Twelve of the 17 original members of The Family, after a long hiatus from the music business as a group, decided to bless the world again with their Gospel ministry. They then signed a record deal with Blacksmoke Music Worldwide. The recently released single from the record label is titled "Believe," which is accompanied by a music video. The single is from their Blacksmoke Music Worldwide debut seven track album "Together Forever" that features Earnest Pugh and Ernest J. Lee. The album is to be released October 3, 2026.

"I just knew God was not finished with The Family," said Kisha Grandy-Lee about why they decided to get back together and released more music. "...And God was involved in every step."

Of the 17 original members of Kirk Franklin and The Family, the ones who stayed with The Family include Kisha Grandy-Lee, Dalon Collins, Carrie (Young-Davis) Collins, (Pastor) Darrell Blair, Teresa (Young) Rucker, Yolanda McDonalds, Ramona Barlow-White, Sheila Brice, Jeannette Johnson, Cassandra Cleveland-Robertson, and Nelda Washington. Joining them is Stepahanie Glynn and Demetrice Clinkscale. The original The Family members who left include David and Tamela Mann, (Elder) Jonathan Drummond, Demetrius Hereford, Duawne Starling, Tommy Colter, and Terri Pace. Some of the current members of The Family who also have solo careers include Kisha, Dalon and Demetrice who released a couple of solo projects. Teresa is into politics.

During their time with Kirk Franklin, The Family garnered Top 50 hits that include "Why We Sing," "Silver and Gold," "Now Behold the Lamb," "Melodies from Heaven," "Conquerors" and "Whatcha Look-in' 4." From the new Blacksmoke Music album The Family has also released "Jesus, (I Love You Lord Today)."

"He (Kirk) knew how to bring the sound," Pastor Darryl added when I asked about the trademark sound of The Family while working with Kirk. I said their sound is distinctive like the Sounds of Blackness. "It was intentional. He had worked with other groups and put all their sounds together. It was 17 of us, it is 12 of us now."

The Family is preparing for the October 3, 2026, released of "Together Forever" which celebrates 30 years that they have been together. They were honored with the Avidity Lifetime Achievement Award and will be presented with the award and perform from their new album at the ceremony on October 12th. The Family will also perform at the 40th Stellar Awards Pre-Show in August.

The "Believe" single is produced and written by Ernest J. Lee (Kerry Douglas, Kisha Grandy). It is sold on most streaming and online platforms such as Spotify, Apple Music and Deezer. Other tracks on The Family's "Together Forever" album include "Expectancy" that features labelmate Earnest Pugh, "Throwback Medley," "The Reset" featuring Ernest J. Lee, "Victory is Mine" and "Yeah Yeah."

"It's a song my husband had created," Kisha said about the single "Believe." "At the time I was engaged to a producer, and we were riding in the car. I was working on my own project and asked him if he'd do a single with The Family. He said, ‘I have a song.' I said this is The Family. He said, ‘Just let The Family hear it.' So, I called and texted everyone."

Kisha said when The Family did listen to the single "Believe" they all felt the concept was the essence of who The Family is musically.

"...He said, ‘Let's do it,'" Grandy-Lee said about what her husband said in response to The Family liking the song.

At the end of the interview, I asked The Family what's in their future and Pastor Darryl spoke up and said, "Wherever God wants to take us. We do whatever He assigns us to do in this season."

Dalon added, "We want to continue to do God's will. We already done a lot of stuff....We want to stay focused. We're trying to get to the Kingdom and win souls....get people enthusiastic about Christ and their calling - it's that simple."  www.BlackSmokeMusic.com

The Maryland Entertainment Hall of Fame was launched in 2013 by Buddy Love, John Sankonis, and Gene Vincentt to honor Maryland entertainment in music, theatre and other arts. The mission is to celebrate Maryland's cultural and entertainment heritage.

Rosa is affectionately called "Rambling Rose" because this is the nickname given to her by Grammy/Golden Globe Award winning Nat King Cole. In fact, Rosa Pryor-Trustee is the inspiration behind Nat King Cole's hit single "Rambling Rose." As a talented young artist, Rosa toured with Nat King Cole as the opening act. She often recounted some parts of her awesome life as a recording/performing artist throughout the years while I worked with her at The Baltimore Times where she has a column called "Rambling Rose" (it is also published in the Afro American newspaper). What I remember most is she said she wore gowns, always red, a rose was her trademark/brand and that she wrote/produced and released the hit song "Hey Mr. DJ."

"They looked at my history in the entertainment industry...," Rosa replied when I asked the criteria for such as honor. "As an artist, a manager, producer, agent. I did it all. Even a musician. The years amount to around 65!"

After issues with her throat Rosa couldn't sing anymore so she started managing other artists and became a well-known artist manager. She managed top-notch artists such as Harold Melvin & The Blue Notes, The Drifters, First Class, The Soft Tones, The Vandals, Jimi Hendrix and Sam Cooke. She was also an accomplished music producer, and talent and booking agent. Rosa was so popular in the Baltimore club-circuit that when the publisher of The Baltimore Times was looking for someone to provide content for its new entertainment section the word was to call Rosa Pryor. With her community and club support that entertainment section brought in a lot of extra revenue. At the time, aside from being advertising manager at the newspaper, I was serving as the entertainment editor.

At some point Rosa Pryor-Trustee formed the Rosa Pryor Foundation in 1991 which awarded the Rosa Pryor Music Scholarship to young inner-city artists and musicians ages 5 - 17 to help refine their talents. She did this to uplift/inspire kids from all over the Baltimore, Maryland area for 30 years. Rosa became a publisher when she released her first book in 2003 on the history of entertainment in Baltimore (Baltimore club-circuit) titled "African-American Entertainment in Baltimore (Maryland)." Her second book was published in 2013 titled "African-American Community, History and Entertainment in Maryland." Pryor-Trustee just released her third book, "Baltimore and Maryland's Black History Stories: Who, What, When and Where 1950s-1980s," about the entertainment scene in Baltimore throughout the years, the talent it birthed and cultivated and the many people in the community that have done historical things.

"There is not one individual award," she said to me when I asked which award or honor sticks out as most memorable. "I have a basement wall full of awards. I have awards from state senators to governors. My dining and living room's walls are full. I am blessed to get each one of them."

I have witnessed Rosa Pryor-Trustee being awarded some of those for her achievements in entertainment first-hand while working at the newspaper with her. She inspired me in so many ways with her larger-than-life personality. She was the first women (person) I saw openly carrying a gun - legally. She inspired me to speak up and know my worth. It is because of her that I start writing my own column The Pulse of Entertainment, which is also syndicated like her Rambling Rose" column. www.Rambling-Rose.com

SYNDICATED COLUMNIST: Dr. Eunice Moseley has an estimated weekly readership of over one million for her column The Pulse of Entertainment. She is the publisher of the digital magazine www.ThePulseofEntertainment.com, which has an estimated 160,000 visitors a month. An entrepreneur, Dr. Moseley’s company, Freelance Associates, is a business management/public relations strategic planning and consulting firm that is celebrating 32 years in 2025. Dr. Eunice also serves as professor for the School of Business at Stanton University in Anaheim, California and serves as promotions director (at-large)/journalist and business consultant for The Baltimore Times. Dr. Moseley founded the Uplifting Minds II Foundation (www.UpliftingMinds.com) in 2023, a 501 C3 with a mission to empower the underserved through three major programs – One Stop Business Shop, the ULMII Professional Conference and the ULMII Academy (business management and public relations). EVENTS: "Uplifting Minds II" Entertainment Conference (ULMII), was launched by Dr. Eunice in 1999, to educate aspiring artists/musicians about the business of entertainment – www.UpliftingMinds2.com. Next ULMII Entertainment Conferences for Baltimore on Saturday April 18, 2026, presented by Security Square Mall and The Baltimore Times, and for Los Angeles on Saturday, November 7, 2026, presented by The Pulse of Entertainment and the ULMII Foundation. The ULMII conferences are free with virtual access via Zoom. ULMII entertainment conference offers a Professional Panel Q&A Session, a Professional Talent Showcase and International Talent Competition where the top three scored acts receive the ULMII Best Act Award and over $20,000 valued in prizes/product/services and cash!