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“Nina Hooks & Spirit of Praise Ministries”
Grab two Black Music Award Nominations
 As the Black Music Association Academy of America announced its nominees for the American Black Music Awards, Las Vegas sensation Nina Hooks and the Spirit of Praise Ministries sprang up with two nominations – “Best Gospel Group” and “Best New Artist.”
“We are honored to be chosen as nominees at such a prestigious event,” said Rochelle Schoener, co founder for the group. “Our only goal is to minister to the lost. So to be recognized for our ministry is an extra blessing,” she said.
The fourth annual American Black Music Awards, which will feature a performance of the Las Vegas born group, is scheduled to begin at 7:00 p.m. on August 16th with a VIP/Celebrity Reception inside the Scottish Rite Temple for the VIP’s and the Nominees. The show will begin at 8:00 p.m. featuring local, national and international recording stars and stars on the rise.
It is no surprise to most that the academy would recognize the home-grown talent of Nina Hooks and The Spirit of Praise Ministries, as the aroma of its music still lingers in the air since the last time ministry in song took place.
Birthed from an annual women’s retreat hosted by the team’s home church The Great Commission Interdenominational Church, Nina Hooks and the Spirit of Praise Ministries has recently swept the Las Vegas area like a tornado, from its kickoff praise and worship set during the Gospel Music Workshop of America to the breathtaking praise inoculation during its “Praise in the Park” ministry explosion. The group has since developed a reputation of setting a powerful atmosphere of praise and worship in song.
“This group is phenomenal,” said Alice Tugwell, KCEP’s Godmother of Gospel. “Everybody was talking about them after they sang during a live remote broadcast for our station’s fundraiser. I haven’t heard a local group that’s better right now.”
Moreover, the group proved to be worth its weight in gold during a free concert earlier this year, where attendance was so great fans were forced to sit in the church’s choir stand or join other listeners packed in a standing-room-only balcony. Undoubtedly, the impact of the voices and the rich worship during the team’s local city-wide tour left admirers eagerly anticipating the concert and the release of their single, which sold out in five minutes.
“We were humbled at the turn-out,” said Schoener. “We felt bad that several guests left because we were over capacity.”
“Our goal is to take the praises of God to the streets and offer testimonial entertainment to all in attendance,” said Rochelle Schoener, musical director for Spirit of Praise Ministries .
“Often times we shelter our opportunities to share God with others behind the walls of the church but not everyone attends a traditional worship service,” she explained.
“People need to know He can heal, He can save, and you can be delivered. Every time I sing a song, I am pressing to get that message out there,” Schoener stressed. “This is not a joke and I’m not messing around. I’ve seen too many good people turning bad because they don’t know where to go and how to get there.”
Known for standing on her tip toes as she sings, Schoener possesses a voice that commands attention upon the first note. She’s considered a vocal dynasty in her own rights by many. Her powerful delivery - coupled with her masterful runs from one end of the musical scale to the other - rank superior on any stage.
Directing choirs since age six, the Chicago native has worked with such gospel greats as Rev. James Moore, Mattie Moss Clark and the Jesse Jackson’s Push For Excellence Choir. But her 30 years of experience, the perfection in her sound, and the spiritual sincerity she displays never change her humility. “This is my life I’m singing about. If He hadn’t first loved me, I don’t know where I would be.
Schoener, who penned the group’s debut single “You Are God,” joined forces with the renowned soprano Nina Hooks and perfection has been the breed. The song, inspired by her personal appreciation and gratitude toward God, features the highly sought after voice of Hooks, a Las Vegas native and co-founder of the group.
The statuesque s powerhouse, featured at this year’s Democratic Convention in Vegas and on stages throughout the country, has served as the group’s one-two punch since its inception and proves to be a musical force to be reckoned with. “I sing because it’s what I was created to do,” explains the daughter of a preacher man. “But it is my heart’s desire that when I sing people feel what I feel and they seek to get into the presence of God.”
Famous for her rendition of “God is Here” by Yolanda Adams, Hooks pours herself into every note as she plunges into the very mercies of God. Although she stands before thousands ministering in song, it is evident she is alone at his feet – there is no audience.
Nevertheless, there will be hundreds of listeners during the American Black Music Awards and Hooks and the group are sure to prick the hearts of all, and become a part of meeting the goal of the event.
The mission of the BMA is to honor, recognize and educate the contributors, the creators and the future of Black music. “We deem Black music to be the beginning, the present and the future of all music. Our goal is to ensure that young people are educated about the many influences of Black music throughout the world, and give honor to those who made so much possible by creating Black music. www.americanblackmusicawards.com
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