‘Preachers of LA’ get real on Oxygen, premiering October 9, 2013
*“People will see how imperfect we are,” said Los Angeles mega-Pastor and Billboard Chart topping Deitrick Haddon about the reality show he and five other L.A. mega-preachers are on in the new Oxygen reality series “Preachers in LA.” “It’s a perfect way to re-introduce the Kingdom.”
“Preachers of LA” premieres Wednesday, October 9, 2013 at 10:0 p.m. ET/PT. Haddon joins Bishop Clarence McClendon, Pastor Jay Haizlip, Pastor Wayne Chaney, Bishop Ron Gibson and Bishop Noel Jones as the network follows their every move day to day.
The audience will watch different levels of preaching, see different ways of winning souls, discover their different lifestyles and get a glimpse into their communities and people they serve.
It will show everybody…that men of God and women of God are people,” Bishop Noel said about the reality show.
Preachers of LA” is produced by Lemuel Plummer and Holly Carter.
Grammy winning Donald Lawrence releases ‘Best for Last’ celebrating 20 years in Gospel music
*Grammy Award winning Gospel singer, songwriter and producer Donald Lawrence releases his newest album titled “Vol. I: Best for Last” in celebration of 20 years in the Gospel music industry on the Quiet Water/Entertainment One Music imprint.
“A lot of them have great stories,” Donald Lawrence said about the collection of songs you will hear in his project – which has guest appearances by Lalah Hathaway, Natalie Grant, Faith Evans, Kelly Price, Yolanda Adams, Coko (SWV), Ted & Sheri, Tri-City Singers, Tobbi White Darks and Rudy Currence. “Some (guests) were friends, they knew my work. I lot of them I’m a fan. I said, ‘Hey I’m going to do this song.’ And I’ve always had great singers.”
Lawrence is currently on the “Best for Last” tour which started September 19, 2013 and continues into November. On Saturday Oct. 5th he will be in Chicago, Oct. 6th in Detroit, Oct. 8th in Atlanta, and he will end the tour Nov. 2nd in Los Angeles at the Nokia Theatre at L.A. Live.
“Best for Last” is co-produced by Lawrence, Daniel Weatherspoon and Percy Bady.
“I was actually music director for Stephanie Mills and I had a lot of songs,” he said when asked about the start of his solo career, which has lasted 20 years. “I just wanted to record the songs. Then a choir recorded one…it just evolved.”
My favorite cuts on the album include “The Gift” – love that lead guitar support – and the title track “Best for Last” featuring Yolanda Adams because it’s a great inspirational song – both also reached Gospel’s Top 5 Charts upon release as singles. I also like “Mighty God” featuring Coko (SWV) – loved how that choir rocked the background vocals, and “Instrument” featuring Rudy Currence, is a favorite because his vocals on this are very impressive.
Visit Donald Lawrence’s website at www.DonaldLawrence.com for more information on the “Best for Last” album or the “Best for Last” tour.
Terry Crews, the voice of former cop Earl in Cloudy 2, is in high demand
*“Soul food verses man,” Terry Crews laughed when we talked about maybe a sequel to Cloudy 2, a “Cloudy 3: In the Hood.” This was his comment at a recent news conference to promote the recent Columbia Pictures Animation Cloudy with a Chance of Meatball 2. “And It will have to have macaroni and cheese.”
Crews is the voice of Earl Devereaux, voiced in the original Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs by Mr. T, a former police office currently working at a coffee house. He becomes the protector of the main characters as they try to save the world from an invention that turned water into food, but has malfunctioned and now the food comes out alive and ready to attack.
“I took my whole family to the studio, but we didn’t see the whole film yet,” he pointed out before the September 27, 2013 release of the film. “We’re excited. We’re going to the premiere, it will give me a chance to weigh-in.”
When I told him his character was one of the casts of animated characters that I walked away, after screening the film for review, remembering his lines – such as his “not on my watch” – he said, “I learned a long time ago when you have 30 seconds, just bring it. Be your best. I am so happy to be a part of this. I love being around comedy, we can’t take ourselves seriously.”
Crews said he has a project with Tyler Perry coming out called Single Mom’s Club. It’s slated to hits theaters May 9, 2014 and also stars Perry and Nia Long.
The former NFL player’s credits include starring roles in “Everybody Hates Chris;” The Expendables, “Are We There Yet?” on TBS; his reality show on BET “The Family Crews; The Longest Yard, with Adam Sandler; Old Spice commercials, “Arrested Development,” “The Newsroom,” Friday After Next, White Chicks and Bridesmaids.
You can find out more about Terry Crews, the leading-man-in-high-demand, at his website www.TerryCews.com.
The 4th Annual Style Lounge & Party by Bergman PR was exquisite at Fig & Olive in West Hollywood
*I was invited to cover the 4th Annual Style Lounge & Party again this year by Doris Bergman of Bergman PR which hosted the event. The event is to support the current and past Emmy Award nominated and winning actors.
The first person I saw, walking out the door with bags of items supplied by a list of businesses, was legendary actor Robert Wagner (“NCIS,” “The League”). The location was different this year, held at the world-renowned Fig & Olive in West Hollywood and from what I could see they provided a great staff and atmosphere.
In the garden area of the restaurant there were many upscale companies and designers of all kinds showcasing, and providing free samplings to the celebrity fill exquisitely orchestrated event.
Emmy winners, nominees and celebrity supporters came by all day to take part of not only free merchandise, but free drinks and delicious items to eat. During my brief stay I had a chance to talk to Alicia Lagano of Lifetime’s “The Client List”, Chelsie Hightower (“Dancing With The Stars”), and Gleb Savchenko, there representing the Emmy nominated seasons of “Dancing With The Stars.”
“It was great how far we got…we went through five,” said choreographer Gleb Savchenko about his run of seasons with Dancing With The Stars as mentor to celebrities – that are not necessarily dancers. “Dealing with a person who never danced before…its such a long process, but I try to always be open minded. But it’s really difficult and really challenging.”
Presenters of this year’s event were Nature Flavors and Whitening Lighting. Some of the merchants there included Nitro Cream, Honest Tea, Bon*Bon, Whirl A-Style, M.B. New York, LusciousS, Purple Girl Clothing, and Ollin Arm Candy.
(Event: Free admission on Saturday Oct 19th for the Los Angeles “Uplifting Minds II,” presented by Carib Press news magazine, one-day entertainment conference (two intense seminars, talent and competition showcase) at the Celebrity Centre in Hollywood, sponsored in part by www.EURweb.com – www.UpliftingMinds2.com or FreeAssocInc3@aol.com. Showcase judges include celebrity choreographer Mike Peele (Stomp the Yard, MJ’s This is It), EURweb.com publisher Lee Bailey and international guitarist and label owner Vernon Neilly. Syndicated Column: The Pulse of Entertainment is written weekly by Eunice Moseley, also a PR/Business Management consultant – www.ThePulseofEntertainment.com, www.FreelanceAssociatesInc.com.)