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Thursday, July 5, 2007

Star-Studded Gospel Weekend



Major label RCA Records has announced the first ever three-day international Gospel event in the UK. Gospel Gathering UK will take place from Friday 16 to Sunday 18 November 2007 at Butlins Holiday resort in Minehead and is to feature a host of acts from both sides of the Atlantic.

Headlining the bill is multi-award winning and platinum-selling US Gospel superstar Kirk Franklin whose current album "Hero" has already scored a UK radio hit "Looking For You" which received heavy rotation on London's No.1 station for Hip Hop and R&B, Choice FM. Franklin will be joined by his US counterparts Mary Mary (pictured) who reached Top 5 in the UK Charts with their hit "Shackles (Praise You)" and Donnie McClurkin who famously recorded his best-seller project (over one million copies sold) "Live in London" at the Fairfield Halls in Croydon.

The UK will also have strong representation with British Gospel pioneers Raymond & Co and current high-flyers Four Kornerz leading the way. Plus, more contemporary Church Praise & Worship input from Muyiwa & Riversongz, Mark Beswick and Roger Samuels. Bishop John Francis who was named in Gospel Today's "Ten World-Class Pace Setting Pastors" and released his solo debut album this year, will hold a special Sunday service to close out the weekender.

Bultins Resorts have long been associated with the great British getaway but visitors to the Gospel Gathering UK in Minehead will experience much improved facilities with top-of-the-range leisure and sports complexes, cinema, shopping and a range of more adrenalin-pumping activities like "aerial trekking" where the bravest guests can have a go at abseiling and climbing an 83ft high wall.

In the tradition of All Tomorrows Parties/Southport Weekenders, Gospel Gathering UK will take place over the course of a weekend where outside of the live music there will be across the board entertainment for all the family: Music workshops, a talent show (where the winner gets to open for Kirk Franklin), pastime activities ranging from go-karting to hair and nail salons and shops selling everything from jewellery through to books. A vast range of catering will be made available providing fast food, contemporary dishes and African/Caribbean cuisine.

(Photo Caption: Mary Mary; Photo Credits: Provided Courtesy Of UB1 Music)

3 comments:

Anonymous said...

sounds like fun

Anonymous said...

You can see pictures of Muyiwa at Gospelfest 2005 in the next adress: http://www.culsentravel.com/cgi-bin/mods/villages/index.cgi?action=seesection&cual=Barbados%20Gospelfest%202005

Anonymous said...

Gospel Gathering UK Changes To London Venue (17.09.07)

Due to logistical reasons Gospel Gathering has now changed venues, moving from Butlins in Minehead to Indig02 at the 02 arena in London.

On November 16th 2007 some of the most famous and celebrated names in Gospel music will perform at the UK’s first ever two-day international Gospel music event. The event will take place at London’s premier venue, Indig02. It will be the first time that such an array of artists such as Kirk Franklin, Mary Mary, Donnie McClurkin, Raymond & Co., Roger Samuels and Muyiwa & Riversongz, Mark Beswick, Four Kornerz have all performed on the same bill in this country.

On Friday night Donnie McClurkin will top the bill, supported by Roger Samuels, Mark Beswick & Power Praise. On Saturday, Mary Mary and Kirk Franklin will headline supported by Muyiwa & Riversongz, Raymond & Co. and Four Kornerz.

Outside of the live music, there will be a talent contest for upcoming young UK Gospel acts held during the day on Friday and Saturday. Also on Saturday day The Oasis Awards, Europe’s premier Gospel awards show, will take place. Having launched in 2002 the Oasis Awards have historically attracted artists from the UK, Europe and the USA. In 2007 the line up of artists will be both established and upcoming artists both from the Gospel and CCM fields of music.

Gospel Gathering UK is brought to you by RCA Records in association with AEG Live. The event from November 16th to November 17th will not only be the biggest Gospel music celebration ever in Europe, but will be the first of many such Gospel Gatherings in the UK.

The influence and reach of Gospel music is increasing daily. In the US the number of radio stations offering round the clock Gospel programming is rising by over 100% year-on-year. Here in the UK the Official UK Charts Company are in the process of ensuring that all Gospel outlets are chart registered, meaning by the end of 2007 Gospel music will start appearing in the top 40. Meanwhile there is such a significant rise in those attending Black Minority and Ethnic churches in the UK that the overall decline in church attendance here is being slowed down dramatically.

There could not be, therefore, a more opportune time for the launch of the biggest gospel celebration in UK history: Gospel Gathering UK.

Tickets for the show are available from Friday 21st September via Ticketmaster 0844 844 0002, See Tickets 0870 405 0448, Ticket Line 0870 444 5556, or www.theindigo2.com