2011 Featured Artists

Jamaal “Mali Music” Pollard

Jamaal “Mali Music” Pollard is truth in music! The Savannah, GA born, now Fresno, CA based singer, songwriter, producer is breaking out of the conventional gospel music. Mali Music began playing piano at age 5, wrote his first song at age 8, and has been actively pursuing his music ministry and career ever since, adding acoustic guitar to his instrumental proficiency. Mali Music’s love for music is largely influenced by legendary artist Sam Cooke and Otis Redding. Mali Music’s sound is heavily inspired by the work of music geniuses Bilal and D’Angelo…free, boundless and uninhibited.

Mali Music serves as Minister of Music at Faith on the Move Ministries and though he remains unrestricted as a musician and artist, his passion lies in creating powerful, effective Christian lifestyle music that crosses genres and seeps to the core of people. “The Holy Ghost requires a certain atmosphere to move freely, and it’s all on how you present yourself that will determine if you will be received spiritually, lyrically, musically, or received at all”, Mali Music explains. “That’s where I learned to set the atmosphere and be 100% transparent! People love honesty, and if we can relate….we can experience this thing together.”

James Fortune & FIYA

www.myspace.com/jamesfortune

In April 1998, God gave James Fortune the vision to start a youth ministry to focus on reaching youth through song and dance. This choir, based out of Houston, TX, at the time was called Youth For Christ. This group ranged between the ages of 11-21. Youth For Christ was blessed to minister all over the Greater Houston area at many churches, workshops, youth events and conferences. James Fortune and YFC presented so much energy and power on stage, which allowed other youth to see how awesome it is to praise God and having fun at the same time.

James Fortune kept the focus on reaching out to young people who are dealing with struggles of peer pressure, drugs, fornication, clubs and all other acts of ungodliness. He promoted living a holy life pleasing and acceptable unto God. Fortune states, "The youth of today must realize that true happiness and fullness of joy is only found in the presence of Yahweh, our Heavenly Father". In May 2000, Yahweh led Fortune to change the group name to FIYA (Free in Yahweh’s Abundance). This name is based on the scripture John 10:10b, I come that you might have life and have it more abundantly. Fortune states, Our Fathers will is not for his children to live a defeated and broken life full of uncertainty and anxiety.

Yahweh has promised us that blessings would overtake us if we would fully obey His Word! Definitely, God has been blessing the ministry of James Fortune & FIYA. They have been blessed with the opportunity to open for various artists such as, John P Kee, Kim Burrell, Stevie Wonder, Mary Mary and many others. FIYA released their debut CD, January 2005 and through this CD, so many doors have opened. The single, "You Survived" soared as high as No.2 on Radio and Records and No. 5 on Billboard Radio Charts. "You Survived" was also listed as the No. 7 most played Gospel Song for the year of 2005 This group possesses a very special anointing that immediately pours in the presence of Yahweh and gets you excited about living for Christ.

Kierra Sheard

www.kierrasheard.emigospel.com

Growth. It is the one word that exemplifies Kierra Sheard and her third EMI Gospel release BOLD RIGHT LIFE. Fans have literally watched her grow up in the industry from a much-talked about young prodigy of a legendary Gospel family to today’s chic, bold and purposed young woman. Kierra presents a grown-up style, a sound and spiritual perspective that is all her own. The collection of songs that make-up BOLD RIGHT LIFE is all cutting edge material that puts Kierra Sheard in a different league from the others in today’s contemporary Gospel landscape.

The album and Kierra’s youth organization called BOLD RIGHT LIFE, is an outward challenge to today’s young people. Through her music and her own life, Kierra hopes to nurture and encourage people spiritually and naturally. Inspired by Colossians 3: 1-6 “We are dead to the things of this world … BOLDLY LIVING RIGHT GETTING READY FOR LIFE,” the composition is both daring and proudly Christ-Centered. Kierra takes cutting-edge music with a mass-appeal that could be at home in churches and clubs alike, and brings her open declaration of the love and awesomeness of God.

“This is THE album for me,” said Kierra. “I have never been so excited about a project. This album is finally everything I wanted it to be and I believe that God is truly using me [through this project] in a way he’s never used me before.”

One of the songs Kierra (not Kiki, a nod to her maturity into young adulthood) brings to this groundbreaking project is “Invisible.” It is absolutely one of those big turning-point songs in an artist’s career. The song is equally meaningful personally to Kierra and universally to all those who minister, it has just the right balance of emotion. Showcasing Kierra’s maturing vocal palette, the Gerald and Tammi Haddon penned and produced track “Invisible” embodies everything her music ministry is about. “The lyrics convey my desire that when I am out front, singing and ministering, I want the people to see Him and not me,” Kierra said.

The formula of matching the right vocals with the right production works on BOLD RIGHT LIFE. Kierra and her brother J Drew Sheard truly make the perfect combo of vocals and production. With the head bobbing beat crafted by JDS Productions coupled with the lyrics written by Kierra, on the kick-off single, “Won’t Hold Back” both Sheard kids brilliantly capture the essence of what is today’s Gospel music.

Myesha Chaney

www.myeshachaney.com

Myesha Chaney is a Recording Artist, Motivational Speaker, Radio Personality, Wife, Mother, Preacher, and Teacher. Through her small frame emerges a powerful expression of God’s grace. She has dedicated her life to helping women become liberated and free. Myesha and her husband Wayne Chaney pastor Antioch Church, a vivacious and lively ministry nestled in the heart of Long Beach. There they have made remarkable strides for the body in Christ and have become a nerve center church. Myesha is known for her spirited Praise & Worship style. Her music ministry extends beyond the church walls into the public and social arena. She graced the stage of the 2009 California Women’s Conference, hosted by Maria Shriver and captivated the hearts of over 25,000 women. Her vocal ability has enabled her sing internationally in places such as Israel and New Zealand. She continues to share her gift with the world with her upcoming debut album “I’m Ready” set to released in mid 2011.

She and her husband host a popular Radio talk show “Real Life” on KJLH 102.3 FM every Sunday night. Real Life is an insightful, relevant, and down-to-earth show that deals with the everyday issues in a believer’s life. Its unconventional approach to life and ministry has afforded it a broad and enthusiastic listening audience. It has given Christians and Non-Christians alike an alternative to secular media and entertainment while ministering effectively to their hearts.

Micah Stampley

www.micahstampley.org

Before he was a 2004 Stellar Awards National Star Search winner, Micah Stampley had been a musical prodigy. Astonishingly, since the age of seven, Micah’s Christian/gospel music has been steeped in the most empowering aspects of God’s Word. Today Micah continues to proclaim the Good News, touching hearts and reaching all the way to heaven with his bass-to-first soprano vocal range and on-point, Biblically based lyrics.

The new tracks on Release Me, his fourth CD and a joint project of his independent label, Interface, and mogul Mathew Knowles’ Music World Gospel, are in keeping with his music ministry motto: The believer—despite outward appearances and circumstances—is in the hands of an all-conquering God. The believer’s worship should be less focused on his or her woes than on God’s desire for people to abide in peace and, in every essential way, to prosper.

Trin-i-tee 5:7

ww.myspace.com/trinitee

GRAMMY® Award nominated, Gospel Music Association’s Dove Award and Stellar Award winner Trin-i-tee 5:7 has been the Best Selling Female Gospel Trio in music history. After more than a decade on the music scene, the New Orleans natives and original group members, Chanelle Haynes and Angel Taylor have transitioned Trin-i-tee 5:7 from a trio to a duo. They will debut their new sound in a new project tiled, Angel and Chanelle scheduled for release May 3, 2011. “Over and Over,” the first single from their forthcoming CD, is produced by GRAMMY® Award, Dove Award and Stellar Award winner P.J. Morton. Angel and Chanelle believe fans will fall in love with this song and will keep it in their hearts for a long time.

Also Featuring
Duward Davis
Kevin Henderson & Redefined
Pilgrim Strangers
Worship Center Community Church
Voices of Destiny
Tanika Wyatt
Melinda Watts
Sharp Skills
B. McCargo & Kingdom Worship
And many more….

Gospel Fest Location

Join us for an amazing day in the heart of downtown Long Beach on July 10, 2011. Enjoy featured artists, special guest choirs, great food, and so much more!

Gospel Fest Location

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