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Our Condolences - Damita Haddon's Brother-In-Law Passes Away
 Andre Smith, affectionately known as "Dre" quietly passed away on
Thanksgiving Day after a short fight with Diabetes in an Atlanta, GA
hospital. One friend of the family said, “While he had been dealing
with Diabetes for some time now, no one expected his last trip to the
hospital to be his final one.” He
leaves behind his wife Margarita (Damita Haddon's twin sister), his son “DJ”, and a host of family and friends. Everyone knew
"Dre" as an extraordinary musician and producer.To see the ROCspace shout out from Andre, click here.
“Dre”
played for Deitrick Haddon, Fred Hammond, Lexi, The Clark Sisters and
many more of the Detroit greats. He was a musician in demand. His
going home service will be held Friday, December the 5th at High Praise
Cathedral of Faith where Deitrick Haddon's parents are the Pastor.
There will also be a musical hosted in Dre’s memory Thursday night at
Dunmais Church in Detroit. Please send all cards, flowers and donations to: Marguerita Smith, 764 Fernstone Trail, Lawrenceville, GA 30045. Viewing
Thursday, Dec. 4, 2008, from 1pm-8pm
The House of Johnson Funeral Home 12540 Hayes St. Detroit, MI, 48205. 313-839-6990 Musical Tribute to Andre Smith Thursday, Dec. 4, 2008 at 7pm Dunamis Outreach Ministries
13220 Greenfield Rd., Detroit, MI 48227 313-270-2191 Home Going Service, Friday, Dec. 5, 2008. Family hour 10am-11am
High Praise Cathedral 8809 Schoolcraft St., Detroit, MI 48238 313-491-1222 Home Going Service begins at 11am
**Photo: Andre & Margarita Smith
Brian Courtney Wilson Debuts Remake Video of Donnie Hathaway Classic
 Spirit Rising Music/Music World Entertainment
artist BRIAN
COURTNEY WILSON premiered a video version of one of
his favorite songs of the season, "This
Christmas" on December 2. Click on the link to view the video: http://vids.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=vids.individual&VideoID=47129634. Wilson chose the
Donny Hathaway classic as a way to celebrate and focus on Christ, our
Savior's birth. "I want people to focus on the true meaning of
Christmas and not get caught up in the culture of materialism and
economics now connected to the day," states Wilson. "This
is a song that I love, done by one of my favorite artists of all times,
Donny Hathaway."
The video features Wilson singing as a montage of photos are showcased
from the Wilson family photo album. In addition to Wilson's
personal photo collection, the video also highlights favorite Christmas
images submitted by music fans that were selected to be added to the
video through a contest held with various online media outlets this
fall.
Brian Courtney Wilson will release his debut inspirational CD JUST LOVE
in-stores on January
27, 2009. A promotional tour is being planned and
will kick-off in the New Year. Inspired by a wide-range of male
vocalists from Donnie Hathaway to Fred Hammond to John Mayer, Wilson
himself believes his own unique style is a challenge to explain, but
his smooth yet powerful voice can be described as "Urban
Inspirational." Wilson was introduced to music impresario
Mathew Knowles by his mentor and mutual friend Rudy Rasmus while
serving as Minister of Music at St. John's Downtown Church in Houston.
The University of Illinois graduate started his formal musical training
while an undergraduate singing in the universities' black chorus.
Following graduation, he continued his musical interests as
extracurricular activity while working as a pharmaceutical salesman at
Johnson & Johnson for seven years.
For additional information on Brian Courtney Wilson, please visit www.briancourtneywilson.com and www.myspace.com/brianwilsonmusic.
Jonathan Nelson Radio Single Cracks Top 5 on Gospel Chart
 Recording artist and Stellar Award winning writer
Jonathan Nelson broke into the R&R Gospel Monitored Top 5
this week at No. 4 with his chart-climbing single "My Name Is Victory." The
song is the first radio single from Right Now Praise,
the critically-acclaimed album that garnered Nelson and his talented ensemble
Purpose an amazing eight nominations for the 24th Annual Stellar Awards.
Those nominations include Contemporary CD of the Year and
Song of the Year (for "My Name Is Victory") as well as
Group/Duo of the Year.
Photo: Neechy; Jonathan Nelson
BET Offers Praise And Worship With 'Celebration of Gospel'
 BET will “Raise the Praise” on Sunday, January 25 at
8:00 p.m.* with its ninth annual mega-hit, “Celebration of Gospel.”
With a 24-piece orchestra led by world-renowned musical director Ray
Chew, the show will again be hosted by veteran comedian, actor and
popular syndicated radio personality, Steve Harvey, who has hosted the
BET Gospel celebration since its inception.
Each year this exciting
show brings new awe-inspiring performances and spoken word segments by
both mainstream and Gospel greats and this year will be no different.
Taking to the stage will be Hip-Hop icon LL Cool J, Oscar winner Lou
Gossett Jr., along with Gospel supernovas, Mary Mary, Kirk Franklin,
Dr. Bobby Jones & 21:03, Donnie McClurkin, Vickie Winans, Smokie
Norful & Heather Headley, Trin-i-tee 5:7, Hezekiah Walker &
LFC, Pastor Shirley Caesar, Kurt Carr & The Kurt Carr Singers, and
direct from the United Kingdom, contemporary Christian artists Myiuwa
& Riversongz. These are just a few of the artists who will “Raise
the Praise” on the shows’ tapping day Wednesday, December 10 at 6 p.m.
at Los Angeles’ historic Orpheum Theater.
Last year’s show boasted
performances by R&B and soul singer-songwriter Patti Labelle,
R&B chart topper John Legend; Gospel songstress Yolanda Adams;
Gospel music singer and author Kirk Franklin, and spoken word
selections by Rev. Jesse Jackson and actor Henry Simmons.
“Celebration of Gospel” is
produced by Stephen Hill, President of Music Programming &
Specials, BET; Lynne Harris Taylor, Vice President of Specials, BET,
and Marilyn Gill.
Ann Nesby Signs With Tyscot Records
Ann
Nesby is by far a music industry mainstay, with a career spanning over 20 years
in music, theater, and film. With a bevy of accolades - multiple Grammy and
Stellar award nominations; Nesby
is one of music’s elite and the singer that American Idol’s Randy
Jackson called
“one
of the best singers in the world!” Now comes a special moment in Tyscot
Records’ 30-plus year history, it signs this Grammy-Award winning urban/Gospel
singing veteran as her new CD will hit stores in the spring,
2009.
Nesby’s returned to the studio to craft ‘The Lula Lee Project,’ and her
third full Gospel/Inspirational album within her solo repertoire. Working
with an array of musical geniuses:
Gospel music maverick Tonex (John P. Kee, Tarralyn Ramsey, Montell
Jordan); Herb Middleton (SWV, Faith Evans, Mary J. Blige); J. Isaac (James Grear & Company, Juelz
Santana); Debra Killings (TLC); and others.
‘The Lula Lee Project’ marks her third full length
Gospel/Inspirational solo album following her acclaimed 2003 ‘Make Me
Better’ and 2006 ‘In the Spirit’ albums and serves as her sixth solo
album since her departure from THE SOUNDS OF BLACKNESS.
The new album showcases a more personal and edgier
“out of the box” approach to the
Christian inspired genre; “I Found a
Place,” the album’s lead single serves up a smooth head nodding bass line as
Nesby soulfully croons about a special and secret place in prayer that we can
escape to when the storms of life come.
Other notable tracks include, “Sad But It’s True,” a funk driven
track that will become an anthem for both men and women as it showcases
Nesby’s “Lula Lee” persona that bluntly ‘keeps it real,’ addressing the lack of
responsibility both men and women sometime demonstrate in their
relationships.
“Higher,” reflects the place that all of
us have found ourselves in at some point in time when things seem wrong and you
pray asking God to bring you out of the circumstance.
Taking a serene approach in rhythm & praise,
Nesby’s delivery in the laid back groove of “When the Praises Go Up” and “Sow Love” demonstrate her vocal
dexterity. ‘The Lula Lee
Project’ is a musical montage of situations everyone faces and is
consistent in the theme of God’s love and devotion toward us all when we
believe.
‘The Lula Lee Project’ is slated
for March 2009 release via It’s Time Child Records, LLC and Tyscot
Records.
“We are thrilled to partner with Ann Nesby in presenting the Lula Lee Project,” says Bryant Scott –
Tyscot Records President. “We are looking forward to a lasting relationship. Ann
Nesby is one of a kind.”
Ann
Nesby as ‘Lula Lee’ returns to
music’s center stage with The Lula
Lee Project hot on the heels of her critically acclaimed 2007 album
This Is Love, which spawned a Grammy nominated single “I
Apologize.”
So who exactly is “Lula Lee?”
“Lula Lee is the real Ann Nesby, she is who my
family and husband sees on a daily basis,” says Nesby who adds, “Lula Lee is who
I am personally outside the glitz and glamour associated with my ‘Ann Nesby’ persona.”
‘The Lula Lee Project’ showcases
visually and audibly a creative departure from the Ann Nesby many may recognize
from her days as the former lead singer of two-time Grammy award winning The Sounds of Blackness. Both critics
and fans of Nesby appreciate her seamless ability to transition between Gospel,
R&B/Soul, Jazz, Hip-Hop, Dance, and Pop music without compromising her
Christian beliefs.
“‘The Lula Lee Project’ speaks to the
issues affecting the state of the world, our current national recession, to the
struggles of everyday life from my personal perspective. This project is a
reminder that God is still in control,” explains Nesby who admits that the world
has changed dramatically since her 1996 debut.
“I always sing from the heart, and I believe that
whatever is sung from the heart will reach the heart of the listener,” says
Nesby.
|
Praise Breaks and Random Videos
 Kid's Bloopers
 Man Catches the Holy Ghost
EXPELLED
Pastor Frederick K. Price Hands Leadership of Church to Son
 Pastor Dr. Frederick K.C Price, founder of the
Crenshaw Christian Center (CCC) passed the baton to his son, Pastor
Frederick Price Jr., recently during the church's 35th anniversary
celebration. Pastor Price, Jr. will be installed as pastor of the
22,000 member mega-church on Sunday, March 15, 2009, his 30th birthday.
"Fred will start his public ministry at the same age Jesus did.
That is prophetic," said the Elder Dr. Price who will be 77 next year.
"I will still be around as your Apostle and working with the board of
directors, but it's time for Pastor Price, Jr. to get into the driver's
seat. I will still mentor him."
Although both men were humorous during the announcement (a family
trait of infusing humor and playfulness into the service), the gravity
of the moment was overwhelming as the young Pastor Price, Jr. took in
the view of the nearly 5,000 guests and members in the congregation who
would become his flock. Many of whom knew him as a child.
"Becoming Pastor of Crenshaw Christian Center is an honor of high
esteem," said Pastor Price, Jr. "To follow in the footsteps of my
father, the Apostle of Faith, is a privilege and a challenge I look
forward to taking on."
Pastor Frederick Price Jr. was ordained on February 9, 2003. In
tune with his generation, he created a special Sunday service called
Hip-Hop Sunday to attract younger church-goers. Believed to be the
first church to fuse Hip-Hop with Faith, the service is now called The
BluePrint. The young Pastor Price, Jr. would regularly minister on
Sundays when the elder Dr. Price was away on speaking trips.
On Sunday, November 30th at 9:30 AM, Pastor Price, Jr. will hold
this year's last The BluePrint service in the FaithDome, the church's
sanctuary located at 7901 S. Vermont Ave. in Los Angeles between
Manchester Boulevard and Florence Avenue. All ages are welcome and
casual attire is encouraged. A holy Hip-Hop celebration, the services
will feature rapping, dancing, krumping.
"I will still uphold the same high standards of teaching and excellence my father brought to the pulpit" said Pastor Price Jr.
A trailblazer in his own right, Dr. Price Sr. is one of the first
African-American ministers to have a mega-church and an evangelical
broadcast on television, which reaches over 15 million households each
week. He is also known for his candid teachings such as his
controversial "Race, Religion and Racism" series which took him three
years to complete. Dr. Price has authored over 50 books and has
mentored many highly recognized ministers influencing the church today.
But one of his most treasured achievements is watching his son succeed
him.
Source: EUR Web
Fred Hammond and EMI Gospel Announce Christmas Partnership
 EMI Gospel and Fred Hammond have recently partnered to mass produce, release and distribute the "Christmas ... Who Needs It" DVD
project inspired by the superstar's popular stage play by the same
name. The DVD was produced by fHammond Family Entertainment.
"This
is a faith based 'dramedy' that will surely put us all in the Christmas
spirit. The inspiration for this play was based on the early Tyler
Perry plays and I just took the idea and kicked it up a notch by
shooting it in Panasonic HD with Redrock Panavision." said Hammond,
who serves as both producer and star of the movie. "The timing is
divine and it will hopefully enable people to find some joy during
these difficult times in which we presently find ourselves as a nation."
This
newly forged partnership will give Hammond's creative vision a national
platform. Having created concept two years ago, Hammond initially gave
life to the idea as a stage play that toured in several markets. Last
year, Hammond took the initiative to shoot the play after an
overwhelming fan response. Hammond continues to be at the forefront
of Gospel music and projects and the "Christmas ... Who Needs It" DVD is a part of Hammond's expanding entertainment brand.
"This movie is uplifting and as a Christian, this is the type of movie I have wanted in the marketplace for years." says Roy Campbell, Hammond's business partner and fHammond Family Entertainment Board Chairman.
"There is definitely a marketplace for this play and the agreement with EMI Gospel will only enhance the visibility of 'Christmas...Who Needs It'," said Christopher Brown, of Brown & Rosen LLC, legal counsel to Fred Hammond. Ken Pennell,
President of EMI Gospel also stated "We have great expectations for the
film and look forward to a continued relationship with Fred Hammond."
First AME Pastor Apologizes to Congregation For Alleged Misspending
 At
Sunday services, John J. Hunter says he regrets any embarrassment
caused by the public airing of an audit's finding that he used church
credit cards for personal purchases.
The
pastor of First African Methodist Episcopal Church in Los Angeles
apologized to his congregants Sunday for any embarrassment caused by
disclosures that he had used church credit cards for sizable personal
expenses and had failed to pay federal taxes for several years.
Pastor
John J. Hunter, 51, used church credit cards to pay for at least
$122,000 in personal expenses, including family vacations, clothes,
jewelry, bikes and auto supplies, The Times reported Sunday. He and
church finance officials said he had signed an agreement to repay the
money and instituted stricter accounting policies, such as spending
guidelines and more frequent audits, to guard against future problems.
Hunter also told The Times that he is working
with federal tax officials to repay back taxes, penalties and interest
amassed over 17 years, which have resulted in federal tax liens of more
than $309,000 against himself and his wife, Denise Brown Hunter. He
explained that he had legally opted out of the Social Security system
several years ago, as ministers are allowed to do, but that the IRS had
no record of it and assessed the taxes.
On Sunday, before more
than 6,000 congregants at three services, Hunter acknowledged that he
had made mistakes and that it was "disconcerting and embarrassing" to
see private church matters aired publicly. But he assured his flock
that he had done nothing criminal and was working to resolve the
problems, and that the church remained financially strong.
"I
stand not as a perfect servant but one who tries to be a faithful
servant," Hunter said, drawing scattered applause and murmurs of
approval from congregants at the 10 a.m. service. "Our church is in
sound financial condition. We are solid, perhaps more so than we have
ever been. Our future is bright."
Hunter took the helm of First AME, one of the
oldest, largest and most prominent African American churches in L.A.,
in 2004 after the retirement of the Rev. Cecil L. "Chip" Murray. The
church drew national, and even international, attention for its
passionate social gospel that advocated political activism, social
justice and assistance to the needy through church development of
affordable housing, job training and other services. Hunter's remarks drew mixed reactions. "Am
I disappointed that he used church credit cards for some personal
expenses? The answer is obviously yes," said Kerman Maddox, a longtime
church member and Los Angeles public relations executive. "Am I happy
he took responsibility for it? Absolutely." Maddox said the
majority of church members supported Hunter and credited him with
helping increase membership, among other things. On Sunday, more than
20 new members stepped to the front of the sanctuary and received
blessings and welcome from Hunter and the congregation. Dewey
Rhodes, 54, an L.A. business consultant, said he trusted Hunter to do
the right thing in resolving the issues. Rhodes said he had heard
"buzz" about alleged financial improprieties since Hunter was appointed
but had always dismissed them as groundless and did so again Sunday. "He's an honest, straight-up person and wouldn't abuse anything," Rhodes said.
He added that Hunter was always at the church, preaching at three
services each Sunday and looking in on choir practice, various church
meetings and other activities. "He's the best." Other
congregants said they questioned how the credit card spending, which
occurred between January 2005 and January 2008, could have slipped by
church finance officials for so long. It finally surfaced this year
during an independent audit and an investigation into Hunter's
financial affairs by the Internal Revenue Service. IRS officials have
declined to comment on the investigation. "If there was any
misuse of funds, I would be concerned," said Don Lee, a 60-year-old
transit worker. "But I trust that our finance officials will take care
of it." Hunter's remarks did not satisfy everyone, however. One
longtime member, who asked for anonymity to avoid retribution, said she
had hoped that Hunter would have clearly apologized for his
inappropriate credit card use rather than for the embarrassment caused
the church. But Hunter more explicitly apologized for his
"indiscretions and mistakes" at the noon service, said Irma Brown
Dillon, a church finance official. Another member, who asked
to remain anonymous, said she was distressed by accounts of Hunter's
spending when many of his congregants were poor. "You are eating, wearing and driving our money," she said. "I am very hurt." She said she would do her best to move forward. "We could not be Christians without embracing forgiveness," she said. "But truth has to be part of forgiveness." Source: LA TimesPromote Your Upcoming Christmas or New Year's Event!
To have your event published in the ROCspace Newsletter, please contact us here. To promote your next album release please contact us here. Did you receive this newsletter from one of your pals? Do you want to receive the ROCspace News? Send us an e-mail or click here. God bless you and have a wonderful day! |
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