::THE SLICE REPORT WITH MONA AUSTIN

buzzz worthy. . . By Mona Austin The New Year is getting off to a rocky start for singer Kim Burrell.  In a recent sermon that went viral the Houston based pastor and popular gospel vocalist stated homosexuality is "perverted." The online community generally rejected her opinion in what may turn out to be career suicide.   In America with  the legalization of gay marriage homosexuality is more openly accepted. While homosexuality runs rampant in Black churches,in the Christian worldview same sex attraction is identified as a sin n the Bible. Burrell, 44 delivered a sermon that she said was designed to free gays in 2017. She said homosexuality is a spirit of delusion and confusion that has deceived many men and women adding, “You as a man, you open your mouth and take a man’s penis in your face, you are perverted… You are a woman and will shake your face in another woman’s breast, you are perverted.” Burrell's remarks wer expected coming from a Christian. ...

buzzz worthy. . .  CEREMONY TAKES PLACE IN ATLANTA ON JANUARY 14 TH Gospel Music Legend and Former BMI Trailblazer Award Recipient  Yolanda Adams to Co-Host with Gospel Singer-Songwriter VaShawn Mitchell  NEW YORK, November 21, 2016  –  Broadcast Music, Inc.(BMI)  will honor gospel music superstars Kim Burrell and Marvin Sapp at the 18 th  annual BMI Trailblazers of Gospel Music Honors at the Rialto Center for the Arts in Atlanta, GA on January 14, 2017. This inspirational event will pay tribute to the very best of the gospel music community with former Trailblazers award recipient Yolanda Adams returning to the stage as host alongside gospel singer-songwriter VaShawn Mitchell. The invitation-only event, which is part industry celebration and part awe-inspiring worship service, will be attended by gospel music’s premier songwriters, brightest stars, and leading industry executives. In additi...

buzzz worthy. . Los Angeles, CA (November 16, 2015) - On Wednesday, December 9, at 8:00 p.m., Carnegie Hall presents two of gospel music’s biggest stars—Donnie McClurkin and Kim Burrell—in a one-of-a-kind participatory concert in Stern Auditorium / Perelman Stage. Under the musical direction of the multi-faceted producer, composer, and director Ray Chew, the multiple Grammy Award–winning McClurkin is joined by Burrell—an exuberant vocalist who has performed with stars from the worlds of gospel, jazz, and R&B—to lead an all-star ensemble in a concert where the audience joins voices with the artists on stage as part of what McClurkin calls a “landmark sing-along concert.” Tickets, priced at $32–$62 are available at the Carnegie Hall Box Office, 154 West 57th Street, or can be charged to major credit cards by calling Carnegie Charge at 212-247-7800 or by visiting the Carnegie Hall website, carnegiehall.org. McClurkin and Burrell’s humble beginnings before rising to world renowne...

buzzz worthy. . . Ahead of being saluted at the gospel tribute offering a master music mentoring event  at the Essence Festival this weekend, Kim Burrell has released a new single. Earlier this week Burrell tweeted a big announcement was coming.  "Surprise! Head on over to iTunes an Google play to get my new single. It's entitled "Thank You Jesus," wrote  Burrell in a follow up Tweet on Tuesday.    The funky, upbeat song of gratitude is sealed with  a sample of the hymn "Oh, What He's Done for Me."  Penned by Myron Butler, "Thank You Jesus" has received mighty applause from the songstress's followers in the Twitterverse. Burrell retweeted the praise and support from fans, fellow artists and radio personalities that continued to pour in for the unexpected track throughout the day. On August 21, 2015 Kim Burrell will release her highly anticipated Shanachie Entertainment CD, "From A ...

buzzz worthy. . . BMI celebrated the careers of gospel giants Israel Houghton, LaShun Pace and The Anointed Pace Sisters at its 16th annual Trailblazers of Gospel Music Awards yesterday in Atlanta.  Photos by Arnold Turner. ‘The Gift’ by Donald Lawrence Wins Most-Performed Gospel Song of the Year Honor ATLANTA, January 18, 2015 – Broadcast Music, Inc.® (BMI®), the global leader in music rights management, brought legends and contemporary stars together to celebrate the careers of gospel giants Israel Houghton, LaShun Pace and The Anointed Pace Sisters at its 16th annual Trailblazers of Gospel Music Awards yesterday in Atlanta. The event, held at the Rialto Center for the Arts, also recognized BMI’s Most-Performed Gospel Song of the Year: “The Gift,” written and performed by Donald Lawrence. The song, featured on Lawrence’s album Best For Last, topped the Billboard Gospel Airplay chart and achieved  wide-spread success. BMI also recognized five additional opuses ...

buzzz worthy. . . Controversial Sunday Best contestant, Dennis Christopher Brigham discusses his spat with judge Kim Burrell in an interview with Mona Austin on The Cedric Bailey Radio Show on July 11. Like many contestants, Brigham put his soul, faith and all of his funds into the auditioning process and got the cold shoulder from Burrell. Brigham butt heads with Burrell, scolding her about her approach and left the first audition visibly frustrated, but returned with the financial assistance of his church to audition for the seventh total time and apologize for his previous behavior.  It appeared the Christian singers had forgiven each other and moved on from a confrontation during the feedback portion of the audition, but a viral video of Burrell defending her conduct at a conference has stirred up emotions.  "I looked up to the lady until I saw her on Youtube," said the Gainesville, Florida resident. Unfortunately, Bingham said although he got nods from all four judg...

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 11 th 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 per...

Gospel songstress Kim Burrell showed off a brand new body while wowing Whitney Houston with a serenade of "I Believe in You and Me" at the BET Honors recently. All ears were locked on her amazing voice, but eyes were undoubtedly afixed on Burrell's noticeably slimmer bod, caressed by a one-shouldered smug, black floor length dress--almost identical to the dress Mary J. Blige wore on the red carpet that night. Houston was also saluted by Jennifer Hudson. The 2010 BET Hip Hop Honors celebrated the accomplishments of Houston, Queen Latifah, Sean "Diddy" Combs, Dr. Ruth Simmons, and Dr. Keith Black on Jan. 16, at the Warner Theatre in Washington, DC. Pictured above: Whitney Houston stands in the audience enjoying Kim Burrell's performance. Mary J. Blige rocks the red carpet at the BET Honors in a similar dress that performer Kim Burrell wore at the same show.