Tamela Mann's "Take Me To The King" Certified Platinum

Tamela Mann's single "Take Me To The King" has received RIAA platinum certification with more than one million singles sold. The song, written and produced by long-time friend Kirk Franklin, marked the first collaboration between Tamela and Franklin since launching her solo career. "God Provides," the follow-up collaboration to the platinum single reclaimed the No. 1 spot on the Billboard Gospel Radio chart this week. Written and produced by Kirk Franklin, the No. 1 track "God Provides" is the sophomore single from Tamela's Billboard chart-topping No. 1 album One Way.


One Way marks Tamela's fourth solo studio album and is executively produced by Tamela, her husband & actor David Mann and son David Mann Jr.

Kirk Franklin Protege Prayed for His Collaboration on Kanye West's The Life Of Pablo

Before the world learned that Kirk Franklin and Kanye West would collaborate on Kanye's record, Kirk's protégé, Christon Gray, was praying for the situation.

Franklin surprised people by appearing on Kanye West's album The Life Of Pablo, where he is heard praying on the song "Ultra Light Beams," earlier this year. However, before the gospel musician Kirk Franklin entered the studio with West, he called on his mentee to pray for the project.

"He just hit me up and just asked for prayer that if it was an environment that did not really fit what he's trying to do, that he would have the strength to say no," Gray told Hip Hop DX. "'Cause it is Kanye and they had legends in the room. I wanted to be in the room. Andre 3000 was in there and I was like, 'bruh, can we meet?'"

Franklin and West were first pictured in a studio when an image on Instagram surfaced on Jan. 29. Since then, West has spoken highly of Franklin in interviews and featured the gospel producer, songwriter and artist on his latest album.

In an interview with Hip Hollywood, Franklin revealed how he got involved in the project.

"He asked me to be a part of this one song and it's very clear what I represent. No profanity, or something that is outside of my faith or what I preach," Franklin said. "I'm just here to walk out life with people, and whoever. I'm not a pastor to the stars, I ain't trying to be all that, My job is to just win people to God."

Franklin appeared on "Saturday Night Live" to perform the song with West, singers Kelly Price
and the Dream. For the gospel artist, West is not beyond God's grace.

"As a Christian I'm trying to be what God wants me to be to whoever, and nobody is beyond receiving Him," he said. "Nobody's unforgivable, or unredeemable."


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Legendary Send-Off for Andrae Crouch at Memorial Service

Gospel legend Andrae Crouch's life was celebrated over two days. Thousands from all over the world paid their respects on January 20 and 21st at West Angeles Church of God In Christ, Los Angeles. Music legends gave a historic send-off to the man who revolutionized Gospel music and referred to as "the father of modern gospel music" by contemporary Christian and Gospel music professionals.

The celebrations included appearances and performances by Stevie Wonder, Tyler Perry, Yolanda Adams, Kirk Franklin, Shirley Caesar, Donnie McClurkin, BeBe & CeCe Winans, Edwin Hawkins, Fred Hammond, Erica Campbell, Dr. Bobby Jones, Kurt Carr, Donald Lawrence, Karen Clark-Sheard, Hezekiah Walker, Kim Burrell, Byron Cage, Smokey Norful, Richard Smallwood, Israel Houghton, Tommy Sims, and many more. Bishop Kenneth Ulmer officiated the funeral and Pastor Marvin Winans gave the eulogy, as well as performed. A message from Barack Obama was included in the program.

BET Network streamed both services 'live' and video tributes were shown by Bishop T.D. Jakes, Kenneth Copeland and Michael W. Smith.

Andraé’s accolades include 7 Grammy Awards, 6 Dove Awards, an Academy Award nomination for "The Color Purple," induction into the Gospel Music Hall of Fame and a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. His songs have been recorded by everyone from Elvis Presley to Paul Simon, and he worked as a producer and arranger with many of music’s top artists, including Michael Jackson, Madonna, Quincy Jones, Diana Ross, Elton John and many others. Andraé can also be heard on Michael Jackson's hit singles "Man in the Mirror," "Keep the Faith,” "Will You Be There" and “Earth Song.”

Kirk Franklin Expresses Disappointment in 'Preachers of LA' Amid Suggestion Reality Show Turned People Away From God

Gospel singer Kirk Franklin, who declared months ago that fans would never see him on "Preachers of L.A.," stated during a recent radio interview that he was disappointed in the reality show, while a radio host D.L. Hughley suggested the Oxygen program has turned people away from God.

Franklin, asked during an appearance on "The D.L. Hughley Show" this week if he would appear on "Preachers of L.A.," revealed that he was not a fan of the show which gives an inside look at the ministries and personal lives of its leading men.

In a trivia segment of his radio program called "This or That," actor/comedian D.L. Hughley asked Franklin if he would "rather star in the next season of ("Preachers of L.A.") or have your beautiful wife, Tammy (Collins), star in the 'Real Housewives of Atlanta?'"

After Franklin declined to choose either one of the reality show options, Hughley went on to give his take of "Preachers of L.A.," which was renewed earlier this year for a second season.

"I lived in L.A. my whole life, and to me, I thought the purpose of that show was to drag nonbelievers, people who don't have access to God and don't have relationship with Him, that it would be so attractive that it would draw them to Him," said Hughley. "I think it's done the opposite."

Franklin responded by stating that there were people on "Preachers of L.A." whom he considers friends and whom he respects, but rejected the program. "I'm very disappointed in that show," he told Hughley.

The award-winning gospel artist and "American Bible Challenge" co-host previously had hinted at his feelings toward the faith-based reality show during a December 2013 concert in Detroit, Mich., when he told fans, "You'll never see your boy on real 'Preachers of L.A.'"

The Oxygen network reality show was controversial even before it aired, with some Christians debating whether the program would harm or help the faith community, while others called for a boycott. One of the major points of consternation for critics was the portrayal of the apparent flashy lifestyles of the ministers involved in the program.

Despite the controversy, "Preachers of L.A." was a major hit for Oxygen, averaging more than one million total viewers during its eight-episode run that started in Oct. 2013. In addition to being renewed by Oxygen Media for a second season, "Preachers of L.A." could have potential spin-off series for major cities like New York, Dallas, Atlanta and Detroit.

Recognizing the Best in Christian Music: Dove Awards Airs on UP Tonight

Hosted by Amy Grant & Kirk Franklin, the Dove Awards airs tonight at 8 PM ET on UP and features performances by NEEDTOBREATHE, TobyMac, Michael W. Smith, Newsboys, Gaither Vocal Band, Jason Crabb, Tamela Mann and more.

Presenters include Candace Cameron Bure, Rusty & Julie Bulloch, Pastor Rick Warren, Joyce Meyer, Brandon Heath, Chonda Pierce, David Mann, Isaac Carree, Jaci Velasquez, Lecrae, Bart Millard (MercyMe), Mandisa and Montell Jordan.

Amy Grant and Kirk Franklin To Host The Dove Awards

The GMA announces Amy Grant and Kirk Franklin as hosts for the 44th Annual GMA Dove Awards. The awards show will take place on October 15 in Nashville, Tennessee. The show will be broadcast on Monday, October 21st at 8:00pm ET exclusively on UP.

In addition to the awards show host, past Dove Award winners and nominees, Gaither Vocal Band, Michael W. Smith, Tamela Mann and TobyMac are the first announced performers.

The first round of presenters confirmed includes Jaci Velasquez, Lecrae and Pastor Rick Warren.

Kirk Franklin Joins American Bible Challenge

Kirk Franklin will join GSN‘s The American Bible Challenge as musical co-host for the second season of the network’s breakout  studio-based game, in which contestants compete based on their knowledge of the Bible. Franklin, along with musical director Kris Pooley, will lead a choir that will be featured on the show. Season 2 of American Bible Challenge, hosted by Jeff Foxworthy, will premiere March 21. “The show is a fresh and fun approach to celebrating the Word of God, and being able to provide an element of praise, worship and honor is both exciting and humbling,” Franklin said. The series premiere last season delivered 1.7 million viewers, a record for GSN.

Israel Houghton Featured on ABC's The View

Four-time GRAMMY Award winner Israel Houghton appeared on ABC’s “The View” live yesterday as part of a The King’s Men tour group interview and performance.  In a television first, Israel, along with friends Kirk Franklin, Donnie McClurkin and Marvin Sapp, performed a medley of their best-known songs on the same stage for the “The View” audience.  The appearance was in support of the national The King's Men tour launching Sept. 16 and produced by Live Nation Entertainment. The tour marks the first time these four GRAMMY, Dove and Stellar award-winning artists have toured together.

During the show, co-host Sherri Shepherd asks, “Israel, you have released 11 Christian music albums over 15 years - we sing a lot of your worship songs in church - and for the very first time you got a chance to record with your daughter Mariah.  How was that?”

Israel affirms that it was a special moment, recalling the recording of the song for his first live recording in five years with New Breed, Jesus At The Center, releasing Aug. 14.  “One of the songs we did was an old Bob Dylan song, ‘To Make You Feel My Love,’” says Israel.  “My daughter sang it with this purity – she’s 15-years-old, almost 16 – and it was amazing to look out and see 16,000 people all crying.”

To watch the whole interview and performances of ABC’s “The View” featuring “The King’s Men” and Jamie Grace, go to abc.com.

Kirk Franklin Gathers Gospel Community to Record a Relief Song for Haiti

As gospel music artists gathered in Nashville to celebrate at the 25th Stellar Awards, they also came together for a higher purpose. With the recent tragic earthquake in Haiti, Kirk Franklin assembled gospel artists to lend their voices to “Are You Listening,” a song they all hope will inspire those devastated as well as raise much needed funds for Haiti.

The response was overwhelming for what Franklin had dubbed as the gospel community's answer to "We Are the World" as more than 150 participants swiftly joined including BeBe & CeCe Winans, Natalie Grant, Mary Mary, Shirley Caesar, Jeremy Camp, Yolanda Adams, Donnie McClurkin, Marvin Sapp, Marvin Winans and Kiki Sheard.

All proceeds from the record will be donated to charities involved in relief efforts.