Mayor Walsh Announces Tina Campbell of Mary Mary to Headline Gospelfest 2016
BOSTON - Thursday, July 28, 2016 - Mayor Martin J. Walsh and the Office of Tourism, Sports and Entertainment today announced the lineup for Gospelfest 2016, the free concert taking place at 5:00 p.m. on Sunday, August 7, 2016 at City Hall Plaza.
Headlining the event will be Gospel star Tina Campbell. Tina is the sister of last year's Gospelfest headliner Erica Campbell, and together they make up the contemporary Gospel duo Mary Mary. Famous for the songs "Heaven", "Go Get It", "Get Up", and crossover hit "Shackles (Praise You)", Tina Campbell and Mary Mary have been a consistent force in the contemporary Gospel genre since 2000.
"I am excited for Tina Campbell to electrify City Hall Plaza, " said Mayor Walsh. "This free concert is a great opportunity for families to come out and have fun on the plaza, and I encourage all to attend."
Opening for Campbell will be Freda Battle, pastor, musician, and active member of the Gospel community in New England and nationwide. Battle is originally from Boston where she started her music career, and is looking forward to her return in August.
In addition to Campbell and Battle, the Gospelfest Community Choir will also take the stage at Gospelfest this year. This will be the third year Gospelfest will feature a Community Choir in the lineup. Bringing local talent on to the same stage where nationally recognized artists perform is a highlight of this event.
2016 will mark the sixteenth year for Gospelfest, New England's largest Gospel music celebration.
About Tina Campbell: Known to much of the world as one half of the gospel duo Mary Mary, Tina Campbell is an accomplished and awarded singer & songwriter. She's achieved a lifetime of success with numerous awards won and millions of records sold in about a decade and a half alongside her sister, Erica Campbell, the other half of Mary Mary.
She has now moved to the forefront to share new solo music, a new book, and a one woman stage presentation, that explores the journey of how the most dreadful test became the most beautiful testimony.
She had to rely on her faith through some of life's most overwhelming challenges and because of her faith she was able to overcome them. In light of this, sharing her faith with the world through singing, writing, and speaking has become her greatest passion. Tina explains "When God chooses you and places you before the world to represent him, it could be considered burdensome, but I'm honored that he chose me to be one of his representatives on this earth. I intend to do it well cause I love what I do but most importantly, I love who I do it for. Wouldn't trade it for nothin'!"
Tina Campbell is also the proud wife of Teddy Campbell and the proud mother of five children. She says "Of all that my life has consisted of, my greatest accomplishment is my healthy happy family, that prays together and stays together through it all. I've graced many stages, podiums, and pulpits, and with all of that considered, I still derive my greatest joy from shining at home."
About Freda Battle: Freda Battle is the Pastor Of Worship Leader Development, and a resident Recording Artist at World Overcomers Christian Church in the Raleigh/Durham area of North Carolina. Freda began her music career in Boston, where she was born, and has served in Music Ministry for over 30 years. She is a seasoned and accomplished Teacher, Music Director, Songwriter, Worship Leader, and Recording Artist, (having her songs featured on over twenty music projects). She is a Radio Broadcasting veteran, and Music Exec., serving for three years as President of the indie music label Axiom Records. She is also an entrepreneur, owning her own publishing Co. Peace-O- Mind Music. Freda's music has also been featured on BET, OWN, TVONE, TBN, and The WORD Network to name a few, and is available on iTunes. She is also the founder of the dynamic choir, The Temple Worshippers. Freda Battle has just about done it all in the music field, but her passion, motivation, and love is going before people and leading them in singing, and worship to God, and teaching others to do the same.
About the Mayor's Office of Tourism, Sports and Entertainment
The Mayor's Office of Tourism, Sports and Entertainment is committed to producing fun, free public events for Bostonians and visitors to the city, and is proud to collaborate with Metro Boston as our media partner for Gospelfest 2016.
For further information please call 617-635-3911, visit @VisitBoston on Twitter, or Boston City Tourism on Facebook. City Hall Plaza is accessible by MBTA via Haymarket (Orange and Green), State Street (Orange and Blue), or Park Street (Green and Red).
