Music Pioneer Kerry Douglas Launches Blacksmoke Films With Its First Movie, "Church Girl"
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- Category: News
- Published on Tuesday, 14 February 2012 23:33
- Written by Toya Brown
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Direct to DVD Film of Angela Barrow Dunlap's Hit Stage Play "Church Girl" Starring Robin Givens Will Hit Retail Stores On January 31, 2012
What do you get when Gospel Music's hottest independent record label chief, Kerry Douglas- founder of Blacksmoke Music, Gospel Truth Magazine and The New Deal Entertainment University, teams up with the Leading Lady of Urban Theatre, Angela Barrow Dunlap? You get the hot new DVD of the gospel stage play, "Church Girl," that hits retail shelves everywhere on January 31, 2012.
The musical film follows the life of Emily Franklin, a preacher's daughter who gets caught up in a fast life that takes her away from the principles she was raised with as a child. It stars Robin Givens, singer A'ngela Winbush, Demetria McKinney from the sitcom "House of Payne", Grammy winner Karen Clark Sheard, songstress Wanda Nero-Butler and Tony Grant from the R&B group, Az Yet.
Douglas has been a leader in the Gospel Music Industry for more than 15 years and is know as the new artist breaker. Through his grass-roots marketing techniques, he has broken some of today's top Gospel artists like James Fortune, Earnest Pugh, Keith "Wonderboy" Johnson, Jimmy Hicks and Evelyn Turrentine-Agee.
As a pioneer of Urban Theatre, Angela Barrow Dunlap has been writing and producing hit gospel stage plays for over 25 years. "We literally had to invent this genre," Dunlap reminisces. "There was no training or classes for this type of theatre. We had to invent and learn all at the same time." Over the years, she's co-created hit plays such as "Why Do Good Girls Like Bad Boyz", "If These Hips Could Talk" and "Real Men Pray". Her latest, "Church Girl," toured the USA in 2011.
Recently, Douglas introduced The New Deal Entertainment University as a platform to teach the urban world his unique brand of multi-media marketing that has helped him place James Fortune and Earnest Pugh at the top of the Billboard gospel charts. "I want to teach industry professionals not just by passing on text-book and/or online courses, but I want to also practice what I preach by walking-the-walk," Douglas states. "It's not just enough to promote records, but you have to cross promote in television and film. Teaming up with Angela Dunlap to brin 'Church Girl' to DVD and Home Theater is the perfect launch for Blacksmoke Films."
Gospel Truth Magazine Is Back!
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- Category: News
- Published on Tuesday, 14 February 2012 23:22
- Written by Toya Brown
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Billboard's #1 Indie Gospel Promoter Kerry Douglas Strikes Digital Gold With The Gospel Truth Magazine
Pioneering Gospel Music Magazine Goes To Digital Format on February 18th
Throughout the 1990s and the new millennium The Gospel Truth Magazine (GTM) was the premier outlet for independent gospel artists to make the music industry and the gospel consumer aware of their musical projects. Over the years, the magazine has featured the likes of Bishop Paul Morton, Juanita Bynum, Kirk Franklin and Keith "Wonderboy" Johnson. The magazine was also the first to introduce a free CD that helped launch the careers of many independent artists including Earnest Pugh and James Fortune. Now, its creator, Kerry Douglas, has struck gold again by reinventing the magazine for the new millennium.
The print edition of the 15-year old magazine ceased publication a couple of years ago but the magazine has now been reborn as an interactive, monthly digital publication that goes live on February 18, 2012. "We are taking the celebrities and storied off the pages and making them interactive with consumers," says GTM founder, Kerry Douglas. "You can now hear, touch, and see the pages come to life!" GTM will now only be available on iPads, Android Tablets, and the Kindle Fire in the short term. The magazine will become available for smartphones, iPhones, Android phones, and the Blackberry over the next few weeks.
Over 20,000 readers subscribed to a demo of the new GTM a few weeks ago with the bulk of the subscribers hailing from across the United States. However, over 30% of the readers come from such disparate locations as Canada, France, Germany, South Africa and the United Kingdom. The magazine features Gospel Mix Radio, an online radio station that streams through the magazine, social media interaction, video interviews, interactive advertisements, sales links to buy new music, and other products sold directly from the device of companies, followers, friends, and consumers, and more.
For the first time ever, Radio One Philadelphia's annual inspiration and Music Conference (featuring Blacksmoke Media President, Kerry Douglas, sitting on a music industry panel), will stream its various events live interacting live with consumers in the magazine on Saturday, March 10, 2012 - from the Pennsylvania Convention Center in Philadelphia, PA.
"We are really looking forward into taking the Gospel Community into the next era of technology and media through our new platform," says GTM Editor-in-Chief, J. Lee Shelton. "The technology is changing everyday and as it changes we are changing too and becoming a cutting edge leader in the industry." An annual subscription to GTM is $19.99 per year. Displaying ads and other marketing opportunities are available by contacting GTM at (832) 304-GTM1 (4861) or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. . Visit and download Gospel Truth Magazine at: http://gtm.gospeltruthmagazine.com/gtm_i002.html
Gifted Gospel Vocalist, Deanna Ranson, To Celebrate Women On Valentine's Day With Free Download
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- Category: News
- Published on Tuesday, 14 February 2012 22:08
- Written by Toya Brown
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Artist To Release New Record, " Never Say Never... Again", on February 14, 2012
(Wilmington, DE)- February 13, 2012- Gospel Songstress Deanna Ransom is know for her gut-wrenching, heart-melting vocals. The 2010 Black Essence Award Winner, 2011 Rhythm of Gospel Award Winner (and 2012 Rhythm of Gospel Nominee), and 2012 Holy Hip Hop Rhythm & Praise Award Nominee executes songs with an improvisational prowess few can match. Deanna entered the gospel music scene with the release of her CD, I Hear You. Now the artist is prepping a new release and wants the ladies to take part. Her upcoming single, "Never Say Never... Again", is destined to be an anthem for women who said they would never love again. Not only is Deanna making the single available on Valentine's Day, Tuesday, February 14, 2012, but the download- on that day only- is FREE. To download the single, log on to www.deannaransom.com.
The free download is Deanna's way of giving God's special girls hope and inspiration. She says, "I wrote 'Never Say Never... Again' based on my real life experience. Alone, broken, hurt, fearful and crying myself to sleep every night for 3 years thinking that was how it was always going to be; I was miserable. Then I really embraced God's love, healing and rebuilding and my life was transformed. I want all of my sisters (and brothers!) who have been hurt or are hurting, to know that the pain of a battered or broken heart is not greater than the transforming love of God who will make you and your life brand new by allowing Him to love you back to wholeness. I want everyone to get their smile, their trust and their future back when they hear this son; I did!"
Deanna will be posting about love on her Facebook (www.facebook.com/deannaransom) and Twitter (@Deanna Ransom-#NeverSayNever2012) pages. She's encouraging folks to join the conversation and share their "I Never..." stories, including posts on love's hurts and joys. The song's release leads up to the spring release of the CD, Never Say Never... Again produced by GRAMMY- nominated producer Herb Middleton. The song also will be performed at the live concert video recording on Monday, February 20th at Warmdaddy's in Philadelphia. For more information about Deanna Ransom, log on to www.DeannaRansom.com.
Platinum Act To Record Live CD in April 2012
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- Published on Tuesday, 14 February 2012 22:55
- Written by Toya Brown
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The Platinum-Selling Ensemble Shekinah Glory Ministry To Record Fifth CD During Dynamic Live Concert
Saturday, April 28, 2012 @ 5 p.m. At Valley Kingdom Ministries Int. In Chicago Area
Kingdom Records' million-selling Shekinah Glory Ministry is soaring into its second decade of existence with a highly-anticipated new live recording scheduled to take place Saturday, April 28, 2012 @ 5:00 p.m. at Valley Kingdom Ministries International, 5300 West 151st Street, Oak Forest, IL 60452. Phone: 312-929-3291.
Grammy Award nominated producer Daniel Weatherspoon will helm the new CD. The seasoned keyboardist/composer who has collaborated on CD projects by artists ranging from Mary J. Blige and Destiny's Child to Fred Hammond and Donald Lawrence, co-wrote Shekinah Glory Ministry's 2008 hit, "Jesus," a Billboard Hot Gospel Songs Top 5 radio smash. "We plan to bring the millions of people who were blessed by Shekinah Glory Ministry's prior CDs and DVDs with us into a new decade," says Kingdom Records Vice President, Bernie McLean. "They are just as strong and anointed now as they were ten years ago and their best days are still ahead of them."
Since their evolution circa 1999-2000, Shekinah Glory Ministry has earned five R.I.A.A. gold or platinum certifications for their musical projects, including the CDs "Praise is What I Do" and "Shekinah Glory Ministry Live." Their debut CD spent 103 weeks on the Billboard gospel albums sales chart. They have become renowned around the world for their radio anthems "Yes," "Jesus," "How Deeply I Need You" and their signature tune, "Praise Is What I Do." Their acclaimed CD "Jesus" won the Stellar Award (the gospel industry's Grammy equivalent) as Praise & Worship CD of the Year in 2009 and their latest CD, "Refreshed By Fire," won the Contemporary Choir of The Year Stellar Award in January 2012. Visit www.kingdomrecordsinc.com for more information on the live recording and other Kingdom Records artists.
Allstate Gospel Superfest TV Production Heads to Memphis, TN
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- Category: News
- Published on Wednesday, 08 February 2012 00:15
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The Allstate Gospel Superfest TV production heads to Memphis, TN for next national recording session!
Memphis, TN February 6, 2012- The Allstate Gospel Superfest will be held on Friday, March 23, 2012, at the Cannon Center for the Performing Arts in downtown Memphis. Allstate returns as the title sponsor of the two-day musical spectacular for the fourth consecutive year.
Film Actress and producer Vivica A. Fox has been selected to host the extravaganza. The show is set to include over thirty national recording artists that will represent a "who's who" in the gospel and main-stream urban music fields. Tentatively scheduled to appear are Tyrese, David & Tamela Mann, Bishop Paul S. Morton, Sr., Regina Belle, Vanessa Bell Armstrong, Donte Everhart & the End Time Movement, LaShell Griffin, Damita Haddon, Canton Jones, Lonnie Hunter & Structure, Martha Munizzi, Gloryland Pastor's Choir, Benjamin Cone & Worship, K&K Mime, Stephen Hurd, Kevin Davidson and Dominion, and a host of others including the 2011 Allstate opening act contest winner, Men of God's Heart. Men of God's Heart is the winner of the 2011 Allstate Gospel Superfest Battle of the Bands competition, which auditions unsigned gospel talent in search of the opening act for the next Allstate Gospel Superfest TV taping. Please note that the final line-up is subject to change. The Allstate Gospel Superfest production is approaching its twelfth consecutive year in TV syndication. The shows from Memphis will be seen in over 500 million TV households worldwide. "This is an exciting time for gospel music TV. We look forward to recording in the city of Memphis which has a very rich history in both inspirational music and civil rights," said Executive Producer and Founder Bobby Cartwright, Jr.
Tickets for the TV taping are on sale now at all Ticketmaster locations nationwide and the Cannon Center Box office located at 225 N. Main Street, Memphis, TN 38103. To purchase tickets by phone call (800) 745-3000 or online at www.ticketmaster.com.
About Allstate Gospel Superfest
The Allstate Gospel Superfest is one of the nation's largest TV recordings in the field of urban-gospel music and entertainment. Founded in 1998, the show has maintained a consistent presence in broadcast syndication for twelve consecutive years since 2000. Releasing five one-hour specials a year, The Allstate Gospel Superfest is carried by major TV network affiliated stations including ABC, CBS, NBC, FOX, CW, & MYTV. The Allsate Gospel Superfest is know for its elaborate staging, trend setting production, and Hollywood style approach to gospel music television.
Gospel Superfest TV programming reaches millions of TV viewers annually via domestic syndication and cable. The show is also carried on major television networks including The Trinity Broadcasting Network (the world's largest) and the newly launched Bounce TV network.
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