The
TRACK LIST
5. The Intro 7. Scripture Reading 9 - 13. In The Spotlight: Cassandra O’ Neal Stanley Johnson Ogisi Kingjoe A.N.D. 15 - 17. Marvin Sapp Interview 18-19. Got Praise: Jonathan Nelson 20-21. JJ Hairston Interview 22. The Dove Awards 24 -25. Vickie Winans Interview 26. Yung Chill 27. Sanctified 29. Encore: PraiseBreak 31. The Outro
The
I NTRO
Welcome to our latest issue. It’s my humble prayer that you will be blessed by this publication. This highly anticipated issue continues our mission to spread the Gospel and provide readers with inspiring articles, uplifting features and resourceful information. This issue of Encore Gospel Entertainment Magazine features interviews with Marvin Sapp, JJ Hairston and Vickie Winans. Also included are inspirational features got praise? and Generation Now with Jonathan Nelson and VaShawn Mitchell. We will continue to honor our commitment to being a leader in the Gospel & Christian music community. This is not just a magazine, but a ministry with a unique brand that is expanding into the film, TV, music, and literary industries. So I present to some and introduce to others Encore Gospel Entertainment Magazine.
David M. Wallace Under the direction of Founder and President David M. Wallace; who is one of the nations top Graphic Artists, Total Prayze Entertainment Group is creating a new path in the Gospel entertainment world through marketing and advertising, multimedia production, event promotion, clothing, etc... This cutting edge company consists of 3 other divisions: Creative Dimension Studio - Our Multimedia & Graphic Design Studio. For more info visit http://www.totalprayze.com/creativedimension Total Eclipse Productions - Concert/TV/Film Development & Production Studio. For more info visit http://www.totalprayze.com/totaleclipse Kingdom Works Software - Christian Software & Application Development. For more info visit http://www.totalprayze.com/kingdomworks
STAFF
Creator/Designer: David M. Wallace Interviewers: Sarita Smiley/David M. Wallace
SPECIAL THANKS We would like to give special recognition to those who contributed to this issue: Deanna Wallace (my daughter), Brian Clark - Irving Street Rep, Kia Jarmon - The MEPR Agency, Kymberlee Norsworthy - Verity Gospel Music Group, Jojo Pada - Ignition PR
S cripture R eading Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us, Ephesians 3:20
Jason Nelson’s major label debut SHIFTING THE ATMOSPHERE, one of the most anticipated Gospel releases of the year, will be in stores May 22. Having toured with Kirk Franklin last fall, Nelson is steadily gaining fans around the country with his fresh and powerful sound. The title track is the first single off of the CD. It is currently #9 at Gospel radio and #11 on the Christian/Gospel Digital Single Chart. The New York Times called “Shifting the Atmosphere” “an excellent first single...a religious quiet-storm ballad;” and praised Nelson’s “husky, grainy, gorgeous voice.” With a Top-10 radio position, that sentiment is being echoed throughout the Gospel music industry and Nelson is headed towards being one of the breakout successes of 2012. Nelson says that, with “Shifting the Atmosphere,” he wants people to understand that when they get in trouble, when things get rough, they can worship their way into a better circumstance. “Worship invites God into your space, and wherever God is, things have to change. That’s where we get ‘shifting the atmosphere.’” In addition to the title track, some of the highlights on SHIFTING THE ATMOSPHERE include the beautiful worship ballad “No Words,” featuring Leon Timbo; the mesmeric “Dominion,” which declares to every ailment or negative circumstance, ‘you no longer have dominion over me’; and the heartfelt anthem “Nothing Without You”. “We worked hard to put together a CD with no fillers,” says Nelson. “By the time people get to the last song, I want listeners to feel like their atmosphere has really shifted. I hope that the CD helps people to redefine themselves and their relationships with God, and to worship God in an intense way. I want people to see God, hear God and experience Him in a profound way.” A gifted songwriter, Nelson wrote or co-wrote the majority of the songs on SHIFTING THE ATMOSPHERE. His previous writing credits include “Thirsty” and “Place of Worship,” which were recorded by Marvin Sapp. Nelson is pastor of Greater Bethlehem Temple near Baltimore, Maryland. SHIFTING THE ATMOSPHERE will be available for pre-order beginning May 1 on iTunes and Amazon.com. The CD will be in stores May 22.
ABOUT THE GOT PRAISE CAMPAIGN This national campaign was started by Total Prayze Entertainment Group to be an encouragement to praise and worship leaders and to give those who are new to the praise and worship experience a better understanding. We aks some of the top names in the industry to give their insight.
a David M. Wallace Vision
got praise? It’s a Lifestyle
“Everywhere I go, I tell people to remain faithful to your home church”
Everywhere I go, I tell people to remain faithful to your home church. Everything I am experiencing is because I was faithful to my local church. I’m still the minister of music in my church. Many people forget their beginning, but it’s important to remain faithful, to keep sowing into your ministry and stay covered and the Lord will reward you openly. - Jonathan Nelson
got praise?
JJ HAIRSTON
Interview conducted by David M. Wallace
“Be true to what God has given you.”
Encore: “After This” is your sixth live recording, how have you and YP evolved since the first recording? JJ Hairston: As we’ve gotten older, I think our sound has matured. I think our lyrics have matured as well. Encore: What do you want people to get most out of your first single, “After This”? JJ Hairston: I want people to be encouraged. We want them to know that whatever they’re facing will end and when it does, they will be victorious over it. Encore: Being a choir director can be very challenging, can you offer some advice to those who are just starting out? JJ Hairston: Be true to what God has given you. Don’t move with the fad of the day. So many people change their sound based on what’s popular at the time. If you keep changing your sound, you’ll eventually lose your identity. Encore: Can you tell your fans something you do or are involved in that they might not know about? JJ Hairston: Most people don’t know that I’m actually working with 2 churches right now. I’m the minister of music at First Cathedral church in Bloomfield CT, but I also minister at a church in Detroit Michigan named Triumph church.
Encore: Where does your inspiration come from when writing songs? JJ Hairston: I get my inspiration from great preachers. For the current record “After this”, I listened to Bishop TD Jakes messages for a month straight. I then started writing. Many of the songs I wrote came from messages I heard him preach. Encore: How do you balance being a national recording artist and the duties you have at your church? JJ Hairston: It gets tough at times because I don’t get a lot of time to myself, but the churches I work with are very supportive. That makes it a little easier. Encore: Who are some of your musical influences? JJ Hairston: There are so many people that inspire me: Israel Houghton, Tye Tribbett, Bishop Hezekiah Walker, Donald Lawrence to name a few.
His name is Yung Chill, one of the most sought after producers in the Houston area! Though he has been behind the scenes he has been working with the best in Gospel music. You have most likely heard his work if you have listened to Tank, Fred Hammond or Chris Brown. Yung Chill has been producing music since he was a young boy but eventually wanted to take his raw talent to the next level. He went to one of music’s highly acclaimed recording schools, FullSail University. He excelled at producing, songwriting, and engineering while at FullSail and finished strong with a Bachelors degree in Entertainment Business by the time he was only 20 years old! He found himself at Houston’s mega church Higher Dimension where he worked with and became close friends of Gospel sensation, James Fortunes. Their connection is what led Yung Chill to meet and eventually work with the newly rising gospel star Zacardi Cortez. They hit it off and began working on what will be one of gospels most anticipated albums. The album features contemporary and traditional gospel tracks with appearances by Donnie McClurkin, John P. Kee, Lalah Hathaway, and Kiki Sheard! This project is not the only one on Yung Chill’s plate. He recently agreed to work on the album of NFL star, Arian Foster, and he is creating a musical score for national TV with Hollywood director Kevin Smith. One thing is for sure, there is a new wave of gospel singers and producers and Yung Chill is one of them! For more information visit YungChill.com or follow him on twitter @YungChill
When a person is sanctified he or she is being set apart by God for a specific divine purpose. The goal of this section is to feature Christians in the fashion industry (models, designers, etc...) We want to celebrate those who realize their purpose and represent God in a holy way. Let’s show the World you don’t have to show everything you have and dress outrageous to have style.
A touchdown for Tebow, a jumpshot for Jeremy.... while Christians athletes are making headline news in part due to their faith, it stands to reason that the fashion industry is long overdue for its own Christian crusader. Enter Jemimah Scarlett founder of Divinitee, a faith-based t-shirt line designed for young women between the ages of 18-30. In a time where it’s widely believed that “sex sells” Jemimah, a wife and mother of 2, created Divinitee with the mission to prove that women can be bold, beautiful and blessed. Originally founded in 2006, Divinitee recently re-launched their t-shirt line utilizing higher quality cotton with a more flattering fit. Each shirt is designed with the intent of creating a healthy balance of style and spirituality while promoting a positive message of faith. Divinitee t-shirts are available online at www.divinitee.com.
To be featured in this section email me at dve@totalprayze.com
Each week check out series highlights and story lines from WE tv’s Mary Mary show. Written by Stephanie Mair.
Not Your Ordinary Blog Encore: PraiseBreak provides continuous Christian & Gospel music entertainment news, covering TV, movies, music, art, books, theater, and interviews for the Faith-Based community. But this is not your ordinary blog, inside you’ll find features and stories rich with positive, inspirational and empowering messages. We are not about tradition and doing things the usual way, it’s time for a Praise Break!
Visit http://www.totalprayze.com/praisebreak
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Fo r a d v e r t i sing and sponsorship o p p o r t u nities contact us at d v e @ t otalprayze.com