'Rise Up' singer Andra Day is having an impressive 2016. With GRAMMY nominations, a performance at the Grammy Awards, touring, radio and publishing gains and so much more, Day is 'rising' to household notoriety.

Actually, the good vibes kicked in last year when Day was featured in an Apple commercial with music legend Stevie Wonder reprising his famous Christmas classic "Someday At Christmas". Day reprised the song not only for the commercial but for consumers and the song went up on iTunes following the spot's television debut.

Day also celebrated dual nominations for her debut album "Cheers to the Fall" and the single "Rise Up". Though not a trophy winner; Day performed during the ceremony, a clear vision of much more to come for the singer.

Her breakout anthem “Rise Up” continues to inspire athletes and everyday achievers worldwide. “Rise Up” was the soundtrack to ESPN’s Black History Month Special by the same name which aired in February. In it, the sports network profiled athletic overcomers and their headlining stories.

Don't miss Andra's June cover issue of ESSENCE magazine
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Andra's faith is very important to her and it is her prayer that “Rise Up” will minister a message of hope and healing. She’s truly an amazing artist with a beautiful voice and inspiring background.

The song’s uplifting message has resonated with many audiences including the American Cancer Society. “Rise Up” also gained her the recognition of celebrities like Serena Williams and Alicia Keys, who described it as a record that “will get you through anything.”
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This summer at McDonald's get your "Rise Up" cups, starting May 2nd. The cups will feature “Rise Up” lyrics and a Shazam-able image that can be scanned from mobile devices to win a chance to see Andra perform at Essence Fest in July.
To read more about Day and this amazing feature, read the article published in the Washington Post.

Starring as a young teacher plagued with visions, Tatyana Ali (Zoe Ever After, Love That Girl!, The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air) returns to TV One in the new made-for-television movie Second Sight. Premiering Saturday, April 23 at 8 p.m. ET, Ali plays Clara Randall, whose gift of "prophesy" leaves her haunted by premonitions of horrific kidnappings. Despite people's unwillingness to believe her "second sight," Clara takes it upon herself to search for one of her students who has gone missing. Shot on location in Los Angeles, this suspenseful thriller marks the third project executive produced by Radio One Founder Cathy Hughes and Executive Vice President of Special Projects Susan Banks.
 
"First with horror, and now suspense, Ms. Hughes and Susan Banks have once again ushered TV Oneinto an entirely new genre for the network," stated D'Angela Proctor, TV One's Head of Original Programming and Production. "Driving the network into fresh and unexplored territory is exactly what our new brand promise represents - taking chances and defying expectations."
 
Living in a constant nightmare, Clara (Ali) has trouble understanding her abilities as well as convincing others - specifically her boyfriend Tony Prescott(Texas Battle, The Bold and The Beautiful) - that the visions are not just a figment of her imagination. After "seeing" the abduction of a student from her school, she realizes she must take matters into her own hands by following the clues from her visions. Along her mission to save this innocent life, Clara discovers disturbing secrets and lies surrounding those she trusted most.
 
Denise Boutte(Meet The Browns, For The Love Of Ruth) also makes her network return in the role of Tamara Johnson, Clara's best friend. Rounding out the cast of stellar actors is Edwina Findley(Get Hard) as Donna Gray,Sharif Atkins (White Collar, Rizzoli & Isles) as Richard Gray, the parents of the kidnapped student Mary Ann, played by Jessica Pressley(For The Love of Ruth) and Marla Gibbs who joins the cast as Clara's grandmother - Nana Miller.
 
Second Sight is produced by Digilab Productions for TV One. Radio One Founder Cathy Hughes and Executive Vice President of Special Projects Susan Banks serve as executive producers. Second Sight was written by Susan Banks and Michael Scott serves as Director and Producer. For TV One, Jubba Seyyid is executive-in-charge of production, Robyn Greene Arrington is vice president of original programming and production, and D'Angela Proctor is head of original programming and production.
 
Encores of Second Sight will also air on TV One on Saturday, April 23 at 10 p.m. ET and Sunday, April 24 at 8:30 p.m. ET. For more information about TV One's upcoming programming, including original movies, visit the network's companion website at www.tvone.tv. TV One viewers can also join the conversation by connecting via social media on Twitter, Instagramand Facebook(@tvonetv) using the hash tag #SecondSight and catch clips and promos on TV One's YouTube Channel.

Women from all musical genres are encouraged to submit an entry to perform
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The Women’s International Music Network (the WiMN) returns to Nashville for its third annual She Rocks Summer NAMM Showcase, taking place on Thursday, June 23, 2016 from 8:30 – 11:00 p.m. at The Listening Room Cafe. Submissions are now open for women in music of all genres to enter for a chance to perform. 
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​Click here to submit.

“We’re excited to come back to Nashville for the third year in a row. One of my favorite aspects of our Showcases is to go through the submissions we receive. There are so many talented women out there, and I’m proud to provide them with an opportunity to perform in front of industry pros and fans,”said WiMN Founder, Laura B. Whitmore.

The She Rocks Summer NAMM Showcase takes place on Thursday, June 23, 2016 from 8:30 – 11:00 p.m. during the Summer NAMM Show in Nashville, Tenn., at The Listening Room Cafe on 217 2nd Ave. S., Nashville, TN 37201, a short walk from the Music City Center, and is sponsored by 108 Rock Star Guitars. An optional $5 pre-sale or $7 door donation is requested. This showcase is open to all ages.

Artists interested in performing must submit an entry by May 3, 2016. Performers will be announced by May 13, 2016. 

The WiMN also recently announced the official 2016 She Rocks ASCAP Expo Showcase, taking place Friday, April 29 from 9:00 p.m. – 12:00 a.m. at the Tinhorn Flats Saloon & Grill in Hollywood during the ASCAP Expo. Now in its third year, the official Showcase will feature Divinity Roxx, Anjali Ray, Maddy Vance, and Facing West. This free showcase will feature drink specials and giveaways.

To fill out the submission form and for official rules and regulations, visit 
 http://www.thewimn.com/summer-namm-showcase/. 

Sunday night in Dallas, Texas proved there’s no place like home for Kirk Franklin, who brought his “Twenty Years in One Night” world tour home to the Majestic Theatre. It’s hard to explain such an inexplicable night but still, one must try. Where would you even start? Which song did you like the best? Franklin jam packed twenty plus years of his recorded music into well over two hours of non stop music. It was a night of nostalgia and reminiscing on each phase of Franklin's career. The audience was equally as diverse as the genres Kirk has interwoven into his inimitable, signature style.

The night didn't afford DFW a 'family reunion' with Franklin's original singers, but it was a true reunion as it united old and new fans alike to celebrate the music of two generations' greatest songwriter. The magic of #TYION is that you remember your own life when you hear the songs played. You remember where you were when you fell in love with those songs and what they in turn mean to you. This is by far the best concert on tour right now and one of the most unforgettable live music experiences ever!

Simply put, it's the concert you don't want to end! Franklin made the night special for his protege's as well. Opening act Myron Butler surprised Candy West with a mid set interpolation of her debut single "Turnaround" and as part of the tour, Shaun Martin (Producer/ Musical Director) performs during intermission.

The night in Dallas was different and a celebration of Franklin's humble beginnings as well as a tip of the hat to whatever the future may hold. Franklin gave the fans what they came for, Vintage Kirk. But he also introduced them to his new album "Losing My Religion", for which he was awarded a 2016 Grammy Award for the album's first single: "Wanna Be Happy". Midway into his opening set, Franklin set the tone for the concert affirming that the crowd wanted to hear "Kirk with the S-Curl" and from before he 'got retainers for his teeth'! He delivered and the crowd was well pleased!

In a heartfelt moment, Kirk thought back on the woman that adopted him as a young boy at the age of 64, Ms. Gertrude. "She recycled cans and newspapers to pay for piano lessons...she never heard a song or cd, but I believe every song passed through her ears."

The night featured its own set of surprises and special moments. Kirk's son Caziah joined him on drums on for "Hosanna". Caziah played an interlude on "Losing My Religion". Each night during "Intercession", he hands the mic to a singer in the audience. Last night's stop in Houston netted Zacardi Cortez and his crazy vocals. The mic toss has also featured Bishop William Murphy and other gospel artists. Without fail, this is one the best moments of the night and in Dallas, it was no different as Kirk used the moment to testify about the inspirational moments that birthed the song.

It's just an idea, but don't you think Kirk Franklin should re-record "Intercession" with all the guest vocalists from this tour's mic toss? Check out Zacardi Cortez in Houston.

Kirk asked all the men in the audience to sing as he recounted moving into a new house and facing the weight of many projects 'falling through'. In a word, he was 'embarrassed' but during a meeting he whisked away to pen perhaps his most poignant piece ever, "Intercession". After rehearsing the story, Franklin led the men in a chorus, singing: "He sees me, but He hears You" (lyrics from the song).

View the SMG Photo Gallery from Sunday's concert here

This concert is so good, it's hard to fathom what could possibly be next for Kirk Franklin! Why is there no dvd for this experience? You'd bottle it up if you could! Two hours of singing, dancing and laughing. Yes, laughing...in case you didn't know, Kirk Franklin is hilarious and quite the quick wit-a real ham on stage! Kirk showed his age a little, most of his dance moves resembled pop-locking from the 80's but his showmanship was reminiscent of the late James Brown, mic stand kick included.

In all actuality, one of the most overlooked elements of the night may have been the choreography after all. Dancing together with background singers Deonis Cook and Kenyon Dixon, the night felt like a big party and not a gospel concert. At one time toward the end of the concert, Kirk shouted out, "turn that aisle into a party!" And party, they did...!

The tour has enjoyed sell out performances thus far, but this DFW stop was extra special for Franklin who repeatedly addressed the crowd as "hometown" and copiously thanked the crowd for not giving up on him during his many difficult days as a young artist.

In a moment of thanks he said to the crowd: "I want you to see yourself when you see me...I'm a product of you!" For Franklin and everybody in attendance, this stop was nothing short of special!
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This leg of the tour ends this weekend in California; but as memories of this whirlwind tour fade, there'll always be lingering memories of this unforgettable night in Dallas!