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LeCrae Helps Us Find Out What “I Am Second” Is About [VIDEO]

CoCo Brother — Wed, 28 Sep 2011 19:00:30 +0000

LeCrae lays open his soul care in this video where he talks about becoming a rapper and significance in life. He expresses the honest truth of what his calling has become .

Men Are You Ready To “Man Up”?

I am Second is a movement meant to inspire people of all kinds to live for God and for others. Actors. Athletes. Musicians. Business leaders. Drug addicts. Your next-door neighbor. People like you. The authentic stories on iamsecond.com provide insight into dealing with typical struggles of everyday living. These are stories that give hope to the lonely and the hurting, help from destructive lifestyles, and inspiration to the unfulfilled. You’ll discover people who’ve tried to go it alone and have failed. Find the hope, peace, and fulfillment they found. Be Second.

Things Your Pastor Is Afraid To Say To You

You are here for a reason. We all have needs and could use some help. Talk to us. Call, chat, or email. 24 hours a day. Go a step further, talk with the people in your life. Spread the revolution of Second. Share the videos with friends. Start an I am Second Group in your neighborhood, workplace, or school or join an I am Second Group already meeting. Volunteer at concerts. Serve through I am Second community service events. Organize your own I am Second events. Sign up for an I am Second Expedition to help people in other countries. Check out Get Involved for other opportunities. Connect with us on Facebook. Follow us on Twitter.

Watch his heartfelt frank discussion:

First Lady Rolls Up Sleeves, Helps Build House For Homeless Vets

CoCo Brother — Tue, 27 Sep 2011 19:35:07 +0000

First lady Michelle Obama rolled up her sleeves to help renovate a house for homeless veterans last night on ABC’s two-hour season premiere of Extreme Makeover: Home Edition.

The episode spotlighted Barbara Marshall, a U.S. Navy veteran, who opened up her home to serve homeless female veterans in N.C.

“I hope lots of people will be inspired by her story to give back to their communities – especially to service members and their families,” said the first lady.

NFL Player Turns Down Contract To Go To Business School And Help Kids

CoCo Brother — Wed, 21 Sep 2011 20:14:50 +0000

Arizona Cardinals running back Jason Wright has turned down a contract with the NFL to attend business school at University of Chicago’s Booth School of Business to allow him to start a charter school for inner-city children.

The Northwestern graduate had a contract with the Cardinals that would pay him upwards of a million dollars a year.

23-Year-Old NFL Player Glen Coffee Retires To Get Master’s Degree

Football Player Becomes Lawyer After Devastating Injury

Yahoo Sports reports:

“That was the thing that was on my mind, the biggest hiccup,” says Wright, who spent seven seasons in the NFL. “What’s the motive behind me playing longer? What is it in there that draws me? So people would know my name?

“For me, it was superficial. For me and my family, and our belief in God, it wasn’t a good enough motivation.”

Gospel Video Of The Day- # 1 Gospel Song “Jesus”- Le’Andria Johnson

CoCo Brother — Fri, 16 Sep 2011 13:30:13 +0000

Music World Gospel Recording artist Le’Andria Johnson’s debut CD, The Awakening of Le’Andria Johnson debuts at #1 on multiple music charts, including both the Billboard Top Gospel Album and the Top Christian/Gospel Album charts.

The Awakening of Le’Andria Johnson also debuts at #1 on the Christian Music Trade Association’s (CMTA) Current Gospel Overall chart. The CD enters at #3 on Billboard’s Independent Record Label chart, #21 on the Billboard Overall Digital Albums chart and #26 on Billboard 200.

A few weeks ago I had the blessing of sitting with her anhd talking about her album and the future. If you haven’t seem the interview watch it here:

“Sunday’s Best” LeAndria Johnson: “My Story Is Not Like Your Story” [EXCLUSIVE]

Le’Andria’s new single, “Jesus,” lands at #23 this week on Billboard’s Hot Gospel Song chart and was #1 Most Added Single with 11 adds. “Jesus” was Billboard’s #1 Most Increased Spins, #1 on the Most Added and Most Increased Spins List on the Gospel Indicator charts.

“We are profoundly thankful for the initial success of Le’Andria’s debut project,” said Mathew Knowles, founder, President and CEO of Music World Entertainment. “It shows the power of partnership between music labels and TV, when it is the right brand. We look forward to working with future Sunday Best winners and contestants. The feedback from retail has been extremely positive. And the reaction of the music-buying public is very encouraging. Le’Andria will have a worldwide platform to bring her music and her message to audiences near and far, and we believe she will continue to grow her fan base that she developed on Sunday Best.” After being out of the national spotlight for over a year, Le’Andria states “It feels good. To God be the glory.”

This week, Le’Andria appeared on the season 4 finale of BET’s Sunday Best, where she performed her new single and joined season 1 and season 2 winners, Crystal Aiken and Y’Anna Crawley, in a tribute performance to gospel icon Mahalia Jackson. This season’s airing of Sunday Best broke all records. Over 2.1 million viewers tuned in and the show ranks as the #1 telecast in franchise history. The show is the #1 cable competition show and Sunday’s #1 cable series among African Americans this year.

The Awakening of Le’Andria Johnson is receiving rave reviews. “The awe-inspiring qualities of Johnson’s voice that helped her snag the Sunday Best crown are evident on this debut effort,” said Mona Austin of EURWEB.com. “Listening to ‘Jesus’ is like jumping in the river of Jordan, from a music critic’s perspective. Le’Andria Johnson’s voice has revived hope for this generation of singers.”

Le’Andria’s star-turn on Sunday Best was not an “overnight success” story. For the 29-year-old, twice divorced mother of three, it has been a long and often arduous journey to the spotlight in the gospel music industry. An accomplished singer and songwriter and an anointed praise and worship leader, Le’Andria was born in Orlando, Florida, but moved to the small town of Palatka, Florida, where her father Dr. G.A. Johnson, Sr., served as presiding Bishop of the Head Quarters (HQ) Ministries. She began singing at her father’s church at the age of six and became praise and worship leader when she was 16. At 17, she had her first performance before a major audience when she sang for 8,000 people at a conference sponsored by gospel legend Pastor Shirley Caesar. She also sang with gospel artists Luther Barnes, Jimmy Hicks and Voices of Integrity and the Williams Brothers.

Here is her stellar performance of the lead single, “Jesus”

Gospel Flashback: James Cleveland

CoCo Brother — Fri, 02 Sep 2011 17:00:25 +0000

The visionary behind the contemporary gospel sound, the Rev. James Cleveland, was a pioneering composer and choral director whose progressive arrangements — jazzy and soulful, complete with odd time signatures — helped push the music past the confines of the traditional Baptist hymnal into new and unexpected directions, infusing elements of the sanctified church style and secular pop to alter the face of gospel forever.

Gospel Flashback: The Mighty Clouds Of Joy

Born in Chicago on December 5, 1932, Cleveland was a boy soprano at Pilgrim Baptist Church, the home of minister of music Thomas A. Dorsey; as his parents were unable to afford a piano, he crafted a makeshift keyboard out of a windowsill, somehow learning to play without ever producing an actual note.

Although Cleveland kept drifting from group to group, his reputation continued to grow — with the Gospel Chimes, he cut a series of records which veered sharply from pop-inflected ballads to fiery shouters, arranging harmonies which straddled the line between the current group style and the rapidly developing choir sound. By 1960, he was clearly well ahead of the pack; “The Love of God,” a cover of a Soul Stirrers number he cut with the Detroit choir the Voices of Tabernacle, was a breakthrough hit, his fusion of pop balladry and choir spirit finally reaching its peak. James Cleveland died in 1991 in Culver City, California. Though his death has been attributed to heart failure, there has been an enduring questions as to whether he succumbed to AIDS-related complications.

“Sunday’s Best” LeAndria Johnson: “My Story Is Not Like Your Story” [EXCLUSIVE]

Deitrick Haddon’s “The Writer And His Music Anthology” Hits Charts Big

CoCo Brother — Thu, 01 Sep 2011 14:48:34 +0000

Deitrick Haddon’s “Anthology: The Writer and His Music is a walk through what I believe is some of his greatest work. If you have never listened to him, or just discovered him, this is the perfect thing to listen to.

Earlier this year I had the opportunity to discuss his music and his past. You can read that interview by clicking here Exclusive Interview: Deitrick Haddon Brings Transparency And Truth He was honest, warm, friendly and forthright.

It never hurts to look at an artist today and wonder what their artistry was like in the beginning. Based on first week sales, longtime Deitrick Haddon fans must have been pondering this same question as his new project, Anthology: The Writer and His Music Deluxe Edition [CD w/DVD] debuts at #7* on the Top Gospel Albums Billboard Chart.

Gospel Song Of The Day: Deitrick Haddon “Power”

Anthology, the brand new collectible of Haddon’s music, gives listeners the opportunity to hear the distinct sounds, soul-stirring lyrics, signature vocals and incredible arrangements that have made his music ministry so impactful.

Tyscot Music & Entertainment president, Bryant Scott, is thrilled that consumers are so receptive of the new project which features just some of the many tracks that Haddon created during his tenure with label. According to Scott, this debut charting accomplishes Tyscot’s overall goal for releasing the CD/DVD set: “Our desire with Anthology is to expose Deitrick’s ever-expanding fan base to the genius of his early works.”

Fans will be amazed as they listen to classic hits and hidden gems such as “Anybody Here (Remix),” “Rise & Be Healed,” “Chain Breaker (Jiffy Cornbread Mix)” and much more! Along with audio treats, the bonus DVD contains the hit video “Well Done (Blessed & Cursed Version)” along with the foot stomping, church house rocking video “I Gotta Praise (Holy One)” and more.Deitrick Haddon’s

The project has already received rave reviews from the gospel industry community as well as fans who appreciate Haddon’s ability to express free and true worship while capturing familiar sounds, style, and arrangement often heard today: “Just like a brilliantly cut & polished diamond, the many facets of Deitrick Haddon continue to amaze!” said Leighton Singleton, VP Sales/Distribution of Taseis Media Group.

Anthology: The Writer & His Music is available at Wal-Mart, Best Buy, Family Christian Stores, iTunes, Amazon.com and all other music retailers.

Gospel Song Of The Day: Deitrick Haddon “Power”

Singing Preachers Spotlight: Marvin Winans [VIDEO]

CoCo Brother — Tue, 30 Aug 2011 15:53:14 +0000

Pastor Marvin Winans is one of those pastors who will preach a good word and then back it up with a song! Check out the video below to see what we mean!

Homeless Hero Saves Children From Burning House

CoCo Brother — Mon, 29 Aug 2011 14:29:38 +0000

NEW YORK — A homeless man from the Bronx named Jeffrey Richards saved a 2-year-old and a 5-year-old from a burning house by climbing the building and pulling them down.

The fire would injure 10 firefighters and caused a 2-alarm-blaze.

The New York Daily New reports:

A homeless man climbed onto the awning of a neighboring building and helped grab a child from a second-story window.

“I climbed the porch and got up on the other awning,” said Jeffrey Richards, 40. “I had one kid in my arms and then I dropped him down to the other guy below.”

Shirley Murdock Part Of All Star Tribute At Opening Of MLK Monument

CoCo Brother — Wed, 24 Aug 2011 14:45:47 +0000

On Sunday, August 28^th – 48 years after he gave his famous “I Have A Dream” speech before 250,000 people on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial, a national monument will be dedicated to fallen civil rights leader, Martin Luther King Jr. Thousands are pouring into Washington, D.C. for a week of events leading up to the unveiling ceremony where President Obama will speak Sunday morning. Legendary soul singer, Shirley Murdock (best known for her 1986 gold-selling classic, “As We Lay”), is coming to the nation’s capitol to sing her new radio hit “Dream” (from her forthcoming CD “Live: The Journey”) at two official Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial Dedication events.

Dr. Martin Luther King Monument Tour Given To Black Catholics [VIDEOS]

The powerhouse vocalist will be backed by The Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Dedication Choir at the Pre-Dedication Concert Ceremony (also featuring Patti LaBelle, Mary Chapin Carpenter, Jennifer Holliday, Donnie McClurkin and Mary Mary) taking place 9-11 a.m. EST on the National Mall. Later that day, Murdock will be backed by the “Sing For A King” Community Choir as she performs “Dream” at the Lift Every Voice Gospel Extravaganza taking place 4-6 p.m. EST at the Washington Convention Center, 801 Mount Vernon Place NW, Washington, D.C. 20001. That event features The Sounds of Blackness, Bryan Wilson, Earnest Pugh and the Duke Ellington High School of the Arts Students and Orchestra. The Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Dedication Choir was birthed through a partnership of Desho Productions and NEWorks Productions. Music Director, Rev. Nolan Williams Jr., assembled a multi-generational, multi-racial group of vocalists that will sing Williams’ composition “I Am The Dream” during the pre-service and “We Shall Overcome” at the unveiling program where President Obama will speak.

Martin Luther King Jr.’s Nephew New President Of SCLC

Coming to Washington to celebrate Dr. King’s legacy is important to Murdock who vividly recalls the day he was assassinated. “I was almost 11 yrs old,” she recalls. “I remember all the adults being absolutely grief stricken, as if a family member had died. There was a lot of hurt, disbelief and anger after Dr. King died. My Mother was a praying woman, so as she placed her worries into God’s hands, I drew my peace from her peace. I heard him being referred to, as the `Moses’ of our time. Like Moses, he didn’t make it to the promised land, but he let us know he’d been to the mountaintop and that his eyes had seen the glory of the coming of the Lord.” Murdock and her husband, Dale DeGroat, wrote her new radio hit “Dream” (#33 on BDS) with celebrated evangelist, Bishop T.D. Jakes. “My song is a reminder that God is the giver and the fulfiller of all the dreams He places in our hearts,” she says. “The dream is a glimpse of our future selves being more and doing more. It’s us at our BEST…fulfilling our PURPOSE…to loving one another, serving one another…celebrating and embracing our diversity and uniqueness.

Are you going down to the events this weekend? If so what? Tell us in the comments below.

Make sure you are following @Elev8official for stories like this and more.

“BET’s Sunday’s Best” Final 3…. Who’s Staying? [RECAP]

CoCo Brother — Mon, 22 Aug 2011 01:11:37 +0000

Tonight’s “Sunday’s Best” show opened up with Mary Mary Singing “Sitting With Me”. It was a great kick=off to the show’s diversity in musical approaches. This week’s episode theme brings everyone to “Sunday’s Best On Broadway”.

8 Tracks From Mary Mary’s “Something Bigger” To Motivate You

Michael Pugh “Climb Every Mountain” -Sound of Music

Donnie McClurkin: You were Broadway every bit.
Erica Campbell: I thought you did a fantastic job.
Tina Campbell: You were suitable to the song.

Andrea Helms “Memories”-Cats

Donnie McClurkin: I was really satisfied with the song.
Erica Campbell: I thought it was tasteful.
Tina Campbell: You can really paint a picture.

Amber Bullock – “Summertime”- Porgy & Bess

Donnie McClurkin: You have the ability to sing this sing
Erica Campbell: For a moment I felt like I bought a ticket for superstar.
Tina Campbell: That was perfect.

Mary Mary Covers Bruno Mars “Just The Way You Are” With Soul [Video]

After the Broadway segment the contestants were given the choice to sing a song of their own choice. They were as follows

Andrea Helms “Speak Over Yourself”

Donnie McClurkin: You caught that thing.
Erica Campbell: I love that you are not trying to be a Black girl.
Tina Campbell: You knocked that out the park.

Amber Bullock – “If It Had Not Been For The Lord”

Donnie McClurkin: Honestly you can sing anything in the world.
Erica Campbell: I loved the way you did it. You could have loosened up.
Tina Campbell: Your take was different.

Michael Pugh “With The Power Of The Holy Ghost”

Donnie McClurkin: There wasn’t something missing.
Erica Campbell: There wasn’t something missing.
Tina Campbell: I felt like you were singing more from your head than your heart.

MAJOR SPOILER BELOW

The last two to get to sing next week for the public’s choice are: Amber Bullock and Andrea Helms.

Next week fans will get to choose.

Make sure you are following @Elev8official on twitter during the show.

Put On Your Best As “Sunday Best” Returns This Sunday