BET Presents The 12th Annual Celebration Of Gospel Sunday, April 1, 2012

BET NETWORKS RAISES THE PRAISE WITH HEART-WARMING, FOOT-STOMPING, SPIRIT-FILLED PERFORMANCES AT THE 12TH ANNUAL CELEBRATION OF GOSPEL PREMIERING SUNDAY, APRIL 1 AT 8:00 P.M.*

Kirk Franklin, Yolanda Adams, Fred Hammond, Pastor Shirley Caesar, Jennifer Holliday, Le’Andria Johnson, Faith Evans, Johnny Gill, Kelly Price, Amber Riley of “Glee” and More Join Host Steve Harvey For Gospel Music’s Biggest Praise Party

LOS ANGELES, CA – March 27, 2012 – BET Networks makes a joyful noise on Palm Sunday, April 1 at 8:00 p.m.* with the premiere of “CELEBRATION OF GOSPEL 2012 - Rise Up! Renew! Rejoice.” Taped at the historic Orpheum Theatre in Los Angeles, the two-hour show was once again hosted by veteran comedian, actor and radio personality, Steve Harvey. The #1 gospel telecast since its inception brings mainstream artists and gospel greats together on one amazing stage.

Ricky Dillard and New G Choir joined R&B sensation Johnny Gill to open the show with a sensational performance of “He Turned It.” Original Dream Girl Jennifer Holliday and “Glee” star Amber Riley joined gospel legends Pastor Shirley Caesar and Yolanda Adams to pay tribute to Mahalia Jackson, the “Mother of Gospel Music,” four-time Grammy award winner, civil rights activist and vocal powerhouse. The artists performed an anointed gospel medley including “Precious Lord,” “Move on up A Little Higher,” “His Eye is on the Sparrow,” and “How I Got Over” accompanied by organist Moses Tyson, Jr.  Whitney Houston, whose singing gift was anchored in her gospel roots, was remembered with a poignant moment by Kelly Price who sang an emotionally charged rendition of “Jesus Loves Me.”

Additional highlights from the soulful celebration include Grammy-award winner Kirk Franklin and Mali Music coming together to perform their new hit, “Give Me”; James Fortune & FIYA featuring Zacardi Cortez & Le’Andria Johnson blazed the stage with “It Could Be Worse”;  Isaac Carree, former backup singer for Kirk Franklin took center stage for the first time with his old-school inspired performance featuring a surprise guest appearance from Fonzworth Bentley; Ledisi left audience members speechless singing “Holy One”; Ending the night was an awe-inspiring performance from Maurette Brown Clark singing “I Hear the Sound of Victory.”

In addition to musical performances, Dr. Bobby Jones, of BET’s long-running gospel show “BOBBY JONES GOSPEL” and actress Wendy Raquel Robinson of BET’s #1 sitcom “THE GAME” delivered beautiful spoken word selections.

For additional information on BET’s CELEBRATION OF GOSPEL, go to BET.com/celebrationofgospel. Join the conversation on social media by logging on to BET’s multiple social media platforms:
•    On Facebook by liking the fan page at facebook.com/BET
•    On Twitter by using hashtag: #CelebrateGospel and following us @BETGospel
•    On Google plus at bet.us/gplusBET

For up-to-the-minute and archival press information including releases and photographs, visit BET’s press-only website at www.betpressroom.com; members of the press can also follow us on Twitter @BET_PR.    

CELEBRATION OF GOSPEL is a BET Networks production. Stephen Hill, BET’s President of Music Programming and Specials, Lynne Harris Taylor, Vice President of Specials and Music Production and Executive Producer Geovanni Brewer will oversee production. Conductor Ray Chew (“American Idol”) returns as the show’s musical director.

*All times are ET/PT.
**Source: The Nielsen Company

About BET Networks
BET Networks, a subsidiary of Viacom Inc. (NASDAQ: VIA, VIAB), is the nation’s leading provider of quality entertainment, music, news and public affairs television programming for the African-American audience. The primary BET channel reaches more than 90 million households and can be seen in the United States, Canada, the Caribbean, the United Kingdom and sub-Saharan Africa. BET is the dominant African-American consumer brand with a diverse group of business extensions: BET.com, a leading Internet destination for Black entertainment, music, culture, and news; CENTRIC, a 24-hour entertainment network targeting the 25- to 54-year-old African-American audience; BET Digital Networks - BET Gospel and BET Hip Hop, attractive alternatives for cutting-edge entertainment tastes; BET Home Entertainment, a collection of BET-branded offerings for the home environment including DVDs and video-on-demand; BET Event Productions, a full-scale event management and production company with festivals and live events spanning the globe; BET Mobile, which provides ringtones, games and video content for wireless devices; and BET International, which operates BET in the United Kingdom and oversees the extension of BET network programming for global distribution.

CONTACTS:
Zabrina Horton                       Keesha Wallace
(310) 481-3737                       (212) 205-3152          
zabrina.horton@bet.net         keesha.wallace@bet.net

Dorothy Norwood’s “God’s Been Just That Good In Stores & Online Now!!!

New CD available online at www.malaco.com

The debut single, “Just That Good” by Ms. Dorothy Norwood has made it's debut on the Mediabase Top 30 Gospel chart this week.  It pays tribute to her best friend and mentor, The Queen Of Gospel, The Late  Albertina Walker. Upon listening, you will be drawn into worship and your hands will go up in praise.

Available In stores and online now, Dorothy Norwood returns with her latest and possibly the best recording of her illustrious career with the release of “God’s Been Just That Good.” Ms. Norwood’s signature voice is backed by the young, bright, fresh sounding voices of Isaiah Thomas and EOP (Appears Courtesy Of Good Fellas Music Group) and the result is truly a heavenly mix.

Nothing short of a living legend, The World’s Greatest Storyteller , Dorothy Norwood has been entertaining, preaching, uplifting, mentoring, writing, and producing for more than fifty years.

On January 14, 2012, Ms. Dorothy Norwood was the recipient of the prestigious Ambassador Award from Dr. Bobby Jones at The Grand Ole Opry House in Nashville, TN during the 2012 Stellar Awards taping.

For decades, millions have been blessed by her classic, “Victory Is Mine; arguably, one of the greatest congregational hymns of all time which still appears in national commercials and Hollywood feature films such as “The Help”.

Dorothy Norwood officially began her gospel career in 1956, singing with Mahalia Jackson, Reverend James Cleveland, and with one of the greatest female gospel groups of all time, The Caravans. In 1960, she launched her solo career with Savoy Records, recording her first album, Johnny and Jesus in 1964. This release was quickly followed by Denied Mother in 1965, earning Norwood the title, “The World’s Greatest Storyteller.” Both projects certified gold. All total, five albums reached gold status. 1971, she recorded Live with the GMWA Mass Choir of Northern California; Live reached #1 on the Billboard Charts. To her credit, she has also had three top ten gospel albums and been in the top forty fourteen times (Billboard).

In 1972, she became an unlikely opening act for the Rolling Stones’ national tour with Mick Jagger. By 2000, Ms. Norwood was nominated for the Lady of Soul Award for her album, The Lord is a Wonder. She followed that nomination with two more at the 2001 Dove Awards for Ole Rickety Bridge (Traditional Album of the Year) and “There’s Got To Be Rain” (Traditional Gospel Recorded Song of the Year).

In 2005, Norwood won the Soul Train Lady of Soul Award for “Stand on the Word,” and was inducted into the International Gospel Music Hall of Fame twice; for her work as a solo artist as well as with The Caravans. The American Quartet Hall of Fame also inducted The Caravans in 2006 and Norwood reunited with the group to produce what would become a Billboard chart topping album, Paved The Way (Malaco). Paved The Way also garnered nominations in every major industry award group including the Grammy’s, Doves, Stellars, and Soul Train.

For nearly every year of her professional career singing gospel music, Dorothy Norwood has recorded an album.

Dorothy Norwood truly can testify that “God’s Been Just That Good!”

Pick up your copy today at www.malaco.com

YOLANDA ADAMS SPEAKS OUT ON LEXI NEW SINGLE “BURN IT ALL DOWN“ AVAILABLE ONLINE NOW!!!

(Jackson, MS - March 13, 2012) - Lexi, the media personality for Inside Inspiration on the syndicated “Yolanda Adams Morning Show,” and the TV personality / Host on the Word Network’s “The Lexi Show,” releases her highly anticipated single, “Burn It All Down” today at All Digital Outlets. (Malaco Music Group)

Yolanda Adams says, "It has been a while since the masses had a chance to savor the sweet angelic sounds of Ms. Lexi!! I must say that this single has been long awaited. She has not disappointed us with the dynamic original "Burn it all Down". This single is poised for every format and genre of entertainment. This ground-breaking single is and will continue to be a blessing for years to come. I'm ready for the entire project!!! Love you dearly Lexi. Your Big Sis Yolanda Adams"

“Burn It All Down,” is a vivid portrayal of Lexi’s personal journey to restoration and serves as a blueprint to all believers who aspire to have an unadulterated relationship with God.

LEXI MAKES MUSICAL “LIVE” DEBUT - NEW SINGLE “BURN IT ALL DOWN “ AVAILABLE ONLINE 3/13/12

March 10, 2012: Alexis Allen, better known as Lexi, the Media Personality for Inside Inspiration on the syndicated “Yolanda Adams Morning Show,” and the TV Personality and Host on the Word Network’s “The Lexi Show,” is set to release her highly anticipated single, “Burn It All Down” (Malaco Music Group) Tuesday, March 13, 2012 at All digital outlets. On March 9 -10, 2012, Lexi will attend Radio One’s Praise 103.9 Inspiration and Music Conference in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. There she will (as she likes to say) “shake hands, say hello, kiss babies” and make her “Live” performance debut of the single, “Burn It All Down.”

“Burn It All Down” exemplifies Lexi’s new wisdom, persona, style, growth, admiration, worship and spiritual outlook. Like never before, you will witness through song how she has overcome tremendous personal adversity and her maturation as an artist and woman of God which is nothing short of amazing. “Burn It All Down” will bless and inspire you into a place of worship and praise drawing you back to the place when you first believed and received HIM! A new life, a new wholeness – Burn It All Down leaving only God’s truth!

Southern Soul Radio Launches New Website

The Malaco Music Group is proud to announce the launch the redesigned website for Southern Soul Radio (www.southernsoulradio.com). Burton Doss, Director of Information Technology at Malaco stated, "The new Southern Soul Radio website adds a new dimension to our product. We plan to become a destination for all aspects of soul music." The new site offers News, Tour Dates, Top 10 charts, Facebook and Twitter integration as well as the ability to listen online via your computer or mobile device.