The total entertainment experience of the national talent search and Christian “American idol” style reality telecast of Gifted is adding yet another facet with the debut at Canadian Christian retail of Gifted Season One, just released on CD, and showcasing the winner and top artist contenders from the finals hosted by Brian Littrell, and viewed by millions.

The two-fold release on the Gifted franchise will include both this current release of the performance CD, in tandem with a companion DVD featuring the two hour televised special with bonus ‘behind the scenes’ extra footage, releasing March 6th from EMI/Sparrow.

On January 26th, TBN presented to an estimated audience of more than 95 million potential viewers, the launch of Gifted as the much heralded 2 hour prime time television special hosted by Brian Littrell. The airing culminated months of nationwide searching to find and present the brightest new talent in Christian music. More than 16,000 initial talent entrants were narrowed to eight televised finalists, and finally one winner. Those tuning in that evening shared the excitement with the nationwide viewing audience witnessing winner Da’Quela Payne being awarded the top prize of a major recording contract with the EMI Christian Music Group.

The Gifted concept and production is a creative alliance of Johnny Wright, manager of some of the top talent in today’s music industry and President.CEO of Wright Entertainment Group in Los Angeles, and Matthew Crouch, founder of Christian film production company, Gener8xion Entertainment, and son of TBN founders, Paul and Jan Crouch.

The Gifted Season One CD includes winner Payne and the other seven finalists Sheena Evans, Brandon Kizer, Damien Lawson, Lindsey Labadie, Trisha Miyahara, Rochelle Sanders, and Nathan Wise. The companion DVD of Gifted will complete the duo/companion set. Release to radio of an AC format radio single, Amazing Love (You Are My King), as sung by the eight Gifted finalists also is now impacting at AC radio.

Da’Quela Payne’s solo projec will be released later in the spring. Stay tuned to YMZ for upcoming information.