The Calendar

NEWS Comedian Preacher Lawson Returns to the Weinberg Center Stage January, 2024 (Frederick, MD) - Prepare to be thoroughly entertained as comedian Preacher Lawson takes center stage at the Weinberg Center for the Arts on Sunday, January 14, 2024 at 7:00 PM. A comedic force to be reckoned with, Lawson will grace the stage with his infectious energy and impeccable wit, promising an evening of side-splitting laughter. Lawson first captured the nation's attention during his unforgettable run on season 12 of NBC's hit series, "America's Got Talent," in 2017. With his exceptional talent and humor, he made it to the final round, winning the hearts of both judges and viewers alike. Following his outstanding performance in season 12, Lawson received a special invitation to compete on both "America's Got Talent: The Champions"(2019) and "Britain's Got Talent: The Champions(2019), where he advanced to the finale after receiving an overwhelming number of fan votes. In 2019, Lawson took his comedy to new heights with his first stand-up special, "Get to Know Me," which premiered on BET+. He can be seen on HBO's "A Black Lady Sketch Show" and NBC's "Connecting" as a series regular. Most recently, he graced the stage of "Tge Tonight Show." Lawson has a massive online following with 3.2 million followers on TikTok and over 600,000 subscribers on YouTube. His residency hosting AGT Live in Las Vegas further solidified his reputation as a comedic sensation. A complete listing of artists and performers scheduled for the 2023-24 season can be found at https://weinbergcenter.org/ # # #  (Source: Weinberge Center of the Arts)

NEWS R&B-Jazz Saxophonist Shawn Raiford Releases 'Santa Baby' (Sacremento, CA) - Mesmerized by Eartha Kitt's tantalizing and teasing performance of "Santa Baby," R&B-Jazz saxophonist Shawn Raiford has been playing his version of the holiday classic in his set for over twenty years. Recently he released his version of "Santa Baby" as a single. It's become a perennial fan favorite, inspiring the Sacramento-based saxman to record and release his rendition. Grammy winner Derek "DOA" Allen (Lionel Richie, Janet Jackson, Tyrese) produced the single. Raiford is a high-energy, award-winning concert performer and his recording projects are a blend of R&B, Jazz, Funk and Soul. Yet his take on "Santa Baby" exhibits an entirely different sound and style. The track Allen crafted is a slow, deliberate and seductive straight-ahead jazz cut. Whereas Kitt's voice flirts and seduces playfully, Raiford's tenor sax warms, charms and comforts. Along with some backing sax sounds from Eddie Minnifield (Prince, Sheila E., Aretha Franklin), Allen decorated the track with bells and strings that add whimsical nuances, enhancing the childlike feelings of wonder at Christmastime. The Shawn Raiford Experience, a popular band on the NorCal scene that has opened for or performed with Teddy Riley, Yolanda Adams, Freddie Jackson, Pete Escovedo, Eric Darius and Jeff Ryan, and has been playing dates this year with R&B singer, songwriter, producer and multi-instrumentalist Chuckii Booker. Raiford has been ramping up all year for the release of his second album, "The Next Step," which Allen is producing. Thus far, he's issued three singles to preview the set slated to drop in April - "Forever," "Leave The Door Open" and "Vallejo." Raiford who plays at Yoshi's in Oakland on December 18, 2023 and at The Palace Events in Dallas on January 13, 2024. # # #  (Source: Great Scott PR)

NEWS  Zak Williams & 1akord Release New Live Album 'Revisited'   (New York, NY) - Revisited means to visit again from a different perspective. Multiple award-winning, Philadelphia-based choir Zak Williams & 1 AKORD has revisited some of their favorite songs, unreleased treasures, and best-loved Gospel classics in a power-packed live album called "Revisited." "Revisited" features the current #25 Mediabase Gospel Radio Chart hit "Jesus I'll Never Forget" featuring Stellar Awarding winning singer Lowell Pye. Evangelist Celeste Washington delivers a powerful exhortation and introduction to the doxology "Praise God From Whom All Blessings Flow." Bishop Eric Figueroa offers an atmosphere-setting intro to the passion-filled ballad "Hosanna." "Revisited" is released by Enon Music Group and New Day Distribution.  # # #    (Source: The Bellamy Group)  CLICK HERE AND LIKE US ON FACEBOOK!   "Journey to Love" by Eunice Moseley now Available at Barnes and Nobles.

NEWS   Multi-Award Winning Platinum Recording Artist, Ruben Studdard to Release His 8th Studio Album, 'The Way I Remember It' (New York, NY) - "The Way I Remember It" is the eight studio album from the Velvet Teddy Bear himself, Ruben Studdard. The album is globally available via the label partnership with Legend Tribe, RCS, and the SRG-ILS Group . Earlier this year, we were first introduced to the to the newly updated sound from Ruben Studdard, with the album title-track, "The Way I Remember It." The Way I Remember it is a classic storytelling song. It describes the moment a man meets the woman that he plans to spend the rest of his life with. I think this song is beautifully written and produced and Mr. Belewa Muhammad did such an amazing job on it. I literally heard the song at 1:00pm and by 1:30pm, I was already recording it," mentions Ruben. "I knew from the first listen that my core fan-base would love this song," he adds. The second song to be released from the album was the beautiful mid-tempo call-out tune, "W.I.F.E." Right on time for the release of the album, the song, "Masterprice", serves as the official new single. On November 17, 2023, catch Ruben Studdard performing his new single, "Masterprice" on The Tamron Hall Show. Ruben Studdard is currently on his national tour, with best-friend and fellow American Idol contestant, Clay Aiken on the "Ruben and Clay Twenty Years: One Night Tour." Ruben Christopher Studdard rose to fame 20 years ago as the winner of the second season of American Idol. Later that same year Ruben received his first Grammy nomination for Best Male R&B Vocal Performance for "Superstar". Ruben has released six studio albums, including his platinum-selling debut, Soulful, and the top-selling gospel follow-up, I Need an Angel. Although he is more well-known for his recording career, he has also had a notable acting career on both stage and screen. Most notably, he toured with Robin Givens in the comedy-drama I Need a Hug and in 2008 starred as Fats Waller in the national tour revival of Ain't Misbehavin'. Currently Ruben is celebrating the 20th anniversary of his American Idol victory with fellow season two alum Clay Aiken with a nationwide co-headlining tour. # # #  (Source: 2Rs Entertainment and Media)

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