Youthful Praise Kicks Off Summer Tour

Nashville, TN– Stellar Award nominated contemporary choir Youthful Praise and their energetic worship leader, James JJ Hairston begins their tour following a sensational live recording that rocked the house in their hometown of Bridgeport, CT. The album, “Resting On His Promise”, kicks off their tour and has sparked a wave of excitement within the gospel community.

Known for combining the “phat” vocals of the East Coast sound with complex lyrics and captive melodies, Youthful Praise’s trademark sound has continued to earn them industry recognition. With a rich, well balanced sound and an urban “edgy-ness”, YP has delivered yet another album worthy of awards and chart success.

“After nine years & five CD’s, I believe that this is one of the best efforts yet as it relates to YP. JJ has evolved into an authentic artist as well as Worship leader,” shares James Robinson, co-founder of Evidence Records a subsidiary of Gospelflava.com. Robinson goes on to say “He (JJ) understands what God has truly appointed him for. Along with Youthful Praise, JJ has experienced great growth and maturity. Not just in age, but in spirituality as well. The project “Resting On His Promise” is a great representation of what God does in his own timing.”

Special invited gospel mavericks joined YP as they created a worship experience like never before. Special guests included; Dorinda Clark-Cole, Stephen Hurd, Deon Kipping, and Donnie McClurkin, Myron Butler, and Pastor Shirley Caesar.

Still riding the spiritual “high”, from the live recording of their fifth album, YP will be delivering the same energy during their summer tour.

Whether live in concert or on their new project, “Resting On His Promise,” YP fans will discover that the Youthful Praise they have come to love is now better than ever!

To receive updates on YP’s tour schedule please visit www.youthfulpraise.org or www.myspace.com/youthfulpraise.

Evidence Records is in an exclusive partnership with Nashville based Light Records. Light Records, a full service Independent music company, is committed to releasing and offering quality Gospel music. Light Records is home to a diverse group of Gospel artists including Shirley Caesar, Bishop Paul S. Morton, Youthful Praise, Coko, and Paul Porter. You can also visit www.lightrecords.com for more information.

Smokie Norful- Live

Since dominating adult contemporary and R&B radio with his bonafide crossover ballad hit “I Need You Now,”, Smokie Norful survived one-hit wonder status and even impressed the Academy by taking home a Grammy win for his 2004 album Nothing Without You in the Best Contemporary Soul Gospel category. Yet it is relevant to add that the coolness of Norful’s career and his relevance on the charts has simmered down some since his goldmine hit. On Live, Norful rediscovers the most popular trend in gospel music by using the live audience to once again build up his army of supporters. Taped at Memphis’ Canon Center, Norful isn’t a total stranger to the live atmosphere. In an effort to meet the surging demand of Norful’s quickly-growing fan base, he recorded the ten-track EP, Limited Edition, months after I Need You Now. Being a full-time pastor of Victory Cathedral Worship Center in Romeoville, IL also benefits him with interacting with his audiences. But the singer/songwriter isn’t as seasoned as a Donnie McClurkin or John P. Kee in a live audience. He stumbles over words and his thoughts during his introduction of “Justified” and he appears to be in rare form only when the music is going. Even his introduction of Heather Headley on the project lacks the oratorical emphasis it deserves.

Read entire review by J. Matt at PrayzeHymnOnline: http://prayzehymnonline.com

Holy Boy- Out Of Time

At first glance, one might think Holy Boy was just a gospel experiment that surely had R&B superstar Usher in mind. He sure has the looks, the charming smile and the baby-face. But while gospel has always been one step behind the latest craze in pop culture, it’s still never too late to try something refreshing using kiddie-bop sensations and a smidgen of personality. The Mobile, Ala native, born Herbert Woods, is the latest in the gospel-meets-urban saga stepping into the familiar avenues of R&B heartthrobs Usher and Chris Brown hoping to make urban gospel sound more sensational than being an underground movement. And with a name that sounds as if it had leaped out of the pages of Marvel Comics, Holy Boy is sure to rally up a rousing set of kids interested in his urban-pop infused gospel message on his Fontana/Universal debut Out Of Time.

Read entire review by J. Matt at PrayzeHymnOnline: http://prayzehymnonline.com

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