The All-Star Gospel Celebration (ASGC) kicked off NBA All-Star Weekend in Cleveland, Ohio with an unforgettable celebration in its 15th year during the NBA All-Star Weekend! The celebration hosted by 3x NBA All-Star host Jacinda Jacobs and NBA Veteran & former National Basketball Players Association Vice-President Maurice “Mo” Evans was the most anticipated event during the weekend. NBA Chaplains rocked the stage after an electrifying opening by Kierra Sherard-Kelly. Special appearances by Maverick City Music and DOE wowed the crowd, and the new artist showcase was one to remember with Anthony Hall & Keyla Richardson both giving a championship performance. Saxophonist Angella Christie, took the entire audience to church, while the Red Hand Band had the crowd on their feet. Mali Music delivered the SLAM DUNK performance to end the show. Following the show, guests enjoyed a post-reception catered by Pearl’s Kitchen.

The commemoration honored doers and game-changers in the sports industry. Co-owner of the Milwaukee Bucks, Valerie Daniels Carter, was given the Slam Dunk “Game Changer” award and she stepped on the stage and demanded full attention. As she flash the NBA CHAMPIONSHIP RING and offered guests in attendance the chance to put on the ring (a championship ring) in honor of ASGC celebrating 15 years. Former Executive Director of the National Basketball Players Association, Dr. Billy Hunter, Esq with the Slam Dunk “Faith & Endurance” award, gave a heart reaching thank you to the audience; as well as father and son duo Pastor Larry Macon Jr. and Pastor Larry Macon Sr. with the Slam Dunk “Living Legend” award, steered the crowd to laughter and words of wisdom.

For 15 years, a Female-Black-Owned Production Company has produced All-Star Gospel Celebration during a male-dominated sports weekend. Executive Producer Tomeka B. Holyfield takes pride in producing such an epic and celebratory event. ASGC, whose theme this year is “Faith and Philanthropy,” has been exceptionally successful during NBA All-Star weekend paying tribute to NBA players, wives, coaches, high-profile individuals, and community leaders who effect change in the lives of others while portraying an inspiring and motivating image. The 15th Annual All-Star Gospel Celebration will celebrate faith and philanthropy during NBA ALL-STAR WEEKEND in Cleveland by bringing together unity, diversity, peace, love, and power!

National Attention has been brought to the Christian Community in each city NBA All-Star Weekend has traveled, leaving a lasting impression on individuals who’ve attended these events. Some of the Hottest Gospel/Christian Artists have graced the stage as everyone enjoys three hours of Crazy Praise year after year! This year, ASGC will once again honor some extraordinary individuals as our Slam Dunk Honorees and Celebrate the Faith during NBA ALL-STAR WEEKEND!

15th All-Star Gospel Celebration Encore Presentation

Sunday, February 27, 2002

4pm EST/1pm PT

FACEBOOK @AllStarGospel

YOUTUBE: @AllStarGospel

Tomeka B. Holyfield was selected by the NBA All-Star Entertainment Division in 2006, to produce an Inspiration component in conjunction with NBA All-Star Weekend. For 15 years, her “All-Star Gospel Celebration” (ASGC) has kicked off the weekend of festivities. ASGC has become the flagship showcase within the RCM Media Productions portfolio, which provides a one of a kind platform bringing together; Gospel Artists, the NBA Chaplains Association, NBA Wives Association, NBA Players, their families, and their fans locally and from around the globe – in one arena for one night, to kick-off NBA All-Star Weekend, An evening full of inspirational praise and philanthropy. “A Party with/a Purpose”

Platinum-selling Tauren Wells released his new single, “Fake It” Feat. Aaron Cole, via Capitol Records/CCMG, marking the 10-time GRAMMY^® nominee’s first release on the label. On this upbeat, infectious track Wells celebrates the joy that comes from being loved as you are, freed from any need to “fake it”. Listen to “Fake It” HERE. Wells and Cole wrote “Fake It” with Chris Stevens – who produced the track with Tedd T. – and Emily Weisband.

In the official video for “Fake It,” which premiered as an exclusive on Facebook today, Wells gives a high-energy performance alongside Cole and a growing troupe of blazer-clad dancers. They shot the clip in Los Angeles with producer Raj Kapoor, who recently helmed Adele’s CBS special, and director Noah Clark. View HERE. The Capitol/CCMG team was on hand at the video shoot to welcome Houston-based Wells to the label.

“Hold Us Together (Hope Mix),” Wells’ 2021 duet with H.E.R., is nominated for a GRAMMY^® Award for Best Contemporary Christian Music Performance/Song and an NAACP Image Award in the Outstanding Gospel/Christian Song category. View the official video for “Hold Us Together (Hope Mix)” HERE. Wells’ 2021 album, Citizen of Heaven (Live), received a GRAMMY^® nod for Best Contemporary Christian Music Album.

Wells, who has toured with such iconic artists as Lionel Richie and Mariah Carey, recently wrapped up the sold-out, 23-city “Citizen of Heaven” tour. The celebrated recording artist, multi-instrumentalist and songwriter has amassed over one billion combined global streams and 225 million video views in his career to date, charted six No. 1 radio singles and received 10 GRAMMY^® Award nominations.

 Jeremy Camp shares the radio version of “Getting Started.” In addition, Camp releases the official music video, which can be viewed below. He shares about the song:

I’ve come to realize that every song feels so special when you write it. It’s an opportunity to pour out your heart and share all that God is showing you or things He’s doing in your life. It’s been like that for years of writing for me. Then every once in awhile a song comes along that stands a little above the rest. “Getting started” is one of those. ⁠
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All throughout time people have searched for meaning and purpose, no matter what age or walk of life. Those that know Christ or don’t. But God truly does have a plan and purpose for each and every one of us, whether you are just starting off in life or getting to the end of it. We can get distracted, lose our way, or feel unseen and unnoticed, walk in shame, or any other thing to hold us back from all that Jesus has for us. ⁠
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For those that don’t know Christ, when you surrender your life to Him you are a new creation, 2 Corinthians 5:17 “therefore if anyone Is in Christ he is a new creation. The old things have passed away and behold all things have become new.” You truly have life for the first time. ⁠
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And for those that know Christ and have struggled and maybe felt like God can’t use you or He doesn’t see you or you are too far gone, The Bible says His mercies are new EVERY morning, great is your faithfulness! He welcomes you and tells you he loves you over and over again. I’m so grateful for that. So don’t ever feel like you’re a lost cause, you have a God who passionately loves you and wants to breathe new life in you no matter what age you are, I believe you’re only getting started!

Sarah Reeves’ pandemic anthem, “Years (Skytech Remix),” raises a glass to the unique moment in time reverberated around the world during the historic global health crisis.

The introspective “Years” was written by Reeves, Ian Keaggy and John-Luke Carter during 2020’s life-altering quarantine. The singer memorializes her feelings like a time capsule, while penning a reminder that hard times often make for the best stories and the greatest lessons.

The remix gets an assist from Skytech, elevating the ballad into a club banger fit for any New Year’s sendoff.

Christian singer-songwriter Katy Weirich follows up on her previous release, “Majestic One,” with her newest worship single, “More,” out now. Weirich pours her soul into every lyric she sings on this track, revealing the pain she encountered in her experience with postpartum anxiety and depression.

The songstress’ pristine, masterfully crafted vocal shines brightly on this track atop the all-encompassing soundscape contributed by multi Grammy Award winning producer, Tedd T. Weirich shows fans a deeper look into the stories that inspired her upcoming spring 2022 EP, Out Of The Blue, with this single.

Soulful singer, songwriter, and GRAMMY Award nominee Andrew Ripp announces today’s release of new music with his single titled “Fill My Cup.” The audio can be heard below.

The adventure this song went on to eventually make it’s way on to my record is unlike any other song I’ve ever released. “Fill My Cup” was first written and recorded by my good friend @thad_cockrell who is one of my favorite artists of all time and also happens to be a great friend of mine. I got in my car one day and my ol’ pal bluetooth began magically playing a song that was on my phone without me thinking about it.. as soon as I heard “I’ve been walking to a city I cannot see” I knew I needed to explore the potential of making this a Ripp tune. Thankfully, when I brought it up over breakfast w/ Thad he was equally as jazzed about the idea as I was. The rest is history. -Andrew Ripp

 Arkansas-based acoustic/pop duo After Grace (Cody Clark and Jerad Moffitt) releases new music with their single titled “More Than Ever.” The audio can be heard below.

“Our passion is to bring hope and encouragement to those who hear our songs,” Jerad Moffitt says. “Because of the dark season our family has been walking through, we certainly understand how difficult it is to trust God when what you see doesn’t match what you know to be true. But if we can be a glimmer of hope that reveals light and truth and perspective—even if for a brief second—our purpose for playing music is fulfilled.”

“We hope the hurting, lost and broken listener will hear this song and be reminded that while everything around us seems grim and dark, there is a Glory that awaits where all that is here on earth will pass away,” Moffitt adds. “We have an ever-present Help in our time of need. Seeing isn’t believing; believing is seeing. Hold on to Jesus tightest when the night is darkest, and He will never leave your side.”

Melanie Penn releases new music with a single titled “Look Up.”

The official lyric video can be viewed below. “Look Up” is available now to download or stream.

Five-time GRAMMY-nominated, eight-time Dove Award-winning Brandon Heath releases new music with “He Is Not Worried,” which can be heard below. This track preview Heath’s upcoming album titled Enough Already, which is set for release on April 22. “He Is Not Worried” is available now to download or stream.

Like many of his most recent songwriting ideas, the seeds of for Heath’s new songs were planted in his backyard, a place where he’s spent a good portion of time over the past year thinking, praying and mowing his steep plot of land that includes a small creek, a play set for his young daughters and a fire pit for the men’s group that meets at his house. Essentially, his backyard is the place where his next album, due in 2022, has grown.

Ironically, when the pandemic shut down touring in 2020, Heath spent an unexpected amount of time in other people’s backyards. He decided to play small, safe outdoor shows by invitation-only in select backyards across the country. These “Brandon in the Backyard” dates were so enjoyable that Heath is making plans now to play an additional 30 backyards this spring and summer. Traveling with his family in an RV, Heath leads these events with his guitar; and more times than not, he’s completely unplugged.

“It’s been this new connection with my core fanbase, and it’s made me really excited about playing and how I play,” shares Heath.

Signed last year to both Centricity Music and Centricity Publishing, Heath is not only partnering with a new label, but is collaborating with songwriters he’s never written with before and producers with which he has not previously worked. Whether creating music with new colleagues or joining longtime friends, like recently with CMA award-winner Deana Carter on stage as she headlined the famed Ryman Auditorium for the first time, Heath brings his uncanny ability to both craft and then deliver songs to audiences around the world.

Awards-winning, Netherlands-based band Trinity releases Desert Rain globally today from The Fuel Music. First released in the Netherlands in 2016, and having already received three Dutch, Silver Dove Awards, including “Album Of The Year,” the album is available now. The recording from these “craftsmen of heavenly parties” mixes music styles from all over the world to create a magnetic sound, blending genres into an eclectic music experience that is sweet to the ears and uplifting to the soul.

The world-music pop flair of Desert Rain was inspired by the band’s travels internationally, jamming with immigrant-musicians wherever they were in time and space. The resulting warm-blooded, passionate rhythms and melodies are steeped with lyrics birthed in real-life stories, all offering hope for a brighter future.

“When we recorded Desert Rain, we set out to create an album that captures our experiences and faith in songs; an album that shows both the darkness of the world we live in and the light piercing through it,” says Trinity’s Elbert Smelt (lead vocals, flutes, saxophone). “It shares the conviction that we as human beings are meant for more. When people make peace, join hands and stand against injustice, and feel hope rising up — when someone is healed and when you hear beautiful music: then the real world is visible.”

The first album released internationally in over two years, Desert Rain precedes a series of new recordings and appearances from Trinity slated for this year and to be announced soon. It also follows 2019’s globally acclaimed album The In Between that was produced by Grammy-nominated, multiple Dove Award-winning Ian Eskelin and Barry Weeks.