For the third consecutive year, Grammy, Stellar, Dove, BET and NAACP Image Award-winning Gospel mega-star Fred Hammond returns to the road with the Festival of Praise 2016 Tour, the star-studded national event he founded several years ago. The kick off date is October 7th, at Oakland’s Paramount Theatre, and will reach over 50 major cities across the country, running through December, 2016. (See list of confirmed dates, cities and venues below with more to follow.)
“FOP 2016 is going to be off the chain!,” Hammond said, adding, “ The thing I love about this tour is that no matter who you are or where you’ve come from, you’re guaranteed to have a great time, something is surely going to inspire you, and you’re going to want to come back again and again! You definitely don’t want to miss this so don’t be late because we’ve got an incredible show planned from beginning to end!”
One of the most revered singer/songwriter/producers in Christian music today, Fred Hammond is the triple threat that has gone on to sell over 10 million albums worldwide. He is considered the architect behind the “Urban Praise & Worship” phenomenon in Gospel music today.
The Detroit native who is now based in Dallas where tour production is currently underway, plans to release a new cd to coincide with the tour; the new cd is expected out in October on RCA Records.
The Festival of Praise Tour 2016 will feature performances by the biggest names in the industry, from Hezekiah Walker, the singer/composer/choir leader/radio host, and visionary founder and Senior Pastor of the Love Fellowship Tabernacle Churches in Brooklyn, and Bensalem, PA., to the electrifying Israel Houghton & New Breed, bringing the voices and sounds of music with African, Middle Eastern and South American slants, and Karen Clark Sheard, the multi-Grammy® winner and former member of the legendary female group, The Clark Sisters. The lineup also features Casey Janice Hobbs, “Casey J,” best known for her Number 1 hit song, “Fill Me Up,” and Regina Belle, who recorded the Grammy® winning song, “A Whole New World,” for the film, Aladdin. Comedian “Earthquake” will serve as show host.
TOUR DATES/CITIES/VENUES AS FOLLOWS (More dates to be announced):
| Fri | 10/7/2016 | Oakland | CA | Paramount Theatre |
| Sat | 10/8/2016 | Los Angeles | CA | Pantages Theatre |
| Sun | 10/9/2016 | San Diego | CA | San Diego Civic Center |
| Mon | 10/10/2016 | Phoenix | AZ | Comerica Theatre |
| Thurs | 10/13/2016 | Omaha | NE | Ralston Arena |
| Fri | 10/14/2016 | Denver | CO | Bellco Theatre |
| Sat | 10/15/2016 | Kansas City | MO | Municipal Auditorium |
| Sun | 10/16/2016 | Park City | KS | Hartman Arena |
| Wed | 10/19/2016 | Milwaukee | WI | Christian Faith Fellowship Church |
| Thu | 10/20/2016 | Grand Rapids | MI | DeVos Performance Hall |
| Fri | 10/21/2016 | Detroit | MI | Fox Theatre |
| Sat | 10/22/2016 | Merrillville | IN | Star Plaza |
| Sun | 10/23/2016 | St Louis | MO | Fox Theatre |
| Fri | 10/28/2016 | Savannah | GA | Civic Center |
| Sat | 10/29/2016 | Atlanta | GA | Fox Theatre |
| Thu | 11/3/2016 | Salisbury | MD | Wicomico Youth and Civic Center |
| Fri | 11/4/2016 | Baltimore | MD | Lyric Opera House |
| Sat | 11/5/2016 | Philadelphia | PA | Liacouras Center |
| Sun | 11/6/2016 | Norfolk | VA | Ted Constant Convocation Center |
| Mon | 11/7/2016 | Pittsburgh | PA | Heinz Hall |
| Thu | 11/10/2016 | Newark | NJ | Newark Prudential Hall |
| Fri | 11/11/2016 | Washington DC | Constitution Hall | |
| Sun | 11/13/2016 | Rochester | NY | Rochester Blue Cross Arena |
| Mon | 11/14/2016 | Albany | NY | Palace Theatre |
| Thurs | 11/17/2016 | Baton Rouge | LA | Bethany World Prayer Center (North Campus) |
| Sat | 11/19/2016 | Austin | TX | Frank Erwin Center |
| Sun | 11/27/2016 | South Haven | MS | Landers Center |
| Wed | 11/30/2016 | Pompano | FL | Pompano Beach Amphitheater |
| Sat | 12/3/2016 | Orlando | FL | Calvary Orlando |
