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, Twinkie Clark, Fred Hammond, Kierra Sheard, Dorinda Clark Cole, Israel Houghton, Marvin Sapp, Micah Stampley, Joshua Rogers, 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 2014 Celebration of Gospel, The Showers, Mary Mary, Kierra Sheard, James Fortune & FIYA, JPA & Ascension and many more…
Kelly Price & Donnie McClurkin Wow At Pre-Oscar Event With Impromptu Performance
Powerhouse Vocalists Shared Ad-Libs Over The New Hit Gospel Song “Better”, Originally Performed By Rising Family Group The Showers
Grammy® winner Donnie McClurkin wowed audience members at the ‘Gospel Goes to Hollywood’ Pre-Oscar event on Friday night (February 28th) when he spontaneously called up Grammy® nominated R&B artist Kelly Price to sing.
Ad-libbing to the new hit gospel song “BETTER”, originally performed by rising family group THE SHOWERS (who were the musical guests for the event) – the vocalists’ powerful impromptu duet came immediately after the family had delivered their own stunning rendition.
See it all unfold below:
“Better” was released to iTunes on January 28 and peaked in the Top 30 on the iTunes Christian/Gospel Top 100 Chart. Written and produced by RCA Inspiration recording artist Deon Kipping, the song follows the group’s hit lead single ‘Praise Your Way Through’ which peaked in the Top 30 on the Mediabase Gospel Songs Chart with an accumulative listening audience of over 1 million ears.
The Showers’ self-titled debut album is slated for release later this year. Unfamiliar with ‘Better’? Hear it below:
*****
Kierra Sheard Named New BET ‘Sunday Best’ Judge
Via our exclusive interview with Grammy winning gospel great Donnie McClurkin, That Grape Juice has learned that Stellar-award winner Kierra Sheard has been appointed to the judging panel of BET‘s hit reality singing competition ‘Sunday Best’.
The show, gearing up for its 7th season, will see Sheard replace Cece Winans on esteemed panel that will see the return of longtime judges McClurkin and Yolanda Adams. And, of course, the ever animated Kirk Franklin will resume hosting duties and Kim Burrell will continue as mentor.
You think you have what it takes to shine on the ‘Sunday Best‘ stage? See the audition schedule below:
*****
James Fortune & FIYA Set Itunes Ablaze With New Album ‘Live Through It’
James Fortune & FIYA blazed his way to the top of Itunes last week with his new LP ‘Live Through It‘.
Skyrocketing to #1 on iTunes Christian & Gospel chart and #8 on iTunes overall chart, the success of the album’s lead single/title track certainly acted as the platform needed to place the album atop digital tallies. Its decorative guest list, which features the likes of Tasha Cobbs, Kirk Franklin, Zacardi Cortez, Alexis Spight, and many more, didn’t hurt either.
While we await news on its placement for the Billboard 200, get into the lead single below:
*****
BET Reveals ‘Celebration Of Gospel’ 2014 Host & Line-Up
Is it time for the 14th annual BET already? Wow!
Despite the absence of longtime host Steve Harvey (who retired from the gig last year), the dynamic gospel showing forges onward with a March 15 taping date. Set to also feature a stirring tribute to gospel legend Richard Smallwood, get more dibs on who is performing on the program hosted by Academy Award-nominated actress Taraji P. Henson below:
2014 ‘Celebration of Gospel’ Performers
Yolanda Adams – Charlie Wilson – India.Arie – Jonathan McReynolds – Donnie McClurkin – SWV – Tye Tribbett – Erica Campbell – Ruben Studdard – Chante Moore – Hezekiah Walker – Lalah Hathaway – Tasha Cobbs – Kem – Tamela Mann and More
Taped on March 15th at Orpheum Theatre in Los Angeles, the show airs on Sunday, April 6th at 8P/7C.
*****
Watch: Mary Mary Visit ‘Bethenny’ & ‘Wendy Williams’ In Promotion of Their WeTV Reality Show Season 3
Grammy winning gospel duo Mary Mary hit the promo trail hard this week in support of the third season premiere of their self-titled WeTV reality show.
Dishing on everything from marriage, music, motherhood, and inner-group tension, click play on both videos below to see the ladies visits in full:
