GRAMMY® Award-winning artist REGINA BELLE's new gospel CD LOVE FOREVER SHINES (300208500) debuted at #3 on the Billboard Current Gospel chart, #5 on Billboard's Top Christian/Gospel Albums chart, and #14 on the Record Label Independent Current Albums chart upon its release May 13. On the CBA side, LOVE FOREVER SHINES debuted at #3 Top Current Gospel Overall charts, #6 Top Christian/Gospel-Mainstream Retail Overall, #7 Top Christian/Gospel Overall chart. This is the debut CD release for the re-launch of Ruben Rodriguez' Pendulum Records, in association with Walker Davis Entertainment, distributed by Fontana. The CD is executive produced by Ruben Rodriguez, Ray J. Davis and Chris Walker.

LOVE FOREVER SHINES features the first single, "God Is Good." The single is in the Top 5 at gospel radio across the country and Top 5 at R&R and Billboard Monitor. The album is available on iTunes.com, Amazon.com and all music retail outlets everywhere. The ringtones for LOVE FOREVER SHINES is also available (text REGINA2A to 30303).

"We're very pleased with our #3 debut on the Gospel Album Charts. 'God Is Good' is over 4 ½ million in audience and building strong at Top 5," says Ruben Rodriguez. "We're extremely encouraged with 'God Is Good' beginning to crossover to urban radio in key major markets throughout the mid-atlantic, northeast, and southeast regions. The album, 'Love Forever Shines', is also building a strong word-of-mouth presence to go along with Regina's touring and sale price and positioning campaign in the marketplace. 'Love Forever Shines' has been getting incredible response from many of the country's key press, radio programmers, churches and retailers. This will be an on-going building process, the great music and songs from Regina on this album dictates that."

On May 14, NAMM (www.namm.org), the trade association of the international music products industry, was recently honored to include Belle, as part of its federal government advocacy efforts for music education in Washington D.C.

NAMM Members, all professionals within the music products industry, take their message about the importance of music education being included as part of a quality education for all children to members of Congress and their staff annually. The goals are to advance policy reform by assuring that music is part of the core curriculum, and to ensure that programs are adequately funded to guarantee access.

Belle was invited to speak at a reception held in the U.S. Capitol along with television actor and musician David Cassidy. Belle addressed members of Congress, their staff, and NAMM Members about the role that music education played in her life to enhance her academic skills, confidence and social connections.

Singing an a cappella vocal piece as the opening to her presentation, which wowed guests, Belle also recounted for attendees how playing the tuba and the steel drums while growing up is still very much part of her persona.

"I don't have any idea where I would be today without music education in school growing up," said Belle. "Playing music helped me with math-to come up with answers to problems more quickly-and gave structure to my life. Music helped me to find confidence that I didn't have within myself. It gave me a great thirst to learn that much more."

Belle's inspirational words drew an emotional response from the audience, most of whom could identify with how playing an instrument while growing up can have a significant lifetime impact on a child.

For years, NAMM has conducted research regarding the effects of playing music on children and people of all ages. Research indicates that children who are engaged in music score higher on standardized tests and have higher school retention and graduation rates. Playing music has helped adults increase productivity, build confidence, reduce stress, stave off depression and provides an opportunity to learn and grow socially and emotionally.

"We were honored to have Ms. Belle speak on behalf of a very important cause," said Mary Luehrsen, NAMM's director of public affairs and government relations. "Success stories such as these demonstrate the true personal impact of learning music in school and help change the current perception and laws surrounding music education."

Last update: 26-05-2008 04:48

                                          GROUND-BREAKING THIS SUNDAY!!!!!

Broward County, FL will become the new home of Gospel Music this week-end with the Ground Blessing Ceremony for the 90,000 sq. ft. Dr Bobby Jones Gospel Complex for Education and Preservation that will be developed on the northwest corner of State Road 7 and Sunrise Boulevard in Lauderhill, FL.

On Sunday, May 25, 2008, Broward County Black Elected Officials (BCBOE) welcomes the community to come and embrace this historic project and be a part of the Ground Blessing Ceremony at 3:00pm.

The Gospel Complex for Education & Preservation will not only be the new home for Gospel Music, but it will serve as a vehicle for education programs, economic and tourism opportunities for Broward County. The complex will house a 1,500 seat state-of-the-art television production studio, a conference center, recording studio, office space, and banquet facilities.

"The Gospel Complex for Education and Preservation will serve as a permanent venue to showcase and preserve the rich history of gospel music and will attract visitors from the United States and all over the world," said Broward County Commissioner Josephus Eggelletion, Jr. "I''m confident it will become one of the most important and popular multi-cultural attractions in the country and I look forward to opening day."

Albert Tucker, Vice President for Multicultural Business Development for the Greater Fort Lauderdale Convention and Visitors Bureau states "We are delighted to have the artists, industry leaders and record label executives come to South Florida to celebrate this milestone in Gospel Music. The Gospel Complex will serve as an economic and educational anchor in our community that will spurn additional growth in the Art and Entertainment fields. With the various development projects that are taking place in the City of Lauderhill, and the surrounding communities, we look forward to having this as another tourism asset for Greater Fort Lauderdale."

For more information about the Gospel Complex for Education and Preservation visit www.gospelcomplex.org.

Last update: 23-05-2008 16:59