Dallas, TX—May 18th, 2016: For the third consecutive year, Grammy, Stellar, Dove, BET and NAACP Image Award-winning Gospel mega-star Fred Hammond returns to the road with the Festival of Praise 2016 Tour, the star-studded national event he founded several years ago. The kick off date is October 7th, at Oakland’s Paramount Theatre, and will reach over 50 major cities across the country, running through December, 2016.

The Festival of Praise Tour 2016 will feature performances by the biggest names in the industry, from Hezekiah Walker, the singer/composer/choir leader/radio host, and visionary founder and Senior Pastor of the Love Fellowship Tabernacle Churches in Brooklyn, and Bensalem, PA., to the electrifying Israel Houghton & New Breed, bringing the voices and sounds of music with African, Middle Eastern and South American slants, and Karen Clark Sheard, the multi-Grammy® winner and former member of the legendary female group, The Clark Sisters. The lineup also features Casey Janice Hobbs, “Casey J,” best known for her Number 1 hit song, “Fill Me Up,” and Regina Belle, who recorded the Grammy® winning song, “A Whole New World,” for the film, Aladdin. Comedian “Earthquake” will serve as show host.

Tour Dates:

Fri, Oct 7, 2016 – Oakland, CA – Paramount Theatre
Sat, Oct 8, 2016 – Los Angeles, CA – Pantages Theatre
Sun, Oct 9, 2016 – San Diego, CA – San Diego Civic Center
Mon, Oct 10, 2016 – Phoenix, AZ – Commerica Theatre
Thu, Oct 13, 2016 – Omaha, NE – Ralston Arena
Fri, Oct 14, 2016 – Denver, CO – Bellco Theatre
Sat, Oct 15, 2016 – Kansas City, MO – Municipal Auditorium
Sun, Oct 16, 2016 – Park City, KS – Hartman Arena
Wed, Oct 19, 2016 – Milwaukee, WI – Christian Faith Fellowship Church
Thu, Oct 20, 2016 – Grand Rapids, MI – DeVos Performance Hall
Fri, Oct 21, 2016 – Detroit, MI – Fox Theatre
Sat, Oct 22, 2016 – Merrillville, IN – Star Plaza
Sun, Oct 23, 2016 – St Louis, MO – Fox Theatre
Fri, Oct 28, 2016 – Savannah, GA – Civic Center
Sat, Oct 29, 2016 – Atlanta, GA – Fox Theatre
Thu, Nov 3, 2016 – Salisbury, MD – Wicomico Youth and Civic Center
Fri, Nov 4, 2016 – Baltimore, MD – Lyric Opera House
Sat, Nov 5, 2016 – Philadelphia, PA – Liacouras Center
Sun, Nov 6, 2016 – Norfolk, VA – Ted Constant Convocation Center
Mon, Nov 7, 2016 – Pittsburgh, PA – Heinz Hall
Thu, Nov 10, 2016 – Newark, NJ – Newark Prudential Hall
Fri, Nov 11, 2016 – Washington, DC – Constitution Hall
Sun, Nov 13, 2016 – Rochester, NY – Rochester Blue Cross Arena
Mon, Nov 14, 2016 – Albany, NY – Palace Theatre
Thu, Nov 17, 2016 – Baton Rouge, LA – Bethany World Prayer Center (North Campus)
Sat, Nov 19, 2016 – Austin, TX – Frank Erwin Center
Sun, Nov 27, 2016 – South Haven, MS – Landers Center
Wed, Nov 30, 2016 – Pompano, FL – Pompano Beach Amphitheater
Sat, Dec 3, 2016 – Orlando, FL – Calvary Orlando

“FOP 2016 is going to be off the chain!,” Hammond said, adding, “ The thing I love about this tour is that no matter who you are or where you’ve come from, you’re guaranteed to have a great time, something is surely going to inspire you, and you’re going to want to come back again and again! You definitely don’t want to miss this so don’t be late because we’ve got an incredible show planned from beginning to end!”

One of the most revered singer/songwriter/producers in Christian music today, Fred Hammond is the triple threat that has gone on to sell over 10 million albums worldwide. He is considered the architect behind the “Urban Praise & Worship” phenomenon in Gospel music today. The Detroit native who is now based in Dallas where tour production is currently underway, plans to release a new CD to coincide with the tour; the new CD is expected in October on RCA records.