Capitol Christian Music Group (CCMG) has promoted EJ Gaines to SVP Marketing/Co-Executive Director of Motown Gospel.  Gaines has served as Co-Executive Director of Motown Gospel and Vice President of Marketing at CCMG since 2018, prior to his position as Motown Gospel’s Vice President of Marketing. Gaines reports to Capitol Christian Music Group Co-President Hudson Plachy.

“I’m thrilled for EJ and this well-deserved promotion,” commented Plachy. “EJ is an important part of the senior leadership team at CCMG and he has taken on increased responsibility to serve our artists across the company.  He brings unique experience and the energy to the artists and partners we serve at CCMG.”“EJ is an excellent executive who embodies our company’s mission,” echoes Co-President Brad O’Donnell. “We’re very thankful to have him on our team and believe he will do great things in his new role.”

In Gaines’ new, expanded role, his responsibilities will include overseeing the marketing and brand development for  many Capitol CMG artists, while also maintaining his role and responsibilities as co-executive director at Motown Gospel. Most recently, Gaines oversaw the marketing campaigns for Harry Connick Jr.’s award-winning project Alone With My Faith, and Tori Kelly’s GRAMMY winning Gospel album, Hiding Place, and Tasha Cobbs Leonard’s acclaimed Royalty: Live at The Ryman.“I’m thrilled to serve our artists, writers, and label team in this greater leadership capacity,” Gaines remarked. “It’s an exciting time of forging new paths for our company, and I’m so fortunate to work with the best in the business as we continue to impact the world with our music.”

Prior to accepting his Motown Gospel role, Gaines was an entertainment attorney and artist manager, helping to guide the careers of numerous GRAMMY Award-winning and chart-topping artists, including Mary Mary, Natalie Grant, Donald Lawrence, William McDowell, and Jonathan McReynolds. He began his career at Jive Records and Verity Records, before becoming an executive assistant to platinum-selling Gospel artist Donnie McClurkin. Gaines graduated from St. John’s University School of Law and served as an associate at Carter, Ledyard & Milburn LLP, later launching the entertainment division at Waterford Law Group, PLLC in 2013.

“Memphissippi,” based IVAV (a hip-hop division of Curb Records) Rapper Ty Brasel recently released his mixtape Destiny: Vol. 1 at the end of 2021. Produced by Dirty Rice, Joseph Prielozny, and Juice Bangers, Destiny: Vol. 1 also features cameos from a long list of hip-hop collaborators, including Jay-Way, J. Monty, Plan G, 1k Phew, Jenna Wright, and Parris Chariz. The success of Destiny: Vol 1 resulted in Ty being featured in Wonderland Magazine, CelebMix, Essentially Pop, PopWrapped, Yahoo Style and more! The breakout single “On Me” featuring Jenna Wright is currently climbing TheHotChart.com at #7. The release of Destiny: Vol. 1 follows Ty’s 2020’s The Divine Storm and 2018’s Destined For Greatness albums which resulted in more than 53 Million+ streams off the back of hit single “Praying Hands,” “Night Dreaming,” and “Highlight.” The release of Destiny: Vol. 1 was a culmination of years of hard work for Ty as he channeled his years of struggling and perseverance to create a mixtape that motivates others to push through the dark times in life.

When asked about the message he wants fans to take away from not only Destiny: Vol. 1, Ty said, “Doubt, trauma, and fear can threaten to get in the way of people accomplishing their goals, sometimes, they can hinder you from even trying. I’m trying to show people, using my own life and my own music as an example, that you can always keep going.” No better is this message of perseverance heard than on Ty’s single  “4 The Stars” featuring J. Monty, which he describes as, “one of those motivational anthems with hard hitting drums and a catchy chorus. It speaks on the complexities of battling grief & fear while still pursuing your dreams and the plans of the Divine.”

Ty Brasel was born in Memphis, TN, where he grew up at the intersection of East Memphis & Olive Branch, MS. This area, referred to by locals as “Memphissippi,” is where Ty first recognized his passion for music. His style was first showcased on 2017’s “Young T,” 2018’s “Destined For Greatness,” and 2020’s “The Divine Storm” draws inspiration from the southern style of rap he was raised with, as well as influences like Kendrick Lamar, Curren$y, and Post Malone. As a teenager Ty chose a path that led him down a road of substance abuse and crime. After an encounter with God following his senior year of high school, Ty decided to change his ways and began a new spiritual journey. He enrolled into college at Ole Miss and started a hip-hop group with a friend. However, once in college some of those same demons began to present them self again, and Ty was arrested four times during his freshman year. At this point Ty had a choice to make in his life and chose to drop out of school during his third semester to focus his energy on music. With no money and no real plan Ty went home and used his struggles as motivation when creating his music. Ty’s songs are often aimed at people in the down cycles of life, and in his lyrics, the theme of overcoming life struggles and personal demons is ever present. The notion that while there may be storms within, peace and hope are attainable. No better is this hope for a brighter future heard than on Ty’s 2021 mixtape Destiny: Vol. 1 where Ty reflects upon his life to this point. Stay tuned to Ty’s socials below on updates on the release of the music video for “4 The Stars” as well as future releases from Ty Brasel.

You can watch award-winning artist, actress and entrepreneur Kierra Sheard-Kelly on THE REAL. Check Local Listings for Showtimes and watch on Bounce, 5AM EST/3AM PSTThe latest chart success for “Something Has to Break” marks Kierra’s fourth #1 overall on Billboard’s Gospel Airplay chart, following her third #1 for the hit single “It Keeps Happening,” which are both featured on her album KIERRA–Deluxe (Karew Entertainment/RCA Inspiration).

In addition to performing, Kierra continues to share the latest activities in her life with rehearsing, writing music, traveling, answering questions, tips on her vocal routine, self-care and more on her vlog series “Katching Kierra.” Kierra is also the creator of her fashion line Eleven60 and authored her first book last year, with her memoir “Big, Bold, and Beautiful: Owning the Woman God Made You to Be.”

Kierra Sheard-Kelly returns to Lifetime this year in the original thriller, Line Sisters. Line Sisters follows four sorority sisters- Valerie (LeToya Luckett), Cassandra (Kierra Sheard-Kelly), Simona (Ta’Rhonda Jones;) and Dominique (Drew Sidora) – as they reunite at a Black Greek Weekend celebration held on the Outer Banks of North Carolina. Having pledged the Alpha Beta Omega Sorority, Inc., they share more than the bonds of sisterhood, after the mysterious death of the dean of pledges 15 years prior. But the past comes knocking on their door as they arrive to the island and strange and inexplicable things begin to happen to each one of them, threatening to unearth the deadly secret that may tear them apart. Line Sisters is produced by Big Dreams Entertainment in association with Undaunted Content for Lifetime and is executive produced by D’Angela Proctor and Leslie Greif. Tailiah Breon directs from a script written by Jasmine S. Greene and Scott Mullen.

IVAV recording artist Steven Malcolm announces his third studio album, Tree, available 4/15, setting the tone for the project with spellbinding track, “Respect,” produced by renowned DJ/Producer Sango and UMoore, available today. Malcolm also kicks off his “Long Live The Hype Tour” in Jacksonville, FL tonight, 2/4. Listen to “Respect” and pre-save/pre-add Tree HERE.

After accumulating more than 58 million global DSP streams and 13.1 million YouTube views in 2021, Malcolm’s desire to elevate his name is a constant theme on his forthcoming album, an eclectic depiction of Malcolm’s past, present, and future. Tree, which features Snoop Dogg, Shaggy, Social Club Misfits, and KB, shows Malcolm’s spiritual depth and versatility as a hip-hop artist, mixing the spirituality of Sunday morning with the energy of Saturday night.

“This record is about putting some respect on my name,” Malcolm exclaims. “He [Sango] sent it to me and I finished it in an hour, honestly. It was one of those records you hear and dive right in. Malcom adds, “When it came to naming the album, the inspiration for the title stems from Jamaica, where they pronounce the number three, ‘tree’. This being my third studio album, we focused on the growth and fruit that comes from a foundation rooted in truth.”

Following Malcolm’s “Rooftop Freestyle,” co-produced by GRAMMY® Award winners BoogzDaBeast (Kanye West, also known as Ye), FNZ (A$AP Rocky), and Dayme, and “On Point,” featuring Dove Award winner KB, “Respect” previews the upcoming album, curving the fakes and claiming a stake as an exceptional force in hip-hop, no questions asked. The cool, commanding bop finds Malcolm bossing up on naysayers, while his smooth, inventive rhyme schemes flow seamlessly over Sango’s peculiar production. Listen to “Respect” HERE.

Malcom also kicks off his “Long Live The Hype Tour” tonight, 2/4, in Jacksonville, FL, hitting Miami, FL, Nashville, TN, Chicago, IL, and Grand Rapids, MI throughout the month of February. Purchase tickets HERE.

Listen to “Respect” and pre-save/pre-add Tree HERE.

Tree Official Tracklisting:

1. Heavenly Father feat. The Fisk Jubilee Singers
2. All I Know
3. Summertime feat. Snoop Dogg & Jay-Way
4. On Point feat. KB
5. Believe In Me
6. Demons feat. Plan G & Jude Barclay
7. Rooftop Freestyle feat. Derek Minor
8. Red Light Green Light feat. Ty Brasel & Jay-Way
9. Accelerate feat. Canon
10.  Ain’t Playin feat. Social Club Misfits
11.  Lately
12.  Great feat. Waldo
13.  Respect
14.  Jah Ah De King
15.  Glory On Me feat. Childish Major & Taylor Hill
16.  Fuego (R3HAB Remix) ft. Shaggy

About Steven Malcolm:

Steven Malcolm makes faith-driven hip-hop that’s as unique as his multi-cultural background. It’s a diverse sound grounded in rap’s rhythmic delivery, pop’s modern melodies, and God’s word, glued together by a street-smart artist whose music has earned five Dove Award nominations and more than 57 million streams.

Released in 2021, All Is True blurs the boundaries between Christian music and larger-than-life hip-hop, delivering universal songs about faith, family, and fidelity. This is hip-hop with a heart, mixing the spirituality of Sunday morning with the energy of Saturday night. It’s also an extension of the sound Malcolm has spent the better part of a decade crafting. Raised by a family whose Jamaican-born patriarch was deported back to the Caribbean when his son was only 10 years old, Malcolm first turned to music for a source of stability. He found success in the hip-hop underground with his independent debut, Monster’s Ink, then built a larger audience with 2017’s self-titled Steven Malcolm. Nominated for three GMA Dove Awards, Steven Malcolm was followed by The Second City, which debuted at Number 11 on Billboard’s hip-hop chart in 2019. Tracks like “Fuego’’ highlighted his Jamaican roots and reggae influences (both of which were showcased on several remixes, which found Malcolm working alongside collaborators like Shaggy, R3HAB, The SoulBots, and Melanie Pfirrman), while a Dove-nominated remix of “Even Louder” featured his duet with seven-time Grammy nominee Natalie Grant.

About Curb | Word Entertainment:

In 2016, Curb Records acquired Word Entertainment, combining two of the music industry’s most respected global brands, and more than a century of collective experience. Today, Curb and Word are two of the world’s leading independent music companies. Owned and operated by Mike Curb, the Curb | Word family includes the labels Curb, Word, Squint, Fervent, Sidewalk, MCC, and IVAV, as well as Curb Publishing, Word Publishing, 25 Live, Curb Films, Word Films, Word Entertainment, and Curb Sports, representing top artists and entertainers in Country, Christian, Pop, Rock, and Hip-Hop. For more information, visit www.curb.com.

Multiple Stellar Award nominated powerhouse vocalist Kim Person continues to earn monumental achievements. Her fourth and current project JOURNEY 2.0 made its debut on Billboard’s all-genre Top Album Sales chart. This is Person’s first-ever career appearance on the chart. Released on October 1, 2021, via her independent record label KLP Music Enterprise her EP, which is produced by Phillip Bryant peaked at #7 on Billboards Top Gospel Albums chart and has spent 9 weeks on the chart to-date.

“Wonderful” her lead radio single, which is lifted from JOURNEY 2.0 continues to gain major traction at Gospel radio. The song was listed on the Gospel Indicator’s Most Added chart (WFLT, WLNO, WIMG, WNZN) and Most Increased Plays chart with +75 plays (week ending 1/29/22). The song is currently trending in the top 70 on Gospel AirPlay chart.

A native of Raleigh, North Carolina, JOURNEY 2.0 is the follow-up to 2019’s THE JOURNEY album, which peaked at #2 on Billboards’s Top Gospel Albums chart and #25 on Billboard’s Heatseekers chart. She earned two Stellar Gospel Music Award nominations for New Artist of the Year and Contemporary Female Vocalist of the Year in 2020.

Trip Lee, one of Reach Records’ flagship rappers, opened up in detail about his journey with chronic fatigue syndrome on a recent episode of Trevor Talks.

The artist’s struggles with the incurable chronic illness inspired one of his best known songs to date, “Sweet Victory,” which he released in 2014 on his acclaimed album Rise. That battle with illness continues to be one that Trip faces every single day, as he details in the podcast interview.

“The truth is that life is really hard and God is really good. Both of these things are true,” the multi-talented rapper, minister, husband and father shares. “I think sometimes in Christian music, we’re not that great at holding both together.”

Trip Lee has always epitomized what it might look like to embrace the tension of those truths. It’s an approach that also informed his book Rise: Get Up and Live in God’s Great Story, as well as his two 2021 singles, “Supernatural” and “You Got It.” All of Trip’s work reflects the maturation and sanctification process he has worked through navigating the daily challenges of ministry, fatherhood and chronic illness.

This podcast episode is the latest way Trip is offering wisdom gleaned from his experiences with listeners. “Hard seasons don’t mean that God is gone,” the rapper earnestly concludes.

Hear the full, vulnerable conversation on Spotify, Apple Music and Google Podcasts.

Artist on the rise Riley Clemmons recently made history as the first woman in over a decade to be named Artist of the Year at Australia’s TCM Radio. Throughout 2021, Riley had five songs featured in the Top 100 song chart: “Keep On Hoping,” “Headspace,” “Healing,” “Without You,” and her latest hit “For the Good.” TCM’s Artist of the Year is calculated through aggregated metrics for each artist from its weekly airplay charts throughout 2021.

This news comes on the heels of Riley’s latest release, “For the Good: The Collection.” The multi-track single features two new versions of her Top 20 single “For the Good,” which has recently surpassed over 5.5 million global streams. In March, Riley will embark on her first tour of 2022, joining Jeremy Camp on his “I Still Believe” spring tour. Kicking off in TX on March 10^th, the 19-date trek will take Riley throughout the east coast with stops in Philadelphia and Ft. Lauderdale as well as additional stops in Knoxville and Alabama before wrapping in Melbourne, FL on May 1^st. Tickets for the “I Still Believe” tour now available at www.rileyclemmons.com/tour

Riley Clemmons is a 22-year-old artist from Nashville, TN who has accumulated nearly 250 million global streams and 50 million YouTube video views in her young career. After spending years honing her craft in writers’ rooms, Riley sky-rocketed onto the scene with her 2017 Capitol CMG debut single “Broken Prayers,” which has generated over 30 million global streams to date. Her 2018 self-titled album debut quickly entered the Billboard Heatseekers chart, entering at No. 13. Her latest album, Godsend, has received critical acclaim and has quickly established Riley as an artist to watch. She was named one of People Magazine’s “Emerging Artists 2021” and has made appearances on the SHEIN X ROCK THE RUNWAY virtual fashion show, the TODAY Show, and FOX & Friends. An accomplished composer, performer, producer, and recording artist, Riley draws inspiration from life experiences, blending musical influences ranging from pop to classic rock to create music that is as catchy as it is relatable.

The legendary duo of  Ted & Sheri – Ted Winn and Sheri Jones-Moffet, are back together again after a sixteen-year recording hiatus! The Stellar Gospel Music Award winning pair have teamed up with the  GRAMMY Award nominated siblings, The Walls Group, to drop “Now I Know” (Ted & Sheri, LLC / Black Smoke). The soulful, feel-good groove releases to all digital music platforms on Friday, February 4^th. https://fanlink.to/TedSheriNowIKnow

After Ted & Sheri recorded the track, they sent it to their mentor, Donald Lawrence, for his critique.  “When he heard the song, he loved it  and said if he could make a suggestion, it would be to add The Walls Group to it,” Winn says. “I discussed it with Sheri, and she agreed. We reached out to The Walls Group, and they said yes. They  bring the kind of soul, heart, and passion that takes listeners on an emotional journey. Not only do they offer eargasms; they sing from a place of experience that resonates deeply with every listen.”

The Memphis-reared duo of Ted & Sheri first hit the national stage in 2001 with the release of the album, The Healing Starts Right There (Church Howze), which earned them two Stellar Gospel Music Awards. The project featured the fan favorites, “Come Ye Disconsolate,” a remake of Andrae Crouch’s classic “I’ll Be Thinking of You,” and the acapella tune, “Thank Him.” Their 2004 sophomore album, Celebrate, featured the Billboard Top 5 title-cut that was written for them by Donald Lawrence. The cut, “God Will Take Care,” was featured on the platinum-selling project, WOW Gospel 2005. By the end of the decade, they had amicably separated to pursue solo careers.

Sheri went on to solo on the Billboard No. 1 hit, “Encourage Yourself” by Donald Lawrence & the Tri-City Singers in 2007. She followed with two solo albums for EMI Gospel / Motown Gospel that birthed radio singles such as “Shine” and “Faith to Believe.” Her debut set, Renewed (Motown Gospel) earned her a GRAMMY Award nomination for Best Contemporary R&B Gospel Album in 2009.

Ted launched his own recording label, Teddy’s Jamz, in 2009. His solo debut album, Balance (Teddy’s Jamz), appeared soon after with radio hits such as “God Believes in You,” “Moving Forward,” and the Top Ten smash, “The Lifter.” His 2017 album, Stand in Awe (Teddy’s Jamz), featured four radio singles, including the Top 10 smash, “Grateful,” which featured the dynamic vocals of song stylist,  Maranda Curtis.

In 2021, Ted & Sheri reunited to celebrate the 20^th anniversary of their first release by partnering with Black Smoke Music Worldwide to release their first album in nearly two decades. The music video for their first offering, “God Can Heal It,” has racked up over a half million YouTube views. Their yet untitled EP will release later in 2022.

OCP (Oregon Catholic Press) has welcomed contemporary Christian artist and worship leader, Thomas Muglia to their roster. The 23-year-old Arizona native is preparing to make his label debut with his forthcoming album I Have A Father, slated for release on February 25, 2022. Pre-order for the full-length project is live, and with each pre-order, the listener receives four instant gratis tracks in addition to a bonus song “You’re Not Done” given on the day of album release.

Produced by Paul Moak (Matt Kearney, Third Day, Martha Wainwright, Matthew Mayfield) and recorded in Moak’s iconic studio The Smoakstack in Nashville, Tenn., industry executives have taken note of the American Idol Alumni who has an extensive catalog of over 300 worship songs. I Have A Father will take listeners on the young artist’s very personal prayer journey with each song being a monumental moment in his spiritual walk.

“Recording this album was a songwriter’s dream,” says Muglia. “To come out to Nashville with all these songs and be able to produce them in the way that feels most natural and most authentic. Music is a tool for communication, it’s a way that we can share a message that people otherwise might not be willing to hear. We can take all these musical elements together with lyrics to make a succinct and focused message. When we do that with scripture or with our prayers, it becomes this powerful force, and that’s why I love to create music.”

Born with moderate to severe hearing loss, Muglia grew up in a musical family and quickly learned how to feel, play, and read music at a young age. Under his dad’s leadership in the Church, he began playing and singing for the congregation. Through his teen years, Thomas spent his spare time playing renditions of his favorite pop songs in school talent shows or coffee shops. It wasn’t long after, in Campus Ministry during college, he discovered a passion for honest songwriting and music that speaks to the heart. In 2019, Muglia recorded his first independent album The Return and not long after that, he was sought after by OCP to publish some of his songs, which quickly expanded with him being signed to the publishing company and the creation of I Have A Father.

“The music of Thomas Muglia originates from a faith that is lived and expressed in a way that is mature beyond his years” shares Tom Booth, Associate Director of Contemporary Music at OCP.“ All 11 of these songs were culled from a list of over 30, and honed for months through a joyful, yet painstakingly intentional process that will bear fruit for many years to come. Both the casual listener and the intense worshiper will discover a wellspring of encouragement and insight in both the lyrics and musical arrangements. Plainly said, Thomas Muglia is the real deal.”

I Have A Father will showcase Muglia’s prayerful and heartfelt songwriting combined with powerful melodies and dynamic instrumental textures. His lyrics strive to reflect honestly on all aspects of a relationship with God and the Christian walk of faith.

“I hope this album brings the message forward to someone, so that they can hear it and relate to it. In this case, it’s to be drawn into a relationship with God.”

Double-Platinum selling, award-winning singer/songwriter Cory Asbury is planning to hit the road this spring. Asbury recently announced on social media plans for his Songs + Stories Tour 2022.

The tour will feature special guest Patrick Mayberry. Tickets are set to go on sale Today Friday (February 4). A partial tour itinerary is below. More information will be available at coryasbury.com.

Songs + Stories Tour 2022
March 24 — San Antonio, TX
March 25 — Waco, TX
March 26 — Houston, TX
March 27 — Houston, TX
April 1 — Colorado Spring, 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