Word has it that a REALLY dope Spring tour is in the works, to feature CeCe Winans, Kirk Whalum and Jonathan Butler. Tix will be VERY affordable, at $20 or $25 apiece. Good news.

Now if that ain’t gonna be classy, I don’t know what will! That’s grown folks’ music– you youngin’s don’t know nothin’ about it.

I hear that it’s being booked by Jody Mainello at Lone Oak Entertainment, so if you’re interested in having it come to your church, hit them up at (615) 822-9714.

If it comes to your area, would you attend???

This Saturday, December 3rd, at 7pm, 8pm and 9pm ET, gmc will air the finale of the Verizon Wireless How Sweet the Sound choir competition, which took place last month.

The event, taped at the Staples Center, will feature co-hosts Donald Lawrence and CeCe Winans, judges Marvin Sapp, Israel Houghton and Shirley Caesar, Queen Latifah and Dolly Parton (singing a tune from their upcoming movie, Joyful Noise) and, of course, some of the nation’s best church choirs.

Tune-in!

Folks, I don’t know if you’re in the Los Angeles area, on your way there, or can get there this evening, but the Staples Center is THE PLACE to be tonight for the finale of Verizon Wireless’ How Sweet the Sound.

In addition to incredible performances from the best church choirs across the country, the audience will be treated to live performances from hosts Donald Lawrence and CeCe Winans, as well as Marvin Sapp and more.

Judges for the evening are Sapp, Shirley Caesar and Israel Houghton.

Plus, Queen Latifah and Dolly Parton will perform a song from their upcoming film, Joyful Noise.

Doors open at 6pm, the show starts at 7:30pm and there are still a few tickets left. Tickets are only $10 and $15, and you know you can’t REMEMBER when you paid so little for a gospel show.

Visit www.HowSweetTheSound.com to get ‘em.

And be there!!!

Arguably gospel music’s most beloved duo, BeBe & CeCe Winans, were honored in Hollywood yesterday, receiving a star on the legendary Walk of Fame.

On hand to speak during the ceremony were the legendary Quincy Jones, jazz musician Dave Koz, Jim Bakker (of The PTL Club, where the duo first came to nationwide acclaim), actress Yvette Nicole Brown and their brother, Pastor Marvin Winans.

Check out the comical remarks from Dave Koz in the video below–

The nominees for the 2011 Soul Train Awards were announced yesterday!

In the category for Best Gospel Song, they are:

Mary Mary | “Walking”

Kirk Franklin | “I Smile”

CeCe Winans | “More”

James Fortune & FIYA feat. Shawn McLemore | “I Believe”

Trin-i-tee 5:7 | “Heaven Hear My Heart”

Mary Mary is also nominated in the Best Dance Performance category for their single “Walking.”

Click here for a full list of the nominees. Congrats to all of ya!

Finally, I hear that BeBe Winans is already tapped to perform on the show, likely in tribute to Gladys Knight who, along with Earth, Wind & Fire, will be honored that night.

The 2011 Soul Train Awards, hosted by Cedric the Entertainer, will be taped on November 17th at the Fox Theater in Atlanta, Georgia, and will air on both Centric and BET on Sunday, November 27 at 9pm ET/8pm CST.

In this editorial review, contributing writer Mia Paylor gives snapshot reviews of three independent releases from newer artists…

Preashea Hilliard
Live Out Loud
Release Date: April 19, 2011
Must-Have Tracks: “Lift Up Your Heads”, “All For You”, “Fresh Fire”, “Redeemer (feat. CeCe Winans)”, “Oh How We Love You”, “We Want You”, “Something Happens”

Live Out Loud is a solid Praise & Worship CD released by the youngest daughter of Bishop I.V. & Lady Bridget Hilliard of New Light Christian Center Church in Houston, TX, where she serves as a Youth Pastor. It has a little bit of rock, soul, pop, and traditional gospel. Produced by Aaron Lindsey, it debuted at #4 on Billboard’s Gospel Chart.

If you’re looking for new Praise & Worship material…songs you can execute well at your church…this CD is for you. These songs were written and arranged to be ministered in churches on Sunday mornings across the globe.

Preashea has a rich alto tone. She’s an effective worship leader and exhorter. Vocally, her style is to stick to the melody and stay within her vocal range. But, we aren’t dependent upon vocal acrobatics in order to be led into worship, are we church? No? Good.

Then, give Live Out Loud a listen.

Daniel Johnson
You Make Me
Release Date: April 4, 2011
Must-Have Tracks: “You Make Me”, “What A Time”, “I’m With You”, “Beautiful”, “For My Good”, “Come Go With Me”, “All The Way”

You know him as “not Israel Houghton or Aaron Lindsey, but the other guy you hear singing leads on New Breed songs”. But, his Momma-n’em named him Daniel Johnson…and You Make Me is his new, ubersoulful gospel CD.

Daniel, a vocalist, writer, producer, arranger, and music director from Compton (LA), CA, has sung with Andrae Crouch, Chris Tomlin, and Darius Rucker, as well as Israel & New Breed. You’d think that Daniel’s solo project would be a mashup of those sounds. It’s not.

You Make Me is dripping with soul. During an interview with M.E.X Magazine, Daniel mentioned that he wanted an opportunity to sing like his father, who sang soprano and played guitar in a quartet. The result is a sound reminiscent of D’Angelo and other soul legends. And, the style matches Daniel’s voice perfectly. The falsetto, the runs, the passion… it’s all there.

You Make Me only has two or three kinda-churchy tracks. The band-ish accompaniment of the first four tracks makes them sound a bit too similar. And, some of the songs have too many conflicting musical twists within them.  But, I love everything that’s right about the CD…and I think you will too.

Utrecht Music Presents
New Artist Showcase Vol. 1
Release Date: April 1, 2011
Must-Have Tracks: “Set Free”, “We Made It”, “Sunday School (Sweetest Man I Know)”

It’s hard to recognize new talent in a music industry full of anointed and gifted artists. So, Utrecht Music, a new independent label, has released Utrecht Music Presents New Artist Showcase Vol. 1 in a one-stop, economical effort to introduce you to their roster of new artists…all from the east coast.

Jamaal Miller & Purposely Anointed delivers young, urban gospel on “Set Free” that makes me want to dance like Tye Tribbett’s old indie stuff still does. Andre Nance & Greater Praise delivers funky, traditional gospel on “We Made It” that is soo ready for Sunday Morning. Steve McCoy & Sacrifice delivers urban, CCM-styled gospel on “Sunday School (Sweetest Man I Know),” compelling you to think about just how sweet Jesus is with its simple melody, great hits, and the addition of “Sweet Jesus” at the end. Kenyon Portee’s “Isaiah 53” has a nice, soulful groove and he delivers a nice tenor lead. I enjoy the song although it loses steam toward the end. Rehoboth’s “Rejoice” couples great lyrics with a conservative, contemporary sound. It could’ve used a bit more soul, in my opinion.

[Insert "indie production" disclaimer here. ] BUT, I believe that’s what’s great about this project.  It should
be enjoyed by all!  To hear more about the artists, check out www.utrechtmusic.com.

It’s no secret that Donald Lawrence is one of my favorite artists in gospel music.  There aren’t many artists who can honor the rich heritage and sound of gospel, while still adding their own element to it.  He’s not of this era– he’s got few contemporaries– but he’s still relevant. That’s not an easy feat.

In case you haven’t already done so, I encourage you to read my album review at gmc’s official website.  That’s my official and formal deal on Donald Lawrence’s new album, YRM (Your Righteous Mind).

Here, I’ll allow myself to be a fan, just chattin’ about my favorite parts of the project… let’s go!

The a cappella intro to D. Lawrence’s remake of Commissioned’s “How Can We Sing (In A Strange Land)”… perfection.  And it only gets better, as Keith Staten and Jason Nelson take turns on lead.

Listen to “Spiritual,” the latest single from this album, to hear how masterfully Donald incorporated the classic “fruits of the Spirit” segment from the Clark Sisters’ 1981 tune “Walk In the Spirit” (Twinkie was before her time, by the way). THIS type of stuff is where he shines.

If you attended any of the regional Verizon Wireless How Sweet the Sound events last year, you probably remember Marvin Sapp and CeCe Winans performing the Walter Hawkins classic “When the Battle Is Over” with Donald. On the album, singers Kim McFarland and Dante Hall (one of Donald’s newer full-time vocalists) tag team on it. It’s gospel like it’s s’posed to be.

There aren’t many duos like sisters Tobbi and Tommi.  And they demonstrate it on their remake of Chaka Khan’s “Through the Fire.”  The bass line is true to the original, which is wise– this feels like a great, updated version of something we’re still jamming to anyway.

I adore the complex harmonies on the vamp of “The I AM Factor.”  That, with the string arrangement… wow!

Aaaand Floyd Wilkinson’s performance of the Daryl Coley tune “II Chronicles,” is a more-than-fitting pairing. He executes it with precision and passion– definitely a fave.

Other stand-outs for me are “Second Wind” (featuring Anita Wilson) and “We Agree” (featuring Israel Houghton), the latter of which is a refreshing and unexpected pairing.

In a nutshell… buy it.

By the way, for street day (August 9, 2011), Amazon.com is selling it for $3.99!
Grab it here!

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???

Folks, here’s a FREE event that you’ve GOTTA attend!

On May 30, 2011, Donnie McClurkin will be joined by CeCe Winans and VaShawn Mitchell, along with area pastors and other special guests in a big concert to aid victims of flood and storm disaster relief.

Wanna attend?  The event is at 7pm at Boutwell Auditorium (1930 8th Avenue North) in Birmingham, AL.  Get to this event!

For more info, visit http://www.DonnieRadio.com.

The nominees for the 2011 BET Awards were announced live on 106 & Park last night.

In the gospel category, the nominees are–

Mary Mary | Byron Cage | Deitrick Haddon | BeBe & CeCe Winans | Karen Clark Sheard

The BET Awards, to be hosted by comedian Kevin Hart, will air live on BET on Saturday, June 26, 2011 at 8pm ET/7pm CST from LA’s Shrine Auditorium.