Nashville Scene

The title HERE I AM for gospel star Marvin Sapp’s eighth and latest album is more than a little ironic when one considers that “Never Would Have Made It” from his 2007 release Thirsty has been among the most ubiquitous gospel songs of the last three years - let alone all time. The mega-selling “Never Would Have Made It” held down the #1 slot at Gospel radio for almost a full year; topped the Urban AC chart (the first to do so since Yolanda Adams’ “Open My Heart”); was a top selling ringtone and ringback, and propelled Thirsty to the top of the gospel charts for 27 weeks. So no one has had any problem finding Marvin Sapp since the ascent of that uplifting anthem. The singing preacher has been spreading his message with pride, reverence and triumph.

How does an artist go about following up such a monumental success? Marvin Sapp’s answer is simple. “If it's not broken, don't fix it," he states. “I have the same musicians, the same singers and even recorded at the same venue. Why did I do everything the same – because I wanted to produce the same anointing.”

HERE I AM was recorded live on October 16, 2009, in Marvin’s home city of Grand Rapids, Michigan. The recording took place at Resurrection Life Church, a multi-million dollar, state of the art facility that seats up to 5,000. The project - produced by progressive Contemporary Christian music chameleon Aaron Lindsey with vocal direction from the incomparable Myron Butler - crackles with live instrumentation, the energy of the audience, and the soul stirring grace of Marvin’s voice and verses. What Marvin and company have come up with is an album of vintage Marvin Sapp – songs of reassurance, praise and guidance – along with a couple of new musical twists.

“The title track, ’Here I Am,’ speaks to me as an individual and the things I've endured over the last three years since Thirsty,” Marvin explains. “I'm still standing, even under the waves of pressure and difficulties - from sickness in my wife's life to the more general challenges of my own life.”

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Fearless. That one word eloquently captures the creative spirit of groundbreaking duo Mary Mary. Ever since siblings Erica Campbell and Tina Campbell broke through in 2000 with the pioneering crossover hit “Shackles (Praise You),” the chart-topping sister act has never wavered from defying convention to fulfill its mission: sending uplifting messages through music and words that are relatable to everyone.

“It’s about making music that touches both adults and young people,” says Erica. Adds Tina, “It’s about spreading good news for the world but doing it in the Mary Mary way: banging beats and melodies, intertwined voices and messages of hope.”

An amazing ten years later, having earned 3 Grammy Awards, 2 American Music Awards, an NAACP Image Award and a BET Award, the “Mary Mary way” sounds just as fresh and innovative on the duo’s sixth album, the aptly titled SOMETHING BIG (My Block/Columbia/Sony Music; March 29, 2011). This vibrant outing, once again produced by longtime collaborator Warryn Campbell, picks up where the group’s most recent mainstream success story, 2008’s The Sound and its Grammy Award-winning smash hit “God in Me,” left off.

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ISRAEL HOUGHTON & NEW BREED is a movement created for those who believe that worship and justice go hand in hand. We exist to reflect the heart of God and His love for the nations, the poor, the lost, and the forgotten. "We are not defined by the petty price tag mentalities of society. Our inheritance lies far beyond eternity. There are no limits when it comes to our destiny. As the deep goes deeper we find our name. We are New Breed".... Are you?

ISRAEL HOUGHTON & NEW BREED have achieved a synthesis of music and message that is electrifying and activating audiences inside and outside of traditional church walls. Most of their albums have been recorded before live audiences to capture their infectious energy. Leader, singer, songwriter and multi-instrumentalist Israel Houghton has seen his compositions become integral components for progressive now-generation churches. Flanked by voices filled with joy, purpose and conviction singing over galvanizing arrangements of music with African, Middle Eastern and South American slants, Israel and New Breed have swiftly amassed a legion of followers that crosses generational and cultural lines. And as barriers are blasted away, the sprawling cutting-edge unit has been fittingly graced with two Gold-selling albums, seven Dove Awards, two Stellar Awards, a Soul Train Award, seven Grammy® Award nominations, and four Grammy® Awards. The most recent being a 2011 Grammy® for Best Pop/Contemporary Gospel Album (Love God.Love People.)

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Few entertainers today can match the unbridled energy and creative passion that Tamela Mann brings to her multi-faceted career. An acclaimed actress, NAACP Image Award nominee and Dove Award-winning vocalist as well as wife and mother, Mann’s talent has helped anchor one of the industry’s most successful film, TV and theatrical franchises, while her amazing vocal gift is at the top of her impressive resume.

Tamela seems to effortlessly juggle a variety of notable projects while still finding time to aid such worthy organizations as the American Diabetes Assn. 2012 looks to be a memorable year for Mann as she’ll be seen with Jordan Sparks and Whitney Houston in the upcoming film “Sparkle,” she and her husband, NAACP Image award winning actor and comedian, David Mann will co-host a new lifestyle and cooking TV “Hanging With The Manns,” and she’s releasing a new album, “Best Days”.

“I want to present music that people can be blessed by and that can be healing,” she says about her new record. “We have to put music out to keep people encouraged and keep lifting the body of Christ up, and even the ones that haven’t become Christians. We need to encourage them that the best thing that they could ever do is become a child of God.”

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Music World Gospel recording artist Le’Andria Johnson has taken the gospel music scene by storm since being crowned the season three winner of BET’s Sunday Best in 2010. Her debut CD, The Awakening of Le’Andria Johnson, entered at #1 on multiple music charts, including both the Billboard Top Gospel Albums and the Top Christian/Gospel Albums charts. The CD also debuted at #1 on the Christian Music Trade Association’s Current Gospel Overall chart. It spent eight weeks at #1 on Billboard’s Top Gospel Albums chart, and remains in the Top 5 for over 15 weeks. Le’Andria received her first GRAMMY® nomination for Best Gospel/Contemporary Christian Music performance for her debut single, “Jesus.”

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For a man who has declared that he may at any moment cease making music to concentrate fully on his passion for ministering, Donnie McClurkin can never stay away long from recording profoundly uplifting music for the soul. The evidence: his latest collection We All Are One (Live in Detroit) - his breathlessly anticipated first music recording in five years! Along for the momentous celebration are very special guests CeCe Winans, Yolanda Adams, Mary Mary and Karen Clark-Sheard. Once again, Donnie, his singers and musicians share the joy of God’s bounty - live before an on-fire congregation where platinum-plus Pastor McClurkin’s vocal and testimonial gifts have always shined their brightest.

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For the past 26 years, The Winans Family, led by Marvin Winans has spear-headed a musical revolution in the world of contemporary Gospel, R&B and Pop music. Incomparable vocals, positive lyrics, unforgettable melodies, and impeccable production opened up a musical window that let in the likes of Kirk Franklin, Commissioned, BeBe & CeCe Winans, Fred Hammond, Sounds Of Blackness, and beyond.

Winans has collaborated with such acclaimed mainstream artists as Quincy Jones, Teddy Riley, R Kelly, Anita Baker, and Andre Crouch. Winans is a six-time Grammy award-winning, world class song writer, vocalist and entertainer, who is recognized, respected and accepted in the Mainstream, CBA, Gospel and General Markets. “Alone but Not Alone” is Produced by proven hit maker, Tommy Sims (Eric Clapton, CeCe Winans, Bruce Springsteen, Michael Bolton, Amy Grant, Garth Brooks, Babyface and many more). Winans has had experience and success in a variety of entertainment’s facets: recording, live performance, production, sound tracks, radio.

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