McDonald’s will kick off its 5th annual Inspiration Celebration Gospel Tour featuring Grammy Award-winning gospel recording artist Hezekiah Walker. The tour is part of McDonald’s everyday commitment to celebrating the culture of the African-American community.

The tour will make stops at churches in 6 U.S. cities (Philadelphia, Detroit, Chicago, Dallas, Los Angeles and Atlanta) and will play at the Jackson Convention Complex in Jackson, Mississippi, as well as, summer festivals in Newark, NJ, and Washington, DC.

Tour dates and locations include:
June 11 – Atlanta, GA (Ray of Hope Christian Church)
June 14 – Jackson, MS (Jackson Convention Complex)
June 16 – Philadelphia, PA (Deliverance Evangelistic Church)
June 18 – Newark, NJ (McDonald’s Gospelfest – Prudential Center) *not a free concert
June 21 – Detroit, MI (Greater Grace Temple)
June 23 – Chicago, IL (Christ Universal Temple)
June 25 – Dallas, TX (Friendship West Baptist Church)
July 22 – Los Angeles, CA (West Angeles COGIC)
September 10 – Washington, DC (Black Family Reunion Celebration – National Mall)

The McDonald’s Inspiration Celebration Gospel Tour concerts are FREE (except for the McDonald’s Gospelfest event in Newark, NJ), and tickets are available, while supplies last, at the host church and select local retailers.

“Gospel music gives inspiration to people and McDonald’s is known for giving to communities around the world,” said Hezekiah Walker. “I am honored to headline a tour of this nature and be able to share my music with audiences across the country to uplift and inspire them.”

Bishop Walker will be joined by all-star gospel artists 21:03 in Philadelphia, Detroit and Chicago; Canton Jones in Atlanta and Jackson, MS; Myron Butler and Anthony Evans in Dallas; and Nikki Potts in Los Angeles.

“McDonald’s is really excited to share in culture and community in a way that really connects with our consumers in a meaningful way,” expressed Rob Jackson, McDonald’s Director U.S. Marketing.  “During the community events, attendees will also have the opportunity to learn more about Ronald McDonald House Charities® and the incredible work they do to help families right in the local community.”

In previous years, the tour featured top gospel artists such as CeCe Winans, Regina Belle, Smokie Norful, J. Moss, Vanessa Bell Armstrong and Kierra “KiKi” Sheard.

For more info about the tour, visit www.365Black.com, McDonald’s portal for its 365Black® programs, celebrating the African American community throughout the year.

Who’s attending???

I’m a patient dude. At least, I try to be.  But there are a three albums that I’m anxious to get, and I’m just about tired of waiting!

In no particular order, I’m tapping my foot HARD about new albums from:

21:03, Z’iel, Crystal Aikin

Sure, the new albums from Kirk Franklin and Mary Mary will tide me over with great music for the next several months, but I’m not just eager for good music…

I’m particularly interested in these three albums so that I can see the growth of these 3 artists.  We, as an industry, have kinda had the opportunity to watch them from the beginning, and each is said to have evolved or developed in some unique way leading up to now.

I wanna see.  I wanna hear.  Like… soon! Lol

What albums are you not-so-patiently waiting for, and why?

This is such a beautiful worship song to me… it’s the new single from CCM artist Natalie Grant, “Greatness of our God.”

If you recall, Evin Martin of 21:03 put us on to Natalie Grant in his Across the Aisle series (more coming soon!).  Her new album, Love Revolution, hits stores on August 24th…

In the meantime, I came across this video of Natalie singing “Greatness of our God” at a church a couple of weeks ago–

Whatd’ya think??

I got the chance to attend the McDonald’s Inspiration Celebration Gospel Tour, featuring J Moss and Regina Belle, in Chicago this past weekend.  Three words– I’m lovin’ it.

The concert was great.  It opened with a MAJOR high-energy performance from J Moss.  Backed by some great vocalists from Detroit, including the fellas of gospel group 21:03, J Moss commanded the audience’s attention as he opened with a medley of “Psalm 150,” ”I Wanna Be” and “Could’ve Been Me.”

J slowed things down a bit with “Holy One,” before launching into his first single, “Restored.”  By the time he got to his latest single, “Rebuild,” the entire vibe of the concert had made a decided shift from party to worship service.  To see God’s power move through “Rebuild,” taking root in the lives of folks I’ve never met, was incredible.  With hands raised and faces full of tears, the audience worshipped God for his rebuilding power.  J’s set ended well with a rousing chorus of “Praise On The Inside.”

Up next was Regina Belle, who launched into her set with the hand-clapping, foot-stomping oh-so-churchy ”Can’t Nobody” from her debut gospel album, Love Forever Shines.  She then moved to the classic Walter Hawkins’ cut, “Thank You,” before leading us in her rendition of Chris Tomlin’s “How Great Is Our God.”

Her set continued, and included her classic “If I Could,” which she sang to children as video footage from her recent trip to a Ronald McDonald House played in the background.  She finished her set with her hit single, “God Is Good” and I MEAN we sang along with her. LOL

The tour will be stopping in 6 more cities– Newark, NJ; Oakland, CA; Los Angeles, CA; Memphis, TN; Atlanta, GA; and Washington, DC.  Click here for more details!

Special shout-out to McDonald’s for the invite and to Alexea Davis of Burrell Communications who took extra special care of me and my wife while we were there!

Before the show, I chatted with both J and Regina, so I’ll be sharing what they had to say over the next couple of days, too.  Stick around! 

In the meantime, a couple of stage shots from the concert:

Anyone attended the tour yet?  Anyone planning to attend when it comes to your area?  Talk to me!

I want you guys to check out this video.  I think it’s a great idea– powerful and rather innovative for the gospel community.

The video features the newest single from J Moss, “Rebuild,” behind a bunch of artists and industry peeps talking about what “rebuild” means to them.

You’ll see J and his wife Melanie, PDA, 21:03, Tye Tribbett, Hezekiah Walker, Monica, Fred Hammond, Da’ T.R.U.T.H., Kierra Sheard, Donald Lawrence, Canton Jones, Warryn Campbell and more…

I think it’s pretty powerful and inspiring.  And I love to see all the artists that got on board to help him out with it.

Whatdy’a think???

Is it just me, or is gospel the only genre that allows (maybe expects, and even demands) artists’ names to follow the format of “So-And-So” & “Such-And-Such”?

Think about it… Jonathan Nelson & Purpose, Myron Butler & Levi, DeWayne Woods & When Singers Meet…

But it didn’t just start happening… there was Israel & New Breed, Kirk Franklin & The Family, Fred Hammond & Radical For Christ…

And before them, Richard Smallwood & Vision, Walter Hawkins & The Hawkins Family, Andraé Crouch & The Disciples…

And let’s not forget the choirs– Hezekiah Walker & LFC, Ricky Dillard & New G, John P Kee & New Life, Milton Brunson & The Tommies, O’landa Draper & The Associates…

Understand this– my absolute ALL-TIME FAVORITE gospel artists are mentioned above, so I’m not mad at their names at all.  Love you guys and you KNOW it!

I definitely think the the name choices make sense– ours is the only genre with the artist format of frontmen backed by an ensemble or a choir.

But I’d be lying if I said it isn’t refreshing when I hear creative names like Mary Mary, Excelsior, 21:03 and Mali Music.

In short, it’s not a good or bad thing, just… a thing.  A gospel thing.

Anyone noticed???

I think now would be a good time to check Travelocity or whatever travel site you use, get yourself a ticket to Detroit, and start packin’…

On Sunday, December 13th, J Moss is recording a live video (his first ever) with songs from his latest hit album, Just James.  The recording will also feature special guests Antwaun Stanley, 21:03, and the legendary Clark Sisters!

It’s all going down at Straight Gate International Church.  Doors open at 6pm and the event is totally FREE!

So, who’s going?

If you’ve ever attended the Stellar Awards weekend or GMA week, you’ve probably noticed (and perhaps attended) the highly popular performance event, Urban Soul Cafe.

Quickly becoming one of the largest and most successful grassroots performance opps in the industry, the event features performances from major and indie artists at reasonable prices in an intimate setting.

This year, Urban Soul Cafe presents its Stellar Awards weekend event, “Access Granted,” and it promises to be just as good as past events, with performances expected from J Moss, Melinda Watts, 21:03, Adrianne Archie and many more urban gospel artists.

There will be two events– one on Thursday, January 14th and one following the Stellars taping on Saturday, January 16th– and will be hosted by DeWayne Woods, Canton Jones, Lexi and Sheilah Belle.

Click here to view the full flyers for the event and to purchase tickets!

Soooo, if you were followin’ my tweets, you got up-to-the-minute results of the nominees.  My fingers HURT from typing so quickly on that BlackBerry!

For those of you who missed it, click here for a full list of nominees.

I’m disappointed that Sheri Jones-Moffett, Coko, 21:03, Melinda Watts, Damita Haddon and Kevin LeVar’s names are not anywhere among the nominees.  Each had great projects and should have been recognized.  Majorly not okay.

I’m very happy, though, for artists like Donald Lawrence (one of my faves this year), Kierra Sheard, Mary Mary, Hezekiah Walker, Israel Houghton, Daniel Weatherspoon, Da’ T.R.U.T.H., Bishop Paul Morton…

Geez.  I just dunno.  Some of the names on there…

What do you guys think of the nominees?

J Moss and  Paul “PDA” Allen sent me this remix of J’s first single, “I Gave It Up” and I knew I wanted to share it with you guys.

The remix features PDA and PAJAM artist Chris Clark (you’ve heard him flow on other PAJAM-produced projects, including 21:03′s “Time 4 A Change”).

I’ve added it to the PunditPlayer!

Click here to listen and lemme know what you think…