Broadcast Music, Inc.® (BMI®), a global leader in music rights management, in partnership with Entertainment One Music (eOne Music), is set to release the BMI Trailblazers of Gospel Music Live 2013 album onOctober 22. Recorded live on January 18 at the 14th annual BMI Trailblazers of Gospel Music Awards Luncheon in Nashville, the album features performances from Pastor Shirley Caesar, Le’Andria Johnson, Donald Lawrence & Company, Yolanda Adams, Kierra Sheard and many more. Each performer – including Anaysha Figueroa whose interpretation of “Holy One” leads the release of the album – delivered a rousing tribute to gospel leaders Edwin Hawkins, Lady Tramaine Hawkins and Kurt Carr, who were honored at the fete. The album can be pre-ordered now at iTunes and Amazon.
The release of the BMI Trailblazers of Gospel Music Live 2013 album marks the first-ever recording from the performing rights organization. This new initiative is a milestone among performing rights organizations and signals BMI’s continued dynamic growth. In celebration of the accomplishment, BMI will host an invitation-only album release party with performances by Anaysha Figueroa, Jason Nelson, Jonathan Nelson and Lisa Knowles on October 22 in Atlanta.
“Releasing a live recording of the performances from the BMI Trailblazers of Gospel Music Awards Luncheon allows a wider audience to experience our salute to the legends of gospel music,” said Catherine Brewton, BMI Vice President, Writer/Publisher Relations, Atlanta, and Executive Producer of the album. “This project pairs some of the brightest stars in gospel music with iconic songs written and performed by trailblazers of the genre.”
“eOne Music is proud to partner with BMI to release a monumental project that captures so many award-winning and beloved artists on one album,” said Phil Thornton, eOne Music Vice President of Marketing & New Business Development. “From the pairings of award-winning icons Pastor Shirley Caesar and Bishop Paul Morton, to the sounds of Donald Lawrence & Company, this one-of-a-kind album is filled with legendary performances and the distinctive voices that they are known for, which continue to inspire and command gospel today.”
“Having served as musical director for the BMI Trailblazers event for the past several years, with the help of my singers The Company, I cannot express how excited I am that this once-a-year experience will now be shared with the public,” commented songwriter Donald Lawrence. “ This year’s event was a special one, where some of today’s best artists, such as Yolanda Adams, CeCe Winans, Kierra Sheard, Le’Andria Johnson and others, paid tribute to some of gospel music’s legends, who happen to be personal favorites of mine, Edwin and Tramaine Hawkins and Kurt Carr. It was an incredible concert filled with many uplifting moments, and I cannot wait for the public to be able to listen in on this unique musical experience!”
Produced by music director Joe “Flip” Wilson and songwriter Donald Lawrence – with BMI’s Catherine Brewton and BMI Executive Director, Writer/Publisher Relations Wardell Malloy serving as executive producers – the album captures the essence of the Trailblazers Luncheon. The annual fete, which is part industry celebration and part awe-inspiring worship service, attracts gospel music’s premier songwriters, brightest stars and leading industry executives.
The BMI Trailblazers of Gospel Music Live 2013 album’s track listing features the following artists and songs:
1. “In The Sanctuary” – Donald Lawrence & Company
2. “I Need Your Spirit (Fall Fresh On Me)” – Jason Nelson and Jonathan Nelson
3. “Holy One” – Anaysha Figueroa featuring CeCe Winans
4. “He Brought Me” – Yolanda Adams featuring CeCe Winans
5. “I Almost Let Go” – Sheri Jones-Moffett
6. “Oh Happy Day” – Pastor Shirley Caesar & Bishop Paul Morton
7. “Changed” – Le’Andria Johnson
8. “Oh My Soul Loves Jesus” – Lisa Knowles
9. “For Every Mountain” – Amber Bullock
10. “This Day” – Kierra Sheard
BMI’s impressive roster of gospel songwriters includes Kirk Franklin, Fred Hammond, Donnie McClurkin, Yolanda Adams, Jessica Reedy, Marvin Sapp, Twinkie Clark, BeBe Winans, Israel Houghton, Kim Burrell and many more. To read more about the BMI Trailblazers of Gospel Music Live 2013 album and our gospel music leaders, visit http://www.bmi.com/genres/gospel
