JOYFEST 2011 Announces Biggest and Brightest Line-Up of Talent

HIGH POINT, N.C. – December 15, 2010 – A summer evening of great gospel music and thrilling amusement park rides can only be described as a JoyFest, and that is exactly what Premier Festivals will present next May 28, 2011 at Carowinds in Charlotte, N.C. and on July 16, 2011 at Kings Dominion in Doswell, Va.

JoyFest, the annual celebration of black gospel and urban music and entertainment, will feature Kirk Franklin, Fred Hammond, Marvin Sapp, comedian Sinbad, Canton Jones and, back by popular demand, the official JoyFest MC Comedian Bone Hampton, plus other acts to be announced soon.  A JoyFest ticket includes, not only a seat to the exclusive evening of music, inspiration and laughs, but also an amusement park ticket for admission to all the rides and amusements at both JoyFest locations.

“JoyFest has become one of the largest premier Gospel events in the Nation.  This year is no exception as JoyFest will host one of the best lists of artists and comedians in its entire history!” said Richard Young of Premier Festivals, which produces and promotes JoyFest.

JoyFest at both Carowinds and Kings Dominion have previously experienced capacity attendance at the parks and JoyFest 2011 is expected to be another huge event.  Tickets are now on sale at  www.ticketmaster.com and detailed ticket information is available at www.joyfest.com, including early bird and group discount information.  The Kings Dominion JoyFest event is also offering special holiday discounts through January 31, making a JoyFest ticket a tremendous gift-giving opportunity this Christmas.

Carowinds is called the thrill capital of the Southeast.  The 122-acre amusement park is the home of 232-foot-high Intimidator, the tallest, fastest, and longest coaster in the Southeast and the Afterburn, consistently ranked as one the top steel coasters in the world.

With more than 400 acres, Kings Dominion is home to more than 60 rides, shows and attractions. The park features 15 world-class roller coasters making it one of the largest coaster collections on the East Coast. In 2010, Kings Dominion introduced the Intimidator 305; at 305 feet-tall and over 90 miles per hour, it is the tallest and fastest coaster of its type on the East Coast.

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.

Premier Festivals has been providing an incredible live festival experience with top Christian artists and speakers since 2008.  More than 100,000 festival-goers in North America have experienced Premier Festivals including JoyFest, ShineFest, SonFest, KingsFest, WinterFest, HeartFest and WonderJam.  For more information, visit www.premierfestivals.com.

Bone Hampton: Back again as the official JoyFest MC, Bone Hampton is 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 guest appearances.  Bone is known as Mr. Crossover because his clean, in-your-face, comedy translates everywhere – from B.E.T & CMT to NBC, TBN and The Gospel Music Channel. He has appeared on such hits as BET’s “Comic View,” CMT’s “20 Really Embarrassing Video Moments,” NBC’s “My Name is Earl” and “Medium” and ABC’s “Less Than Perfect.” ( www.bonehampton.com

Kirk Franklin: Since the release of his self-titled debut in 1993, Kirk Franklin proved himself a pioneer when he sprinkled a taste of hip-hop in the mix Kirk Franklin and The Family, the first gospel album to sell more than a million units. After more than 16 years as the top-selling Contemporary Gospel artist, Kirk Franklin shows no signs of slowing down as evidenced by his latest studio CD The Fight Of My Life.  To date, the musical trendsetter has garnered seven GRAMMY Awards; an American Music Award; 35 Stellar Awards; 12 Dove Awards; five NAACP Awards; 2 BET Music Awards, a Soul Train Award and numerous others. ( www.kirkfranklin.com)

Fred Hammond: Since his landmark days with Commissioned, Fred Hammond has evolved into one of Gospel music’s most coveted artists with sales of more than seven million albums and honors such as GRAMMY Award, Stellar and Dove Awards. His anointed vocals and timeless lyrics are behind such classics as “No Weapon,” “Let The Praise Begin,” “Glory To Glory To Glory” and “Jesus Be A Fence Around Me.”  The 2009 release Love Unstoppable is the seventh CD from the Stellar, Dove and Grammy Award winner. Dubbed as the Architect of Urban Praise and Worship, his talents have taken him to recent successes with stage plays, church tours and the establishment of Hammond Music, a label imprint distributed through Verity Records. ( www.fhammondfamilyent.com)

Marvin Sapp: An original member of Commissioned, Marvin Sapp is one of Gospel music’s most recognizable voices to date. In 2007, his fourth solo release Thirsty became a Gold Certified success, spurred on by the history-making lead single “Never Would Have Made It” which was named the longest running #1 single at radio across all genres, spending more than 40 weeks in the top spot. Sapp released his fifth solo CD Here I Am, a live recording that showcases the raw vocal abilities of the “pastor who sings” earlier this year.  Sapp has enjoyed a decorated music ministry receiving Stellar Awards, Gospel Music Excellence Award as well as Grammy, Soul Train Music and Dove Award Nominations. ( www.marvinsapp.com)

Sinbad: A popular comedian, actor and commercial spokesperson, Sinbad brings his hilarious, real life, story-telling style of comedy to his show.  The comedian (born David Adkins), who got his start doing comedy in the U.S. Air Force and then later on his first launching pad, the ’80s talent TV show “Star Search.”  He had a regular spot on “The Cosby Show” spinoff “A Different World”; he starred in his own Fox TV show with Salma Hayek; and he had countless film roles in “Jingle All the Way,” “Houseguest” and “First Kid.”  Most recently, he appeared on this season’s “Celebrity Apprentice” on NBC-TV.

Canton Jones: Part singer, songwriter, producer, vocal arranger and entrepreneur, Canton Jones, a Florida native, has ministered to and performed in front of millions of people during his career as a music artist. Since beginning his career and ministry as a Gospel Music Artist, Canton Jones has five albums in his portfolio; 20 Years, 3 Months, 12 Days, Love Jones, The Password: Access Granted Kingdom Business and Kingdom Business Pt.2 and Kingdom Business Pt. 3. He releases his sixth studio CD Dominionaire in Feb. 2011.  With a GRAMMY nod, a Stellar Award nomination, and three Gospel Choice Awards to his credit, Jones still maintains the unshakable confidence of someone who knows the tide is turning his way.  ( www.cantonjones.net)