“As a true fan of their music for many years, this is one of the most exciting signings that I have made in recent years,” said Tommy Couch, President of Malaco Music Group. “I am very honored to bring these two stellar and respected artists to the Malaco Music Group family, and see nothing but a bright and prosperous future ahead. This new partnership represents for us the first of many steps toward building the Malaco Music Group into a major independent leader in the urban music world.”

Lionel Ridenour, Head of Malaco’s Urban Music Department, added: “We are more than excited about our partnership with BeBe and CeCe Winans, we are overjoyed. BeBe and CeCe Winans are international music superstars. They are pioneers of both traditional and contemporary gospel, as well as multi-platinum award-winning R&B music stars. We are very proud that BeBe and CeCe have chosen Malaco Music Group as the home for their new venture B & C Records.”

BeBe and CeCe’s 20 year career in music includes multiple platinum and gold albums in both the Gospel and R&B music genres, 5 Grammys, 8 Doves, more than 12 Stellar Awards, 2 NAACP Awards, 12+ charting R&B singles, and countless #1 Christian and Gospel radio singles.

Their debut self-titled album, released in 1987, nabbed both Grammy and Stellar noms and a Dove Award, only the second Dove Award to be awarded to an African American Group in the category “Group of the Year.” The single “For Always” from the album earned BeBe and CeCe their first Grammy. Their second album, Heaven, was the first Gospel album to reach #1 on the Billboard sales chart and gave us two hit singles, “Lost Without You,” and “Celebrate Life.”

“With the rich heritage of so many great gospel legends, such as the Reverend James Cleveland, The Caravans, The Major Mass Choirs from Savoy and Malaco, we are elated to continue the tradition with superstar artists BeBe and CeCe Winans,” added D. A. Johnson, Malaco Music Group’s Director of Gospel Music.

This long-awaited reunion album is a culmination of gained experiences over the last few years and promises to please the die-hard BeBe and CeCe fans and garner new ones as well.

For more information on Malaco Music Group, contact, Burton Doss, (601) 982-4255, bdoss@malaco.com

Winans will join Cowboy Jack Clement, Mike Curb, Marty Stuart and Josh Turner for the unveiling of commemorative sidewalk markers Sunday afternoon in the Hall of Fame Park in downtown Nashville.

Also recognised will be Dr Richard H Boyd, whose publishing company has influenced Christian music decades after his death in 1922.

“It’s a privilege to honour the great accomplishments of this impressive class of inductees,” said Butch Spyridon, president of the Nashville Convention and Visitors Bureau (NCVB). “Each honouree represents the immense talent, creativity and diverse musical styles that have made Nashville Music City.”

Created in 2006 and located on Nashville’s Music Mile, the Music City Walk of Fame is an official project of Music City Inc, the charitable foundation of the NCVB. Inductees are nominated by the public in one of four categories – Artist, Musician, Songwriter, and Producer/Music Industry Executive – and selected by an anonymous committee.

With the induction of this new class of honourees, there will be 37 stars in total along the Walk of Fame.

“The Music City Walk of Fame continues to celebrate Nashville as one of the most exciting cities in America with exceptional musical talent on every corner,” said Henry Juszkiewicz, chairman and CEO of Gibson Guitar, founding sponsor and presenter of the Walk of Fame. “It continues to be an honour to be involved with the Walk of Fame program and the many artists it represents.”

For CeCe Winans, the honour will be bitter sweet as it comes shortly after the death of her father, David “Pop” Winans.

“Pop”, the patriarch of the Winans family music dynasty, earlier at the Alive Hospice in Nashville at the age of 74.

This Sunday’s Music City Walk of Fame induction ceremony will be held one day before his 75th birthday on Monday.

Source: Christian Today

The Associated Press reports that a “statement from a Los Angeles public relations company representing the family said he died at a Nashville hospice, where he had been since January after suffering a heart attack and stroke last October.”

Winans and his wife Dolores performed as Mom and Pop Winans, and were nominated for a Grammy in 1989 for their CD Mom & Pop Winans. The AP reports that the two had appeared regularly at Benny Hinn crusades and on The Trinity Broadcasting Network’s “Praise the Lord” program. Pop Winans was nominated for a Grammy in 1999 for his solo CD Uncensored.

Memorial services are planned for next Tuesday and Wednesday at Perfecting Church in Detroit where Marvin is the senior pastor.

SOURCE: GospelSoundCheck

GospoCentric Records recording artist, and fellow Detroit-native, J. Moss joins Winans on the tour. Winans and Moss are new to the Inspiration Celebration Gospel Tour this year. Previous artists include Smokie Norful, Vanessa Bell Armstrong, Kierra Sheard and Myron Butler and Levi.

McDonald’s continues to serve up top Gospel talent bringing a powerful message of inspiration and celebration when it hosts free concerts in select U.S. cities for the third year in a row.

May 8 – Dallas, TX (Friendship West Baptist Church)
May 9 – Houston, TX (Windsor Village United Methodist Church Family @ the KBC)
May 14 – Philadelphia, PA (Deliverance Evangelistic Church)
May 15 – Detroit, MI (Greater Grace Temple)
May 16 – Chicago, IL (Christ Universal Temple)
May 23 – Atlanta, GA (Ray of Hope Christian Church)
May 24 – Norfolk, VA (SE Virginia Arts Association Festival-Norfolk State Univ. Stadium)
June 13 – Newark, NJ (McDonald’s Gospel Festival-Prudential Center)
Sep. 13 – Washington, DC (National Black Family Reunion Celebration Festival – Washington Mall)

For more information on the concert tour, visit McDonald’s web site, www.365Black.com. Note that dates and locations are subject to change.

SOURCE: EURweb.com

Best Traditional Gospel Album: The Blind Boys of Alabama, Down in New Orleans.

Best Southern, Country or Bluegrass Gospel Album: Gaither Vocal Band, Lovin’ Life.

Best Pop/Contemporary Gospel Album: CeCe Winans, Thy Kingdom Come.

Best Rock or Rap Gospel Album: TobyMac, Alive and Transported.

Best Gospel Song: Kirk Franklin, “Help Me Believe”.

Best Gospel Performance: Mary Mary, “Get Up”.

Nashville, Tenn. –The 24Th Annual Stellar Gospel Music Awards were handed out tonight at the legendary Grand Ole Opry House in Nashville, Tenn. Leading the list of winners is chart-topping traditional gospel singer Marvin Sapp with seven awards including “Artist of the Year,” Song of the Year,” Male Vocalist of the Year,” and “CD of the Year.” Gospel’s newest star, Jonathan Nelson nabbed three Stellar statues including “Contemporary CD of the Year,” “Group/Duo of the Year” and “Contemporary Group/Duo of the Year” for the CD “Right Now Praise,” from Jonathan Nelson featuring Purpose. The ladies shined bright this evening with Jessica Green taking home the “New Artist of the Year” award and The Clark Sisters winning in the “Special Event of the Year” category.

Don Jackson, Chairman and CEO of Central City Productions, brought the prestigious award show back to Nashville, Tenn. for the 4th consecutive year, bringing excitement, anticipation and gospel music’s brightest stars to Music City. Super stars of music, film and television came out in support of the show’s 24th year, including “The View’s” Sherri Shepherd, actors Sheryl Lee Ralph and Clifton Davis, R&B Singer Mario of “Dancing with The Stars.” Stellar performances came from the always energetic Tye Tribbett, this year’s “Urban/Inspirational Single or Performance CD of the Year” winner Kirk Franklin and last year’s Rap Hip Hop Gospel CD of the Year” winner, Da’ T.R.U.T.H.

24th Annual Stellar Gospel Music Award Winners:

ARTIST OF THE YEAR
- Marvin Sapp, Thirsty, Verity/Zomba Label Group

SONG OF THE YEAR
- Marvin Sapp and Matthew Brownie, “Never Would Have Made It” – Thirsty, Zomba Label Group

MALE VOCALIST OF THE YEAR
- Marvin Sapp, Thirsty, Verity/Zomba Label Group

FEMALE VOCALIST OF THE YEAR
- Dorinda Clark-Cole, Take it Back, Zomba Label Group

GROUP/DUO OF THE YEAR
- Jonathan Nelson featuring Purpose, Right Now Praise, Integrity Music

NEW ARTIST OF THE YEAR
- Jessica Greene, 4 the World, Habakkuk Music

CD OF THE YEAR
- Marvin Sapp, Thirsty, Verity/Zomba Label Group

CHOIR OF THE YEAR
- Ricky Dillard & New G, The 7th Episode: Live in Toronto, NuSpring Records/EMI Gospel

PRODUCER OF THE YEAR
- Aaron Lindsey, Thirsty, Zomba Label Group

CONTEMPORARY GROUP/DUO OF THE YEAR
-Jonathan Nelson featuring Purpose, Right Now Praise, Integrity Music

TRADITIONAL GROUP/DUO OF THE YEAR
- The Canton Spirituals, Driven, Verity/Zomba Label Group

CONTEMPORARY MALE OF THE YEAR
-Byron Cage, Live at the Apollo: The Proclamation, Gospocentric/Zomba Label Group

TRADITIONAL MALE OF THE YEAR
- Marvin Sapp, Thirsty, Verity/Zomba Label Group

CONTEMPORARY FEMALE OF THE YEAR
- CeCe Winans, Thy Kingdom Come, PureSprings Gospel

TRADITIONAL FEMALE OF THE YEAR
- Beverly Crawford, Live from Los Angeles, JDI Records

CONTEMPORARY CD OF THE YEAR
- Jonathan Nelson featuring Purpose, Right Now Praise, Integrity Music

TRADITIONAL CD OF THE YEAR
- Marvin Sapp, Thirsty, Verity/Zomba Label Group

URBAN/INSPIRATIONAL SINGLE OR PERFORMANCE OF THE YEAR
- Kirk Franklin, “Declaration: (This is it)” – The Fight of My Life, Fo Yo Soul/Gospocentric/Zomba Label Group

MUSIC VIDEO OF THE YEAR
- Marvin Sapp, “Never Would Have Made It”, Verity/Zomba Label Group

TRADTIONAL CHOIR OF THE YEAR
- Bishop Paul Morton & The Full Gospel Baptist Church Choir, Embracing the Next Dimension, Light Records/Tehillah

CONTEMPORARY CHOIR OF THE YEAR
- Ricky Dillard & New G., The 7th Episode: Live in Toronto, NuSpring Records/EMI Gospel

INSTRUMENTAL GOSPEL CD OF THE YEAR
- Angella Christie, The Breath of Life, ACSM Music

SPECIAL EVENT CD OF THE YEAR
- The Clark Sisters, The Best of the Clark Sisters Encore, Dexterity Sounds

RAP HIP HOP GOSPEL CD OF THE YEAR
- Da’ T.R.U.T.H., Open Book, Cross Movement Records

CHILDRENS PROJECT OF THE YEAR
- Kaira Miller, In God’s Time/It Ain’t Over, GFM Entertainment

QUARTET OF THE YEAR
- Lee Williams & The Spiritual QC’S, So Much to be Thankful for, MCG Records

RECORDED MUSIC PACKAGING OF THE YEAR
- Michelle Lukianovich, Art Direction & Design; Keith Major, Photography, Marvin Sapp – Thirsty, Verity/Zomba Label Group

PRAISE AND WORHSIP CD OF THE YEAR
- Shekinah Glory Ministry, Jesus, Kingdom Records

The invitation-only ceremony will take place at Rocketown (401 6th Avenue South) in Nashville, and will host gospel music’s premier songwriters, recording artists and music industry executives, as well as the genre’s legends.

Elbernita “Twinkie” Clark has enthralled listeners for decades, both through her acclaimed solo work and leadership of gospel’s royal family, The Clark Sisters. A skilled musician dubbed “Queen of the B3 Hammond Organ,” Clark also wields aerobatic vocals only matched by her sublime knack for composition. Clark boasts two Grammys, and in addition to penning staples for The Clark Sisters, she has composed songs for artists including Rev. James Cleveland, Al Green, Donald Lawrence and the Tri-City Singers, Esther Smith, James Moss, Dave Hollister, Xscape, and Mary J. Blige. Legendary BMI gospel songwriter Twinkie Clark was recently recognized alongside her sisters at the 2007 Stellar Awards, where the influential group received the award for Most Noted Achievement.

As a producer, BMI songwriter, choir director, and singer, Donald Lawrence’s influence on contemporary gospel music is unparalleled. His starkly original work with the multiple award-winning Tri-City Singers first revealed a rare and innovative artist capable of musical brilliance and authentic Christian praise, while his work as a producer emboldened projects by gospel icons including fellow honoree Twinkie Clark, Kirk Franklin, and Karen Clark Sheard. The recipient of numerous BMI Christian and Stellar Awards, Lawrence has also penned songs for The Clark Sisters, the Tri-City Singers, his own well-received solo projects, and more. His growing catalog includes 2007 BMI Christian Award-winning “Blessing of Abraham” and “Encourage Yourself,” both recorded by Lawrence with the Tri-City Singers.

CeCe Winans’ career has generated a trove of top-shelf industry accolades comprising numerous Grammy, Stellar, and Dove Awards. Her work with her brother in duo BeBe & CeCe Winans expanded the boundaries of gospel music and welcomed new listeners into its fold, while her solo projects reintroduced an artist comfortable with evolution and the spotlight. A BMI songwriter for more than 20 years, Winans has created a thick catalog of compositions including BMI Christian Award-winning song “Say a Prayer,” “Addictive Love,” “Well Alright,” “Pray,” and many more. Gold- and platinum-selling albums bejewel her résumé, and her latest effort Thy Will Be Done promises more acclaim.

Broadcast Music, Inc.® (BMI) is an American performing right organization that represents more than 375,000 songwriters, composers and music publishers in all genres of music and more than 6.5 million works. BMI’s latest financial results, $901 million for its 2008 fiscal year, are the highest performing right collections for any copyright organization in the world. BMI has represented the most popular and beloved music from around the world for over 65 years. The U.S. corporation collects license fees from businesses that use music, which it then distributes as royalties to the musical creators and copyright owners it represents.

The following is the complete list of nominees:

Artist of the Year
Beverly Crawford; Live From Los Angeles; JDI Records
Dorinda Clark-Cole; Take It Back; Zomba Label Group
Kirk Franklin; The Fight of My Life; Fo Yo Soul/Gospocentric/Zomba Label Group
Marvin Sapp; Thirsty; Verity/Zomba Label Group
Ricky Dillard & New G; The 7th Episode: Live in Toronto; Nuspring Records/EMI Gospel

Song of the Year (Songwriter; Song; Label)
Canton Jones ; “My Day”; Arrow Records
Jonathan Nelson and Justin Savage; “My Name Is Victory”; Integrity Music
Marvin Sapp / Matthew Brownie; “Never Would Have Made It “; Zomba Label Group
Myron Butler and John Webb; “Stronger”; EMI Gospel
Percy Gray; “God Is My Everything”; New Haven Records

Male Vocalist of the Year
Byron Cage; Live at the Apollo: The Proclamation; Gospocentric/Zomba Label Group
Isaiah D. Thomas; The Greatest; Habakkuk Music
Marvin Sapp; Thirsty; Verity/Zomba Label Group
Marvin Winans; Alone But Not Alone; PureSprings Gospel
The John Tillery Project; The Next Level; Danbla Records

Female Vocalist of the Year
Beverly Crawford; Live From Los Angeles; JDI Records
CeCe Winans;Thy Kingdom Come; PureSprings Gospel
Dorinda Clark-Cole; Take It Back; Zomba Label Group
Jessica Greene; 4 The World; Habakkuk Music
Shirley Caesar; After 40 Years… Still Sweeping Through the City; ShuBel Records/Light Records

Group Duo of the Year
Deitrick Haddon Presents Voices of Unity; Together in Worship; Tyscot Records
Israel & New Breed; Live: A Deeper Level; Integrity Music
Jonathan Nelson featuring Purpose; Right Now Praise; Integrity Music
The John Tillery Project; The Next Level; Danbla Records
Youthful Praise featuring JJ Hairston; Exalted …Live in Baltimore; Evidence Gospel / Light Records

New Artist of the Year
Jai Reed; Anointed for Purpose; TLR Records
Jessica Greene; 4 The World; Habakkuk Music
Melody; The Reason; N’Flyte Music Group
Terrell Hunt; Awesome; Rich Escape Music
The Murrills; Donald Lawrence Introduces The Murrills Family Prayer; Verity/Zomba Label Group

CD of the Year
Dorinda Clark-Cole; Take It Back; Zomba Label Group
Kirk Franklin; The Fight of My Life; Fo Yo Soul/Gospocentric/Zomba Label Group
Marvin Sapp; Thirsty; Verity/Zomba Label Group
Ricky Dillard & New G; The 7th Episode: Live in Toronto; Nuspring Records/EMI Gospel
Tye Tribbett & G.A.; Stand Out; Columbia Records/Axis

Choir of the Year
Chicago Mass Choir Just Having Church Live; New Haven Records
Isaiah D. Thomas; The Greatest; Habakkuk Music
Ricky Dillard & New G; The 7th Episode: Live in Toronto; Nuspring Records/EMI Gospel
Tye Tribbett & G.A.; Stand Out; Columbia Records/Axis
Shekinah Glory Ministry; Jesus; Kingdom Records

Producer of the Year
Aaron Lindsey; Thirsty; Zomba Label Group
Donald Lawrence; Donald Lawrence Introduces The Murrills Family Prayer; Verity/Zomba Label Group
Isaiah D. Thomas, Warren Jones, & Christopher Leach; The Greatest; Habakkuk Music
Jonathan Nelson, Justin Savage, & Kenneth Shelton; Right Now Praise; Integrity Music
Kirk Franklin & Harold Martin; The Fight of My Life; Fo Yo Soul/Gospocentric/Zomba Label Group

Contemporary Group/Duo of the Year
Deitrick Haddon Presents Voices of Unity; Together in Worship; Tyscot Records
Israel & New Breed; Live: A Deeper Level; Integrity Music
Jonathan Nelson featuring Purpose; Right Now Praise; Integrity Music
Myron Butler & Levi; Stronger; EMI Gospel
Vashawn Mitchell and Friends; Promises; Tyscot Records

Traditional Group/Duo of the Year
Bishop F.C. Barnes & Co.; The Barnes Family Reunion II; AIR Gospel
Doug & Melvin Williams; Duets II; Blackberry Records
Endurance; I’ve Got a Home;SCCME Records
Lee Williams & The Spiritual QC’s; So Much To Be Thankful For; MCG Records
The Canton Spirituals; Driven; Verity/Zomba Label Group

Contemporary Male of the Year
Byron Cage; Live at the Apollo: The Proclamation; Gospocentric/Zomba Label Group
Canton Jones; Kingdom Business; Arrow Records
Jonathan Nelson featuring Purpose; Right Now Praise; Integrity Music
Marvin Winans; Alone But Not Alone; PureSprings Gospel
The John Tillery Project; The Next Level; Danbla Records

Traditional Male of the Year
Bishop Paul S. Morton; Embracing the Next Dimension; Light Records/ Tehillah
Keith ‘Wonderboy’ Johnson; Keith ‘Wonderboy’ Johnson presents The Rising Stars of Quartet Vol. 1; Malaco Gospel
Lee Williams & The Spiritual QC’s; So Much To Be Thankful For; MCG Records
Luther Barnes; The Barnes Family Reunion II; AIR Gospel
Marvin Sapp; Thirsty; Verity/Zomba Label Group

Contemporary Female of the Year
CeCe Winans;Thy Kingdom Come; PureSprings Gospel
Doreen Vail; Odyssey; Vail House Productions
Joann Rosario; Joyous Salvation; Verity/Zomba Label Group
Regina Belle; Love Forever Shines; Pendulum Records
Tonya Hairston Ware; The Voice; Princess Production Company

Traditional Female of the Year
Angela Spivey; Angela Spivey and The Voices of Victory “Eyes on the Prize”; Tekoa Records
Beverly Crawford; Live From Los Angeles; JDI Records
Dorinda Clark-Cole; Take It Back; Zomba Label Group
Dorothy Norwood; No Request; Malaco Gospel
Nancey Jackson-Johnson; The Launch Out Project; Habakkuk Music

Contemporary CD of the Year
Canton Jones; Kingdom Business; Arrow Records
Jonathan Nelson featuring Purpose; Right Now Praise; Integrity Music
Marvin Winans; Alone But Not Alone; PureSprings Gospel
Deitrick Haddon Presents Voices of Unity; Together in Worship; Tyscot Records
Israel & New Breed; Live: A Deeper Level; Integrity Music

Traditional CD of the Year
Beverly Crawford; Live From Los Angeles; JDI Records
Bishop Paul S. Morton; Embracing the Next Dimension; Light Records/ Tehillah
Endurance; I’ve Got a Home;SCCME Records
Chicago Mass Choir Just Having Church Live; New Haven Records
Marvin Sapp; Thirsty; Verity/Zomba Label Group

Urban/ Inspirational Single / Performance of the Year (Artist; Song; Label)
Canton Jones; “My Day” Arrow Records
CeCe Winans; “Waging War” PureSprings Gospel
Deitrick Haddon featuring Ruben Studdard & Mary, Mary; “Love Him Like I Do ” Integrity Gospel/Gospocentric/Zomba Label Group
Jonathan Nelson featuring Purpose; “My Name Is Victory ” Integrity Music
Kirk Franklin; “Declaration: (This Is It)” Fo Yo Soul/Gospocentric/Zomba Label Group

Music Video of the Year (artist, song/CD title, label)
Darius Brooks & The Tommies Reunion Darius Brooks & The Tommies Reunion; Journey Music Group
Deitrick Haddon featuring Ruben Studdard & Mary, Mary: “Love Him Like I Do”; Gotta Have Gospel! 5; Integrity Gospel/Gospocentric/Zomba Label
Kirk Franklin: “Declaration”; The Fight of My Life; Fo Yo Soul/Gospocentric/Zomba Label Group
Marvin Sapp: “Never Would Have Made It”; Thirsty; Verity/Zomba Label Group
Myron Butler & Levi: “Stronger”; Stronger; EMI Gospel

Contemporary Choir of the Year
Brent Jones & The T.P. Mobb The Ultimate Weekend; Tyscot Records
James Fortune & FIYA; The Transformation; WorldWide Music
Jonathan Nelson featuring Purpose; Right Now Praise; Integrity Music
Youthful Praise featuring JJ Hairston; Exalted …Live in Baltimore; Evidence Gospel / Light Records
Ricky Dillard & New G; The 7th Episode: Live in Toronto; Nuspring Records/EMI Gospel

Traditional Choir of the Year
Bishop Charles E. Blake presents The West Angeles COGIC Mass Choir No Limit; EMI Gospel
Bishop Paul Morton & The Full Gospel Baptist Church Choir; Embracing the Next Dimension; Light Records/ Tehillah
Darius Brooks & The Tommies Reunion Darius Brooks & The Tommies Reunion; Journey Music Group
Chicago Mass Choir Just Having Church Live; New Haven Records
The New Life Community Choir featuring John P. KeeNothing But Worship; Zomba Label Group

Instrumental CD of the Year
Angélla Christie; The Breath of Life; ACSM Record Company
Barry D; Born To Play; TAQA Records/New Day
Courtney Nero; Make Me Walk; Courtney Nero Music
Esther Williams & Davey Yarborough; In the Spirit; DAV-EST
Jeff Majors; Sacred Major 7th; Music One

Special Event CD of the Year
Briana Scott; O What A Night; Waterbrooke Music
Dr. Bobby Jones; Bobby Jones Presents Ultimate Gospel; Time Life
The Clark Sisters; The Best of the Clark Sisters Encore; Dexterity Sounds
Vickie Winans; Happy Holidays from Vickie Winans; Destiny Joy Records
Yolanda Adams; What A Wonderful Time; Columbia

Rap/Hip Hop Gospel CD of the Year
Da’ T.R.U.T.H; Open Book; Cross Movement Records
FLAME; Our World Redeemed; Cross Movement Records
Frontlynaz; Game Over; Frontlynaz, Inc.
Sho Baraka; Turn My Life Up; Reach Records
Trip Lee; 20/20; Reach Records

Children’s Performance of the Year
Ashley Payne; Peace in Heaven; Champion-Payne Productions
Dijon; A Kid’s Point of View; Verity/Zomba Label Group
First Coast Children’s Choir/FISH Kids; Raise the Praise/”Raise The Praise” Fitness; Spirit of Life Records
Kaira Miller; In God’s Time/It Ain’t Over; GFM Entertainment
The Bradby Girls; So Grateful; Jewel Records

Quartet of the Year
The Blind Boys of Alabama; Down in New Orleans; Time Life
Lee Williams & The Spiritual QC’s; So Much To Be Thankful For; MCG Records
Luther Barnes & The Sunset Jubilaires; The Barnes Family Reunion II; AIR Gospel
Endurance; I’ve Got a Home; SCCME Records
The Canton Spirituals; Driven; Verity/Zomba Label Group

Praise and Worship CD of the Year
Byron Cage; Live at the Apollo: The Proclamation; Gospocentric/Zomba Label Group
Marvin Sapp; Thirsty; Verity/Zomba Label Group
Israel & New Breed; Live: A Deeper Level; Integrity Music
CeCe Winans;Thy Kingdom Come; PureSprings Gospel
Shekinah Glory Ministry; Jesus; Kingdom Records

She has partnered with mega churches in 21-cities for a powerful night of prayer, praise and worship free to the public.

The concert run is in support of the singer’s eighth studio project, the chart-topping “Thy Kingdom Come” (PureSprings Gospel/EMI Gospel). Launching Oct. 1st and 2nd in Atlanta, the tour will run through Dec. 21 and make stop at houses of worship in Indiana, Baltimore, New Jersey, DC, Detroit, North and South Carolina, Orlando, Ft. Lauderdale, Jacksonville, Miami, as well as other mid-size markets.

“When it appears that our wells have dried up and financial crisis is everywhere, we must be reminded that God is our provider and soak ourselves in prayer, praise and worship,” Winans says of the Kingdom Tour. “I believe that the Body of Christ will be blessed greatly because they will be inspired to hear the word of the Lord in the midst of any problem they may be facing.”

The acclaimed vocalist chose the kickoff location of the fall tour – Atlanta’s Elizabeth Baptist Church and Word of Faith Family Worship Center in Austell, GA – to coincide with the grand opening of The Light at Brookhaven, an affordable, 17-story luxury housing complex that serves as a sponsor for a portion of the tour’s dates for which Winans is a spokesperson and has also been chosen it to be “her home away from home.”

Of this unique effort, Winans says, “I can help people affected by the housing downturn by working to provide them with beautiful, affordable homes in a comfortable, nurturing environment.

In light of the national housing crisis, Winans has joined forces with Brookhaven to set up a foundation that will help prospective first-time homeowners qualify for grants that will provide them with no-strings-attached down payment assistance. Buckhead 26 Holdings Principal Abbey Berkowitz said, “Partnering up with Gospel Great, CeCe Winans, was a natural decision for us because she represents the values and ideals that we are marketing at The Light. We are excited about the opportunity to bring people to live together in such a positive way that will spill over into the Atlanta community at large.”

Since debuting on top of the Gospel charts in April, “Thy Kingdom Come” has amassed scores of stellar reviews, including raves from the likes of Billboard, Christianity Today Online and GospelFlava.com, as well as snagged feature coverage for Winans from The Associated Press, Ebony, and CCMmagazine.com. In addition, CNN is gearing up to air a special profile on the singer later this fall and the single “Test of Time” has charted on the Soft/AC Inspirational chart.

Winans says she’s expectant about the spiritual blessings that will spring forth as a result of the upcoming Kingdom Tour.

“God is going to open up the windows of heaven and pour out blessings we don’t have room to receive,” she says earnestly. “Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done!”

For more information and tour dates, visit www.cecewinans.com.

Source: EURWeb

In 2005, Winans launched her first annual “Always Sisters” Conference in Nashville, Tenn. The conference targets women aged 13-26 with seminars like “The Power of a Princess.” Invited guests have included Whitney Houston and Maya Angelou.

The first conference hosted 600 young women. The 2007 conference drew well over 3,000 for two days of teaching on teenage pregnancy, building self-esteem and dating. This year’s conference had to be rescheduled, but they were planning to accommodate 5,000.

Winans current dream is to take the conferences across the country. She recently held a Q&A session for teens throughout the New York City area at Brooklyn Tabernacle Church.

“It’s about saving our youth. … A lot of our youth don’t understand their value. They just accept the lies that the enemy has told them about their worth, about what they can accomplish and about what they should settle for,” Winans said. “I’m fired up about firing up young people to understand their power and their worth.”

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