Monday, November 26, 2007

Weeks vs. Bynum: Round Two



Seems like the battle between Bishop Thomas Weeks III and popular teleevangelist Juanita Bynum is still on.

A recent press conference on Thanksgiving Day was staged by Thomas Weeks III on the church property of Global Destiny Church in Atlanta as he faced allegations and statements made by his estranged wife Juanita Bynum during an interview in the current issue of Essence magazine. He also ended his silence concerning the tax debt that made national news surrounding his Duluth, Georgia home and the crisis surrounding Global Destiny Ministries.

“The time has come," Weeks states, "to bring clarity to a number of rumors, conjectures, lies, dramatized statements. I have not come here to attack Juanita Bynum.” He furthered that in order to protect his wife; he has purposely rejected countless opportunities for interviews to publicly answer allegations against him regarding domestic violence. He said, “I must address fact from fiction,” calling the rumors and conjectures “a serious plot to destroy” his ministry and everything that “I am about.” Yet he believes that the rocky marriage is still repairable.

As for the foreclosure on their home, Weeks explained that the house was under a lease-purchase agreement and that they had fulfilled their part of the agreement without making the decision to purchase it.

Shocking details, from his point-of view, were also released from Weeks claiming the severe bruises that were photographed and identified by her staff during the August meeting at an Atlanta hotel were not made by him as she proclaims and believes it is another way to sabotage his name and ministry. "She is part of a serious plot to destroy everything I was apart of,” he said, adding that the article, which features part two next month, was “crafted to make me look like a villain.” He even went further to state that she has been the aggressor in the relationship and he has been beaten by her numerous times.

“Everything will come out in court,” he repeated throughout the news conference.

On Sunday, Bynum responded to Weeks’ charges in a statement through her publicist. "Bishop Weeks is doing exactly what he promised he would do and that is, try to destroy my name with lies, fabrications and exaggerations," the pastor said. "His behavior is to be expected."

She went on in her statement, made by her publicist Amy Malone, that "at this stage of my ministry/career with major projects pending, I would not have had any motive to stage my own attack and bring worldwide negative press to myself. I am confident in the power of truth! I was Juanita Bynum when I walked into this marriage and I will continue to be Juanita Bynum as I exit from this marriage in spite of all false allegations that have come against my name."

The couple's divorce is still pending in Gwinnett County Superior Court.


[EVIDENCE UNDER TRIAL]

Tuesday, November 20, 2007

John Legend Gets Lifted Up



Oh what a day it would be to hear the talented, super-seductive vocals of R&B crooner John Legend sing a song unto the Lord.

Of course, it isn't such a big deal since the Springfield, Ohio native comes from a religious background - growing up in church singing gospel and playing piano at the tender age of six. The session piano player, who later picked up work with Lauryn Hill, Kanye West and Alicia Keys, gained an extreme amount of popularity moving to Philly for college life. Now John Stephens, or Legend in the pop world, has an incredible resume filled with three GRAMMYs and top ten records and a list of hit singles. It is his interesting combinations of soul and R&B music that places Legend into the same arena of classics such as Donny Hathaway, Teddy Pendergrass and Al Green. And we thought for a second R&B died when Luther Vandross left us...

Anyone that knows Legend's background good enough will even pull out the strengths of such a talented family. Danielle Stephens, Legend's sister, is a longtime member of Israel Houghton's New Breed. Kashaan Stephens, now located in Cincinnati, is also preparing to release his upcoming debut project on the world. The Stephens family even gathered together to sing with the R&B hero on his "Get Lifted" album.

News finally leaked out that Legend will be returning to his gospel roots during an upcoming appearance at BET's live taping of their Celebration of Gospel festivities. The program will feature gospel legends including Kirk Franklin, Shirley Caesar, Yolanda Adams and R&B super-diva Patti LaBelle. The event will once again be graced with the comedic talent of Steve Harvey. Things take place on December 15, 2007, 6 p.m., at the majestic Orpheum Theatre. What a show that's going to be.

Of course, if I had known about this anytime sooner, I would have been booked my tickets for this show. Especially to hear what song Legend has picked to sing for such an event in gospel's history. Would it be Donny Hathaway's gospel offering "We Need You Right Now" or Curtis Mayfield's "People Get Ready"? Gosh, so many songs to think of...

By the way, we are not encouraging Legend to switch over to gospel. He's doing a terrific job in R&B - and we really wish more people would get on board to give birth to more great music as his. But Legend, singing a gospel song or two or even doing one album in his lifetime for the gospel, would just be "legendary."

Now if those Legend haters would stop with those senseless jokes on YouTube of Legend's grindin' segments on stage...of him being "lifted" in other ways. In the words of Legend: "Save room for my love."

[LEGENDARY STATUS]
BET (Official Website)
John Legend (Official Website)

Saturday, November 10, 2007

More Views To Review

Before we at PRAYZEHYMNOnline.com count down to the Best of 2007, we want to announce that you will be seeing dozens of album reviews popping up at the website. There are so many albums that escaped our reach during this year that we failed to get our hands on for review. But all is not lost - we are definitely working on posting reviews up on multiple album releases from this year. Featured in the big list of reviews to come are: Myron Butler & Levi, Lee Williams & Spiritual Q.C.'s, the Mighty Clouds of Joy, Bobby Jones, Shirley Caesar, Isaac Simpson & DP and others.

The reviews will be posted before Anniversary Week starts...
After that, expect the Holiday Issue to pop up - and the rest is self-explanatory.
Expect to see our yearly wrap-up in the 2007 editions of "Simply The Best" and "Esssentially: The Top 12 Gospel Albums of The Year".

Hmmm...I wonder what it would be like to see NBG and PRAYZEHYMNOnline.com join forces for another segment of "The Good, The Bad, The Ugly"...lol

By the way, we tried to get in touch with Tyscot Records to see if they had any promotional copies of VaShawn Mitchell's latest release (Promises)...they didn't know who we were and asked for us to email them a data submission of the website. We did just that and still have not received any correspondence from them. Fear not, none can escape the wrath of PRAYZEHYMN. LOL.

By the way, we have reviewed in the past several of Tyscot Records' releases including albums from Bishop Noel Jones, Anointed Pace Sisters, New Life Community Choir ft./ John P. Kee, Lucinda Moore, Bishop Larry Trotter and VaShawn Mitchell's "Believe In Your Dreams." Not sure on how they have no clue as to who we are at PRAYZEHYMNOnline.com.

Details on what's happenin' the week on ANNIVERSARY WEEK can be viewed at the PRAYZEHYMNOnline.com main page.