New York, NY (Top40 Charts / McDonald's Official Website) McDonald's USA today announced multi-award winning gospel artist
Fred Hammond will headline the 2012 McDonald's Inspiration Celebration Gospel Tour, an annual summer concert series the company pioneered as a way to bring positive, uplifting messages and entertainment to communities nationwide. The nine-city tour kicks off May 12 and runs through June 30, and will also feature special guest Byron Cage, 21:03, Canton Jones, J Moss,
Myron Butler and VaShawn Mitchell.
"I look forward to being a part of the 2012 McDonald's Inspiration Celebration Gospel Tour because it provides an ideal platform for sharing the hopeful messages of gospel music with audiences in diverse communities," said Hammond, a 30-year gospel music veteran and former McDonald's restaurant crew member. "Now more than ever, our nation's communities need messages of hope and encouragement. My goal is to make sure everyone who attends a concert leaves feeling personally inspired and motivated to serve their community."
Now in its sixth year, the 2012 McDonald's Inspiration Celebration Gospel Tour will stop in major markets, including: Atlanta, Birmingham, Chicago, Dallas, Detroit, Ft. Washington, Md., Jackson, Newark and Philadelphia. Concerts are free of charge, with the exception of the May 12 show in Newark, which is part of McDonald's Gospelfest.
"McDonald's continues to invest in the Inspiration Celebration Gospel Tour because of our consumers' rich passion for gospel music," said Rob Jackson, McDonald's U.S. marketing director. "McDonald's is committed to being deeply rooted in the community and we're honored to bring joy and entertainment to our extended family - our customers."
Tour dates and locations include:
May 12 - Newark, McDonald's Gospelfest - Prudential Center
June 14 - Birmingham, Birmingham-Jefferson Convention Center
June 15 - Jackson, Jackson Convention Complex
June 16 - Dallas, Friendship West Baptist Church
June 21 - Philadelphia, Deliverance Evangelistic Church
June 22 - Detroit, Greater
Grace Temple
June 23 - Chicago,
Chicago Gospel
Music Festival
June 29 - Atlanta, Full Gospel Conference
June 30 - Ft. Washington, Md., Ebenezer AME Church
"The concerts will be full of energy," Hammond said. "There will be a range of music from my early days to my latest album. It's going to be one big praise party."
https://www.mcdonalds.com