Word has it that Gospel Music Channel has changed its name to the hip and trendy name ‘gmc‘ to better represent its family-friendly (not gospel music-exclusive) content.  And they’ve got a new logo to boot:

The cable station’s website also reflects the name and logo change, and you can begin visiting their official website via the new url: http://www.gmclife.com.  The channel’s new description– the uplifting entertainment network that features music and inspiring stories the whole family will enjoy.

I’m sure that gmc will continue to give us the best in gospel music coverage– they’ll just be covering a little more, too.  I guess this means I can’t complain about them airing Dr. Quinn Medicine Woman anymore.

I like it.  Whatd’ya think???

Bettina Pennon. That’s all that needs to be said. LOL

This woman can sing just about anything… she’s an incredibly popular regional artist in the NYC-metro area, but I do believe folks across the nation need to hear more from her…

Anyway, this back-in-the-day video of her singing blessed me this morning… figured I’d share.

Whatcha think?

Word has it that the new project from Myron Butler & Levi might feature a track with Kirk Franklin on it. Apparently, Kirk was in the studio, recording a track with Myron earlier this week.

If they come even remotely close to recreating the magic that they had when Levi was God’s Property (and I believe they will), it’s gonna be a blaaaaaazin’ track and I’m gonna be a verrrrrry grateful dude.

Okay, I’m ready for some advance tracks now, please!!!

EXCLUSIVE

Touched base with Jonathan Nelson yesterday and he let me in on a lil’ secret… Kierra Sheard has just confirmed her participation in his upcoming live recording!

I think it’s gonna be awesome.  And I’m glad that Kierra’s continuing to get more opportunities… her voice needs to be heard A LOT more.

Check out the flyer below for the full info, and click the image to visit his official site.  Anyone already planning to attend the recording???

Isaac Carree is working on his anticipated debut solo project, Uncommon Me.  He recently posted requests for musical submissions from producers, background singers and musicians on Blazetrak.

Essentially, Blazetrak connects artists and musicians with one another… kinda like a job matching service thingy.  Okay, that’s not the best description, but picture it– Susie wants two background vocalists, so she puts an ad on Blazetrak.  Jane wants to be a background vocalist reeeaaally badly and she submits her “audition” to Susie via Blazetrak.  Susie is blown away and hires Jane for the rest of her life.  Got it?  Cool.

So, check out Isaac’s page at http://blazetrak.com/isaaccarree… maybe we’ll see you on tour with him soon!

Anybody gonna give it a go???

Kirk Franklin will be appearing on The Mo’Nique Show tonight, on BET, at 11pm ET.  I hear that he did very well, so you don’t wanna miss it!

Kirk Franklin has also been added to the performance line-up for BET’s Haiti relief concert/telethon, SOS Saving OurSelves - Help For Haiti, which will be broadcast live TOMORROW night at 8pm ET on BET, Centric, MTV and VH1.

The event, hosted by Sean “Diddy” Combs, Queen Latifah and Pharrell, will feature performances by a who’s-who list of artists, including  Wyclef, Mary J Blige, Robin Thicke, Chris Brown, Monica, Ne-Yo, Justin Bieber, and more.

Congrats to Kirk for the tremendous opportunities that the Lord is trusting you with!  Thanks for reppin’ the Kingdom of God and the gospel community.

The fellas of the hit group 21:03 are back in the studio with PAJAM and the music they’re making is BANAAAAAANAS.  Last night, Evin Martin invited Twitterers into the studio with the group as they recorded a hot new track, “Cold World.”  We got to hear Torrence (Mr. Robotic) and Evin (limitless range) lay ad libs for the song– good stuff.

Also, Paul “PDA” Allen recently posted a cool video of them working on a track called “I Wanna Hear Your Voice.” It’s pretty clever and definitely catchy…

I hear the fellas are gonna do a UStream studio session again soon, so make sure you follow them at Twitter to find out when they do it– http://www.twitter.com/21o3.

Whatcha think???

I kept saying a shake-up would come, and it kinda did.

The newest project in the WOW Gospel series has debuted at #1 on Billboard’s Gospel Albums chart.

James Fortune & FIYA’s newest album, Encore, debuted at #2.  He said yesterday, via Twitter, that Encore sold more in one week than his last album, The Transformation, sold in 6 months’ time!

The fun industry moment that I predicted last week didn’t take place… though James Fortune debuted #2, his older project, The Transformation, got bumped outta the top 10.  It sits at #11, though, so stay tuned… maybe he’ll have two albums in the top 10 next week.

WOW Gospel, however, DID manage to have two albums in the top 10– in addition to the 2010 release debuting at #1, WOW Gospel 2009 sits at #9.  Well, kudos to Y’ALL then!

With last week’s releases, BeBe & CeCe Winans’ reunion project, Still, drops from the #1 spot for the first time since its release, landing at #3.  Tamela Mann is holding strong at #4, followed by Fred Hammond’s Love Unstoppable at #5.

Time Life Entertainment’s latest rendevous into the gospel marketplace, Shouting Down The Aisles, debuted at #8 on the charts.

Hmm… I think those are the highlights.  Whatd’ya think???

Remember a while back, when Yolanda Adams was supposed to be on The Mo’Nique Show, but the episode didn’t air?  Well, it must’ve aired at SOME point cuz portions of it are online.  And they’re good.

In this clip, Mo’Nique shares how impactful Yolanda was on the set of The Parkers (remember that show?).  She then requests that Yolanda sing “Already Alright,” which she does VERY well.  It was always one of my favorite cuts on the Mountain High… Valley Low project.

After her song, Yolanda launches into a quick testimonial moment.  In it, she talks about how it felt to have a man walk in the door of the house that she pays the bills for, and tell her that he doesn’t love her anymore… she addresses those that judged her decision to get a divorce– she says her LIFE was in danger. She has a lot more to say about the goodness of God in her situation and I mean she PREACHED. I’m actually kinda proud of the producers for not editing out her sermonette.

Listen to what she’s got to say:

What do you think???

My buddy, UK Gospel DJ and commentator Mike Rimmer, recently kicked it with Israel Houghton, Aaron Lindsey and Tommy Sims at Abbey Road Studios in London. *jealous*

Fortunately, he captured some footage of the creative process going into one of Israel’s new songs, called “Hosanna,” which should be featured on his upcoming project.  No official release dates or info on it yet, but judging from this tune (and another song he was working on recently), I’m EAGER to hear this project whenever it hits.

Watch the video and pay attention to Mike Rimmer’s typed narration throughout it.  And make sure you view the whole deal, cuz it features an interview between Mike and Iz at the end.  Very cool!

Keep up with Mike Rimmer at http://www.facebook.com/rimmerama and on Twitter at http://www.twitter.com/rimmerama. He’s doing a great job covering the UK gospel scene and you don’t wanna miss a minute of it.

What do you all think of the new tracks???