Boardwalk Hall makes its debut into the contemporary gospel world Saturday, January 2 when some of the biggest and best known artists, including Donnie McClurkin, Mary Mary, Fred Hammond and JMoss, take to the stage for a spiritual celebration. Tickets to “A New Year Gospel Celebration” will go on sale Monday, October 26 at noon and are priced at $65, $50 and $35. Showtime is 5:00 p.m.
Pastor Donnie McClurkin grew up in Amityville, New York amidst domestic violence and drug abuse, but an aunt who sang with gospel great Andrae Crouch introduced Donnie to the man who would prove to be his mentor. Playing keyboards with his church youth choir prior to forming the McClurkin Singers with relatives and friends in 1979, he followed a calling to preach and started the NY Restoration Choir, recording his first album I See A World in 1989. Two major events were to change his life forever. Just as he was appointed as an associate minister at Marvin Winans’ Perfecting Church in Detroit, he was stricken with leukemia. While battling the disease, Donnie continued to record as a solo artist and was signed by Warner Alliance Records, where his soaring tenor voice was showcased in his self-titled album. He vaulted into national recognition after appearing on Oprah Winfrey’s show and since has earned a trophy case full of Dove and Stellar Awards in addition to an NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Gospel Artist. In 2001 Donnie established his own Perfecting Faith Church in Freeport, New York while remaining focused on his musical works, recording Again in 2003 and the double CD Psalms, Hymns & Spiritual Songs in 2005, each one capturing Grammy Awards. He most recently recorded We All Are One (Live in Detroit) with guests CeCe Winans, Yolanda Adams, Mary Mary and Karen Clark-Sheard.
Urban gospel superstars Mary Mary have traveled a road bedecked with Grammy, Dove, Stellar, MOBO and America Music Awards. Since recording their first single, Shackles (Praise You) in 2000, sisters Tina and Erica Campbell have blended their dynamic voices and truth-grounded gospel music to produce innovative and original music. However, their newest release, THE SOUND, melds a blend of gospel, R&B, pop, soul, jazz and electronic music for their most powerful and eclectic collection of songs. The album held the #1 position on the Billboard Gospel Album chart for more than six months since its release in October, 2008. Worshipful and streetwise, THE SOUND embodies Mary Mary’s pursuit of musical perfection and their roots in music and worship. The sisters grew up as part of a large
family of nine children in Inglewood, California with both parents active in the ministry and church choir. After touring with their parents and siblings in traveling gospel shows and appearing on some television productions, the sisters enrolled at El Camino College to study voice. Later, through a song publishing relationship with EMI music, a series of songs landed on soundtracks, including their performance of "Let Go, Let God" for The Prince of Egypt that won two Grammys, and they wrote "Dance" and performed it with Robin S. for the soundtrack to the 1998 film Dr. Dolittle.
Fred Hammond has been recognized by music listeners worldwide as a talented songwriter, bassist, vocalist, musical arranger and producer for 25 years. As a solo artist, founder of the urban group Commissioned, and his work with Radical for Christ combined, Fred has sold more than 7 million albums and earned numerous accolades and nominations, including the Grammy, BET, NAACP Image, Stellar, Dove and GMWA Excellence awards. He is founder and CEO of Face To Face Productions Corporation and served as producer for more than 80 album projects, thus dominating the gospel marketplace. His 1998 album Pages of Life; Chapters 1 & 2 exceeded double platinum status and was #1 on the Billboard Gospel charts for more than 15 weeks. His latest release, 2006’s Free To Worship, also topped Billboard’s Gospel charts and ranked as one of the year’s top selling Gospel albums. Fred has parlayed his musical and touring success onto big screen, appearing in the movie The Gospel with a cast of leading Gospel artists, and has produced the soundtrack for the film Mama I Wanna Sing. He wrote and directed the musical drama Been There, Done That. A prolific entertainer, Fred Hammond performs an average of 30 weeks per year and has made television appearances on the Stellar Awards, Lou Rawls Parade of Stars, BET’s Celebration of Gospel Music and Walk Of Fame, Praise The Lord and The 700 Club, among others.
Singer/musician/songwriter JMoss hails from Gospel music royalty as the son of Bill Moss, Sr., founder of the ‘70s Gospel act Bill Moss & The Celestials, the nephew of Dr. Mattie Moss Clark and cousins to The Clark Sisters. Born and raised in Detroit, James began singing at age four with his brother Bill, Jr., and as The Moss Brothers, they recorded two albums in seven years. After his musical calling pulled him away from Michigan State University, he spent time developing knowledge of the music industry and was introduced Paul “PDA” Allen and Walter Kearney, who were to become PAJAM Productions partners with JMoss and his cousin Karen Clark-Sheard. In 2004 he released The J. Moss Project, a compilation that featured his tenor voice and strong choir backing. He released Billboard Gospel albums chart topper and Grammy nominated V2:The Voice Returns in 2007. His newest work, JUST JAMES, is a very personal project that reflects the challenges and relationships of his life. JMoss has been on tour opening for CeCe Winans on “the McDonalds Inspiration Celebration Gospel Tour” and is currently under training to the preaching ministry.
Tickets for this show can be purchased at the Boardwalk Hall Box Office, all Ticketmaster locations, at ticketmaster.com or by calling 1-800-736-1420. For a special group offer, please call 609-348-7021.
ABOUT BOARDWALK HALL
Historic Boardwalk Hall, which first opened in 1929, underwent a three year, $90 million renovation to transform the building into a modern special events arena capable of variable seating for up to 14,770 people. Listed on the National Register of Historic Landmarks, Boardwalk Hall's renovation produced a glimpse into the dramatic and original Roman Renaissance style, while providing a 21st century experience in terms of comfort and amenities. Upon its reopening in 2001, it has been recognized as the destination’s premier entertainment venue, known for high profile concerts, family shows, and sporting events. SMG manages Boardwalk Hall on behalf of its client, the Atlantic City Convention & Visitors Authority. Visit us at http://www.boardwalkhall.com for more information. For destination information about Atlantic City, please visit http://www.atlanticcitynj.com.
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The Atlantic City Convention & Visitors Authority serves as the destination's principal marketing arm, stimulating economic growth through convention, business and leisure tourism development. The Authority oversees the management of the Atlantic City Convention Center and Boardwalk Hall. The Authority is the first destination marketing organization in New Jersey to achieve prestigious Destination Marketing Accreditation by the Destination Marketing Association International. For complete Atlantic City information, visit www.atlanticcitynj.com.
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