Willie Moore Jr. Archives - After the Altar Call

Hello World,

I’m truly excited about TV One’s “Never Would Have Made It: The Marvin Sapp Story” based on the life of gospel legend Marvin Sapp, which comes on tonight at 9 P.M. ET/8C! TV One recently hosted the official red-carpet premiere for the biopic at the Regal Atlantic Station in Atlanta. The event was packed with star power including the icon himself, Marvin Sapp alongside film stars Chaz Lamar Shepherd, Ambre Anderson, Stormy Merriweather, Zoe Greene and Jayden Griffin. Other notable attendees included director, Russ Parr, Executive Producers Phil Thornton and Keith Neal and President of TV One Michelle Rice. Check out some of the pics below!

ATLANTA, GEORGIA – AUGUST 17: Ambre Anderson, Marvin Sapp and Chaz Lamar Shepherd attend the TV One Atlanta screening of “Never Would Have Made It: The Marvin Sapp Story” at Regal Atlantic Station on August 17, 2022 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Paras Griffin/Getty Images for TV One)

ATLANTA, GEORGIA – AUGUST 17: (L-R) Vonii Bristow, Kevin Saunders, Chaz Lamar Shepherd, Ambre Anderson, Marvin Sapp, Charmin Lee, Seth Schenall, and Josué Charles attend the TV One Atlanta screening of “Never Would Have Made It: The Marvin Sapp Story” at Regal Atlantic Station on August 17, 2022 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Paras Griffin/Getty Images for TV One)

ATLANTA, GEORGIA – AUGUST 17: o, Marvin Sapp, Russ Parr, Ambre Anderson, Chaz Lamar Shepherd, Dawn Raven, and Phil Thornton attend the TV One Atlanta screening of “Never Would Have Made It: The Marvin Sapp Story” at Regal Atlantic Station on August 17, 2022 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Paras Griffin/Getty Images for TV One)

ATLANTA, GEORGIA – AUGUST 17: Michelle Rice and Marvin Sapp attend the TV One Atlanta screening of “Never Would Have Made It: The Marvin Sapp Story” at Regal Atlantic Station on August 17, 2022 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Paras Griffin/Getty Images for TV One)

ATLANTA, GEORGIA – AUGUST 17: Phil Thornton, Willie Moore Jr. and Marvin Sapp attend the TV One Atlanta screening of “Never Would Have Made It: The Marvin Sapp Story” at Regal Atlantic Station on August 17, 2022 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Paras Griffin/Getty Images for TV One)

ATLANTA, GEORGIA – AUGUST 17: Singer Keyondra Lockett attends the TV One Atlanta screening of “Never Would Have Made It: The Marvin Sapp Story” at Regal Atlantic Station on August 17, 2022 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Paras Griffin/Getty Images for TV One)

ATLANTA, GEORGIA – AUGUST 17: Sheree Whitfield and Lisa Wu attend the TV One Atlanta screening of “Never Would Have Made It: The Marvin Sapp Story” at Regal Atlantic Station on August 17, 2022 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Paras Griffin/Getty Images for TV One)

In the days leading up to the premiere of the film, Sapp has much to celebrate. He was surprised by the Pandora team with the Billionaire Award celebrating more than one billion streams on the platform on Thursday at the National Museum of African American Music. There is also a re-release of his classic hit “Never Would Have Made It” out today. The impassioned unplugged version of the song continues to bring people to their feet 16 years after it was first released. The song is available for purchase and on all streaming platforms now.

Buzz has reached a fever pitch since the world premiere of the trailer exclusively within the Stellar Awards last month. Fans and industry insiders alike have been waiting to see the retelling of this legendary journey told through the lens of the man who lived it. From an intimate screening in his home state of Michigan to a prestigious showing during the Martha’s Vineyard African American Film Festival and a special premiere at his home church The Chosen Vessel Cathedral in Fort Worth, Texas, “Never Would Have Made It” has resonated with audiences through its powerful storytelling and dynamic cast. In Nashville this week, the film will wrap up its movie premiere run with a special screening at the National Museum of African American Music in Nashville.

Marvin Sapp‘s biopic chronicles the prominent gospel music artist and preacher’s Michigan upbringing, battle against teenage alcohol abuse, love for his wife MaLinda Prince, rise in the music industry and growth in his faith. Sapp came into prominence more than 30 years ago as a member of the iconic gospel group Commissioned and is widely known for his award-winning, chart-topping crossover hit “Never Would Have Made It.” Currently, he is an author, radio show host and senior pastor of The Chosen Vessel Cathedral in Fort Worth, Texas and pastor emeritus of Lighthouse Full Life Center in Grand Rapids, Michigan – the church he founded with his late wife, MaLinda Prince Sapp.

The film is directed by Russ Parr and produced for TV One by Swirl Films, with Eric F. Tomosunas, James Seppelfrick and Keith Neal serving as Executive Producers. Additionally, Marvin Sapp and Phil Thornton are Executive Producers. For TV One, Jason Ryan is the Executive Producer in Charge of Production, Donyell Kennedy-McCullough is Senior Director of Talent & Casting and Susan Henry is Senior Director of Original Programming and Production.

For more information about TV One’s upcoming programming, including original movies, visit the network’s companion website at http://www.tvone.tv. TV One viewers can also join the conversation by connecting via social media on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook.

Any thoughts?

Hello World,

May you remember the sacrifice the Lord made on this Good Friday when He allowed His precious son, Jesus Christ, to die on the cross that we may be able to have a relationship with Him.

RADIO ONE recently announced a National Day of Prayer campaign to be held today on Good Friday, April 10, 2020. The Radio One COVID-19 National Day of Prayer, #OneinPrayer, will feature syndicated radio personalities, Erica Campbell, host of Get Up! Mornings with Erica Campbell; Willie Moore, Jr. of the Willie Moore, Jr. Show and Darlene McCoy, host of the Nightly Spirit with Darlene McCoy, joined by gospel music artists, pastors and special guests to pray for the country and world as it confronts the effects of the global pandemic.

Among the participants in the prayer campaign are: Grammy Award-winning hip hop artist Lecrae; civil rights leader and president of the National Action Network, Rev. Al Sharpton; civil rights leader and founder and president of the Rainbow PUSH Coalition, Rev. Jesse Jackson; Pastor John Gray; film and television producer, New York Times best-selling author and minister, DeVon Franklin; minister Cora Jakes Coleman; best-selling author and ministry leader, Dr. Cindy Trimm; multi-award-winning gospel artists Pastor Donnie McClurkin; Pastor Smokie Norful; Pastor Charles Jenkins; the Prince of Praise, Byron Cage; Tasha Cobbs-Leonard; gospel singer, rapper and producer, Canton Jones; and Pastor Mike, Jr.

They will join the on-air personalities live on the Radio One Praise stations each hour from 6:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m., and live on Instagram, at the bottom of each hour. The goal is to unite the country together to pray for our leaders, the healthcare professionals on the frontlines, families whose loved ones have been diagnosed or lost due to the virus, and all Americans and businesses who are reeling from the uncertainty caused by this global pandemic.

“During these challenges times, I am grateful that our company can serve as a voice of hope and a vehicle of prayer for our world as it faces this global pandemic,” said Cathy Hughes, chairwoman, Urban One, Inc. “It is especially meaningful since so many churches will not be able to hold traditional Good Friday and Easter services due to the social distancing mandates. As a company, we are honored to provide an opportunity to join arms with our gospel artists and the faith community in prayer. This is what service and community are all about.”

The live prayers will run across all of Urban One digital platforms, including TVOne.TV, iOne Digital, www.GetUpErica.com and @getuperica on Facebook and Instagram.

Any thoughts?