Thursday, January 5, 2017

Reba McEntire to Release Christian Album

Reba McEntire prepares to release Sing It Now: Songs of Faith & Hope on February 3, 2017. For an entertainer with an illustrious career that has elicited 35 No. 1 singles, over 56 million albums sold worldwide, prestigious industry awards, lead acting roles and brand endeavors, new is a rarity - yet an art form she has perfected.

From the set of her forthcoming music video for "Back To God," Reba revealed details about her influences, upbringing and lifelong help from her guardian angels that lead to this collection. The double-disc project highlights traditional hymns of "faith" throughout the first 10 songs while more contemporary tracks of "hope" round out the back half.

"SING IT NOW was the perfect title for this album because the message and melody throughout the song connects the dots between the traditional hymns I grew up on and new music that has been uplifting for me in challenging times," said Reba.

Reba let her heart and friends help guide the song selection, which includes the first tune she ever sang in public, "Jesus Loves Me," a former Reba co-star's suggestion of "Oh Happy Day" and an introduction from a close associate to "From The Inside Out." She collaborated with Kelly Clarkson and Trisha Yearwood on "Softly and Tenderly".  Reba co-produced the album with Jay DeMarcus of Rascal Flatts in his home studio and Doug Sisemore.

"Music conjures up great memories and goes hand and hand with us McEntires," said Reba. "Mama, Susie and Alice even came into the studio with me to record 'I'll Fly Away,' all of us gathered around an old hymnal straight from the Chockie church."

Ellen DeGeneres Cancels Kim Burrell's Performance After Singer's Sermon

Ellen DeGeneres won't allow Kim Burrell to appear on her talk show after the gospel singer refused to apologize for a sermon in which she referred to gays and lesbians as perverted.

Video of Burrell preaching at Houston's Love & Liberty Fellowship Church was circulated online last week stirring up controversy.

In the video, Burrell is heard saying, "That perverted homosexual spirit is a spirit of delusion and confusion and has deceived many men and women, and it has caused a strain on the body of Christ."
Burrell addressed her remarks in a Facebook live video.

"We're not in a war against flesh and blood. I came on because I care about God’s creation and every person from the LGBT and anything else, any other kind of thing that is supporting gay… I never said LGBT last night. I said S-I-N and whatever else falls in the sin was preached."

Burrell and singer Pharrell were to perform a song from the movie "Hidden Figures" Thursday on the show. Pharrell posted on Instagram that "I condemn hate speech of any kind," making no specific reference to Burrell.

The openly-gay talk show host tweeted, "For those asking, Kim Burrell will not be appearing on my show."