Mike Chandler is a 30-year broadcasting veteran who owns the Rejoice Musical Soul Food network of 39 gospel radio stations. April Chandler is a former record label promoter who worked with artists such as Boyz II Men, Natalie Cole and Bobby McFerrin before launching HBK Media that handles marketing for corporations such as Cracker Barrel. Together, this power couple is bringing their respective resources together to present the first annual Musical Soul Food Festival this weekend. “The Virginia Beach area is the perfect place for gospel music and family-friendly fun,” says April Chandler. “We have great beaches, restaurants and nice hotels that make this the perfect place to vacation.”
Thousands are expected to converge on the Hampton Roads area this weekend for the inaugural festival that kicks off Friday night with a concert featuring dynamic gospel acts such as Latice Crawford, Bryan Popin, Damon Little and Chrystal Rucker.
Then, everybody heads to the beautiful sixty-acre Chesapeake City Park on Saturday, June 25th from 3:00 to 9:00 PM for a non-stop concert that will be hosted by Dr. Bobby Jones (who hosted cable TV’s longest running TV series “Bobby Jones Gospel” on BET for 35 years). The stage will feature performances by today’s best-known gospel artists such as Grammy Award winner Dorinda Clark Cole, Brian Courtney Wilson, Jonathan Nelson, Melvin Williams, Virtue, J.J. Hairston & Youthful Praise, Ruth La’Ontra, Bryan Andrew Wilson, Micah Stampley, The Virginia Aires, Dottie Peoples, Earl Bynum, the MacDonald Sisters, Keith “Wonderboy” Johnson, Myron Butler and more.
While the concert is thundering through the park, there will be activities ranging from basketball challenges to Zumba and line dancing. The festival is made possible with the support of Cracker Barrel Old Country Stores, Toyota of Elizabeth City and others.
Musical Soulfood Network (MSF) is a multi-media content provider that primarily targets African-American and urban consumers with family friendly content. Rejoice! Musical Soulfood, the radio format was created in 2000 by WALT DISNEY/ABC Radio Networks company. Today Musical Soulfood, now owned by CHS Enterprises, a minority owned broadcasting company, can be heard in over 140+ markets.
HBK Media produces live concerts, special events and on-site sponsorship engagements. The firm also develops innovative multimedia strategies and tactics that are focused on aggressively driving brand and business growth in the multi-cultural marketplace.
