::THE SLICE REPORT WITH MONA AUSTIN

By Mona Austin Recorded in Los Angeles on December 11, the eleventh installment of BET's Celebration of Gospel felt like a  welcome home concert for legendary R&B acts, as once wayward singers  found sanctuary on the Orpheum Theatre stage. Hosted by actor/comedian Steve Harvey, the show unites gospel and R&B talent for an all-out celebration of the music that has shaped Black Music as a whole--the music of the church. By the end of the evening, however  R&B  stole show. Representing the R&B side there were performances by El Debarge, Chaka Khan, Howard Hewitt, Chante Moore, Kelly Price and a surprise performance by Whitney Houston. Without a doubt, Debarge, Chaka and Houston were the stand out acts of the night. Joining in with Chaka, many swaying and waving their hands with their eyes closed,  feeling it, attendees sang: "You touch me and something in me knows. . .Right down to the wire. Even through the fire. . ."  And even ...

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...

Young Quartet King’s New CD Will Hits Stores Tuesday, January 25th Keith “Wonderboy” Johnson is by far the most successful quartet singer of his generation. The man behind quartet hits such as “Send A Revival” and “Let Go and Let God” has a new album with his group, The Spiritual Voices, in the works. It’s entitled, " Back 2 Basics ," and is scheduled to hit stores in the first quarter of 2011. The mellow R&B-flavored radio single, “ True Love ,” is currently #23 on the Radio & Records gospel airplay chart and climbing. “Over the years, I’ve put my trust in a lot of people and they let me down,” Johnson confesses. “I had to go back and realize that Jesus Christ is the only true love who will never let me down.” “I call the album Back 2 Basics because my group is known for doing traditional music that everybody can listen to,” Johnson explains. “My record label started bringing in producers and songwriters with a different sound than mine to expand m...

Special Airs Live Friday, March 4, on FOX The 42ND NAACP IMAGE AWARDS nominees were announced today during a live press conference from the Paley Center for Media in Beverly Hills, CA. Actresses Kimberly Elise and Sanaa Lathan, actor/rapper Curtis "50 Cent" Jackson, singer/songwriter Smokey Robinson, actor Columbus Short and Actor/Comedian Affion Crockett joined NAACP IMAGE AWARDS chairman Clayola Brown and 42ND NAACP IMAGE AWARDS executive producer Vic Bulluck to announce the categories and nominees. The 42nd NAACP IMAGE AWARDS celebrates the accomplishments of people of color in the fields of television, music, literature and film. The awards also honor individuals or groups who promote social justice through creative endeavors during the two-hour event airing live Friday, March 4 (8:00-10:00 PM ET live/PT tape-delayed) on FOX. ABC and NBC lead the nominees in the TV categories, each with 18 nominations, followed by TBS with 12, CBS with 10, and Lifetime Movie Network w...

Singer Also Receives Multiple Wins In The Songwriters Association of Washington Mid-Atlantic Song Contest (Washington, D.C.) - January 20, 2011 - The Nation's Capital boasts a number of gospel icons.  One of the hottest towns for gospel music is also the home of up-and-coming artist and smooth-sounding gospel crooner Charles McPhatter.  A solo artist and former member of the gospel group, Christopher Page & The Dreamkeeper's Ensemble, McPhatter is a gifted singer and songwriter whose family is related to late soul singer Clyde McPhatter of the Drifters and the Dominoes. Charles' most recent release, Life Songs, a collection of uplifting, contemporary gospel tunes, has been receiving rave reviews as well as accolades.  The Washington Area Music Association (WAMA), the organization which recognizes the talents of local artists, took note of McPhatter who was just nominated for two 2011 awards: Gospel/Inspirational Vocalist and Gospel/Inspirational Recording...