VERITY GOSPEL MUSIC GROUP TOPS BILLBOARD’S 2011 GOSPEL CHARTS ROUNDUP

Kirk Franklin Has Top Album and is Top Gospel Albums Artist of the Year

Billboard’s year end music charts have been published and, for the fourth consecutive year, Verity Gospel Music Group is the Top Gospel Album Label Imprint of the year. Additionally, RCA is the top Gospel Album label.

Billboard lists Kirk Franklin as the top Gospel Albums Artist of the year, and his HELLO FEAR is the year’s top Gospel Album. Additionally, Verity Gospel Music Group secured three of Billboard’s list of Top-10 Gospel Album Artists; seven of the Top-25 Gospel Albums; three of the Top-10 Hot Gospel Songs Artists, and five of the Top-25 Hot Gospel Songs - including Franklin’s “I Smile;” Marvin Sapp’s “He Has His Hands on You;” and Deitrick Haddon’s “Well Done.”

“It is an honor to work with the best and brightest in Gospel music, and our #1 position in the genre is a nod to our commitment to cultivating and propelling the great tradition that is Gospel music,” says James “Jazzy” Jordan, Executive Vice President, Verity Gospel Music Group.

Verity Gospel Music Group’s 2012 releases will include WOW Gospel 2012 and new music from Fred Hammond, Marvin Sapp, J Moss, Crystal Aikin and Donnie McClurkin.

Verity also received 14 Stellar Award nominations, and four Grammy Award nominations.

(December 17, 2011)

ANDRAÉ CROUCH GARNERS GRAMMY NOMINATION FOR ACCLAIMED RELEASE THE JOURNEY

Living legend, ANDRAÉ CROUCH earns a coveted Grammy nomination for THE JOURNEY in the Best Gospel Album category.

THE JOURNEY, the icon's first album in over 6 years was released this summer on Riverphlo Entertainment and features 15 power-filled songs. Teaming up with long time producer & friend, Riverphlo president/CEO Luther "Mano" Hanes, Crouch offers what has widely been considered the best album of the year.

Hanes has the gifted ability to tap into Crouch's artistic genius having worked with him on his last album, "Mighty Wind" and truly showcased Crouch at his peak. THE JOURNEY is a solid collection of timeless songs that are worshipful and inspiring.

The musical production and vocal arrangement shine on THE JOURNEY includes several heavy-hitting collaborations. Among the highlights: Chaka Khan and Sheila E. on the upbeat anthem "All Around the World." The incomparable Kim Burrell along with Take 6 beautifully deliver the stirring ballad "Faith" and the current radio smash, "Let The Church Say Amen" featuring Pastor Marvin Winans.

Celebrating a life-long career that has included numerous accomplishments: 18 solo albums, 9 Grammy Awards, and countless accolades. THE JOURNEY entered in the top 10 on Billboard's Gospel chart and was Crouch's highest debut on Billboard's Gospel Chart in recent times.

Available this holiday season is the exclusive, My Life, My Journey Collection offered on www.ACTheJourney.com. This special bundle is a must-have for music and gospel lovers. A comprehensive package that includes, THE JOURNEY CD & bonus DVD (includes interview and performance footage from the exceptional recording process of the album); "Live In Los Angeles" concert DVD (recorded last Summer with 14 live tracks of classic Crouch hits); an enhanced single of "The Promise" (includes instrumental track, music video and sheet music); an autographed picture of Andraé Crouch and THE JOURNEY songbook.

"The music reaches people. It can encourage them. I feel like I have to do it because there is somebody out there who needs to hear the gospel," said Crouch. "That's all I want in life is to be remembered as a guy that really loved God. I want God to use me."

THE JOURNEY has also received critical acclaim. Andraé was featured in Essence.com, CCM Magazine, TheGrio.com, Christianity Today, NPR, the 700 Club, Tavis Smiley Radio Show and others. Crouch was honored at Verizon's How Sweet The Sound Choir Competition finale event in Los Angeles in October where he was presented the "LIVING LEGEND" award, by fellow icon Chaka Khan.

THE JOURNEY is distributed by Universal Christian Music Group/ Fontana Distribution. For more information log onto www.ACTheJourney.com.

(December 17, 2011)

KIRK FRANKLIN’S HELLO FEAR DEBUTS #1 ON GOSPEL CHART; #5 ON BILLBOARD TOP-200; HELLO FEAR IS 4th HIGHEST GOSPEL DEBUT IN SOUNDSCAN HISTORY

FRANKLIN PERFORMS ON THE MO’NIQUE SHOW MONDAY, APRIL 4th; NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLING BOOK ‘THE BLUEPRINT: A PLAN FOR LIVING ABOVE LIFE’S STORMS’ AVAILABLE IN PAPERBACK APRIL 5th

New York, NY – March 30, 2011 – Kirk Franklin’s 12th CD, HELLO FEAR, debuts #1 on Billboard’s Gospel sales chart, and #5 on the Billboard Top-200, making the CD the 4th highest Gospel debut in SoundScan history. This is Kirk Franklin’s biggest first week release since the 2002 release of The Rebirth of Kirk Franklin. The CD also debuted #1 on the Christian/Gospel Digital Albums Chart; #3 on the R&B Chart, and #7 on the Overall Digital Albums Chart.

James “Jazzy” Jordan, EVP Verity Gospel Music Group says: “Kirk Franklin is in a class by himself not just in Gospel music, but in music – period. He is a genius in the studio, an incredible songwriter and has a heart and ear firmly poised towards God. His music is always timeless, and HELLO FEAR is no exception. His music makes you smile not just today, but everyday.

Kirk Franklin says: “I am just humbled. It is a blessing to know that, after all of these years making music, God continues to give me songs that people want to hear. I knew going into this project that God was not as concerned about what I do in the process of this album, but what I become in the process of this album. I am hopeful that HELLO FEAR reaches the hearts of everyone who purchased the CD and helps them along their process of becoming who God would have them become.”

Though Franklin is currently taping the new season of BET’s Sunday Best - for which he serves as co-executive producer and host - and touring with Steve Harvey, he is spending significant time promoting HELLO FEAR through radio and press visits; church and promotional appearances, and retail in-stores in New York, Chicago, Philadelphia, D.C. and Baltimore. Tomorrow, March 31, he will make an appearance at Stonecrest Mall in Atlanta. In addition to a new CD being available, Franklin’s New York Times Bestseller “The Blueprint: A Plan for Living Above Life’s Storms” will be released in paperback April 5.

HELLO FEAR was written and produced by Kirk Franklin. The CD’s first single, “I Smile” is Top-5 at Gospel and Urban radio. Kirk Franklin will perform “I Smile” and “Before I Die” this Monday, April 4, on BET’s The Mo’Nique Show and will also appear on The Dove Awards April 24 on The Gospel Music Channel.

(April 2, 2011)

James Fortune Brings New Label FIYA World Music To Light Records & eOne Distribution

SR VP & General Manager of Light Records, James Robinson announced a marketing and distribution agreement with JAMES FORTUNE & FIYA, to bring his new label, FIYA World Music to Light Records and eOne Distribution.

The three year deal, which was inked this week, includes the future recordings of James Fortune & FIYA as well as a number of other artists FIYA World Music is recording Under the terms of the agreement, Light Records will handle marketing and promotion while eOne will handle distribution.

Fortune & FIYA introduced themselves to the world with their debut CD, YOU SURVIVED in 2005. They amassed recognition in 2009, with the award winning song, "I Trust You," from their sophomore release THE TRANSFORMATION.

"I am so grateful to Black Smoke Music and Kerry Douglas for all they've done for me ... the platform they gave me was unbelievable and I will always be thankful to them," said Fortune. "For my family and me, I've decided it was time to create a new venture and to launch my own label, FIYA World Music Group with eOne Entertainment and Light Records. All my releases will be on my new label and I hope to give a platform to new artists, much like what was given to me."

"I respect the artists that are connected with Light, like Ricky Dillard, JJ Hairston and Dorinda Clark-Cole," Fortune continued. "The eOne system has always been great to me. I am look forward to working with the entire team at Light Records."

Robinson said, "I am very pleased that Light Records and eOne will be the home of James Fortune's FIYA World Music Group. I'm honored to be a part of his artistry and it is clear that James is in his God-given season and I am looking forward to a great future. We are confident the partnership will be a long-lasting and successful one."

The first release from FIYA World Music will be a new James Fortune & FIYA album slated for early 2012.

(April 2, 2011)

The Allstate Gospel Superfest All Set For Charm City

Gospel Headliners, Hollywood Stars, Head to HBCU Morgan State Campus For National TV Recording Session; Allstate Insurance Returns For Third” Year As Title Sponsor

United Television, the producers of The Allstate Gospel Superfest are all set to record over thirty national artists during its twelfth Annual Gospel Superfest Celebration... The show will feature host, Wendy Raquel Robinson (The Game) as host and a star-studded line up. Some of the performers include, Dorinda Clark Cole, Tye Tribbett, Jonathan Nelson, Shirley Murdock, Hezekiah Walker, Lonnie Hunter & Structure, Keith Wonderboy Johnson, Richard Smallwood, Deitrick Haddon, Patrick Lundy & M.O.M., Shekinah Glory, Phil Tarver, The Chicago Mass Choir, JJ Hairston & Youthful Praise, Stephen Hurd, Earnest Pugh, Lisa Page Brooks, and many others.. The show will feature very special guests on Friday night in the persons of David and Tamela Mann of the hit Tyler Perry sitcom "Meet The Browns." This promises to be a two-day celebration that will inspire, encourage and uplift the anticipated thousands of attendees.

On Friday the show will pay special tribute and honor industry veterans and powerhouse couple, Vickie Mack and Claude Lataillad for lifetime achievement. The couple has been credited for the discovery of numerous gospel artists including Kirk Franklin, Trin-i-tee 5:7, Natalie Wilson & SOP and others.

The Lataillades, have truly shaped modern gospel music like no other husband and wife team I know," state's show executive producer and founder Bobby Cartwright, Jr. "They were also very instrumental in our show's development by blessing us with many artists in our early years. We are very proud to salute them this year, as our first industry executive-honorees." The Allstate Gospel Superfest Lifetime Achievement Award will be presented by Jeff Majors of Radio One and TV One. Several surprise guests are expected to participate in the tribute to Vickie and Claude.

The show will continue taping, Saturday, February 5, 2011 with many of today's top artists and some very exciting new-comers to the gospel music scene. New comers The Pastor's Gloryland Choir, GLO, The Nevell Sisters, Lacrae, Donte Everhart & the End Time, The Soul Messengerz (The allstate GSF Battle of the Bands Winners), Kevin Jarido and others are slated to perform.

The event will take place on the campus of Morgan State University at the Carl J. Murphy Fine Arts Center, 2201 Argonne Drive, Baltimore, MD 21218. Show times are 7:00 PM on Friday, February 4, 2011 and 6:00 PM on Saturday, February 5, 2011. Doors open one hour prior to show start times nightly.

Tickets for both nights are still available at www.ticketmaster.com or by calling 800-745-3000. The Allstate Gospel Superfest is a production of United Television of Cincinnati, OH. More information on the show is also available at www.gospelsuperfest.com.

Sponsors for the Allstate Gospel Superfest include, Allstate Insurance, GM, P&G, Wal-Mart and Johnson & Johnson.

(January 24, 2011)

Multi-Stellar Award Winner Jonathan Nelson Hits #4 On Billboard Chart With Sophomore CD Better Days

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