♫OCT MUSIC SAMPLER:  DR.Juanita Bynum “The Diary Of Juanita Bynum: Soul Cry (Oh, Oh, Oh)”The ep ♫

(All New Promotional Photos and Website Face-Lift)

It’s not just new promo pictures and a website face-lift that Dr. Bynum is ready to release. In a very candid interview with BET.com’s Torrence Glenn (featured below) she remains true to who we know her to be… transparent. Her captivating transparencies come all in perfect timing. Those of you that have been dying to hear ( sorry D Lawrence) the initial release “The Diary Of Juanita Bynum: Soul Cry (Oh, Oh, Oh) birthed from her new label and management deal with Matthew Knowles‘ Music World Gospel run to the stores… as of today June 22, 2010,the wait is over. The EP version of her single  “Soul Cry Oh Oh Oh” was released this morning and is already sold out at walmart.com . We cant wait to see the on pour of adoring fan on July 27 when the full length Audio CD is available.

In the interview she explains  that she has evolved musically and while previous offerings showcased her as a Levitical “Worshiper”, “The Diary Of Juanita “ will give you a deep look into her soul. Either way it sounds like she’ll lead us into that tear jerking, snot flinging, carpet eating, pour out your soul and get free before Jesus place once again. If you love him you’ll say Hallelujah, thank you Jesus, Amen!

Also make sure you check out this week-long series of interviews exclusively presented by AOL Blackvoices.com In honor of Black Music Month celebration. The six videos are packed with candid reflections and     heart-felt performances from the one the only Juanita Bynum.

(Pics from Live Performance of “The Diary Of Juanita Bynum: Soul Cry (Oh, Oh, Oh)

(Pastor Marvin Sapp at his 2009 live recording)

With the 2007 record breaking success of “Never Would Have Made It” many would think that Marvin Sapp wouldn’t have to work as hard with the release of his current project. Yet Pastor Sapp is proving that he doesn’t mind hard work and never takes anything for granted. Sapp has numerous songs that have made it on the Billboards Top 100 list in recent years and from the looks of it his newest single “The Best Me” has been pounding the charts for 11 straight weeks.

(Sapp’s Latest Release ‘I Am Here’)

Sapp first released “Never Would Have Made It” in 2007. The single bombarded the charts and quickly became a U.S. record-breaking phenomenon far beyond the world of gospel. The track from his seventh album, “Thirsty,” was in its 42nd week at No. 1 on Billboard’s gospel radio charts when we stopped counting. It became a crossover success with its perch at No. 1 on the urban adult contemporary chart as well peaked at #14 on the U.S. Billboard Hot R&B/Hip-Hop songs, and has become the longest running No. 1 single at radio across all genres in the history of Billboard analysis. Wow talk about FAVOR!!!But God is not through! In just a week it will be known if Sapp breaks a record and his single “The Best Me” reigns on top for a 12th week.

Marvin Sapp is currently the pastor of Lighthouse Full Life Center Church in Grand Rapids, Michigan. The success of his latest single is most certainly not without hard work and dedication. Although Sapp has numerous hits out he didn’t rely on his celebrity status to promote his music. Having a strong promotion team, publishing manager, and good BDS tracking Sapp was able to work just as hard to promote “The Best Me” as if it was his first project. He is a great example of ‘faith in action’ for the entire music industry.

Guess who’s new, young, beautiful and has a brilliant voice????? Ok the wait is over if you guys thought I was talking about myself good guess but actually I’m talking about Regina Skeeters. Skeeters, a young talent hailing from Columbia, South Carolina is no beginner in terms of knowing God and displaying that in her music. Having both experience in writing and actual recording Skeeters delivers a dynamic punch to gospel music.

(In a powerfu lLife Center Ministries service Sis. Skeeters lead Gods people in worship)

Her debut album “Breathe On Me” showcased her soulful sound. She is a devoted member of Life Center Ministries of Columbia where Pastor Nate Jefferson shepherds.   There she serves as a leader in many areas including praise and worship. Graceing the stage alongside Bebe Winans, Tonex and Donald Lawrence are just a few of the doors that God has opened for Miss Skeeters. If the saying is true “You are the company you keep” then Skeeters will soon become one of gospel music greats.

(Notice daughter is giving us full out hand signals like “O yeah… we all  singing today”…love it)

OCT was first acquainted with Sis. Regina back in 06’ at Kim Burrell’s ‘Ephesians 4 Conference’. While departing from the conference location we see this beautiful, young, well dressed lady. After greeting and having a very delightful chat Miss Skeeters gave us a promo CD.

(So passionate, so sincere, great worship)

Several years have passed and in a recent YouTube binge we came across the three videos featured above and have not been able to take them off repeate. When we are looking for artist to feature in this series we do look for ‘talent’, as well, having a wonderful stage presence, look, and professional masketing material is a must and it is true that Miss Skeeters offers all of these. But this week Regina gets the ‘Unsigned Artist Spotlight’ based off the sheer OIL of God. I.E. If you can put our face in the floor… you win …off gate. Hallelujah^_^

And if you’re reading this and have no idea what we just said, note two things 1. Pack your boxes and move out of the outer court. 2. Signup for ‘prayer 101’ and ‘slain in the spirit 102’.

For the latest updates on the rising career of Regina Skeeters, click the links below, and always stay locked to OCT, where you’ll always hear it first.

http://reginaskeeters.com/

http://www.myspace.com/reginaskeeters

http://www.cdbaby.com/cd/reginaskeeters

This past Saturday Gospel singer Michelle Bonilla celebrated the release of her sophomore album “In Spite of Me.” The party was held at Calvary Chapel located in Philadelphia, PA. It was not just any old regular album release party; instead it was a free concert featuring other noted artist. These included Leah Smith, Donielle Rodwell, Tru Destiny, Benita Farmer, Mark Arthur, Corey Red, R-Swift and special guest Ayiesha Woods, who has been nominated for both Grammy and Dove Awards and is noted for working with pioneer gospel artist CeCe Winans.

(Check out this video one of her fans recorded from the concert )

“In Spite of Me” was produced by Michelle’s her husband Lee Jerkins, founder of RockSoul Entertainment. The album is made up of a mix of R&B, pop and Latin melodies, which were highlighted during the concert. It includes 16 tracks, 13 of them being full songs, and the rest diary excerpts. Featured artist include Chevelle Franklin who is a Jamaican gospel artist, and gospel hip-hop artist Lecrae.

(Michelle and her husband producer Lee Jerkins)

(Debut video single for Michelle Bonilla’s “Your Show” from her sophomore album, “In Spite of Me”)

“In Spite of Me” is available on iTunes NOW as well all other outlets or for order on http://www.rocksoulonline.com/store

God is doing amazing things for ¼ of the legendary Clark Sisters, Karen Clark Sheard who recently founded her own record label Karew Records. Embarking upon this new season actually leaves no one out,the entire family yields their talents to the newest entity of the family business. It is something she has always wanted to do but just never had the push to do so. Thanks to her husband of 26 years, Pastor J. Drew who has always been a major support of hers, her dream has come true.

Sheard says “I’ve always wanted to have my record company and I always said back in the day that, one day I’m gonna make my own decisions. I’m going to be my own CEO. So, I have to give it to my husband who is a great businessman, as well as a pastor. He helped me. He said, come on let’s do this. You’ve been wanting to do this. Let’s do this.”

(First lady says its her kids that keep her young)

With the success of starting the record label, Sheard’s first album released on the label is her jazzy new CD entitled “All In One.” The first Single from the album, “Prayed Up” has already become a smash hit on gospel radio stations. She said in a recent interview “This record is gonna talk about who I am,” says Karen, “and all of the hats that I wear. I’m a First Lady, a wife, a mother, and I’m a business woman… so it’s just all about the people knowing me.” Executive Produced by young J Drew II, he really emerges as a true writer and producer on “All In One”. If you ever thought his new position as A&R director over at Karew Records was forced or just handed to him by his parents all those myths are dispelled with this one.

It does not stop with the record label, Sheard in currently on 10-city national tour. The tour is for the musical stage play “Church Girl,” written and produced by Angela Barrow-Dunlap. It took off March 23 in Detroit, MI. Sheard was also blessed to grace the cover of EWW magazine. Inside features a story on her, family, the new record label, and the trials and tribulations that she had to endure to gain her well deserved success.

All In One hit stores April 6^th so go get it NOW…don’t be last at obtaining your copy.

For more on her album, tour dates, personal and family lifestyle, visit the following WebPages

twitter.com/officialkcs, www.facebook.com/officialkcs, www.karewrecords.com