|
|
KIRK
FRANKLIN’S “HERO TOUR” COMING TO A CITY NEAR YOU
Grammy-Award
Winning Duo Mary Mary Featured on Tour
Nationwide
Tour to Support Gospel Mogul’s Latest Gold Certified CD “Hero”
and Will Honor Hometown Heroes
Fo
Yo Soul Entertainment/Zomba recording artist Kirk Franklin will embark
on a national tour in support of his latest CD Hero, kicking off
February 28 in Cleveland and continuing throughout the summer with
stops in Los Angeles, New York City, Atlanta, Las Vegas, Chicago,
Detroit and Washington, DC among others. Kirk, the biggest
selling gospel artist in the SoundScan era, is well-known for his
dynamic and energetic performances, which have included two hugely
successful “Hopeville Tours” in the past few years. On the
new tour, the gospel dynamo will perform selections from his sixth CD
Hero, which debuted in the #1 position on two Billboard Magazine
charts -- Top Gospel Album and Top Christian Albums – and continues
to maintain the top positions respectively. In the spirit of the
CD’s title, Franklin also plans to celebrate and honor “hometown
heroes” in each market.
Joining
Franklin on The HERO Tour are fellow Grammy Award-winning and
platinum-selling sibling duo, Mary Mary, who are enjoying the success
of their 2005 chart-topping self-titled release which spawned the #1
radio hit, “Heaven”, and Philadelphia-based Cross Movement
Records’ artist, Da’ T.R.U.T.H. "Da' T.R.U.T.H. is the
perfect marriage between the streets and the soul,” says Franklin of
the emcee, who is also a graduate of both Philadelphia Biblical
University and The Institute of Jewish Studies. “He is a
modern day prophet for the corner, and the block needs to get ready
for the message of Christ in the culture. This is Holy Hip Hop
at its finest.”
The
year has just begun and Kirk has already received award recognition
for this latest works. The multi-talented artist received a Best
Gospel Performance nod from the 2006 Grammy Awards for his #1 hit
single “Looking For You.” Additionally, he just received a
2006 NAACP Image Award Nomination for Outstanding Gospel Artist
(Traditional or Contemporary) with winners being announced on the
national broadcast airing March 3 on FOX.
Aside
from touring and attending award shows, the community-minded side of
Kirk will keep him busy this year, as well. As newly-named Faith
Ambassador to The Children’s Defense Fund (CDF), Kirk Franklin will
host and star in a concert this summer to raise funds to support the
work of the organization. The benefit coincides with the tenth
anniversary of CDF’s “Stand for Children” to build a movement to
Leave No Child Behind. Franklin will unite fellow music industry
leaders in a concert at the MCI Center in Washington, D.C. on
Saturday, July 8, to provide a voice for better policy choices
affecting the 37 million Americans, including 13 million children
living in poverty. The proceeds will directly benefit the Children’s
Defense Fund, a private, nonprofit organization that for more than 30
years has provided a strong, effective voice for all the children in
America who cannot vote, lobby, or speak for themselves. Both Franklin
and CDF hope to mobilize thousands to stand for justice for children
and the poor through rallies and other activities planned for that
weekend. Visit www.childrensdefense.org to learn more about CDF’s
research, public policy initiatives, programs and outreach throughout
the country.
In
addition to the tour, Kirk is gearing up for numerous television
appearances in 2006 following last year’s full schedule of
television appearances which included “Oprah,” “Live with Regis
& Kelly,” BET’s “Lift Every Voice,” “Bobby Jones
Gospel,” “25th Anniversary Special” and the network’s #1 rated
show, “106 & Park,” to name a few.
His
performance on “Soul Train” on February 4, will be followed by
several upcoming television appearances planned to date including the
21st Annual Stellar Awards (televised nationally in syndication from
January 28 through March 5), BET’s “Celebration of Gospel”
(February 23) and The Trumpet Awards (March 2006). Kirk will
also handle co-hosting duties and perform for the 37th Annual Gospel
Music Awards (formerly the Dove Awards) from the Grand Ole Opry House
in Nashville on April 5 (nationally televised in syndication in April
and May).
Prior
to departing on tour in February, Kirk and his wife Tammy will
participate in a Valentine’s Day online chat on BET.com scheduled
for February 14 at 3:00 p.m. (EST). The two lovebirds
celebrated 10 years of marriage by renewing their wedding vows during
a private celebration on January 20, 2006. Bishop T.D. Jakes
officiated the ceremony and Grammy Award-winner India.Arie serenaded
the devoted couple. The loving twosome is also featured on the
current cover of Ebony Magazine’s February issue in the
publications’ annual feature on the “10 Hottest Couples.”
The
Gospel Music Channel will co-sponsor the national “Hero Tour”
covering more than 40 markets across 23 states. Gospel Music
Channel’s co- sponsorship of the tour is multi-faceted, with several
key elements embedded into the shows themselves. The channel will
produce the nearly-one hour pre-show video entertainment and 20
minutes of intermission video at each concert, with both showcasing
the network’s line-up, including a call to action. Gospel
Music Channel joins the tours other co-sponsors including Southwest
Airlines, Black Gospel Promo, Upscale Magazine and Gospel Today
Magazine.
Don’t
miss what is sure to be one of the most exciting and worship-filled
gospel tours of the year!
Click
here for tour dates.
|
|
