A month or so ago, I revealed Kirk Franklin’s book cover and shared my initial thoughts on it.

I’ve just received word of a book tour that Kirk is launching, beginning on May 18th, the release date of his new book, The Blueprint: A Plan For Overcoming Life’s Obstacles.

May 18 - Atlanta, GA
May 19 - Washington, DC/Baltimore, MD
May 20 - New York, NY
May 21 - Cleveland, OH
May 22 - Detroit, MI
May 23 & 24 - Dallas/Fort Worth, TX
May 25 - Houston, TX
May 26 - Lexington, KY
May 28 - Los Angeles, CA

Specific locations will be released later, I do believe.  Check his website for updates– http://www.kirkfranklin.com.

*pauses* So, no Nashville date, eh?  HMPH!

I think they’ll be great– Kirk is a dynamic dude.  Who’s gonna try to go to one of the tour dates? 

More details are surfacing about the upcoming Stellar Awards Mother’s Day Gospel Music Festival I mentioned last year, hosted by Central City Productions.

The 3-day celebration will take place in Orlando, FL from Friday, May 7th through Sunday, May 9th.  Hosts for the weekend will be Vickie Winans and comedian Akintunde.

Featured performers include Byron Cage, Deitrick Haddon, James Fortune, Kierra Sheard and Jonathan Nelson on Friday; Shirley Caesar, Yolanda Adams, Vickie Winans and Crystal Aikin on Saturday; Karen Clark Sheard, Kevin LeVar and Endurance on Sunday.

In addition to your travel and hotel, you’ll have to buy tix for the big gathering.  A 3-day pass to all events can be purchased for about $162.50 from Ticketmaster.  Click here for more info on the event.

Shekinah Glory Ministry, which brought you hits like “Praise Is What I Do” and “Yes,” is planning for its next live recording.

The event will take place on Sunday, May 16th, at 6:oopm, at Valley Kingdom Ministry International (Oak Forest, IL).  Tickets are $15 in advance and $20 at the door.

The recording will cap-off their praise and worship conference, which will be held that week, beginning on the 14th.  Click here to visit their official site and get more details on the conference and the recording.

Their music is really good.  I’ve never been a HUGE fan, for some reason that I can’t quite detect, but their appeal and anointing is undeniable.  They’ve been very successful in their lane and I’m sure this project will bring more of the same.

Whatd’ya think?  Anyone going to attend?  Anyone excited for the new music?  Talk to me!

Verizon Wireless’ How Sweet The Sound is a great gospel phenomenon that I’m rather enjoying as it unfolds… a nationwide choir competition with performances by great church choirs and some of the biggest names in gospel, all being held in sold-out arenas at lowwwww ticket prices.

And, this year, they’re adding even MORE cities.  The three new additions are Cleveland, OH, Charlotte, NC and Jacksonville, FL.

Registration opened a while ago, so don’t delay– get your church choir registered now for a chance to win up to $50,000 in cash and prizes at the finale.

If nothing else, make sure you attend a regional event in your city… I attended in Memphis last year and it was incredible.

Anybody else enjoy How Sweet The Sound???

Word has it that Tina & Erica Campbell (Mary Mary) will be performing on the NAACP Image Awards tonight.  As I mentioned yesterday, the awards show will be broadcast live from L.A. on FOX tonight at 8pm ET.

According to a Twitter message sent by Erica Campbell yesterday, the gospel duo are seeking prayers for their performance tonight– “Tina has laryngitis n I’m 8mo pregnant, pray 4 MM!!”

Geeeeeeez.  I dunno how they do it, but they do it.  Touch ‘em, Lawd!

Don’t forget to tune-in to FOX tomorrow night, February 26th, at 8pm ET for the LIVE broadcoast of the NAACP’s 41st annual Image Awards.  The nominees, announced in January, for “Outstanding Gospel Album (Traditional or Contemporary)” are:

Donnie McClurkin - We All Are One
Shirley Caesar - A City Called Heaven
Fred Hammond - Love Unstoppable
BeBe & CeCe Winans - Still
Vickie Winans - How I Got Over

As I predicted earlier, I’m banking on BeBe & CeCe for this one.  Also, don’t forget that Mary Mary is nominated in the “Outstanding Song” category (the overall category, not the gospel one)… dunno if they’ll win that one, but given the favor on them lately, I can’t say I’d be surprised.  Yay Marys! LOL

To see a full list of nominees, click here.

You tuning-in???

Word has it that Onitsha will be having an online listening event next week, during which fans can help her select the first single from her upcoming sophomore album, Journey.

The listening party will take place on her UStream channel– http://www.ustream.tv/OnitshaTV– on March 5th at 8pm ET.

Onitsha’s voice… jeepers. I have no words for what she’s able to do.

If you’re unfamiliar with her, (1) WHAT?! and (2) watch this video:

Scratch any previous announcements from BET about Sunday Best auditions beginning on January 30th or making a stop in Atlanta.  Not happenin’!

The real deal is that auditions begin THIS SATURDAY, February 20th, in Detroit, MI.  Also, the New York and Atlanta auditions have been cancelled.  Instead, the other audition cities will be New Orleans, LA (February 27th) and Philadelphia, PA (March 6th).  Click here for full details on how, when, who, yada yada.

The new season of Sunday Best premieres on Easter Sunday, April 4, 2010.  I’ll definitely remind you guys as it comes closer and, like last year, I’m sure it’ll be an all-industry Twitter extravaganza, so you’ll wanna follow me now so you won’t forget!

IF YOU’RE AUDITIONING, don’t forget to read my lil’ editorial on what those contracts actually mean for you… it can be an incredible opportunity, but don’t get caught up cuz you didn’t understand the fine print.  Cool?

Okay, who’s auditioning???

The industry is finally seeing some evidence of the fabled BeBe & CeCe Winans reunion tour… The Alliance Agency is booking dates for the gospel duo NOW.

I’m glad it’s happening and I definitely wanna go.  I just hope that the excitement and energy for it hasn’t faded away for the other fans.  If a BeBe & CeCe reunion tour can’t sell well in the gospel industry, what can?

Who’s going when it comes to your town???

Bobby Jones is getting ready for the taping of his 3rd annual Bobby Jones Gospel In New Orleans, which will air later on The Word Network.

The taping takes place on March 25-27, 2010 at the Sheraton New Orleans Hotel and is TOTALLY FREE to attend.

No word yet on the performers, but the event has four taping time slots and includes several VIP luncheons, dinners and receptions.

Check out the event’s official website for more details– http://www.bobbyjonesgospelinneworleans.com/.