In partnership with the McDonald’s Inspiration Celebration Gospel Tour, Bishop Hezekiah Walker recently shared the importance of having fathers giving back in their local communities (click here to watch his first video).

Now, he’s back with a video about the need for fathers to encourage their children, and the impact that it has in a child’s life and development.

Check it out–

As a reminder, the McDonald’s Inspiration Celebration Gospel Tour is nationwide, hitting multiple markets this summer. For a recap about the Tour, click here!

In partnership with the McDonald’s Inspiration Celebration Gospel Tour, Bishop Hezekiah Walker recently shared the importance of giving back, especially as it relates to fathers being involved in their communities.

As a reminder, the Tour is nationwide, hitting multiple markets this summer. For a recap about the Tour, click here!

Click below to watch the video!

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???

The long-awaited sophomore project from Syreeta Thompson, dubbed “The Trumpet Lady,” is in stores TODAY.  The album, In His Presence, features guest vocals from Dorinda Clark Cole and DeWayne Woods.

Having studying under Wynton Marsalis, Syreeta has toured with Beyonce and Lauryn Hill, but the gospel industry probably knows her best as a vital component of Hezekiah Walker and Love Fellowship’s band.

In His Presence is said to be a solid blend of gospel and jazz and, while it is largely instrumental, Syreeta sings on a few tracks as well.

You can grab the album on iTunes or at Syreeta’s official website, http://www.TrumpetLady.com.

Bishop Hezekiah Walker will be installed as the Presiding Prelate of the Pentecostal Churches of Jesus Christ, stepping into the shoes of the late Bishop Kenneth Moales, Sr., who passed in September of 2010.

Make your plans to attend this historic installation service on June 12th in Bridgeport, CT–

Donnie McClurkin is offering you a shot to join him on this year’s Radio One One Love Cruise, from April 3-8, 2011.  He’s got 3 free cabins to give away!

To win one, visit Donnie’s website, http://www.donnieradio.com, and submit a video question to “Ask Donnie.”

The cruise sails from Miami, FL, with ports in Nassau (Bahamas) and Samana (Dominican Republic).  So far, the cruise has announced special guests Donnie McClurkin, Hezekiah Walker and CoCo Brother, but just about everybody pops in at some point, so it’s definitely THE gospel cruise to be on this year.

For more details, visit http://www.donnieradio.com and http://onelovecruise.com.

GospelPundit.com continues its prayer series this week, adding a new name to The Prayer List– Jojo Pada.

Jojo Pada, CEO of Ignition PR, is one of the most highly-regarded and sought-after publicists in gospel music.  Having worked in-house at Motown Cafe, as the head of publicity at Verity Records and Light Records, and as an indie consultant for Light Records and EMI Gospel, her clients include practically every artist in gospel music– including Donnie McClurkin, Marvin Sapp, Fred Hammond, Hezekiah Walker, Shirley Caesar, Commissioned, Richard Smallwood, the Clark Sisters, VaShawn Mitchell, and many others.  Let’s lift her up…

Father, thank You for the life of Jojo Pada. Thank You for being a Sustainer– a God who clearly had a plan for Jojo since before she was born, and a God who was committed to keeping Jojo, and using her despite anything that threatened to stop her.

Lord, I pray for continued success for Jojo– not only in the practical sense, but spiritually as well.  I pray that her spiritual “success” would look like a heart that is perpetually molded to resemble Yours. I pray that it would look like a heart that continues to hunger and thirst for righteousness, that stands for justice, that lives a life of boldness, for Your glory.

I pray that the decisions Jojo faces would be guided by Your Truth, Lord.

I ask that You allow the many gifts and skills that You’ve invested into her to be used to the utmost, for Your purposes. I pray that she would continue to be a trailblazer in this music industry, an example of excellence among her close peers and those who watch from afar.

God, I pray that You would assure Jojo that all of her prayers have been heard, that her heart’s desires have been considered, and that You have orchestrated Your very best life for her to live– and I pray that she would find unbelievable rest, comfort and joy in that, and in You.  In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Okay, fam– please join me in lifting up our sister, Jojo Pada, in prayer.  Post your prayers in the comment section below.

A list of performers and presenters for the 26th Annual Stellar Awards has been released!

Among the performers are Marvin Sapp, Beverly Crawford, Deitrick Haddon, the Nevels Sisters, VaShawn Mitchell, the Soul Seekers, the Williams Brothers, the Rance Allen Group, forever Jones, JJ Hairston and Joshua’s Troop.  Also performing will be an all-star choir in tribute to Kirk Franklin, and the winners of the 2010 How Sweet the Sound competition in tribute to Donald Lawrence.

Award presenters and other participants will include J Moss, Dorinda Clark Cole, Hezekiah Walker, Andrae Crouch, Vickie Winans, Lisa Page Brooks, DeWayne Woods, Wess Morgan, Myron Butler, Yvette Nicole Brown, Dr. Bobby Jones and more.

The show will be taped this Saturday in Nashville, TN, at the Grand Ole Opry House, and will air on gmc on March 5 at 8pm ET.  The program will also air in various national markets from January 22nd through March 13th.  Check your local listings!

Yesterday, I learned that Nashville’s got a gospel radio station.  Actually, I knew that there was one, but until yesterday, I definitely was not getting it where I live.  Maybe they got a stronger signal… *shrugs*

But there it was, VaShawn Mitchell’s “Nobody Greater,” Wess Morgan’s “I Choose To Worship,” and Hezekiah Walker’s “Grateful”… all on my dial over the course of 15 minutes.  I even heard an older, dope track from Kevin Davidson called “Bounce Back,” which I thoroughly enjoyed.

And it occurred to me, if not for the fact that I run a gospel music blog, and I get press releases and new releases sent to me, I would have to work VERY hard to know what’s happening, especially if there were no gospel radio station in my area. Gospel and Christian music is my full-time job, so “knowing” is just about all I’ve got time for.

But many of you have gigs at schools, corporations and whatever else… you don’t get paid to “know,” but you still want to.  So, I’m curious–

1. Do you have a gospel radio station where you live?

2. If so, how heavily do you depend on that station to give you info?

3. If not, how do you learn about new stuff in gospel?  From the web?  In church?

Just wondering… talk to me!

It feels kinda funny referring to Hezekiah Walker’s Live in London as “throwback,” but it was released in 1997, which was 13 years ago… that’s kinda throwback at this point.

In any case, this is one of my favorite cuts from that project– it’s “To Be Like Jesus” featuring LaWonda Campbell.  Pretty sure I featured this video before, but it got so good to me this morning, I figured “why not?!”

Check it out–

Whatd’ya think???