Gospel Music Channel to Air 2009 Trailblazers Celebration Feb. 22

Special Features Tributes to Twinkie Clark, Donald Lawrence, and CeCe Winans

NEW YORK – The Gospel Music Channel (GMC) will broadcast the world premiere of the 2009 BMI Trailblazers of Gospel special Sunday, February 22 at 8 p.m. EST as part of the channel’s celebration of Black History Month. Co-hosted by Grammy Award-winning and platinum-selling star Kirk Franklin and BMI’s Catherine Brewton, the event honoring pacesetters Twinkie Clark, Donald Lawrence, and CeCe Winans features inspired live performances from a selection of contemporary stars and gospel powerhouses including Israel Houghton, Kierra "Kiki" Sheard, Kim Burrell, Tommy Simms, Lalah Hathaway, Arnette Murrill Crooms and Lejune Thompson.

Each Trailblazers gala is an invitation-only luncheon, and GMC’s look inside offers the first public access to this must-see celebration of gospel music’s finest. Encores of the special will air Sunday 11:00 p.m. and Monday, February 23 at 10:30 p.m., EST.

Elbernita “Twinkie” Clark has enthralled listeners for decades, both through her acclaimed solo work and leadership of gospel’s royal family, The Clark Sisters. A skilled musician dubbed “Queen of the B3 Hammond Organ,” Clark also wields aerobatic vocals only matched by her sublime knack for composition. Clark boasts two Grammys, and in addition to penning staples for The Clark Sisters, she has composed songs for artists including Rev. James Cleveland, Al Green, Donald Lawrence and the Tri-City Singers, Esther Smith, James Moss, Dave Hollister, Xscape, and Mary J. Blige. Legendary BMI gospel songwriter Twinkie Clark was recently recognized alongside her sisters at the 2007 Stellar Awards, where the influential group received the award for Most Noted Achievement.

As a producer, BMI songwriter, choir director, and singer, Donald Lawrence’s influence on contemporary gospel music is unparalleled. His starkly original work with the multiple award-winning Tri-City Singers first revealed a rare and innovative artist capable of musical brilliance and authentic Christian praise, while his work as a producer emboldened projects by gospel icons including fellow honoree Twinkie Clark, Kirk Franklin, and Karen Clark Sheard. The recipient of numerous BMI Christian and Stellar Awards, Lawrence has also penned songs for The Clark Sisters, the Tri-City Singers, his own well-received solo projects, and more. His growing catalog includes 2007 BMI Christian Award-winning “Blessing of Abraham” and “Encourage Yourself,” both recorded by Lawrence with the Tri-City Singers.