The dance-floor ready song comes on the heels of the recent premiere of “The Rev” (Thursdays 10:30 PM ET/PT). which revolves around Hartley’s real-life role as a pastor. The plot centers on Hartley and his real-life family (wife, Stacey, and their adult children, Judea & Jordan) and the hilarious interactions between them and the zany characters at their church in Queens, New York.

“The show is a God-move,” says Hartley. “I didn’t audition for anybody. A friend filmed one of my choir rehearsals which can be brutal and hilarious at the same time. He sent it to a friend of his in Hollywood who sent it to an agent and the agent sent it to somebody at a production company. A bidding war started and there were offers from Lifetime, OWN, Netflix and USA Network.  They ended up going with USA Networks and here we are.”

Hartley began coaching church choirs at the age of six and landed his big break in Vy Higginsen's off-Broadway stage musical, "Mama, I Want to Sing", circa 1987. “I was with that show for 13 years,” Hartley says. “That show took me all over the world. Europe, Australia. I’ve been to Japan 150 times alone. Then, I came back and started training choirs to back superstars.” Hartley’s been there right under our eyes for years. He was in Mariah Carey’s “Anytime You Need A Friend” music video. He led the choir in Diana Ross’ 1999 telefilm, “Double Platinum.” Visit: https://www.usanetwork.com/the-rev

Leave a Comment

 

 

[2024]
Jan. | Feb. | March | April | May | June | July | Aug. | Sept. | Oct. | Nov. | Dec.

[2023]
Jan. | Feb. | March | April | May | June | July | Aug. | Sept. | Oct. | Nov. | Dec.

[2001 - Present]
Visit our complete MUSIC NEWS ARCHIVE

 

 

(JFH Sponsor Spot)