Taya Gaukrodger (née Smith) of platinum-selling Hillsong UNITED has announced her debut solo album. TAYA, a 14 track record, is slated to drop on May 27. The first single, “For All My Life,” is expected on March 18.

“For the past 2 years I’ve been working on this, my debut album, self titled intentionally. Some people may know my voice but for the first time ever I get to share with you in my own words and my own melodies, who Jesus is to me. It’s an old school 14 track record full of stories about the faithfulness of God, His kingdom, His kindness and His mercy,” Taya shared on social media.

She continued, “My prayer is that you’d come to know Jesus in a whole new way like I did whilst creating this — He is the God who speaks — may you hear His voice louder than mine.”

Stay tuned for additional album details as they are announced.

ERNIE HAASE & SIGNATURE SOUND joined MICHAEL W. SMITH for an epic version of his iconic hit, “Friends.” The group released the video collaboration on Friday, March 11, and the video can be viewed below.

Haase says: “We’ve crossed paths with Michael W. Smith many times during the years and I’ve always wanted to connect and collaborate but with all of our schedules, it just never worked out. During the pandemic, when no one was really traveling, we were able to make this a reality. This really was a dream come true.”

EHSS & MWS will reunite once again for an Alaskan cruise this July 2022. Click here for more information and reservations. The cruise will also feature Tony Dungy, Jonathan Traylor, Travis Cottrell, Debbie Smith and Stephen Bargatze.

Earlier, in 2021, Ernie welcomed the CCM pioneer for a wide-ranging interview to the group’s Good To Be Home show. That interview may be viewed here.

The multi-GRAMMY nominated, GMA Dove Award-winning group is currently in the studio preparing a yet-to-be-titled new studio project set to be released later in 2022.

Phil Joel has announced he will be releasing a full-length concert video next week (Mar 15). Read more details from Joel below.

Rejuvenate with this rockin’ new full-length concert release from Phil Joel, sure to fire you up for summer 2022 and beyond!

You won’t want to miss the full-length concert video, “Phil Joel & Co in Concert: LIVE from the Backyard”, filmed on location at Phil’s home in Franklin, Tennessee during the summer of 2021. Phil and his full band (including members of Zealand Worship and Phil’s son, Eden Joel) perform select hit songs from his solo career including his most recent and highly-acclaimed EP “Better Than I Found It”, popular hits from “Zealand Worship”, and no set would be complete without classic Christian Music hits from Phil’s time with Newsboys.

Originally a live stream event, this video hasn’t been seen since it’s play date (except by those fortunate original ticketholders!) With requests to view this unique concert experience mounting up, we knew we had to release it wider audiences. Yes, it’s that awesome!

“Phil Joel & Co in Concert: LIVE from the Backyard” full-length concert video is dropping to the web on Tuesday, March 15th at 10:00 AM EST – available for on demand viewing or for purchase & download. Save when you PRE-ORDER now! $3.00 off Purchases / $2.00 off Rentals – offer available for Pre-sale only and good through April 30th. Purchasers also get bonus content!

FOR DETAILS & TO ORDER, VISIT: http://www.philjoel-backyard-concert.com

 GRAMMY nominated, Billboard Music Award winning, platinum-selling, multi-racial, multi-cultural, and genre-bending collective Maverick City Music and 16-time GRAMMY Award winning artist, songwriter, producer and cultural icon Kirk Franklin have announced the Kingdom Tour featuring special guests Jonathan McReynolds and Housefires.

Produced by Live Nation and Undivided, the 37-city tour kicks off on June 1st at FTX Arena in Miami, FL making stops across North America in Atlanta, Toronto, Nashville, Los Angeles and more before wrapping up in Denver, CO at Ball Arena on July 31st. At the conclusion of the Kingdom Tour, a collaboration album, Kingdom, will follow featuring Maverick City Music and Kirk Franklin.

TICKETS:  Tickets go on sale starting Friday, March 18th at 10am local time on Ticketmaster.com

KINGDOM TOUR DATES: 

• Wed Jun 01 – Miami, FL – FTX Arena
• Thu Jun 02 – Orlando, FL – Amway Center
• Sat Jun 04 – Tampa, FL – MIDFLORIDA Credit Union Amphitheatre at the FL State Fairgrounds
• Sun Jun 05 – Atlanta, GA – Lakewood Amphitheatre
• Tue Jun 07 – Birmingham, AL – Legacy Arena at the BJCC
• Thu Jun 09 – Charlotte, NC – PNC Music Pavilion
• Fri Jun 10 – Raleigh, NC – Coastal Credit Union Music Park at Walnut Creek
• Sun Jun 12 – Newark, NJ – Prudential Center
• Tue Jun 14 – Toronto, ON – Budweiser Stage
• Thu Jun 16 – Washington DC – Capital One Arena
• Fri Jun 17 – Cleveland, OH – Blossom Music Center
• Sat Jun 18 – Detroit, MI – Little Caesars Arena
• Sun Jun 19 – Pittsburgh, PA – PPG Paints Arena
• Tue Jun 21 – Grand Rapids, MI – Van Andel Arena
• Wed Jun 22 – Columbus, OH – Schottenstein Center
• Thu Jun 23 – St. Louis, MO – Chaifetz Arena
• Sat Jun 25 – St. Paul, MN – Xcel Energy Center
• Sun Jun 26 – Chicago, IL– Hollywood Casino Amphitheatre
• Tue Jun 28 – Kansas City, MO – T-Mobile Center
• Thu Jun 30 – Nashville, TN – Bridgestone Arena
• Fri Jul 01 – Memphis, TN – FedExForum
• Sat Jul 02 – Jackson, MS – Brandon Amphitheater
• Thu Jul 07 – Oklahoma City, OK – Paycom Center
• Fri Jul 08 – Houston, TX – The Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion presented by Huntsman
• Sat Jul 09 – San Antonio, TX – AT&T Center
• Sun Jul 10 – Ft. Worth, TX – Dickies Arena
• Wed Jul 13 – Rogers, AR – Walmart AMP
• Sat Jul 16 – Salt Lake City, UT – USANA Amphitheatre
• Tue Jul 19 – Seattle, WA – Climate Pledge Arena
• Wed Jul 20 – Portland, OR – Moda Center
• Fri Jul 22 – Concord, CA – Concord Pavilion
• Sat Jul 23 – Irvine, CA – Five Point Amphitheater
• Sun Jul 24 – Los Angeles, CA – Crypto.com Arena
• Wed Jul 27 – San Diego, CA – Cal Coast Credit Union Open Air Theatre
• Thu Jul 28 – Phoenix, AZ – Ak-Chin Pavilion
• Fri Jul 29 – Las Vegas, NV – Michelob ULTRA Arena
• Sun Jul 31 – Denver, CO – Ball Arena

 Los Angeles-based collective Mosaic MSC officially announced their first full length studio album, This Is How I Thank The Lord, arriving on April 8^th via Capitol CMG. Written during the group’s first writing trip to Wyoming after half a year apart, the 12-song offering is a rediscovery of who Mosaic MSC is as a group. This marks the first time the Mosaic MSC team has released music entirely written and produced in-house and overwhelmingly expresses feelings of gratitude despite the season of struggle.  This is How I Thank the Lord is now available for pre-save and pre-sale HERE.

In addition to the album news, Mosaic MSC has released their latest single, “Unexpected Roads.” The moving single expresses a theme of wonder and faith in what life can be when following a higher power. “Life is so much more interesting, captivating, and unexpected when we walk with God,” Mosaic MSC’s Carlos Pimentel shares. “He meets us in the middle of the road and takes us on a journey filled with endless beauty, bigger dreams and a greater purpose that comes straight from his imagination… and that’s a celebration!”

“Unexpected Roads” comes on the heels of Mosaic MSC’s largest single release to date, “This Is How I Thank The Lord,” which received nearly half a million global streams within its first week. Listen to “Unexpected Roads” HERE.

This Is How I Thank The Lord Track List

1. How Do I Thank You
2. How Could I Explain
3. Generous Love
4. To Your Arms
5. Grace
6. This is How I Thank the Lord
7. Unexpected Roads
8. Shelter
9. I Need You
10. (I Need You Now)
11. Love of a Lifetime
12. Rejoice

Mosaic MSC is a chart-topping collective of Los Angeles’ most talented and culturally diverse singers and musicians based out of Mosaic, a church in the heart of Hollywood, CA. Their soulful anthem and breakout single “Tremble” spent 33 weeks on the Billboard charts and their last album, HUMAN, reached No. 9 on the Billboard Christian & Gospel Chart. Mosaic MSC aims to weave people of all backgrounds together in a musical tapestry which promotes creativity and individuality. Their message clearly resonates with the masses, resulting in 268 million career streams in over 65 countries and tours with Travis Greene and Chris Tomlin. Their new album, This Is How I Thank The Lord, will be released via Capitol CMG in April 2022 and is a testament to the culture and community that Mosaic MSC has cultivated since 2011.

Sammie Okposo wins international artiste of the Year at SOAR Awards!

The SOAR Awards 2022 held on Monday March 7th, 2022 in Rockford Illinois USA and iconic Gospel music minister Sammie Okposo won the awards for the international artiste of the Year!

Sammie Okposo was also billed to minister at the awards which honoured Gospel music ministers such as William Murphy, Dorinda Clark Cole, and John Hannah. He gave a beautiful ministration of the recently released single “My Miracle.”

Also featured at the ceremony was Tasha Cobbs Leonard, Karen Clark Sheard, Kierra Sheard, Tim Bowman, Jonathan McReynolds and more!

The ceremony was hosted by Todd Dulaney

Speaking on the award, Sammie Okposo said:

“Jesus did it! Thank you @soarawards for Honouring me with the “International Artiste of the Year” award at the just concluded Soar Awards 2022″

The SOAR Awards is presented by SOAR Radio, the first Gospel internet radio on the official Nielsen BDS National airplay panel.

Congratulations as the iconic Sammie Okposo wins international artiste of the Year at SOAR Awards!

Double-Platinum selling, award-winning singer/songwriter Cory Asbury is planning to hit the road this spring/summer. Asbury recently added additional stops on his previously announced Songs + Stories Tour 2022. The tour will feature special guest Patrick Mayberry. An updated tour itinerary is below. Tickets are available at coryasbury.com.

March 24 – San Antonio, TX SOLD OUT
March 25 – Waco, TX LOW TICKETS
March 26 – Houston, TX
March 27 – Houston, TX
April 1 – Colorado Springs, CO
April 2 – Gillette, WY
April 3 – Casper, WY
April 5 – Idaho Falls, ID
April 7 – Denver, CO
April 8 – Las Vegas, NV
April 9 – Santa Fe, NM
April 10 – Artesia, NM SOLD OUT
April 21 – Columbia, SC
April 22 – Greensboro, NC
April 23 – Franklin, NC
April 24 – Somerset, KY
April 29 – Cape Girardeau, MO
April 30 – Tyler, TX
May 1 – Dallas, TX
May 6 – Milwaukee, WI
May 7 – Sioux Falls, SD
May 8 – Plover, WI
May 12 – Fairfield, CT
May 13 – Buffalo, NY
May 14 – Lancaster, PA
May 15 – Cape Cod, MA

After having to postpone the annual event due to the global pandemic, Grammy award winning artist Chris Tomlin is thrilled to announce the return of the Good Friday Nashville concert to Bridgestone Arena on Friday, April 15, 2022. Since its inception in 2017 Good Friday Nashville has sold out each year, smashing attendance records by becoming the largest ticketed Christian concert in the history of the venue and continuing to accomplish similar feats each year.  Plans are currently in place for Chris to continue the Good Friday concerts indefinitely. Tickets available now at Good Friday Nashville.

“After two years of having to worship together virtually due to COVID, I am so excited to be coming back to Bridgestone Arena, live and in person, for Good Friday Nashville,” shared Chris. “What an incredible opportunity to gather again as a church and as a local community to remember the hope we have in Jesus because of His sacrifice on the cross.”

Good Friday Nashville benefits the foster care and adoption crisis through ‘For Others’, a non-profit foundation created by Tomlin and his wife Lauren, the non-profit aims to close the gap between children-in-need and capable care providers through raising awareness, maximizing resources and mobilizing communities.

“Good Friday Nashville is one of the most rewarding things I have ever been a part of. When this event began 5 years ago, I had a dream it might become an annual thing…a tradition for family and friends to come together, to celebrate, to remember,” shared Chris. “As we got closer to that first Good Friday, I felt a need to make this night more than just a concert. My wife, Lauren, and I had felt a calling to shed light on the foster care and adoption crisis in our nation. It was through that and our first Good Friday that our non-profit, For Others, came to be. And so, each year Good Friday Nashville benefits helping children find forever homes across our state. So, when you join us for this powerful night of worship… know that you are a part of making a difference in so many lives.”

‘For Others’ will host an inaugural private vision gathering on April 14 that will include five separate experiences by bringing together a very select group of difference-makers who have a heart for solving America’s foster care crisis. Among those experiences is a celebrity golf tournament, private concert, and auction. Participants include Marcus Allen, Mike Fisher, Eddie George, Kirk Herbstreit, Tyler Hubbard (Florida Georgia Line), Charles Kelley (Lady A), Shay Mooney (Dan & Shay), Willie Robertson, Ben Roethlisberger, Chris Tomlin, Daryll Strawberry, TobyMac, Brett Young, and Ben Zobrist.

During the pandemic in both 2020 and 2021 when a live concert was not possible, Chris was committed to finding a way to maintain the tradition in light of the inability to gather together physically. Chris called his friends to help and to partner together for Good Friday – Worldwide. The television network TBN and more than 30 radio stations offered their support to bring the world together during this time. The virtual concert delivered the message of hope that comes from the cross while uniting the church in worship. The television broadcast was seen in 32 countries around the globe.

Each of the previous Good Friday Nashville concerts, Chris has surprised concert goers by inviting special guests including Hilary Scott (Lady A) in 2017, Rascal Flatts in 2018 and Lauren Daigle in 2019 to the stage. The tradition continued during Good Friday – Worldwide with guests We The Kingdom and Pat Barrett in 2020 and Lady A in 2021. This year’s historic return will be no exception.

Good Friday Nashville is produced by Awakening Events who have enjoyed a 17-year touring relationship with Chris and offer their time and talents to this concert benefit as well. Good Friday Nashville is presented by K-LOVE, Air1, The Fish and WAY-FM.

To say Jekalyn Carr has been busy is an understatement. Between ministry appearances, hosting her radio show and launching the skin care line for her Jekalyn Beauty brand, the young music and business mogul is making the most of every minute. This week, the fruits of Jekalyn Carr’s labor take her to new platforms, as she makes her daytime television debut on The Real and ends the week at the State Farm Arena where she will sing during halftime and postgame of the Atlanta Hawks v. LA Clippers.

Carr talked to the ladies of The Real about her beauty line, her fourth Grammy nomination and more. She also gave a spine-tingling performance of her latest single “My Portion.” The segment airs Tuesday, March 8. Check local listings for times.

Later in the week, Carr brings soulful praise to the Hawks v. Clippers NBA game.  “Faith has a place everywhere, including the State Farm Arena. We’re going to have a great time,” Carr says of her March 11 NBA appearance.

Jekalyn Carr recently launched JEKALYN BEAUTY SKINCARE, offering a suite of products to simplify the skincare needs of women of all ages. Products can be purchased at www.JEKALYNBEAUTY.com. The launch of Jekalyn Beauty Hair Care is coming soon.

When the “new-normal” started the world had to adapt. So did legendary Motown gospel group MTN Joyous Celebration. Following the release of Joyous Celebration 25 Still We Rise, the group adapted to the “new-normal” embracing the virtual world with the launch of Joyous TV.

On Friday, 17 February 2022, Joyous announced the title of their upcoming new live recorded album, Joyous Celebration 26: Joy. The announcement came following the virtual auditions which saw over 800 people enter the competition to stand a chance to join the family which has given rise to stars including Ntokozo Mbambo, HLE and Sbu Noah.

Not only did the announcement of Joyous Celebration 26: Joy mark the official countdown to their annual Easter celebration which is synonymous with the power house,. But it confirmed that we will see the Gospel African Giants return to live recording their albums in front of an audience, 

On Saturday, 5 March 2022, Joyous Celebration is set to record Joy in front of a live audience filled with alumni, friends, family and the core of the choir’s success: the superfans.

About MTN Joyous Celebration

MTN Joyous Celebration occupies an exalted place in the South African music scene. Founded in 1996 by Lindelani Mkhize, Jabu Hlongwane and Mthunzi Namba it has enjoyed multiplatinum sales of their CDs and DVDs and picked up countless trophies of the major music awards in South Africa including the SA Music Awards (SAMA), MetroFM Music Awards and Crown Gospel Music Awards.

The MTN Joyous Celebration live concerts are a popular fixture on gospel music lovers calendars and they attract followers from across the continent of Africa and the world. The ensemble is also known as a cradle for young aspiring gospel musicians who are provided a stage to dazzle and be noticed and then venture off on their own, this is a tradition dating back 25 years. Joyous is sponsored by MTN, Africa’s premium telecommunications network provider.

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About Motown Gospel

Motown Gospel is one of the most prominent gospel music companies in the world, boasting over two decades of chart-topping and award-winning artists, albums, and songs. A division of Capitol CMG/Universal Music Group, the world’s leading Christian music company and market leader in recorded music, distribution, and music publishing, Motown Gospel’s artist roster has included Tasha Cobbs Leonard, Smokie Norful, Tye Tribbett, Brian Courtney Wilson, Kierra Sheard, The Clark Sisters and more.