Category: News

A&P Records, home to The Showers, gets distribution with Habakkuk Music

(Hammond, LA)  The newly established independent label, A&P Records (Aquila & Priscilla), home to Louisiana based family group, The Showers, has signed an exclusive national distribution partnership with Habakkuk Music/INgrooves Fontana. Marketing and publicity efforts powered by The J. Hardy Agency, LLC.
“A & P Records are excited about this new ordained union with Habukkuk Music. We’re looking forward to this partnership sharing great music with God’s people!” says family member Regina Showers.
The Showers first gained notoriety aboard the regional success of their 2009 independent debut album Hear My Prayer, which sold several thousand copies. Going on to land the group Rhythm of Gospel and En-Sound Music Awards, the album also courted acclaim from some of Gospel’s most endeared critics.


The Showers has released two Top 40 radio singles “Praise Your Way Through” (#29 peak) and their current rising radio single “Better” (written and produced by Deon Kipping) which cracked the Top 30 on the iTunes Gospel/Christian Top 200 Singles Chart upon their release.  Their highly anticipated self-titled debut album is slated for a Spring 2015 release with production by Grammy winner Myron Butler (Tamela Mann, Marvin Sapp), Deon Kipping (Marvin Sapp, JJ Hairston, Jessica Reedy) and Bruce Robinson, Jr (Joshua Rogers, Fantasia).
The above is excerpted from a press release from Jason Hardy / The J. Hardy Agency, LLC.

Cancer survivor Marcia Love donates portion of CD proceeds to Susan G. Komen

(Phoenix, AZ)  Gospel artist Marcia Love knows what it’s like to have your life turned upside down. On one fateful day in 2012, she was given the news that every woman dreads: she had been diagnosed with breast cancer. With the strength of her faith and the love of her family, she was able to endure the challenging season. After multiple surgeries, she is now cancer-free. A singer for her entire life, the experience was the impetus for her to get back in the studio to record her second CD. Earlier this year, she released the sophomore project, Counting My Blessings, which features the singles “Counting My Blessings” and “Joy.” Through her music ministry, she wants to inspire other women who have been diagnosed with the dreaded disease. To support the efforts of Susan G. Komen in finding a cure, Marcia is donating 25% of the proceeds of her CD, Counting My Blessings, and all digital downloads of her music in the month of October in honor of Breast Cancer Awareness Month.

“As a nurse, I understand that sickness can be difficult to handle,” shares Marcia. “As a cancer survivor, I know that a support system is vital. I want to make sure that every woman who hears the words I heard, ‘You have breast cancer,’ knows that God is there to comfort them. I also want to help them by giving organizations the resources they need to help stamp out this horrible disease. That’s why I am donating 25% of sales of my singles and my full CD, Counting My Blessings, to Susan G. Komen.”

Always one to encourage and uplift, Marcia’s CD, Counting My Blessings, is chock full of inspiration. “Joy,” penned by the artist after her health challenge, is a musical expression of happiness, a song of gratitude. Other songs include the churchy “The Rock Of His Name,” the riveting ballad, “Wholly Thine” and the mid-tempo title tune. Music has always been a way for Marcia to express her feelings and this project is no different.

Hailing from Durham, NC, Marcia began singing as a toddler.  As many singers do, she honed her singing skills at church.  She also was called upon to sing for her father’s preaching engagements.  Eventually, singing morphed into directing gospel choirs.  It wasn’t until 2011 that she pursued a recording career with the release of her debut, Jesus On My Side, which was followed by 2014’s Counting My Blessings.  To find out more information about Marcia Love, go to www.marcialove.com. To connect with her, find her on Facebook and Twitter.

Juan Santiago and Uninhibited Praise set for live recording Oct. 4

Click to enlarge

Juan Santiago and Uninhibited Praise (JSUP) is gearing up for its sophomore live recording, titled The Ultimate Worship Experience, Part II. The evening of worship will take place at 5pm on October 4, 2014, at St. James Free Baptist Church in Baltimore, MD.  Songstress Michelle Prather of Kurt Carr and the Kurt Carr Singers will make a special guest appearance.

JSUP is no stranger to the gospel music scene.  The choir’s debut CD, Taking It to the Streetz, was released in 2005.  In 2011, the aggregation released Ultimate Worship Experience Live, which featured the songs “Healing Rain,” “Majesty,” “Holy is the Lord,” and “God is Here.”

Tickets for Saturday’s event are available at www.anjelicarecords.com and John 3:16 Christian Bookstore in Lanham.  For more information about JSUP, visit jsuplive.com.

2014 'Wilson Idol' competition to feature Shirley Caesar as guest judge

Click to enlarge

Now here’s a local competition with national flair.

On September 27, twenty-eight talented Wilson Idol hopefuls will vy for the chance to win $1000, a trophy, an appearance in the onstage production of award-winning Mildred Summerville play “Spare the Rod, Spoil the Child,” and an opportunity to perform for the Queen of Gospel, Pastor Shirley Caesar.

Here’s the topper: Gospel’s queen will be there in person as guest judge.  The 11-time Grammy winner will be joined by fellow judges Dr. Brooksie Harrington, Calvin Suggs, Danny Howell, Lamont Hamilton, and Dr. Mildred Summerville.

GMF’s Libra Boyd and Justin Barbour will serve as the hosts for the evening.

The Wilson Idol talent show is sponsored by Summerville Promotion and Production Company to give residents of Wilson, NC (ages 10 and up) an opportunity to showcase their talents in the areas of solo music, band/group music, dance/step, and acting.  The first Wilson Idol competition was held last year, and the WTT Majestic Choir earned top prize.

Regarding the event’s purpose, Dr. Summerville expresses:

Wilson is where I was born and raised, giving it a special place in my heart. I have a great passion to reach out and save the youth through innovative ideas.  I believe that when children are given an opportunity to express themselves through performing arts they attend school more regularly, earn higher grades and test scores, have better social and communication skills, have better relationships with their parents, and have higher self-esteem.  My mission is to encourage all Wilson County students to stay in school (graduate) and to further their education or enroll in post-secondary [institutions]. Additionally, Wilson Idol is designed to bring unity in the community by building a solid arts foundation that will serve all ages and ethnicities through the performing arts. 

Event Details
Saturday, Sept. 27, 2014
5pm (doors open at 4)
Fike High School Auditorium
500 Harrison Drive
Wilson, NC 27893

Tickets are $12 in advance ($17 at the door) and can be purchased at Hamilton Funeral Chapel, Arts Council of Wilson, and from all contestants.  For more information, contact Dr. Mildred Summerville at 252-230-2689.   

September marks Gospel Music Heritage Month

September is Gospel Music Heritage Month.  Celebrations are planned by the Gospel Music Heritage Month Foundation in Washington, DC and Houston, TX.  Visit gospelmusicheritage.org for more information about the celebrations as well as the foundation.

Earnest Pugh to drop new EP Sept. 2

Earnest Pugh is all set to release his new EP, Just Worship, Tuesday, September 2, which features five of his most-loved worship songs recorded “live.”  The project’s first radio single is “Alpha & Omega.”

Joshua Rogers hosts 'Teachable Moments' for aspiring artists

Ever since Joshua Rogers was named BET Sunday Best champ in season five, making him the first male and the youngest winner in the show’s history, he says questions have poured in from other rising gospel singers who desire to be successful in the music industry.  Consequently, Joshua (whom Kirk Franklin nicknamed “Young Buck”) is launching “Teachable Moments,” a free series of teleconferences to answer questions and share from his own experiences.  He won’t be the only one giving advice though; established industry notables will also join the discussions, starting with Dorinda Clark-Cole.

“Teachable Moments” kicks off Thursday, August 21, at 6 PM (eastern time), with Dorinda as Joshua’s special guest co-host.  To participate, dial 712-432-1212 and enter 549-827-236# as the meeting ID.

45th Annual GMA Dove Award nominees announced

Lecrae, Mandisa, Tye Tribbett, Sherri Jones-Moffett, and Micah Stampley are among those whose nominations were announced today (August 13) for the 45th Annual GMA Dove Awards.  The complete list is available here.

This year’s awards will take place October 7, at Lipscomb University’s Allen Arena in Nashville and will air on TBN.

Congratulations to all nominees!

Anthony Brown & group therAPy headline minority donor awareness event

(Indianapolis, IN)  Anthony Brown & group therAPy lent their voices as the headliner for the 18th Annual National Minority Donor Awareness Week Gospel Program.  Nearly 2,000 attendees filled the Church of Christian Compassion in Philadelphia, PA this past Sunday to support the organization’s effort to increase awareness of the need for minority organ and tissue donations.


Participants were treated to a free gospel concert as well as the opportunity to increase their knowledge about the importance of this initiative.


During the event, Anthony Brown spoke about the importance of organization’s such as the Gift of Life Donor program stating, “A very wise man once told me that businesses like this…places like this are an extension of God’s healing hand.”


According to the the organization’s official Facebook page, 120 new individuals registered to be donors that very evening. To find out more information about the Gift of Life Donor Program, please visit: http://www.donors1.org/learn2/religion/gospelprogram/ 


Here’s a clip from their performance. 


The preceding content is from a press release issued by Tyscot Music and Entertainment.

The Rance Allen Group readies for new project

Pictured from left: Chris Byrd, Tom Allen, Floyd Timeless Thomas, Rance Allen, Steve Allen, and Sidney Scott, following a recording session for the Rance Allen Group’s new project. 

Tyscot Music released this photo along with a heads up that the Rance Allen Group has been working on music for a new project, set for release later this year. According to the press release, the project is a “fresh, new twist to their classic sound.” A debut single is forthcoming.