Tag: Music Industry Buzz

Bri Babineaux gets six million views in six days, kicks off second leg of tour

Social media singing star Briana “Bri” Babineaux has done it again.  Over
the last year, she has posted several singing videos on Facebook that
have netted millions of views.  This past week, a fan posted a video
on Facebook of Bri singing “He’s Able” and it garnered over 6.8
million views within six days
and won her a new fan in Grammy® Award winning vocalist
Donnie McClurkin.  

“I’ve been listening to you all morning long and the
anointing you carry is so full and genuine,” McClurkin wrote on Facebook. “I
look forward to sitting in your ministry one day and experiencing first
hand what I’m experiencing online.”

Fans will experience that
throughout the month of July.  Bri kicked off the second leg of
the  “New Artist on the Block” tour this past Tuesday (July 5) at The Celebration
of Life Church in Hendersonville, TN.  The first leg of the tour
launched in March, selling out all seven cities and earning a major New
York Times write-up revolving around Babineaux’s meteoric rise to
fame. This incarnation of the tour also features Geoffrey Golden
from BET’s reality TV show Sunday Best and YouTube singing sensation Kelontae Gavin.

Meanwhile,
Bri’s new self-penned gospel radio single “Jacob’s Song” is also
picking up heat, receiving airplay on a dozen gospel radio stations. 

“It came from a place of determination,” Bri says. “I had been
going through so much in my personal life and I was determined to be
just like Jacob was in the Bible and I told God that I’m not letting go
until you bless me. So this song means the world to me because it came
from an experience that I overcame.”

The second leg of the “New Artist on the Block” tour is stopping in the following cities:

7/11/16   Bethel World Outreach, Olney, MD.         
7/12/16   Have Life Church, Charlotte NC
7/13/16   Valley Brook Outreach Baptist Church, Pelzer, SC
7/14/16   Heritage Christian Center, Jacksonville, FL
7/18/16   Dothan High School, Dothan, AL
7/19/16   KVIC, Columbus, MS.
7/20/16   Showers of Blessing Church, Hammond, LA
7/21/16   TBA, Dallas, TX

Visit www.brination.org for more Bri news and eventbrite.com to purchase concert tickets. 

– From a press release

PJ Morton presents urban inspirational artist JoJo Martin on Morton Records

New Orleans (LA)  Maroon 5’s PJ Morton is excited to present JoJo as the latest signing to his newly formed record label, Morton Records. JoJo’s debut radio single “Run On” will soon hit multiple radio formats.

“’Run On’ is a very personal single release for me,” says Morton. “JoJo has sung background for me and toured with me for ten plus years. His support over the years not only to me but the likes of Fred Hammond has been amazing. I’m excited for the masses to hear what I’ve been fortunate to hear for years. JoJo’s voice is truly special.”

“‘Run On’ is a song that speaks to every part of you and whatever situation you may face,” JoJo says. “It helps you to know that nothing is too big or too devastating that you can’t just pick up and press forward–‘Run On!’ I’m grateful for the opportunity to be a part of a modern day, God ordained movement called Morton Records! I believe this was all a part of God not only connecting me to PJ and his family, but giving me the discipline to stay and fully support another man’s dream for so many years! It’s only because I was faithful to his dream, that God gave him to idea to turn around to make my dreams come true.”

JoJo was born Josiah Martin on the island of Oahu in Hawaii.  The son of a church pastor, he is the youngest of five boys. He began to sing at the age of four and by the age of seven, he was traveling around California singing at musicals and performing sermonic selections before his father preached. Later on, he and his siblings traveled and performed together as The Martin Boys. With some direction from his mother, a trained vocal instructor, JoJo began to develop as a soloist and ended up as a finalist for the NAACP ACT-SO Competition in Houston. He eventually sang lead on “Just Praise Him” and “So Good” with Joe Pace and The Colorado Mass Choir. It was during this time that JoJo discovered he wanted to make music his primary focus.

JoJo traveled the country with a musical stage play called, “The Rock and The Rabbi,” and has also had the opportunity to share the stage with Tyrese, Fred Hammond, Kirk Franklin, Maroon 5, PJ Morton, Bishop Paul S. Morton, Sr., Mary Mary, Frank McComb, Tweet, Dave Hollister and others.


– From Bill Carpenter

Tye Tribbett gears up for live recording, The Bloody Win, May 6

(Nashville, TN)  Two-time GRAMMY®, Soul Train, Dove and Stellar Award winner Tye Tribbett preps for his next live recording, The Bloody Win.  A powerful and highly in demand artist, Tye’s music ministry is a gift to all who experience it–and on Friday, May 6,
he will unleash a new body of work for his upcoming album release. The
recording will take place at The Redemption Center in Greenville, SC. It’s a free concert, open to the public and is destined to be
life-changing. Doors open at 6 PM, the recording begins at 7 PM.

The
radical singer, songwriter, and preacher who’s known for his edgy and
energetic live performances continues to shatter the mold of what is
traditionally known as gospel music. A true innovator, with one of the
most relevant voices of this generation, Tribbett is set to create a
dynamic new caliber of music.
The recording is the follow-up to Tribbett’s best-selling album Greater Than (Live)
(Motown Gospel) which debuted at #1 on Billboard’s Top Gospel Albums
Chart (four consecutive weeks), #4 on Billboard’s Digital Albums chart,
and #9 on Billboard’s Top 200 (all genres). The success of the album led
to Tribbett earning two GRAMMY® Awards for Best Gospel Album and Best Gospel Song, a Soul Train Music Award for Best Gospel/Inspirational Performance, a GMA Dove Award for Contemporary Gospel/Urban Album of the Year and a Stellar Award win for Male Vocalist of the Year.
From the J. Hardy Agency

Bryan Andrew Wilson and Bri Briana Babineaux shine both on red carpet and gospel chart

Publicist Bill Carpenter shared this photo of recording artists Bryan Andrew Wilson and Bri Briana Babineaux on the red carpet at the 31st Annual Stellar Gospel Music Awards last weekend in Las Vegas.

According to Carpenter, both Bri’s radio single “I’ll Be the One” and Bryan’s self-penned single “Overflow (Let Your Spirit)” are perched on Billboard Magazine’s Gospel Airplay chart. 
The Stellar Awards airs March 6, on TV One.

‘Spare the Rod, Spoil the Child’ is back; stars Shirley Caesar [Updated]

Originally posted Jan. 2, 2016 at 7:30 AM

Last updated Jan. 9, 2016 at 5:45 PM

The information originally shared here has been updated as a result of cast updates provided to GMF by the play’s writer and producer, Dr. Mildred Summerville on Friday, January 8.  

Dr. Mildred Summerville, award-winning playwright, presents the stage play “Spare the Rod, Spoil the Child” Saturday, January 23, 2016, at Columbus, GA’s River Center.  The play, directed by James A. House, features a talented cast, including 11-time Grammy winner Pastor Shirley Caesar.

For more information or to buy tickets, visit www.sparetherodstageplay.com. Showtime is 8 PM. 

Read the play synopsis below.
 
SYNOPSIS
Genre: Drama/Comedy/Musical/Christian
Time/Place: The time is present day. The place is the James’ family home, workplace and a church.

Using
spirit-filled music and memorable characters like Mark, the doting son; Tammy, the insensitive daughter-in-law; Hope, the promiscuous teenager; and Sister Cantaloupe, Grandma’s feisty sister, “Spare the Rod, Spoil the
Child” touches on issues within the community such as family dysfunction,
peer pressure, substance abuse, and other pertinent matters that are
too often inadequately addressed or considered altogether taboo. 

In
this gripping and engaging dramatic piece, a woman simply known as
“Grandma” serves as the pillar of her surroundings. Her son’s family is
in crisis, and those within her neighborhood are drowning in chronic
troubles of their own. Through it all, Grandma seeks God on behalf of
those who are not spiritually inclined enough to seek Him for
themselves. Even those who resent her, such as her son’s sometimes-rigid
wife, Tammy, ultimately end up on Grandma’s prayer list. And when the
walls of the lives of those around Grandma seem to come tumbling down,
they know who to turn to for guidance and sound counsel. It’s not always
advice that they want to hear, but it is consistently the precise word
needed to steer them in the right direction.

Other
characters in the cast bring even more drama to the script. In her
God-given wisdom, Grandma confronts Hope’s suppressed anger and
bitterness, convincing her to open up about a rape kept secret for
years. In addition, she prays her grandson, Timothy, out of choosing a
life of gang involvement.

Though
the ending takes a toll on Grandma, the audience will rejoice in
knowing that this elderly woman’s life was full of purpose and not at
all lived in vain.

High
drama, bad karma, and a praying grandma, all come together to make “Spare
the Rod, Spoil the Child” a must-see theatrical production. Infused with
foot-stomping gospel music, this is soul-stirring entertainment that
will warm the hearts, tickle the funny bones and uplift the spirits of
all those who experience it.

JSUP to hold S.O.S. (Select Our Single) Listening Party – Nov. 14

Inasmuch as SOS is the international Morse code distress signal, it can be said that Juan Santiago and Uninhibited Praise (JSUP) need your help.

JSUP has been working hard in the studio and is ready for you to hear what they’ve been cooking up.  The choir invites fam, fans, friends, and media to join them November 14 at 3 PM, for their S.O.S. (Select Our Single) Listening Party.  That’s right, the award-winning aggregation wants you to select the new single from their forthcoming album, Fresh Fire.

The event takes place at SkyLofts Gallery & Studios, 3701 Bank Street, in Baltimore, MD.  General admission is $12.  Admission is free for media, but you must RSVP to [email protected] by November 12.

In other celebratory news this year, JSUP is nominated for four Rhythm of Gospel Awards, including Traditional Choir of the Year and Traditional Song of the Year for “Take Your Burdens.” (Read GMF’s review of “Take Your Burdens” here.)

Tiff Joy’s self-titled debut project charts on Billboard

Chicago native Tiff Joy has had a very good two years.

It was almost two
years ago when she hit the national stage as the songwriter and soloist
on Ricky Dillard & New G’s Grammy Award nominated gospel radio
smash “Amazing.” Three weeks ago, her soul-stirring radio single “The
Promise” made its Top 30 debut on the Billboard Gospel Airplay chart, and
this past week her inaugural album Tiff Joy (Walkway Music Group/Tyscot
Records) made its Billboard Top Gospel Albums chart entrance at
#5.

“Wow…. this is crazy,” the ecstatic singer says. “I am CONSTANTLY
in awe of how GOD moves. This is HIM and I’m forever Grateful.“

From Bill Carpenter

Earl Bynum announces self-titled solo project, releases single


(Chesapeake, VA)  He is a prolific songwriter, a master vocal arranger and has
demonstrated musical creativity and gospel music artistry that has
elevated him as one of the most recognized leaders in music and
ministry.  Multi-award winning vocalist and producer Earl Bynum is the Executive Minster of Music at Mount Lebanon Baptist Church “The Mount” which has four locations–Chesapeake, VA, Elizabeth City, NC, Peninsula, VA and Charlotte, NC.  He is also the International Minister of Music for the Gospel Heritage Foundation.
 With a vast catalog of songs and projects in his repertoire, Bynum is
now preparing to release his long awaited self-titled solo project EARL BYNUM in 2016 and leads off with a soulfully expressive single, “Call Him.”  Click here to watch it.
From The Bellamy Group

Lisa Page Brooks preps for first live recording

Songstress Lisa Page Brooks is set to record her first live album Friday, October 23, 2015, at The Christian Tabernacle Church in Detroit.  Bishop Michael Brooks, founding member of Commissioned, will serve as the evening’s producer.  Attendees can also look forward to a reunion of Witness, the eclectic contemporary group of which Brooks is a former member.  


The live session starts at 7 PM ET.  General admission tickets are $25 and VIP seats are $40.

Kirk Franklin’s ‘Wanna Be Happy?’ sets record

Kirk Franklin always has a way of relating to the masses with relevant music.  His new single is barely three weeks old and has already made history.

Read more here: Christian Singer Kirk Franklin Makes History with #1 New Single ‘Wanna Be Happy?’