ISAAC CARREE HOLDS STEADY ON BILLBOARD

Uncommon Me Number 3 on Billboard's Top Gospel Chart
In the Middle Number 2 on R&R Gospel Songs Chart

Louise Vincent, Gospel News Contributor

October 17, 2011 (Los Angeles, CA) - Isaac Carree continues to top the radio and sales charts with his debut solo album UNCOMMON ME.   Carree shot to Number 1 on the Billboard Top Gospel chart when UNCOMMON ME was released in August. Proving his staying power the album is holding steady in the Number 3 position this week, while Carree's hit single, "In The Middle" has climbed the R&R radio chart reaching the number 2 slot.

Carree has remained busy promoting the new album and he continues to make appearances around the country. He will be a featured artist on Kirk Franklin's upcoming Fearless tour that kicks off on November 3rd in Oklahoma. The tour will hit several cities across the country including Houston, Atlanta, St. Louis, Chicago and NYC. See below for a complete list of dates and cities.

The success of UNCOMMON ME has been fueled by an extensive promotional tour that was kicked off with a live UStream album release party that generated over 20,000 views. Isaac has performed on several national shows including The Mo'Nique Show, TBN and BET. And his new music video "In The Middle" has recently been added to BET and VH1 Soul.   Watch the video here: Isaac Carree "In The Middle" video 

Pick up UNCOMMON ME available in stores and online now.

27th Annual Stellar Awards nomineed to be announced during live GMC telecast

Louise Vincent, Gospel News Contributor

October 17, 2011

LIVING LEGEND ANDRAÉ CROUCH DEBUTS AT NUMBER 6  

Credit Ignition PR, JoJo Prada 

 Los Angeles, CA (October 6, 2011) -Gospel's beloved artist, ANDRAÉ CROUCH debuts this week at the Number 6 position on Billboard's Top Gospel Chart with his current album THE JOURNEY.

Crouch proves that he still is at the peak of his creative form. The musical production and vocal arrangement shine on THE JOURNEY which includes several heavy-hitting collaborations. Among the highlights: Chaka Khan and Sheila E. on the upbeat anthem "All Around the World." The incomparable Kim Burrell along with Take 6 beautifully deliver the stirring ballad "Faith" and the current radio smash, "Let The Church Say Amen" featuring Pastor Marvin Winans.

The release of THE JOURNEY includes a bonus DVD with exclusive interview and performance footage taken during the exceptional recording process of the album. It includes never before seen moments with executive producer Luther "Mano" Hanes, Sheila E., Marvin Winans, Rance Allen, Chaka Khan, Kim Burrell and Mark Kibble.

"Every day we hear that somebody got saved to our music from all over the world," Crouch said. "The music reaches people. It can encourage them. I feel like I have to do it because there is somebody out there who needs to hear the gospel. That's all I want in life is to be remembered as a guy that really loved God. I want God to use me."

THE JOURNEY has also received critical acclaim. Andraé has recently been featured in Essence.com, CCM Magazine, TheGrio.com, Christianity Today and others. Also, NPR featured Crouch on "Tell Me More" and you can hear the fascinating interview here: Father Of Modern Gospel Shares His Journey.

Crouch will make a special appearance on the 700 Club on November 11th and will be honored at Verizon's How Sweet The Sound Choir Competition finale event in Los Angeles on October 28th. Long time admirers of Crouch, Donald Lawrence, Marvin Sapp, and others will be on hand to present him with the "LIVING LEGEND" award.

Released on Riverphlo Entertainment, the CD features 15 new songs and is the legendary artist's first in six years. In recording THE JOURNEY, Pastor Crouch once again teams with Riverphlo president/CEO Hanes, a gifted producer who worked on his last album, "Mighty Wind." THE JOURNEY is distributed by Universal Christian Music Group/ Fontana Distribution.

Louise Vincent, Gospel Music News Contributor

JESSICA REEDY DEBUTS AT #1 ON BILLBOARD

GOSPEL ALBUM CHART WITH FROM THE HEART

GOSPEL SINGER CONTINUES NATIONAL PROMOTIONAL TOUR THIS FALL

Credit Ignition PR, Jojo Prada 

October 5, 2011 (New York, NY) – BET’s “Sunday Best” runner-up Jessica Reedy debuts at the top of the Billboard Gospel Album Chart this week with the September 27, 2011 release of her debut album, From The Heart, on Light Records.  Produced and co-written by Warryn Campbell, Reedy, Claude Kelly, Chuck Harmony, James “Big Jim” Wright, Shep Crawford, Daniel Moore, and Mali Music, From The Heart features the outstanding Faith Evans, The Soul Seekers and Doc Powell, and is an album dedicated to true vocal style and Reedy’s personal charisma that is all about love, honesty, praising God and embracing her purpose.  In addition to claiming the #1 spot on the Billboard Gospel Album Chart in its first week of release, From The Heart premiered on the Christian & Gospel iTunes Chart at #1.

This year has been a bit of a whirlwind for Reedy between recording and releasing her freshman album, having it debut at #1, all while consistently touring the U.S. to promote the project and her career.  Some of her upcoming promotional dates include: New York, NY (10/10); Philadelphia, PA (10/11); Muncie, IN (10/15); Dallas, TX (10/18); Chicago, IL (10/21; 12/9); Washington, DC (10/22-23); Baton Rouge, LA (10/28); Columbus, OH (10/29); Alaska (11/10-14); Baltimore, MD (11/19); Charlotte, NC (11/21); Buffalo, NY (12/4); Lagos, Nigeria (12/13).  Reedy will also appear on BET’s “Bobby Jones Gospel” on 10/16 at 9:00am ET/PT to perform her single, “Put It On The Altar,” and the hymn, “Peace Be Still.”

On the album, the current radio favorite and summer smash, “Put It On The Altar,” was co-written by Reedy and speaks to finding a solution to one’s problems.  Yet it is the lead single off From The Heart, “God Has Smiled On Me,” that showcases Reedy’s one-of-a-kind voice, incomparable range and arresting low register.  Another standout favorite on From The Heart is “Blue God,” a profoundly moving song speaking to our selfishness in our relationships with God.  Penned and produced by fellow rising star Mali Music, the song evokes feelings of sadness, and the heaviness and sultry approach by Reedy gives the song literal and figurative weight.

“I would have to describe my music as ‘heart songs’,” said Reedy.  “It’s music from my heart about the One I love the MOST.  I don’t really know the style or category it fits in … it’s just me.”

Reedy first gained national attention as a contestant on the second season of the national TV competition BET’s “Sunday Best.”  After auditioning in Washington DC, she quickly found herself in the Top 20 performing on the main stage for judges Mary Mary and Bebe Winans.  Reedy made it all the way to the finals where she was eventually named runner-up.

For her debut album, Reedy called upon industry pals The Soul Seekers to appear on the great Quartet-esque “Still Here,” written by Doug Williams and featuring Teddy Campbell.   Showing musical savvy and versatility, Reedy also offers the ultra Disco-esque “Doctor Love” featuring Faith Evans, a remake of the 70’s dance floor classic.  Other notable songs include “So In Love With You (Amazing),” “When I Close My Eyes” featuring Doc Powell, which Reedy co-wrote and produced with renowned songwriters James “Big Jim” Wright and Daniel Moore.  ‘Super-producer’ Warryn Campbell lent his talents to several tracks including “Still Here,” “Marching On” and “Doctor Love.”

For more information about Jessica Reedy and her debut album, From The Heart, please visit: http://www.jessicareedymusic.com

Louise Vincent, Gospel News Contributor

PASTOR TOURE' ROBERTS CALLS AUDIENCE TO PURSUE PASSION DURING COMMUNITY CELEBRATION

                                                                           Credit--Alonda Thomas PR

Louise Vincent, Gospel News Contributor

LOS ANGELES - Pastor Touré Roberts encouraged an audience of several hundred artists and entertainment professionals from across Hollywood to pursue their God-given purpose during "The Seven Year Experience Album Preview" held Friday.

"So many people pursue a career before they pursue purpose and that is backwards," said Roberts, founder of One Church International in North Hollywood. "Before God put you in your mother's womb, He knew who He purposed for you to be and what He purposed for you to accomplish. If you don't know what your purpose is, then your purpose is to discover your purpose!"

Actor Omari Hardwick performed a spoken word selection in which he discussed finding his way to his calling. He credits his relationship with God for directing his path through the entertainment industry. Other special guests included comedian Affion Crockett, singer Abraham McDonald, celebrity agent Charles King, life coach Tony Gaskins, entertainment manager Dr. Holly Carter, Pastor Jason Lozano and Pastor Rasoul Heidari.

The event gave a sneak preview of the highly anticipated album, "The One Experience," a compilation of music that many will find hard to categorize as simply "Gospel."

"I love Gospel music, but most people who need to learn about God's love typically aren't listening to that type of music yet," said Roberts. "We call it Feel Music because it will inspire you to want to know more about what God's love for you is all about."

For more information about the One Church movement, visit www.onechurchla.org or www.toureroberts.com.

Success of GMC World Premiere Gospel Play, 'She's Not Our Sister,' Leads to GMC World Premiere Series

Louise Vincent, Gospel News Contributor

ATLANTA, October 3, 2011  -- GMC, America's favorite television channel for uplifting music and family entertainment, announced today that it will begin production in October on a new GMC World Premiere Series, She's Still Not Our Sister, for airing in December.

The limited-run series, starring Jackée Harry, is based on the GMC World Premiere Gospel Play, She's Not Our Sister, which aired to stellar ratings in June. She's Not Our Sister was the highest-rated GMC World Premiere Gospel Play to date and reached over one million viewers on its premiere night.

She's Still Not Our Sister will pick up where the play left off, when the sisters buried their father, and discovered he had millions of dollars and an illegitimate fourth daughter. In the four original episodes premiering in December, the sisters are at it again: Cynthia (Drew Sidora) plans her wedding to D'Andre (Christian Keyes); Deniece (Azur De) graduates from college; Vivian (Kellita Smith) goes to Paris; and Allison (Jazsmin Lewis) overcomes her addictions. Aunt Connie (Jackée Harry) is still in everyone's business. The series also stars Clifton Powell as Reverend Beckley and Tony Grant as Elliot.

"We are delighted to be bringing back the cast and crew of She's Not Our Sister in order to continue a story that was thoroughly enjoyed by our viewers," said Leslie Chesloff, GMC's executive vice president, programming. "In She's Still Not Our Sister, the sisters will deal with the aftermath of shocking family revelations as they each seek to find their own way in the world."