​Former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton had a revealing interview with inspirational recording artist and radio host Erica Campbell this Monday, October 31st on the nationally syndicated radio show Get Up! Mornings with Erica Campbell.
 
In the exclusive interview Clinton will spoke directly to Erica Campbell’s influential inspirational audience and the African American community. 
 
When asked what keeps her motivated to keep going Secretary Clinton responded:
“I think it’s a combination of the inspiration I got from my mother and the lessons from her life, which was a very difficult one. She had to overcome a lot of barriers and she did. Then becoming a mother and now becoming a grandmother.  That has been the ongoing motivation. I was raised in a family of faith and I am so fortunate to have that backing and that support when things get hard, so I think it comes down to family and faith.”
 
Clinton’s prayer for our country:
“It would be a prayer and a recitation of the most important commandment – ‘Love thy neighbor as thy self’.”
 
What is at stake in the election:
“I really don’t think there has been an election where the stakes have been higher. We are really fighting this election out over what kind of country we’re going to be, how we’re going to treat each other; I campaigned a lot in the last year about the need more love and kindness. My vision is that we are stronger together. I want to build on President Obama’s legacy…”
 
In a special moment Secretary Clinton allowed Erica Campbell to pray for her health, her family and leadership.
 
When co-host GRIFF asked what the Democratic Presidential nominee would do if she had the day off:
“I’d go for a really long walk! I need to get out and enjoy the beauty around us.”
 
Secretary Clinton in closing stated:
“I will need you prayer not only through this election but after the election. I hope that all of your listeners will be part of this election, there is so much at stake.”
 
Hear the full interview on GetUpErica.com.
 
Get Up! Mornings with Erica Campbell is distributed by REACH Media Inc., a subsidiary of Radio One.

Highly respected and experienced Gospel Music industry executives Monica Coates and EJ Gaines have been appointed to senior management positions at Motown Gospel, it was announced today by Ken Pennell, President of Gospel Music at Capitol Christian Music Group (CCMG), to whom Coates and Gaines report. As Vice President of A&R and Vice President of Marketing respectively, Coates and Gaines will work closely together to further the label’s mission by building upon its artist signing and development strategies. They will assume their roles October 3rd and be based at Motown Gospel/CCMG’s headquarters in Nashville.

In her role at Motown Gospel, Coates will direct A&R, Creative and Promotion functions while Gaines, in the newly created position at the company will oversee Commercial Partnerships, Publicity and Events, Digital Marketing and Content Creation/Monetization, Sync and Business Affairs.

Both Coates and Gaines will also work with CCMG Publishing to discover, sign and develop songwriters and expand the company’s existing roster of Gospel writers and producers including Kirk Franklin, Fred Hammond, Tasha Cobbs, Aaron Lindsey plus many others and its strong catalog of 1000's of owned and administered songs including "Take Me to The King", "Break Every Chain", "You Are Good", "Soon and Very Soon", "Total Praise", "Jesus At The Center", "No Weapon" and "Never Would Have Made It".

According to Pennell, “We are so excited to be naming Monica Coates and EJ Gaines to these important positions within Motown Gospel. They both bring a wealth of experience to their respective roles, and our artists will benefit greatly from their diverse skill sets, passion for music and belief in how Gospel Music can enrich the lives of its listeners. All of us within Motown Gospel and CCMG wholeheartedly welcome Monica and EJ to our family.”

Capitol Music Group (CMG) Chairman & CEO Steve Barnett commented, “CCMG sets the standard for Christian and Gospel music in our industry, and the company’s record-breaking results this year are only the latest contributions to our company from this division. With Monica and EJ joining Motown Gospel in such important positions, the label is well positioned to continue its growth and play an important role in the future success of CCMG and CMG as a whole.”

CCMG CEO Bill Hearn added “The appointments of Monica and EJ bring two smart and passionate executives to our Motown Gospel family. Our recent reorganization of CCMG’s Commercial Partnerships and Marketing teams will provide them with great opportunities for collaborative support and reinforce the resources and abilities of our entire Motown Gospel management team.”

Monica Coates is a 24-year veteran of the Gospel Music industry, with a broad range of experience in artist management, promotion, publicity and A&R. Prior to joining Motown Gospel, Coates was General Manager at Kirk Franklin’s Fo Yo Soul Recordings/RCA where she oversaw campaigns for an array of artists that included Franklin, The Walls Group, Tasha Page-Lockhart, Geoffrey Golden, and Christon Gray.

She began her career as part of Fred Hammond’s production house, Face To Face Productions, where she also served as his personal manager. In addition, she spent five years at industry leading Verity Records as Senior Director of A&R working with best-selling artists Donnie McClurkin and Hezekiah Walker among many others. Coates’ first book, The Beginner’s Guide To The Gospel Music Industry, was published in 2009.

Prior to accepting his Motown Gospel role, EJ Gaines was an entertainment attorney and artist manager, helping to guide the careers of numerous GRAMMY Award-winning and chart-topping artists, including Jonathan McReynolds, William McDowell, Mary Mary, Donald Lawrence, Isaac Carree, Natalie Grant and more. He began his career at Jive Records and Verity Records (now RCA Inspiration), before becoming an executive assistant to platinum-selling Gospel artist Donnie McClurkin, then graduating from St. John's University School of Law.

Highly respected and experienced Gospel Music industry executives Monica Coates and EJ Gaines have been appointed to senior management positions at Motown Gospel, it was announced today by Ken Pennell, President of Gospel Music at Capitol Christian Music Group (CCMG), to whom Coates and Gaines report. As Vice President of A&R and Vice President of Marketing respectively, Coates and Gaines will work closely together to further the label’s mission by building upon its artist signing and development strategies. They will assume their roles October 3rd and be based at Motown Gospel/CCMG’s headquarters in Nashville.

In her role at Motown Gospel, Coates will direct A&R, Creative and Promotion functions while Gaines, in the newly created position at the company will oversee Commercial Partnerships, Publicity and Events, Digital Marketing and Content Creation/Monetization, Sync and Business Affairs.

Both Coates and Gaines will also work with CCMG Publishing to discover, sign and develop songwriters and expand the company’s existing roster of Gospel writers and producers including Kirk Franklin, Fred Hammond, Tasha Cobbs, Aaron Lindsey plus many others and its strong catalog of 1000's of owned and administered songs including "Take Me to The King", "Break Every Chain", "You Are Good", "Soon and Very Soon", "Total Praise", "Jesus At The Center", "No Weapon" and "Never Would Have Made It".

According to Pennell, “We are so excited to be naming Monica Coates and EJ Gaines to these important positions within Motown Gospel. They both bring a wealth of experience to their respective roles, and our artists will benefit greatly from their diverse skill sets, passion for music and belief in how Gospel Music can enrich the lives of its listeners. All of us within Motown Gospel and CCMG wholeheartedly welcome Monica and EJ to our family.”

Capitol Music Group (CMG) Chairman & CEO Steve Barnett commented, “CCMG sets the standard for Christian and Gospel music in our industry, and the company’s record-breaking results this year are only the latest contributions to our company from this division. With Monica and EJ joining Motown Gospel in such important positions, the label is well positioned to continue its growth and play an important role in the future success of CCMG and CMG as a whole.”

CCMG CEO Bill Hearn added “The appointments of Monica and EJ bring two smart and passionate executives to our Motown Gospel family. Our recent reorganization of CCMG’s Commercial Partnerships and Marketing teams will provide them with great opportunities for collaborative support and reinforce the resources and abilities of our entire Motown Gospel management team.”
Monica Coates is a 24-year veteran of the Gospel Music industry, with a broad range of experience in artist management, promotion, publicity and A&R. Prior to joining Motown Gospel, Coates was General Manager at Kirk Franklin’s Fo Yo Soul Recordings/RCA where she oversaw campaigns for an array of artists that included Franklin, The Walls Group, Tasha Page-Lockhart, Geoffrey Golden, and Christon Gray.

She began her career as part of Fred Hammond’s production house, Face To Face Productions, where she also served as his personal manager. In addition, she spent five years at industry leading Verity Records as Senior Director of A&R working with best-selling artists Donnie McClurkin and Hezekiah Walker among many others. Coates’ first book, The Beginner’s Guide To The Gospel Music Industry, was published in 2009.
​
Prior to accepting his Motown Gospel role, EJ Gaines was an entertainment attorney and artist manager, helping to guide the careers of numerous GRAMMY Award-winning and chart-topping artists, including Jonathan McReynolds, William McDowell, Mary Mary, Donald Lawrence, Isaac Carree, Natalie Grant and more. He began his career at Jive Records and Verity Records (now RCA Inspiration), before becoming an executive assistant to platinum-selling Gospel artist Donnie McClurkin, then graduating from St. John's University School of Law.


About Capitol Christian Music Group 
Capitol Christian Music Group (CCMG) is the world's leading Christian Music company and market leader in recorded music, music publishing, and distribution. Capitol Christian Music Group operates several divisions, including CCMG Label Group (Sparrow Records, ForeFront Records, sixstepsrecords, Hillsong, Jesus Culture), Motown Gospel (in partnership with Motown Records), CCMG Publishing (including Brentwood-Benson Music Publications) and Capitol Christian Distribution. CCMG owned labels are home to artists Chris Tomlin, Amy Grant, TobyMac, Kari Jobe, Jeremy Camp, Hillsong United, Crowder, Tasha Cobbs, Britt Nicole, Jesus Culture, Bryan Courtney Wilson, Colton Dixon, Mandisa, Tye Tribbett, Matthew West and many others. Capitol CMG Publishing, in addition to publishing most of the CCMG labels' premier artist/writers, represents many of the leading writers in Christian/Gospel including Matt Redman, Joel Houston, Ben Glover, Jonas Myrin, Kirk Franklin, Mark Hall, Chris Stevens, Laura Story, Fred Hammond, David Garcia and many more. Key Distribution partners include The Gaither Music Group, Marantha Music, InPop Records, Worthy Book Publishing and Cinedigm Entertainment.

Led by CEO Bill Hearn and a strong executive team of long-time Christian and Gospel music veterans, Capitol Christian Music Group is characterized by a passionate commitment to its artists, songwriters, customers, business partners and one another, as well as a strong commitment to community service.
CCMG is a division of Capitol Music Group (CMG), led by Chairman and CEO Steve Barnett, which is a wholly owned division within Universal Music Group (UMG), the global music leader with strong market positions in recorded music, music publishing, and merchandising.

Alt-pop/adult contemporary singer-songwriter Jennifer Saran has teamed up with South African Grammy-winning male choral group Ladysmith Black Mambazo and Grammy and Emmy-winning producer, drummer, singer and songwriter Narada Michael Walden (Producer/Co-writer), known for his work with Whitney Houston, Aretha Franklin, and Mariah Carey, to create her newest single, "Wake Up." Making a special guest appearance on the track is Grammy-winner and legend Carlos Santana (Featured Guitarist), whose guitar licks generate inspiring vibes. The stunning collaboration is a heartfelt appeal to the world to recognize and address inequality and impoverishment, a cause incredibly personal and important to all the amazing artists involved. "Wake Up" will be featured on Saran's third album, produced and co-written by Narada Michael Walden, which will be released in early 2017.

"Wake Up" is a rousing and uplifting anthem for the world at large. Saran takes meaningful action through her lyrics to encourage change - "It's time to Wake Up!" This worldly, heartfelt, and thought-provoking singer has been dazzling listeners with her message of positivity and encouraging them to stand up to the world's struggles and incite change, first on her debut album Walk With Me (2016), and now on this new song.

Each of the legendary guest artists joining her on the song believe strongly in her cause. Carlos Santana, whose searing guitar work is featured on the track, says Saran's song is "a beautiful mission of sound and healing." Saran adds, "'Wake Up' is the second inspirational song that Narada and I have written. Eighteen months ago we were inspired to write 'Rise Up Time,' which came from an inspired jam session. We had put aside time to experiment with a new idea in the wake of so much hate and violence in America and what came from that time together was this song."

Ladysmith Black Mambazo, who won a Grammy for "Best World Music" in 2015 for their album Live: Singing For Peace Around The World, was brought in through Walden, whose goal was "to make a new sound for the world and inspire a new consciousness in the world - that of waking up."  It was Walden's responsibility to create a space between these artists - passionate about the same worldly concerns - with the intention of inspiring a global movement of like-minded people with a single goal in mind: peace.

Proceeds from sales of the song, which is available now on iTunes, will go directly to the Desmond & Leah Tutu Legacy Foundation. As an outspoken defender of human rights and campaigner for the oppressed, Nobel Peace Prize-winner Archbishop Emeritus Desmond Tutu is one of the world's most revered peacemakers. The mission of his US-based nonprofit is to support and promote the creation of a culture of peace throughout the world.

Saran created an accompanying web-based video that was released on the Archbishop's 85th birthday.  Watch it here: https://youtu.be/rWRljsgvUQY
​
Help spread the word of peace with "Wake Up" – https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/wake-up-feat.-ladysmith-black/id1161862170

More info can be found:
http://jennifersaran.com
https://www.facebook.com/jennifersaranmusic/
https://twitter.com/jennsaranmusic
https://www.instagram.com/jennifersaranmusic/
​
For more information about The Desmond & Leah Tutu Legacy Foundation please visit: http://www.tutufoundationusa.org

Source:
Jennifer Saran

Last week, Jekalyn Carr’s smash hit single “You’re Bigger” returned to #1 on Billboard’s Digital Genre Gospel chart (most digital downloads) after a rousing performance at the Triumph Awards. This week Carr’s single remains at #1 on Billboard’s Digital Genre Songs chart (four non-consecutive weeks) and also returned to #1 on Billboard’s Gospel Airplay chart making this her second placement on the chart.
Jekalyn’s smash hit single “You’re Bigger” continues to make a major impact across the country (Listen to song here: https://youtu.be/Z-ZV61eDLXI).

​The single even crossed over to mainstream radio peaking at #33 on Billboard’s Adult R&B Radio Airplay chart. With a mere 3 months left in 2016, this will be a year that Jekalyn Carr won't soon forget as she is still celebrating several milestones in her budding career with three Billboard #1’s. Her third album THE LIFE PROJECT (August 2016) debuted at #1on Billboard's Top Gospel Albums chart. And after 13 consecutive weeks at #2 on the radio chart — Carr’s smash single “You’re Bigger” garnered her a first #1 on Billboard’s Gospel Airplay Chart as well as Billboard’s Gospel Digital Songs chart (for most digital downloads).

Carr continues to travel the country as she continues to encompass the right kind of substance in which great artists are made. She understands the dynamic and sacrifices she has to make for her platform, and she does them willingly, because her focus is on the greater good—impacting people. Her gift, passion, character, integrity, talent, and sacrifice is evident in everything she does and she is more than deserving of this moment.

​ Joe Pace and his church choir continues to celebrate their recent album as it remains in the Top 3 for two consecutive weeks on Billboard’s Top Gospel Albums chart. After a six year recording hiatus from Gospel music, the 20 year music veteran. Pace and his church choir Shiloh Church Choir (of Jacksonville and Orange Park), FL released their debut project JOE PACE PRESENTS: PASTOR H.B. CHARLES, JR. AND THE SHILOH CHURCH CHOIR (Shiloh Worship, 360MusicWorx, Capitol Distribution, Universal) on Friday, September 23rd. The project is available now in stores and online everywhere.

The GRAMMY winning, 8-time GMA Dove and 7-time Stellar Award nominated songwriter, producer, artist, director and author has spent the last 20 years Pace establishing himself as one of the nation’s most prolific church songwriters and choir directors with many of his songs becoming Sunday morning worship standards. With well over 500,000 in career album sales, spanning 14 full-length projects, whose anointed style, production, and keen focus on church suitable worship, Pace certainly has solidified his place as one of the gospel music industry’s most dynamic and enduring talents.

This LIVE album offers a great collection of diverse, yet accessible church music (several songs written by Pace and H.B. Charles Jr., along with fresh Pace arrangements of church classics that will not only bless every listener, but also practically work in any church setting. With their new radio single “It Is Well” impacting radio and gaining traction and their album, Pastor H.B. Charles and his choir along with Joe Pace are rolling through the fall ambitiously taking the church choir experience further.
​
For more information on Pastor H.B. Charles Jr. and his choir please visit: 
www.Shiloh.church/music.

Each year around this time, the gospel and CCM community come together to honor its brightest stars. This year the SoulProsper Media Group was on hand to take in the grandeur of the Dove Awards. 

We have been at the Stellar Awards so being at the Dove Awards completed the awards show circle and the experience was well worth the long drive from Fort Worth. We have compiled professional coverage and photography as well as our own, backstage. We are forever grateful for the opportunity to cover the awards show and present this to readers. 

For coverage of the show, red carpet and pre-show, click here. 

To view our coverage and experience our backstage interviews, click here.