Washington, DC - Under his newest venture, multimedia journalist Jawn Murray is helping gospel artists and personalities get ready for both the gospel music community and the mainstream industry with his one-on-one media training workshop. For his much-sought-after services, the renowned media personality provides artists with tailor-made techniques that will help them effectively communicate with all aspects of the media (radio, television, print, online and red carpet) and the general public.

“While pure talent and God-given ability can land an artist a recording contract and maybe even a hit record, only polished talent with an ability to maintain their success by refining their aptitude to both captivate and communicate with the media and consumers have longevity,” Mr. Murray states. “Recognizing the need for development with gospel artists, I decided to take my expertise as a mainstream multimedia journalist and use it to educate, inspire and empower gospel artists.”

Mr. Murray recently worked with EMI Gospel artists Kierra “KiKi” Sheard and Bishop T.D. Jakes protégé Micah Stampley. Sessions include fundamentals from Murray’s bespoke curriculum and cover everything from ‘Personalized Media/Lifestyle Coaching’ to ‘Artist Decorum and Performance Principals’ and ‘How to Salvage a Struggling CD.’

“Media training and artist development is done in a personal, one-on-one setting. It’s like a session with an entertainment psychiatrist,” jokes Mr. Murray. “But only record labels or companies who genuinely believe in their artists make the investment on artist development and media training.”

Over the past few years, a bevy of entertainers have benefited from either Mr. Murray’s media training, damage control campaigns, media consulting and/or artist development. Gospel sensation Brent Jones, actress Vivica A. Fox, author Dr. Rovenia Brock, ‘American Idol’ finalist Trenyce, jazz artist Marcus Johnson and actress-comedienne Kym E. Whitley are among a few of the entertainers that have gained from his invaluable expertise.

About Jawn Murray

Jawn Murray is an entertainment columnist for America Online’s Black Voices. He also pens the popular “Jawn’s Juice” column for the Electronic Urban Report (EURweb.com) and L.A. Focus. Mr. Murray is a regular contributor to the New York Daily News—where he contributes for the “Rush & Molloy” column, Lloyd Grove’s “Lowdown” column, Ben Widdicombe’s “Gatecrasher” column and the daily’s “Now” section.

In addition to his column “Celebrity Mouthpiece” in Twelve magazine, Mr. Murray also contributes for magazines like In Touch Weekly, Upscale, Star, Smooth, Savoy, Black Elegance and Bump. On radio, he provided entertainment news for the popular nationally syndicated Doug Banks Morning Show (ABC Radio Networks). Mr. Murray serves on the board of directors for Dr. Bobby Jones’ International Gospel Industry Retreat and oversees the bi-annual conference’s media session.

Mr. Murray’s TV credits are numerous and he’s appeared on multiple shows on networks like VH1, E! Entertainment, Court TV, BET and The WB. He also served as a talent scout for The WB’s reality series ‘The Casting,’ selecting the Washington, D.C. finalist who went on to win the entire national show; in addition to being a casting judge for ‘Steve Harvey’s Big Time.’