EURweb.com - MONA AUSTIN'S GOSPEL SLICE: Buzz about Celebration of Gospel, New Gospel Program; Sundays Best's Crystal and Shari Album Sneak Peek; Mississippi Mass lead singer passes.

The Gospel Slice is designed to give you just a taste of what's happening in the world of Gospel music, tidbits from the entertainment world at large and sometimes general "news you can use!"

Think of it as entertainment Jambalaya.

Once a week, you'll get briefed on who the movers and shakers are, get a glimpse at movie, music and book reviews, and a heads up on new artists and trends.

Here's the latest on the Gospel Industry radar this week:

BET'S CELEBRATION OF GOSPEL'S TALENT CHOICES QUESTIONED
Hosted once again by comedian/actor Steve Harvey, the Celebration of Gospel featured such notables as Heather Headley and Smokie Norful (in a stirring duet remake of the Commodores' "Jesus Is Love"), Vickie Winans, Hezekiah Walker, Kirk Franklin, Mary Mary, Donnie McClurkin, Trinitee 5:7, Louis Gossett, Jr. (for spoken word), Dr. Bobby Jones, Tina Marie, Muyiwa & Riversongz, Shirley Caesar, LL Cool J, and Kurt Carr & The Kurt Carr Singers. From start to finish the presentation was incredible. BET's President of Entertainment Stephen Hill said, "This was the best show to date."

There's been quite a bit of flack from fans and industry people alike about the line-up in past years. Some of the talent has been recycled since the show originated and the vast array of gifts in the gospel world are being overlooked, some say. One gospel label exec offered that he'd attempted to get his artist booked on the show and was told bluntly that Shirley Caesar and Dr. Bobby Jones are the mainstay traditional artists and his artist would only be considered if one of them wasn't available.

For the first time, the traditional, but timeless Rance album appeared on the show in a rousing performance with Kirk Franklin.

Steve Harvey suggested that fans write in or e-mail the show's producers to express who they would like to see.

Meanwhile, the network continues to celebrate the art form of gospel music with the addition of another regular program to their line-up, the spin-off of "106 & Park", "106 & Park Presents: Generation Gospel," hosted by Angel of Tri-ni-tee 5:7 and Jo'rel Quinn of 21:03. The show premieres on January 11 at 11:00 a.m. (ET/PT).

BET's Talent Coordinator Joyce Coleman picks the blend of artists who appear on the showcase. Stay tuned to learn what she's looking for in an upcoming article/review of Celebration of Gospel.

SUNDAY BEST WINNER AND RUNNER UP TO RELEASE ALBUMS ON THE SAME DAY, JAN 13
When I heard the song the first time, I wondered if the simmering alto was Kim Burrell.

It was the voice of BET Sunday Best winner, Crystal Aiken singing the lead song "I Desire More" from her forthcoming debut release. It was crystal clear that she is a natural on stage, but in studio her voice is perfectly refined.

Shari Addison, Sundays Best runner up also has a single on the airwaves. Addison's distinct Chicago-bred whaling is tangible on her debut single "No Battle, No Blessing." Both artists were signed to Verity Gospel and will release their self-titled albums on January 13.

Listen to their singles online now:

Crystal Aiken: http://www.sonybmgcrm.com/labels/crg/zomba/crystalaikin/email/ZMBA080477/index.html

Shari Addision: http://profile.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=user.viewProfile&friendID=277492801

Nationwide auditions for the next season of Sundays Best will begin this month. The open auditions begin in Atlanta and move on to Chicago and Washington, D.C. Hopefuls planning to audition should arrive early. Dates and locations are as follows:

JANUARY 10, 2009 - ATLANTA - 9:00 a.m.
Georgia World Congress Center - 285 Andrew Young International Drive, Atlanta, GA 30313

JANUARY 25, 2009 - CHICAGO - 9:00 a.m.
McCormick Place - 2233 S. Martin Luther King Drive, Chicago, IL 60616

JANUARY 31, 2009 - WASHINGTON, DC - 9:00 a.m.
BET Campus - 2000 M. St., NW, Washington, DC, 20036

SUNDAY BEST welcomes back as its host gospel great Kirk Franklin and judges multi-award winning siblings Erica and Tina Campbell of Mary Mary and Grammy Award-winning BeBe Winans. The highly-anticipated second season premieres Sunday, March 8 at 9:00 p.m. and rounds out BET's full line-up of gospel programming including 106 & P ARK P RESENTS: GENERATION GOS PEL, CELEBRATION OF GOSPEL and BOBBY JONES GOS P EL.

For more information on open auditions, call the toll-free hotline, (866) 405-BEST (2378) or visit www.bet.com/sundaybest

ROGINA THOMAS OF MISSISSIPPI MASS CHOIR PASSES AWAY
The Mississippi Mass Choir Family regretfully announces the passing of our
beloved singer - Rogina Thomas - on Saturday, December 27, 2008.

Her homegoing service will take place:

Saturday, January 3, 2009, 11:00AM,
Greater Tree of Life M.B. Church
3102 Monticello Drive, Jackson, MS, 39212,
Rev./Dr. F.L. Blount, Pastor.

Although her signature song was "He Can Fix What is Broke," Rogina also was
lead singer on "He's Coming Back," By Grace," "You Brought Me," and "Wise
Men Still Seek Him."

She leaves to cherish her precious memory, her loving husband Bobby Thomas,
and daughters, Ronita Thomas and Bonitsha Thomas; and a host of family and
friends.

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You cheered her on week after week on BET's hit show Sunday Best. Now Shari Addison returns with her self-titled cd featuring the first single "No Battle, No Blessing" In stores 1/13/09

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CRYSTAL AIKIN...the self-titled, debut CD of the inaugural winner of BET's "Sunday Best." She Sang. America Voted. The Verdict Was Clear. Now You Can Have Sunday Best, Everyday!!! In Stores 1/13/09

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MONA AUSTIN'S GOSPEL SLICE: Buzz about Celebration of Gospel, New Gospel Program; Sundays Best's Crystal and Shari Album Sneak Peek; Mississippi Mass lead singer passes.