy Sneed’s “Work It Out,” and Youth for Christ’s “Struggle is Over” that spent 12 weeks at #1 in 2007.

The CD features a smooth jazz reading of Bill Withers’ “Lovely Day” and closes with the aggressive club track, “The Kingdom Slide.” In between, there are songs of praise such as Rackard’s cover of Hillsong’s “Sing of Your Great Love” and the urban-flavored anthem “Unconditional love.” “You don’t have to be a in a box because you’re saved,” Rackard says of the fresh urban sound of the song. “We are to have fun and rejoice but also spread the importance of intimacy with God.” Rackard is the praise and worship leader at Jesus People Family Worship Center in Tampa, FL. Visit http://www.tonirackard.com/ for more information.

To see some of Toni Rackard's performances and video for her single, "Unconditional Love," click here.
Source:

Bill Carpenter

Trin-I-Tee 5:7's First Interview as a Duo

Check out the ladies of Trin-i-tee 5:7, Angel Taylor and Chanelle Haynes, in their first interview as a duo on Essence TV as they discuss working on their fourth album.

Video: Tye Tribbett - "Chasing After You (The Morning Song)"

Each and every day
I will seek Your face
my soul is crying out for more
I want more of You
Oh, I won't be satisfied
Nor content
if where I am,woah
So I won't aprehend
till I'm captured by what I'm after

And I will go from faith to faith
From glory to glory
And I'll forever be chasing after You
I'll be chasing after You

I will press toward the mark
For the prize
And I won't faint
Theres one thing I desire
And that's what I'm going for
I can't continue life
Day by day
growing dry
I need to be with You (Jesus)
I'll seek where you are

And I will go from faith to faith
From glory to glory

And I'll forever be chasing after You
i'll be chasing after you

And I will go from faith to faith
from glory to glory

And I'll forever be chasing after You
I'll be chasing after you

First Pics: Alicia Keys, Swizz Beatz, and Baby Egypt

New parents Alicia Keys and Swizz Beatz were seen out and about with their new baby Egypt in tow. Just like the rest of us common folk, the new family ran errands around New York, that included a doctors visit for their 5-day-old little one, then the couple strolled around a little bit and shopped for baby clothes for the newborn. It is hard to believe that Alicia gave birth just last week!! While we don’t get a glance at little Egypt, we do get to see his doting parents carry him around in an infant carrier.

Alicia tweeted about her brand new motherhood status: “There is no word to properly describe LOVE, to describe BLISS, to express a FEELING like this!!!”. Swizz has also been sharing his happiness on Twitter, writing, “Much love for all the support everybody been showing but I want to shout out my Wife for being bigger than SUPERWOMAN!”



Kanye West: "I will not give up on life again"

Some may view Kanye West as a media hogger (remember the MTV Awards??), but you can not deny his contribution to music and pop culture at large. He's truthful admission that he contemplated suicide is no news shocker to me. Why you ask?? Well let me tell you...He has not been "right in the head" since his mom's untimely passing. Even though we did not know Dr. West personally, we can tell how much she influenced his music and life.

I digress...

At a recent screening of his movie "Runaway", The "Jesus Walks" rapper revealed that at one point in his life he contemplated suicide, but nows feels he has a responsibility to art and pop culture.

West told the crowd "there were times that I contemplated suicide." However, he said, "I will not give up on life again."

"There's so many people that will never get the chance to have their voice heard" as loudly as his, West said Monday. "I do it for them."

West, who didn't say when he had considered suicide, is credited as director of the abstract 35-minute film, which features portions of nine new West songs, boldly colorful visuals and off-kilter camera angles. The mostly dialogue-free piece, set to premiere this weekend on MTV, VH1 and BET, will accompany West's upcoming album, "My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy," which will be released Nov. 22.

Trin-I-Tee 5:7 is a duo - Adrian Anderson Bids Group Adieu

On the heels of T57’s latest release “A New Day” close to completion, member Adrian Anderson announces her departure.

Anderson who replaced former member Terry Brown 10 years ago, is branching out to move full steam ahead with her new beauty company “Halo Tu Beauty.”

We wish Adrian the very best in all her endeavors!!


Watch T57 performing "I Will Lift"

P. Diddy Wants Majority Stake in NFL Team

Sean “P. Diddy” Combs is making it known that he wants to become the first black majority owner of an NFL team, and not just a shareholder like his ex-girlfriend Jennifer Lopez – who has a piece of the Miami Dolphins along with her husband Marc Anthony, Venus and Serena Williams, Gloria Estefan, Fergie and others.

“You know there aren’t any black owners and I plan on being the first black owner of an NFL football team,” he told WENN. ‘I wanna put it out there. Not minority owners, majority owners!”

Alicia Keys and Swizz Beatz Welcomes Baby Boy

Congratulations to Alicia Keys and Swizz Beatz, the musical couple became proud parents of a baby boy. Keys delivered lil Egypt Daoud Dean at New York's Saint Luke's-Roosevelt Hospital Thursday night. Daoud, pronounced “da-ood,” is Arabic for David, and is Swizz Beatz’s middle name.

Beatz took to Twitter to express his joy after his son's birth. "I'm so thankful for everything I been blessed with in my life wowwwwww!" he posted.

It’s the first child for Alicia Keys and the fourth child for Swizz Beatz, whose real name is Kaseem Dean. The couple was married in a beautiful ceremony on July 31.

Jonathan Nelson's "Expect the Great" Reaches Top 10

Stellar Award winner Jonathan Nelson has done it again. On the heels of his 2008 smash “My Name Is Victory” that peaked at #4 on the Billboard Hot Gospel Songs chart, Nelson has cracked the Top10 with his new hit, “Expect The Great.” The single isn’t only winning over gospel program directors but also urban programmers such as Derek Harper of Radio One’s Praise 102.5 FM station in Atlanta, GA. “Jonathan Nelson … continues his good-feeling musical ministry with another hit,” he says. The Richmond, VA Radio One Praise 104.7 FM program director, Reggie B., concurred. “The song says the blessing is on you,” he says. “It’s a great record to play that is upbeat and makes you feel good when you hear it and gives you hope that your blessing is on the way!"

Nelson’s sophomore CD, Better Days (Integrity Music), recently debuted at #1 on Jet Magazine’s Top Gospel CDs sales chart and #4 on Billboard’s Top Gospel Albums chart. The 10-song CD of faith-inspired affirmations was produced by Nelson with Grammy Award winning producer Aaron Lindsey (Israel & New Breed, Marvin Sapp). “I'm so thankful to God and to all of my supporters for helping `Better Days’ debut so high on the charts,” says Nelson. “Thank you all! This is just the beginning! Although, this is a huge milestone, the journey continues. I Expect the Great!"

The music video for “Expect The Great” is in regular rotation on Black Entertainment Television’s (BET). Over the last half a dozen years, he’s put his stamp on urban praise music as the composer of now classic tunes such as Donald Lawrence’s “Healed,” Youth for Christ’s #1 smash “The Struggle Is Over,” and Bishop T.D. Jake’s “My Praise Is My Weapon.” Then, in 2008, Nelson stepped from the shadows to reveal himself as a charismatic worship leader with his Top 10 smash “My Name Is Victory” which spent an astounding 65 weeks on the Billboard Hot Gospel Songs chart and won him a Dove Award nomination as Best New Artist of the Year.

Video | "Expect the Great"



source:
Bill Carpenter
Capital Entertainment
billcarpenter@capitalentertainment.com
(202) 506-5051

James Fortune & FIYA Holds Down #1 Spot for 6th Consecutive Week

Houston, TX: James Fortune continues to have a fortuitous run of radio smashes. After the success of his blockbuster “I Trust You” that spent 29 weeks at #1 on Billboard’s Hot Gospel Songs chart and a half dozen Top Ten hits such as “I Wouldn’t Know You,” Fortune has another chart-buster. The inspirational anthem, “I Believe,” has spent the last five weeks at #1 on Billboard’s Hot Gospel Songs chart. The dramatic tune features James Fortune & FIYA, Shawn McLemore (who has made a full recovery from a recent stroke) and Zacardi Cortez.

“This is America’s song,” says Blacksmoke Music Worldwide CEO, Kerry Douglas. “It’s #1 because America is going through hard times. People are out of work, people are sick, the economy is bad but we all want to believe that things will get better and this song reminds us that with God’s help things will get better sooner than later. That’s why I keep saying this isn’t just a gospel song. This is a song for all of America.”


The song is exclusive to the CD/DVD, Kerry Douglas Presents Gospel Mix IV, that also features gospel artists such as Jimmy Hicks, Earnest Pugh and M.D. Stokes. Six of the CD’s 17 songs are in rotation on the BDS Top 100 Gospel Playlist. The package also includes a 14-track DVD featuring live performances or concept videos of the various artists on the audio CD such as James Fortune, Keith “Wonderboy” Johnson, Earnest Pugh, The Brown Boyz and Jimmy Hicks. “We’re doing something no one else is doing,” says Douglas. “We’re not taking old hits and repackaging them. We’re taking new songs and making them today’s hits through the Gospel Mix IV CD/DVD.”


Video | "I Believe"



 
source:
Bill Carpenter
Capital Entertainment
billcarpenter@capitalentertainment.com
(202) 506-5051
 

No Weapon Needs Your Help

Austin's own No Weapon needs your help. Go to qliveone.com and cast your vote for Male Gospel Group of the Year.

Voting ends September 20, so you betta hurry up!!

Check below for NW's single, "Prodigal Son" and leave a comment -

Israel Houghton Prepares for A Deeper Level Conference

Integrity Music recording artist Israel Houghton is preparing for his annual worship conference. A Deeper Level returns to Grace Church in Houston, TX August 25-28, 2010. The conference will be held at the Humble campus.

This year's conference will include songwriting sessions, production and sound reinforcements, and the visual worship experience. Guest speakers and artists include Bishop Tudor Bismarck, Aaron & Adrian Lindsay, Israel & Meleasa Houghton, Bishop Michael Pitts, Kevin Singleton, and New Breed.

 

Space is limited.  For more info http://adeeperlevel.com/ | http://www.gracechurchhumble.com/ | 281.441.1111

Nucci Reyo - Live Long, Die Old

Nucci Reyo - Live Long, Die Old

It has been a while since I been inspired by another artist when it coming to me making my music . Yet when I heard Kanye West say " live fast and die young " I immediately knew those were views I would be forced to publicly dispute . I have always been the type of man who speaks his mind , pride aside . The concept of encouraging us to die young is the most ridiculous thing I have ever heard. It goes directly against the legacy of all famous black revolutionaries and leaders who came before us . More importantly it goes against Gods ideas for us . Living a long and prosperous life is one of the many benefits of serving The Lord . Dying young is a direct benefit of serving The Devil. I won't sit and watch the culture I have grown to love being poisoned in this way . This is not a dis record , just me expressing my thoughts . This to will be on the long over due " In Due Season" mixtape .  - Nucci Reyo, on why he wrote "Live Long, Die Old"

GL Poll:

James Fortune Tweets His New Single

By now, I know most (if not all) of you have heard/purchase Encore, from James Fortune & FIYA.

To create a even bigger buzz, James Fortune sent a Twitter message (with link) to listen to his newest single, "I Believe." The song features Shawn McLemore and Zacardi Cortez on lead vocals.



Click here to listen!!

fHammond Family Entertainment Signs with Universal

The fHammond Family Entertainment imprint, headed by Gospel powerhouse Fred Hammond and philanthropist Roy Campbell has entered an exclusive distribution agreement with Universal Christian Music Group. The first project from this arrangement is titled Life in the Word, which is scheduled for release July 27. Guest vocalists include Lowell Pye, Erica Warren, Michael Bethany and Candace Laster. Fans who preorder via Walmart will be able to download one piece of new content weekly before the album's in-store date.

It is always great to see individuals succeeding at the things they are passionate about, but you will always have haters who can't stand to see you shine. Fred Hammond took to his Twitter page  to speak about his new endeavor:

As an Artist I've been with Verity since the mid 90's and while other artist may complain I've learned that its been a blessing, So my goal is to always see the positive. But I'm also setting up my children to have something when. Well you know...Plus I believe there's new talented writers, singers, producers, who should be heard. But I'm not interested in performers or Artist...Just called chosen vessels who are...ready to work

For more information visit fhammondfamilyent.com

Jonathan Nelson Releasing Sophomore Album, Better Days

Stellar Award winner Jonathan Nelson is gearing up for his sophomore Integrity Music CD, Better Days, slated to release September 14. The 10-song CD of divinely-inspired affirmations was produced by Grammy Award winning producer Aaron Lindsey.

Recorded live at Nelson’s home church, The Faith Center in Ft. Lauderdale, FL, the album features Nelson’s top-notch backing ensemble Purpose and delivers a powerful, much-needed message for today.

We are living in a time of recession, earthquakes and oil spills. People need to hear a message of encouragement that better days are here.” -James Johnson, Purpose member

You may remember back in 2008, Nelson had a HUGE hit with "My Name is Victory" , which stayed on the Billboard's Hot Gospel Songs chart for an astounding 65 weeks. That song and his debut album, Right Now Praise, earned him three Stellar Awards, eight Stellar nominations and a coveted Dove Award nomination as Best New Artist of the Year.


For additional information on Jonathan Nelson, visit http://www.jonathannelson.org/, http://www.integritymusic.com/ or http://www.integritydirect.com/.

Watch | Jonathan Nelson - "My Name is Victory"

Video | forever Jones - He Wants It All

Video - forever Jones - He Wants It All