::THE SLICE REPORT WITH MONA AUSTIN

buzzz worthy. . . Washington, D.C. - Earnest Pugh, a chart-topping gospel artist known for the Billboard No. 1 gospel radio chart smashes “Rain On Us” and “I Need Your Glory” celebrated his 50th birthday with a star-studded event that has launched Veterans Emergency Relief (VER), a nonprofit organization founded to empower women and to address the unique challenges that female veterans face when transitioning to civilian life.  In preparing to launch VER, Pugh and his team discovered that after leaving combat duty, women are disproportionately displaced with homelessness and joblessness at alarming rates and require greater support for themselves and their families. “Gospel music touches people right where they are in life,” Pugh adds. "As a veteran myself, I wanted to touch these heroes in a tangible way and show them how grateful we truly are for their service.” Over 100 people attended the ribbon cutting ceremo...

buzzz worthy. . . LEGENDS BALL HONOREES ANNOUNCED WITH KEYNOTE SPEAKER CHARLES JENKINS AND GUEST MUSIC ARTIST, TAMELA MANN FRIDAY, MAY 16 TH  – SUNDAY, MAY 18 TH  2014 – CINNCINATI, OH (New York, NY – March 24, 2014) –  Calling all artists, singers, songwriters, praise & worship leaders, lay people, pastors, music business specialists, and more - one of the gospel music industry’s premier conferences is back for it’s 13 th  year –  Tracey Artis’ I Hear Music In The Air Conference  returns to Cincinnati, Ohio, May 16 th -18 th  2014. Known for her business savvy, sensitivity to gospel music needs, and standard of excellence, Tracey Artis  has built an iconic brand in gospel music and entertainment, and has gathered the best in the business to share their insight into how to create an effective and successful music ministry. “I Hear Music was a vision God gave me to help educate people all throughout the country on business, music and...

buzzz worthy. . . 2014 BMI Trailblazers honoree Daryl Coley at the 15th Annual BMI Trailblazers of Gospel Music Awards Luncheon, held Friday, January 17 in Nashville.  Photo by Erika Goldring BMI HONORS DARYL COLEY AND  RICHARD SMALLWOOD  AT 15TH ANNUAL TRAILBLAZERS OF GOSPEL MUSIC AWARDS LUNCHEON   ‘Take Me to the King’ Wins Most-Performed Gospel Song of the Year Honor NASHVILLE, January 17, 2014  – Broadcast Music, Inc.® (BMI®), the global leader in music rights management, brought legends and contemporary stars together to celebrate the careers of gospel giants Daryl Coley and Richard Smallwood at its 15 th  annual Trailblazers of Gospel Music Awards Luncheon today in Nashville. In addition, the event, held at Rocketown, also recognized BMI’s Most-Performed Gospel Song of the Year: “Take Me to the  King,” written by Kirk Franklin and performed by Tamela Mann. The song, pulled from the Tamela’s #1 album  Best Days,  top...