J.J. Hairston & Youthful Praise Are Back
With Their CD/DVD Release Of "Exalted...Live In Baltimore "
Nashville, TN: The Bridgeport, CT-based choir and charismatic director James "JJ" Hairston along with Youthful Praise, are back at it again with the CD/DVD combo release of "Exalted... Live in Baltimore " (Evidence/Light Records). Set to release May 13, 2008, the 35 member aggregation recorded their live performance at Baltimore's Church of the Redeemed of the Lord. The project is packed with cameos by Judith McAllister, Ted Winn (Ted & Sheri), Jordan Martin, Timiney Figueroa Caton & Steve Lawrence, and Hairston's mother-in-law, Gloria White, and is guaranteed to have viewers dancing and singing praises.
With 20 years and five albums under their belt it was only natural for YP to finally release their first DVD. Much like the album, there is something on the DVD that will impact everyone. "We try to bring the church service to the listeners and viewers," says Hairston. So much like a church service, YP fashions their album accordingly: praise and worship which leads to worship ballads in preparation of the word, the message, and closing praise.
All with YP flair there are worship anthems such "He is Exalted/Give You Praise" and "Glory and Honor" featuring Judith Christie McAllister, up-tempo pop-rock tracks, "Everything is Changed" and "You Are" featuring Jordan Martin, congregational tunes such as "Sincerity" and "Jesus Reigns", street rhythms such as "Freedom" and the rousing modern disco vibe of "Spirit of God." Consistent with YP's praise mantra there is the call and response tune, "I Will Give You Praise" (featuring Timiney Figueroa Caton & Steve Lawrence ) that stylistically lends a resemblance to "Incredible God, Incredible Praise." Led by Hairston's mother-in law, Evangelist Gloria White, "Satisfied" will remind YP enthusiasts of the traditional Pentecostal feet stomping and fast piano playing. To close out the taping is the soulful groove of "Wonderful God" which was written and led by Ted Winn of the Stellar award winning duo, Ted & Sheri.
While YP has stayed true to glorifying God, YP has certainly grown over the last two decades they have been performing together. There sound has matured, there praise has impacted lives, and their experiences have changed their outlook. But even with the changes Hairston exclaims, "We worship, we praise, we dance, and we shout! And we try to present all of that in our music as well."
"I hope and pray that believers will truly be encouraged to praise God after listening to this record. I want them to believe every word He says without doubt. In a day like today, our faith has to be stronger than ever before," Hairston shares.
For more information please visit www.youthfulpraise.org.
Marvin Sapp's "Never Would Have Made It"
Becomes Longest #1 Single Across All Genres
New York, NY - An intensely pure and impassioned refrain expressing how God's grace helped Marvin Sapp through one of the most difficult times of his life has become a triumphant anthem that has taken radio by storm.
This week, after spending 32 weeks as the #1 song at gospel radio, Marvin Sapp's "Never Would Have Made It" becomes the longest running #1 radio single across all formats in the history of the BDS chart and surpasses former record-shattering hits that have topped the Adult Contemporary, Rock, Hot AC and Regional Mexican charts for 25 weeks or more. Gaining a new and growing audience at urban mainstream, "Never Would Have Made It" is currently the #10 most played and #3 most increased airplay single on the Urban AC Chart.
"We are immensely proud to have made radio history. This is a great moment for Marvin Sapp and a great moment for gospel music that will stand for years to come," says B. Jeffrey Grant-Clark, Zomba Gospel's Vice President of Promotions/Artist Relations.
Marvin Sapp says, "This has been such an amazing experience, because we weren't even going to put this song on the album. The song was birthed during a time of pain that I thought would be my breaking point, but everyone has had a never would have made it moment and that's why I think the song is receiving such a tremendous response."
"Never Would Have Made It" is the first single off of Sapp's blockbuster CD Thirsty, which is in its 22nd week as #1 on the gospel sales charts. Thirsty was released July 3, 2007.
Beverly Crawford He's Done Enough Tour
Coming To A City Near You!
Riding high on the success of her #1 chart-topping single "He's Done Enough" (currently one of the most requested songs in the country - R&R/Billboard), multiple Grammy nominee & JDI recording artist Beverly Crawford embarks upon an ambitious 40 city He's Done Enough Tour, with stops in Philadelphia, Dallas, Atlanta, Houston and more (partial lineup below).
Featured in the May issue of Ebony Magazine, Beverly Crawford's "Live from Los Angeles" is one of the breakout hit CDs of the year and is also enjoying unprecedented critical acclaim. From Barack Obama, to Natalie Cole, Patti LaBelle, and others, "He's Done Enough" has touched the lives of millions around the nation and world with its simple message of gratitude.
So mark your calendars for the anointed Beverly Crawford and the He's Done Enough Tour, which is shaping up as one of the most talked about gospel tours of the year.
May 14
Mt. Sinai COGIC
Brooklyn, NY
May 15
Upper Room COGIC
Raleigh, NC
May 16
Greater Grace COGIC
Albany, GA
May 18
Pilgrim Rest Church
Montgomery, AL
May 23-24
Truth for Living
Jacksonville, FL
May 25
Family Fest
Columbia, SC
May 29
C.B.N Television
Norfolk, VA
June 1-4
Oak Cliff Bible Fellowship
Dallas, TX
June 6
Heal the Hurting Ministries
Jackson, MS
June 8
Greater Pure Life
Houston, TX
June 21
The Worship Place
Jacksonville, VA
June 22
Sharon Baptist Church
Philadelphia, PA
June 25
Edwin Hawkins Music & Arts
Sacramento, CA
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June 28-29
Mayfield Memorial Baptist
Charlotte, NC
July 12
Maurice Tipkin
Hartford, CT
July 18
Fellowship of Love
Savannah, GA
July 24
Full Gospel Baptist Convention
Birmingham, AL
July 25-26
Highway Memorial Temple
Douglas, GA
July 27
G.M.P.A
Philadelphia, PA
July 31
Victory in Praise
Sacramento, CA
Aug 7-8
Billy Crayton Ministries
Orlando, FL
Aug 8-15
GMWA
Nashville, TN
Aug 16
Soul for Sound
Macon, GA
Aug 23
St Mark
Little Rock, AR
Aug 31
Pastor Ward
Memphis, TN
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Sept 3
A.J Wright Ministries
West Palm Beach, FL
Sept 5
Church of God By Faith
Fort Myers, FL
Sept 10-14
G.F.W.C. Women's Conference
Gainesville, FL
Sept 19
Antioch Baptist Church
Dallas, TX
Sept 26
Jesus is the Way Ministries
St. Augustine, FL
Oct 5
Ebeneezer A.M.E.
Fort Washington, MD
Oct 11
New Hope
Houston, TX
Oct 17
High Point Tabernacle
Smyrna, GA
Oct 18
W.O.W. Conference
Dallas, TX
Oct 25
Take it to the Bridge
Houston, TX
Nov 2 - 9
COGIC Holy Convocation
Memphis, TN
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Xist Records Relaunches, Partners With Tyscot Records
And Readies Sean Simmonds New Album "It's Over"
After a successful release of the album Sean Simmonds...True Story, Xist Records went back to the drawing boards, by moving J. Ross to general manager, bringing on Wendy Collins-Sqiurwell on for publicity and doing some much needed restructuring. "We needed to get ready for the long haul" says, T. Black-CEO Xist Records.
Xist also recently signed a joint venture partnership with Tyscot Records. Anticipated releases from the joint venture include Sean Simmonds, Yvette Graham (formerly known as Ms. Tonex) and Sharon Riley and Faith Chorale.
The first release from the partnership is Sean Simmonds highly anticipated sophomore release "It's Over" coming September 23, 2008. The first single, "My Life" featuring Sharon Riley and Faith Chorale is already receiving rave reviews." Sean Simmonds has proven to be on the cutting edge," says Bryant Scott -Tyscot Records President.
"We are proud to partner with Sean and Xist Records in presenting more cutting edge music to the world." "I'm really excited about this joint venture with the Scott family and the Tyscot team, says T. Black. "They have 30 years and counting in this business and that says a lot to myself and my Xist crew. It's an honor!" Sean Simmonds is currently accepting dates for his upcoming Promotional tour for booking please call 404-513-2261
