Sheri Jones- Moffett Signed To EMI Gospel

Sheri Jones- Moffett is the voice you know and love. From The Tri-City Singers to her duo work in Ted & Sheri, Moffett has been known as the team player and the featured vocalist, yet this summer she breaks out on her own and hits the scene as the solo artist.

The powerful voice behind many hit songs including the GRAMMY nominated smash “Encourage Yourself”, Jones-Moffett recently inked a solo recording deal with top label EMI Gospel.

“We have loved working with Sheri since Donald Lawrence first introduced her to us as part of The Tri-City Singers a number of years ago – we feel she has been part of our family.” said Ken Pennell President EMI Gospel. “So to collaborate even more closely with her now in her first venture as a solo artist is especially fulfilling.”

The first effort from Jones-Moffett & EMI Gospel is the power-packed album RENEWED. A bold and brash offering that is unapologetically diverse, this vibrant body of work is unlike anything Gospel music has heard in a long while and Moffett’s versatility is evident.

The lead single and title track, “Renewed”, is Moffett’s nod to one of her favorite inspirations – Motown. From the very first guitar lick the groove draws you in, while lyrically it speaks encouragement and renewal – a message that connects with just about anyone. The album features the outstanding pop track “Free Indeed” with an undeniable energetic beat; and “Grace of God,” a gospel ballad that showcases Moffett’s soaring vocals and clear message that reminds us we never walk alone.

Sheri’s mentor, super-producer Donald Lawrence says this of Sheri Jones-Moffett, “Not only am I excited about the anticipated solo release from Sheri Jones-Moffett, I am extremely proud of her growth as a singer, songwriter, music executive, wife and mother! She’s talented and a tremendous jewel for The Kingdom. If life has drained you … get Renewed!”

RENEWED will be available August 11, 2009 at all retail outlets and itunes.

BET Sunday Best Special Guest Apperance- Donald Lawrence

This season, Lawrence is a mentor to the contestants and gives them positive advice on how to improve their vocal skills. In addition, Lawrence was a guest blogger on www.bet.com/SUNDAYBEST with Torrence Glenn giving excellent feedback on each contestant.

Exclusive question and answer with SUNDAY BEST mentor, gospel artist, songwriter and producer Donald Lawrence:
Q. Did you disagree with any of the judge’s decisions?
A. “I was torn with the decision between eliminating Zeb or Dontavious. Both are amazing singers, but I think Zeb just had a little more stage personality. But I loved Dontavious and thought he was an amazing singer.”

Q. Comment on Zebulon’s strengths and what he needs to do to win?
A. “Zeb’s strengths are that he is an amazing vocalist. Zeb also has a great personality that shows through when he performs. Zeb owns the stage. For Zeb to win the song choice is going to be really important. Zeb is going to have to own the song and the moment to win.”

Q. Comment on Latice’s strengths and what she needs to do to win?
A. ” Latice’s strengths are not only is she an amazing singer, but she has great depth to her. Depth in her personality and depth that she puts into the lyric and the song. Latice really gets the lyric across when she performs. For Latice to win, she just needs to keep doing her thing. Song choice will be important too.”

Q. Comment on Jessica’s strengths and what she needs to do to win?
A. “Jessica’s strength is her tone! She has priceless tone. Her tone is so unique that the amount of range she has doesn’t matter. For Jessica to win she has to have a little more confidence. She has to be able to present and showcase the lyrics she is singing. And she must use her tone to her advantage.”

Q. Comment on Y’Anna’s strengths and what she needs to do to win?
A. ” Y’ Anna’s strength is that she is just a singer. Singing is in her fabric. She owns every song that she puts her voice on. For her to win song choice will be important as well. She needs the right song to put her voice on to win it all. She also needs to make sure she doesn’t get vocally tired during the process.”

Q. Since you’re known for developing and featuring vocalists who go on to big careers, would you consider signing any of the contestants to your label or featuring on one of your projects?
A.” I think all the singers are amazing and I would work with any of them, but, if I had to choose one singer to work with it would be Latice. Not just because of her amazing voice, but again, because of the depth she puts in every song and every lyric.”

SOURCE: Torrence Glenn of BET.com.
On The Web: BET.com/sundaybest

Donald Lawrence, Pastor Marvin Sapp Win Top Honors

U.S. performing right organization BMI saluted the writers and publishers of the past year’s most performed songs on Christian radio and television during the annual Christian Music Awards last night at the company’s Music Row offices in Nashville. BMI named Donald Lawrence the 2009 Christian Songwriter of the Year, while “Never Would Have Made It,” co-written by Pastor Marvin Sapp and Matthew Brownie, garnered Song of the Year honors. Universal Music Publishing Group garnered its second consecutive Christian Publisher of the Year crown. BMI Vice President Jody Williams, along with Senior Director Thomas Cain and Associate Director Beth Mason, of BMI’s Writer/Publisher Relations Department in Nashville, presented awards spanning five categories: Christian Rock, Contemporary Christian, Inspirational, Urban Gospel and Southern Gospel. BMI Senior Vice President, Writer/Publisher Relations Phil Graham joined his staff on stage for the presentation of the night’s top honors, Song, Songwriter, and Publisher of the Year.

Prior to the presentation of awards, guests enjoyed a round of intimate performances from a selection of Christian music’s elite composers and rising stars. 2009 Dove New Artist of the Year nominee Fee front man Steve Fee delivered an acoustic rendition of BMI Award-winner “All Because Of Jesus”; songwriters Jim Daddario and Catt Gravitt, joined by Jim Kimball on guitar, performed their BMI Award-winning composition “In Better Hands,” recorded by Natalie Grant.

Prolific producer, choir director and songwriterDonald Lawrence earned the BMI Songwriter of the Year crystal thanks to his compositions “Giants,” recorded by Donald Lawrence Presents the Tri-City Singers, and “Livin’,” recorded by the legendary Clark Sisters. A profoundly influential figure in contemporary gospel music, Lawrence was also an honoree at the prestigious BMI Trailblazers of Gospel ceremony in January of this year.

The impassioned testimonial “Never Would Have Made It” garnered the BMI Song of the Year honors for Stellar Award-winner and Grammy-nominated Pastor Marvin Sapp and his esteemed collaborator Matthew Brownie. Recorded by Pastor Sapp on his critically acclaimed album Thirsty, “Never Would Have Made It” was published by Marvin L. Sapp Music and Minstrel Melodies. Pastor Sapp will also vie for the Artist of the Year title at the 2009 Dove Awards on April 23 in Nashville.

Read entire article at Breathecast.com.

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