Premiering Sunday, January 30, 2011 @ 8P.M.
Hosted by Comedian, Radio and Television Personality Steve Harvey, BET’s CELEBRATION OF GOSPEL will Feature Performances and Appearances by Kim Burrell, the Rance Allen Group, Israel Houghton, Beverly Crawford, James Fortune and FIYA and Many More.
Having just celebrated its 10th anniversary as the number one Gospel show on television, CELEBRATION OF GOSPEL moves into the new decade with inspiring and uplifting music. This highly acclaimed two-hour special, premiering on Sunday, January 30 at 8:00 p.m.*, pays tribute to the rich history of gospel music in a unique format that combines today’s leading gospel and secular artists!
“Keeping the Faith” is this year’s show theme, setting the stage for a world premiere of new music from award winning gospel superstars, Kirk Franklin and Mary Mary. The stellar line up also includes soul stirring performances from secular artists El DeBarge, Chaka Khan and Howard Hewitt.
Live performances and appearances from Byron Cage, Donnie McClurkin, Pastor Shirley Caesar, BeBe Winans and Smokie Norful will pay an in memoriam tribute to two of gospel music’s major generals: “Queen of Gospel” Albertina Walker and prolific songwriter/performer Bishop Walter Hawkins. In addition, singer-songwriter Faith Evans featuring Kelly Price and SUNDAY BEST runner-up Jessica Reedy will raise the roof and shine alongside Israel Houghton, James Fortune and FIYA, Kim Burrell, Earnest Pugh, VaShawn Mitchell, the Rance Allen Group, and Jonathan Nelson and Purpose.
Other special appearances include Bishop TD Jakes and actors Hill Harper and Keith David as they perform in CELEBRATION OF GOSPEL’s signature spoken word segments.
Hosted by popular actor, author and comedian Steve Harvey, this highly anticipated special will be taped at the Orpheum Theater in Los Angeles on Saturday, December 11, 2010. Tickets to attend the taping are free to the public on a first-come, first-service basis by submitting a request via betrsvp@bet.net.
