Donnie McClurkin, Mary Mary and Deitrick Haddon collaborated in a  gospel tribute performance to the late Bishop Walter Hawkins and Malaco Records, whose headquarters were recently damaged in the southeastern tornado disaster.  They sang ‘Thank You’ and received a standing ovation from the crowd.

Deitrick, Erica and Tina back stage.

Presenting the BET Award for Best Gospel Artist the Braxton Sister did it in their own unique way by singing an  old Gospel classic.Gospel singing duo Mary Mary won the BET Award for Best Gospel Artist.  Congrats, ladies! They were presented the award immediately following their participation in the Tribute. Tina walked back onto the stage apologizing for not having her shoes on.

Other performances by gospel artists last night included Shirley Caesar’s performance of ‘You Are My Friend’ in tribute to Patti LaBelle and Mali Music’s spotlight performance on the Music Matters stage. A performance that was cut in editing for television watcher but must have been breath taking in person because during the BET televised after party rapper JCole couldn’t stop talking about it.

In the last few years Deitrick Haddon has been turning out really major projects out of his camp with the release Deitrick Haddon Presents Voices of Unity: Together in Worship CD/DVD that sent station and charts through the roof back in 2007 ,this CD Revealed back in 2008, and his  highly praised  debut as a Movie Producer with the Movie ‘Blessed & Cursed’ Its clear that no one can call his a ‘B’ line artist any more. He took a seat with the upper echelon of Gospel and it’s clear that he’s not giving it back. Check out some of his latest Concept Videos.

Earlier this year, Deitrick Haddon released the No. 1 album on Billboards Top Gospel chart and now he’s taking ‘Church On The Moon’ to the people with a thirty-one city tour. Haddon will be joined by Christian Hip Hop artist Canton Jones and they will perform at concert halls and churches starting on July 13, 2011 in Indianapolis and concluding on September 17, 2011.

“There’s so much sadness and craziness going on… I want to take you somewhere else for a while,” says Haddon. Deitrick Haddon promises fans an amazing time as he will perform his hits new and old, including ‘Love Him Like I Do’, ‘He’s Able’, ‘Sinner’s Prayer’, and ‘Well Done’.

When recently asked “How do you think you compare to Chris Brown, Trey Songz and other “secular” artists that millions of people are listening to?”

Haddon Said:

“In the future, I’m going to be their competition. I mean, in my own way, but I believe God-inspired music belongs out there on the radio right next to a Drake record, a Lil Wayne record. The only difference with my music is I’m going to say something positive. It’s not going to be about the sex and perversion and all this other stuff like we’re not intelligent. It’s going to be real music. One thing about back in the day, like soul music, they said something. When they talked about love, they talked about it for real. They weren’t just talking about they want every girl in the world and I want her to do this and that and I want to do this to you. All this foolishness! I think people are ready for something that will empower them, something that will edify them. They want the beat; they want the feeling.”

Tickets for the tour will go on sale June 8th and available via Ticketmaster.com.

“CHURCH ON THE MOON” TOUR CITIES

Indianapolis, IN    St. Louis, MO

Chicago, IL               Milwaukee, WI

Grand Rapids, MI        Saginaw, MI

Detroit, MI            New York, NY

Bronx, NY             Elizabeth, NJ

Philadelphia, PA       Washington, DC

Baltimore, MD        Richmond, VA

Hampton, VA           Memphis, TN

Little Rock, Ark      Shreveport, LA

Houston, TX           New Orleans, LA

Jackson, MS          Montgomery, AL

Mobile, AL          Greenville NC

Raleigh-Durham, NC      Charlotte, NC

Recording Artist J.J.Hairston & Youthful Praise are not playing their back and prepping for their live recording, ‘Praise, Thanks, & Declaration’ which will mark their sixth release. Set for July 8 at the first cathedral in Bloomfield, CT it’s sure to be a high time in the Lord.  J.J. Hairston has traveled the world, ministering the gospel and has generated national and international recognition. Throughout their career they have set up a standard regarding the “church choir” and with no signs of slowing down, they continue resting on his promise.

(J.J.Hairston & Youthful Praise proforming ‘Lord Your Mighty’ with a rare apperance from J.J.’s wife Trina Leading)

(Recording Artist JJ Hairston performs at the 26th Annual Stellar Gospel Music Awards at The Grand Ole Opry on January 15, 2011 in Nashville, Tennessee.)

The live recording will include special guest Bishop Hezekiah Walker, Tye Tribbett, Jessica Reedy, and Kathy Taylor. Over the years, J.J. Hairston & Youthful Praise have made an impact on today’s contemporary gospel music.

(Youthful Praise feat. JJ Hairston – Hear Me Lord .This song is just awesome)

Their signature brand of praise and worship has touched listeners from around the globe. Hairston has written and led the group since their inception in 1992 and their blend of memorable praise and worship with traditional choir harmonies have set the standard for today’s current choirs and vocal ensembles.

Bishop Hezekiah Walker was installed as the Presiding Prelate of the Pentecostal Churches of Jesus Christ on June 12, 2011 at Cathedral of the Holy Spirit in Bridgeport, CT.

(If you’ve never heard Bishop Walker preach here he is back in 2010)

Though Bishop Hezekiah Xzavier Walker, Jr. is mostly recognized as  a Grammy Award-winning gospel music artist and founder of the Love Fellowship Choir (LFC),he has been hard at work through his pulpit ministry for many years as Pastor and Bishop of the Love Fellowship Tabernacle, with locations in Brooklyn, New York (where he was born), and Bensalem, Pennsylvania, in the United States. Bishop Walker is also the Founder and Overseer of the Covenant Keepers International Fellowship, which spiritually covers, giving guidance and direction to, numerous pastors and their churches in the US – including multiple Love Fellowship Tabernacles – The Kingdom Church, with locations throughout the US and in South Africa.

Presiding Prelate Bishop Hezekiah Walker fills the position previously held by the late Bishop Kenneth Moales, Sr. who passed in September 2010. These are big shoes to fill and congratulations are notably in order.