Kirk Franklin takes 'Hero' to the masses

Gospel singer Kirk Franklin has mapped out a national tour in support of his 2005 album, "Hero."

The Grammy-nominated Franklin will be joined on his outing by sibling duo Mary Mary and rapper Da T.R.U.T.H. The tour kicks off Feb. 28 in Cleveland, with dates scheduled through the end of March.

"Hero," Franklin's sixth solo album, debuted last July at No. 1 on the Billboard's Gospel and Christian album charts, and it still remains on top of the Christian chart.

The Texas-born Franklin--who received a nomination for Best Gospel Performance earlier in February at the 2006 Grammy Awards for the song "Looking For You"--made his recording debut with 1993's "Kirk Franklin & The Family," which went on to spend 100 weeks at the top of Billboard's Gospel chart. The crossover smash also became the first gospel-oriented album to sell one million copies.

California-based sister act Mary Mary also received a Grammy nomination for their self-titled 2005 album.