Welcome to Gospel-Spotlight.com!! GS NEWS ROOM, 1# FIRST WITH NEWS     September 2, 2010 UPDATE!! ..  Mississippi Stone Soul Picnic.... Israel on The Tonight Show....  September 2, 2010 UPDATE!! .. Tyler Perry cleared....  News News News News News News News News News ____________________________________________ Over the weekend the Training, Education & Research Institute (TERI) teamed up with Grammy® award-winning recording artist Michelle Williams, of Destiny’s Child, for their Summer Soiree, in an effort to raise continuous awareness of autism. The private event featured a live auction and a special rendition of “Amazing Grace” featuring Michelle Williams accompanied by ten-year-old autistic student. The Event supported TERI’s new 20-acre university-like campus for children and adults with autism and other developmental disabilities. Israel Houghton will appear on the September 8th Tonight Show with Jay Leno to promote "Love God. Love People." Houghton will sit in with The Tonight Show Band led by music director Rickey Minor. Also, Israel Houghton will appear on The Tavis Smiley Show on September 2nd. The Brooklyn Tabernacle Choir is gearing up for its annual "Declare Your Name Music Conference." This eighth year conference is hosted by worship minister Carol Cymbala and will feature a special conference recording. Bobcats Sports & Entertainment (BSE) Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Michael Jordan announced the organization has made a $250,000 donation to a Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools (CMS) scholarship fund to help defray the costs of middle school athletics this academic year. The donation is the largest ever made by a professional sports franchise to CMS, and the largest single donation CMS has received to date in response to budget cuts that forced its Board of Education to implement sports participation fees for all middle and high school student-athletes in the district. The Mississippi Stone Soul Picnic will be held on Sunday, September 5, 2010, Labor Day weekend at Winner's Circle Park in Flowood, MS. The Mississippi Stone Soul Picnic will offer a day of fun, food and fellowship for the whole family. This year's special guest includes The Mississippi Mass Choir, Dorothy Norwood, The Canton Spirituals, The Christian Angels, The Joy Boys, Darrell Luster, Benjamin Cone III & Worship, DA Minista, Billy Rivers & The Angelic Voices, Kevin Davidson & The Voices and many more. Actor and director Tyler Perry has been cleared of allegations involving plagiarism. A case had originally been brought against Perry over the idea for one of his hit movies, with a playwright claiming it was her idea first. Donna West first brought allegations that Tyler Perry’s “Diary of a Mad Black Woman” was really her idea. The case was dismissed in 2008, as jurors decided there wasn’t enough evidence to support the claim. West appealed the decision and yesterday the ruling came through. It was decided there was no improper conduct in the original trial. Perry won’t have to pay millions out of pocket. He testified that his screenplay was an original work. The $5 million film grossed more than $50 million. Music World Gospel, founder Matthew Knowles, has announced a partnership with the American Heart Association to help raise awareness of stroke in the African American community. Trin-i-tee 5:7 and Brian Courtney Wilson will be a part of the AHA-sponsored "Most Powerful Voices Gospel Tour", a seven-city tour which kicks-off October 8th in Little Rock, Arkansas. The tour will stops in Austin, Dallas/Ft. Worth, Houston, San Antonio, Oklahoma City and Tulsa. In each market, local artists will have the opportunity to audition to participate in the concert. The top acts will perform in the concert in their market headlined by Marvin Sapp. The first round voting for the 2011 Stellar Awards has been extended to September 6, 2010 for all members of SAGMA. Voting takes place on the Stellar Awards website. The second and final rounds of voting ends on September 30, 2010. Voting is open to the public for "Artist of the Year", "Song of the Year" and "Gospel Announcer of the Year" from October 27-November 22, 2010. The 2011 Stellar Awards goes down on January 15, 2011 in Nashville, TN at the Grand Ole Opry. The 12th annual IMAC Conference goes down in Nashville, TN October 7-9, 2010. It will be held at the Celebration of Life Church in Hendersonville, TN. This year's conference workshops features voice development, marketing & distribution and artist management & development. Guest includes Lowell Pye, Claude Deuce, Benita Bellamy, Telisa Stinson, Stan Jones, Earnest Pugh, Kyla Jade and BET Sunday Best finalist Maurice Griffin. Harold Rayford is promoting his first Live Project “I Am the Instrument” with his online Listening Party at AllAboutJazz.com. For one week, visitors to the site will have the opportunity to preview the entire project as often as they like and also purchase “I Am the Instrument” at www.allaboutjazz.com. To attend Harold Rayford’s Listening Party click: http://www.allaboutjazz.com Max Siegel, former president of Zomba Gospel is preparing to launch his first TV reality series. 'Changing Lanes'debuts on BET September 1, 2010 at 8pm ET. It chronicles the search for the next generation of women and minority race car drivers. The series follows a group of hopefuls as they compete for a coveted spot on Siegel's NASCAR Revolution Racing team. Bishop T.D. Jakes has signed a distribution and marketing agreement for his 'Dexterity Sounds' with the Universal Music Christian Group. The first project to be released will be 'Sacred Love Songs II.' Also,'Dexterity Sounds' has begun work on the soundtrack for Jakes' latest film 'Jumping the Broom.' This film produced by Bishop Jakes and Tracy Edmonds, tells the story of two families from totally different socioeconomic backgrounds who meet for the first time at a weekend wedding on Martha’s Vineyard. Kelly Price is suing a megachurch for using her music without permission. The suit filed by Kelly Price names New Light Church, Ira Hilliard, Bridget Hilliard and Preshea Hilliard, one of their daughters who is also a Pastor at New Light. It centers around the church’s annual women’s conference Women Who Win, hosted by Bridgette Hilliard. Kelly Price composed, recorded and registered the song Women Who Win. Christian Rapper Flame has started a facebook group called 'Help support FLAME present the GOSPEL to LIL WAYNE in prison.' Why Lil Wayne and why in prison is a question that many have been asking. In the facebook group it states ‘A great opportunity has risen up. The LORD has laid it on Christian hip-hop pioneer Flame’s heart, and many others to reach Lil Wayne (Dwayne Carter) with the saving Gospel of Jesus Christ. Congratulations are in order for Kierra ‘Kiki’ Sheard. She is now engaged to Pastor Welton T. Smith IV founding pastor of New Life Family church in Detroit, MI. KiKi is the daughter of Karen Clarke Sheard and Pastor J. Drew Sheard. We wish the future couple all the best. Israel Houghton makes history as his new release "Love God, Love People" is the first Christian iTunes LP. The "Love God, Love People" LP release will include interactive social network capabilities, a music mixer and Bible verses, as well as the ability to create your own album cover. The release, available on August 31, interactively includes not only new music, but also animated lyrics, chord charts, liner notes, performance videos, photos and other bonus materials, as well as the first-ever interactive “Mixer.” Lance Williams & True Worship Ministries presents True Worship Retreat 2010 on September 9-11, 2010. It happens at the Shiloh Baptist Church in Plainfield, NJ. The conference will feature panel discussions for worship leaders, musicians and aspiring artists. The event includes the "Next Generation" concert featuring JJ Hairston & Youthful Praise, Mali Music, Kierra Sheard, Jonathan Nelson, JudaCamp, TWyse and more. Also, there will be the "Women of Worship" concert featuring Sheri Jones-Moffett, Martha Munizzi, Dorinda Clark-Cole and Kathy Taylor. Gospel Jazz is one of the many specialized genres in sacred music that is gaining steam through artists like Ben Tankard, Angella Christie, Jonathan Butler and Kirk Whalum. With a passion for Gospel Jazz, Tehillah Enterprises, headed by former GRAMMY Awards Project Manager Andrea R. Williams, seeks to publicize this new genre and the amazing artists that represent it. Tehillah Enterprises aims to be at the forefront of publicizing this powerful, unique and inspirational style of music. For the first time in 41 years, the GMA Dove Awards leaves Nashville and head to Atlanta, GA. GMA president Ed Leonard cites the move as "a chance to shake things up while and a way to better embrace the black gospel community." The awards show will go down at the Fox Theater in Atlanta, GA on April 20, 2011. Evelyn Turrentine Agee has signed with Shanachie Entertainment. The Detroit-based vocalist is known for her 2001 smash hit "God Did It". She joins Kim Burrell, Ted Winn, Vicki Yohe and Benita Washingon as label mates. Evelyn Turrentine Agee's release is slated to hit stores September 28, 2010. Marvin Sapp wins the "Best Gospel Artist" award during the 2010 BET Awards at the Shrine Auditorium in Los Angeles, CA. Marvin Sapp also joined Kirk Franklin, Kim Burrell, Fred Hammond, Karen Clark-Sheard and Yolanda Adams for a performance of "Are You Listening". Kim Burrell did a guest spot during a medley of hits by Alicia Keys. Alvin Williams announces the launch of A Williams Entertainment Group, LLC, a multi-faceted entertainment company housing four divisions--management, live entertainment, book publishing, consulting and marketing. Williams' first release under this banner is an inspirational/motivational book titled What's Your Joseph Story? How to Live your God-Given Dreams. Shekinah Glory Ministry is preparing to release their next project with the launch of the new single "Just For Me". The new release, Refreshed By Fire, was recorded in May as part of their first-ever praise & worship conference. The new release is due in stores September 14, 2010. LeAndria Johnson beat out Elder Goldwire McClendon to win Season 3 of BET Sunday Best. The season finale of the show aired June 20, 2010 and featured performances from Hezekiah Walker & LFC, Donald Lawrence, Season 2 Winner Y'Anna Crawley, Season 2 finalists Jessica Reedy and Latice Crawford and Kim Burrell. Ultimate Entertainment artist and former Def Jam Vice President of A&R J.E. Jones, alleges that singing evangelist Juanita Bynum has stolen a song he's written entitled, "Soul Cry (Oh, Oh, Oh)." According to James Jones he has a signed contractual letter between himself and Bynum, she agreed to enter an executive production agreement with Jones. During this time Jones wrote and produced "Soul Cry (Oh, Oh, Oh)" to which he still has the masters and original recording of Bynum's voice. According to Music World Gospel/Son Flower Records however, the EP Soul Cry and its lyrics are written by Juanita Bynum, with music by Bynum and producer Cory "C. James" Washington. The CD is executive produced by Mathew Knowles. Lawyers have been in contact with both Juanita Bynum and her new label, Music World Gospel/Son Flower Records. A cease and desist order has been drafted and is being filed with Bynum, her lawyers, and distributing outlets. Richard Smallwood and his choir Vision is in the studio working on a brand new project. The new album, "Promises" is slated for an October 27, 2010. Kirk Franklin has penned a brand new book. "The Blueprint: A Plan for Living Above Life's Storms" is set for release on May 18, 2010 and will also be available on audiobook. Franklin will embark on a 9-city book tour which kicks off on May 18 in Atlanta, with stops in Washington, DC, New York City, Cleveland, Dallas, Detroit and Houston. The tour concludes on May 28 in Los Angeles, CA. Franklin's first book, Church Boy, was released over a decade ago. *********************************************************************** We Spotlight Black Scientists: Fire Extinguisher - Thomas J. Martin - Pat. No. 125,063 Rotary Engine - Andrew J. Bread - Pat. No. 478,271 Pencil Sharper - John L. Love - Pat. No.594, 114 Bridle Bit- Lincoln F. Brown - Pat. No. 484, 994 Golf Tee - George F. Grant -Pat No. 638, 920 Air Conditioning Unit - Fredrick M. Jones - Pat. No. 2,475, 841 Automatic Fishing Device - George Cook - Pat. No. 625, 829 Lawn Sprinkler-Joseph H. Smith- Pat. No. 581, 785 Guitar - Robert F. Flemmings, Jr. - Pat. No. 338,727 Elevator - Alexander Miles - Pat. No. 371,207 ______________________________________ We review Hot Albums! ______________________________________________________ Gospel-Spotlight.com is an E-Magazine with it's focus on Contemporary & Traditional Gospel music. Gospel-Spotlight.com provides vital information to the Gospel Community. We are Your Source for single and album charts, album reviews, audio interviews, artists spotlights and trends that occur in Gospel Music. We are your "Inside Source." This E-Magazine is a tool for Record Companies, Artists, Retail stores, Gospel Music Lover's, Public Relations Firms, Management Companies, Advertisers and Church Choirs and more." ___________________________________ New Releases: Updated July 2, 2010!