Celebration of Gospel Airs January 30

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GOSPEL AND R&B MUSIC SENSATIONS SHARE THE STAGE 
FOR AN EMOTIONAL ‘CELEBRATION OF GOSPEL’, PREMIERING
SUNDAY, JANUARY 30 AT 8:00 P.M.*

Legendary Vocalist Whitney Houston Joins Friend Kim Burrell for an Awe-Inspiring Performance
of 'I Look to You' 

Kirk Franklin, Mary Mary, Chaka Khan, El DeBarge, Howard Hewett, Angela Bassett, Israel Houghton, The Rance Allen Group and More Unite to 'Keep the Faith'

NEW YORK—January 25, 2011—The night was filled with inspired performances as audience members rejoiced at the 11th Annual CELEBRATION OF GOSPEL.  The two-hour special, premiering Sunday, January 30 at 8:00 p.m.*, pays tribute to the rich history of gospel music in a unique format that combines today’s leading gospel and secular artists. Year after year, BET creates the perfect platform for superstar secular artists to return to their gospel roots and reveal through music their personal journeys while showcasing compelling performances from some of gospel music chart toppers and emerging new artists. 

Taped from the historic Orpheum Theatre in Los Angeles, California, the annual praise fest touted stellar performances by talent new to the CELEBRATION OF GOSPEL stage alongside current favorites of gospel. Highlights include: Kirk Franklin and Mary Mary both debuted world premieres of new songs; Chaka Khan delivered a soul stirring and revealing performance of her timeless classic, “Through the Fire”; Oscar-nominated® actress Angela Bassett, actor Hill Harper, and Bishop TD Jakes each gave a touching spoken word reading; a surprise appearance by Whitney Houston who joined Kim Burrell in performance of her song “I Look to You” and brought the entire house to its feet; and, Byron Cage, Smokie Norful and Kathy Taylor who came together for a moving tribute honoring the late “Queen of Gospel,” Albertina Walker and beloved gospel pioneer Walter Hawkins.

The audience was also treated to performances by SUNDAY BEST alums LeAndria Johnson, Y’Anna Crawley and Jessica Reedy alongside R&B songstresses Chanté Moore and Kelly Price. El DeBarge teamed up with Howard Hewett for crowd favorites “Second Chance” and “Amen,” plus Israel Houghton, The Rance Allen Group, Earnest Pugh, Myron Butler, Jonathan Nelson and Purpose, James Fortune and FIYA, VaShawn Mitchell and Beverly Crawford with Dr. Bobby Jones and the Spirit of David Choir also contributed memorable performances.
Hosted by popular comedian, author, game show host and syndicated radio personality Steve Harvey, the inspirational and uplifting presentation packed a powerful punch by some of the industry’s top performers.
CELEBRATION OF GOSPEL is a BET Networks Production. Stephen Hill, BET's president of music programming, along with Lynne Harris-Taylor, BET's vice president of specials, and Geovanni Brewer executive produced the telecast.
For more information, please visit www.bet.com.

*All times are ET/PT.

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