Dream In Soul – Creativity for the Kingdom:

The Merge Summit, a conference that gives those interested the entertainment industry a faith-based perspective, returns to Los Angeles, August 26-28, 2010. The program will feature top industry talent and executives including Suzanne de Passe, Pauletta Washington, Niecy Nash, Wendy Raquel Robinson, Sheryl Lee Ralph, Tia Mowry, Bishop Paul S. Morton, Bishop Noel Jones, Kirk Franklin, Hezekiah Walker, Chrisette Michele, J. Moss, Brian Courtney Wilson, Myron Williams and more.

For more information and registration for the event, visit http://www.themergesummit.com and view the press release for the event below:

From the Merge Summit Press Release
(Los Angeles, CA – August 11, 2010) — Some of the top names in the entertainment industry have joined the all star line-up for THE MERGE SUMMIT 2010. Following the great success of last year’s inaugural conference, Relevé Entertainment announced last month that THE MERGE SUMMIT 2010 will return to the Millennium Biltmore Hotel in Los Angeles, CA, Thursday, August 26 through Saturday, August 28, 2010. THE MERGE SUMMIT’s founder, Dr. Holly Carter, serves as chairperson and Robi Reed as co-chairperson of the event. The three-day conference integrates faith and entertainment and provides a platform and educational forum for men and women of faith to interface and partner with executives and talent in the entertainment industry from New York to Hollywood (see full schedule below).

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From the album “This Is Our God” from Hillsong.

Freely you gave it all for us
Surrendered your life upon that cross
Great is your love / Poured out for all
This is our God

Lifted on high from death to life
Forever our God is glorified
Servant and King / Rescued the world
This is our God…

– From “This Is Our God”

Kari Jobe recently released her first music video for her song “You Are For Me,” from her self-titled album. The video and song have such a beautiful message and atmosphere. Check it out and Kari sharing her heart about the story behind the song below:

“I know that you are for me, I know that you are for me
I know that you will never forsake me in my weakness
I know that you have come down
Even if to write upon my heart
To remind me who you are…”
– From “You Are For Me” by Kari Jobe

More videos about the story behind the song below:

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Check out Trip Lee’s official video for song “The Invasion (Hero)” featuring Jai, with cameos by Jimmy Needham and Sho Baraka. The video is like a “mini-movie” with a really creative plot and concept; what do you think of it?

Be sure to get “Between Two Worlds” on iTunes, the Reach Records storefront, or wherever music is sold. The album has been doing very well, reaching the No. 1 spot on both the Billboard Contemporary Christian chart and the Billboard Gospel chart, according to Reach Records. The album also debuted on the iTunes’ Top 10 Albums chart and was No. 5 on the Hip-Hop/Rap Albums chart.

Trip Lee’s New Album Between Two Worlds

Melding the Gospel and rap, Trip Lee’s new album Between Two Worlds (Reach Records) was recently released, also featuring Lecrae, Sho Baraka, Jimmy Needham, Jai and others. Based on the singles that were released and previewing the album, I’m excited to get my own copy and listen to it in its entirety. Along with the freshly delivered rhymes signature of Trip Lee, the story behind the creation of this project reflects on its deeper substance:

Look around. You can see it. Listen closely. You can hear it. This fallen world is groaning and so are we. A fallen people, in a fallen place, facing fallen situations. Since Adam sinned, this has been our plight.

Trip Lee finds himself in an in-between state-longing for the recreation of our world, yet still trying to navigate through it. His third album, “Between Two Worlds,” offers listeners a collection of personal reflections that echo the struggles of humanity and the joys offered in the solution… Continue Reading

You can also read an interview Trip Lee did about the album with The Gospel Coalition’s Justin Taylor by clicking here. Visit the Reach Records website to listen to tracks from the album and to order. Also check out the two part “Between Two Worlds” Reflection videos below:

Behind the Music: John Mark McMillan on “How He Loves” and Upcoming Album The Medicine

“The love I’m singing about in that song is really not a pretty, clean, not a Hollywood hot pink love… It’s the kind of love that is willing to love things that are messy…”

In the video below John Mark McMillan who wrote the worship song “How He Loves” talks about the story behind the song. In frustration, pain, brokenness, he pieced together an understanding of God’s love that touches us tenderly within our darkest circumstances – and because the feeling is so mutual the song has blown across the world.

John Mark McMillan’s upcoming project, The Medicine, (a re-release) will be available on July 6, 2010. Visit his website at www.thejohnmark.com to pre-order and for updates on his tour and projects. Also see the video below where he describes the vision behind The Medicine.

John Mark McMillan on His Upcoming Album The Medicine

Israel Houghton in the Studio & Deeper Conference 2010

Get ready, Israel Houghton is currently in the studio recording his next album “LOVE GOD LOVE PEOPLE the London Sessions” and so far has been collaborating with artists including Kirk Franklin, Take 6 and Fred Hammond. He recently wrote a blog about his anticipation and excitement for the album. Click here to read the blog on his site.

Also be sure to register for Israel & New Breed’s 4th Annual Deeper 2010 Worship Conference, August 25 – 28th in Houston, The conference is for everyone with a passion for a lifestyle of worship, including Pastors, Worship Teams, Vocalists, Musicians and is aimed to “empower leadership, equip those involved in all areas of music and production and to propel worshipers to action through all who attend.” Visit www.deeperconferences.com for more information and to register.

Group 1 Crew’s EP Spacebound & Free Download

Group 1 Crew released their EP Spacebound at the beginning of June, and rose to #1 in the iTunes Top Christian & Gospel Albums Chart. I love the energy and youthful blend of sounds they mix in the five new songs. One of my favorites is “Walking on the Stars,” which talks about realizing the greatness of God amid the bustle of our lives. You can download the song for free by visiting their site (click here). Listen to the entire EP streamed online from their Facebook page, and visit www.group1crew.com for tour dates and more updates. Click here to order the EP on iTunes.

Watch Manwell talk about the meaning of the song “Walking on the Stars” below:

The Buzz from Around the Web

Read a Recap of the Season Finale of Sunday Best – Gospel Pundit

Video: Sunday Best 3 Finale -See LeAndria Crowned Sunday Best – 1800Gospel.com

DeWayne Woods & When Singers Meet New Release “My Lyric’s Life” – Review on GospelFlava.com

Steven Curtis Chapman and Family’s Extraordinary Tour “A Night with the Chapmans” To Hit U.S. Cities This Fall – CCMmagazine.com



World Vision Presents the Make A Difference Tour 2010 Featuring Michael W. Smith, TobyMac, Third Day & Max Lucado

Gospel Artists Including Kirk Franklin, Shirley Caesar, Mary Mary, The Clark Sisters, Tye Tribbett & More to Attend the ESSENCE Music Festival