By Margaret Mansfield

Back in Business:  Verity Records was known for cranking out some of the best gospel acts around. It later changed its name to RCA Inspiration. The label, owned by Sony Music is back.

RCA Inspiration will continue to release projects under its name and Verity will be reborn with Marvin Sapp as the first artist to release an album under the label which was originally formed in 1994. Sapp’s album will hit stores September 29.

Phil Thornton (Verity and RCA Inspiration SVP & General Manager) says: “It’s an honor to launch Marvin Sapp’s new single ‘Close’ and his much-anticipated new album as the first release in reintroducing the iconic label Verity! Bishop Sapp is a dynamic icon whose signature sound and invigorating ministry have continued to have a worldwide influence, uplifting countless millions of people as a singer, songwriter, and Gospel leader, with one of the most gifted voices there is today.”

No word on whether or not RCA Inspiration will be shuttered or what other artitsts will be on Verity. Le’Andria Johnson for instance will be releasing her new album in July under RCA Inspiration, with the same executive staff as Marvin Sapp.

Non-the-less Verity and RCA Inspiration are excited about their plans for the future after new young talents have proved viable. Among those being breakthrough artist Travis Greene.

More than 20 years ago Verity was the flagship home to a diverse roster of growing acts and legends, releasing albums from Marvin Sapp, Fred Hammond, Richard Smallwood, Hezekiah Walker, Yolanda Adams, Twinkie Clark, Vickie Winans, John P. Kee and many more.

Throne Room Revisited: Motown Gospel has re-issued CeCe Winans’ popular Throne Room, on all digital platforms.

The 10x Grammy® Award winner offers a commemorative ‘Gold Edition’ of the groundbreaking worship album. Throne Room Gold Edition will include an exclusive unreleased rendition of “Blessed Assurance,” inspired by her 2015 Kennedy Center Honors tribute to legendary actress Cicely Tyson.

Throne Room was originally released in 2013, was RIAA Gold-certified and generated two hits, “Mercy Said No,” and “Hallelujah Praise.”

Winans is currently on her national ‘Let Them Fall In Love’ Tour presented by Medi-Share Briefly, Karen Clark Sheard expressed her love for the her husband on Instagram. @bishopdrewsheard You are the answer to my life’s questions, you are the destination of my life’s journey. You are the solution to my life’s problems, you are the crux of my life’s destiny. Happy anniversary Honey!..Marvin Sapp will be featured in an upcoming profile on TV One’s “Unsung”, airing in Summer 2017. In addition to his new music and continuing to travel with preaching and performance dates, Bishop Marvin Sapp’s ministry continues to thrive. He recently launched a second location of Lighthouse Full Life Center Church in Muskegon, Michigan – making Lighthouse one church with two locations (including Grand Rapids). He is also Metropolitan Bishop within the Global United Fellowship where he oversees more than 100 churches in 19 states. Finally, Singer Ted Winn has released a new single called “Stand in Awe.” The song is from the forthcoming CD of the same name due out on September 1. Winn was formerly one-half of the Stellar Award-winning/Dove award-winning duo Ted and Shari.  The duo scored a recording contract with Neily Dickerson’s Church Howse Music label, scoring success with the hit “Come Ye Disconsolate,” which garnered them two Stellar Awards. Moving on to Word Records, they scored another Top 5 gospel radio hit with “Celebrate.”

This week’s scripture: For what does it profit a man to gain the whole world and forfeit his soul?

Mark 8:36 ESV