::THE SLICE REPORT WITH MONA AUSTIN

Becomes First Gospel Artist to Receive Honor Nashville, TN (August 21, 2019) – On Thursday, August 15 fourteen-time GRAMMY®-winning artist/songwriter/producer, Kirk Franklin , was honored with a Billionaire plaque from Pandora . The music streaming company surprised Franklin by presenting him with the prestigious award on-stage at the Los Angeles stop of his LONG LIVE LOVE TOUR . Franklin was moved by the honor. He says, “ It is truly humbling that the music God let me borrow has touched so many people, and that they still choose to listen with so many incredible gospel artists out there.” This honor, which has only been bestowed upon a small group of artists, commemorates Franklin having received over 1.6 billion streams on the platform. With this achievement, he also became the first gospel music artist to reach this milestone. Melissa Chalos, Christian and Gospel Music Curator/Programmer at Pandora, says, “The impact of Kirk Franklin’s...

buzzz worthy. . . GRAMMY NOMINATED GOSPEL ARTIST TRAVIS GREENE VISITS A CITY NEAR YOU   New Single “ Made A Way” at Gospel Radio Now   Greene to Appear on The Rickey Smiley Morning Show on Monday, March 21   NEW YORK, NY – March 18, 2016 – Singer, writer, producer and Grammy nominated artist, Travis Greene is actively sharing his ministry nationwide and promoting his second single, “Made A Way ” from his first major label debut, THE HILL on RCA Inspiration.  Lead single, “Intentional” quickly garnered attention with music lovers and became the gospel anthem of 2015 and a standing favorite in 2016.   “Intentional ” is currently #5 on the Mediabase Gospel Radio Chart and previously spent 10 weeks at #1.    The beloved newcomer penned “Made A Away” while his wife was in premature labor and doctors were recommending terminating the pregnancy as the best option.  Today, Greene’s son is alive and well. ...

buzzz worthy. . . In closing out #BHM , here is a lesser known factoid about singer/Civil Rights Activist Mavis Staples. Staples and Bob Bylan were an item in the early 1960s. In fact, Staples has stated Dylan was her first love and he asked her to marry him. She said in a recent interview that she turned him down because they were too young, but she regards the folk singer as the one who got away. Other than singing they share a common interest in freedom for all that was woven into their music. A new documentary titled "Mavis!" airing on HBO tonight covers her 60-year career, both with The Staple Singers and as a solo artist and part of her personal li fe from her own pers pective . The "Mavis!" album is al so available and Sta ples a nd Dylan are back toether again on a tour.

buzzz worthy. . . Damien Sneed’s New Double Disc Project, ‘Broken to Minister: The Deluxe Edition’ on March 3 The Broken To Minister 15-City Promotional Tour Kicks Off on Thursday, February 26 in New York City (New York, NY –February 24, 2015) -- LeChateau Earl Records releases multi-genre recording artist and Sphinx Medal of Excellence recipient new double disc project, Broken To Minister: The Deluxe Edition on March 3. This release marks the first of a series of releases by Sneed and label co-founder, Bishop Iona Locke under their new deal with Central South Distribution.   Broken To Minister: The Deluxe Edition is an extension of Sneed’s 2013 inaugural gospel EP, Broken To Minister , which also featured the debut of Sneed’s gospel ensemble, The Levites. The project also features 15 new songs (20 tracks on the project) including the hit singles, “Broken to Minister” and “Call Him By His Name.”  The new single, “Forever,” is an ...