Tavis Smiley Presents...The Covenant In stores December 12, 2006

Verity/ Zomba Gospel is pleased to announce the release of THE COVENANT, a musical companion piece to the best selling book by Tavis Smiley. The book, a New York Times Bestseller, was called a manifesto by some critics, a movement by others. This CD melodically reinforces the 10 greatest concerns that are essential to all community’s, but particularly the African American community’s everyday life, as outlined in Smiley’s Covenant.

Definition:
Covenant – is a legal document summarizing an agreement between various parties. 2. In a religious context, it is an agreement between God and his people in which certain promises are made which require certain behaviors in return.

Songs by the leading Gospel artists have been perfectly matched with each of these ten principles, providing a soundtrack to this movement conceived and initiated by Smiley. These artists include Donnie McClurkin, Fred Hammond, Vickie Winans, Hezekiah Walker, John P. Kee, Donald Lawrence, Deitrick Haddon, Joann Rosario, and many more, each rendering selections with a passion and conviction that matches that of Smiley himself.

The CD is a collector’s companion piece to the successful best selling book. The songs on the CD were tirelessly chosen to accompany the books’ chapters and documents’ primary premise. The chapters consist of the Top 10 greatest concerns that are fundamental to everyone but more specifically the African American community’s day-to-day existence.

Smiley is compelled to galvanize the African-American community by highlighting and strengthening the core principles that, in some opinions, have been lost in the translation of time. This soundtrack allows the listener to apply the messages of hope, inspiration, and promise from their favorite Gospel messengers directly to the principles and practices that can and will transform their lives.

Tavis Smiley is a nationally syndicated television and radio talk show host with programs on both PBS and NPR. He came into national prominence on BET with ”Tonight with Tavis Smiley” where he is best known for his exclusive interviews with President Clinton, Fidel Castro and Pope John Paul II. Time magazine selected Smiley as one of America’s top 50 most promising young leaders. He is also the 2006 NAACP Image Award Winner for “Outstanding TV News, Talk or Information (Series or Special.)

Concerning “The Covenant” Tavis Smiley says, “We pledge to address every aspect of these issues—social, economic, political, and cultural—in our areas of leadership to improve the plight of Black Americans across this great nation… When we make Black America better, we make all of America better.” This CD is the perfect compliment that drives his point home.

Track Listing: (Song selection subject to change)
1. Health & Well Being – Donald Lawrence/Healed
2. Children Reaching Potential – Donnie McClurkin/ Yes You Can
3. Unequal Justice – Fred Hammond/ All Things Are Working
4. Community Togetherness – Deitrick Haddon U.N.I.T.Y
5. Wealth – I’ll Make It/Hezekiah Walker f. John P. Kee
6. Freedom/Servitude – Serve You Only/ Joann Rosario
7. History – Canton Spirituals/ Tell Me How Long
8. Financial Freedom – Vickie Winans/Shake Yourself Loose (Mario “Yellowman” Winans Remix)
9. Planet – Yolanda Adams/Save The World
10. Race & Technology Divide – Tonéx/ Tumblin’