Premier Festivals is announcing the return in the 2010 season of an event celebrating the unique soumds and presentation of top artists in black gospel/urban music. "Joyfest" has become an annual hallmark for the best music in the genre and one of Premier Festival’s most successful presentations.

"Joyfest 2010" is scheduled by Premier Festivals to be presented this summer at four of America’s leading amusement park destinations—Carowinds in Charlotte, North Carolina, (May 29th), World of Fun in Kansas City, Missouri (July 24th), Kings Island, Mason, Ohio (June 19th), and Kings Dominion, Doswell, Virginia (July 17th).

A major highlight of this year’s Joyfest will be festival headliner Fred Hammond who is confirmed to be the major attraction at all four events, as is Grammy and multi Stellar Award winner, Donald Lawrence. As a solo artist, Hammond, founder of the pioneer urban group, Commissioned, and a centerpiece of Radical for Christ, has sold over 7 million albums to date. His numerous awards include the Grammy® Award, Stellar Award, Dove Award, and GMWA Excellence Awards.

Sure to be a highlight addition of the '10 season is the recent announcement by Premier Festivals that nationally celebrated comedy sensation, Sinbad, will be onstage to perform for audiences at two or the four festivals.

The stellar line-up joining Fred Hammond on "Joyfest 2010" stage includes:

Donald Lawrence, the Grammy and multi-Stellar Award winning artist, singer/songwriter and producer of major urban artists such as Peabo Bryson and Kirk Franklin. His success with the Tri-City Singers brought major national recognition.

J Moss as both a singer/songwriter and a creative partner in the PAJAM Production team is responsible for being a major influencer in the world of urban and hip hop genres as performer, producer, and hit song writer. His latest album, Just James, released last summer, has garnered critical acclaim within the music industry.

Canton Jones debuted his music and production talents on his own independent, CAJO label early in the decade of the 2000’s. Quickly establishing himself as a major new voice in Christian R&B and Gospel, his innovative project, The Password: Access Granted received two Grammy Award nominations in 2005. He has since become a much in-demand concert artist.

Bone Hampton, recognized as one of the funniest ‘clean humor’ comedians in America—is consistently in-demand for a busy touring schedule that includes comedy clubs, churches and frequent television guestings.

Sinbad, adds major punch to this summer’s line-up! The popular comedy genius whose HBO comedy specials, frequent television guestings and films have won a loyal national following, will be a special appearance headliner at the Carowinds, May 29th and Kings Dominion, July 17th presentations of Joyfest.

Martha Munizzi, celebrated worship leader, gifted songwriter, and recognized hit artist with her groundbreaking, Say the Word, will be added to the billing at King’s Island’s Timberwolf Amphitheater in Mason, Ohio on June 19th.

21:03, new group sensation on the urban gospel scene with their industry acclaimed sophomore project, Total Attraction, will also join the presentation of “Joyfest” June 19th at Kings Island, Mason, Ohio.

The presentation of "Joyfest 2010" continues the alliance of Premier Festivals with Cedar Fair Entertainment, the industry leader in family-oriented amusement park properties in North America.

Special "Joyfest 2010" ticket contests and complete ticket resource and purchase information is available online at: www.joyfest.org

Resource Premier Festival's online at: www.premierfestivals.com

http://www.cmspin.com/newsmanager/anmviewer.asp?a=5904&z=26

...The event, which will also hit amusement parks in Ohio, Virginia and Missouri this summer, features gospel greats Fred Hammond and Donald Lawrence, with host Bone Hampton. The remaining dates for JoyFest are:

June 19 - Kings Island, Cincinnati (Mason), Ohio

July 17 - Kings Dominion, Richmond (Doswell), Va.

July 24 - Word of Fun, Kansas City, Mo.

Canton Jones will join the concert line-up for the June 19 event in Cincinnati, OH and the July 17 event in Richmond, VA. Gospel artists 21:03 and Martha Munizzi will appear at the June 19 date, and Sinbad is scheduled to appear at the July 17 date.

JoyFest is one of Premier Festival's most successful annual concert series and is produced in partnership with Cedar Fair Entertainment, the industry leader in family-oriented amusement park properties in North America....

http://blog.beliefnet.com/gospelsoundcheck/2010/06/joyfest-gospel-music-festival.html