Super Bowl Gospel Celebration Headline Acts Announced: Natalie Grant, Donnie McClurkin, Israel Houghton

By Benge Nsenduluka, CP Reporter Tuesday, January 06, 2015

Gospel music powerhouse Natalie Grant joins three-time Grammy award-winning artist Donnie McClurkin and Israel Houghton as confirmed headline acts for the 16th Annual NFL Sanctioned Super Bowl Gospel Celebration.

The SBGC merges football and faith and this year's event will be held during Super Bowl XLIX weekend on Feb. 1, 2015 at Gammage Hall on the campus of Arizona State University in Phoenix, AZ.

Multiple Dove & Stellar Award-winner Fred Hammond and acclaimed singer-songwriter Mali Music are also set to perform with additional performers being announced in coming weeks.

"This year we celebrate the 16th Anniversary of bringing even more power and celebration to one of the biggest events of the year — the Super Bowl," said Melanie Few-Harrison, Creator and Executive Producer of Super Bowl Gospel Celebration according to a press release. "Each year we aim to make the experience bigger than the last with artists and special guests from all backgrounds and this year will be no different! Super Bowl XLIX in Phoenix will be our biggest yet!"

The SBGC was first launched in 1999 and each year the likes of church leaders, NFL players and gospel music fans gather to rejoice and celebrate Christ through praise and worship. The NFL Players Choir, made up of active and former players, will be led by McClurkin for its eighth appearance.

"The Super Bowl Gospel Celebration has been a formal, sanctioned partner for 16 years, and has played an integral role in bringing together fans and football players under one roof with a shared love of inspirational music," said Tisha Ford, Former NFL Director of Events Business Development and current NFL Consultant.

Last year iconic singer Patti Label and Grammy award-winning duo Mary Mary headlined the event.

SBGC attendees have been gathering to rejoice at sell-out shows for more than a decade in Super Bowl host cities including San Diego, Tampa and Houston.

The event also serves as a charity fundraiser, with a portion of the proceeds raised going to select organizations. More than $450,000 and 5,500 tickets have been donated over the past 11 years, and this year proceeds will go to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital.

Last year, former Christian singer Katy Perry was confirmed to headline the 2015 Super Bowl halftime show.

"Yeppers! And I've already started testing out ideas!" Perry tweeted in November.