Ever keen to broaden our musical scope, recent months have seen That Grape Juice venture into a number of new musical landscapes including, most recently, gospel.

Spearheaded by well-received interviews with gospel singers Yolanda Adams, Hezekiah Walker, Fred Hammond, Kierra Sheard, Dorinda Clark Cole, Israel Houghton, and more, TGJ is now offering readers ‘The Overflow’ – a collection of the top gospel-themed news stories from the week.

Tuck in below for the latest news on Tamela Mann, Mary Mary, Fred Hammond & United Tenors, John P. Kee, Bebe & Marvin Winans, Donald Lawrence,  and much more…

Donald Lawrence’s Blasts ‘Best For Last’ To Itunes #1

 ‘The Best Is Yet To Come’ craftsman Donald Lawrence is living up to that motto as evidenced by his 20 year anniversary album ‘Best For Last:  Volume 1’ (in stores now).  

Featuring the likes of Yolanda Adams and R&B divas Kelly Price, Faith Evans, Lalah Hathaway, Coko, and many more, the album blasted onto Itunes tallies this week – most notably landing at #1 on Itunes gospel charts.

How those sales will translate into chart placement will be reflected upon Billboard’s refreshment next week.  Until we find out, congrats are certainly in order!

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Mary Mary Visit ‘Verses & Flow’, Announce New Tour Dates, Hire Ciara’s Manager

The Mary Mary machine continues to churn out the best of Urban gospel despite a few highly publicized bumps in the road recently.  Indeed, after news the sisterly duo were hit with a lawsuit from former manager Mitchell Solarek for alleged unpaid dues totaling $75,000, the ‘Shackles’ singers unleashed news of his replacement in the form of Kenneth Crear (Kardashians, Mindless Behavior, Ciara) and a new tour!

Before you check below to find out when the Marys will be making their way to your town, see them light up the stage on last week’s episode of TV One’s poetry/music series ‘Verses & Flow’:

CLICK HERE TO SEE MARY MARY’S TOUR DATES

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John P. Kee Announces DVD Taping, Upcoming Tour?

Via our friends at GospelFlava:

With a scheduled release date of October 15th, the CD is already making waves with the new single ‘Walking In Favor’ featuring Zacardi Cortez, a Spanish version of ‘Life and Favor’  and a tribute to the late Reverend James Moore entitled ‘Great Things Happen’.

Pastor Kee takes his Gospel cavalcade on the road with a 20 plus city tour featuring Shawn Bigby and Zacardi Cortez beginning on September 26th in Jacksonville and continuing through November…the DVD taping of Pastor John P Kee and the New Life Community Choir scheduled for December.

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Tamela Mann Readies ‘Best Days’ Deluxe Re-Release

‘Take Me To The King’ took Grammy nominated-songstress Tamela Mann straight to the top of charts and led to an unprecedented reign atop Billboard and Itunes gospel tallies.  Now, it appears Mann is readying a redo as news surfaced this week the song’s parent album ‘Best Days’ is getting a deluxe re-release on October 29th.

Set to feature 5 new recordings including live versions of “Guest of Honor”, “Best Days”, and “Take Me To The King” (featured in a medley with “I Surrender All”), fans can also expect an updated version of Kirk Franklin classic ‘Now Behold the Lamb’. 

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Fred Hammond & United Tenors Ready Stateside Tour

‘Glory To Glory’ singer Fred Hammond will be going coast-to-coast alongside United Tenors (Eric Roberson, Dave Hollister, Brian Courtney Wilson) to bring fans live renditions of the hits that line their debut, self-titled CD.

Making a triumphant debut at #1 on gospel charts earlier this year, the album – led by single ‘Here In Our Praise’ – will see some of its fan favorites shared live in Detroit, Houston, Memphis, and more (see photo above).

Check out their official Facebook page for more details.

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New Video:  3WinansBrothers (3WB) – ‘If God Be For Us’

‘If God Be For Us’ is the title of the triumphant first single from 3WB – a three man collective from the legendary gospel family The Winans.  Featuring Marvin, Carvin, and Bebe Winans, the talented trio of crooners are set to release the song’s parent album in the coming weeks.

Before you can get a taste of the full offering, check out the Bebe-penned number below:

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Earnest Pugh Puts ‘W.I.N’ at #1 on Billboard Gospel Chart

Though he may be facing stiff competition from the likes of Donald Lawrence next week, for this week (at least) Earnest Pugh rests comfortably atop Billboard Gospel charts with his newest ‘W.I.N.’ (Worship In Nassau).

Led by hit single ‘More of You’, fans helped propel Pugh’s sixth CD to the top spot after just a week of release.  Listing names like Shirley Caesar, Bishop Rance Allen, LeJuene Thompson, and more on its guest list, those who enjoyed the CD will be pleased to learn its accompanying DVD is due in stores soon as well.

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Throwback Gospel Jam of the Day:  Rev. James Cleveland – ‘God Is’

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