Archive for April, 2013
Wednesday, April 17th, 2013
If you have 
ever witnessed a Billy Graham Evangelistic Crusade, then you would be familiar with George Beverly Shea. He was the official soloist of the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association for more than 60 years , rendering music before Dr. Graham brought the message. Shea passed away on yesterday after a brief illness. He was 104.
A Grammy winner in 1965 and Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award recipient in 2011, Shea recorded over 70 albums and is most noted for his composition, I’d Rather Have Jesus which has been recorded numerous times by the likes of Danniebelle Hall and Larnelle Harris.
Tags: Billy Graham, Danniebelle Hall, George Beverly Shea, Id Rather Have Jesus, Larnelle Harris
Posted in Artist News and Updates, Life Status (Births & Obituaries) | No Comments »
Friday, April 12th, 2013
Malaco Music Group announced today the election of Thomas J. Couch, Jr. (pictured first on the left) as President and CEO. Couch Jr. succeeds his father, Tommy Couch, Sr. who co founded Malaco Records in the late 60s. Malaco made huge strides into gospel by signing the Jackson Southernaires in 1975 followed by the acquisition of Savoy Records in the 80s and Atlanta International Records in 2005. Today, the Malaco roster includes Luther Barnes, Maurette Brown Clark, Mississippi Mass Choir, Georgia Mass Choir and Jekalyn Carr.
Couch, Sr. had this to say on his son’s election: “Tommy was instrumental and took the lead in several of our acquisitions throughout the years with the most important being the purchase of 50% interest in Select-O-Hits, the premier independent record distributor located in Memphis, TN. In this ever- changing and challenging Music Business, Tommy has the leadership, experience and vision to carry Malaco forward.”
Tags: AIR Gospel, Jr, Malaco Music Group, Mississippi Mass Choir, President, Savoy Records, Tommy Couch
Posted in Life Status (Births & Obituaries) | No Comments »
Tuesday, April 9th, 2013
The series premiere of The Sheards on BET drew 1.2 million viewers, making the show the top ranked Sunday c
able reality series this year (according to the Nielsen Company) . Meanwhile, the 2013 installment of the Celebration of Gospel was seen by 1.8 million viewers. Celebration of Gospel, hosted by Steve Harvey holds the distinction of being the #1 gospel telecast on TV for 13 consecutive years running.
The Sheards moves into its regular time slot of 8pm ET on Sunday, April 14th and you can view the rebroadcast of Celebration of Gospel on the following dates:
Thursday, April 11 at 10:00 p.m. ET
Saturday, April 13 at 8:00 p.m. ET
Wednesday, April 17 at 9:00 p.m. ET
Tags: BET, Celebration of Gospel, J Drew Sheard, Karen Clark-Sheard, kierra sheard, Steve Harvey, The Sheards
Posted in Artist News and Updates, Television | No Comments »
Monday, April 8th, 2013
Earnest Pugh has teamed up with J. Moss and the PAJAM team to create I Believe You Most. The song debuting at radio this week is the lead single for Pugh’s upcoming Live In Nassau album .
Pugh will record a live version of the song as part of his May 3rd session on his newly formed P Man Music Group label produced by Grammy winner Cedric Thompson. In addition to cameos by various gospel artists, Pugh has planned an O’landa Draper tribute medley honoring the founder of the Memphis based group The Associates and Pugh’s mentor.
Hear I Believe You Most here
Tags: Cedric Thompson, Earnest Pugh, J Moss, Memphis, Olanda Draper, P Man Music Group, PAJAM
Posted in Uncategorized | No Comments »
Thursday, April 4th, 2013
Master Worship Leader and multiple Grammy winner Israel Houghton adds movie producer to his credits. He dons his Executive Producer cap and with business partner Galley Molina launches I’m In Love With A Church Girl, the first movie from their RGM Films production company. The movie, a story of love and redemption
stars Ja Rule, Adrienne Bailon and Stephen Baldwin. Houghton serves as one of the music composers along with Bruce Fowler. The film is slated for a theatrical release on October 4th.
In the meantime, be sure to catch Israel with Jason Nelson and Jonathan Butler performing Its Not Over (When God Is In It) from his Jesus At The Center CD on BET’s Celebration of Gospel this Sunday.
Tags: BET, Celebration of Gospel, Im In Love With A Church Girl, Israel Houghton, Its Not Over, Jesus At the Center, Jonathan Butler, Pastor Jason Nelson, RGM Films
Posted in Artist News and Updates, Television | No Comments »
Thursday, April 4th, 2013
BET announced its slate of programs for the new season on Tuesday, April 2nd. Making a return is Bobby Jones Gospel, the longest continually running original series on cable television and the network’s flagship gospel program, the gospel competition Sunday Best hosted by Kirk Franklin and the ever popular Celebration of Gospel hosted by Steve Harvey.
Adding to the network’s line up is the much anticipated debut of The Sheards, a reality show following the lives of siblings Kierra and J Drew Sheard and their parents Bishop J Drew Sheard and Karen Clark Sheard. BET is also excited about the premiere of TD Jakes Presents: Mind Body and Soul, a talk show fronted by noted spiritual leader and motivator Bishop T D Jakes covering a wide range of topics including health and wellness, finance and relationships. The show will air on Sundays beginning in the fall of 2013 
.
Tags: BET, Bobby Jones Gospel, Celebration of Gospel, Karen Clark-Sheard, kierra sheard, Kirk Franklin, Sunday Best, TD Jakes, The Sheards
Posted in Uncategorized | No Comments »
Thursday, April 4th, 2013
It is highly likely that 
in his sleep, Michael Bethany is singing “I keep so busy working for my Jesus” these days. In the first part of 2013, we have witnessed him making waves at the Stellars, co writing Here In Our Praise, the lead single from the chart topping Fred Hammond and United Tenors project and leading worship on TBN. Adding to his “carry the gospel everywhere” list, Bethany travels to London England for the Mighty Men of Valor Men of Worship Concert during the latter part of April.
Tags: Fred Hammond, Here In Our Praise, Michael Bethany, United Tenors
Posted in Artist News and Updates | No Comments »
ever witnessed a Billy Graham Evangelistic Crusade, then you would be familiar with George Beverly Shea. He was the official soloist of the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association for more than 60 years , rendering music before Dr. Graham brought the message. Shea passed away on yesterday after a brief illness. He was 104.
