The Doug Banks Media Group has signed Grammy Award winning producer and recording artist Donald Lawrence to host a new syndicated, Urban AC motivational radio program titled “Music Therapy with Donald Lawrence”. The new show launches in January 2015 with distribution to Urban Adult Contemporary (UAC) radio station formats.“I’m pretty excited about it,” says Lawrence. “I’ve always been committed to using music as therapy to inspire and encourage as well as to entertain and that’s what the Doug Banks Media Group recruited me to do with this show. It will be a mix of inspiring music by artists ranging from Jill Scott to the Sounds of Blackness. There will also be audience call-ins, motivational messages and daily words of wisdom to help listeners live their best life.”
“Donald Lawrence is a very talented and well-respected gospel music industry icon! We are excited go bring his Music Therapy program to radio stations around the country,” says Doug Banks, a legendary on-air radio personality and a pioneer in radio syndication. “As we look to grow Doug Banks Media Company, we fully recognize the opportunities available with our core UAC audience,” says Ed Pearson, President, Doug Banks Media Group. “Gospel music and inspirational engagement is now and always has been very important to our listeners, and we are happy to be offering stations the opportunity to bring to their listeners, a unique spiritual experience with Donald Lawrence‘s Music Therapy.” The Chicago based Lawrence began his career as a music director for R&B legend Stephanie Mills and vocal coach for En Vogue. In the mid-90s, he made headlines as the leader of the critically-acclaimed Tri-City Singers that enjoyed a dozen radio hits such as “The Blessing of Abraham,” “The Best Is Yet To Come” and “Encourage Yourself.” In 2004, Lawrence launched a solo career that has included signature songs such as “Back II Eden” and “Healed.” Since 2007, he has served as spokesman for Verizon Wireless’ How Sweet The Sound national gospel choir talent competition. Lawrence’s latest project 20 Year Celebration – Vol. 1: Best For Last boasts the radio hits “Best For Last (featuring Yolanda Adams),” ”There Remaineth A Rest” and the #1 smash “The Gift.” Lawrence has written for and collaborated with R&B artists such as Faith Evans, Mary J. Blige, Lalah Hathaway, Kelly Price and SWV’s Coko. He’s also produced #1 gospel hits such as Hezekiah Walker’s “Every Praise” and The Clark Sisters’ “Blessed And Highly Favored.” Congratulations to Donald Lawrence for this exciting new opportunity! 
Following in the footsteps of her sister Erica Campbell, Mary Mary sister Tina Campbell is officially launching her solo career. The first major step of this is an event titled “An Evening With Tina Campbell”.The event will take place on Nov. 22 at 7pm at In His Presence in Woodland Hills, CA where she will share excerpts from her forthcoming book and sing music from her upcoming solo project. She will be joined by her husband Teddy Campbell as they discuss how they overcame infidelity in their marriage. The event will be recorded for season 4 of the reality series Mary Mary on the WeTV network.Many wondered the future of the duo Mary Mary after Tina made the decision to take time off from the group to care for her family. In 2013, her sister Erica Campbell, announced the launch of her solo career. Earlier this year, Erica released her solo project Help, which debuted atop the Billboard Top Gospel Albums Chart and had a Top 10 debut on the Billboard Top 200 Chart.However, Tina continued to tour with Mary Mary throughout 2014. She also made a solo appearance on the GMA Dove Award winning release Duets from Donnie McClurkin, lending her vocals to the track “I’m Still Here”.
She’s increased her presence on social media as well, becoming more active under the @therealmarymary profile on Twitter. In addition, she’s launched an account on Instagram under the handle @teddyandtina. Tickets for “An Evening With Tina Campbell” are available now at http://www.eveningwithtinacampbell.eventbrite.com. |
For three amazing decades, singer/songwriter Fred Hammond has been a gospel music arbiter, consistently pushing the genre into new melodic territory. The multiple Stellar, Dove, and Grammy® Award-winning gospel superstar is set to release his highly-anticipated new album, titled, I Will Trust on November 17.Hammond, who underwent an excruciating double knee surgery in January, pours his soul into this project and delivers his most intimate album to date. The album features a strong mix of anointed ballads and foot-stomping praise. The 12-track offering is Hammond’s personal and powerful declaration of faith and victory.
The project is led by the single “I Will Trust,” which currently sits at #12 on Billboard’s Hot Gospel Airplay chart. Listeners and fans turned out in droves for an early taste of Hammond’s new release on his recent hit fall tour, the Festival of Praise Tour. During the tour, he teamed with label mate Donnie McClurkin performing in 30-plus cities within two months. I Will Trust marks Hammond’s 14th solo release in his storied career. His most recent project United Tenors: Hammond, Hollister, Roberson, Wilson debuted atop the Billboard Top Gospel Albums Chart in 2013. The effort produced the single “Here In Our Praise'” and earned Hammond Stellar Awards as Producer of the Year and Contemporary Group/Duo of the Year. Continuing on the road this month in support of the album, Hammond will hit Dallas, Houston and Atlanta the week of release, with a special album-release listening event at Houston’s Windsor Village United Methodist Church, as well as an in-store album signing at Atlanta’s LifeWay Christian Store. Stay tuned as Hammond joins again with Donnie McClurkin, for more dates on the Festival of Praise Tour expected in 2015. I Will Trust is available for pre-order now. Upon pre-order, fans will receive instant access to three stand-out tracks: “I Will Trust,” “Festival of Praise,”and “It’s Only the Comforter.” Check out Fred Hammond’s brand new music video for hit single, “I Will Trust”! Fred Hammond: I Will Trust Purchase Here: | iTunes | amazon | 
This week marked the premiere of the new docuseries Fix My Choir, hosted by Grammy award winner Michelle Williams and Grammy nominee Deitrick Haddon. The series, which airs on the Oxygen Network, sees Williams and Haddon travel across the country to help struggling choirs find their voice, harmony, and unity.In preparation for the show’s premiere, Haddon and Williams made appearances on several mainstream outlets promoting the effort. Williams made appearances on VH1’s Big Morning Buzz with Nick Lachey and the new talk show, The Real. Haddon, along with members of the League of Xtraordinary Worshippers (aka LXW) and cast members from Fix My Choir, performed live on The Today Show and The Wendy Williams Show.
The premiere episode saw the popular artists head to New Orleans to work with Verizon How Sweet The Sound Winners Joshua Kagler & HPC .
This show is Haddon’s second foray into the world of reality TV. Haddon is the creator and an executive producer for Fix My Choir. He is also part of the popular series Preachers of LA, which is currently in its second season and airs at its new time 9p ET/8p CT, also on the Oxygen Network. Check out Michelle Williams attempt to fix a choir on The Real and Haddon along with the Fix My Choir cast performing “We Need Your Power” on The Wendy Williams Show. Fix My Choir airs Wednesdays at 10p ET/9p CT on the Oxygen Network. |
