Atlanta Daily World

Karew Records Teams Up With Entertainment One Music

Karew Records, the gospel music label owned by Bishop J. Drew Sheard, senior pastor of Greater Emmanuel Institutional Church of God In Christ in Detroit, and his wife, gospel legend Karen Clark Sheard, today announced the label’s new partnership with Entertainment One Music (eOne Music).

Beginning with a new album to be recorded “live” on September 9 by four-time GRAMMY Award-winner Clark Sheard, the label’s future recordings will be distributed by eOne Music, based out of Nashville, Tenn.

Karew’s roster includes multiple award-winning recording artists Karen Clark Sheard, Kierra Sheard, The Clark Sisters and Jonathan Nelson.  Sheard’s forthcoming album will be recorded in Chicago and produced by the multiple GRAMMY Award-winning producer Donald Lawrence.

Label General Manager Darrell Thompson stated, “On behalf of the Sheard Family, we are looking forward to working with the team at eOne to take the Karew brand to even higher levels of success as we have full access to a marketing and promotions staff that has a track record of delivering hits.  The family has a relationship with the company’s television arm, so it was a natural fit to extend the relationship into the area of music.” Assistant General Manager Cynthia Ellis said “After learning that eOne had recently entered into relationships with Warryn Campbell and Donald Lawrence, the decision was easy for management to choose this venerable company.”

“We are excited to extend the eOne relationship with the Sheard family beyond television into music as well through this new partnership with Karew Records,” said Phil Thornton, Vice President of Marketing and New Business Development at eOne Music, Nashville.  “Not only do the Sheards continue to have a great impact in furthering ministry and gospel music, but in their family, in faith and in business, they truly serve as a constant inspiration. It’s a blessing for eOne to embark on this partnership with Karew Records, and mark another thrilling venture working with one of gospel’s most beloved families, to continue supporting and discovering some of the nation’s best gospel music.”

Bishop and Clark Sheard, along with their daughter, Kierra, and son, J. Drew II, are the subjects of the hit docu-drama series, The Sheards, which premiered on BET in April and airs Sundays at 8 p.m., ET.

Karew Records will continue to distribute Jonathan Nelson’s latest project, Finish Strong, via Motown Gospel (formerly EMI Gospel). Finish Strong was released on April 23 and entered at #1 on Billboard’s Top Gospel Albums chart.  Additionally, the next music offerings by Kierra Sheard and the Clark Sisters will also be handled by Motown Gospel.

In addition to Nelson’s #1 Karew debut album, Finish Strong, the family owned label celebrated a string of successes since its 2009 inception. The multiple GRAMMY® Award-winning Clark Sisters released the first recording on Karew Records (2009) with The Clark Sisters’ Family Christmas.  Clark Sheard’s Karew debut release followed with All in One (2010) and debuted at #3 on Billboard’s Top Gospel Albums chart. Clark Sheard also received the Stellar Gospel Music Award for Female Vocalist of the Year for All In One along with a GRAMMY® nomination for Best Traditional Gospel Album, and GMA Dove and BET nominations. The label has also released daughter Kierra’s, Free album (2011) to rave reviews and a #1 debut on Billboard’s Top Gospel Albums charts. She also was named the winner of the 2013 Stellar Award’s Albertina Walker Female Vocalist of the Year and received numerous other honors and nominations for the Free project.

New Series Offers Reality TV Family with A Gospel Message

Bounce TV (www.BounceTV.com), broadcast television network for African Americans, will premiere its first original non-scripted series, Forever Jones Presented by Walmart on Wednesday, June 5th at 9:00 p.m. ET.

The new reality series will delve into the daily lives and challenges of a close-knit, faith-based family and gospel group "foreverJONES." The series, set in the family's hometown of Shreveport, LA, will run original episodes Wednesday nights at 9:00 p.m. over a six-week period.

The family band "foreverJONES" came to prominence in the gospel music world after their smash single "He Wants it All" won Stellar Awards, was nominated for a GRAMMY® and Dove Award. The group, parents Dewitt and Kim Jones and their five children, combines the spirit of worship and core messages of their faith through music.

Forever Jones Presented by Walmart chronicles each band member as they try to stay united while balancing their own personal dreams and aspirations. One of the issues that the family tackles in the inaugural season involves dealing with a member heading off to college and considering launching a solo career.

Their goal is to weave their way back onto the music charts, while keeping their family together through the trials and struggles that come along with the business.

The kids in the band are led by Dominique "Doe" Jones, the co-writer, vocalist, and acoustic guitarist and plays keyboards for the band. "Doe" is also the youth worship leader at their church and feels like she carries the responsibility for the entire band's success on her shoulders.

D'Jeniele', the eldest of the five siblings, is married with two kids and working on managing her own family along with trying to manage the demands of being in a band. Dewitt Jones IV is the oldest son, simply trying to find his place in the world. Judah, the drummer, is not only branching out for the first time vocally, he is also preparing to depart for college and must decide whether to continue with the band or pursue his athletic dreams.

Mya, the youngest, has pure excitement, love and passion for worship and singing. She joyfully sings background and is learning to play the guitar.

"Every family faces challenges, but Forever Jones spotlights a dynamic, highly relatable, loving and positive-energy family, who also happen to be a well-known band striving for success," said Billy Hall, EVP of Programming and Production for Bounce TV. "This series will provide real-world positive role models that our viewers hunger for, and is a perfect fit for our brand."

Affirmation: I am Strong

It sounds so simple but is really profound. We often sell ourselves short. Building up your emotional strength so that you can both control it and harness the strength it can give you, rather than being held sway by emotional outbursts.

Be positive, optimistic, think positively. Find something good in everything you have, you do, you hear. And find three good things about every person you meet. Meaning, do not hate people. Hatred is weakness. You don’t have to love, just don’t hate and always seek the goodness in others.

Only you can build your self-confidence. Believe deeply in yourself because that’s the first step. But even when you don’t feel so confident, at least do your best to portray confidence. This is a booster in itself and it is important that you keep it up.

'The Gathering' Concert Featured at Wolf Creek

On Saturday, June 8, Wolf Creek Amphitheater will welcome the "The Gathering," a gospel concert presented by Elizabeth Baptist Church's Dr. Craig L. Oliver, Sr.

This gospel concert will feature a full lineup of nationally acclaimed gospel artists, including Tye Tribbett, five-times Stellar award winner Charles Jenkins and Fellowship Chicago, Anita Wilson, Jonathan Nelson, William Murphy, and Season One, Sunday Best Winner Crystal Aikin.

The concert will be held at Wolf Creek Amphitheater, 3025 Merk Rd. SW, College Park, GA 30349, on Saturday, June 8, 2013 at 7:00 p.m. Tickets are $20 for General seating, $30 for reserved seating and $10 for children. For tickets and additional information, log on to www.wolfcreekamphitheater.com.