Gospel icon Kirk Franklin made it a very special Mother's Day for two sold-out sittings at the inaugural Kirk Franklin's Gospel Brunch at House of Blues yesterday in West Hollywood, CA. Mr. Franklin, who for the past few months has been hard at work alongside House of Blues producers creating a new Gospel brunch experience, was at the club's West Hollywood location to oversee the debut of the reinvented Sunday institution, currently celebrating its 20th year .

The Grammy Award winning performer couldn't be kept off the stage as he led the band and choir through a number of inspirational classics. Kirk Franklin's Gospel Brunch at House of Blues is a celebration of the audience as much as one of America's most distinctive genres of music. Mr. Franklin encouraged audience involvement throughout the set, bringing up music fans young and old to sing and participate in the festive performance. The result was an uplifting, get-on-your-feet celebration heavy on love and celebration of friends and family.

Similarly, House of Blues clubs in 10 other cities debuted the new Gospel Brunch this past Sunday. Each location's song selection and theme were carefully curated by Mr. Franklin. Much of the southern cuisine at each location was also new for music fans. A particular favorite was "Kirk Franklin's Chicken and Waffles," which are new to the menu. The menu also features other morning feast favorites such as cornbread muffins and maple butter, Creole chicken and shrimp jambalaya, carving stations, and create-your-own Bloody Mary and mimosa bars.

Kirk Franklin's Gospel Brunch at House of Blues will continue on Sundays at House of Blues locations nationwide, including Los Angeles, Anaheim, San Diego, Las Vegas, Dallas, Houston, New Orleans, Chicago, Cleveland, Myrtle Beach, and Orlando. Check www.houseofblues.com for show times and additional information. Mr. Franklin is expected to drop into select locations periodically for special performances.

Founded in 1992, House of Blues are located throughout the United States and form the country's pre-eminent group of intimate music venues. Each features state-of-the-art sound and lighting technology in one-of-a-kind custom designed environments aimed to bring fans as close as possible to the artists. Every location's restaurant and bar is adorned with signature original folk-art - part of the world's largest collection - combined with the House of Blues legendary hospitality and tantalizing cuisine.

A portion of ticket sales are being donated to the International House of Blues Foundation, a non-profit organization that provides arts and cultural educational programs and resources for youth in communities across the United States.

For nearly two decades, Kirk Franklin has been a multi-platinum-selling pioneer in gap-bridging musicianship, uniting audiences across gospel, hip hop, pop and R&B. His irresistible rhythms and rhapsodies have resulted in albums that consistently top both Billboard's Gospel and Christian charts, as well as ascend triumphantly into the Top 10 of the R&B/Hip Hop chart. His unprecedented penetration into the mainstream has fortified him to also become a New York Times bestselling author for The Blueprint: A Plan for Living Above Life's Storms (Gotham/Penguin). Franklin is also the host and executive producer of the gospel talent show "Sunday Best," the highest-rated gospel program in BET network history now heading into its sixth season. To date, the trendsetter has garnered nine Grammy Awards, 39 Stellar Awards, 16 Dove Awards (CCM), eight NAACP Image Awards, two BET Awards, an American Music Award, a Soul Train Award and numerous others.