Tis Ain’t So Sweet- Bishop Larry Trotter- At PrayzeHymnOnline.com

Remebering The Spirit And Strength Of Wayman Tisdale- At 1800gospel.com

Kingdom Records Signs The Whispers- At GospelCity.com

Donnie McClurkin Is On Television- At EURWEB.com

The BlackGospel Blog Pick Of The Week- At BlackGospel.blogspot.com

After auditioning thousands of hopefuls from around the country and narrowing down the top 20, BET’s gospel reality competition, SUNDAY BEST is close to naming this year’s winner. Finalists and single mothers Y’anna Crawley, 32, from the Washington, DC area and Jessica Reedy, 20, from Saginaw, Michigan will compete for a national recording contract, a 2009 Lincoln MKS, and the title of SUNDAY BEST during the Mother’s Day finale on Sunday, May 10 at 9:00 p.m.* The 10-week singing competition with multi-GRAMMY Award winners Kirk Franklin as host along with siblings Erica and Tina Campbell of Mary Mary and BeBe Winans as judges will allow viewers to vote for their favorite contestant and ultimately decide who will be SUNDAY BEST. Additionally, brother and sister gospel duo BeBe and CeCe Winans will reunite on the SUNDAY BEST stage for a special performance during the finale episode. Voting ends on Saturday, May 9 at 12:00 p.m. PT.

For more on SUNDAY BEST and how to vote for the winner, please visit www.BET.com/sundaybest.

*All times ET/PT

Photo credit: Darnel Williams/BET Networks

“We believe that, if produced, marketed and delivered properly, ’106 & Gospel’ can be an incredibly viable program,” say signers of the petition created three weeks ago. “We respectfully ask that BET reconsider the discontinuation of ’106 & Gospel’ on the network.”

Late last week BET released a statement confirming the cancellation of “106 & Gospel,” the spin-off of BET’s hit music countdown show “106 & Park.” The new show, hosted by Angel Taylor of Trin-I-Tee 5:7 and Jorel Quinn from 21:03, featured music videos, celebrity guests, interactive choir battles, and more.

“Because of our commitment to faith-based programming, we will continue to create new and exciting shows to entertain our audience. However, at times we must also face the hard task of making tough programming decisions, as in the case of ’106 & Gospel,’ which was recently cancelled,” the April 9 statement read. “We will actively continue to create quality programming that resonates with our faith-based community, and we ask for and appreciate your continued support.”

According to the signers of the petition, however, the lower-than-anticipated ratings of “106 & Gospel” that likely led to its cancellation were not the result of the program itself, but more likely due to the “several missteps in the execution of the concept for the program” made by the network.

One suggested misstep included airing the show weekly on Sundays at noon – a time when many would-be viewers attend church.

“While we are unaware of every circumstance surrounding BET’s business decision, discontinuing the program seems to be an extreme and unfortunate response to problems that may have feasible solutions,” petitioners concluded.

“106 & Gospel” made its debut this year on Jan. 11 and has featured guests including award-winning artists Marvin Sapp and Kierra Sheard, among others. It was one of several gospel music shows that BET had produced over the past three decades, including Bobby Jones Gospel, Lift Every Voice, Video Gospel, Celebration of Gospel, and Sunday Best.

According to Nielsen Media Research, BET – a division of Viacom Inc. – reaches more than 87 million households.

Source: Christian Post

Niyoki, whose critically acclaimed album “Rest” has been in the marketplace since last fall, also appears this Sunday, March 22, 2009 on 106 & Park’s Generation Gospel, which airs at 12pm EST.

Niyoki co-owns D2G Records with her husband, Clarence Nero and is the mother of a 15-month old son, Kedron. A former backup singer for Prince, she has toured the US extensively, both with Prince and a solo artist.

Niyoki, who represents the new voice in Gospel, recently released a new single, “Never Gave Up,” which has already had an explosive impact at radio.

For more information, contact Cynthia Horner at 732 202-8246, cynthiamhorner@yahoo.com or Ken Harris at 646 894-0608

Back by popular demand, Sunday Best returns for its second season this Sunday at 9:00 p.m. Host Kirk Franklin and judges Erica and Tina Campbell of Mary Mary and BeBe Winans are all back together to find America’s next great Gospel singer.

Making stops in Atlanta, Chicago, and our nation’s capital, Washington, D.C., Sunday Best kicks off the season premiere with a special episode dedicated to the inspiring, hilarious and even sometimes challenging audition process.

“The level of talent for the second season is going to show the world what we’ve been saying since the beginning of the series only on Sunday Best will you find true, honest talent that hasn’t been compromised,” said returning host Franklin.

Season two of Sunday Best will tape in its new home of Atlanta at Turner Studios. Each week during the hour-long competition, viewers will be treated to musical performances from the remaining Sunday Best hopefuls along with candid feedback from the all-star team of judges and surprise visits from an array of celebrity guests.

“We’re so excited about this season! The level of talent we saw was so amazing; which made it really hard to say no to some folks,” said Erica and Tina Campbell of Mary Mary. “The viewing audience will be blessed, entertained and uplifted for sure!”

Sunday Best is executive produced by D’Angela Proctor Steed and Nia T. Hill of Strange Fruit Films, Kirk Franklin, Mary Mary, BeBe Winans as well as Brian Gadinsky and Arnold M. Preston of The G Group, and co-executive produced by Marilyn Gill.

The winner of Sunday Best will receive a 2009 Lincoln MKS as part of the grand prize package.

For more on Sunday Best, please visit www.BET.com/sundaybest.

SOURCE: EURWEB.com

Mary Mary, LL Cool J, Louis Gossett Jr., Kirk Franklin, Donnie McClurkin, Vickie Winans and More Take the Stage with Funnyman and Host Steve Harvey

/PRNewswire/ — Taking the spirit to new heights, BET’s CELEBRATION OF GOSPEL is a soulful two-hour celebration with moving performances of worship by both gospel and mainstream greats. In his ninth year, veteran comedian, actor and popular syndicated radio personality Steve Harvey again hosts the popular religious telecast, which premieres Sunday, January 25 at 8:00 p.m.* on BET.

Led by the world-renowned musical director Ray Chew and his 24-piece orchestra, gospel supernovas Mary Mary and hip-hop legend LL Cool J passionately performed their new hit collaboration “We Gonna Make It” to a packed house at downtown Los Angeles’ Orpheum Theatre. Kirk Franklin, Isaac Carree, Lowell Pye and Rance Allen also blessed the crowd with a soul-moving performance of “Lil Boy”, followed by Smokie Norful and Heather Headley’s rendition of “Jesus is Love.” Oscar winner Louis Gossett Jr. and actor Terry Crews performed beautiful spoken word segments, while Trin-i-tee 5:7 and 21:03 hit the stage and gave young gospel listeners something to stand up and dance to with “I’ll Take You There.”

Marvin Sapp, Pastor Shirley Caesar and Pastor Dorothy Glass, Dr. Bobby Jones with the Nashville Super Choir, Karen Clark-Sheard, Donnie McClurkin, Vickie Winans, Hezekiah Walker & LFC, Kurt Carr & The Kurt Carr Singers, as well as Christian artists Muyiwa & Riversongz direct from the United Kingdom, round out the mega-list of awe-inspiring performances at BET’s CELEBRATION OF GOSPEL ’09.

CELEBRATION OF GOSPEL is produced by BET: Stephen Hill (President of Programming), Lynne Harris Taylor (Vice President of Specials) and Marilyn Gill.

*All times ET/PT

About BET Networks

BET Networks, a division of Viacom Inc. (NYSE:VIA) (NYSE:VIA.B) , is the nation’s leading provider of quality entertainment, music, news and public affairs television programming for the African-American audience. The primary BET channel reaches more than 98 million households and can be seen in the United States, Canada, the Caribbean, the United Kingdom and sub-Saharan Africa. BET is the dominant African-American consumer brand with a diverse group of businesses extensions: BET.com, a leading Internet destination for Black entertainment, music, culture, and news; BET Digital Networks – BET J, BET Gospel and BET Hip Hop, attractive alternatives for cutting-edge entertainment tastes; BET Home Entertainment, a collection of BET-branded offerings for the home environment including DVDs and video-on-demand; BET Mobile, which provides ringtones, games and video content for wireless devices; and BET International, which operates BET in the United Kingdom and oversees the extension of BET network programming for global distribution.

Source: BET Networks

The show also features LL Cool J discussing his relationship with Christ and how it has helped him overcome his struggles. He also speaks on how he relates with the Christian community.

Hosted by nationally syndicated radio host “CoCo Brother”, the man who is known for campaigning JESUS!

Cory “CoCo Brother” Condrey Lift Every Voice Sundays 10am EST/9am CST on BET.

Each year this exciting show brings new awe-inspiring performances and spoken word segments by both mainstream and gospel greats and this year will be no different. Taking to the stage will be hip-hop icon LL Cool J, Oscar winner, Lou Gossett Jr., along with gospel supernovas, Mary Mary, Kirk Franklin, Dr. Bobby Jones & 21:03, Donnie McClurkin, Vickie Winans, Smokie Norful & Heather Headley, Trin-i-tee 5:7, Hezekiah Walker & LFC, Pastor Shirley Caesar, Kurt Carr & The Kurt Carr Singers, and direct from the United Kingdom, Contemporary Christian artist Muyiwa & Riversongz. These are just a few of the artists who will “Raise the Praise” on Wednesday, December 10 at 6 p.m.* at Los Angeles’ historic Orpheum Theater.

Last year’s show boasted performances by R&B and soul singer-songwriter Patti Labelle, R&B chart topper John Legend, gospel songstress Yolanda Adams, gospel music singer and author Kirk Franklin and spoken word selections by Rev. Jesse Jackson, actor Henry Simmons among other offerings.

CELEBRATION OF GOSPEL is produced by Stephen Hill, President of Music Programming & Specials, BET, Lynne Harris Taylor, Vice President of Specials, BET and Marilyn Gill.

About BET Networks
BET Networks, a division of Viacom Inc. (NYSE: VIA, VIA.B), is the nation’s leading provider of quality entertainment, music, news and public affairs television programming for the African-American audience. The primary BET channel reaches more than 87 million households according to Nielsen Media Research, and can be seen in the U.S., Canada and the Caribbean. BET is the dominant African-American consumer brand with a diverse group of business extensions: BET.com, a leading internet destination for Black entertainment, music, culture, and news; BET Digital Networks – BET J, BET Gospel and BET Hip Hop, attractive alternatives for cutting-edge entertainment tastes; BET Event Productions, a full-scale event management and production company; BET Home Entertainment, a collection of BET-branded offerings for the home environment including DVDs and video-on-demand; BET Mobile, a service venture into the lucrative world of ringtones, games and video content for wireless devices; and BET International, an extension of BET network programming for global distribution.

Jor’el Quinn, of the Gospel group 21:03, has been named as a co-host for the inaugural season.

Quinn, the lead singer of the popular group 21:03, will host the all new 90-minute weekly music event that in addition to incredible performances, will feature a top 20 countdown of contemporary gospel videos, news segments, church fashion and roof raising choir battles.

While a premiere date has not been set, BET is expected to launch the show early next year.