Gospel Music Channel to Produce New Original Special Chronicling
New Orleans' Rich Gospel/Christian Music History

NEW ORLEANS – May 18, 2008 – The musical roots of New Orleans run as deep as the Mississippi. The Gospel Music Channel (GMC) television network will explore the Big Easy's deep and powerful Gospel/Christian music history and current landscape in a new GMC original special Hometown Gospel: New Orleans, it was announced today.

Hometown Gospel: New Orleans will premiere nationwide on Gospel Music Channel on Wednesday, June 11 at 10:00 PM (ET) 9:00 PM (CT) and will encore throughout the month. Automotive luxury leader Lincoln is the presenting sponsor of the Hometown Gospel series and its MXK vehicle is prominently featured in the production. Hometown Gospel: New Orleans is the newest installment of GMC Original series Hometown Gospel.

Hometown Gospel: New Orleans will offer an in-depth look at the singers, songwriters, landmarks and legends that have shaped New Orleans' Gospel/Christian music legacy and continue to do so vibrantly today. Interviews with New Orleans performers, natives, music authorities will help bring the story to life, among them: Bishop Paul Morton (at his church of 20,000, Greater St. Stephen); the best selling trio in Gospel music today, Trinitee 5:7; The Zion Harmonizers and their leader Sherman Washington, who coordinates the enormously popular Gospel Tent at the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival; the legendary New Orleans quartet The New Orleans Spiritualettes and their founder Ruby Ray; up-and-coming singer/songwriter Jake Smith and groups including Rush of Fools and The Blind Boys of Alabama who discuss the city's influence on their music, which includes the Blind Boys latest album entitled Down to New Orleans. Hometown Gospel: New Orleans will be hosted by legendary New Orleans gospel radio personality Cap'n Kris McCoy.

Gospel Music Channel (www.gospelmusicchannel.com) is the nation's first and only 24/7 advertiser-supported, all music television network devoted to the uplifting, inspiring and diverse music that is Gospel/Christian music featuring rock, pop, country and soul gospel genres.

Lincoln is a brand of Ford Motor Company, a global automotive industry leader based in Dearborn, Mich., which manufactures and distributes automobiles in 200 markets across six continents. With about 300,000 employees and 108 plants worldwide, the company's core and affiliated automotive brands include Aston Martin, Ford, Jaguar, Land Rover, Lincoln, Mazda, Mercury and Volvo. Its automotive-related services include Ford Motor Credit Company. For more information regarding Lincoln products, please visit www.lincoln.com.

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CONTACT:Jim Weiss770-692-4579