Tag: Music Industry Buzz

Tankards’ reality series ‘Thicker Than Water’ returns in January for second season



(New
York, NY)  Bravo
Media’s Thicker Than Water season two will
premiere on Sunday, January 4, at 9 PM ET/PT. Season two features the
unpredictable Tankard clan as they continue to live their lives as best as they
can with their strong religious convictions at hand. Ben and Jewel Tankard are
back, leading their self-proclaimed “Black Brady Bunch” family with
children Brooklyn, Britney, Benji, and Cyrene. Joining the family in the
“Tankard Palace” is Ben’s oldest son, Marcus, who returns to Tennessee with his
wife, Tish, to a warm welcome from everyone—except Britney.


Beginning Monday,
January 5 through Friday, January 9, fans can join the Tankard Family
throughout the week for a series of live Facebook Q&As on the Thicker Than Water Facebook Page. Viewers
will get the inside scoop on the family, the drama and what to expect from
the upcoming season.
For
a sneak peek at the series, visit: www.bravotv.com/thicker-than-water/season-2/videos/first-look-thicker-than-water-season-2
Thicker Than Water is produced by Sirens Media with
Rebecca Toth Diefenbach, Valerie Haselton Drescher and Lucilla D’Agostino
serving as executive producers, and by John Doe Productions with Renard Young and
Darren Toon serving as executive producers. 

Dorinda Clark-Cole to be part of reality series ‘Preachers of Detroit’

By Libra Boyd
Gospel Music Fever

I suppose the cast of a new Preachers… series wouldn’t be complete without a prominent preacher who is also a powerhouse singer. It’s apparent from the first two seasons that Deitrick Haddon has it on lock with the LA installment.  Come February 18 (10pm ET), Dorinda Clark-Cole will hold it down on the new Oxygen network series, Preachers of Detroit. 

The three-time Grammy winner and member of the legendary Clark Sisters wears many hats: COGIC evangelist, recording artist, TV and radio host, and fashionista with her own clothing line called The Rose Collection. The reality show will chronicle Clark-Cole’s efforts to juggle her whirlwind lifestyle (as her family’s primary bread winner), her desire to strengthen her relationship with her daughter Nikki, and her own self-care.

The Preachers of Detroit cast features six other high-profile persons of the cloth: Bishop Charles H. Ellis, III, Bishop Corletta Vaughn, Pastor Tim Alden, Pastor David Bullock, Bishop-Elect Clarence Langston, and Pastor Don William Shelby, Jr.

Rod Aissa, Executive Vice President of Original Programming and Development for Oxygen Media, says in a press release, “Preachers of Detroit is the latest iteration of the honest, thought-provoking storytelling that Oxygen viewers have so strongly connected with. We introduce a new group of Preachers who have various roads to faith, triumph and transformation, but share a united dedication to help influence positive change in Detroit.”

For a sneak peek of the series visit: www.oxygen.com/shows/videos/preachers-of-detroit-a-new-series

I’m just curious. What’s the likelihood of adding Preachers of Memphis to the franchise with Al Green rounding out the cast?

From
left to right: Bishop-Elect Clarence Langston, Pastor Don William
Shelby, Jr., Bishop Charles H. Ellis, III, Pastor David Bullock, Bishop
Corletta Vaughn, Pastor Tim Alden, and Evangelist Dorinda Clark-Cole. 

Habakkuk Music releases cd ft. Cobbs, LaBelle, Norful, others–exclusively at Cracker Barrel

The information first shared here on Oct. 16 has been updated in the following press release:

Columbia, MD (November 1, 2014) – Habakkuk Music has compiled a
second outstanding black gospel music CD for Cracker Barrel Old Country
Store®. Gospel Legacy: The Collection Vol. ll releases in November 2014
and will be sold exclusively in select Cracker Barrel Old Country
Store® locations and online at crackerbarrel.com.
 
From
start to finish, Gospel Legacy: The Collection Vol. ll is packed with
extraordinary black gospel music by current hit-makers, timeless legends,
and fresh new talent. This collection boasts a stunning line-up of
chart-topping songs by some of America’s most iconic recording artists
from the R&B and gospel genres. 
 
There
are inspirational hits by R&B mainstays, such as
Charlie Wilson’s “If I Believe,” Al Green’s 1987 classic “Everything’s
Gonna Be Alright,” and Patti Labelle’s Top 5 1991 hit, “When You’ve Been
Blessed (Feels Like Heaven).”
 
The
CD also features soul-stirring gospel songs by Smokie Norful
(“Justified”), Tasha Cobbs (“Happy”), and Lisa Page Brooks (“God
Thing”). Yolanda Adams and the late Gerald Levert meet up for their
evergreen rendition of R. Kelly’s “I Believe I Can Fly,” which serves a
thick slice of inspiration, crossing religious and cultural boundaries.
 
Singer
Vashawn Mitchell’s #1 hit “Nobody Greater,” Jonathan Butler’s “I Stand
On Your Word,” Chante’ Moore’s “Jesus I Want You,” and newcomer Earl
Bynum & The Mount Unity Choir’s rousing “Psalm
117” provide judicious breaks of reverential worship songs.
 
Founded
in 2007, Habakkuk Music is distributed by UMG and INgrooves (a division
of Isolation Network, Inc.) and has released gospel music by
brilliant artists such as Lisa Page Brooks, Earl Bynum & The Mount
Unity Choir, Kevin Levar, Cheneta Jones, Papa San, The Temple of
Deliverance Women’s Choir and others. Habakkuk Music, Inc. (d/b/a HBK
Media) has successfully formed marketing relationships with
organizations such as the American Heart Association | American Stroke
Association, Chick-fil-A and Rejoice Radio Network, among others.

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.

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.

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.”

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.

Pop/soul Christian artist Kima Charysse drops ‘Heaven’

Pop/soul Christian singer Kima Charysse (pronounced Key-ma Sha-
reese) has released a brand new single entitled, “Heaven,” available at iTunes.


In a press release, the Atlanta-based artist says:

“Heaven” is about those of us who are seeking something outside ourselves that we just can’t seem to find.  It speaks from a tangible and relatable view point that is sure to grab hearts and remind us of the big picture.   

The mid-tempo single is an introduction to a variety of styles represented on Kima’s forthcoming full-length project, set to drop later this year, reads the press release.

Gladys Knight has gospel project in the works

Tehillah Enterprises announced today (July 8) that its client, R&B legend Gladys Knight, is prepping to drop a gospel album entitled Where My Heart Belongs. The release date is set for September 9, 2014.

The Jones Family Singers "make a way" in music, film

Jones Family Singers
 

Rolling Stone named the Jones Family Singers as a “Top 25 Must-see Act” at this year’s SXSW festival.  Check out the video of their scorching quartet single “Down on Me” from their current project The Spirit Speaks, and you’ll see why.  Besides Rolling Stone, the soulful family has garnered praise from NPR and Wall Street Journal.  Additionally, they’ve gotten the attention of filmmakers who are now interested in creating a feature documentary of the family’s life on and offstage. 

An Indiegogo campaign is underway to help fund the film, The Jones Family Will Make A Way.  Find out more about the documentary and fundraising campaign, and most definitely watch the video “Down On Me” here: https://www.indiegogo.com/projects/the-jones-family-will-make-a-way.