Barclays Center is New York’s new home of gospel

BROOKLYN– GRAMMY award-winning gospel great and Brooklynite Hezekiah Walker announced today at a press conference at The House of the Lord Church that he and his Love Fellowship Choir will be performing in his “A Night of Hope” concert at Barclays Center in Brooklyn on Monday, December 10. The Rev. Al Sharpton, the Rev. Dr. Herbert Daughtry and Bruce Ratner, the majority owner and developer of Barclays Center and the Chairman and CEO of Forest City Ratner Companies, also spoke at the press conference.

It was also announced at the press conference that 2012 Verizon’s How Sweet the Sound™ Gospel Celebration, the country’s premiere and most prestigious gospel music experience, will take place at Barclays Center on Sunday, November 4. 2012 Verizon’s How Sweet the Sound™ gives choirs across the country a chance to rejoice in song and praise; sing in front of gospel greats and fans; and compete for a chance to win up to $50,000 in cash and prizes. 2012 Verizon’s How Sweet the Sound™ will be hosted by GRAMMY award-winning artists Donald Lawrence and Yolanda Adams. Erica Campbell of Mary Mary, Fred Hammond, Hezekiah Walker and CeCe Winans will serve as resident judges for this year’s competition and also perform.

In addition to today’s announcements, last month Barclays Center revealed it will host four of the most successful performers in gospel music history, Kirk Franklin, Marvin Sapp, Donnie McClurkin and Israel Houghton, for ‘The King’s Men’ tour on Sunday, October 14.

“I grew up in Fort Greene and it was always a dream of mine for a major venue in Brooklyn to become the home for gospel music — now it’s a reality,” said Hezekiah Walker. “Thanks to Bruce Ratner, Barclays Center will be the place where the top gospel artists come to perform. I can’t wait to perform there myself.”

“We are proud to make Barclays Center the home of gospel in New York and to welcome Hezekiah and several of gospel’s greatest performers onto Brooklyn’s biggest stage,” said Bruce Ratner. “Our goal is to celebrate a wide variety of entertainment at Barclays Center and to continue attracting the best to the borough.”

“I grew up a boy preacher in Brooklyn,” said the Rev. Al Sharpton, President of National Action Network and MSNBC host. “I preached at programs featuring gospel greats like Mahalia Jackson and Rev. James Cleveland. Brooklyn has always been a gospel global headquarters, and it is appropriate and significant that Barclays Center will continue to heighten that tradition.”

“For 40 years, our church, which is just a few blocks from Barclays Center, has prayed and worked for meaningful change to come to this community,” said Rev. Herbert Daughtry, Pastor of The House of the Lord Church and Founder of the Downtown Brooklyn Neighborhood Alliance. “We are delighted to witness the fulfillment of our prayers as Barclays Center brings tremendous benefits and opportunities to our communities, through economic development, neighborhood revitalization, and world-class sports and entertainment. We are thrilled that Barclays Center, located in the Borough of Churches, will be New York’s official Home of Gospel Music.”

“A Night of Hope” with Hezekiah Walker, of which a portion of the proceeds will benefit The Children of Haiti Relief Fund, will feature guest performances from CeCe Winans, Fred Hammond, Donald Lawrence, and more. Hezekiah Walker and Love Fellowship Choir have performed with a bevy of well-known artists and have remained in the Top 10 in gospel music sales since 1986.

Tickets for A Night of Hope and 2012 Verizon’s How Sweet the Sound™ at Barclays Center will go on sale soon. Tickets for The King’s Men are currently on sale at Barclayscenter.com or Ticketmaster.com or by calling 800-745-3000. Brooklyn Nets All Access season ticket buyers have the opportunity to purchase tickets for Barclays Center events before the general public. Fans are encouraged to visit www.barclayscenter.com and follow @BarclaysCenter on Twitter and Facebook for the latest updates and special pre-sale offers.