Here's what's hot in Gospel music, from Mark Weber's ChristianMusicDaily.com

After a three-year absence Gospel music's ultimate showman has returned with a hit record. Ricky Dillard, the dynamic choir leader, recently took his New G Chorale all the way to a top 10 debut on Billboard's Top Gospel Chart with his new CD, "7th Episode: Live in Toronto." Dillard recently celebrated the release in his hometown of Chicago with special in-store appearances and an album release concert. He also did a live performance and appearance on Chicago's WGN Morning Show. Dillard recorded "7th EPISODE LIVE IN TORONTO" earlier this year in Toronto, Canada, to a packed house. In a tragic coincidence, Dillard's home in Atlanta burned to the ground that very evening leading to the loss of his house and most of his possessions.

Find out more about what's new with Ricky Dillard at ChristianMusicDaily dot com, where you can read lots of Christian and Gospel news, reviews, and interviews and post your opinions in the forums.

Trin-I-Tee 5:7 knows about facing the storms of life. The group, comprised of Chanelle Haynes, Angel Taylor and Adrian Anderson, had to hold on to their faith as two of the girls' native city of New Orleans was submerged in 2005 due to the ravaging effects of Hurricane Katrina. Now that Gospel's best-selling female trio has weathered the storm, they're back with a brand new project, T57, and the challenge not only has made them stronger, but the maturity of the stylish songbirds is reflected in their new musical collection. The three women take much of the songwriting credits on the project - a definite sign that their new disc, T57, is the personal reflection of the group - and hit producer Walter Milsap ( who has worked with Yolanda Adams, Alicia Keys, Usher & Dave Hollister) delivers the first single "Listen," and two other unforgettable songs: "I Need You" and an uplifting anthem titled "Beautiful Girl."

Find out more about what's new with Trin-I-Tee 5:7 at ChristianMusicDaily dot com, where you can read lots of Christian and Gospel news, reviews, and interviews and post your opinions in the forums. Check it out today: Christian Music Daily.com.

Here's what's hot in Gospel music, from Mark Weber's ChristianMusicDaily.com

Ami Rushes shows no signs of slowing down. Did you get that play-on-words? Sorry, it had to be done. But seriously, folks, this anointed singer, who lives near the ocean in a peaceful California neighborhood with her three pet cats, is a star on the rise in the black Gospel world-and, somewhat ironically, she's a blonde, white woman. Ami's latest CD, entitled Lifting, is unique in that her producer, Kurt Carr, has her covering several traditional Gospel classics, helping introduce them to new audiences. She dedicates the rousing "I Can Go To God In Prayer" to "the queen of Gospel, Ms. Albertina Walker," and covers James Cleveland's "Oh Lord, Stand By Me." Showing her ability to appeal to both black and white audiences, Ami also covers Michael Card's "El Shaddai," a song many people are familiar with since Amy Grant sang it in the 1980s.

Read Mark Weber's interview with Ami Rushes at ChristianMusicDaily dot com, where you can read lots of Christian and Gospel news, reviews, and interviews and post your opinions in the forums. Check it out today: Christian Music Daily.com.

Here's what's hot in Gospel music, from Mark Weber's ChristianMusicDaily.com

Powerhouse vocalist Mandisa, a bright light from the top 10 of the famous TV singing competition juggernaut that is American Idol, has made an exceptional album entitled True Beauty. Mandisa's inner light shined through on Idol, and thankfully her producers helped capture her confident, positive spirit on True Beauty. A strong and skilled vocalist, Mandisa manages to evoke the sound and style of talents like CeCe Winans, Nicole C. Mullen, En Vogue, and India.Arie on her refreshingly eclectic debut. True Beauty is definitely above average and worth buying. The title track, "True Beauty," is a clever lyrical take on a subject so many young people, especially girls, struggle with everyday: looks. Mandisa lets her audience know that you don't have to have blonde hair and fake tans to look beautiful, but, rather, beauty comes from within and is a reflection of one's connection with Christ.

Check out my full Mandisa CD review at ChristianMusicDaily dot com, where you can read lots of Christian and Gospel news, reviews, and interviews and post your opinions in the forums. Check it out today: Christian Music Daily.com.

Here's what's hot in Gospel music, from Mark Weber's ChristianMusicDaily.com

The Hardest Working Woman in Gospel worked through the heat of summer to create a very cool Christmas CD. She just finished recording her first Christmas project entitled, "Happy Holidays From Vickie Winans," the first release on her very own Destiny Joy Records label. Winans has gone to great lengths to bring fresh new arrangements and musical color to more than a dozen holiday standards such as "Silent Night" and "Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas." The first radio single is "The Holiday Jam," an all-year-round celebration of all the Holy days. The singer's entire family joins her on "We Wish You A Merry Christmas," and her son, Marvin Winans Jr., shows up on "Joy to the World."

Read the full article about Vickie Winans' new Christmas CD at ChristianMusicDaily dot com, where you can read lots of Christian and Gospel news, reviews, and interviews and post your opinions in the forums. Check it out today: ChristianMusicDaily.com.