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JONATHAN NELSON BACK WITH 'RIGHT NOW PRAISE':
Gospel artist and ensemble return with sophomore project and new tour

Reviewed By Tiffany Jackson 

Album cover for 'Right Now Praise.'

Jonathan Nelson and Purpose are back. The Integrity Music artist and his ensemble will release their sophomore CD "Right Now Praise" on February 5, 2008.

The uplifting radio single "My Name is Victory" just debuted at #28 on Radio & Records' Hot Gospel Songs chart with a bullet.

The CD collection is rounded out with a dozen other songs featuring gospel luminaries such as Sheri Moffet-Jones on "Yes, Out There," William Murphy on "Great and Mighty," Nikki Ross on "Already Mine" and Nelson's twin brother Jason on "Right Now Praise."

For the last few years, there's been much industry buzz about Nelson and his brilliant songwriting abilities. He has either written or co-written such modern day gospel smashes as Youth for Christ's

"The Struggle is Over" which was #1 on Billboard magazine's Hot Gospel songs chart for a dozen weeks in 2007. He also penned other chart hits such as Donald Lawrence's Top 10 smash "Healed", Rudolph

McKissick Jr.'s "The Right Place," "Melonie Daniel's "Praise is My Weapon" and both "Destiny" and "Great Praise" for Stephen Hurd. He also wrote, "Manifest" from Bishop T.D. Jake's Grammy-winning "A Wing and a Prayer" CD. "I think that Integrity is the perfect label home for Jonathan because of his strength and proven success as a songwriter in Gospel music and because of his amazing gift as a worship leader," says Integrity Music Artist Development Director Chris Springer.

Nelson grew up in church and earned his first professional singing gig when he assembled some singing friends to back Karen Clark Sheard when she performed at Baltimore's Greater Bethlehem Church (where his father was the pastor) in 2000. Following the successful concert, Nelson and his friends formed Purpose. They have since backed a who's who in music, ranging from BeBe & CeCe Winans to Michael McDonald. Their debut CD "Everything You Are: Live in Baltimore" was released in 2003 and featured the regional hit "Healed" which was eventually picked up by Donald Lawrence and made into a national hit. Married with two children, Nelson is Worship Leader and Minister of Music for the Empowerment Temple.

Beginning in March, Nelson is taking his message around the country. After launching a debut concert at the Empowerment Temple in Baltimore, MD on February 5, 2008 at 7 p.m., Nelson joins the WORD TV Network's "Gospel Focus" tour where he will be a celebrity judge alongside fellow gospel stars Lonnie Hunter and Lexi.

Confirmed tour dates:

MARCH 1st ~ Houston, Texas 
The Fountain of Praise 
13535 South Post Oak 
Houston, Texas 77045

MARCH 22nd ~ Montgomery, Alabama 
New Life Church Of God In Christ 
4781 Mobile Highway (Rt31) 
Montgomery, Alabama 36108

APRIL 12th ~ Atlanta, Georgia 
Center Of Hope 
492 Roy Huie Road 
Riverdale, GA 30274

APRIL 26th ~ Woodbridge, Virginia 
Harvest Life Changers Church 
14401 Telegraph 
Woodbridge, VA 22192

MAY 10th ~ Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 
Enon Tabernacle Baptist Church 
230 W. Coulter Street 
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

MAY 31st ~ Detroit, Michigan 
New Creation In Christ Church/Finney High School 
17200 South Hampton Street 
Detroit, MI 48224-2169

JUNE 20th & JUNE 21st ~ Harvey, Illinois *SEMI-FINALS* 
St. Mark Missionary Baptist Church 
14618 Lincoln Avenue 
Harvey, Illinois 60426

JULY 18th ~ Toledo, Ohio *FINALS* 
LOCATION TO BE ANNOUNCED