gospel music

Kirk Franklin and Maverick City Music Give Back to the L.A. Skid Row Community

Los Angeles Mission’s President Troy Vaughn and the dedicated team of LA Mission executives, volunteers, successfully kicked off the Skid Row Revitalization Project, with a free performance by Grammy Award-winners Kirk Franklin and Maverick City Music in the heart of Skid Row on Monday, July 25.

Pastor Mike Jr. Soars by Pleasing God First

If you ever doubted God’s plan for your life, just listen to “Big” by Pastor Mike Jr., and your outlook will greatly improve. The rousing, uplifting anthem by Pastor Mike affirms that God has incredible blessings in store for all who believe in Him. Clearly, listeners Mike’s message because the song, which is the lead single from his album, “Live Free,” has hit #1 on the gospel radio as well as garnered five Stellar Award nominations. In a nod to the versatility of his music, the artist, track and album are listed in the New Artist of the Year, Urban/Inspirational

WATCH: NEW VIDEO DEBUTS WITH HIT MAKER TRAVIS GREENE, VEVO LIVE PERFORMANCE “GOOD AND LOVED” FT. DOE

Nashville, TN – A new video has debuted, with hit maker Travis Greene in a VEVO live performance of “Good and Loved” ft. DOE. The four-time GRAMMY® nominated chart-topper has paired up with the GRAMMY® nominated songstress, formerly of foreverJONES, to create an intimate acoustic duet extolling God’s ever-present love and covering, recorded at VEVO’s NYC studios. Written by Greene, he says of his song: “God dearly loves you and is always protecting you. He’s ALWAYS by your side ready to catch you at any moment because He indeed is GOOD and YOU are LOVED!”

Black History Spotlight – Kidd and Tatum Maintained Gospel Radio Legacy

Paul E. R. Kidd, Jr. Paul Edward Ramson Kidd Jr. ruled the gospel music airwaves for more than 50 years. Based in Los Angeles, his show aired locally as well as on the Armed Forces Radio Network (AFRN), which comprised 400 radio stations located in 28 countries. A native of Kansas City, Missouri, Kidd was born into a devout Christian family. His father was an AME itinerant elder who served as pastor of First AME Church in San Francisco in Walker Temple AME Church in Los Angeles. Kidd came to L.A. in 1956 following his honorable discharge from the military

Pemberton Takes God with Her While Pursuing Singing Career

Faith in God has guided Arista Pemberton throughout her life and as she pursues a professional singing career, she’s taking the Lord with her, ever confident that He is with her. “I know that I have a calling on my life to sing gospel music and this is what God has me here to do, so I know it is going to work out for me sooner or later,” says the 35-year-old vocalist and composer. A native of Los Angeles, Pemberton started singing and dancing as a young child. Rhythm and blues was her favorite genre as a teen, but

Kirk Franklin Receives Billionare Honor From Pandora

Becomes First Gospel Artist to Receive Honor   Nashville, TN (August 21, 2019) – On Thursday, August 15th fourteen-time GRAMMY®-winning artist/songwriter/producer, Kirk Franklin, was honored with a Billionaire plaque from Pandora. The music streaming company surprised Franklin by presenting him with the prestigious award on-stage at the Los Angeles stop of his LONG LIVE LOVE TOUR. Franklin was moved by the honor. He says, “It is truly humbling that the music God let me borrow has touched so many people, and that they still choose to listen with so many incredible gospel artists out there.” This honor, which has only been bestowed upon a small

Putting God First Ignited Jackson’s Gospel Music Career

Dr. Henry Jackson has enjoyed a long tenure in gospel music. Starting out in the industry decades ago, he never envisioned the heights that God would take him. But two things he did know – God came first in his life and second was his love of the genre. Empowered by those certainties, Jackson went on to launch a recording career, work with many gospel legends, write several choir standards, sing on stages around the world and collaborate with top secular artists as well. And he’s still on a roll. On July 30, he will release a new project entitled,

Taste of Soul Launches New Digital StarQuest 2019 Competition

Every year, at Bakewell Media’s Taste of Soul family & food festival, hundreds of hopeful performers audition for a chance to showcase their talent in front of thousands on the StarQuest stage at Taste of Soul. That opportunity returns this summer with the launch of the StarQuest 2019 competition. All interested and talented vocalists can now submit a video audition by visiting TasteofSoul.org and the Taste of Soul Instagram – @TasteofsoulLA.

BBA Celebrates Gospel Music 

The Black Business Association (BBA) will recognize gospel music legends at its Salute to Black Music Awards Dinner on Tuesday, June 18, at 7 p.m., at the California African American Museum. Vicki Mack Lataillade, co-founder of GospoCentric Records will receive the Lifetime Achievement Award; Lisa Collins, publisher of L.A. Focus will be the Outstanding Gospel Publication Award recipient and Byron J. Smith, president of National Association Negro Musicians, will be honored with the Outstanding Artistic Vision Award. According to Earl “Skip” Cooper II, BBA president/CEO, acknowledging the genre is part of the organization’s annual commemoration of Black Music Month. In the past, the nonprofit has paid tribute to