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.

Contemporary Gospel choir, Youthful Praise featuring James “JJ” Hairston is gear up to head to their original stomping ground of Bridgeport, CT for the live recording of their fifth (5th) album with the Evidence Gospel/Light Records partnership. The recording, for the August 2009 release, will take place March 15th at the Cathedral of Praise, 45 Gregory Street, Bridgeport, CT at 5:00pm. Special guests will include Angela Spivey, Dorinda Clark-Cole, Pastor William H. Murphy, III, Lorraine Stancil, and more.

Infusing their style of urban praise and worship with their signature choir sound the Stellar nominated aggregation will be sure to bring all that they brought in the previous 4 albums; Awesome God, 2008; Thank You For The Change, 2004; Live The Worship, The Praise, 2005; Exalted, 2007; and much more.

Advance tickets are $10 and $15 at the door. To purchase advanced tickets please call 203-384-9471 or email tracey@youthfulpraise.org. For media credentials contact Kia Jarmon, 615.277.1855, kjarmon@lightrecords.com

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

In stores now, the album offers hits by Youthful Praise featuring James JJ Hairston, James Hall and Worship & Praise, and B. Chase Williams & ShaBach.

Nashville, TN–Energetic on stage, anointed in their praise, phenomenal vocal power and amazing arrangements is just a start in describing the WORLD’S BADDEST CHOIRS (Light Records). Released today, August 19, the album is filled with powerful displays of boldness and choral structure. With 12 of the freshest church-service-to-go tracks, WORLD’S BADDEST CHOIRS brings a twist to the gospel choir movement with selections from Youthful Praise featuring James JJ Hairston, James Hall and Worship & Praise, and B. Chase Williams & ShaBach.

Known for their signature praise anthems, Youthful Praise featuring JJ Hairston showcases their style with the 2005 hit, “Incredible God, Incredible Praise”. With such a mature anointing and praise and unparalleled energy they present worshipers with a closeness to God through their message.

Incorporating their East coast gospel sound with jazz and Broadway influences, James Hall and Worship & Praise lend songs such as the classic tune “King of Glory”, “Caught Up” and “He Took My Place”. With ear-grabbing vocals they engage listeners in a true worship experience.

B. Chase Williams & ShaBach stepped on the scene in 1993 and was an immediate success with “Take A Trip”, the call and response tune and title track to their first national recording. With minimal band support the focus is reliant on the choir’s talent and uniformity. With such a grand sound, a majestic overlay and a tempo comfortable to sway to, it is church service appropriate.

The three groups have garnered national attention remaining active on the Billboard charts from the very beginning of their careers. They continue to make an impact on gospel music, traditional and contemporary. A must-have for gospel choir enthusiasts, listening to this compilation is sure to impart an overwhelming sense of emotion but will definitely get you in gear for a good ole’ church service.