Gospel Music Association's "Female Vocalist of 2002" Nicole C. Mullen has recently put the finishing touches on Christmas in Black and White, her first holiday album and her September 24 Christmas project on Word Records. 

A family affair, Christmas in Black and White includes a duet with Mullen's father Napolean Coleman (and GRAMMY Award-winning jazz great Kirk Whalum) on "The Christmas Song", as well as a special take on "St. Nick's Groove" by her father-in-law, Frederic Mullen.  "Gifts from You" features her family remembering their greatest blessings (each other!) to a funky acoustic riff.  Other standouts include "O Come O Come Emmanuel" with an accompaniment by guitar virtuoso Phil Keaggy and the title track, "Christmas in Black in White", with its spoken word piece chronicling the plight of the Virgin Mary.

"The song is saying here are the facts," shares Mullen about the title track.  "It's right here in black and white.  The truth of the matter is that God became a man through a virgin girl and this God became like us.  So I wanted to celebrate that fact by making it the whole premise upon which the record is built."

Mullen will tour in support of Christmas in Black and White as a special guest on John Tesh's upcoming "Christmas Tour" in November which will feature performances from his upcoming October 1 Christmas project, Christmas Worship.  Most recently, Mullen was invited to perform "Talk About It" and "Redeemer" at a Billy Graham Crusade and will also appear on FamilyNet's "Life Today with James Robison" on Thursday, September 26.  For air times, visit www.lifetoday.org.