Category Archives: Mary Mary

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Season 10 of BET’s ‘Sunday Best’ Premieres TONIGHT at 8/7C!

Hello World,

Returning to BET for season 10 is America’s most inspirational singing  competition, “Sunday Best,” on Sunday, July 5th at 8/7C. Season 10 welcomes back GRAMMY®-winning music legend Kirk Franklin as host; returning as judges are GRAMMY® winning songstress & host of “Get Up Mornings,” Erica Campbell, GRAMMY® nominated artist & star of BET’s “American Soul” Kelly Price and GRAMMY® nominated & multiple Stellar Award-winning artist Jonathan McReynolds.

Kicking off in Sunday Best fashion, the series returned from Tyler Perry Studios in Atlanta, the first two episodes of season 10 begin with the contestants having to show their true talent, with no smoke and mirrors, by performing acapella with no band support, as the judges narrow the field from 20 to the top 10. The top 20 contestants are:

  1. Armyia Bryant – Vienna, GA
  2. Ashling Cole – El Sobrante, CA
  3. Niiella Coffie – London, England
  4. Edward “Busta” Fields – Philadelphia, PA
  5. Jada Spight – Buffalo, NY
  6. Jamal Roberts  – Meridian, MS
  7. John Houston Smith – Detroit, MI
  8. Kay Racquel – Baton Rouge, LA
  9. Lonnie Banks – Charlotte, NC
  10. MarQuis Harris – Emporia, VA
  11. Mikaela Brown – Austell, GA
  12. Nicole Gregory – Kansas City, MO
  13. O’Livya Walker – Millington, TN
  14. Roman Collins – Hawthorne, CA
  15. Stephanie Summers – Colorado Springs, CO
  16. Sterlin Hill – Greenwood, SC
  17. Takira Rogers – Robbins, IL
  18. Tonyce Hollis – Toledo, Ohio
  19. Tyree Miller – Philadelphia, PA
  20. Veronica Stephens – Groveland, FL

Below is a preview of what you will see tonight!

In light of the of COVID-19 pandemic and in an effort to keep the shows judges, contestants and crew safe – new and innovative technology, techniques and artist-generated content were used to complete production of episodes four through eight of season 10 – allowing the viewing audience to join in on weekly praise & worship during the time when America needs it most.

Jesse Collins, CEO of Jesse Collins Entertainment (BET Awards, The New Edition Story),  and Dionne Harmon (The Bobby Brown Story, Hip Hop Squares) serve as executive producers of season ten of Sunday Best along with executive producer and showrunner Jeannae Rouzan-Clay (Dear Mama, Black Girls Rock!), and Torrence Glenn (Celebration Of Gospel, Trumpet Awards) is co-executive producer.

Season 10 auditions were previously held earlier this year in Atlanta, GA at The House of Hope. The season 10 winner will receive a recording contract with RCA Inspiration, a cash prize of $50,000 and the title “Sunday Best.”

For updates and more information about “Sunday Best”, please visit BET.com/SundayBest. Join the conversation on social media by logging on to our social media platforms using the hashtag: #BETSundayBest.

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Charity Greenleaf aka Deborah Joy Winans’ Real Life Brother Juan Winans & Wife Release Christmas EP ‘A Little Soul for Christmas!’

Doesn’t he look just like his sister?!

Hello World,

I know Thanksgiving is still over a week way and we have over a month till Christmas, but it’s still time to start planning for the “most wonderful time of the year!” One of the ways that I get in the mood for the Christmas season is Christmas music – old and new! Well y’all know that the Winans are a musical dynasty which has resulted in Deborah Joy Winans portraying a musically gifted (although troubled) Charity Greenleaf on my favorite show OWN’s Greenleaf. So guess what? Her real life brother (not Jacob Greenleaf LOL) Juan Winans and his wife Lisa Winans (formerly Lisa Kimmey) are announcing the release of their Christmas EP, “A Little Soul for Christmas,” on Friday, November 16 via Parkside & Papergirl Entertainment.

The EP’s lead singles, “Rest” and “Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas” are available for listening now. Juan and Lisa Winans married in 2007. After leading believers in worship for over a decade together, the Grammy nominated couple are returning to their first love as gospel music recording artists.

“We want to combine the platform and expertise we’ve gained from our years as successful recording artists with our understanding of the needs of the church from the context of music and worship. God has anointed us to walk in both for the purpose of advancing His Kingdom in this generation,” says Juan Winans.

Juan Winans began his career with the Billboard #1 Gospel Album, “Winans Phase 2: We Got Next,” which birthed the hit single “It’s Alright (Send Me);” and continued on to write and produce for a myriad of Gospel, Pop and R&B artists including Mary Mary, Lalah Hathaway, Smokie Norful and Michael Bolton. In 2016, Juan Winans and his sister Deborah Joy Winans (“Greenleaf”) began a series of tours in the original musical Born For This: The BeBe Winans Story.

Lisa Winans (formerly Lisa Kimmey) is best known as one third of the trailblazing Contemporary Christian Music trio, Out of Eden. The group was active from 1994 to 2006, producing seven albums through Gotee Records and received two Dove Awards. During Lisa’s tenure with Out of Eden, she appeared on UPN’s 90’s sitcom “Moesha,” and hosted original programming for GMC (Gospel Music Channel). In 2006, Out of Eden retired and released a greatest hits compilation. The trio reunited in 2014 for a special Gotee Records compilation album with a cover of House of Hero’s single “Constant.”

“Juan and Lisa are dear friends who will lift and encourage people from all backgrounds through their music. Their devotion to Christ combined with the excellence in their presentation creates a dynamic environment where lives are changed,” says Dr. Rice Brooks, co-Founder Every Nation Churches.

Celebrating the true reason for the season “A Little Soul for Christmas” will fill your holiday with sounds of peace, love and joy. This essential addition to your holiday music collection is available wherever music is digitally sold on Friday, November 16.

Check out  “Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas” by Juan and Lisa Winans below:

The track listing for “A Little Soul for Christmas” is as follows:

1. Rest

2. Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas

3. Piece of My Soul

4. O Come All Ye Faithful

5. More Than Once

Follow Juan Winans on Instagram at @JuanWinans and Lisa Winans on Instagram at @the_papergirl.

#aLittleSoulforChristmas

#JuanAndLisaWinans 

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Erica Campbell, Vickie Winans, GooGoo Atkins, Roland Martin & More Attend ‘We’re The Campbells’ NABJ Screening (PHOTOS)

Hello World,

I wasn’t able to attend the 2018 National Association of Black Journalists Convention & Career Fair held in the city just a few days ago, but I felt like I was there from all of the pics that people have posted. To that end, see some photos from TV One’s screening of “We’re The Campbells” during NABJ 2018 as well as images of Erica Campbell hosting the 2018 NABJ Gospel Brunch. As a reminder, TV One’s “We’re The Campbells” airs Tuesdays at 8/7C!

According to the NABJ recap I received, the #NABJ18 convention wound to a close Sunday morning with a rousing blend of gospel, a movie preview and recognition of individuals who have impacted others.

Sponsored by Motown Gospel and the movie “Beautifully Broken,” the recently regrouped NABJ Gospel Choir sang “You’re Amazing,” before stirring performances were delivered by Lexi, Vickie Winans and others.

The brunch also included the presentation of the Angelo Henderson Community Service Award to WDIV-TV Anchor Rhonda Walker and the award for Educator of the Year to Alicia Nails, the director of the Journalism Institute for Media Diversity.

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