Billboard chart-topping, Grammy Award-winning gospel artist Hezekiah Walker will join Grammy Award-winning artist Tye Tribbett and Stellar Award-winning singer-songwriter VaShawn Mitchell for the Bridge to Believe Tour, beginning Sept. 11 at The Potter’s House in Dallas.
The 22-city tour, presented by New Gospel Entertainment, will bring together three distinct generations and styles of gospel music, connecting the genre’s traditional spiritual roots with its modern message of hope and inspiration. The tour will visit churches and other venues across the country, including several with capacities ranging from 5,000 to 7,000.
In addition to The Potter’s House, led by Bishop T.D. Jakes, the Bridge to Believe Tour will stop at several of the nation’s largest congregations, including Mount Zion Baptist Church, led by Bishop Joseph Warren Walker III, and The Greater Allen A.M.E. Cathedral of New York, led by the Rev. Floyd Flake.
Impact Television Network, the tour’s media partner, will provide remote broadcasts from select venues, allowing audiences nationwide to experience the event.
“I believe this tour has the power to reach multiple generations and reestablish gospel music in America,” Walker said. “By collaborating with Tye Tribbett and VaShawn Mitchell, we were able to bring a variety of styles into the mix, which really makes this tour stand out.”
“I feel so honored to be singing beside Hezekiah Walker and VaShawn Mitchell on this incredible tour that will usher audiences into the power of community worship,” Tribbett said.
“This tour is about unity,” Mitchell said. “This is the first time I will be collaborating with these artists. This tour will be about us coming together and giving praise.”
“New Gospel Entertainment is thrilled that Hezekiah Walker, Tye Tribbett and VaShawn Mitchell are paving the way for this exciting new genre of touring,” said Steven Marrs, managing partner of New Gospel Entertainment. “This is the first of many entertainment ventures for New Gospel in partnership with some of gospel’s greatest artists, and we are excited to see the continued growth and influence within the faith-based market.”
“Impact Television’s unparalleled desire to support initiatives of higher quality is being brought to life by projects like the Bridge to Believe Tour,” said Sean Pennington, president of entertainment for Impact Television Network. “This exciting, first-of-its-kind experience perfectly demonstrates the commitment to community that we strive every day to achieve as a network.”
For nearly three decades, Grammy Award-winning choir director Hezekiah Walker has become one of the most recognizable figures in gospel choir music through songs including “Souled Out,” “Grateful” and “I Need You to Survive.”
In 2014, Walker made Billboard history with “Every Praise,” the longest-running No. 1 song on the publication’s gospel chart at the time. His first 13 albums appeared on Billboard’s Top Gospel Albums chart, and he has received 10 Stellar Awards. His 14th album, Azusa: The Next Generation, was released in 2013.
Throughout his career, Walker has collaborated with artists including Mariah Carey, Jon Bon Jovi, Justin Timberlake, Whitney Houston and Sean “Diddy” Combs.
Known for challenging the expectations of contemporary gospel audiences, Tribbett has helped redefine the genre with two No. 1 albums, two Stellar Awards and three Grammy nominations.
The founder of Greater Anointing, also known as G.A., Tribbett has shared the stage with artists including Gloria Estefan, LeAnn Rimes, Elton John, Luther Vandross and Stevie Wonder. He also has collaborated with or appeared alongside Faith Hill, Mary Mary, Jessica Simpson, Justin Timberlake, Sting, The Roots, John Mellencamp and Mary J. Blige.
Following four albums with G.A., Tribbett released Greater Than in 2013. The album debuted at No. 1 on Billboard’s Top Gospel Albums chart, No. 9 on the Billboard 200 and No. 4 on iTunes.
Award-winning singer, songwriter and producer VaShawn Mitchell released the EP God My God in August. The project includes the radio single “God My God,” along with “Amaze Me,” featuring Anthony Brown; “This Is to You”; and “Your Name … The Moment.”
The songs were recorded as part of a two-part live event in Chicago and Atlanta. Mitchell’s full-length live album, Unstoppable, is scheduled for release this fall.
BRIDGE TO BELIEVE TOUR
| Date | Location | Venue |
| Sept. 11, 2014 | Dallas | The Potter’s House |
| Sept. 12, 2014 | Houston | New Life |
| Sept. 13, 2014 | New Orleans | Greater St. Stephen Full Gospel Baptist Church |
| Sept. 15, 2014 | Miami | To be announced |
| Sept. 18, 2014 | Jacksonville, Florida | Bethel Baptist Church |
| Sept. 19, 2014 | Atlanta | Word of Faith in Austell |
| Sept. 20, 2014 | Birmingham, Alabama | Faith Chapel |
| Sept. 22, 2014 | Memphis, Tennessee | Greater Community Temple |
| Sept. 23, 2014 | Nashville, Tennessee | Mount Zion Baptist Church |
| Sept. 25, 2014 | Charlotte, North Carolina | University Park Baptist Church |
| Sept. 26, 2014 | Columbia, South Carolina | Benedict College |
| Sept. 27, 2014 | Raleigh-Durham, North Carolina | To be announced |
| Sept. 29, 2014 | Washington | To be announced |
| Sept. 30, 2014 | Philadelphia | Sharon Baptist Church |
| Oct. 2, 2014 | Trenton, New Jersey | To be announced |
| Oct. 3, 2014 | Jamaica, New York | The Greater Allen A.M.E. Cathedral of New York |
| Oct. 4, 2014 | Pittsburgh | Mount Ararat Baptist Church |
| Oct. 6, 2014 | Cincinnati | Inspirational Baptist Church |
| Oct. 7, 2014 | Detroit | Triumph Church |
| Oct. 9, 2014 | Chicago | To be announced |
| Oct. 10, 2014 | Indianapolis | To be announced |
| Oct. 11, 2014 | St. Louis | Friendly Temple Missionary Baptist Church |