EASTER MAY BE OVER, BUT YOU CAN STILL GO FORWARD IN FAITH ON BET NETWORKS WITH “CELEBRATION OF GOSPEL” FOLLOWED BY NEW DOCU-DRAMA SERIES, “THE SHEARDS” THIS SUNDAY, APRIL 7TH

Donnie McClurkin, Anita Baker, Pastor Shirley Caesar, Tyrese Gibson, Yolanda Adams, Tamar Braxton, Israel Houghton with Jason Nelson, Jonathan Butler & New Breed, Viola Davis and More Perform on the “CELEBRATION OF GOSPEL” with Host Steve Harvey at 8:00 P.M., ET/PT  -

Multi-Generational Gospel Super Star Sheard Family Navigates Faith and Family in a Modern World in a New Docu-Drama “THE SHEARDS” at 10:00 P.M. ET/PT

By Naomi Logan Richard

BET Networks will take the spirit to new heights on Sunday, April 7 at 8:00 p.m.* with the premiere of CELEBRATION OF GOSPEL followed by THE SHEARDS. Taped at the Orpheum Theater in Los Angeles and hosted by comedian and Steve Harvey, CELEBRATION OF GOSPEL is filled with uplifting performances, powerful duets and soulful choirs.

Led by the world-renowned musical director Ray Chew and his 24-piece orchestra, CELEBRATION OF GOSPEL features breathtaking performances and spoken word segments by both mainstream and gospel greats including singer and actor Tyrese Gibson and SUNDAY BEST title holder and Grammy® winner Le’Andria Johnson performing a gospel rendition of the Donny Hathaway ballad “A Song for You”; Tamar Braxton singing the Walter Hawkins penned classic “Be Grateful,” and Grammy®-winner Anita Baker making a surprise appearance and joining Donnie McClurkin to perform her 1987 hit “Ain’t No Need to Worry” originally performed with The Winans.

Mali, Photo Courtesy of Naomi Logan Richard

Additional highlights from the spiritual celebration include Grammy®-award winner Smokie Norful performing his new song, “Say So” with help from his nine-year-old son Ashton Norful; Kurt Carr and the Kurt Carr Singers led a powerful tribute to the Rev. James Cleveland performing “Lord Help Me to Hold Out”; followed by the original James Cleveland singers performing “Lord Do It” and “No Ways Tired”; SUNDAY BEST winner Joshua Rogers belted out “Peace Be Still”; Donnie McClurkin left audience members speechless singing “God Is”; Rance Allen sang “That Will Be Good Enough For Me,” and Dr. Bobby Jones joined in on the tribute finale “Can’t Nobody Do Me Like Jesus.” In addition to musical performances, Oscar® Nominated actress Viola Davis delivered a beautiful spoken word selection.

Sheryl Underwood, Photo Courtesy of Naomi Logan Richard

Rounding out the Gospel music fest are awe-inspiring performances by Pastor Shirley Caesar, Yolanda Adams, Tye Tribbett, Tamela Mann, Karen Clark Sheard and Kierra Sheard, Dorinda Clark Cole, Israel Houghton with Jason Nelson, Jonathan Butler & New Breed, Anthony Brown & Group Therapy and Charles Jenkins and Fellowship Chicago featuring Jessica Reedy, Isaac Carree, Da T.R.U.T.H. and Canton Jones.

BET’s CELEBRATION OF GOSPEL is produced by BET Networks: Stephen Hill (President of Music Programming & Specials), Lynne Harris Taylor (Vice President, Specials and Music Production) and Geovani Brewer.