Sisterly duo Mary Mary are starting off 2012 right with a new single, the title track,  from their forthcoming project “Go Get It“. They are also preparing for the premiere of their reality TV series on WE tv, which will begin airing March 29th at 10pm. Mary Mary are coming off of the heels of a successful 2011 with their “Something Big” project, ASCAP award, BET Awards, and the list goes on. Erica and Warryn Campbell welcomed a new child  into their family as well. We are all anticipating great things from the group this year and beyond. You can check out the single on Soundcloud.

Though she is a pop icon, she came from and stayed connected to the church. GOSPELflava joins with the rest of the world in mourning the loss of GRAMMY Award Winning Singer and Actress Whitney Houston.

The singer who sold over 170 million records worldwide, was found dead in her hotel room in Los Angeles, just a day before the 54th Annual Grammy Awards. The cause of death is still unknown, however when news of the singer’s death broke, millions around the world, including the Gospel community, took to social media to express the impact of her music on their career.

James Fortune: “We have lost an ICON! I am deeply saddened by the news of Whitney Houston’s passing! Praying for her family! This still doesn’t seem real! There will never be another Whitney Elizabeth Houston”

CeCe Winans: “Pray for Bobbi Kris, Cissy and the rest of my dear friends & family! I LOVED her SO much, but God loved her more. I pray she’s resting in His arms!”

Martha Munizzi: ”Losing Whitney Houston is tragic! I grew up listening to her music and she was such an inspiration to me. The last song she sang publicly was, “Yes Jesus Loves Me.” I’m so glad she knew that! I’m praying for her family that God’s peace would surround them. R.I.P Whitney, You Will be missed”

BeBe Winans: “Heartbroken over the loss of my sister and friend Whitney. Praying for her mother, daughter and the entire family. Love you  Whit.”

Isaac Carree: “Losing Whitney Houston has me extremely heavy!!! Lord give that family peace, in the name of Jesus”

Donnie McClurkin: “Just hearing a few hours ago of my sister passing away… I’m in Nigeria feeling sorrow… praying 4the Houston family! This is a hard 1 4me!”

Kirk Whalum:  “Whitney, you changed my life. You’re home. Finally whole. I’m glad.”

21:03: “This one hurts..real talk..Whitney we will always love you”.

Deitrick Haddon: “My heart is so broken for Whitney Houston! She was an amazing gift to the world, Praying For the Family ”

Damita Haddon: “Couldn’t sleep last night… My Heart is grieved, the pain is real. Praying for Bobbi Christina, loosing a mom is world changing, I lost mine 8 months ago, Loosing someone is never easy but when its your mom and you are close it tears your heart out! Please pray for Whitney’s daughter and family as well.”

Darlene McCoy: ” I feel like I’ve lost a family member. RIP Whitney Houston, this is horrible, I’m so sad”

Dorinda Clark Cole : “We are so saddened by the news of the death of Whitney Houston and are praying for her family”.

Israel Houghton: “My heart is devastated. The diva of my Generation…Whitney Houston…RIP.”

Karen Clark Sheard: “My sincere condolences and prayers go to Whitney Houston’s family, GOD bless and keep them. A true icon, legend, and phenomenal voice, Gone to soon.

We join in prayer for the family and friends and countless fans who have been impacted by her music and her presence.

GOSPELflava.com: We’ve seen your various musical styles and influences as an artist. What inspired you to do a worship album?

Myron Butler: God had spoken to me about doing this type of album a long time ago and I was initially hesitant, but being obedient to God was most important to me with the album.

GOSPELflava.com: What do you envision for the impact of this project at a time when many artists are producing projects heavy on the contemporary, urban, and pop sounds?

Myron Butler: I want the impact to be that people have more personal worship experiences. We can worship in different ways, that’s why you hear different styles on the project, but it’s all worship. Understanding that worship happens while doing every day things  is important. That’s what I want the impact to be.

GOSPELflava.com: How important is worship to our daily lives?

Myron Butler: Social media and other mediums can be a distraction and we can find ourselves neglecting time with God. We have to readjust our focus and truly place more energy on daily personal time spent with God.

GOSPELflava.com: Deonis Cook served as one of the producers on this album. You’ve also worked with him on past projects. How would you describe the experience of working with him on this project?

Myron Butler: Deonis is my little brother and he’s so talented and has worked on all of my projects.Deonis produced the remix of “Stronger” and “I Honor You As King” on this project and he has been such as asset to my projects. My band and team of musicians on this project include: me, Robert Seawright, Deonis, Paris Bowens, Troy Chambers, Maurice Fitzgerald, and Mark Lettieri. I have a great amount of respect  for their musicianship. They are all talented guys that are sensitive to the vision. They definitely executed my vision excellently.

GOSPELflava.com: “Bless The Lord” is proving to be the fan favorite of the album and is an anointed song. How did you all conceptualize the song?

Myron Butler: The song was written by Freddy Cleveland of  the group Brandon Camphor& One Way. I heard the song, loved the heart of it, and wanted to record it. I started out as a songwriter, so I want to support other songwriters.

GOSPELflava.com: What do you want readers of the article to take away from this project and your presence in the Gospel music world?

Myron Butler: I want the message of empowerment to stay with those reading. We have to always know who we are in God. Sometimes attention is misplaced and I want this project to get folks attention and provoke them to have a personal relationship with God. Good music is everywhere, but we have to remember the focus. Many are fed up with church and religion and we have to emphasize relationship with God at the forefront of it all. That is what you will hear and continue to get from Myron Butler & LEVI.

We had a great time talking with Myron Butler about the “Worship” album. You can check it out at your music media outlets.

Tyscot Records and VMan Entertainment Inc. ,VaShawn Mitchell’s new label, will launch a recording effort featuring noted writer and musician Anthony Brown and his ensemble of singers “GroupTherAPy”. Anthony Brown is known for his writing prowesss. He penned hits such as: “It Ain’t Over” and “Sovereign God” by Maurette Brown Clark. Anthony Brown&Group TherAPy are no strangers to the Gospel music scene being featured on shows like Bobby Jones Gospel, Gospel Superfest, and singing with some of Gospel music top acts. Anthony Brown has been integral in vocal production and has served as vocal director for Maurette Brown Clark. He has also done vocal arrangements for Myron Butler and Donald Lawrence, and serves as minister of music at his local assembly, Baptist Church of Glen Arden. Tyscot Records and VaShawn Mitchell are excited about their partnership and the ability to launch this new group together.  Look out for information regarding the release.

Go with me if you will back to the year 1997.  Super producer Michael Brooks finally decides to devote some time to producing a solo album for Lisa Page (lead singer for the contemporary all female group Witness).  The end result was More Than You’ll Ever Know.

While the album only reached number 32 on the Billboard charts, it was just what the doctor ordered for the die hard Lisa Page fans.  The album would be nominated for a Dove Award and win the Best New Artist Award at the 1998 Stellars.

Imagine my excitement when I found the song on the Hidden Treasures Best of Lisa Page Brooks CD compilation from Habakkuk Music.  I was floored.  Its been on repeat since yesterday.   In addition, the entire More Than You’ll Ever Know CD is available on itunes

VaShawn Mitchell has kicked off 2012 on a Very High Note. The Grammy Nominee was the biggest winner at the 2012 Stellar Awards bringing home 6 awards in major categories. His ground breaking release “Triumphant” is still a favorite and has held steady on the Billboard Charts. 

VaShawn won in major categories such as “Artist Of The Year”, “Male Vocalist Of The Year”, and “Praise and Worship CD of the Year”.   With a new CD on the way in Summer 2012 entitled, “Evolution”, VaShawn also premiered in “Sugar Mommas” alongside Terri J.Vaughn, Lamaan Rucker, and Vanessa Williams which aired on the Gospel Music Channel and will continue to air on the network.

The 2012 Stellar Awards will air nationally on GMC Saturday February 11th but is currently being aired in local markets across the country. Log onto www.thestellarawards.com to check your local listings.

For a complete list of Stellar Award Winners Click Here: http://gospelflava.com/stellar/stellarresults-2012.html

James Fortune and FIYA celebrates their first #1 Debut. “Identity” debut at #1 on Top Gospel and Christian Charts, Number 1 on Independent Albums Charts and #7 on Billboard Top 200 Charts. This is a well deserved honor as James and his team worked very hard on production and promotion of this new album. Identity features artist such as GRAMMY Award Winning Monica, Fred Hammond, GRAMMY Nominee and  Sunday Best Winner Le’Andria Johnson, Nikki Ross, and more.

Identity is Fortune’s 3rd Album and is an 18 track album of encouragement and inspiration. Be Sure to catch James Fortune and FIYA performing “Never Again” on the Stellar Awards set to air on GMC February 11th, check your local listings for times.

GOSPElflava congratulates Warryn and Erica Campbell (of Mary Mary) on the birth of their daughter Zaya Monique Campbell. The couple welcomed their third child on Tuesday January 24, 2011 weighing  6lbs and 12 oz. Both the mother and baby are resting comfortably.

Stay tuned to your TV’s as Mary Mary’s self titled reality show debuts on WETV on March 29th at 10PM EST and will continue each week at 9pm with 10 hour long episodes. The duo had a very successful 2011 with multiple award nominations and wins along with performances on major network specials. 

www.youtube.com/watch?v=4BnyBh62b-o

Today, we direct our attention to Awesome God, a track from Maurette Brown Clark’s latest project, The Sound of VictoryIt took a while for me to get past The Sound of Victory (and the harder it gets), but when you get around to Awesome God, you have to linger in the moment.  I have said from the get go that Mo Mo posesses a certain something that allows a direct connection.  Now granted I am partial, as I had a chance to experience Mo Mo first hand and up close in worship during days spent at Greater Mount Calvary Holy Church in Washington, DC.  Maurette was then as she is now.  If you can find it, check out her on Practice What You Preach from Victor Johnson and Free and He Knows from Wilmington Chester Mass Choir.

Kim Burrell commented recently that if we are buying your cd’s we need to see you lifting your hands and engaged in worship every now and again.  We can rest assured that with Maurette, what you see and hear is what it is all the time.  But don’t  just take my word for it, listen for yourself (and feel free to hit the repeat button several times).

www.youtube.com/watch?v=sCeP6bzx7xU

If you haven’t done so already, you have got to hear Shifting the Atmosphere by Jason Nelson.  The single was released back in November and because releases in gospel music are plenteous and radio stations programming gospel music are being depleted with each passing week, it is very easy for you to have missed this.

Jason comes from a musical family (his brother is Jonathan Nelson (of My Name is Victory and Expect the Great fame and most recently signed with Karen Clark Sheard’s Karew Records), however, to the author’s knowledge, the Baltimore Nelsons are no relation to the Houston Nelsons (i.e. Dr. Bettye Ransom, Pastor Brian or Singer Supreme Alvanita).  Jason also serves as Pastor of the Greater Bethlehem Temple Church in a suburb of Baltimore.  Pastor/Psalmist Jason has a unique anointing and a true worshipper’s heart.  His sincerity shines brightly.  This is an admonition, DON’T MISS THIS!!!!