Gospel Stars Pastor Shirley Caesar & Le’Andria Johnson to be on ‘UNSUNG’ & ‘UNCENSORED’ on TV One TONIGHT!

Hello World,

After you finish watching Stormy Daniels on 60 Minutes (Don’t Act. I Figure Every American Will Be.) on CBS at 7 p.m. EST, turn to TV One where you will watch a more savory but none less interesting offering because this weekend’s episode of TV One’s award-winning series “UNSUNG” will feature Pastor Shirley Caesar, and the brand-new series “UNCENSORED” will feature Le’Andria JohnsonPastor Shirley Caesar’s episode of “UNSUNG” will air tonight, March 25at 9/8C  and Le’Andria’s episode of “UNCENSORED” will air tonight March 25at 10/9C on TV One. Yes, it’s gospel music night on TV One tonight!

About Shirley Caesar

With over 40 albums and 11 Grammy Awards, Shirley Caesar is the reigning Queen of Gospel Music. Beginning her career at 12 years old, she was a vocal phenomenon whose teenage talent earned her a spot in the popular all female gospel group the Caravans, where she became a standout star. In the early 1970s she won her first Grammy Award for a dynamic cover of “Put Your Hand in the Hand of the Man from Galilee,” and the hits continued with songs like “No Charge,” “Hold My Mule and “I Remember Mama”. But despite her success, Shirley always knew her life was meant for more than music, and in the late 80’s she’d taken on a second career as a pastor, preaching around the world and starting her own church in Raleigh, North Carolina. With a career now spanning over 7 decades, Shirley Caesar has become a living legend of gospel music, and shares with “UNSUNG” the triumphs and challenges of a life dedicated to spreading the Good News. Most recently, she gained popularity with Millennials with the “Beans, Greens, Potatoes, Tomatoes, Corn You Name It Challenge.” Remember that?

Check out a clip of her talking about that challenge on “UNSUNG!”

About “UNSUNG”

Through first-hand accounts, interviews with family and friends, and archival footage, each episode of TV One’s signature series “UNSUNG” sheds much-deserved light on some of the most influential and talented R&B, soul, funk, hip hop, disco, and gospel artists of the last 30 years. Also featuring Deborah Cox, Avant, Shirley Caesar, Blue Magic, Brand Nubian and Lost Boyz, season 12 of TV One’s critically acclaimed and award-winning “UNSUNG uncovers the personal triumphs and struggles of these musical legends. This is my favorite show on TV One!

About Le’Andria Johnson

Reared in the church, her singing talent was born early in childhood. Later, her teen years shaped her as a rebel that would eventually carve her personality and drive as a gospel music star. Le’Andria Johnson overcame hardship and conflict on the way to epic stardom as a young talent. Along the way to reaching music success, reality dealt her tough hands that challenged her faith in God, relationships, and place in music stardom.

Le’Andria Johnson’s story is about faith in action. Her legacy is about never giving up and never giving in. She has been inspired by following her own path toward God’s plan for her. With hits and misses along the way, Le’Andria uses her platform as a call to action pushing her fans and followers toward a moral foundation. Those calls to action took her from social media rants, spreading her religious message dressed up as a street prostitute, enduring the challenge of pregnancy out-of- wedlock in the gospel-singing community, and many passionate, controversial church sermons. The rebel child in her made Le’Andria the self-professed “bad girl of gospel music”– a kind of reckoning toward her faithful conviction to deliver the truth. (Let’s not forget THAT Periscope broadcast!)

Taking her church message to the streets and performing passionately in conservative churches she is living her divine destiny. With the awards, accolades, and recognition Le’Andria Johnson has yet to settle for less as a Christian leader.

Check out a video of Le’Andria talking about the difficult decision she had to make when she got pregnant out of wedlock…

About “UNCENSORED”

“UNCENSORED” is an edgy new docu-series exploring the intimate lives of some of today’s most notable personalities, that debuted on TV One on February 18 at 10 p.m. ET/9C. The 10-episode biography series gives unprecedented access to stars including Tamar Braxton, Charlemagne Da God, Tiffany Haddish, Le’Andria Johnson, NeNe Leakes, Nia Long, Rick Ross and more, as they personally reveal their own stories, in their own words, in the places their stories unfolded.

“UNCENSORED” is a dynamic series with each episode capturing the essence of its subject. From the ultimate hustler Rick Ross and his climb from the streets of Miami to the top of hip-hop, to Tamar Braxton stepping out of the shadow of her famous sister and the meteoric rise of comedy’s newest “It Girl” Tiffany Haddish, “UNCENSORED” presents the stories behind the stars. Through the “UNCENSORED” lens, viewers get an unfiltered perspective on the journey they have taken to achieve their dreams and pop culture fame.

In its first season, “UNCENSORED” dives deep into the lives of these celebrated individuals with first-hand accounts of their road to stardom from the stars themselves. They speak directly and candidly about their personal triumphs and successes, the obstacles and challenges they have faced, and the pivotal moments that have shaped their lives and careers. No topic is off limits as they discuss issues relevant to today’s national dialogue such as race relations, drugs and violence, and sexual harassment. In addition to first-person interviews, “UNCENSORED” uncovers little known facts with an expansive and impressive list of friends and family who know them best.

Move over NeNe, Kandi & Kim of Real Housewives of Atlanta, between Stormy, Pastor Shirley and Le’Andria, this is where the over-the-top drama will be!!!

Any thoughts?

Former Pastor Mase To Reemerge at World Changers Church International’s Radical Revolution Conference

Hello World,

Y’all betta be glad I’m not God. I woulda banished some of y’all below just because you looked like you were judging me. And that’s what I’m trying to remember this morning as I type this blog post. I’m not God and just because I interpret something as being a certain way, that may not be the truth. Only God knows the condition of the hearts of men and women. So here’s the deal. Ya man Mase, or Pastor Mase as he was known in 2014, left his church that he founded as he got caught up in the rapture of rap it seems. I was so befuddled by his departure that I wrote an open letter on UrbanFaith.com. See an excerpt below:

Dear Mason Betha aka Murder Ma$e aka S.A.N.E. Minister Mason Betha aka Pastor Betha of El Elyon International Church,

I’m trying so hard not to judge you right now, but what is you doin’ man? (I’m sayin’ this Atlanta style since that is where you have lived since 1999.) I just read on TMZ that you, the pastor of El Elyon International Church, up and dipped on your congregation and returned to the “rap game full time.” Where they do that at? I knew something was up when, while flipping through television channels last week, I saw you rappin’ on some video and cheesin’ it up with your infectious smile like you did before you left Bad Boy for the ministry back in the day. And I wasn’t the only one that was confused. In a recent interview with The Breakfast Club, rapper Ja Rule—who seems to be finding his own way to faith–was asked about your return to the rap industry. According to a Madame Noire post of that interview he said, “I’m very confused by what Mase is doing. I don’t know if that’s cool or not. I wouldn’t play with the Lord like that.” Say that! Too read the full letter, to urbanfaith.com.

And then as recently as November 2017, Fader reported Mase is still beefin’ with rapper Cam’ron.

Over the Thanksgiving weekend, Cam’ron and Mase stoked the flames of an old beef, trading diss tracks back and forth. On Friday, Mase shared “The Oracle” and promptly took to Genius to annotate it. Cam’ron responded on Saturday night with “Dinner Time,” in which he alleges that Mase retired from rap to run a Ponzi scheme and calling into question his roots in Harlem. See the full article at thefader.com.

Dude released a diss track in which he was cussin’ and what not. Now, I don’t believe that if a cuss word escapes your lips, you’re headed to hell, but I just don’t think that God is pleased by this particular demonstration. But hey, I could be wrong. And furthermore, it seems downright silly to be spending time on a diss track at 40 years old. The only diss I’m worried about this age is “diss”ease. I hope this “beef” was all for show because Christian or not, we too old for that…Go cut some grass or something…That’s what men do at this age…

Me looking at Mase during the Men’s Panel…

All that to say, Grammy-nominated rapper Mason Betha and Grammy-Award winning singer/songwriter Johnta Austin among others will be featured in the the highly anticipated Men’s Panel (which will be offered for free to men) to be held during the 2018 Radical Revolution Conference at World Changers Church International in College Park, Georgia starting tomorrow, March 15 through Saturday, March 17.

Hosted by Pastor Taffi Dollar and the church’s Radical Women’s Ministry, the purpose of the three-day event is to bring clarity on gender equality in relationships, leadership, and business at a time of increasing confusion that exists in both the church and society. It will feature some of the biggest names in spiritual leadership and music including WCCI founder Creflo Dollar; businesswoman, author, and media personality, Sarah Jakes Roberts; well-known author and speaker Lisa Bevere; Grammy-Award winner Tasha Cobbs Leonard; gospel singer/songwriter and actor Micah Stampley and more.  Ticket prices vary with offerings for students, individuals, and groups.  A VIP Experience is also available and includes a Meet & Greet, a Dining and Listening Lounge, and giveaways, among other benefits.

For more information, go to eventbrite.com.

Any thoughts?

 

 

David & Tamela Mann, Kim Fields, Towanda Braxton & More Star in TV One’s Christmas movie ‘Merry Wish-mas!’

Hello World,

Happy FriYAY! I know it’s a looong way from Christmas (and I’m ready to be done with cold weather), but I’ve found it’s always great when we can look forward to something in the future. So keep reading for something we can look forward to at Christmas time…

TV One has announced that production is underway in Atlanta for the new original holiday movie, MERRY WISH-MAS. This Christmas movie stars Tamela Mann (The Manns) as Keneisha ‘Kenni’ Wright, a single and successful Atlanta businesswoman who hasn’t returned home for the holidays in years, she plays opposite her creative and life partner, husband David Mann(The Manns) as Jessie Jenkins, an old high school friend. The two reunite at Jessie’s fledgling wellness facility, the Beverly Living Center, where Kenni is reminded of the transformational power of love, hope and faith, amplified by the spirit of the holidays. The Manns also serve as executive producers on the project, which will premiere this winter on TV One.

Directed by award-winning actress, director and producer Terri J. Vaughn, this feel-good romantic comedy revolves around Kenni, who has avoided the annual holiday trip to her hometown of Columbia, South Carolina for years. While she is hoping for the best, as with any family, there are unresolved issues lingering that could make the holiday not so bright. The movie also stars veteran actress Kim Fields(Living Single) as Celine, a regular at the center who loves seeing the new smile Kenni puts on Jessie’s face, but is protective about his feelings. Towanda Braxton (Braxton Family Values) plays the role of Natalie, the persistent local woman who has a crush on Jessie. Elizabeth Omilami (Madea’s Family Reunion) appears as Kenni’s matchmaker mom Regina, while Chrystale Wilson (The Player’s Club) steps into the role of Kenni’s sister and food truck entrepreneur Dionne, adding a high dose of sibling rivalry. Rap artist Yung Joc, best known for popular singles “It’s Goin’ Down” and “I Know You See It,” makes a cameo appearance.

I love a small church. This church had beautiful stained glass windows, but unfortunately, I didn’t quite capture them in this photo…But you can get a feel for the sanctuary though…

I got a chance to visit one of the set locations, a lovely, small stone church where the finale is being filmed, and interview Roger Bobb, whose company Bobbcat Films is executive producing the movie; Terri Vaughn and her Nina Holiday Entertainment partner Cas Sigers-Beedles, who wrote the film. In addition, I was also able to speak to Elizabeth Omilami  (the daughter of Hosea Williams from Hosea Feed the Hungry) and Chrystale Wilson.

Below are a few notable quotes:

On David & Tamela Mann:

Roger Bobb: I’ve known David and Tamela for ages. I love them as entertainers and as a family. The world will never have enough of David and Tamela.

Terri J. Vaughn: Everyone is used to Tamela being an anointed pillar of strength, but in this movie, the character that she is playing is a bit snooty. She thinks that she created a life that is better than what she experienced in her hometown. So you will see her in not the best light. David usually plays the comedic role, but he’s the straight man in this movie. He’s a strong, spiritual pillar.

On Favorite Scenes:

Terri Vaughn: One of my favorite scenes is a heated discussion between Tamela, her sister and her mom played by Elizabeth Omilami. Another one juicy scene happens between David and Tamela in a junkyard. They have a romantic moment in the middle of junk.

Roger Bobb: I can’t give it away but the finale of this film is amazing!

On Messages in ‘Merry Wish-Mas’:

Elizabeth Omilami: Forgiveness. Life is too short to not forgive. Even if you were right, go back and apologize.

Chrystale Wilson: We don’t respect the elderly like other cultures do.  The movie also touches on sibling rivalry and jealousy.

On Nina Holiday Entertainment:

Terri J. Vaughn: This is a divine working relationship and friendship. We’ve been through divorce, remarrying and kids. Cas is super talented, super creative and super smart. She is literally the person I talk to every day.

Cas Sigers-Beedles: (With laughter) We’re work wives! This is the first Christmas film I’ve written. I wanted to tell a story about a woman who is somewhat like me. She is career-driven but afraid of love but she wants to love.

Elizabeth Omilami: When you laugh out loud, you know you have yourself a good writer. My husband was like, ‘What are you reading?’ When you have a great script and the lines are poppin’, you want to do the work.

I filmed a brief video of Terri Vaughn and Cas Sigers-Beedles as they discussed their partnership. (Obviously, I have more to learn in this medium.) After The Altar Call was one of several media outlets invited to the set….

“Heartwarming stories like Merry Wish-Mas that bring families together and make us laugh are as much a part of the season as Christmas trees and Santa himself,” said Vaughn, who makes her TV One original film directorial debut. “And this movie, touching upon family conflicts, singlehood and love, money woes, and wishing for Christmas miracles, is set to become a highlight of the coming holidays.”

So are you looking forward to this new Christmas movie starring David and Tamela Mann?

Any thoughts?