Check out this dope video of JJ Hairston & Youthful Praise performing “Grateful” unplugged!

“Grateful” is from JJ & YP’s latest album, After This, which debuted at #1 on Billboard when it was released several weeks ago.

In this video, I love how we get to step into an already-in-progress worship session. The result is a heartfelt and passionate performance that you can’t help but jump into.

Whatcha think?!

Word has it that WE tv has picked up a SECOND SEASON of Mary Mary’s self-titled original reality series! Congrats, ladies!

On Good Morning America this morning, the sister duo talked about the reality show and the release of their new album, Go Get It, which hit stores yesterday.

You can watch Mary Mary each Thursday on WE tv at 9pm ET!

This year’s McDonald’s Inspiration Celebration Gospel Tour will feature Fred Hammond as its headlining artist! Tickets are ABSOLUTELY FREE. Check out the cities and dates:

JUNE 14 | BIRMINGHAM, AL | Birmingham-Jefferson Conv. Center
JUNE 15 | JACKSON, MS | Jackson Convention Complex
JUNE 16 | DALLAS, TX | Friendship West Baptist Church
JUNE 21 | PHILADELPHIA, PA | Deliverance Evangelistic Church
JUNE 22 | DETROIT, MI | Greater Grace Temple
JUNE 23 | CHICAGO, IL | Chicago Gospel Music Festival
JUNE 29 | ATLANTA, GA | Full Gospel Baptist Conference (note: requires paid conference registration)
JUNE 30 | FT. WASHINGTON, MD | Ebenezer AME Church

Byron Cage will join Hammond on the tour and, depending on the market, you might spot VaShawn Mitchell, J Moss, Myron Butler and more.

Check out this video of Fred Hammond talking about his participation in this year’s tour:

For more info about the tour, visit http://McDonaldsGospelTour.com.

Today’s the day– the 13-track compilation project from Mary Mary, titled Go Get It, is in stores now.

The project features two new tracks, the title track and lead single, “Go Get It,” and a mid-tempo, hand-clapper that makes you wanna bounce your shoulders a bit, “Sunday Morning.”

Check out the full project at Amazon.com and grab it!

On the heels of his rising radio single, “Great & Mighty,” Byron Cage preps for the release of his newest album, recorded live in Chicago last year.

The album, titled Memoirs of a Worshipper, includes special guests Fred Hammond and Pastor Charles Jenkins. Memoirs of a Worshipper features 11 tracks true to Cage’s praise & worship-meets-contemporary gospel style.

Check out the track listing:

1. Gratitude
2. Out Of Them All
3. Victory (feat. Fred Hammond)
4. Mighty One
5. Great & Mighty
6. Good Anyhow Intro (feat. Pastor Charles Jenkins)
7. Good Anyhow Byron Cage
8. My Refuge, My Strength
9. You
10. Throne
11. Troubles Away

Memoirs of a Worshipper is available for pre-order now!

Mark your calendars and get yourself to the DMV area!

Jonathan Nelson & Purpose will record LIVE on Saturday, May 19, 2012 at Kingdom Worship Center in Baltimore, MD. Doors open at 6:30pm and the recording begins at 7:30pm, and admission is F-R-E-E. The church only seats 600 people, so get there early!

This project will be the group’s first album to be released on KaRew Records, with which Nelson signed at the top of this year.

Who’s goin’???

This could be the biggest tour of 2012. In fact, I’m willing to bet money it will be.

Live Nation has partnered with Kirk Franklin, Marvin Sapp, Donnie McClurkin and Israel Houghton to present THE KING’S MEN tour this Fall. The tour will hit 15 U.S. cities beginning on Sunday, September 16th at Comerica Theatre in Phoenix, AZ, and culminating in Brooklyn, NY, at Barclays Center on Sunday, October 14th. Live Nation is one of the largest tour promoters in the world.

Tickets for The King’s Men tour will go on sale beginning on Friday, May 11th at Ticketmaster.com and LiveNation.com.

Here’s a quick list of the cities, venues dates and on-sale dates!

Who’s going???

What’s the measure of a man without his better half? James & Cheryl Fortune are one of gospel’s hottest power couples.

Now, Cheryl Fortune releases her debut single, “Running To You,” which will be followed-up by a full EP this Summer. Take a listen to the track right here!

This week, the debut album from Tim Bowman Jr., titled Beautiful, enters the gospel marketplace at the #8 spot on Billboard’s Gospel Albums chart. Congrats to ya, man!

Marvin Sapp still reigns at #1, followed by Trip Lee’s The Good Life at #2 and WOW Gospel 2012 at #3.

Check out the rest of the top 10:

1 | Marvin Sapp – I Win
2 | Trip Lee – The Good Life
3 | WOW Gospel 2012
5 | Fred Hammond – God, Love & Romance
4 | JJ Hairston & Youthful Praise – After This
6 | William McDowell – Arise
7 | James Fortune & FIYA – Identity
8 | Tim Bowman Jr. – Beautiful
9 | Smokie Norful – Once In A Lifetime
10 | Isaac Carree – Uncommon Me

Still looking for sales to RISE for Anita Wilson and forever JONES. Do not overlook those projects– they’re solid and worth your $9.99. Promise.

I was gonna write some objective article on the industry merits of Janice Gaines– her incredibly killer gorgeous voice, her heartfelt ministry, etc. Then, I thought I’d write something about how awesome her debut single, “One Day,” is– how it resonates with me every time I hear it, or how it’s been such a blessing to me.

All of those things are true.

It’s one of those songs that speaks to the troubles of life with one final and perfect answer. It’s a matter of perspective– it’ll all be beautiful, when all is said and done.

But today, I’m ECSTATIC that I get to simply FAWN, DROOL and GO NUTS on MY BLOG about MY WIFE– the incredible, beautiful, gifted and anointed JANICE GAINES!!!

*cheering*       *applause*      *fainting*

Ok, now down to business–

Her debut single, “One Day,” heads to radio TODAY (so please please please call your local stations and request it), and it will be available for download on iTunes and Amazon on May 15th.

In the meantime, take a listen to it RIGHT HERE and tell me what you think!!!