Since its inception in 2008 at the 9th Annual Super Bowl Gospel Celebration (SBGC) in Phoenix, Arizona, all-NFL group The Players Choirhas become synonymous with soulful performances during the biggest weekend in sports, the annual Super Bowl Weekend. Developed by Super Bowl Gospel Celebration Founder and Executive Producer Melanie Few, the choir boasts a lineup of NFL superstars, including Super Bowl Champions, Pro Bowlers, NFL Men of the Year, and Pro Football Hall of Fame inductees.
In 2024, the choir had the honor of gracing the stage at the CBS Broadcast of the Super Bowl Soulful Celebration 25th Anniversary Special during Super Bowl LVIII week in Las Vegas. Sharing the stage with music icon Kirk Franklin and the Southern University Human Jukebox drumline, their electrifying performance showcased their talent and passion for music.
Additionally, the choir showcased their musical prowess at the prestigious NFL Honors ceremony, broadcast on CBS. Their performances extend beyond the football field, with appearances at various NFL games and charitable events benefiting organizations such as St. Jude Children’s Hospital and the American Cancer Society. From The White House to The House of Blues, their soul-stirring performances have left an indelible mark on audiences across the nation.
Looking ahead, the choir is gearing up for another unforgettable performance alongside fellow AGT alums, the Detroit Youth Choir, during the NFL Draft Concert Series, which will take place as part of the 2024 NFL Draft in Detroit.
As they celebrate 16 years of soulful performance, The Players Choir continues to inspire with their harmonious melodies, philanthropic endeavors, and unwavering dedication to excellence both on and off the field.
STARRING THE CHOSEN‘S YOSHI BARRIGAS & CATHERINE LIDSTONE,FAMILY FILM TO GIVE NEW SPIN ON THE EASTER STORY
Reel Big Studios, Pinnacle Peak Pictures (God’s Not Dead) and Fathom Events present the new inspirational drama Forty-Seven Days with Jesus starring The Chosen’s Yoshi Barrigas and Catherine Lidstone. The film will be distributed through Fathom Events and Pinnacle Peak Pictures and will be shown in more than 800 theaters across the country for three nights only: March 11, 12 and 14, getting audiences in the Easter spirit before the holiday weekend.
Forty-Seven Days with Jesus tells the heartwarming Easter tale centered on the Burdon family, led by Joseph (Yoshi Barrigas) and Juliana (Catherine Lidstone). When the Burdons attend a reunion at Poppa and Nonna’s ranch, they realize just how disconnected their family has become. Facing marital hiccups, teenaged angst and Poppa’s health hurdles, the adults decide to share Poppa’s enchanting ‘Forty-Seven Days’ story with the kids, transporting us back in time to see the miracles of Jesus’ final 47 days on Earth. When an unexpected business opportunity places Joseph at a crossroads, his commitment to his family is tested. Can the Burdons pull together in the face of uncertainty? With Poppa’s tale as their guide, they embark on a journey towards unity and rediscover the true essence of walking in faith.
Featuring an unforgettable original soundtrack, Forty-Seven Days with Jesus contains a powerful portrayal of Jesus’ life that reminds us all of The Gospel’s enduring impact.
Alongside Barrigas and Lidstone, Forty-Seven Days with Jesus also stars Cameron Arnett (Overcomer) and Joshua Triplett (Grey’s Anatomy). The film is directed by Emilio Palame and David M. Gutel who also wrote the film with the Executive Producer Rolland Jacks. Palame is producing alongside Donald Nguyen and Kristen Brancaccio for Reel Big Studios in conjunction with Vero Entertainment. Words and music written by Jacks, arrangements and orchestration by Palame (Nickelodeon’s Ned’s Declassified School Survival Guide), vocal arrangements/production by Grammy Award-winner Darlene Koldenhoven (Sister Act 1 & 2) and underscore composed by Palame, Guy Moon and Michael O’Neill.
“This movie radiates hope. It’s about a modern-day family that is very relatable: they’re dealing with health challenges, they’re putting work first and they’re just so disconnected from one another,” shares Producer Kristen Brancaccio. “Forty-Seven Days with Jesus is a gentle, non-judgmental reminder to step back and reevaluate what really matters. Whether you’re someone who is seated in a pew every Sunday or knows absolutely nothing about the Easter story but wants to leave the theater feeling inspired—this movie has something for everyone.”
Tickets for the Forty-Seven Days with Jesus are available now for purchase HERE and can also be purchased via participating theater box offices. A complete list of theater locations (subject to change) can be found at Fathom Events.
For more information on Forty-Seven Days with Jesus, please visit FortySevenDaysFilm.com.
The Breathe Life Bible is available at major retailers including Amazon, Barnes and Noble and Walmart, as well as independent Christian bookstores.
In the aftermath of George Floyd’s death, Michele Clark Jenkins and Stephanie Perry Moore asked the Lord, “What shall we do in the face of continued injustice and oppression?” The answer came as the duo’s third Bible project with Thomas Nelson, “The Breathe Life Bible.” Looking to replace hopelessness and despair with hope scriptural clarity, the project aims to elucidate the truth of the gospel that racism and prejudice have for centuries obscured and tried to eliminate.
As believers around the world grappled with the aftereffects of a modern-day lynching, many believers grappled with what their response should be. Armed with their answer from God of what they should do, the Sisters in Faith sought the answer to with whom they should partner. Each contributor brought their wealth of gospel knowledge and principles for practical application to this project. What readers experience in “The Sky,” “The Air,” “We Speak,” “Life Support,” “Inhale-Exhale,” #Oxygen, and “Release,” sections clarify the immutable message of the gospel in a clarion call for believers for these ever-changing times.
Many Americans remain cynical about the role of faith in the pursuit of justice and equity. Given the track record, many are right in their skepticism of the impact of faith in this fight. While watching helpless unarmed citizens breathe their last breath at the hands of police brutality and racial violence, the puzzling paradox of how Christians should respond has become the precipice of a paradigm shift.
Features throughout the Bible include “The Sky” which in three captivating articles guides readers into deeper fellowship with God. In “The Air,” readers take a look at the content and themes of each book of the Bible. Uniquely, this section provides a 21st-century scriptural context relevant to people of color. “We Speak” guides the reading of the Bible through the lens of 49 people in the Bible. Readers will learn through their lived experiences to inspire faithful living today.
“Life Support” fosters a deep sense of discovery through the examination of 10 selected passages. In the passages, readers will discover God’s truth in palpable ways that inspire faith-filled action. “Inhale-Exhale” is a Q&A formatted section that addresses some of life’s most challenging scenarios. The sections provide scriptural support that empowers the reader to lean on their faith to overcome life’s issues when they feel powerless and susceptible to succumb to them.
#Oygen, the prevailing theme of the project, features 98 snippets and draws upon the wisdom of the Word to illuminate the deep truths of the Word that inspire action. “Release” brings the B.R.E.A.T.H.E. acronym into focus, with 49 devotions written by foremost Christian pastors and teachers. These lessons edify the readers, extract gospel truth, dispel injustice, and equip the reader to become a change maker.
Other contributors include Bishop Marvin Sapp, Bishop Vashti McKenzie, Pastor Debra B. Morton, Bishop Kenneth Ulmer, Dr. Franklin Perry, Sr., Dr. Charrita Danley Quimby, Dr. Eric Lee, Pastor Derrick Moore, Arthur Satterwhite, Pastor Tommy Kyllonen, Dr. Helen Delaney, Pastor Tommy Stevenson, LaKeesha Walrond, De’Leice Drane, First Lady Jamell Meeks, James Guitard, Dr. Lakeba Williams, Walter Kimbrough, and Jekalyn Carr.
The Breathe Life Bible’s include articles that explore Scripture through the lens of the BREATHE acronym (Believe, Reconcile, Exalt, Act, Trust, Hope, and Elevate), Q&A format articles addressing difficult life situations, short biographical profiles, and more features.
“I’m grateful for the team of editors and writers who have created the notes for The Breathe Life Bible,” said Philip Nation, vice president and publisher of Bibles for Thomas Nelson. “This is an edition that leads us to put action to our faith. I hope that their work will give everyone greater courage to stand strong during days that feel overwhelming, shed light on the dark places of this world, and activate us to walk boldly in faith.”
Believers searching for biblical guidance as they pursue justice in the world will find The Breathe Life Bible an important addition to their spiritual library.
For Jenell Jones and her family, adding a family member has been a journey filled with anything but joy and she wrote about the harrowing journey in her book, “Shattered.” Jones’ daughter Mercy is at the center of an ongoing yet enlightening ordeal for adoptive parents. Fostering and adopting children is heart work not for the faint of heart. This was well known to Jones and her family as they have welcomed several children to their home. What shook the Jones’ to their core was the undisclosed, underlying issues troubling her daughter, Mercy.
Not Without My Daughter
What unraveled in the aftermath is a harrowing journey to save a young lady and fight the system that sought to villainize the loving mother. As you can imagine, this has taken quite the toll on the Jones’. Her relentless pursuit of justice has put her at odds with everyone who work to help children like Mercy. How does this happen and how could it happen to a loving mother who wants nothing but the best for her children? Jones is working tirelessly to ensure this never happens to another parent and child while struggling to put her family’s broken pieces back together. Jones could simply consider the adoption a fail and cut her losses before they consume her family. She isn’t backing down though, and won’t quit until she and her family are made whole.
The adoption process is naturally complicated. Jones is not a first time adoptive parent so there was very little that she was in the dark about when adopting her child. An unreported or underreported mystery sent Jones and her family spiraling into despair and on the brink of destruction. What Jones discovered about her child sent her searching for help only to be turned away and turned on by the system she once trusted. Jones has committed to see this fight through. She will not rest until Mercy is back home, her name is cleared and the systems again work for families and not against them.
The search for solutions was futile, soon, Jones found herself facing Arizona’s Department for Child Safety. Pitted against the child she loves, DCS eroded the trust that once fostered hope. She wasn’t only working to save her child, she was working to save herself, her reputation and her family. In the wake of the chaos caused by this, Jones is now an advocate for children and families who don’t find needed help in government agencies and child safety systems.
During the convocation, Jones’ book was a featured release and was well received by bookstore visitors. “Shattered” is available now and can be found at all online major book retailers. In the impromptu interview, I was able to learn about Jones’ journey and her daughter’s plight. Adoption is a matter of the heart and to see Jones and her family ripped apart by the people and systems who could easily help them is disheartening. She remains steadfast in her pursuit of justice for her daughter and will do everything in her power to ensure that she gets the help she needs!
Jones has setup a crowd funding page for readers and friends to support this journey and help get justice for Mercy. You can donate at the link, below.
Hi I am Jenell Jones and I am the mother of Mercy Jones as describe in the book Shattere… Jenell Jones needs your support for Medical Expenses for Mercy Jones
THE 66TH ANNUAL GRAMMY AWARDS PREMIERE CEREMONY® WILL BE HOSTED BY ACCLAIMED SONGWRITER/PRODUCER, ACTIVIST AND CURRENT GRAMMY® NOMINEE JUSTIN TRANTER ON SUN, FEB. 4 AT PEACOCK THEATER
PATTI AUSTIN, JIMMY JAM, NATALIA LAFOURCADE, CARLY PEARCE, MOLLY TUTTLE, RUFUS WAINWRIGHT TO PRESENT; ADAM BLACKSTONE, BRANDY CLARK, KIRK FRANKLIN, ROBERT GLASPER, BOB JAMES, LAUFEY, TERRACE MARTIN, HARVEY MASON SR., AND GABY MORENO TO PERFORM; OPENING NUMBER BY J. IVY, LARKIN POE, PENTATONIX, SHEILA E., AND JORDIN SPARKS
Acclaimed songwriter/producer, activist and current GRAMMY® nominee, Justin Tranter will host the 66th Annual GRAMMY Awards Premiere Ceremony®, live from Peacock Theater in Los Angeles. Kicking off the ceremony, the opening number will feature a performance by J. Ivy, Larkin Poe, Pentatonix, Sheila E., and Jordin Sparks. Other artists scheduled to perform include current nominees Adam Blackstone, Brandy Clark, Kirk Franklin, Robert Glasper, Bob James, Laufey, Terrace Martin, and Gaby Moreno, as well as GRAMMY-nominated recording artist/drummer Harvey Mason Sr. Presenters for the first GRAMMY Awards® of the day include Patti Austin, Natalia Lafourcade, Carly Pearce, Molly Tuttle, Rufus Wainwright, and five-time GRAMMY winner and former Recording Academy® Board of Trustees Chair Jimmy Jam. Recording Academy CEO Harvey Mason jr. and Chair of the Board of Trustees Tammy Hurt will provide opening remarks. The 66th GRAMMY Awards Premiere Ceremony will stream live on Sun, Feb. 4, at 3:30 p.m. ET/12:30 p.m. PT on the Recording Academy’s YouTube channel and on live.GRAMMY.com. City National Bank, the Official Bank of the GRAMMY Awards, is returning for its second year as the presenting sponsor of the Premiere Ceremony.
“The Premiere Ceremony is the most incredible lead-up to Music’s Biggest Night®.,”“With an amazing line-up of presenters and performers, we’ll reveal and celebrate the winners of more than 80 Categories, spanning the diverse genres and crafts that have contributed to such a spectacular year in music.” – Harvey Mason Jr., CEO of the Recording Academy.
Most of the Premiere Ceremony performers, presenters and host are current 66th GRAMMY® nominees. Austin is nominated for Best Jazz Vocal Album (For Ella 2 Featuring Gordon Goodwin’s Big Phat Band); Blackstone is nominated for Best Jazz Performance (“Vulnerable (Live)” Featuring The Baylor Project & Russell Ferranté) and Best Jazz Instrumental Album (Legacy: The Instrumental Jawn); Clark is nominated for Best Musical Theater Album (Shucked), Best Country Solo Performance (“Buried”), Best Country Song (“Buried”), Best Americana Performance (“Dear Insecurity” Featuring Brandi Carlile), Best American Roots Song (“Dear Insecurity” Featuring Brandi Carlile), and Best Americana Album (Brandy Clark); Franklin is nominated for Best Gospel Performance/Song (“All Things”); Glasper is nominated for Best R&B Performance (“Back To Love” Featuring SiR & Alex Isley) and Best R&B Song (“Back To Love” Featuring SiR & Alex Isley); James is nominated for Best Contemporary Instrumental Album (Jazz Hands); J. Ivy is nominated for Best Spoken Word Poetry Album (The Light Inside); Lafourcade is nominated for Best Latin Rock Or Alternative Album (De Todas Las Flores); Larkin Poe is nominated for Best Contemporary Blues Album (Blood Harmony); Laufey is nominated for Best Traditional Pop Vocal Album (Bewitched); Martin is nominated for Best Progressive R&B Album (Nova with James Fauntleroy); Moreno is nominated for Best Latin Pop Album (X Mí (Vol.1)); Pearce is nominated for Best Country Duo/Group Performance (“We Don’t Fight Anymore” Featuring Chris Stapleton); Pentatonix is nominated for Best Traditional Pop Vocal Album (Holidays Around The World); Sparks is nominated for Best Contemporary Christian Music Performance/Song (“Love Me Like I Am” with for KING & COUNTRY); Tranter is nominated for Songwriter Of The Year, Non-Classical; Tuttle is nominated for Best Bluegrass Album (City Of Gold with Golden Highway); Wainwright is nominated for Best Folk Album (Folkocracy).
The 66th GRAMMY Awards Premiere Ceremony is produced by Branden Chapman, Ruby Marchand, Chantel Sausedo, and Rex Supa on behalf of the Recording Academy. Greg V. Fera is executive producer and Cheche Alara is music producer and music director.
The 66th Annual GRAMMY Awards® will broadcast live following the Premiere Ceremony on CBS Television Network and stream live and on-demand on Paramount+ at 8-11:30 p.m. ET/5-8:30 p.m. PT. See here for the full list of nominees at the 66th Annual GRAMMY Awards. Learn more about how to watch the 66th Annual GRAMMY Awards.
