SR Gospel: Lawrence, Al Green, Norful Set For Celebration of Gospel Music Heritage Month

In celebration of the second annual National Gospel Music Heritage Month, GMC (Gospel Music Channel) is rolling out a fresh round of programming including exclusive premieres and concerts featuring Donald Lawrence, Al Green, Smokie Norful, Shirley Caesar and more.

In its second consecutive year, GMC joined with the United States Senate and the House of Representatives to create the "National Gospel Music Heritage Month" initiative. The dual legislation passed by the House and the Senate designates September 2009 as "Gospel Music Heritage Month," honoring gospel music for its valuable and long-standing contributions to American culture. Backed by The Recording Academy((R)), the Gospel Music Association (GMA), the Gospel Music Workshop of America (GMWA) and The Stellar Awards, this year's celebration is set to illuminate the mission and history of Gospel music.

According to GMC, each weekend in September will be packed with premieres, concert series, documentaries, and other programming.

Highlights include concerts and documentaries featuring Al Green (Sept. 27, 8pm), Dr. Bobby Jones (Sept. 27, 9pm), the GMC premieres of How Sweet the Sound (Sept. 13, 8pm), the Verizon-sponsored search for the best church choir in America, hosted by Donald Lawrence and the dazzling concert film Gospel (Sept. 13, 9pm) featuring James Cleveland, Walter Hawkins and Shirley Caesar; special Saturday night-long tributes to the biggest names in contemporary Gospel/Christian music including Third Day (Sept. 5), Michael W. Smith (Sept. 12), tobyMac (Sept. 19) and Kirk Franklin (Sept. 26); and a special encore of the 2009 Stellar Awards (Sept. 6, 8 pm).

As previously reported on Singersroom, the world television premiere of Smokie Norful Live will air on GMC September 20 at 9pm ET.

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