The Pulse of Entertainment: BJ
Rouse Releases New Film, First Fruit, Starring Darrin Dewitt Henson and Vijay Beasley; First Fruit Starring Darrin Dewitt
Henson to be Screened at the Black International Film Fest Oct 8-12, 2026
"I believe what's meant for you is for
you," said film writer/producer/director Beverly "BJ" Rouse as we talked about the meaning
behind her news film project First Fruit starring MTV Video Award winning Darrin Dewitt
Henson (NSYNC, Blackstreet/The Family Business, Soul Food) and Vijay Beasley. "We take things
for granted...like someone listening to you. Darrin and Jay tapped into that."
First Fruit tells the story of dealing with grief. It has one neighbor comforting another
after a close death. Reminding that neighbor that life goes on and how there will too.
"The only instruction I gave the crew was that they did not rehearse together,"
BJ pointed out when I talk about her having such a legendary dancer/choreographer and actor like Henson in her film. "I
did not want them to be comfortable with each other."
ViJay
plays the neighbor suffering from a loss and Brooklyn native Darrin plays the neighbor who helps her "live" again
by dealing with her grief in a healthy way.
"The song came first. It's always been
a movie to me," said singer/songwriter/producer Carl Brister when I asked which came first the release
of his cover of Lionel Richie's hit single "Hello" (Agape Music Works), or the short film Hello
he released. "This song is the soundtrack to a romance or love story. Lionel Richie created a timeless love song."
"I do have Broadway aspirations," Brister said with a smile
when I told him his vocals sound like he belongs on Broadway or on the stages of Vegas. "Those (Broadway) artists are
singing and dancing (acting out a skit)...they are well trained."
His "Hello" cover features assistance from Ricky Persaud, Jr.
"Yes, I am working on an album," he said when I asked if the single is from
an upcoming album. "It is not titled yet."
Case Celebrates
30 Years Of Music With Special Anniversary Performances At Yoshi's Oakland August 9, 2026
(Oakland, CA) - His classic song, "Touch Me, Tease
Me," is amng the hits to be performed by artist Case in celebration of his 30 years in the music industry.
On Sunday, August 9, 2026, fans will gather at Oakland's the legendary Yoshi for two intimate performances from Case.
Aside from "Touch Me, Tease Me," other hits include "Happily
Ever After," "Missing You," and "Faded Pictures."
Two-Times Grammy Nominated Koryn Kawthorne
Release New Single 'His Favorite' on Motown Gospel, from Her 'Big Gospel' EP - Out October 2, 2026
(Louisiana) - Following her recent signing to Motown Gospel, two-time
Grammy Award nominated artist Koryn Hawthorne releases her uplifting anthem, "His Favorite,"
The song previews her forthcoming EP, "Big Gospel," due out October 2, 2026
The "His Favorite" single is produced by Lil Ronnie (Glorilla,
Usher, Britney Spears), It highlights Hawthorne's seamless blend of Gospel and R&B. Written by Hawthorne alongside collaborators
Jordan Dollar, Alexandria Dollar, Jeffrey Shannon, Rickey Offord, and Ronnie Jackson, it serves as a reminder that blessings
can be found even in the smallest moments of life.
(Nashville, Tenn) - BMI celebrated the best
in Gospel music today at the 2026 BMI Trailblazers of Gospel Music Awards held at BMI's Nashville office. Multiple award-winning
artist and songwriter Kierra Sheard received the BMI Impact Award in recognition of her
impressive career and impact on the future of Gospel music. Sheard was also honored as BMI's Gospel Songwriter of the Year
in a three-way tie with her brother J Drew Sheard II and Kerry Douglas. BMI's Gospel Song of the Year went to "Lead Me
On," and Publisher of the Year went to Capital CMG Publishing. The most-performed Gospel songs of the previous year were
also announced at the private ceremony hosted by BMI's CEO, Mike O'Neill; EVP, Chief Revenue & Creative Officer Mike Steinberg
and Vice President, Creative, Atlanta, Catherine Brewton.
Douglas and siblings Kierra Sheard and J Drew Sheard II received Songwriter of the Year for each writing three
of the most performed Gospel songs of the previous year. Douglas was honored for "Don't Give Up," "Windows"
and "Without You," bringing his total BMI Awards up to five, commemorating his successful career. J Drew and Kierra
Sheard were recognized for co-writing their hits "All Yours," "Rain Down on Me," and "Send It Down,"
marking the second time the duo has been honored with this coveted title, after their first win in 2022.
The BMI Impact Award tributes kicked off with a heartfelt video message
from Sheard's aunt and 2024 BMI Trailblazer of Gospel Music honoree Dorinda Clark-Cole, and her mother Karen Clark Sheard
also gave a moving speech congratulating her daughter for the "well-deserved honor."
To pay homage to Sheard's illustrious career, tribute performances kicked off with
Darrel Walls on "Indescribable," joined by DOE who gave a soulful rendition of "This is Me." Tasha Cobbs
Leonard ended the tributes by getting the crowd to their feet for an uplifting performance of "Hang On" with Karen
Clark Sheard and Tamela Mann singing along from the audience.
In
receiving the afternoon's highest honor, Sheard thanked her family and members of the audience, sharing, "God has a way
to reward faithfulness before He rewards popularity... and tonight is a reminder that if you keep saying yes, He knows exactly
where to find you." She added her appreciation to BMI, saying, "I want to thank you for pushing gospel music forward.
You make this industry worth staying in. What matters is what you represent, that someone still believes in a song that is
worth protecting and paying for."
The ceremony
concluded with Sheard bringing the audience to their feet singing her hit song "You Are."
Throughout the afternoon, BMI saluted the 25 most-performed gospel songs of the
previous year, leading up to the highly anticipated BMI Gospel Song of the Year award, which went to "Lead Me On"
co-written by Jonathan Jay, Chandler Moore and Jeff Pardo. Performed by Moore, the hit song was a lead single and a standout
track from his 2024 solo album, Chandler Moore: Live In Los Angeles. The song marked Moore's first number one as a solo artist
and spent an impressive 28 weeks on Billboard's Gospel Airplay charts overall.
The ceremony, which kicked off with a performance of "I Love the Lord" sung by Keyla Richardson,
also highlighted 16 first-time winners, including Adia, Jazze Pha, Travis Finley, Dustin "SLATE" Slater, Keran Vega
and more, for co-writing the award-winning songs.
BMI's
Gospel Publisher of the Year went to Capitol CMG for having the highest publisher share percentage of the top 25 songs, including
BMI's Gospel Song of the Year, "Lead Me On."
To
join the conversation on social media, follow us @BMI and use #BMIGospel. Please visit https://awards.bmi.com/show/trailblazers-2026
to see a full list of BMI's Trailblazers of Gospel Music Award honorees.
# # #
(Source: Cr8 Agency)
"Journey to Love" by Eunice Moseley
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& Amazon.
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