SUMMER IS OFFICIALLY HERE!!!!! Can you feel the weather changing??? Spring has left us and PRASIE 104.1 along with Six Flags America of Upper Marlboro, MD. is proud to present  on June 25th, PRAISE IN THE PARK 2011 with multiple GRAMMY/STELLAR/DOVE/NAACP winner in concert “LIVE”…… *wait for it*…… MARVIN SAPP!!!!!

Keep listening to PRAISE 104 for your chance to win tickets! It doesn’t with Dr. Sapp we’re adding to the line-up new singing artist sensation and vocal extrodinaire, BRITTNEY WRIGHT!!!

For  more information on Six Flags America, Praise In The Park and upcoming shows,  visit their website www.sixflags.com/america or call 301-390-2413

Brittney Wright

Majors’ instrument is the classical harp, an instrument traditionally associated with classical music, which he has introduced into the contemporary religious music genre through his live performances and his Sacred CD series.  Majors’ repertoire includes traditional and contemporary gospel, accented by stirring originals with sparkling production and soulful vocals sweetened by fresh melodies, uplifting lyrics and innovative arrangements, the sound and scope of which are nothing short of visionary.

As Oprah Winfrey acknowledges: “A few months ago, Dr. Robin Smith gave me a CD (“Sacred”) that has become one of my new favorites.  I listen to it every morning (Track #1 –“Psalms 23”). For me, it is the best way to start my day.  Sometimes I play it when I’m in the kitchen and it is so beautiful I just start crying because of the grace of God and the abundance in my life.”

Using his gifts of faith, compassion and music to open people’s hearts and to motivate change in our communities, Majors’ affect is both personal and profound. Following the September 11, 2001 terrorist attack, Congressman Elijah E. Cummings of Maryland invited Majors to perform his signature piece, “Psalms 23” at the Congressional Black Caucus Legislative Conference.  “The healing power was what I was seeking,” Cummings states. “Before he began to play, most of us were trapped in our collective shock and rage. When he had finished, our sense of our shared humanity and ethical balance were restored.”  And when Majors was hand-picked by the Martin Luther King Family to perform at Coretta Scott King’s memorial service in February 2006, he demonstrated that his music could console a nation.

Currently, Majors appears in more than 40 million homes in The Gospel of Music with Jeff Majors, the flagship daily program on TV One. The gospel music variety show provides a venue for diverse well-known and new talent, ranging from gospel to jazz and hip hop. On what is the first national, weekly gospel music television broadcast in history, top contemporary artists as well as many of the biggest names in gospel join Jeff for conversation and music, representing the full spectrum of gospel music, and including such genres as reggae gospel, hip-hop gospel and gospel jazz, including Jeff’s own singular offerings on the harp.

Season Six episodes, which began airing in January, 2009, features appearances by Mary Mary, Anthony Hamilton, Chuck Brown, Dorothy Norwood, Sheryl Lee Ralph, Heather Headley, among many others. Over the last five years, Majors has hosted some of the biggest names in the industry, including by Natalie Cole, Kirk Franklin Donnie McClurkin, Liz McComb, Angie Stone, Mavis Staples, Shirley Caesar, Dionne Warwick, Nancy Wilson, Ali Woodson, and Gerald Levert in his last television.

Past episodes featured interviews with Yolanda King, daughter of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., and Attallah Shabazz, eldest daughter of Malcolm X, discussing the impact of gospel music in the United States and abroad, as well as weekly profiles of Gospel pioneers such as Clara Ward, Willie Banks and the Messengers, James Cleveland, The Pilgrim Jubilees, the Soul Stirrers, and the Staples Singers.

Sacred Major 7^th, the seventh in Majors planned 12-CD series, Sacred, featured the single “Beggar,” Majors’ collaboration with Gerald Levert in Levert’s final recording, currently in national release. Thanks to both the critical and popular success of its predecessors, the release is eagerly anticipated and is projected to meet the expectations set by his acclaimed Sacred 2000, of which Billboard Magazine said: “One listen will make believers out of even stone-cold cynics.”

In November, 2008 Majors focused his humanitarian efforts as an activist for the nation’s homeless with the continuation of his annual “National Tour for the Homeless” free concert tour, which kicked off in Atlanta on Thanksgiving Weekend before other confirmed appearances in  Baltimore, Philadelphia, Houston, Washington, DC., Columbus, Cleveland, Charlotte, Detroit, Indianapolis and Richmond, to date. The 12-city tours in spring 2007 and winter 2007-spring, 2008 distributed blankets and street survival kits to the homeless, and to date Majors’ efforts have reached more than 75,000 in the in-need community.

Majors’ moment of spiritual awakening on the homeless issue came in 2006 after a chance encounter on the Howard University Washington, D.C. campus with a former professor who had become homeless. Since that time, he has become personally involved, founding and organizing “The Network of Doves” — a non-profit, 501(C) (3) federally tax-exempt, faith-based ministry of local volunteers who work hand-in-hand with churches, charitable organizations, social service agencies and individuals to respond to the homeless crisis in the United States. Jeff Majors has also appeared on Capitol Hill and is working with community leaders nationwide to help keep the plight of the homeless at the top of the nation’s agenda. In addition, the experience has inspired some of his most personally treasured music, including “Beggar,” and “War.”

At age 14, Majors had a dream in which he saw himself strumming the harp — an instrument he had never played before. Touched and inspired, he used the dream to fuel his passion for music and literally change the course of his life. With the harp hand-made for him by a local music store owner, he began to pursue mastery of the instrument. Ultimately he realized that his faith ministry had its most meaningful expression in music. After graduating from Archbishop Carroll High School in Washington, DC, Majors spent the next several years in Los Angeles studying under the wings of family friends, jazz harpist Dorothy Ashby and jazz pianist and harpist Alice Coltrane, wife of jazz legend John Coltrane. He then returned to the Washington DC area, where he formed several jazz bands and soon became a popular fixture on the city’s active music club scene.

He found a welcoming home for his musical talents at Radio One, the largest radio broadcasting company in the United States primarily targeting African Americans, which owns or operates 60 radio stations in 19 markets. Majors became an on-air weekend announcer at Magic 102.3, one of Radio One’s gospel stations, in 1991. The following year, he became a full-time announcer at WWIN-AM in Baltimore. In 1993, Majors was named assistant program director and music director at the same station, also continuing to broadcast on air. He began airing a six-hour simulcast “Sunday Morning Joy,” in Washington, DC and Baltimore in 1994. He was named program director of WWIN-AM Baltimore in 1995 and by 1997 he was also program directing for WXCB-AM, another Radio One station. In 1998, he was named vice-president of gospel programming, overseeing 10 gospel radio stations in Atlanta, Augusta, Baltimore, Charlotte, Cleveland, Indianapolis, Raleigh and Washington, DC, a position he recently relinquished due to the demands of his television program and touring.

When Majors was nominated for a 2000 Stellar Award for Sacred, he saw a certain vindication in his choice of instrument. “The gospel industry and the gospel community are embracing an instrument that had been taken out of the church hundreds and hundreds of years ago. For them to recognize that this instrument belongs back in the service, and back in the mainstream of gospel music, makes me feel very satisfied.” In 2002 Majors won the Outstanding Gospel Instrumentalist Award at the first Gospel Truth Magazine Music Awards. The 2008 Stellar Award nominations is for “Instrumental CD of the Year.”

Majors states: “An inexpressible, divine communication occurs when I’m playing the harp.  Music is from and of God.  I see myself as a vehicle for listening, receiving and absorbing what’s being given, and then with my own intellectual and creative process translating that into something external. It’s a simple and universal law that if you help someone else — bless someone else, that blessing will be showered upon you as well. I want my songs to touch somebody, to move somebody, to inspire somebody and when that occurs, I thank God that my harp and I have been used as messengers of change. Every time I step on stage, I step into a sacred place,” Majors adds. “And the dream continues.”

JC has made various national appearances for in kind organizations and currently serves as CEO of Imagemakers Ministry, an organization addressing the needs of at-risk communities. Additionally JC is a minister of the Gospel and teaches on Praise and Worship as well as assists churches to raise praise and worship ministries.
Minister Shari Cuesta doesn’t spend a lot of time looking back over the years of success she has had as a servant of God…despite the many lives of at-risk youth to which she has ministered and made a difference, the obstacles and hurdles that she has overcome by faith, or even the victories gained along the way. For Shari, true success isn’t about her accomplishments; it’s about faithfulness. “God’s faithfulness is ever-present; my faithfulness is only a variable.”
Formally trained as a classical pianist, Shari is an avid lover of music and has always been a promoter of Gospel music. It’s no wonder she used her skills to direct the Anacostia Gospel Chapel Youth Choir in Southeast DC and received accolades from the Gospel community in Washington, DC.

A native of Washington DC, Shari graduated with honors from George Washington University, earning her degree in Elementary Education. She would use her skills in education to not only teach children but to minister to them as well. After teaching at inner city schools for a while, she took a position as Executive Director with Youth for Christ/DC. There she opened and directed computer labs and after-school mentoring programs in at-risk neighborhoods. Through her tireless efforts, she was able to make an impact in the lives of many at-risk youths that today are continuing the work of ministry in their respective neighborhoods.
In addition to her work with the local community, Shari affects the international community through her work with a non-profit organization that is devoted to providing assistance, advocacy, and awareness for Christians who are being persecuted for their faith worldwide.
Presently, Shari serves with ImageMakers Media LLC, where she labors alongside her husband José. Together they are committed to taking at-risk communities and residents for God through music and word evangelism.

Once back in D.C., Jackson took a job at an architecture firm. Eventually, her Pastor, Elder Ricky McCrimmon, discovered that she used to work in radio. Jackson only later found out that McCrimmon had her air check personally delivered to Radio One founder Cathy Hughes, inviting her to work at a new WWIN 1400 AM gospel radio station in Baltimore. In 1997, Jackson moved over to WPGC’s AM Gospel station as an on-air announcer and eventually became Program Director.

In 2006, under Jackson’s leadership, Heaven 1580 AM received the Stellar Award for Large Market Radio Station of the Year. In the midst of all the awards and recognitions, Jackson is still a mother and a wife. She a Glendale “Dwight” Jackosn were married in 1996 and now share their love with four children: Desmond, Lahmar, Kayla and Darren. As a licensed evengelist for the Church of God in Christ (COGIC) and DC Jurisdictional Youth Department chairlady, a large part of Jackson’s ministry is aimed at youth initiatives. She takes great joy in being able to mold the next generation, helping to create great men and women of God.

Jackson continues to challenge herself to new heights with the aim of exalting the name of the Lord. A graceful blend of reverence, humor and professionalism, Cheryl Jackson has made amazing achievements throughout her life. In all of her trials and successes in the radio and music industries, she has been able to stay focused and grounded because what matters most is that she is leading a life that pleases God

Lonnie graduated from Western Illinois University with a bachelors degree in Public Administration/Public Relations. After working in the public sector, Lonnie started Hunter Communications Group; training corporate management teams in areas such as cultural awareness/diversity, effective communications skills, effective leadership, time and stress management. Lonnie earned the Pinnacle Award of achievement for black owned companies, awarded by the Gillette Corporation in 1999.

A Stellar award nominated artist, Lonnie recorded and produced 3 cd’s with The Voices of St. Mark on the Malaco Record Label. With hits such as “Even Me” (the drip drop song), “Let’s Dance”, and “There’s Power In His Name”. While earning his degree, Lonnie served in the U.S. Air Force for 5 years earning and honorable discharge as a high ranking sergeant. He spent 3 years as a runway/print model for Luster Hair Care products male texturizer campaign and continued to do what God had commissioned him to do in the Gospel Music Industry.

For 4 years Lonnie was the host of the 1 Gospel Radio Show in Chicago. Ruling the morning drive time Mon-Fri 6am-10am on WGCI AM. At the same time he served as Dean of Students for one of the largest school districts in the suburbs of Chicago. Now a resident of New Jersey, he serves as Pastor of Worship at Bethany Baptist Church, a 26,000 member Mega Church in Lindenwold, NJ. Where Bishop David G. Evans is the Pastor.

Lonnie can now be seen weekly as the male face of “The Word Network,” and heard as the HOST OF “REAL CHRISTIAN RADIO” Mon-Fri 10am-2pm on Praise 103.9 FM. A Philadelphia Radio One Station spanning the entire Tri-State area.

As husband, father, mentor, artist, and business man, Lonnie lives by Phil. 4:13 “I can do all things through Christ that strengthens me!”

CoCo wanted to be on the air, but was told that he could not be an On-Air Personality. It has been said that whenever one door closes, another opens. The next door flew open. Still hungry to reach the people, he took a job in a smaller market with Foxy 107 and Mike Roberts in Macon, GA. Within months in that market, CoCo’s personality and drive made the show #1.

In January of 2000, CoCo left Georgia for a position in Washington D.C. on 93.9 WKYS. He was in direct competition with Big Tigger, the former host of BET’s Rap City. For two and a half years, he dominated the airwaves with the same passion, high-energy, and creativity that made him a success in the past.

CoCo Brother came full circle on September 11, 2001 when he returned to Hot 107.9, Atlanta, in the 6- 10 pm time slot. This time things would be much different. It didn’t take long before CoCo Brother and the Home Team made their presence known. When the first book came out, the show was #1 with 12-17 year olds. It also made history for Hot, ranking #1 with 18 – 34 year olds for the first time. CoCo was responsible for breaking some of the hottest records as well as capturing exclusive interviews with artists such as 50 Cent, David Banner, Ludacris, and T.I. His influence reached beyond the city limits and included:

* Hosting Vibe’s TV show and BET’s Talent Search
* Appearances on BET and MTV
* Hosting video show on UPN
* Hosting Michael Vick’s Shoe Release for 3 consecutive years
* Appearances in Vibe, Source, Creative Loafing, and Rolling Out
* New Host of BET’s “Lift Every Voice”(2008)

Yet, even after years of success, he was not content and began to hear God telling him to shift into a different arena. In March of 2005, CoCo Brother announced that he would be leaving the 6–10 pm slot. When he left, the show was on top. After 6 weeks off the air, he emerged with a new fire and a new sound called The Spirit of Hip Hop (SOHH). The show kicked off from 7 – 10 am and soon made history in its ratings when it moved up to 6 – 10 am. The constant demand for the show led it to its current slot of 6 – 12pm on Sundays mornings. The ratings continue to soar. With that success, the SOHH expanded to 5a-6a Monday-Friday in addition to the weekends, and now syndicated all across the country reaching millions every week in virtually every major market, including Los Angeles, Detroit, Dallas, Atlanta, Houston, Washington DC, Baltimore, Cleveland, St. Louis, Indianapolis, and Philadelphia, with more markets coming on board each day. Since March 2008, the demand has continued to grow with the show being aired on WPZE (Praise 97.5 FM – Atlanta, Ga.) Monday – Friday from 7pm – 10pm with a new name entitled “The Spirit w/ Coco Brother”.

CoCo Brother’s life is a testimony of what God will do in willing vessels. Never despise small beginnings. After being denied in Market 12, he went to Market 147; eventually rising to Market 7 and to the top. He operates in excellence and he just won’t quit. He is an example of someone who sometimes against all odds constantly raises the bar and sets the tone in everything he does. From homelessness to hosting and leading the official and defining movement for change in hip hop and now gospel, only time will tell what is in store for Cory “Coco Brother” Condrey. Indeed, after hearing his powerful testimony on the radio weekly, on CNN, and on CNN International, it’s very clear that Coco will be one of those anointed leaders insuring that a new day has arrived and a generation is about to be changed. Furthermore, with the blessing of being on the radio on the largest inspirationally-based network in the world targeting our youth, CoCo is making the world turn the volume up generating record setting ratings, but still and most importantly saving souls along the way.