Jonathan McReynolds Announces Dates for “My Truth Tour”
Grammy, Stellar, and Dove Award winner, Jonathan McReynolds is celebrating the release of his fifth album, “MY TRUTH”, with an 11-city tour, kicking off in Orlando, FL on April 13th. The MY TRUTH Touris in partnership with Compassion International. The 12-track album is inspired by the concept of life and seeds. “Some seeds make their way and grow without much opposition. Others are thrown on the ground and trampled or thrown amongst thorns and weeds,” says McReynolds. The release of MY TRUTH was preceded by the radio single, “Your World” which spent 5 weeks at #1 on Billboard Gospel chart. The tour will be making stops throughout various U.S. cities including, New York, NY, Atlanta, GA, Washington, D.C., Memphis, TN and Detroit, MI.
Dalai Lama Scandal
Tenzin Gyatso, the 14th Dalai Lama, made headlines recently for a bizarre and questionable incident that took place between himself and a young boy. The 87-year-old Tibetan spiritual leader was seen on a video filmed in India in February asking the boy to “suck my tongue.” While the boy’s identity has been shielded from the public, the video images clearly show the Dalai Lama sticking his tongue out in close proximity to the young man’s mouth. After the video surfaced, many including rapper Cardi B. weighed in and asked if in fact this trusted figure may be a child predator. According to the Institute of Berkeley, “Sticking out one’s tongue is a sign of respect or agreement and was often used as a greeting in traditional Tibetan culture.” The Dalai Lama responded a statement to his 19 million Twitter followers saying, “His Holiness wishes to apologize to the boy and his family, as well as his many friends across the world, for the hurt his words may have caused.” He also said his actions were meant to be “innocent” and “playful.”
Nashville Hosts Benefit for The Covenant School Following Deadly Shooting
“A Night of Joy Celebrating The Covenant School”, is a collaborative event comprised of Nashville-based artists who gathered to lend their voices and talents in support of The Covenant School and Covenant Church following a recent deadly tragedy that left three staffers and three nine-year-old students dead. The event hosted by author/speaker Annie F. Downs was created to honor the victims and their families, the church, staff, and the first responders. All proceeds from the concert were set aside to benefit The Covenant School. Among those who performed for the sold-out evening, were Carrie Underwood, Chris Tomlin and Steven Curtis Chapman. The event took place on Wednesday, April 12th at The Fisher Center in Nashville, TN.
Kem Releases Memoir “Share My Life: A Journey of Love, Faith and Redemption
4X Grammy-nominated R&B superstar KEM, is commemorating his 20th anniversary of being signed to the Motown label with a monthlong celebration and two career firsts: the release of his first book, and his first live album. On April 4th, Kem released of his memoir, Share My Life: A Journey of Love, Faith, and Redemption, that follows his transformative journey from childhood to homelessness to internationally renowned singer and songwriter. The memoir details the complex parental relationships with KEM’s father to be oddly tense while his mother was said to be never without a beer in hand. Growing up, KEM found himself emotionally starved with internalized harmful feelings, that eventually led to him spiraling and turning to alcohol and drug use in search of relief. While bouncing around to several homeless shelters and drug rehab centers, KEM perfected the songs including “This Place (Dedicated to the Church of Today)” that revitalized his spirit and would later appear on his first album, KEMISTRY. Share My Life: A Journey of Love, Faith, and Redemption is published by Simon and Schuster.
Last Words…
2023 Absolutely Gospel Music Awards Open for Voting
Gospel has opened five new categories for artists and writers in the following categories: Positive Country Single of the Year, Positive Country Music Video of the Year, Female Artist of the Year, Male Artist of the Year, and Bluegrass Artist of the Year. President of AbsolutelyGospel.com Bev McCann stated, “We hope you will join in with us and welcome this newly added portion to our Award Show.” Two artists who each received 10 nominations this year, are also two of last year’s big winners Karen Peck & New River and Joseph Habedank. Both have landed in this year’s Song of the Year and Fan Favorite Artist of the Year categories. This year’s performers and hosts for the live show are still being confirmed. The Awards will take place on Tuesday, April 18, 2023, at the Capitol Theater in Lebanon, Tennessee at 6:00 p.m.
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