LeChateau Earl Records releases multi-genre recording artist and Sphinx Medal of Excellence recipient new double disc project, Broken To Minister: The Deluxe Edition on March 3. This release marks the first of a series of releases by Sneed and label co-founder, Bishop Iona Locke under their new deal with Central South Distribution.
Broken To Minister: The Deluxe Edition is an extension of Sneed’s 2013 inaugural gospel EP, Broken To Minister, which also featured the debut of Sneed’s gospel ensemble, The Levites. The project also features 15 new songs (20 tracks on the project) including the hit singles, “Broken to Minister” and “Call Him By His Name.” The new single, “Forever,” is an up-tempo praise and worship song written by Jason Michael Webb, associate musical conductor for the Tony Award-winning Broadway production Motown The Musical. See Soundcloud link of single: (https://soundcloud.com/damiensneed/forever-radio-edit).
This week, the Broken To Minister Promotional Tour will kick-off on Thursday, February 26 in New York City with a concert performance at Sirius XM’s Kirk Franklin’s Praise Channel. The promotional dates will include radio and press visits, along with album release events at churches and other educational institutions. Currently, plans are being finalized for the following dates: Freeport, NY (Friday, February 27); Baltimore, MD (Saturday, February 28); Washington, DC (Sunday, March 1); returning to New York City (Tuesday, March 3); Augusta, GA (Thursday, March 5); Atlanta, GA (Friday, March 6); Nashville, TN (Saturday, March 7); Memphis, TN (Sunday, March 8); Huntsville, AL (Monday, March 9); Birmingham, AL (Tuesday, March 10); Red Hood, NY (Wednesday, March 11); Raleigh, NC (Thursday, March 12); Fayetteville, NC (Friday, March 13); Columbia, SC, (Saturday, March 14); and Charlotte, NC (Sunday, March 15).
This month, Sneed starred in the new PBS documentary, Everyone Has a Place by Dennis Scholl of the Knight Foundation and Marlon Johnson, a six-time Emmy award-winning producer and director, which premiered on Charlotte’s PBS station WTVI. The film captures his journey as the musical conductor of last year’s historic performance of the Abyssinian Mass by Wynton Marsalis during the 16-city national tour. The film features the world-renowned Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra and Sneed’s 70-piece Chorale LeChateau. The documentary was filmed at Charlotte’s Friendship Missionary Baptist Church. Everyone Has a Place will air this year on local PBS stations across the country.
On Sunday, March 22, in partnership with Ginny’s Supper Club in Harlem’s Red Rooster’s restaurant, Sneed will host his inaugural monthly gospel showcase that will feature both national and independent recording artists. Doors open at 6:00 p.m. and the showcase begins at 7:00 p.m. The monthly showcase spring dates are scheduled on Sunday, April 19, and Sunday, May 17. The showcase will resume in September during Gospel Music Heritage Month.
In addition to the promotional tour, Sneed has a series of upcoming concerts and events including promotional opportunities surrounding the 2015 Stellar Gospel Music Awards 30th Anniversary in Las Vegas (March 27-29); the Good Shepherd Baptist Church 75th Anniversary Gala in Augusta, GA (April 17); a concert in conjunction with the Jacob Lawrence exhibit at the Museum of Modern Art (MoMA) in New York City (April 23), Sneed’s Carnegie Hall conducting debut for Marsalis’ “Abyssinian 200: A Celebration” on the legendary Ronald O. Perelman Stage (April 26); Opera Philadelphia at Union Baptist Church (June 8); and the 2nd Annual Levites’ Gathering Conference in Washington, DC (June 10-13).
