Overview:
David and Tamela Mann are gearing up for their Live Breathe Fight tour, a combination of faith, family, and music that will run from May 15 to June 1, with two Texas dates in Houston on May 18 and Fort Worth on May 15. The tour will feature gospel stars Erica Campbell, Tye Tribbett, Karen Sheard, and Kierra Sheard. Tamela Mann emphasized that the tour is meant to be an encouragement to everyone, especially during this hard time. Gospel music has a track record of providing the motivation and the soundtrack for many political movements in the US, and the Manns want people to know that it's not over and their faith lies in their heavenly father and not in the government.
Dallas Weekly’s Culture Contributor Reagan Elam sat down with David and Tamela Mann for an unforgettable conversation about their upcoming tour, returning to their Texan roots, and words of encouragement for those who may need a blessing. The Manns are preparing for their Live Breathe Fight tour, a combination of faith, family, and music sure to inspire all ages. The tour runs from May 15 to June 1 and has two Texas dates: one in Houston on May 18 and the debut in Fort Worth at the Dickies Arena on May 15.
“Working for Me” is one of Tamela Mann’s favorite songs on her newly released “Live Breathe Fight” album that shares its namesake with the upcoming tour.
Mann described the song as being about “all the things [she] had been dealing with in the past year and a half.”
Moreover, Tamela Mann encourages people to listen to the song as a means of understanding the works God has done that are not yet visible to the human eye.
“When you think He’s not looking or listening, God is working on my behalf when I don’t see it. That’s how ‘Working for Me’ came about,” Mann said.
Erica Campbell, Tye Tribbett, Karen Sheard, and Kierra Sheard will be joining the Manns on this gospel tour.
When asked how this stellar lineup of performers was assembled, David Mann answered:
“We wanted to put together a group of people, one, that we loved working with. And two, that we know can bring the different styles of gospel music.”
All of the stars on the Live Breathe Fight tour come heavily lauded with honors, but each displays a unique style. David Mann, known for his comedic stylings in shows like Tyler Perry’s “Meet the Browns,” promises to add a humorous element to the show. His wife, Tamela, two-time RCAA platinum recording artist is sure to stun audiences with her gracefully skilled vocal stylings.
This talent is complimented by the powerhouse dynamism of Tye Tribbett’s performance style. Gospel legend Karen Clark Sheard of the Clark sisters will also contribute her legendary talents alongside her daughter, singer-songwriter Kierra Sheard. Rounding out this star-studded cast is Erica Campbell, as one half of iconic gospel duo Mary Mary, to add her Grammy-winning talents to the list as well.
“We wanted to bring kind of an Avengers vibe to the whole thing, you know,” David Mann told DW, “A group of artists who can bring their own special style to the show.”
Tamela Mann is both “excited and nervous at the same time,” to kick off the tour in the DFW area. As a Fort Worth native and the youngest of 14 siblings, Mann grew up singing in her church’s adult choir at the age of 12 before starting her musical career with Kirk Franklin and the Family.
“We’re excited to be home,” Tamela Mann began. “I wanna kick it off hard and big to set it up for the other artists, so when we go to their cities, we started it out right,” Mann emphasized.
This tour holds special significance for the Manns as faith-based leaders. Amid a tumultuous and hectic spring for many across the nation, turning to faith can be a form of solace.
Tamela Mann emphasized that this tour is meant to serve as that form of solace and empowerment to those who attend.
“We just really want it [the tour] to be an encouragement to everybody. [We’re] in a hard place right now,” Mann reiterated.
Gospel music has a track record for providing the motivation and the soundtrack to many political movements in the US. Less than a century ago, gospel music was a catalyst for the Civil Rights Movement, and still serves as a means of achieving and advocating for social justice to this day.
“We want to encourage people to live like heaven is our destiny. We do have a purpose and a call,” Mann began, “We’re gonna keep fighting until we get the victory.”
As a message to those who are struggling to cope with the bigoted policies associated with measures passed under the second Trump administration, Mann urges people to keep their faith where it belongs.
“We want people to know it’s not over. Our faith lies in our heavenly father and not in our government,” Tamela Mann said.
First-time gospel festival goers are welcome, David Mann assured DW. As far as what ticket holders can prepare for, Mann says “expect the unexpected.”
For tickets to the Live Breathe Fight Tour at the Dickies Arena on May 15, click here.
Dallas Weekly would like to thank the Manns and their team for taking the time to speak with us.