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The McDonough Jerk Festival Organization will host its 6th Annual McDonough Jerk Festival on September 28th -29th at Alexander Park, Atlanta St in McDonough GA.
The festival will open with a gospel concert on Friday 28th at 6:00 PM. On Saturday 29th 9:00 AM - 9:00 PM, a "community fun day" will be featured filled with activities and a Caribbean parade.
The Jerk Festival benefits The Alzheimer's Research and Caregivers Support Program. Come out and enjoy a night filled with awesome Gospel talent and a day filled with cultural enrichment. We encourage you to support this great community event and this very worthy cause. Sponsors, vendors and donations are welcomed.
McDonough Jerk Festival is #where2g  Share on Facebook ·  Bookmark on Delicious
Hendersonville, Tenn. - For one night, Aretha Franklin was the Queen of Gospel - not just Soul.
Franklin has been inducted into the GMA Gospel Music Hall of Fame along with country and bluegrass star Ricky Skaggs, singer-songwriter Dallas Holm, family group The Hoppers, the late televangelist Rex Humbard and Christian rockers Love Song.
Franklin couldn't attend the induction at Trinity Music City in Hendersonville, Tenn., but sent a video message played during the ceremony.
Long before she...click to continue reading
Gospel recording artist and seasoned stage actress VirLinda Stanton receives the key to the city and February 3, 2011 was proclaimed VirLinda Stanton Day in Tyler, Texas.
Tyler, Texas (PRWEB) May 16, 2011
World renowned Gospel recording artist and actress VirLinda Stanton was recently bestowed with one of the highest honors in her hometown of Tyler, Texas. VirLinda, who is currently on tour with the Tony nominated musical The Color Purple as the feisty character, Shug Avery, was presented with the key to the city by Mayor Barbara Bass. In addition to receiving her home towns highest honor, February 3, 2011 was declared as VirLinda Stanton day to commemorate her outstanding achievements in the arts and commitment to the community.
VirLinda honed her extraordinary Gospel soul vocal talent at a young age and is no stranger to the stage having performed in countless theater productions and live performances including The Lion King, Toy Story, as well as a National Anthem vocalist. The US tour of The Color Purple runs through the end of June where VirLinda will continue to amaze audiences with her captivating voice. The talent of Ms. Stanton does not end with The Color Purple, fans can continue to be soothed by the sweet sounds of VirLinda’s voice when her self titled debut Gospel album is released this Fall.
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Brandon WalkerRoger & Hayes PR917-940-9788 Roger.HayesPR@yahoo.comEmail Information ATLANTA – Francesca Battistelli continues her strong surge as Christian music's biggest star.
Battistelli won artist of the year at the 42nd annual Dove Awards held in Atlanta for the first time Wednesday night. She also went home with two more awards — best female vocalist and pop-contemporary recorded song.
Battistelli, 25, has surged recently with her second major label album, "Hundred More Years," which reached No. 1 on Billboard's Top Christian Albums chart last month.
"I'm on cloud nine right now," said Battistelli after the awards show, which airs Sunday on GMC, formerly known as the Gospel Music Channel. "I'm standing here ... speechless. This is totally humbling."
The awards show for gospel and Christian music left Nashville, Tenn., for the first time in its history. Organizers expected the new production in Atlanta to be just as successful.
The show's new location seemed to fit.
"I like having it in Nashville too, but we're definitely cool to have it right here in Atlanta," said Casting Crowns' frontman Mark Hall. "There's a lot going on here."
Other winners included Chris August, who was new artist of the year, best male vocalist and earned another award for pop-contemporary album. Singer Jason Crabb and the group Point of Grace also joined Battistelli in claiming three Doves apiece.
Crabb won song of the year for his heartfelt single "Sometimes I Cry." He also won inspirational recorded song and traditional gospel recorded song. His father Gerald Crabb won songwriter of the year.
"Who knew both of us would've come away with an award," Gerald Crabb said. "This was a big night for us."
Point of Grace took home country album of the year and Christmas album of the year and country recorded song of the year. The all-female trio comprised of Shelley Breen, Denise Jones, and Leigh Cappillino took the stage with legendary country singer Kenny Rogers to perform his newest inspirational country melody, "The Rock of Your Love."
"It was great to be on stage with them," Rogers said. "I just met them this morning. How good are they? It was great to have them as a support system for me."
The show opened with Chris Tomlin standing in a black leather jacket and blue jeans as he performed his hit single "Our God" before Christian comedian Chonda Pierce took the stage.
"I hope Jesus comes soon, because I don't think I can stand too much longer in this dress," she quipped, as the crowd in attendance went into laughter.
Host Sherri Shepherd of ABC's "The View" followed Pierce's short comedy act and demanded attendees to repeatedly chant, "I love Jesus, I love Jesus."
Later in the show, Hall, Third Day, and Steven Curtis Chapman — who has won more Dove Awards with 56 than any other artist — performed together.
Legendary singer Sandi Patty, who showed up to the awards 75 pounds lighter, was honored for her lifetime achievements. Several singers, including Battistelli, Natalie Grant, Audrey Assad, Kerri Robert, Janet Paschal, Brit Nicole and Laura Story, each gave a rendition of Patty's past hit songs.
Patty then joined the seven singers and sang with them before she presented Battistelli with her second-straight female artist of the year award.
Patty said she feels comfortable "passing on the torch" to the other female singers, saying she was impressed with Battistelli's poise.
"She has the least amount of lines than anyone else," Patty said. "But she didn't gripe and or get mad. She just kept being gracious. I told her to never lose tha ATLANTA – Francesca Battistelli continues her strong surge as Christian music's biggest star.
Battistelli won artist of the year at the 42nd annual Dove Awards held in Atlanta for the first time Wednesday night. She also went home with two more awards — best female vocalist and pop-contemporary recorded song.
Battistelli, 25, has surged recently with her second major label album, "Hundred More Years," which reached No. 1 on Billboard's Top Christian Albums chart last month.
"I'm on cloud nine right now," said Battistelli after the awards show, which airs Sunday on GMC, formerly known as the Gospel Music Channel. "I'm standing here ... speechless. This is totally humbling."
The awards show for gospel and Christian music left Nashville, Tenn., for the first time in its history. Organizers expected the new production in Atlanta to be just as successful.
The show's new location seemed to fit.
"I like having it in Nashville too, but we're definitely cool to have it right here in Atlanta," said Casting Crowns' frontman Mark Hall. "There's a lot going on here."
Other winners included Chris Artist, who was new artist of the year and best male vocalist. Singer Jason Crabb and the group Point of Grace joined Battistelli in claiming three Doves apiece.
Crabb won song of the year for his heartfelt single "Sometimes I Cry." He also won inspirational recorded song and traditional gospel recorded song. His father Gerald Crabb won songwriter of the year.
"Who knew both of us would've come away with an award," Gerald Crabb said. "This was a big night for us."
Point of Grace took home country album of the year and Christmas album of the year and country recorded song of the year. The all-female trio comprised of Shelley Breen, Denise Jones, and Leigh Cappillino took the stage with legendary country singer Kenny Rogers to perform his newest inspirational country melody, "The Rock of Your Love."
"It was great to be on stage with them," Rogers said. "I just met them this morning. How good are they? It was great to have them as a support system for me."
The show opened with Chris Tomlin standing in a black leather jacket and blue jeans as he performed his hit single "Our God" before Christian comedian Chonda Pierce took the stage.
"I hope Jesus comes soon, because I don't think I can stand too much longer in this dress," she quipped, as the crowd in attendance went into laughter.
Host Sherri Shepherd of ABC's "The View" followed Pierce's short comedy act and demanded attendees to repeatedly chant, "I love Jesus, I love Jesus."
Later in the show, Hall, Third Day, and Steven Curtis Chapman — who has won more Dove Awards with 56 than any other artist — performed together.
Legendary singer Sandi Patty, who showed up to the awards 75 pounds lighter, was honored for her lifetime achievements. Several singers, including Battistelli, Natalie Grant, Audrey Assad, Kerri Robert, Janet Paschal, Brit Nicole and Laura Story, each gave a rendition of Patty's past hit songs.
Patty then joined the seven singers and sang with them before she presented Battistelli with her second-straight female artist of the year award.
Patty said she feels comfortable "passing on the torch" to the other female singers, saying she was impressed with Battistelli's poise.
"She has the least amount of lines than anyone else," Patty said. "But she didn't gripe and or get mad. She just kept being gracious. I told her to never lose that."
Actress Tamala Mann, who is known for her rol ATLANTA – Even though Marvin Sapp has reached the pinnacle of success career wise, the gospel singer still wakes up with mixed emotions when reminiscing of his wife who died seven months ago.
"Every day is a new day," Sapp said in a recent phone interview. "There are days when I get up and I cry, thinking of her. There are days thinking of her and I smile. There are days when I'm angry. Days that I'm not. ... We miss her."
Last year, Sapp's latest album "Here I Am" debuted at No. 2 on Billboard's Top 200 albums chart, making it the highest ranking gospel album in the chart's 54-year history of tracking album sales. His eighth album was led by single "The Best in Me."
But about seven months after the release of his record-breaking album, his world was rocked when his wife MaLinda Sapp died in September 2010 after a nearly 18-month fight with colon cancer. He and his 43-year-old wife had three children together — a 17-year-old boy and two girls at the age of 14 and 12.
Sapp says his wife played an integral part of his crossover success into the gospel secular realm, saying she encouraged him to release the inspirational "Never Would Have Made It," which ended up being a hit in 2007. Along with managing his career, she was also the administrative pastor of his Lighthouse Full Life Center Church in Grand Rapids, Mich.
The 44-year-old Sapp says he still finds it hard to imagine not having his wife around.
"She was a wife that I planned on having for life," says Sapp, who had three children with his wife of 20 years. "It's still a process. It'll probably be a life-long process. No matter what happens in my future. Some things you just don't get over."
After his wife's death, Sapp took 25 days off within a four-month span to grieve. He returned to preaching and music in January, despite some advising him not to rush back.
But Sapp says he couldn't keep away from his career, realizing the preaching and singing is a therapeutic outlet for him to express his feelings. He hopes his music can bring some more solace to himself and other who are dealing with the death of their mate.
"It can be a testimony to others about how God can keep you in a difficult time," he says.
Since Sapp's return, he already claimed four awards, including artist of the year at the Stellar Awards this year. He's also received four nominations the Dove Awards, which will be taped on April 20. The show will be aired on April 24 on the Gospel Music Channel.
If Sapp is able to come away with any awards — which includes his nomination for artist of the year — he'll dedicate it to the memory of his wife.
"I think it'll be some icing on the cake on my career and that we accomplished something together," he says. "Even though she's not here, I know she'll be there in my mind and spirit. We left our mark musically on the world. We showed it's all about family."
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Online:
http://www.marvinsapp.com With their new CD "Crosscurrents," the four singers and three instrumentalists who make up Come Sunday offer a unique blend of gospel and jazz that is both artistically challenging and emotionally rewarding. Their exploration of the jazz-gospel convergence is spearheaded by vocalist Bill Brickey, the group's musical visionary, and jazz guitarist Mike Allemana, who handled the decidedly untraditional arrangements.
Richmond, CA (PRWEB) March 16, 2011
The Chicago septet Come Sunday melds jazz form and gospel tradition on their striking debut CD "Crosscurrents," due for release May 3. Taking their name and inspiration from Duke Ellington’s groundbreaking 1958 collaboration with gospel queen Mahalia Jackson, Come Sunday reinterprets time-honored spirituals and gospel classics—plus one Stevie Wonder tune and, of course, Ellington’s “Come Sunday”—in musically innovative, emotionally uplifting ways. The arrangements, by the group’s guitarist Mike Allemana, brim with melodic, harmonic, and rhythmic surprise.
“[T]hey smartly balance gospel sentiment and the jazz impulse to refresh (and sometimes entirely remake) these familiar spirituals,” critic Neil Tesser wrote about Come Sunday in the Chicago Jazz Music Examiner. “You don’t need to love folk music or gospel to appreciate what Allemana has done here, transforming songs from those sources into swinging and memorable renditions; more often than not, they recall the ‘soul jazz’ of the 60s, crossed with the cool, rich harmonies of contemporaneous groups like the Swingle Singers and the Double Six of Paris.”
In addition to Allemana, the group is comprised of vocalists Bill Brickey, Sue Demel, Alton Smith, and Lindsay Weinberg, as well as bassist Al Ehrich and drummer Lenny Marsh. The disc’s title refers not only to the unique musical fusion the group achieves but also to the recurring water themes that flow through the set of songs that includes “Jesus Gave Me Water,” “Down by the Riverside,” “Wade in the Water,” and “Deep River.”
“I found that a common thread between gospel and jazz was the improvisational nature of the expression of melodies, the strong rhythmic feeling, a spiritual feeling in the music, and improvisations based around a theme,” says Allemana, who’s recorded three albums as a leader and has been a mainstay of saxophonist Von Freeman’s band since 1997. “The biggest challenge was to make each song its own unique journey. It was so rewarding to see how my ideas came to life with this band. The singers brought so much of their own voices to the music, adding things I hadn’t thought of.”
All seven members of Come Sunday teach at Chicago’s venerable Old Town School of Folk Music, as well as performing with a variety of other groups. The impetus for the group came when Ehrich approached Allemana, Brickey, and Demel to record the spiritual “The Welcome Table” (in Allemana’s jazz arrangement) for the 2007 multi-artist CD "Old Town School Songbook: Volume 4."
That recording turned out so well that Brickey suggested they add two other vocalists and a rhythm section to delve further into the jazz-gospel convergence. At their first rehearsal, in 2008, the seven members clicked perfectly—and decided to form a permanent group. Brickey has been Come Sunday’s musical visionary, says Allemana: “He introduced me to all the gospel artists, he brought the music to me, and he also trusted me totally so I was able to write whatever I wanted.”
Brickey, who has an avid interest in the history of the Civil Rights Movement, was struck by how s Joe Bourne presents “A Nat King Cole & Gospel Music Christmas Concert” on Saturday, Dec. 18, at SaddleBrooke’s DesertView Performing Arts Center. Accompained by his 4 piece combo and special guest the Tucson Mass Choir
Tucson, AZ (PRWEB) November 29, 2010
Joe Bourne presents “A Nat King Cole & Gospel Music Christmas Concert” on Saturday, Dec. 18, at SaddleBrooke’s DesertView Performing Arts Center.
By Christy Krueger..... Holiday music has a way of invoking the season’s spirit in everyone, especially when performed on stage in the company of a 30-voice choir.
Oro Valley vocalist Joe Bourne presents “A Nat King Cole & Gospel Music Christmas Concert” on Saturday, Dec. 18, at SaddleBrooke’s DesertView Performing Arts Center.
Music lovers familiar with Bourne’s audience-wooing style will be treated to this special live performance based on his tribute CD, “Remembering Mr. Cole.” Selections include favorites such as “When I Fall in Love,” “Unforgettable,” “Nature Boy” and “The Christmas Song.”
Prior to his return to the U.S. in 2000, Bourne spent 25 years touring Europe with dozens of American musical acts, including the Stylistics, Natalie Cole and Ray Charles.
Fresh from his autumn Nat King Cole Tribute tour dates in Ohio, Idaho and Washington state, Bourne will be joined on the DesertView stage by his quartet, handpicked from among Tucson’s finest jazz musicians – Sly Slipetsky on piano, Matt Mitchell on guitar, Scott Black playing bass and Miguel Bazemore on percussion.
Bourne then unites with the Tucson Arizona Mass Choir, an interfaith gospel group representing churches from all corners of Tucson. Together they’ll present a festive holiday program featuring both secular and gospel Christmas tunes.
A Nat King Cole and Gospel Music Christmas Concert Open to the General Public
Date: Saturday, Dec. 18, 2010 Time: 7:30 p.m. Place: DesertView Performing Arts Center, SaddleBrooke Tucson, AZ Tickets, $21 in advance, $23 at the door
http://tickets.saddlebrooketwo.com
Phone: 520-818-5318
Youtube Link to: Joe Bourne sings "The Christmas Song" http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FNl9MU0rbBg
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JOE BOURNEJoe Bourne Music Art & Entertainment520-877-8446Email Information Gospel singer Tye Tribbett went against the beliefs he was taught as a kid and his numerous spiritually uplifting songs when he cheated on his wife a year ago.
His misstep resulted in her doing the same thing to him.
Tribbett, a Stellar Award winner, had an affair with a woman from his choir, Greater Anointing — known as G.A. He said it was with a woman he and his wife had counseled, but the relationship became "her and I more than the three of us. It got out of control."
After Tribbett's wife found out about his side relationship, she sought revenge by cheating on him with another man. Both of their infidelities almost ended the couple's marriage of 13 years, but the two found a way to work it out after he took a sabbatical.
Now, Tribbett is looking for a new start with his life and new album, "Fresh," which was released this week. This will be Tribbett's first solo album without his choir, which has released three albums with him.
The 34-year-old singer opened up about his turmoil in a recent interview.
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The Associated Press: You and your family have been through a lot of drama. How did you fall into the trap of cheating on your wife?
Tribbett: I thought it was something that'll never happen. I saw infidelity with my mom and dad who was a pastor, which made them split. I told myself that I would never do that. So when it happened in my marriage, it was like "Whoa." God broke down my self-righteousness, my pride.
AP: How did you feel when she did the same to you?
Tribbett: As a husband it is PARAMOUNT to be there for your wife emotionally, and I blew it and I wasn't there for her, which opened her up to fall into the same trap and commit the same sin as I did! I'm just so grateful that it wasn't the end for us!
AP: What led you to cheat?
Tribbett: (Televangelist) Joyce Meyers gave the best explanation of what my situation was about. She said lust has no conscience. It doesn't care if you're married, doesn't care about your responsibility, doesn't care if you're a pastor. It wants what it wants when it wants. It doesn't have to be because of lack for lust to take hold.
AP: How was it for you when you and your wife took a break from each other?
Tribbett: When I was between my house and mom's home, I was contemplating suicide — almost every day.
AP: Like any other gospel artist, you preach against what you and your wife have done to each other. Does your approach change on how people should live their life through your beliefs?
Tribbett: I still have to say the same thing as before because it's a sin. I still say it's wrong. But my approach is more compassionate. It's not as militant. It's easier to preach against something that's not your struggle. Through this situation, this humiliation has made me walk in humility.
AP: How do you expect people to listen to you now?
Tribbett: I don't know. It's been very difficult to face people who look up to you. ... But this situation made people see that leaders are not above what they teach. I'll never choose this again, but I'm grateful that it happened.
AP: How much has your relationship with your wife changed?
Tribbett: Every second, it's like we are texting each other. We've been married for 13 years, but it's kind of like we are dating again. Personally, this is a fresh start for me as a husband and a father.
AP: What type of advice would you give to someone who is toying with the idea of cheating?
Tribbett: Don't trust yourself. You CHICAGO – Albertina Walker's singing once stopped the filming of a movie because so many actors were moved to tears by the "Queen of Gospel." At home in Chicago, she babied her beloved French poodles, wore rhinestone sunglasses and was a fixture at the city's gospel music festival.
The Grammy-winning singer died Friday at age 81 of respiratory failure at RML Specialty Hospital in Chicago, said her granddaughter, Tina Nance. Walker, a protege of Mahalia Jackson, formed her own gospel group, the Caravans, as a young woman. Later, she played the role of mentor to many young singers.
She also was the only grandparent Nance ever knew. In bits and pieces, Nance figured out as a girl that Walker wasn't her biological grandmother, but she never got a straight answer about it from Walker.
"She said to me, 'I am your grandmother. That's all you need to know,'" Nance told The Associated Press on Friday.
Taking young people under her wing started early for Walker. Delores Washington, 72, who joined the Caravans in 1958, said Walker was like a big sister, keeping her and the other younger singers out of trouble when they toured. They sang in churches and stayed in people's homes because segregation kept them out of many hotels, Washington recalled.
"There was name-calling. We'd have to go in through the back door (at restaurants) if we wanted something to eat," Washington said. "It came as a total shock to me. I was born in Illinois. I was not familiar with all this hostility toward black people" elsewhere.
Walker set an example by demanding respect with her demeanor.
"We held our heads up high and kept pushing," Washington said. "We were on a mission: To sing for God."
Agent and friend Sasha Daltonn said Walker stuck with gospel music even though she'd been encouraged to sing R&B during the 1960s and 1970s.
"She was revered in the gospel community because of her commitment to gospel, her distinctive style and her uncompromising faith in God," Daltonn said. "It wasn't about the money. It was about the message."
A foundation Walker started to help young people get formal musical training now gives away $10,000 a year, Nance said.
Nance remembered her grandmother wowing the cast of the Steve Martin movie "Leap of Faith" when she sang a solo for a scene. Nance, an extra in the 1992 movie, said filming stopped because so many of the actors were moved to tears.
"It was like the spirit of the Lord came into that place. They had to take a break because everyone was crying," Nance said. Later, Martin sent Walker a bouquet with a card that read, "You are truly the greatest gospel singer in the world," Nance said. Walker treasured the card because she admired Martin's comedy.
"One of our favorite movies was 'The Jerk,'" Nance said.
Pam Morris, a close friend of Walker's and WVON radio host, called Walker a "legend" who was responsible for launching more than a dozen gospel artists' careers.
U.S. Rep. Bobby Rush said in a statement that Walker was a voice for the civil rights movement whose music was "a healing balm to those who struggled for justice."
Walker, a lifelong Chicago resident, was a member of the West Point Baptist Church. Funeral arrangements are pending.  | Posted by news
| Tue, June 22, 2010 at 11:59 PM |
David Altenor, representing Massachusetts, is providing a fresh look into the worlds of Hip-Hop and gospel. A musician and "choir boy" by trade, he's taking his musical gifts to the next level. Oh, by the way, he creates and arranges all of his own music. Show him some love and check out why he deserves your support.
BV: Tell us where you're from and how you got started in music.
DA: I'm from Everett, Mass. I started playing the piano at the age of 14 in church. I learned by ear, playing for services and the church choir, and eventually became the choir director. I've been producing and writing choir songs for years but being an artist and a rapper is something completely new to me! I was inspired to become an artist earlier this year [2010] after God revealed to me that it was my purpose in life.
BV: Your music has a contemporary gospel vibe to it. Tell us about your music and what your fans can expect.
DA: When I was initially inspired to start this music project earlier this year, I wrote songs in different genres. I have learned when God inspires you there is no limit to the type of music you can make because God is unlimited. It's really on my heart to make positive music with a totally new and contemporary sound to it.
BV: What was the concept behind "Song For You"?
DA: This was the first song I wrote when I heard the "call" from God to become an artist. It has a contemporary feel and the words are meant to appeal to the younger generation. I used some "word painting" and vocal techniques that put an emphasis on important phrases. This song really shows all the aspects of my musical ability, while giving honor to God in a new way.
BV: Where can your fans see you in person? Do you have any upcoming performances?
DA: Yes, I have a few performances coming up. I will be performing in the "Future Stars Showcase" at the Apollo Theater on July 3rd and the "Dream Big Hustle Hard" National competition finals in Miami in late August. Details are on the website: DreamBigHustleHard.com.
BV: What are some goals that you've set for yourself as an artist?
DA: My main goal is to evangelize and spread love, inspiration and the Word of God in a unique way to as many people that I can reach.
BV: What are you doing personally to make sure that you become educated and as knowledgeable as possible about the ins and outs of the music business?
DA: I started reading the book "All You Need to Know About the Music Business" by Donald Passman. I also recently took part in the music conference "Indie University" in Nashville, TN which taught me a great deal about the music industry for independent artists.
BV: How many personal sacrifices have you had to make to be where you are with the music today?
DA: I really had to buckle down and get some things in my life in order before I started this project. I have always been very involved in the church, but I had to work on my personal relationship with God, change some aspects of my lifestyle and finally accept my calling to become who God wanted me to be.
BV: Are you involved and/or participating in any upcoming industry or networking events?
DA: I'm trying to get involved in more events, but so far DreamBigHustleHard.com and SonicBids.com have been very helpful.
BV: If you weren't doing music, where would you be?
DA: That's hard to imagine, but if I weren't doing music, I'd be going to graduate school for either my MBA or Divinity School depending on where
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