More details are unfolding about this year’s popular ManPower conference, hosted by Bishop TD Jakes.  The three-day event, titled “MENDED,” will be held from August 26-28, 2010 in Fort Worth, TX.

In addition to Bishop Jakes, speakers for the weekend will include Dr. Myles Munroe, Rev. Samuel Rodriguez, Bishop Lester Love, Bishop I.V. Hilliard and Pastor Bill Winston.  Musical guests scheduled to perform include Marvin Sapp, Salvador and Bishop Gary Oliver.

For more info, visit the conference’s official website: http://manpowerconference.org.

Anyone planning to attend???

If you are ANYWHERE REMOTELY CLOSE to Chicago on Saturday, June 5th and/or Sunday, June 6th, you already know (hopefully) where you need to be– it’s the annual Chicago Gospel Music Festival in Millennium Park.

The two-day weekend gospel celebration features a mainstage with non-stop concert performances from some of the biggest names in gospel each year.  This year, attendees include Ricky Dillard & New G, Kathy Taylor, Byron Cage, Hezekiah Walker & LFC,  The Caravans, Richard Smallwood & Vision, and Fred Hammond.  Plus, there are two smaller stages with performances from great Chicagoland talent throughout each day.

In addition to the performances, you’ll find food, vendors, gospel radio booths and more.  The event goes down from 11am to 9pm each day and you oughta be there, if ya can.  For full details, visit www.chicagogospelmusicfestival.us.

Lemme know if you’re going!

Maurette Brown Clark is prepping for her next live recording, to be held on April 23rd in Norfolk, VA.

In my opinion, Maurette is one of the most underrated praise & worship-styled artists in our genre– the sincerity and passion with which she sings is second to none.  And she’s one of my favorite ad libbers, too.

Plus, she gets kudos for working the daylights outta her last album– she was topping charts at radio for YEARS after its release.

Peep the flyer–

Anyone planning to attend???

I’ve been seeing a bunch of you asking about T.D. Jakes’ annual ManPower conference, so I decided to do a little digging and find some info for you…

T.D. Jakes is gearing up for his annual men’s conference, ManPower, which will be held from August 26th-28th at the Fort Worth Convention Center in Fort Worth, TX.

Speakers and artists slated to participate have not yet been announced, but for up-to-the-minute info, visit the official ManPower website.

Early Bird registration (through July 30th) appears to be just $30.

I’ve never attended ManPower, but I think it’s an incredibly important conference for the Body of Christ.

Who’s gone in the past?  Who’s planning to go this year?

Do I need to make a trip with my buddies???

Yesterday, Jason Nelson posted a video to his Facebook page– he was rehearsing a song called “Power In His Name” in preparation for his upcoming live recording (April 23rd in Baltimore, MD… click here for info).

I asked him to HURRY and add it to his YouTube profile so I could post it for you good folks… and guess what I got???

He’s workin’ the camera and singing, so you won’t see him, but MY GOD, you’ll hear him!  Check it out:

Lemme know what you think!!!

McDonald’s is returning to the gospel scene with its annual nationwide gospel concert, which will feature J Moss and Regina Belle (plus, some other artists in select cities).

Tour stops are:  Atlanta, Chicago, Detroit, Los Angeles, Memphis, Newark, Oakland, Philadelphia and Washington, DC.

ADMISSION IS FREE to the concerts, but tickets are required for entry (you can print ‘em out or pick ‘em up at designated places).  Click here for more details and to get tickets!

I attended one of the events in Newark last summer (click here for my behind-the-scenes recap) and it was awesome.

Anyone planning to attend when it comes to your area???

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!

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/.

In a couple of weeks, Dr. Teresa Hairston (Gospel Today) will be hosting her annual Gospel Heritage Praise & Worship Conference in Jacksonville, FL.  It’s gonna be a two-day event that you do NOT wanna miss, featuring worship services, musical offerings, workshops and panels that’ll inspire, encourage and equip you.

Check out the flyers below to see just a SAMPLE of some of the folks participating– from Donnie McClurkin, Hezekiah Walker and Kirk Franklin to Vanessa Bell Armstrong, Jonathan Nelson and Paul Morton… on and on and on.

During the conference, I’ll be speaking on two panels geared toward young adults (peep my lil’ photo on the second flyer, top right… LOL).  One panel discussion will focus on what the “new” music industry looks like, the other talks about careers opps in that new music industry.  My panel peers will include some of the best and brightest in the gospel game and I’m excited to be a part of it.

Anyone ever attended one of the annual conferences?  Anyone planning to attend THIS one?  Talk to me!