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Home , Della Reese, Lightworkers Media, Roma Downey, Tommee Profitt

INDUSTRY Q&A: , Founder & CEO,

By Jess Chambers WHAT’S INSIDE: Roma Downey Photography by Deborah Wald

Q&A with Roma Downey is an Emmy-nominated Roma Downey, actress and producer. She’s well-known Founder & CEO, LightWorkers Media for her role as the kindhearted angel, Monica, on the show, “Touched By News An Angel.” Downey and her husband, , have produced several Radio Movement faith-based programs for television such as, “The Series” and “A.D.” as well as feature films like, “Son Of Celebrations God,” “Woodlawn,” and “Ben-Hur.” and Milestones Growing up in the city of , Obituaries Ireland during a time of conflict we now know as The Troubles, Downey Appearances experienced great loss as a young girl. in Film/TV Yet in the sadness, she found a way to see the blessing in everything that Top Artists happened in her life. on Social Media (Continued on page 4)

Movement

NEWS Syntax Creative signed distribution deals with Foothills Christian Church, Capitol Christian The Grove Church, Vineyard Records UK & Ireland, Mainstay Records, and Music Group Aromaphone Records. announced the promotion of Monica Josh Thompson Coates and EJ American Idol alum, Danny Gokey, recently left Word Gaines to co- signed with Capitol Christian Music Entertainment and executive directors Group. joined FutureShirts of Motown Gospel. as their Head of The promotions Digital Services. come at the same time as Ken Pennell, Redjett Management longtime president of Motown Gospel, hired Liz Zinke as Kathy Troccoli announced her 20th announced his retirement, effective Brand/ Marketing Anniversary KT Cruise - a 10-Day April 1st. Manager. Panama Canal/Caribbean vacation.

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RADIO Salem has been recognized as one of March 28 – Amber Nelon Thompson the Best and Brightest Companies to (Nelons) Work For® in the country. They were At KSBJ, Jordan Smith has been evaluated by the National Association promoted to the Director of Promotions March 29 – Brian Free for Business Resources, an independent and Marketing position. (Brian Free & Assurance) research firm who reviewed several key measures such as benefits, compensation, employee enrichment, SEEN & HEARD employee education, communication, diversity, work-life balance and Two-time Grammy® community initiatives. Winner, Tye Tribbett, Radio Movement Provided by performed live on HisAir.net The Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon in February. Jayar is celebrating his 10th year OBITUARIES in afternoons at WCIE/Tampa (The JOY FM). Christian evangelist, The movie, “I Can Only Rev. Billy Graham, Imagine,” (Lionsgate/ Roadside Attractions) WAWZ/New York (Star 99.1) evening died on February releases Mar. 16th. personality, Sharon Davis, announced 21st at his home Additionally, Bart her retirement. in Montreat, North Carolina. He was 99. Millard’s book, “I Can Only Imagine: A Memoir,” Troy West has been appointed Interim released on February 13th. Program Director at KSBJ/Houston. CELEBRATIONS “Coming Back Stronger” by Joshua Longtime KSBJ/ Jamie Grace is Silverberg (feat. Sarah Reeves) was Houston GM, Tim engaged to be featured in the NBC promo for Good Girls. McDermott, will exit married to Aaron KSBJ Educational Collins on April 14, Foundation on March 2018. 19th. McDermott has served as the President and General Manager of KSBJ BIRTHDAYS since 1992. Profitt Malcolm

March 3 – Jason Crabb WFSH/Atlanta (104.7 The Fish) Program “Empire” with Tommee Profitt Director, Mike Blakemore, has been (feat. Steven Malcolm) was featured in March 7 – Greta Manning appointed to the new position of VP promos for Star Trek Discovery on CBS, (Trio Music Group) Programming, CCM Format effective the show – Empire on Fox, and was also February 12th. used on UFC. March 12 – Karen Peck Gooch KCMS/Seattle (Spirit 105.3) hired KSBJ/ (Karen Peck & New River) UFC featured “The Fall” from writer, Houston PD Ty McFarland for Program Tony Wood. Director duties. Ty replaces Matt March 13 – Candi Staton Stockman who exited the KCMS PD To see your sync placements featured chair last November to join EMF as March 17 – Kelly Bowling in our upcoming newsletter, send us KLOVE PD. (Bowling Family) an email: [email protected].

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TOP 20 ARTISTS ON FACEBOOK TOP 20 ARTISTS ON TWITTER TOP 20 ARTISTS ON INSTAGRAM

Tercer Cielo 18,409,152 Ricardo Montaner 8,917,234 Hillsong United 1,597,271

Jesus Adrian Romero 11,060,339 Juan Luis Guerra 7,708,482 Erica Campbell 1,530,622

Thalles Roberto 8,851,054 Kirk Franklin 1,662,782 Tamela Mann 1,255,697

Alex Campos 7,652,731 Lecrae 1,587,247 Lecrae 1,221,397

Juan Luis Guerra 7,551,528 Thalles Roberto 1,301,453 Tercer Cielo 1,189,032

Marcos Witt 6,280,165 Marcos Witt 1,183,987 Kari Jobe 1,073,353

Lilly Goodman 6,082,549 Hillsong United 1,182,034 Culture 1,024,700

Hillsong United 5,756,435 Jesus Adrian Romero 1,150,236 Lilly Goodman 1,019,219

Ricardo Montaner 5,588,216 Alex Campos 1,117,928 Marcela Gandara 980,496

Don Moen 5,375,879 1,021,617 Christine D’Clario 980,261

Skillet 5,221,823 Tercer Cielo 932,411 Hillsong Worship 960,397

Marcela Gandara 4,754,763 Marcela Gandara 743,295 Marcos Witt 954,164

Casting Crowns 4,656,057 Lilly Goodman 719,857 Bethel Music 915,142

Hillsong Worship 4,430,668 Kari Jobe 706,107 Alex Campos 906,509

Danilo Montero 4,193,714 Marco Barrientos 696,144 Kirk Franklin 885,515

TobyMac 4,070,017 Danilo Montero 668,305 Tasha Cobbs 820,657

Mary Mary 3,769,245 Jesus Culture 623,311 Hillsong Y&F 770,207

Chris Tomlin 3,545,788 TobyMac 618,065 Marco Barrientos 754,149

Marco Barrientos 3,506,860 Mary Mary 583,296 Miel San Marcos 725,484

Daniel Calveti 2,918,284 CeCe Winans 575,083 Danilo Montero 715,731

Carman Karen Peck Greg Nelson The Staples Singers GMA HONORS & HALL OF FAME CEREMONY

SAVE THE DATE: Tuesday, May 8, 2018 Chonda Pierce Bishop Marvin Sapp Ryan Lampa

3 | GOSPELMUSIC.ORG MARCH 2018 Roma Downey pictured with her book “Box of Butterflies” releasing spring 2018.

Today, Downey is the Founder and CEO of LightWorkers LightWorkers Media using the expression, “It’s Media, a joint venture with MGM, and Chief Content better to light one candle than curse the darkness …” Officer for LightWorkers.com - an online community of LightWorkers.com is refreshing and uplifting. digital storytelling that creates uplifting and encouraging It spreads a different kind of a message - focusing content. Her book, “Box of Butterflies,” releases on March on encouraging, engaging, uplifting, and uniting 6th; in it she shares stories from her own life and includes others through its content in Film, TV and Online. quotes, poems, scripture, and artwork that she prays will Can you take a moment to explain the heart and be a blessing just in time for Easter! vision for the venture of LightWorkers?

She and her husband Mark continue to be pioneers Roma Downey: Thank you. We have a strong intention in the entertainment industry releasing uplifting, faith- in our hearts. We feel that we need to be reminded based content. She’s a longtime supporter of Operation that there are good people everywhere, doing good things. Smile and Compassion International. We had the I know when the news headlines blast out yet another privilege of spending a few minutes with her discussing tragedy, it’s hard to remember that, sometimes, in her life’s journey, LightWorkers, and her new book, business and in the world. So LightWorkers and all that “Box of Butterflies.” we are doing over here is just about trying to remind A quick look at the headlines today reminds us that people that there is hope and there is so much good there are often dark moments in our midst, but you and there are so many amazing people doing incredible and your husband, Mark Burnett, recently launched things, and we can’t let this awful darkness take us over.

4 | GOSPELMUSIC.ORG MARCH 2018 Your new book, “Box of Butterflies” releases on March 6th. It promises to be yet another form of media that you use to share hope and encouragement as well as real life stories of God’s comforting presence all My hope was that weaving around us in the world today. Would you tell us a little it together with scripture, bit about this book, how you were stirred to write and “ share these stories, and the significant role butterflies prose, beautiful illustrations, have played in your life? and poems and quotes that Downey: It’s interesting, because having written this book, “Box of Butterflies,” it required of me many have inspired me over the reflective mornings. I would pour a cup of tea, light a candle, and sit down with my laptop to bring back into years, it would be a little the forefront of my memory stories from my life. What book of encouragement. emerged was this idea that at the time, when incidents occurred such as heartbreak and loss all throughout my childhood, those very painful experiences were preparing my heart with compassion, with empathy, with understanding of what it feels like to lose something. So, when the opportunity came up for me to play an angel on television, when I was cast to play Monica on “,” the very qualities that were alive in that character had been shaped in me through my own right there.” And out of my own personal darkness came a life’s journey. It’s not that I wished that I had never gone little ray of light. The idea that a butterfly could symbolize through those things, of course, I don’t and I’d do anything my mother made me feel just that little bit less alone. Now if my mom and my dad were to be returned to me. But for the rest of my life, I always notice the butterflies. I’ve losing them really expanded my heart in a way that I don’t seen them at my lowest. I’ve seen them show up in all think I could have played Monica if I didn’t know how kinds of unexpected places - not only in my garden where to listen with my heart to somebody else’s suffering. my flowers are, but as a tattoo on the wrist of a waitress, or even on the side of a moving truck. I believe they’re just The symbol of the butterfly has just been so present in my showing up as reminders for me that my mom’s spirit is life. The butterfly doesn’t know that it’s a caterpillar and always watching over me, and that God is always with me. that it has to go through this extraordinary struggle in the cocoon. It has to shed its old life to be reborn into its new My prayer in writing it was that if somewhere there life. I love that symbolism! Sometimes it’s the very struggle is somebody hurting then maybe by sharing my own that gives us the wings that we need to fly. When my mom experience they would be encouraged. My hope was died, just a week shy of my eleventh birthday, it truly that weaving it together with scripture, prose, beautiful rocked my world. It was as if the light had been turned out illustrations, and poems and quotes that have inspired me and all the color removed. If it hadn’t been for faith and over the years, it would be a little book of encouragement. prayer, which we leaned into as a family to try to help us I’m delighted that the publisher selected this Spring to through that painful period, I don’t know how we would release it as I think it lends itself to the season, for Easter have made it through. As a family, we held onto the hope and for Mother’s Day, because I think it will make a that we will all be together again one day. But as a child, beautiful gift for yourself or for somebody that you love. I just missed my mom … I just hope and pray that it reaches that person that needs a little bit of encouragement, or needs a little bit Then one day, I went with my dad to the cemetery. It of comfort because they’ve lost somebody they loved, or was the Mother’s Day after my mom had passed. We perhaps someone who’s just fallen away from God because brought with us a bunch of pansies, because those were of their life situations or the struggles that they’re going her favorite flower. She always said they looked like little through … and maybe, just maybe through reading “Box butterflies. As I placed a bunch of flowers on her grave, a of Butterflies” they’re reminded of the unconditional love real butterfly flew past. My father pointed to it and said, of our heavenly Father, and that the book might encourage “Would you look at that, that could be your mother’s spirit, someone to come home to God.

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THREE THINGS STILL LEFT ON YOUR BUCKET LIST: 1. There’s certainly some travel. I have a few destinations that are You’re well known for your role as the angel Monica on the television series, still on my bucket list of “Touched By An Angel.” Through this time you worked alongside the beloved places that I would love who became a dear friend to you and even godmother to your to see and some things daughter. Can you tell us about that friendship and what she meant to you that I’d love to do! both personally and professionally?

2. There would be other Downey: I still meet people to this day who were fans of “Touched By An Angel.” work-related things that They watched it on the couch with their grandmas and their moms. They looked I’m eager to bring to life forward to it every week as a reminder of God’s love. Here we are years later and on screen. people are still remembering how that show ministered to their family. What 3. In my personal life, I have a privilege that was for me as a believer to be able to be the messenger and to young adult children. deliver that message. And what an honor it was for me to work side-by-side Marriage certainly isn’t with the most extraordinary woman I’ve ever met, Della Reese, who made her in the cards for anybody transition just at the end of last year. A woman of God, a woman of courage, a just yet - as they’re woman of wisdom, of beauty and talent, and how grateful I am that right before all still in their early she passed she wrote this beautiful forward for “Box of Butterflies.” In some way twenties. However, I do she gets to be honored and live on in certain parts of the hearts of everyone who have a vision of one day knew her and loved her. holding a grandbaby or grandbabies in my She also gets to live on here in the pages of my book, and for anybody that reads arms. That would be the “Box of Butterflies.” There is a mother-daughter theme that plays out … from a girl next, beautiful, amazing who lost her mother when she was only 10 years old, to a woman whose mother season of life that I look was restored in the most extraordinary way. Della Reese came into my life and forward to down the road became my mom. Della also had heartache in her life when we were working when the time is right. together. Her only daughter unexpectedly passed away. At that time she said to THREE BOOKS YOU’D me, “You know, baby, God is so amazing, because I always knew that He brought RECOMMEND: me into your life because you needed a mom. And then later I realized that He 1. The Baxters Series brought you into my life because He knew I was going to need a baby girl. Will you by Karen Kingsbury be my baby?” I said, “Yes.” And she said, “Then I am your mama.” So she was my 2. The poetry of Mary Oliver mom and loving each other was healing for both of us. Only God can do that. Only 3. The poetry of William God would bring two hurting people together to find each other. The friendship Butler Yeats and relationship that you saw on screen in “Touched By An Angel” was reflected only by an even greater and deeper love off screen. THREE FAVORITE ARTISTS/ to your daughter. Can you tell us about that friendship It’s so clearly evident RECORDS OF ALL TIME? in all of your work that your relationship with the Lord is the center of all you 1. Van Morrison do. How has He used your journey in life to prepare you for the leadership 2. U2 role you have within the entertainment industry – not only as an actress, 3. Amy Grant producer, and writer, but as a woman of faith?

Downey: My life is a love song to God. I’m so grateful to Him and all the many blessings He’s bestowed upon me. Truly, in any way I can through my work, I try to just make my life a song to Him. The story that I was able to conclude from the writing of “Box of Butterflies” is that in spite of everything, I have never walked one step of this by myself. He’s been with me every step of the way, and for that I will be forever grateful.

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