My friends and I are headed back to EssenceFest in New Orleans to experience the 25th Anniversary Celebration.
The Gospel Celebration on Sunday was the highlight of my weekend last year and I am very excited that Mary Mary, Yolanda Adams, Donnie McClurkin, Tasha Cobbs Leonard and more have been announced to join the Sunday celebration this year.
Mary Mary is the multi-award winning gospel duo of Erica and Tina Campbell. The sisters broke through in 2000 with the pioneering hit “Shackles (Praise You).” After seven albums and 19+ years of professionally singing, the critically acclaimed Mary Mary has sold more than 5 million albums, toured internationally, graced the covers of high-profile magazines and launched successful, award-winning solo careers. They are loving wives and mothers who are devoted to their faith and families.
Yolanda Adams triumphantly carries the torch for contemporary inspirational music. With 13 releases Yolanda has earned a multitude of accolades including four Grammy Awards and a Tony Nomination. Not only is Yolanda a phenomenal vocalist, she is a record label owner, an author (Points of Power), a designer of Yolanda Adams’ Handbags & Apparel, www.YolandaAdamslive.com, proud mother, and the host on her award winning nationally syndicated radio show “The Yolanda Adams Morning Show”.
GRAMMY®-winning singer/songwriter and Worship Pastor Tasha Cobbs Leonard was named Billboard’s Top Gospel Artist of 2018. She continues to dominate the charts with her recent studio and live albums of the same name, Heart. Passion. Pursuit.
Three-time Grammy winner Pastor Donnie McClurkin debuted as a solo artist in 1996 with his self-titled album, which featured the mega-hits “Stand” and “Speak To My Heart.” Before launching his solo career, McClurkin started the New York Restoration Choir and recorded his first album,I See A World. The classic songs, “We Fall Down” and “Great Is Your Mercy,” both from the double platinum-sellingLive In London and Morealbum were released in 2000. In 2010, he accepted his third Grammy for Best Gospel Performance for the song, “Wait On The Lord,” featuring Karen Clark Sheard. His other top honors include over 12 Stellar Awards; two BET Awards, three NAACP Image Awards, two Soul Train Awards, three Dove Awards, to name a few. McClurkin is excited about sharing new music on his upcoming eighth solo album set for release in 2019 on RCA Records| Camdon Music.