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, J. Moss, and Jonathan McReynolds, 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 Erica Campbell, Dorinda Clark Cole, Trinity Dawson, BET’s ‘Sunday Best,’ Norris Jackson, and more:
New Video: Erica Campbell – ‘More Love’
Erica Campbell asked for ‘More Love,’ and as a look at next week’s Billboard charts will indicate, that’s exactly what she got.
While she may have caused quite the stir with her introduction of “trap gospel” via the mixed reviews lent to her Urban-skewed ‘I Luh God,’ the songstress is still headed back to #1 on Billboard Gospel Charts with ‘Help 2.0’ – the re-release of her Grammy-winning debut solo album ‘Help.’
Now Campbell is getting a collective thumbs up for her neo-soul inspired “More Love” and its time-travel video seen above.
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New Song: Karen Clark Sheard – ‘My Words Have Power’
After thrilling fans with the Grammy-nominated ‘Sunday A.M,’ the legendary Karen Clark Sheard returns with the ever powerful Rick Robinson-penned ‘My Words Have Power.’
Teaming with longtime collaborator Donald Lawrence, the gospel diva brand new single is available NOW on iTunes! Get into it below:
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New Song: Norris Jackson – ‘Nail Scarred Hands’
“The hands of Christ still have the wounds from Calvary, but they also possess the power of God. The same hands that were nailed to a cross also provides for and protects our entire world.
This song explores the thought that something that was meant to be degrading (Crucifixion) and leave trails of shame (Wounds, scars, and death) can be totally flipped and used to portray something beautiful! (Salvation)” – Norris Jackson
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‘Sunday Best’ To Return With ‘All Star Edition’ For Season 8
BET’s ‘Sunday Best’ has churned out its fair share of gospel superstars. From Grammy winner Leandria Johnson to vocal sensations Joshua Rogers and Amber Bullock, the show has had no shortage of amazing talents in its winner and finalist list.
Now, fans are invited to revisit some of their favorite contestants of seasons past with the ‘All Star Edition’ of the show for its highly anticipated season 8 return. Joining resident host Kirk Franklin and superstar judges Donnie McClurkin, Yolanda Adams and Kierra Sheard, along with the help of singer and mentor Kim Burrell, fans of the show can help decide the top ten finalists by voting online until Wednesday, April 15 at 3 p.m. ET, and the top ten finalists will be revealed on-air when ‘Sunday Best: All Stars’ roars back onto television on Sunday, July 19 at 8P/7C on BET.
Click here to cast your vote
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Dorinda Clark Cole, Donald Lawrence, Yolanda Adams, & More Gear Up For ‘McDonald’s 2015 Inspiration Celebration Gospel Tour’
Some of gospel’s biggest names are joining forces to hit to the road for the highly anticipated 9th annual ‘McDonald’s Inspiration Celebration Gospel Tour.’ Kicking off May 9th in Newark New Jersey, the star-studded gospel affair is set to touch almost every corner of the country until it’s August 28th conclusion in St. Louis.
Fans looking for tickets can find them here.
TGJ Overflow Spotlight: Introducing Trinity Dawson
Football star turned gospel singer Trinity Dawson is making quite the splash with his debut EP ‘With All I Am,’ available now at iTunes. Boasting a high powered leading single “Just Be With Me,” the thunderous tune is one of 4 amazing tracks that line the newcomer’s EP and is set to tide fans over until they can get his full length LP, due June 2015.
Until then, TGJ caught up with him to learn all about his new exciting project and more:
TGJ: We’re loving “Just Be With Me.” Tell us about the song, its inspiration, and why it was chosen to kick off your album.
Trinity: “Just Be With Me” is a song that God gave me when I was at a transitional place in life. The song is essentially a prayer that I prayed when I finally came to a place where I was willing to lay down my desires, my plans and my wants; and totally surrender to God.
TGJ: Making a leap from football to music was a big move. What prompted your decision?
Trinity: Honestly, if it was my choice, at that point in time, I wouldn’t have made the decision to stop playing football. Ultimately, God shut the door and, through the process of life, He revealed to me that music would play a pivotal role in my pursuit of purpose. I’m so glad that God’s ways are higher than our ways and that His thoughts are higher than our thoughts because I don’t think I would have been capable of making that decision on my own.
TGJ: There are some people who have tried to manage having sports and music careers simultaneously. Is this something you’d ever entertain?
Trinity: One of the major contributing factors to the door shutting on my football career was a hip injury that I had my junior year of college. That injury got worse with time and eventually prohibited me from being able to physically do the things necessary to land a spot on an NFL team. So, I never really had the opportunity to entertain that possibility.
TGJ: Who are some of your musical inspirations?
Trinity: Over the years I’ve developed musically to the influence of Gospel/Christian artist like Israel Houghton, Mercy Me, Fred Hammond, Tye Tribbett, Hillsong United, Kirk Franklin, as well as R&B artists like John Legend, Stevie Wonder, India Arie, Jill Scott and Musiq Soulchild.
TGJ: Tell us more about “With All I Am.”
Trinity: “With All I Am” is totally centered around the journey toward discovering and walking in your purpose. The title comes from the realization that I would never fully walk in purpose until I allowed God to use every aspect of who I am for His Glory. Many of the songs are prayers that I prayed while on the journey. One could say that the CD is almost a prayer book with music.
TGJ: When should your full length LP be expected?
Trinity: We’re still in the process of trying to nail down the details around distribution, but we’re currently looking to release the full LP this Summer.
TGJ: Who are some of your dream collabos in the gospel industry?
Trinity: There are so many amazing artists out today. I can say without question that I’d love to work with Lecrae, Andy Mineo, Kierra Sheard, Jonathan McReynolds, Y’Anna Crawley, Jesus Culture and Kevin Olusola, just to name a few.
Connect With Trinity Dawson
Official Web Site: http://trinitydawsonmusic.com/
Follow Trinity on Twitter / Follow Trinity on Facebook / Follow Trinity on Instagram