♫OCT MUSIC SAMPLER: KIERRA SHEARDNEW SINGLE ‘MIGHTY’♫

Kierra Sheard is preparing to release her fifth project ‘Free’ which was recorded live in Chicago at Chicago’s famed Harold Washington Cultural Center in February. KiKi’s baby brother J. Drew produced the album and several of the songs were written by her cousin Angel Chisolm (daughter of Jacky Clark-Chisolm). Donald Lawrence joined her parents, Bishop J. Drew Sheard & Lady Karen Clark Sheard in the role as album Executive Producers.

( KiKi back stage with her mom Lady Karen Clark Sheard at the Chi-Town Recording)

(Album Cover Art for ‘Free’)

The album features a guest appearance from James Fortune and BRL (Bold Right Life) Choir that Kierra started in 2007. The single ‘Mighty’ is rockin’ radio,listen to the full track below. It’s Kierra Sheard’s first live CD and DVD Recording with Karew Records and will hit stores July 12, 2011.

(Kierra on stage at the ‘Free’ Live Recording)

See more pics and listen to the full recording of ‘Mighty’ after the cut.

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ABC NEWS TAMPA – The  former megachurch pastor who once led a congregation of 22,000 at the Tampa ministry,Without Walls, was arrested Saturday night for driving under the influence, Tampa Police said.

Randy White, 53, was stopped by police near Ashley Drive and Interstate 275 around 11:30 p.m.

When police tested White’s blood-alcohol level, he exceeded the legal Florida limit of .08 with blood-alcohol content of .093 and .095.

White was arrested and charged with DUI, but released Sunday morning on a $500 bail.

(Pastor Paula and Randy White before the split)

White had previously led Without Walls with his former wife Paula, before the two divorced in 2007.

According to the Associated Press, the ministry was investigated for three years regarding finances and personal use of church-owned airplanes, luxury homes and credit cards by pastors and their families.

The investigation wrapped up in January with no definitive findings of wrongdoings on the part of Randy or Paula White, however, it was mentioned that they weren’t cooperative during the investigation.

The church reportedly defaulted on a loan and nearly faced foreclosure. After Randy White stepped down citing health concerns in 2009, Paula took over the ministry.

This is very sad news and we are keeping Randy and the entire family in our prayers.

♫OCT MUSIC SAMPLER:Trin-itee 5:7 ‘Angel and Chanelle’♫

GRAMMY Award nominated, Gospel Music Association’s Dove Award and Stellar Award winner Trin-itee 5:7 has been the Best Selling Female Gospel Trio in music history. After more than a decade on the music scene, the New Orleans natives and original group members, Chanelle Haynes and Angel Taylor have transitioned Trin-i-tee 5:7 from a trio to a duo. They are debuting their new sound in a new project titled ‘Angel and Chanelle’,  in stores now and released on Mathew Knowles’ Music World Gospel.The ‘Angel and Chanelle’ CD marks their seventh recording to date.

(New Promo Pics from T 57)

This CD is about accepting and embracing each other’s differences, and many of the songs speak to those issues, said Angel and Chanelle. “Our message is that God will bring you to a place of acceptance and love, and there is so much power and freedom in that,” said Chanelle. “Throughout our career we were always trying to please everyone, we wanted people to like us and accept what we were trying to do,” added Angel. “We have gone through so much and fought so hard to get to the place where we love who we are and know that God made us who we are. We are no longer trying to conform to someone else’s
idea about who we should be. We believe that is reflected in the music on our new CD.”

(New Promo Pics fromAngel and Chanelle)

The CD will be released in two versions—a 12 song standard version and a deluxe version with five additional tracks. “Over and Over,” the first single from the CD, is a soul-stirring, mid-tempo song, produced by GRAMMY® Award, Dove Award and Stellar Award winner P.J. Morton (India.Arie, Men of Standard, DeWayne Wood). Angel and Chanelle believe fans will fall in love with this song because each time they hear it they will be reminded of how God continues to bless us in our lives.

“Heaven Hear My Heart,” is the second single from the CD. With its driving drum beat, contemporary feel and infectious chorus of “Je vous aime,” which means “I love you” in French, the single has landed on top of the Urban Adult Contemporary radio charts. The song speaks to how people seek acceptance from others, when all they really need is acceptance from God about who they are and what they are doing.

Despite the first track of success the award wining group Chanelle and Angel remain grounded in God. “Awards don’t determine or define those timeless things like friendship, or your relationship with God and the true impact on people’s lives. so we stay focused on that because that’s whats  keeping us going.” said Chanelle

The album also features ‘God’s Grace Remix’ which is a fresh take on a timeless message. Produced by Surefire Music Group (Ne-Yo), the recording is a remake of ‘God’s Grace’. Written and originally produced by R. Kelly, it was a hit song from their debut CD, Trin-i-tee 5:7, which is named one of the 30 Best Selling Gospel Albums of All Time by Billboard magazine. The production team of Surefire Music Group produced other titles including ‘Let It Go.’ Both the message and the “in your face” energy of this song compel the listener to let go and let God.

” The album is a celebration of truly loving life that God has given said Chanelle every song is a reflection of our everyday reality mingled with God’s message”. With first single  ‘Over and Over’ produced by Grammy Award winner and Stellar Award winner PJ Morton. “The song has already changed our lives” said Chanelle.

(Promo pics from the ‘Over&Over video shoot)

The group also wrote ‘I Need You Now,’ a hopeful expression of our need for God’s help to make our lives what they should be. The hand-clapping, upbeat ‘I Don’t Need A Reason,’ is Surefire Music Group’s third contribution to the CD project. This fun song hearkens back to the chants and rhymes of our childhood and reinforced the message that the best way to love God is the way children love their parents—with whole and happy hearts. Award-winning producer Stan Jones (Marvin Sapp, Brian Courtney Wilson, The William Brothers) produced two tracks, including ‘I’m Still Holding On,’ a song with a more traditional gospel feel, and ‘I Worship Your Name,’a simple but powerful worship song that congregations will find memorable and will love to sing.

(The girls hanging with some of their label mates)

GRAMMY® award-winning super producer Rockwilder penned ‘Blessing Me,’ a feel good song with an urban contemporary beat and vibe that makes you want to start singing as soon as you hear the first notes. He also produced ‘Just Remember,’ which Chanelle and Angel co-wrote with Mathew Knowles.The finger-snapping pop beat and the message that we should love each other and not judge each other,will certainly make this a song to remember.

Laywer: Settlement Reached in Bishop Eddie Long Case: MyFoxATLANTA.com

**Fox 5 Atlanta News**ATLANTA – Lawyers close to the sexual misconduct lawsuits against Bishop Eddie Long told FOX 5 News that “the matter is resolved.” Attorney BJ Bernstein said the often bitter negotiations resulted in a settlement.

FOX 5′s I-Team was first to tell you how Jamal Parris and three other young men filed suit against Bishop Long and his 10,000 seat New Birth Missionary Baptist Church. The lawsuits claim that the bishop lavished money, trips and gifts on the young adults, while having sexual contact with them.

In all four of the lawsuits, Bishop Long admitted he was a mentor, who traveled with the young men and at times shared a room. He denied any sexual activity.

The details of the settlement were not released, but sources told FOX 5 News it did involve an exchange of money.

A spokesperson for New Birth Missionary Baptist Church sent FOX 5 News the following statement Thursday afternoon:

“After a series of discussions, all parties involved have decided to resolve the civil cases out of court. This decision was made to bring closure to this matter and to allow us to move forward with the plans God has for this ministry.”

“As is usually the case when civil lawsuits resolve out of court, we cannot discuss any details regarding the resolution or the resolution process, as they are confidential.”

“This resolution is the most reasonable road for everyone to travel.”

**Fox 5 Atlanta News**

High off the accomplishment of turning 50 and looking 25  after 35 years in the music industry Yolanda Adams debuts her new CD ‘Becoming’ and it goes straight to # 3 on the Billboard charts. This is an extremely personal victory for Adams because this CD was released independently and exclusive only to Wal-Mart stores worldwide.

She recently sat down with Essence and had this to say:

“The partnership with Wal-Mart is a dream come true. Wal-Mart is a major manufacturer and distributor of all types of goods, so it’s an honor to be in partnership with them. Initially I was in talks about putting my turkey burger into Wal-Mart, but as we were still figuring out specifics with that, they asked me what I was doing musically. I told them I was doing independent and they approached me about striking a deal. They came back with some phenomenal perks that made it a win-win-win situation all the way around. It’s been incredible!”

Check out her interview and performance below in a tribute to Aretha Franklin with Christina Aguilera, Jennifer Hudson, Martina McBride and Florence and the Machine’s Florence Welch for this years 2011 Grammy’s.

When asked by Essence whats next for her she said this:

ESSENCE.COM: You’re the mother of a 10-year-old, you’re about to turn 50, and you’re an award winning singer, author and radio host. What’s next for you?

ADAMS: “Well I truly do have the most amazing child on the face of the earth. I know all parents say that about their child, but Taylor truly is special. And I’m excited about turning 50 believe it or not. It’s such a blessing to feel the way that I feel and know that I have so much more of life to experience.”

(A preview from Yolanda Adams Couture)

Yolanda continues “And next up is my fall collection of Yolanda Adams Couture. I’m going all over the United States doing trunk shows to get the ball rolling. I think women are really going to love this line.”