Indianapolis is the host city for the 13th annual Super Bowl Gospel Celebration, an NFL sanctioned event, which will be held during Super Bowl XLVI weekend. The show will tape before a live audience on Friday, February 3, 2012 at 7:30 p.m. at Clowes Memorial Hall of Butler University. Produced by Central City Productions, Inc., the telecast is scheduled to air as a one-hour program.

Let's Make a Deal game show host, Wayne Brady, will host the event, with gospel’s sweetheart, CeCe Winans, as co-host. American Idol winner Fantasia will headline the show — which includes a duo with her mother Diane Barrino — with performances by top gospel and contemporary Christian artists Natalie Grant, Donnie McClurkin, Hezekiah Walker and “Players Choice” artist Wess Morgan. The Verizon’s How Sweet the Sound 2011 Overall Winning Choir, Salvation and Deliverance Church Choir will also perform.

The NFL Choir featuring current and former players, has become one of the most anticipated performances during Super Bowl Weekend. Celebrating its five-year anniversary, the NFL Choir made its debut at the 2008 show with more than 40 members, including Ray Lewis and Bryant McKinnie (Ravens), under the direction of McClurkin, who will reprise his role this year joined by Myron Butler. The Choir was formed by several Christian NFL players who wanted to share their faith through their musical talents in song and instrument. The group offers fans an opportunity to see a very personal side of the players, as they make a joyful noise. The NFL Players Choir will celebrate its anniversary singing a gospel favorite with Fantasia.

Since its inception in 1999, the Super Bowl Gospel Celebration has donated a portion of its proceeds and more than 5,000 tickets to local and national charities. This year, Gary Brackett’s IMPACT Foundation has been selected as the local charitable partner.

Theere will be a Red Carpet hosted by Indianapolis’ on-air personality, First Lady Khris Raye of WTLC, and Leonard Weaver (free agent/Eagles), followed by a pre-show with a soon-to-be-named artist, all beginning at 5:30 p.m.

Tickets are on sale at Ticketmaster locations in Indianapolis and www.ticketmasters.com or you can buy tickets directly from your mobile
phone by logging onto www.superbowlgospel.com. Prices are $99, $79, $59, and $39 (additional service fees and taxes apply).

Founded by Melanie Few-Harrison, president of Results Marketing & Media, Inc., The Super Bowl Gospel Celebration was launched in Miami in 1999 during Super Bowl XXXIII weekend. In 2002, the event became the first, and remains the only, gospel event sanctioned by the NFL. The show has drawn crowds in the thousands and has demonstrated growth year-after-year, selling out venues in major Super Bowl host cities including Dallas, Tampa, Detroit, Jacksonville, Houston and Phoenix.

For more information on the Super Bowl Gospel Celebration visit www.superbowlgospel.com.