Kirk Franklin teams with Christian music stars for Haiti relief song

Gospel music star Kirk Franklin has released a new single in collaboration with other Christian musicians to benefit aid efforts in Haiti. In what he described as a Christian version of “We Are the World,” Franklin enlisted the assistance of an array of musical talent to record, “Are You Listening: A Love Song for Haiti.” Included on the recording are BeBe & CeCe Winans, Yolanda Adams, Marvin Sapp, Natalie Grant, Donnie McClurkin, Mary Mary, Shirley Caesar, Jeremy Camp, Marvin Winans, J. Moss, Smokie Norful, Dorinda Clark-Cole, Karen Clark-Sheard, Kiki Sheard, Donald Lawrence, Bishop Paul Morton, Micah Stampley and James Fortune. The video for the song will debut tonight on Gospel Music Channel at 7 p.m. ET immediately followed by the “Hope for Haiti Now” telethon. Franklin said he had the basics of the song written for years but hadn’t had the opportunity to record it until the earthquake aftermath showed the need. Frankin said, “It’s a song God gave me after 9-11 but by the time I finished it, the timing had passed and I was just never able to marry it to anything. But as I watched what was going on in Haiti, the Lord brought it to my attention that it would be perfect. We recorded it as quickly as we can so that we can have it to radio and other outlets with all of the proceeds going to the people of Haiti.” Link: Gospel Music Channel: http://www.gospelmusicchannel.com/haiti