Welcome to Gospel-Spotlight.com!! GS NEWS ROOM, #1 FIRST WITH NEWS     May 18, 2012 UPDATE!! ..  Freda Battle to launch independent label.... Jonathan McReynolds signs with Light.... May 18, 2012 UPDATE!! .. Pastor Marvin Winans attacked...The King's Men Tour coming soon....  News News News News News News News News News ____________________________________________ CCM Artist Montell Jordan wife, Kristin, gave birth to their 4th child, Samantha Victoria Jordan. Samantha, who has already been nicknamed Lady Bug, arrived at 4:36 pm on May 15th and weighed 6 pounds, 14.2 ounces and is 19 inches long. Pastor Marvin L. Winans was attacked and carjacked in Detroit, while getting gas. A group of young men robbed him of $200.00 and stole his new Infiniti QX56 SUV. Pastor Winans was punched and says "I called out the name of Jesus and they fled." We ask that you pray for the pastor and his attackers. From rapper to pastor, back to rapper, Mase has gone through some changes. But he regrets making his way to the pulpit. He retired from the hip hop industry 13 years ago to preach the gospel and eased his way back. Also known as Mason Betha, the 34 year old shared some interesting revelations on a TBN interview. Look for The King's Men Tour coming to a town near you. The tour will feature Kirk Franklin, Israel Houghton, Donnie McClurkin and Marvin Sapp. Mary Mary will give a free one hour concert to True Holy Church the winners of the Pillsbury Something Big Campaign. True Holy Church’s community service initiative captured the essence of the contest. The 100 member church has been serving their community through their Kitchen Pantry and Clothing Bank since 1988. They will received a free one hour concert by Mary Mary and breakfast for their entire community sponsored by Pillsbury. Aretha Franklin, the Queen of Soul, is taking her place in the Gospel Music Hall of Fame. Franklin is one of six people who'll be inducted into the Hall on Aug. 14 in Hendersonville, Tenn. Aretha Franklin is the 2005 recipient of a Presidential Medal Of Freedom honor, 17 Grammy Awards, a Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award and a Grammy Living Legend Award. President Obama caused a stir in the Christian and Faith-Based community after revealing to ABC News that he supports same-sex marriage. Obama believes that same-sex couples should be able to marry. Christians who disprove of Obama supporting gay marriage were quick to quote Leviticus 18:22-23 in the Bible which states, You shall not lie with a male as one lies with a female; it is an abomination. However, Obama believes that his support of gay marriage doesn’t compromise his Christianity or religious beliefs. Light Records in conjunction with Tehillah Music Group announce the signing of singer, songwriter Jonathan McReynolds. McReynolds will release his debut album, "Life Music" this Fall. Micah Stampley announced that he’s no longer with Music World Gospel. He states, "On behalf of Heidi and I and the Interface Entertainment Group of Companies, we sincerely thank Mr. Mathew Knowles and the Music World family. We wish them continued success and look forward to all the things God has in store for us in the future to come.” Music World Gospel hasn’t commented on the move. Worship Leader, Songwriter and Recording Artist Freda Battle has launched her new independent label Peace-O-Mind Music and inked a national distribution deal with independent distributor Central South Distribution. Freda Battle & The Temple Worshippers with Friends will release their long-awaited new CD, How Glorious AND Excellent Is Our God available in stores and online June 12. The judges have chosen P. Lo Jetson as the winner of the nationwide Most Powerful Voices gospel singing competition. This 22-year-old gospel rapper from Clinton, Mississippi, whose real name is Dale Sellers, beat out more than 500 contestants for the coveted grand prize title. The competition was presented by the American Heart Association/American Stroke Association, GMC TV (Gospel Music Channel), Roland Corporation and Light Records as a fun way to educate people about stroke. The top 10 finalists were judged by former Destiny’s Child singer Michelle Williams, Christian Hip Hop artist “Flame” and representatives from Light Records, Roland Corporation, GMC TV and the American Heart Association/American Stroke Association. President Obama signed his annual proclamation designating the first Thursday in May as the National Day of Prayer, a traditional that began under President Truman in 1952. However, some atheists and secular groups are planning protests and are asking the annual day be discontinued. But the Rev. Barry Lynn, executive director of Americans United for Separation of Church and State, takes issue with the day and says the annual day has been hijacked by conservatives to promote a far-right religious-political agenda. The National Day of Prayer is just another attempt by the Religious Right to mix government with religion, says Americans United for Separation of Church and State. We just learned a tragedy occurred at the Tyler Perry studio complex in Atlanta. A four alarm fire broke out at the facility which took over 100 firefighters and at least 20 trucks to put out. Reports say it took over an hour to control the flames that started around 8:40 p.m. Atlanta Fire Department Capt. J. L. Bundrige says there were no injuries reported. The 200,000 square feet studio has five sound stages, a post-production facility, a back lot, a 400-seat theater, a private screening room and designated areas for entertaining and hosting events. It's unknown if the fire will affect any productions, as there appears to be damage to only two buildings at the facility. TDJ Enterprises / TDJ Independents announced today that the company has signed on as executive producer to two new films the highly-anticipated feature "Winnie," the untold love story of Winnie and Nelson Mandela starring Academy Award winnerJennifer Hudson and Academy Award nominee Terrence Howard, and "A Million Colours," which was the opening film at the 2012 Hollywood Black Film Festival. With production recently completed on both films, TDJ Enterprises will serve in an executive producer capacity helping to develop domestic marketing and distribution channels for both films. Months of rumors have now been confirmed: Russell Crowe will take on the lead role in an upcoming film based on the epic biblical story of Noah and his ark. Darren Aronofsky, director of Black Swan, who will also direct Noah, seemed overjoyed to have the Academy Award-winner as the lead actor in Russell Crowe Playing Noah in Upcoming Film Based on "Noah's Ark." Kirk Franklin, Marvin Winans, Yolanda Adams will perform at the 2012 Essence Festival." Kirk Franklin has been added to its main stage roster. Additionally, the free Essence Empowerment Experience in the Ernest N. Morial Convention Center has added a tribute to Gospel stars Fred Hammond and Mary Mary on Sunday, July 8, the final day of the festival. Scheduled participants in the tribute include Yolanda Adams – who is also slated to perform at the New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival presented by Shell – Pastor Marvin Winans, Bishop Lester Love, Maurette Brown Clark, Tramaine Hawkins, Kim Burrell, Israel Houghton, Byron Cage and Tyronne Foster & the Arc Singers. Stellar & Dove Award winner and Grammy nominated Dottie Peoples has announced that former head of Atlanta International Records Alan Freeman has been named President of DP Muzik Group effective immediately. DP Muzik Group is the Atlanta based record label that she founded and launched in 2008. Dottie Peoples serves as CEO & Founder. Bishop Rudolph McKissick Jr. and the Word & Worship Mass Choir's Live Recording will go down Friday April 27, 2012 at the Bethel Baptist Institutional Church Jacksonville, FL. Riva Tims, the ex-wife of Zachery Tims, announced that a special gathering would be held next week to remember the late pastor on his birthday at the Florida cemetery where he was buried last summer. Tims, who recently revealed in an interview how her marriage to the late charismatic preacher fell apart due to infidelity. Marvin Sapp drops third #1 album in a row. "I Win" is this weeks new number #1 effort. The cancellation of Mary Mary’s highly anticipated tour creates very serious personal and business consequences for the Gospel duo. This business decision puts Mary Mary’s financial future, relationships and reputation at risk. The cancellation hit home when little sister and stylist Goo, along with manager Mitchell, got into a heated argument over money. Erica and Tina are faced with resolving a conflict between family and business interests. Amidst the stress of dealing with canceling the tour, Tina is terrified that she is pregnant as a result of forgetting to take her birth control pills. I Hear Music In The Air conference will go down in Cincinnati May 18-20, 2012. The who's who's of the industry will be there. It looks like wedding bells will be ringing soon for 7th Day Adventist Preacher DeVon Franklin, who is also VP of Production at Columbia/Sony Pictures and Actress Megan Good. Franklin proposed to Good after being in a relationship with her for some time now. James “Jazzy” Jordan, executive vice president, Verity Gospel Music Group, today announced that the label has added Latice Crawford-Spain to its roster. Crawford-Spain is perhaps best known as a finalist in the second season of BET’s Sunday Best. A crowd favorite with a small frame and a big voice, Crawford-Spain left an indelible mark in the Gospel music industry since being introduced to the nation as a contestant on the show in 2009. Vickie Winans is hitting the road to promote 2 newly recorded Comedy DVDs, entitled, “Hilarious And Unplugged” Volumes 1 and 2. The stand-up comedy projects will be available in stores, on her website and at every stop along the projected 40-city tour that will take her into churches, theaters and other venues. The tour kicks off on Easter Sunday, April 8, 2012 at the 10,000-seater, House of Hope/Salem Baptist Church Worship Center, in Chicago and continues throughout the summer. How do you begin again, after hitting rock bottom. Bishop Larry D. Trotter during one of the most trying times of his life as a father, son, husband and Pastor endured some major challenges which caused him to face many harsh realities “One day you’re on top of the mountain and the next moment you’re living in some deserted valley” Through all of his challenges, Bishop Trotter learned who he really is, how to be disciplined and how to “Live Above See Level.“ Balance is brought on by discipline. To live above SEE level, you have to exercise great discipline. Bishop Trotter shares his testimony in the new book. “Living Above See Level.” It is the true story of struggle, stress, success and never losing faith in God and His promises. It’s been almost two years since Pastor Marvin Sapp lost his wife Malinda to cancer. Lately, rumors have been swirling around that Pastor Sapp is dating a reality TV star; in which Pastor Sapp denies and says they are just friends. While aboard the recent One Love Gospel Cruise, Pastor Sapp kept it real and said he’s not looking for a woman now because he and his kids are still healing. However, he did give details about what he wants in a woman. Such as she has to have her own thing going own, she must be willing to sign a pre-nup and she must be unbelievably gorgeous. TV Land has picked up its fifth original sitcom, “Soul Man,” starring Cedric “The Entertainer,” it was announced today at the TCA Winter Press Tour by Larry W. Jones, president, TV Land. The network has ordered 12 episodes for the first season, which is set to premiere in June of this year. The sitcom, which was created by Cedric and Suzanne Martin. It revolves around Cedric’s character, Reverend Boyce “The Voice” Ballentine, an R&B superstar-turned-minister who takes over as preacher of his father’s church. Niecy Nash also stars as the reverend’s wife, Lolli. Recently, Grammy Award-Winning Producer, Composer and Gospel Recording artist, Donald Lawrence performed “Not Making Sense, Making Faith” in Memphis after a Grizzlies game. During the performance he revealed to an unsuspecting audience that he hasn’t been in the public eye lately due to him being diagnosed with cancer. He explained that he has been receiving treatment for the diagnosis in Los Angeles. However, Donald announced that there is now no sign of cancer in his body. Actress Brely Evans is a young Hollywood talent rising rapidly in notoriety with her feet firmly planted in a faith ever increasing. Brely is emerging as a multi-talented actress, singer/songwriter and passionate motivational speaker whose career is being fueled by her ability to connect with audiences on-stage, on-screen and on a personal level. With increasing opportunities in film and TV, Brely boldly continues to stand firm in Godly character against the opportunities that might challenge and taint her integrity and faith. Brely will be seen in the upcoming TriStar feature film remake of the 1976 hit movie Sparkle. Brely was cast in the role of “Tune Ann” alongside of an all-star cast: Jordin Sparks (“American Idol” winner, Season 6), the late Multi-Grammy® Award winner Whitney Houston, Derek Luke, Mike Epps, Carmen Ejogo, Tika Sumpter, Omari Hardwick, Cee-Lo Green and Tamela Mann. Marvin Sapp will soon be adding "author" to his resume. Sapp, pastor of Lighthouse Full Life Center Church, said he has signed an initial agreement with Destiny Image Publishers that he hopes will bring a book to store shelves before the end of the year. " It looks like we could have to wait longer to find out what the Mega-church Pastor Zachery Tims died from. A decision made by the New York City appeals court could delay a ruling until 2013. Zachery Tims' mother won a temporary victory Tuesday when the court ruled in favor of her request to keep medical officials from making public the Florida pastor's cause of death. In a decision filed Tuesday, the five-panel New York County Appellate court granted Madeline Tims' request to prevent the City of New York and the city medical examiner's office from revealing what killed Tims, who was found dead in the W Hotel in Times Square on Aug. 12, 2011. This year's 2012 Change Experience will mark ten (10) special years of fellowship, spiritual renewal, and the sparking of life-changing purpose for countless men and women across the United States and the world. Created by Dr. Creflo Dollar, senior pastor of World Changers Church International. The 2012 Change Experience will impact eight (8) cities in the United States and Canada, kicking off in Birmingham, AL on March 16th, with a different city each month on the tour, including Los Angeles, Cincinnati, Toronto, Boston, and Omaha. It appears that the Long's have decided to give their marriage another try! According to the Christian Post, the divorce case between Georgia megachurch pastor Eddie Long and wife Vanessa Long has been closed and dismissed, according to the DeKalb County Online Judicial System. However, there remains a possibility the case could continue in the future. Congratulates to Malaco Music and The Sounds Of Blackness for winning the NAACP AWARD in the category of Outstanding World Music Album. Kirk Franklin and his chart-topping album HELLO FEAR was just certified Gold, as reported by the R.I.A.A. The announcement follows Franklin’s two GRAMMY® awards wins for Best Gospel Album (HELLO FEAR) and Best Gospel Song (“Hello Fear”) earlier this week at the 54th Annual GRAMMY® Awards celebration held on February 12 at the Staples Center in Los Angeles. With these two new trophies, Franklin – the #1 selling Gospel artist of all time – now has nine career GRAMMY® awards. Franklin will also perform at this year’s live NBC Network NAACP Image award show this Friday, February 17 at 8:00 p.m. EST -- in which he is nominated for two awards – Outstanding Song (“I Smile”) and Outstanding Gospel Album (HELLO FEAR). Kingdom Records’ Shekinah Glory Ministry is preparing for a highly-anticipated new live recording scheduled to go down Saturday, April 28, 2012 at Valley Kingdom Ministries International Oak Forest, IL. Grammy Award nominated producer Daniel Weatherspoon will head the new CD. It's official, Mary Mary has reached over 1 Million likes on Facebook, making them the first Gospel Recording Artists to ever to do so. One of the few artists that actually manage and control their own social networking accounts. Pastor Paula White was rumored to be crowned Queen in a future service. An allegation that White and her representative vehemently deny. Statements were released on Paula White's website to deflect the connection between White and Rabbi Messer. Then an anonymous person uploaded a video that shows a torah wrapping demonstration similar to the one performed at Bishop Eddie Long's new birth church. White has previously interviewed Rabbi Messer, reportedly a Messianic Jew, on her television show, the statement affirmed. However, the statement also insisted that White has no ties or affiliation with Messer and that she does not endorse him in any way, and she will not be participating in any events with him. According to reports, Bishop Eddie Long has apologized to the Anti-Defamation League over an incident in which he was wrapped in a Torah scroll and crowned king. Long says, "The ceremony was not my suggestion, nor was it my intent, to participate in any ritual that is offensive in any manner to the Jewish community, or any group. Furthermore, I sincerely denounce any action that depicts me as a King, for I am merely just a servant of the Lord." *********************************************************************** 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 ______________________________________________________ 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 Music Industry. 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 May 1, 2012!