The Legendary Clark Sisters Win Big
Taking Home 3 Grammys
At The 50th Annual Grammy Awards
NASHVILLE - (February 11, 2008) It took the 50th Anniversary of the Grammy© Awards, the gospel events leading up to it and the fact that a pioneering group in the popularization of Gospel was embarking upon a "Reunion Tour" for Detroit's legendary Clark Sisters to make a long overdue splash at "music's biggest night." The Clark Sisters ( Elbertina "Twinkie" Clark-Terrell, Dorinda Clark-Cole, Jacky Clark-Chisolm, and Karen Clark-Sheard) took home trophies in three major categories: Best Traditional Gospel Album (for Live - One Last Time), Best Gospel Performance (for "Blessed & Highly Favored" - which tied with Aretha Franklin & Mary J. Blige's "Never Gonna Break My Faith") and Best Gospel Song (for Karen Clark-Sheard's composition "Blessed & Highly Favored"). The Gospel Hall of Fame members were also recipients in June 2007 of the esteemed President's Merit Award for Lifetime Achievement at the Grammy Salute to Gospel. After two decades-plus of faithful service, these marked the quartet's very first well-deserved Grammys.
"We feel overjoyed, knowing there is hope no matter how long the wait is in receiving what God has for you, says Dorinda Clark Cole. It is our time!"
As if the honors were not enough, The Clark Sisters were also featured in the prime time telecast on Sunday night in an all-star medley singing their classic "You Brought the Sunshine," the first crossover gospel/pop hit to become the #1 Billboard album in 1983. The superstar siblings performed in the company of the legendary Aretha Franklin, as well as, with Bebe Winans, Israel and New Breed, the Madison Bumble Bees and Trin-i-tee 5:7, earning an overwhelming standing ovation for one of the most unforgettable performances of the magical evening.
Says Karen Clark-Sheard, "Performing with The Queen of Soul and our peers was an unforgettable night that I will always remember. It was a great honor to be recognized by the music industry's most prestige organization."
2007-08 has been a banner year for the ladies. The Clark Sisters are in the midst of heavy promotion for their very successful reunion CD/DVD for the EMI Gospel label, Live - One Last Time, their first project together since focusing on solo careers following the release of 1994's Miracle. The generous, 17-song Live (produced by Donald Lawrence and recorded in July 2006 before a sell-out crowd of 6,000 in Houston's George R. Brown Convention Center) has been a fixture in the Top 10 of Billboard magazine's Top Gospel Albums chart for 43 weeks (including the #1 slot) since its release on April 10, 2007. The group took home five Stellar Awards in January for the historic reunion release. March will find them embarking on the second leg of their breathlessly awaited concert tour.
Flame to Release Sequel to Two-Album Series On March 4th
Rapper Completes Audio Novel with Our World: Redeemed
Nashville, TN -- Cross Movement Records has announced the March 4, 2008 release of rapper Flame's fourth album, Our World: Redeemed, the second installment in his two-part audio novel and the sequel to his album Our World: Fallen, which released April 17, 2007, to rave reviews. The two-part album series captures the story of Flame befriending a non-believer and pointing him to the cross of Christ, while examining the fallen condition of the world.
Beginning from the Our World: Fallen cliffhanger ending, Our World: Redeemed digs deeper into the plot concerning Flame's fictional non-believer friend, whose life is now surrendered to Jesus Christ in this second chapter. Flame paints a vivid picture of his many efforts to disciple and to exhort his friend in all areas of the Christian life, from ethical values to Biblical principles. Based on Flame's example, his friend then begins to disciple others, leading many to Christ. The plot thickens as tragedy turns to triumph, when Flame's untimely passing becomes the inspiration to carry on the legacy of the Gospel.
With production by Tony Stone, DJ Official and J.R., Our World: Redeemed is comprised of 16 tracks and features collaborations with Trip Lee, Json, Iz-Real (Everyday Process), Future and Shai Linne, plus the work of beat masters Chike, K-Drama, Speedy and Alex Medina. The album runs the gamut from aggressive to lighter fare. Its most aggressive tracks include "Who Can Pluck Us," an extreme head banger laced with arranged strings and strong snares, and the crunk-styled "Hold On." On the lighter side, there's the soul-stirring "It's You," the prayerful worship medley "See More Him" and the anthemic hip-hop worship ballad "Power In Your Name," featuring Dawn Dia from the duo Cho'zyn.
Born in the inner city streets of St. Louis, Flame accepted Christ at the age of 16 and was heavily influenced by the hip-hop culture. He was particularly drawn to the work of The Cross Movement, who later signed the young rapper to their own label. One of the youngest members of the Cross Movement Records artist roster, Flame is currently studying Biblical counseling at Boyce College in Louisville, KY. The Dove Award nominee and 2008 Holy Hip Hop Award honoree has been ministering for over 10 years in music and speaking engagements. His latest album, Our World: Fallen peaked at #7 on Billboard's Top Gospel Albums chart.
Flame's Our World: Redeemed will be available on Cross Movement Records and distributed in the CBA market by Provident-Integrity Distribution and by Sony/BMG in the general market. For more information on Flame and his new album Our World: Redeemed.
EMI Gospel Recording Artist Da'Quela Releases
Debut Album "Blue Sky" on February 26
Album Title Track "Blue Sky" at Radio Now
EMI Gospel newest young songstress Da'Quela is proud to announce the retail release of her debut album Blue Sky, on February 26th. The album follows DaQuela's riveting performance that crowned her winner of Trinity Broadcasting Network's (TBN) "Gifted" television talent search competition.
DaQuela's small town charm and big city influence garnered her the big break she always wanted. At the age of 2 the singer began performing with her older brother in Beloit, Wisconsin. Growing up in the rural outskirts of Wisconsin, and becoming a single mother produced many challenges for her dream to become a national recording artist. Throughout her young life Da'Quela never moved from her love of Christ, music, or family. However, by the budding age of 24 Da'Quela decided to challenge God with a religiously influenced ultimatum. "If I'm not signed to a recording label, or something by the age of 25, I'm gonna quit."
Knowing that God is always in control, Da'Quela held fast to her dreams and sang her way past 16,000 contestants to win the first ever TBN "Gifted" talent search competition. Da'Quela received accolades and a stamp of approval form industry veterans, Eddie DeGarmo and Andre Crouch. Eddie observed her amazing personality style and charm stating "You have a special gift, and whether or not you win this competition...., you should be making music so we can all enjoy it."
Blue Sky was produced by industry pros Antonio Neal, DoubleDutch, (Josiah Bell and Robert Marvin), and Cedric Thompson. The 10-track album features all new original music from the layers of Da'Quela's life and soul.
With total confidence Da'Quela delivers a powerhouse performance along side Darwin Hobbs on the track "Never Too Far." She conveys her flexibility on the up tempo tracks" U Gonna Make It" "I Got You" and "So Happy."
To support Blue Sky, the multifaceted singer is preparing for national media interviews. February 29th DaQuela will appear in her hometown on TMJ channel 4 The Morning Blend talk show.
Dreams can unfold into life altering fulfilled ambitions-Blue Sky proves that faith, determination and the calling to create good quality music will always prevail.
Bishop Patterson Tribute Album
Beverly Crawford, Marvin Winans, Bishop Paul Morton
headline All-Star recording tribute!
Beverly Crawford, Marvin Winans, Bishop Paul Morton, Dottie Peoples, Walter Hawkins and more headline an all-star lineup of gospel's top stars, who are lending their talents to a double CD recording in Memphis, TN on Feb 23rd, celebrating the life of Bishop GE Patterson, the late presiding bishop of the Church of God in Christ, who died on March 20, 2007.
Bountiful Blessings gospel WBBP-AM/Memphis president/GM Louise Patterson will record the live CD at the Temple of Deliverance Church of God in Christ located at 369 G. E. Patterson Ave, Memphis, TN 38126. The recording is free to the public and all are invited to attend.
The Bishop GE Patterson Tribute Album, produced by multiple Grammy winner Edwin Hawkins and organ virtuoso Moses Tyson, Jr, will be released on Podium Records. Others slated to perform include Timothy Wright, Rance Allen, Bishop Larry Trotter, and more!
