Word has it that some pretty significant news about next year’s Dove Awards will be dropping before the week’s end, maybe even before the day’s end.
I know you guys are gonna kill me for these teasers– I can’t say much yet.
But there are rumblings and murmurings and whispers aplenty… stick around and I’ll do my best to give you guys a heads-up on it when it becomes public. 
Word has it that GMWA will be streaming live this week, from July 25-30, 2010.
For just $24.99 (I feel like an infomercial), you’ll receive unlimited access to classes, workshops and training sessions from the comfort of your own home, for your entire week.
Visit http://www.lifestream.tv/eb/sightandsound/sands_web_audio.html for more info and to register.
Who’s gonna pay $25 to be a part of the action?
Word has it that a pretty significant tour is being talked about… I can’t disclose who’s on the bill yet, but mark my words– clear your calendars at the top of the year. You don’t want to miss it.
More details later… 
Unfortunately, there have been LOTS of erroneous reports about the musical tribute to Walter Hawkins, which will be taking place tonight at Oakland’s Paramount Theatre. I have heard from a COMPLETELY reliable source about how it’s all going down–
Sorry to tell ya, but word has it that THE TRIBUTE WILL NOT STREAM LIVE tonight. The homegoing service, however, likely WILL stream tomorrow morning at 11am PT. Details about that may be at Love Center’s site, but are not presently posted.
So, how will you see the tribute, you ask?!
Word has it that gmc will be airing it this Sunday, July 25th from 8pm to 10pm ET…
Tunin’ in???
Word has it that Relevé Entertainment is just about ready for the return of its annual entertainment conference, The Merge Summit, from August 26-28, 2010 in Los Angeles, CA.
The Merge Summit “integrates faith and entertainment, and provides a platform and education for men and women of faith to interface and partner with executives and talent in the entertainment industry.” The event provides info and networking opps in film, television and music.
Confirmed attendees include Kirk Franklin, Hezekiah Walker, J Moss, Brian Courtney Wilson, James DuBose, Suzanne de Passe, Sheryl Lee Ralph, Wendy Raquel Robinson, and countless executives from entertainment companies including BET, ABC Networks, William Morris, Lionsgate, Creative Artists Agency, and Columbia Records.
Holly Carter, President of Relevé Entertainment, manages the careers of Mary Mary, Deitrick Haddon, Kierra Sheard and more.
For additional information and registration for the event, please visit www.themergesummit.com.
Anyone attend last year’s Summit? Anyone planning to attend this year?
Word has it that Israel Houghton is set to release his new album on August 31st, titled Love God. Love People.
The 12-track project features guest vocals from Kirk Franklin, Fred Hammond and Take 6. He’s also co-written a few tracks with wife Meleasa, Tommy Sims, Aaron Lindsey and Michael Gungor. The album was recorded at London’s legendary Abbey Road Studios (hence the visual homage to the Beatles’ Abbey Road album).
According to Israel, “Love God. Love People. is a return to a simple, foundational Gospel command: Love the Lord your God with all your heart and your neighbor as yourself.”
The full track listing for the project is as follows:
1. Love God Love People
2. Yahweh (The Lifter)
3. Love Rev
4. That’s Why I Love You
5. Others
6. You Hold My World
7. You Won’t Let Me Go
8. Our God
9. Mercies (feat. Kirk Franklin)
10. Surprises (feat. Fred Hammond)
11. Name of Love
12. Hosanna (Be Lifted Higher) (feat. Take 6)
Sounds niiiiiice! Okay, talk to me– who’s pickin’ it up?!
Word has it that the arrangements for the homegoing services of Bishop Walter Hawkins are taking shape. Dates, times and locations have been made available on the official website of his church, the Love Center:
Tuesday, July 20, 2010 at 7:00pm – MUSICAL
Wednesday, July 21, 2010 at 11:00am – HOMEGOING SERVICE
***requesting that all attendees wear the color CREAM***
Both services will be held at:
Paramount Theatre
2025 Broadway
Oakland, CA 94612-2303
(510) 465-6400
Hotel Info:
Hilton Oakland Airport
1 Hegenberger Road
Oakland, CA 94621
(510) 635-5000
***Must Use “Love Center Ministries, Inc” Code to obtain $85/night rate***
Visit Love Center’s website for updates.
That’s it, folks. If you’re going, get your plane tickets and hotel rooms THIS INSTANT.
Anyone planning to attend???
Word has it that the Gospel Music Workshop of America is putting on some great finishing touches for this year’s annual convention, taking place in Cincinnati, OH from July 24-30, 2010.
In addition to all of the musical festivities, there’s the GMWA Serves day of community service event, which was REALLY successful last year and promises to be so again. On Friday, July 23rd at 2pm, in the Duke Energy Center, the GMWA Board will announce its selected service project for the city this year.
At GMWA, there are classes, worship sessions and musicals GALORE, until all hours of the night. Last year, I vividly remember having to take a nap at around 9pm each night JUST to make it through the midnight concerts.
Peep the video below–
Who’s planning to attend any or all of the GMWA events???
Word has it that YPJ & Flesh Versus Christ (FVC) are giving away their latest album, Unison, for free on CDBaby.com. Click here to grab it– http://www.cdbaby.com/cd/ypjfleshversuschrist.
And shout-out to reader Makaziwe Q. for the heads-up!
Who’s already familiar with YPJ’s ministry? Anybody already got the project???
Booooooo!!! Sorry– just had to vent first. *clearing my throat*
Apparently, after a successful four-season run, The Word Network has canceled The Lexi Show, the hard-hitting interview program created and hosted by Lexi.
No reason for the cancellation was announced, but Lexi has expressed that she is “overwhelmed with the unbelievable number of letters, phone calls and e-mails” in support of the program.
Even better– she’s NOT giving up on the program… she hopes to have a new television home for The Lexi Show soon.
In the meantime, you can watch older episodes at her YouTube channel– http://www.youtube.com/lexitelevision.
*glares over at The Word Network* I dunno WHAT else y’all plan to put in place of her show, but I’m a benefit-of-the-doubt type of guy… let’s see what you’ve got.
What do you all think? Is this good? Bad? Gone too soon? Couldn’t have been soon enough?
Let’s hear it!
