“Sisters in the Spirit” - The 3rd Annual Tour Kicks off February 1, 2005

Yolanda Adams, Martha Munizzi, Juanita Bynum, Kelly Price, RiZen and Sheila E to Share Stage in Celebration of Body, Mind and Soul

Southwest Airline Sponsors Tour in Recognition of Black History Month

Five-Week, 21 City Tour Begins in Columbus, OH. More Dates to be Added

The most inspiring musical tour of early 2005 takes place on February 1st in Columbus, Ohio with the launching of the Sisters in the Spirit tour. In celebration of February as “Black History Month,” gospel music superstars Yolanda Adams, Martha Munizzi and RiZen join with R&B/pop icon Kelly Price and Sisters in the Spirit Musical Director Sheila E to honor the unique spiritual bond of women in all walks of life. Juanita Bynum, aka “The Prophetess,” famed for her enlightening sermons and inspirational books on hope, strength and spirituality, will offer both music and message to the proceedings. Included in the Sisters in the Spirit program is health and fitness expert Donna Richardson Joyner, wife of “Fly Jock” Tom Joyner, who will impart tips contained on her successful video, “Sweating in the Spirit.”

Sponsored by Southwest Airlines, the Sisters in the Spirit tour is promoted by Executive Producer Al Wash of ALW Entertainment. Wash is the promoter behind the highly successful “Hopeville” tour, which concluded its second outing in 2004. Previously, the tour enjoyed a well-received run in 2002. Wash comments, “The purpose of the Sisters in the Spirit tour is to show the unity and strength of women today in gospel music. Most people’s New Year resolution is to exercise and work out. That’s why, during Black History Month, we use the theme ‘Mind, Body and Soul’ to make sure that people keep their resolutions. This combination of singers and ministry is the best of all the tours we have had under the Sister in the Spirit banner.” Gospel music veteran Kirk Franklin, a participant in the “Hopeville” tour, will offer his insight as a stage advisor and will not perform.

Bynum comments, “The purpose of the Sisters in the Spirit tour is to give back a little bit, to think about YOU just for a day. As women take on a stronger role in leadership in both business, social and family decisions, we go through a period where we don’t have time to congratulate or commend ourselves on our own accomplishments.”

Keeping with tradition, there is no one particular headliner for the Sisters in the Spirit tour. Instead, a sharing spirit of community will be the focus, as each artist will sing both solo and duets, backed by Sheila E’s musical direction. While the uninitiated may wonder about the addition of Sheila E, she gained fame for her contributions to Latin jazz, and as a protégé of pop music star Prince. Both Wash and Bynum offer insights to the choice. Wash: “Since this is the third time for this tour, it’s always been my dream to have an all-women band. To me, who else is a perfect choice to direct the musical efforts of this tour than Sheila E.” Bynum adds, “Sheila E is the equivalent of Quincy Jones in terms of the breadth of musical knowledge she brings to the table. I also could not have chosen a better director for the various types of music this tour offers.”

THE PARTICIPANTS:

The stunning Yolanda Adams has been dubbed by Juanita Bynum as “The Barbra Streisand of gospel music.” It is an apt title, as this vivacious vocalist has won two Grammy awards and an astounding 13 Stellar Music gospel awards. She garnered immense praise for her performances on the recent television holiday special “A Clay Aiken Christmas.”

Juanita Bynum’s worldwide ministry is fueled by her uncanny insights into the workings of worship and its benefits. She is the author of a number of million-selling books on self-improvement and faith, including “Matters of the Heart,” “Don’t Get Off the Train” and “A Heart for Jesus.”

Martha Munizzi is a powerhouse vocalist who has built a large international following through her soulful, Southern-inflected delivery. She has recorded three best-selling albums, including When He Came, The Best Is Yet to Come and Say the Name.

Kelly Price has recorded two platinum albums, Soul of a Woman and Mirror Mirror, and is currently riding major praise for her 2003 release, Priceless. Her biggest hit was 1998’s “Friend of Mine,” and she has worked with such major producers as Warryn Campbell and Raphael Saadiq. Price recently came off the road, where she performed in the Tyler Perry-scripted “Why Did I Get Married” play.

Saginaw, Michigan natives RiZen consists of Adriann and Aundrea Lewis, Knika Trigg and Ashley Jones. Juanita Bynum calls them “four Patti LaBelles” for their high-powered vocal style. Their debut album, RiZen, has caused a major ripple in gospel, receiving numerous 2004 Dove and Stellar Gospel music award nominations.

Sheila E (Musical Director) is a highly respected percussionist who has played for Diana Ross, Ringo Starr, Marvin Gaye, and of course, Prince. She is also an advocate for breast cancer awareness and youth education. Sheila E says of her selection as Musical Director of the Sisters in the Spirit tour: “The good thing about being MD is that I’m familiar with all the acts’ music, especially Yolanda, for whom I was MD on several tours. Their music speaks for itself, and if there is something they would like to hear in their music, I take direction pretty well!”

TOUR DATES for “SISTERS IN THE SPIRIT”:

February 1 Columbus, OH Main Auditorium

February 3 Washington, D.C. Constitution Hall

February 4 Philadelphia, PA Liacouras Center

February 5 Baltimore, MD Lyric Opera House

February 6 Charlotte, SC Ovens Auditorium

February 8 TBA

February 10 Richmond, VA Landmark Theatre

February 11 TBA

February 12 Hampton, VA Coliseum

February 13 Greensboro, NC Events Center

February 15 Flint, MI IMI Sports Arena

February 17 Chicago, IL Arie Crown

February 18 Detroit, MI Fox Theatre

February 19 Cincinnati, OH Taft Theatre

February 20 Atlanta, GA Civic Center

February 22 Columbus, GA Civic Arena

February 24 Birmingham, AL Boutwell Auditorium

February 25 Jacksonville, FL Performance Arts Center

February 26 Lakeland, FL Carpenter Center

February 27 Miami, FL James L. Knight Center

March 1 Memphis, TN Orpheum Theatre

March 3 Dallas, TX Next Stage Arena

March 4 New Orleans, LA Sanger Theatre

March 5 Houston, TX Verizon Theatre

March 6 Austin, TX Frank Erwin Center

Additional Dates To Be Announced.