Shirley Murdock’s new album, The Journey, is a 17-track collection of music with an underlying theme of encouragement running through them. It’s solid, though perhaps not astounding, as a demonstration of great vocals and heartfelt ministry.

With Grammy Award winner Cedric Thompson at the helm of production (Donald Lawrence,Karen Clark Sheard, LeJuene Thompson), The Journey is the culmination of the first live recording of Murdock’s career. And it’s packed with powerhouse vocals from favorites in gospel and mainstream music, including Kelly Price, Beverly Crawford and Regina Belle.

Standout tracks on The Journey include the urban soul-tinged groove “It’s In Your Hands,” ”Upward Way” featuring Regina Belle, and “Lord You Reign,” a building and beautiful worship chorus.

Also, look out for “He Is the Rock,” on which Beverly Crawford outright shines with Murdock, the piano-driven “Keep Lovin’ Me,” which features the incomparable Kelly Price on guest vocals, and the project’s inspiring first single, “Dream.”

Given her success as a touring mainstream artist, it seems that a live set like this would’ve come earlier. Murdock is a natural as she interacts with the audience. Her sweet and genuine personality translates beautifully to this album and leaves you just plain old enjoying her.

My only qualms with the project are that some of the songwriting could have been a bit stronger and, at the height of some of the singers’ ranges, there was audio distortion in the mix. Still, Murdock’s vocals do a great job of making a lot of the songs work well and it’s a pretty good offering.

The Journey hits stores on October 18, 2011 (Tyscot Records), but you can listen and pre-order it right now, right 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???

In addition to Regina Belle, I caught up with J Moss while at the McDonald’s Inspiration Celebration Gospel Concert in Chicago this weekend. It was really great to see him– J is a humble, straight-up kinda guy and I LOVE him for it.

We chatted about how the tour has been going for him.  J shared that he loves the opportunity to partner with McDonald’s for such a great series of concerts and, even more, for the fact that a portion of proceeds benefit the Ronald McDonald House.

J’s also thrilled for the exposure to a new audience that may not know of his music– Regina Belle’s fanbase. This was a chance to minister to a new group of folks who might not have otherwise paid much attention to the gospel message as delivered by J Moss.  Praise God for enlarged territory!

Plans for a new album on the horizon???  Nope, not yet.  J’s still riding the wave of his latest release, Just James, and it’s as fresh and exciting to him as the day it was released.  His latest single, “Rebuild,” is making a significant impact on radio and on the internet, as is the incredible “REmix” of the tune (click here to listen and see why I love it so much).

The PAJAM team was in full effect in Chicago– besides J, I got to see Paul “PDA” Allen and Walter Kearney, as well as the fellas of 21:03.  Great time with one of the hottest camps in gospel music!

On Wednesday, I recapped my great trip to the McDonald’s Inspiration Celebration Gospel Tour on its Chicago, IL tour stop.  While I was there, I caught up with songstress Regina Belle and chatted about a few things.  What initially stood out to me was how cool and down-to-earth she is (I think I may have dubbed her my auntie in my head).

Regina Belle says that the experience with McDonald’s and the Inspiration Celebration Gospel Tour has been great.  Incidentally, her first job was at a McDonald’s, so she’s kinda having a full-circle moment.

We chatted briefly about the success of her radio hit, “God Is Good,” at which time she shared that it was the last song to make her debut gospel album, Love Forever Shines.  Her brother wrote the tune after hearing her full album and remarking that it didn’t have anything from their childhood, their roots, on it… and it needed to.  She had no idea how incredibly successful it would be at radio and in churches every Sunday morning!

She also shared some of a recent testimony with me– how she was diagnosed with a brain tumor last year (though it had been growing since childhood), in the midst of promoting her album.  “It was one of the most ‘alone’ moments I had ever had in my life,” she recounted.  “That’s when I had to make the things that I talk about and sing about… that’s when I had to make them work for me.  I had to exercise my own relationship with God.”  Even now, after having recovered from the grueling multiple surgeries, she is clinically deaf in her left ear.  Her joy and commitment to her calling, though, remains unfettered– she’s not stopping!

Of course, we touched on the whole “R&B turned gospel artist” issue that seems to plague anyone who records a gospel album after experiencnig even a modicum of success in mainstream music.  Belle set the record straight: “I could make waaaay more money, with no hit record– actually, with no record out at all– by continuing on in R&B.  I am here because of a calling and, trust me, I fought God tooth and nail.”  She is grateful for the road she traveled, especially because she gets to go back to areas that other church people aren’t able to go– and she takes the gospel message with her.

Before we parted, I had to prove to her that I was a bona fide Regina Belle fan from back in the day by bringing up her soundtrack work from the movies Tap and Leonard 6 (y’all don’t know nothin’ about that).  She certified me a “for real” fan.

Regina Belle is working on a new gospel album, which will incorporate musical discussions about some serious social issues facing the world today.  The project will feature assistance from J Moss, Chris Walker, her brother Bernard Bell, and Micah Stampley, among others.

And that’s about it!  Regina Belle was a delight to chat with and I’m excited for what she’s doing and for what’s to come!

How about you???

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!

Headed to Chicago today, fam– McDonald’s has invited me to check out their annual Gospel Fest.  It’ll feature performances from J Moss, Regina Belle and more…

I’ll give you guys a full recap when I get back.  In the meantime, I’ve got some grrrreeeat stuff coming up.  Stay tuned.

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???

Hey peeps, don’t forget that the BET Awards are airing live from Los Angeles on Sunday night at 8pm ET.

Mary Mary is slated to win perform this year, and they’re nominated for “Best Gospel Artist” along with Shirley Caesar, Regina Belle, Smokie Norful and Trin-I-Tee 5:7.

The whole show should be good, especially in light of Michael Jackson’s passing– I hear they’re making A LOT of changes to honor him.

Ok, folks… after the Central Park Summer Stage concert (click here to read my recap from yesterday), we grabbed some grub and rushed to the Prudential Center in Newark, NJ for the annual McDonald’s GospelFest.

The GospelFest used to be in NYC, at the Theater at Madison Square Garden, but they moved it to Jersey a coupla years ago and I hadn’t been since then… going all outta state and what not.

But, I was thrilled to be in attendance this year!  Performers included J Moss, CeCe Winans, Regina Belle, Cissy Houston, Vickie Winans, Hezekiah Walker, Donnie McClurkin and Patti LaBelle.  WOWWWWWWWWW.

J Moss tore that stage APART.  He’s not playing, folks!  CeCe Winans was also incredible and she brought her brother, BeBe, out to sing their new single, “Close To You.”  I’m growing increasingly excited for the reunion album and tour!

Regina Belle ministered like you wouldn’t believe!  Remember how I posted something months ago about her being sidelined due to a sudden illness?  Well, she testified about that trial– what should’ve been one 2-hour surgery ended up being an 8-hour surgery, followed by FIVE more surgeries.  She was told she would be deaf in one ear, but she’s healed and in business!  She sounded great.

Hezekiah Walker & LFC also gave a rousing performance (as always), with Donnie McClurkin joining the tenor section, just for kicks.  Up next was Donnie’s set, full of energy, classic songs, GREAT singing and some of my favorite background singers on Earth.  I was backstage by the time Vickie Winans went up, but I could HEAR her loud and clear– she never disappoints on the vocals.

Behind the scenes, even more folks were milling around– Melinda Watts, Jason Nelson, Jerard Woods, Andrea Mellini…

At a certain point, the security backstage got SOOO tight, you’d have though President Obama was coming through. You know how sometimes folks take their jobs a bit too seriously?  Yeah… shout-out to the security team for being super duper EXTRA with your little walkie-talkies.

Turns out it wasn’t the Prez… it was Patti LaBelle.  Close enough, if you ask me! She closed out the show in grand fashion, looking and sounding SPECTACULAR at age 65.

All in all, a GREAT time.  Met some new folks and re-connected with old ones… I’m grateful.  You can check out some GREAT performance pictures at the website of The Star Ledger, a local NJ paper.  My own backstage pics follow:

And, of course, I didn’t forget to get a quick word on video from Melinda Watts:

Whatd’ya think???

The nominees for BET’s 9th annual BET Awards have been announced.  Jamie Foxx will host the show, which will be telecast live from Los Angeles on Sunday, June 28th at 8pm ET.

The nominees for “Best Gospel Artist” are:

Regina Belle | Shirley Caesar | Mary Mary |

Smokie Norful | Trin-I-Tee 5:7

Ok, let me say this from jump:  CONGRATULATIONS TO EACH OF THE NOMINEES.  What I’m about to say is intended neither to discourage nor discredit you and the work you’re doing to advance the mighty Kingdom of God on this Earth…

Now… WHAT?!

Can ANYONE tell me when the eligibility period is?  I’m assuming that “date of album release” is irrelevant.  Smokie Norful’s album came out last month.  So, if he’s eligible, so is Donald Lawrence, Israel Houghton and Donnie McClurkin, as they each had first-quarter releases, too.  Were they considered?

Plus… is it just me, or is the entire industry playin’ Kierra Sheard?!  First, the Dove Awards and now this.

And didn’t James Fortune & FIYA just blaaaaaze radio and what not?  What’s a man gotta do?!

Anyhoo, I’m predicting Mary Mary for this one– they’re sweeping everything else and BET loves ‘em.  And so do we!