Author: Libra Boyd

Libra Nicole Boyd, PhD is a musician, award-winning author, gospel music aficionado, and the founder and editor of Gospel Music Fever™. Her commitment to journalistic integrity includes bringing you reliable gospel music content that uplifts and advances the art form. Libra is presently working on several scholarly projects about gospel music in the media as well as gospel music in social movements.

Aaron Cole on music, ministry & fatherhood

Aaron Cole (Photo by Cedrick Jones)

At just 25 years old, Aaron Cole has already carved out a path for himself in Christian hip-hop. From his beginnings in Bristol, VA, where he got his musical start at age four, to being signed by TobyMac as a teenager, Cole’s résumé includes scoring three #1 singles and making history as the first Christian hip-hop artist to win the Dove Award for New Artist of the Year. Now based in Nashville and with two Dove Awards under his belt and a Stellar Award nomination, Cole has entered a profoundly personal chapter of his artistic journey.

The release of his third album, Sorry, I Changed, and its deluxe edition showcased Cole’s ability to bridge generations through collaborations with industry greats Kirk Franklin and Kierra Sheard. Now, his three-song bundle OMARI—featuring Tauren Wells on “One Reason”—marks more than just another musical milestone. It represents a season of deep personal transformation. Becoming a first-time father to his son Omari in late October has infused his music with new depth and vulnerability. In this candid Q&A with GMF Editor-in-Chief Libra Boyd, he opens up about fatherhood, faith, and the beautiful, unexpected ways life continues to reshape his artistry.

Libra: Congratulations to you and your wife on the birth of your son, Omari!

It is apparent to me that becoming a father to Omari has profoundly influenced your recent music. How has preparing for and welcoming your son transformed your songwriting as well as your perspective on faith, creativity, and purpose?

Aaron: I feel like I’ve changed so much in the past few months. However, having Omari has made music honestly even more fun. It’s made me think about my legacy more and consider the things I’m saying even more because one day, when I’m long gone, he’s going to have my discography to listen to and learn things about me that he might not have even known. So I like to share more stories, and I like to think about how my music is impacting the listener even more now—whether it’s joy, relatability, praise, worship, or whatever it may be. It feels like a fresh wind.

Libra: Reflecting on your journey from a 4 year-old to a present-day 25 year-old Dove Award winner with three #1 singles, talk about how your understanding of music as a form of personal expression and ministry has evolved from then to now.

Aaron: When I was just starting, I feel like all I cared about was reaching people’s hearts for God. As you start to grow and become successful, something I learned is that it gets hard to keep going because of all the pressure that comes with success. Sales, elevation, and growth become factors, when at first all you cared about was reaching people and making great music. What I try to do is get back to the younger me every time I make a new project. It gets hard, but you’ve got to remember why you do what you do, and that’s what keeps the joy and the love for the art and the people in it.

Libra: Your collaboration with artists like Kirk Franklin and Kierra Sheard suggests a deep respect for musical legacy. Who are the artists—within and outside of Christian hip-hop—that have most notably shaped your artistic voice and spiritual path?

Aaron: For sure. Those were dreams that came true for me. I grew up listening to both of their music. I feel like they, along with Mali Music, Da’ T.R.U.T.H., Tye Tribbett, and I’m sure a few others, have shaped me on this journey. Tye is probably the only one I grew up listening to that I haven’t worked with yet, so I’m looking forward to that happening one day. It’s a blessing to work with people you’ve admired throughout your life journey.

I think the most exciting thing is being able to present God to my generation and others in a new way. – Aaron Cole, Christian Hip-Hop Artist & Dove Award Winner Click to Tweet

Libra: The title of your third album, Sorry, I Changed, feels like a powerful statement about personal growth. We’d love to hear about the specific experiences or moments that inspired you to create it.

Aaron: The whole concept is that real life changes you, God changes you, life changes you. A lot of the songs talk about the struggles of life and the things we go through, and some of the songs reflect the hopeful side of things—how we have faith because of God that we’re going to make it through the challenges we face in our everyday lives. When you change and the people around you feel that change, you sometimes actually feel remorse. The Bible talks about change all the time—fishermen becoming fishers of men, being transformed by the renewing of your mind—and if God wasn’t changing us and taking us somewhere, we wouldn’t need a lamp unto our feet and a light unto our path.

Ultimately, it’s also the gospel, because when you meet God, your life changes completely. And last but not least, when I made Sorry, I Changed, there were just so many changes in my life. It was my first year married, my first year on a new label—a lot of things had actually changed in my life. So I just feel like the title is so fitting for the season I’m in right now.

Libra: Christian hip-hop often navigates complex spaces between artistic authenticity and spiritual messaging. How do you approach creating music that feels genuine to both your artistic vision and your faith?

Aaron: I think, for me, it’s just about being honest. I’m honest about my struggles, I’m honest about my wins, and I’m also honest about my relationship with God. I think being honest about my journey with God helps me navigate the complex things I have to handle when making music.

Libra: Your music seems to bridge generational and genre gaps—working with established artists while bringing a fresh perspective to Christian hip-hop. What do you see as the most exciting opportunities and challenges for your generation of artists?

Aaron: I think the most exciting thing is being able to present God to my generation and others in a new way. I feel like it’s amazing that being honest about my struggles and my relationship with God can inspire someone else on their journey. The challenges, I feel, definitely come from the industry and the standards of what it actually means to make music for God. It feels like I’m breaking barriers every day in this genre. So I’m looking forward to seeing how the sacrifices affect the genre and impact the culture.

OMARI cover art
OMARI Cover Art

Libra: OMARI is your new, deeply personal three-song project—it’s named after your son. Beyond the music, what are the life lessons you hope to eventually share with Omari about faith and finding one’s path?

Aaron: I’m honestly just super excited to walk with him on his journey through life, whatever it may be. It’s going to be exciting to see what he gravitates toward and becomes passionate about. I just want to share with him that anything is possible with God and hard work and that being patient and operating in God’s peace in any circumstance will go a long way.

Libra: If your musical journey to date could tell a story to listeners, what narrative would you want them to hear—and how does the OMARI project represent the next chapter of that unfolding story?

Aaron: I say this all the time, but I want people to be inspired in every way when they listen to my music. I make music for everyone with a dream like me—sitting in class, sitting at work, wishing your dream would come true. People said you’d never be anything because of your circumstances, where you’re from, etc. But God says something different about us, and God has a plan for all His children.

Remembering Rodessa Barrett Porter of The Barrett Sisters

By Libra Boyd, Editor in Chief

Rodessa Barrett Porter passed away December 16, 2024. (Photo credit: The David L. Spearman Library)

Rodessa Barrett Porter, beloved soprano of the legendary gospel trio The Barrett Sisters, entered eternal rest Monday, December 16, 2024, just one day after celebrating her 94th birthday. 

Born and raised in Chicago, Rodessa began her musical journey singing in the choir at Morning Star Baptist Church and then serving as a pianist at Mt. Nebo Baptist Church. Around 1950, she joined her older sisters, Delois Barrett Campbell and Billie Barrett GreenBey to form the renowned Barrett Sisters, becoming one of gospel music’s most cherished trios.

Rodessa’s angelic soprano voice complemented her sisters’ rich contralto and mezzo-soprano tones, creating unparalleled harmonies that resonated with local and international audiences and earned them the nickname “The Sweet Sisters of Zion.”

The Barrett Sisters recorded multiple albums and toured extensively, performing throughout the United States and Europe. In 1983 and 1987, they represented the United States as Goodwill Ambassadors in Africa and the South Pacific, respectively. The threesome graced stages with their friends Mahalia Jackson, Albertina Walker, and James Cleveland, appeared on programs with Johnny Carson, Oprah Winfrey, and Patti LaBelle, and are counted among pioneers in gospel music next to Thomas A. Dorsey, Roberta Martin, Theodore Frye, and Sallie Martin. Yet, despite their talent, renown, and accolades, their story remained one of humble service to God and the gospel message in song.

In her own way, Rodessa Barrett Porter helped shape an era of gospel music that will be celebrated for generations to come. Click to Tweet
The Barrett Sisters
Clockwise from top left: Rodessa Porter, Billie GreenBey, and Delois Campbell.

Rodessa and her sisters appeared in Say Amen, Somebody, the critically acclaimed documentary that introduced the Barrett Sisters to a new generation. More than 30 years later in 2013, The Sweet Sisters of Zion: Delois Barrett Campbell and the Barrett Sisters provided an intimate and celebratory portrait of their own lives and careers. The documentary film highlighted the trio’s bond—both as siblings and as singers who helped blaze trails in traditional gospel music.

The film’s producer, Regina Rene, shared in a 2013 interview with GMF’s Libra Boyd that the inspiration for the documentary stemmed from Rodessa’s vision. “I found [an] article where Mrs. Rodessa said that she wanted a document of their career and that she had all these videos that someone told her would cost $5,000 to put together.” Following the film’s completion, Boyd collaborated with the Barrett Sisters’ family to lead a crowdfunding campaign to support its release, premiere, and distribution.

After the passings of Delois in 2011 and Billie in 2020, Rodessa carried on their legacy with dignity, remaining a steward of the Barrett Sisters’ indelible mark on gospel music. The sisters’ closeness, admired both on and off stage, was a hallmark of their enduring appeal. In her own way, Rodessa Barrett Porter helped shape an era of gospel music that will be celebrated for generations to come. 

Rest in peace, sweet sister of Zion. Heaven’s choir will have a soprano whose melodies will reverberate through eternity.

“He’ll Make It Alright” – The Mighty Golden Wonders

“He’ll Make It Alright”
The Mighty Golden Wonders
From the project, He’ll Make It Alright (2024)
facebook.com/themightygoldenwonders

By Libra Boyd, Editor in Chief

Mighty Golden Wonder cd cover art

The Mighty Golden Wonders don’t waste any time getting their message across. In under three minutes, they urge listeners in the title track of their CD to trust God and in due time, “He’ll Make It Alright.”

The recording itself has an organic feel — like being allowed to listen in while the Mighty Golden Wonders take us to church from a garage off a winding dirt road in Mississippi, except that the group’s origins date back 48 years to Warren, OH. This unpolished sound is punctuated by the song’s simple structure and Frankie Yates’ gritty lead along with the background singers’ understated yet harmonic vocals. In a time when much of today’s Black gospel quartet music is cluttered with over-produced arrangements that bands would never replicate in a live set, the musical accompaniment here is stripped down to just bass, lead guitar, a drum kit, and occasional keys. 

“He’ll Make It Alright” evokes nostalgia for the “good old days” of the subgenre, when simplicity and message took center stage. Having celebrated nearly five decades of singing and traveling this year, I feel certain The Mighty Golden Wonders know a thing or two about those days.

PJ Morton celebrates release of ‘Saturday Night, Sunday Morning’ memoir

Career-Spanning Memoir Embraces Independence, Defying Expectations & Straddling
The Fences of R&B and Gospel Music, Faith, Race & Culture   

PJ Morton is pictured with fans at his book signing in Nashville. (From Media Release)

GRAMMY® winning singer and producer, PJ Morton, has published his inspiring and life-spanning new book, Saturday Night, Sunday Morning, via Worthy Publishing, an imprint of Hachette Book Group. Aside from recent TV appearances on the Tamron Hall Show and CBS Mornings, Morton held book signing events in his native New Orleans, Nashville, New York City, and at his alma mater, Morehouse College, in Atlanta. 

The memoir finds the 5x GRAMMY®-winner recounting and reflecting on a journey that continues to defy expectations and straddle the fences of music and faith, race and culture, expression and identity. As the son of beloved singing pastors Bishop Paul S. and Pastor Debra B. Morton, PJ Morton grew up grounded by the sound of the Church, but soon found himself drawn to R&B, pop and soul, writing songs that the industry, his family and community struggled to understand. In the face of mounting pressure, rejection and constant miscategorization, he committed himself to a steadfast path of independence: making music on his own terms, launching his own record label, and joining one of the biggest bands in the world (Maroon 5) while staying true to his New Orleans roots. The risks he took paid off, and through his trailblazing transformation from preacher’s kid to the busiest man in showbiz – performing everywhere from his local congregation to the Super Bowl with Maroon 5, collaborating with everyone from his father to Stevie Wonder, Erykah Badu, Jon Batiste and Lil Wayne – PJ Morton hopes to encourage readers and listeners to overcome obstacles as they seek their dreams. 

– From a media release

Detroit-based megachurch extends Brent Jones’ residency into 2025

Brent Jones

(Los Angeles, CA) Triumph Church, a 35,000-member Detroit-based megachurch with eight campuses and fourteen weekly services, has extended Grammy & Stellar Award-winning artist Brent Jones’ Artist-In-Residence into 2025.

Jones said, “I am such a huge fan of Triumph Church, Pastor Kinloch, Jr., First Lady Robin, and all the great work Triumph has been doing over the years, so what an honor to share my music ministry with the entire Triumph family well into 2025. 

This year has been such an amazing year for my career—back-to-back #1’s on Billboard, 150-City ‘Best Life’ Tour, my historic 4-album ‘Quadruple Release,’  first time touring Asia, etc. To God be the glory for the awesome things He has done!!”

Named the “#1 Fastest Growing Church in America” by Outreach Magazine and the largest black church in the country, Triumph Church was founded in 1920 originally as Triumph Missionary Baptist Church. In 1998, Pastor Solomon Kinloch, Jr. accepted the call to pastor at Triumph.  At the beginning of his tenure, Triumph’s membership was less than 50 people. Under Pastor Kinloch’s visionary leadership, Triumph has now blossomed into a multi-site phenomenon with more than 35,000 members and counting.

Tye Tribbett shares personal experience with bullying

October is National Bullying Prevention Month. As an educator and professional school counselor, the topic of bullying tugs at my heart because the impact of such cruel acts—whether physical, verbal, relational, or cyber—is often long-lasting. I was touched to see Tye Tribbett share his own story on IG.

If you or someone you know is the target of bullying, stopbullying.gov offers resources for addressing the issue and keeping yourself and others safe.

Thank you for lifting your voice and raising awareness, Tye.

Screenshot of Tye Tribbett sharing his experience with bullying on Instagram in October 2024
IG @TyeTribbett

R.I.P. Cissy Houston, Grammy-winning gospel great

Cissy Houston died October 7, 2024. She was 91. Her memorial service was held Oct. 17th.

A private, invitation-only memorial service was recently held at Newark’s New Hope Baptist Church for gospel great Cissy Houston who passed October 7, at the age of 91. She was under hospice care for Alzheimer’s disease. Her powerful voice and soulful performances left indelible impressions on the music industry and were passed down to her children, particularly her iconic daughter, Whitney.

Jonathan Landrum, Jr. and Hillel Italie shared more about Cissy’s life and career in their detailed report for The Associated Press. CBS News New York reported highlights from the two-time Grammy-winning artist’s memorial service on October 17th.

With her father Nicholas Drinkard’s encouragement, Emily “Cissy” Drinkard and her siblings began singing as the Drinkard Four. As others were added to the group, the aggregation became the Drinkard Singers. The Drinkard Singers went on to record a live album titled Joyful Noise, which was followed by Cissy’s 1963 solo record This Is My Vow (released under the name Cecily Blair). By year’s end, Cissy had formed The Sweet Inspirations, a lineup that included her nieces Dee Dee and Dionne Warwick as well as Doris Troy. Both Cissy and The Sweet Inspirations recorded projects over the next decade and sang backup for top artists of the day, including Aretha Franklin, Jimi Hendrix, and Elvis Presley. In 1970, Cissy parted ways with the group to devote more time to her family and a solo career. While the tangible rewards for her artistry may be the Grammys she won in the category of Best Traditional Soul Gospel Album for Face to Face and He Leadeth Me in 1997 and 1999, respectively, many contend that her greatest contribution to music was her daughter Whitney. In Whitney’s own words:

My mother taught me how to sing. I had the singing in me, but she taught me how. And she taught me through gospel. And she told me that if I could sing gospel, I could sing anything that I wanted to—because everything is rooted from that music...

CeCe Winans wins Artist of the Year at 55th Annual GMA Dove Awards

CeCe Winans Wins Big with Three Awards Including Artist of the Year, Forrest Frank Wins New Artist of the Year at the 55th Annual GMA Dove Awards 

Hosted by Tauren Wells, the Dove Awards “Unites the Song” with Meaningful Moments and Dynamic Performances and Announces New Venue in 2025: The Bridgestone Arena

CeCe Winans opens the show with “That’s My King” | Photo Credit: Tessa Voccola
CeCe Winans opens the show with “That’s My King.” (Photo Credit: Tessa Voccola)

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (October 4, 2024) – The 55th Annual GMA Dove Awards were handed out Tuesday night, October 1, 2024, to a sold-out, live audience in Nashville, Tennessee.

Jonathan Smith was most awarded with seven wins including Producer of the Year. Phil Wickham took home four Doves including Worship Album of the Year. Gospel music icon CeCe Winans was another big winner of the night with three total wins including Artist of the Year. Song of the Year went to “Holy Forever,” honoring songwriters Chris Tomlin, Brian Johnson, Jenn Johnson, Jason Ingram, and Phil Wickham. Brandon Lake, Chandler Moore, and Jason Ingram each received three awards and Forrest Frank, who won two awards, took home New Artist of the Year. The show aired tonight, Friday, October 4th, exclusively on TBN and TBN+ and simulcast on SiriusXM The Message. Returning host, Tauren Wells led the all-star, high energy, multi-genre night of music. 

CeCe Winans opened the show with a joy-fueled performance of “That’s My King,” complete with a 24-person choir. Tauren Wells brought out surprise guests DAVIES. and Skillet’s John Cooper for his dynamic “Take It All Back” performance. Forrest Frank’s upbeat “No Longer Bound/GOOD DAY” mash-up featured members from The Choir Room. One of the night’s highlights, introduced by beloved worship leader Darlene Zschech, was the multilingual performance of “Holy Forever” featuring Brian and Jenn Johnson, Miel San Marcos and Gabriel Guedes. 

In a heavy yet worshipful moment, host Tauren Wells spoke about the many losses happening at home and around the world, including within the Christian and Gospel music community. Especially poignant, Wells played a personal audio text from Mandisa, who passed earlier this year, and reminded the audience how important it is to speak words of love to those around us.

“I know so many of you in the room received messages, support, and love just like this,” Wells said. “[Mandisa] will be greatly missed along with all of the other friends and family we’ve lost this year and loved so deeply. It’s a sobering reminder that our words carry so much weight. Your words can be some of the most valuable things you can leave behind. Let’s all remember to reach out to those we love.” The moment was capped off with a stirring performance of “My Tribute (To God Be The Glory)” from Natalie Grant.

In a surprise announcement, the GMA revealed the 56th Annual GMA Dove Awards will be held at Nashville’s Bridgestone Arena in the heart of Music City. The announcement was delivered in a video featuring Steven Curtis Chapman, Jason Crabb, Jekalyn Carr, Danny Gokey, and CeCe Winans carrying the Dove statuette from Lipscomb’s Allen Arena to Bridgestone Arena. (The 56th Annual GMA Dove Awards will be live on Tuesday, October 7th, 2025.)

Chandler Moore performs at the 55th Annual GMA Dove Awards. Chandler took home three awards.
Bill and Gloria Gaither accept the Jackie Patillo Leadership Award at the 55th Annual GMA Dove Awards.

Left: Chandler Moore performs. He took home three Dove Awards. Right: Bill and Gloria Gaither accept the Jackie Patillo Leadership Award. (Photo Credit: Jamie Gilliam)

Gospel Music icons Bill and Gloria Gaither were honored with the Jackie Patillo Leadership Award. Bill and Gloria are legendary songwriters behind songs like “Because He Lives,” “He Touched Me,” and “There’s Something About That Name.” As their names were called to receive the award, the audience leaped to its feet to celebrate the beloved couple. Accepting the award, Bill Gaither said, “I want to encourage all you young songwriters to keep writing your songs. There’s a hole in the heart of this country. There’s a whole lot of empty going on. Somewhere along the way, we’ve lost our song. There’s a hole in the heart of America that only God can fill.” The GMA was honored to award Bill and Gloria Gaither the Jackie Patillo Leadership Award.  

To watch the 55th Annual GMA Dove Awards on demand on TBN+, click here. 

For the full list of winners, click here.

R.I.P. Gregory Kelly, Sr., formerly of Slim & The Supreme Angels

Gregory Kelly, Sr. passed September 4, 2024.

GMF acknowledges the passing of Gregory Kelly, Sr., gospel singer formerly of Slim and The Supreme Angels. Kelly passed September 4, after a period of health challenges.

A musical tribute and homegoing service took place September 13th and 14th, respectively. Both services were held at Greater New Hope Missionary Baptist Church in Oxford, NC. 

In addition to his tenure with Slim and The Supreme Angels, Kelly fronted his own group, Greg Kelly and Foundation. 

The GMF community continues to send up prayers for Kelly’s family, friends, and supporters.

R.I.H. Rev. Janice Brown-Stephens, pastor and ‘Rough Side of the Mountain’ singer

Flyer of final arrangements for Rev. Janice Brown-Stephens

GMF was saddened to receive news of the passing of Rev. Janice Brown-Stephens. Brown-Stephens, the youngest of 14 siblings, transitioned on August 30, 2024. She was 80.

Born September 13, in Rocky Mount, NC, the singer, preacher, and pastor became most widely recognized as the singing partner of Bishop F.C. Barnes. Together, they gave us the massive traditional gospel hit, “Rough Side of the Mountain,” along with other favorites like “Uncloudy Day” and “The Lord Will Fix It For Me.”

An excerpt from the NC Music Hall of Fame’s biography of Bishop F.C. Barnes reads,

The Reverend Barnes met The Reverend Janice Brown around 1979 while doing a radio broadcast in Rocky Mount on WSRV. On a reel-to-reel tape recorder, they recorded “It’s Me Again, Lord” for a radio broadcast; the response from listeners was overwhelming so they recorded it in a studio. In addition to “It’s Me Again, Lord,” they recorded “Come On In The Room.” AIR Records executive Wendell Parker heard it and brought it to the attention of Ron Freeman, owner of AIR, the Atlanta International Records, a subsidiary of Malaco Music Group. Freeman offered them a recording contract.

The Reverends Barnes and Brown recorded eight albums; their biggest hit was “Rough Side of the Mountain” which reportedly sold half a million copies and reached number one on the Gospel Chart.

Pastors Monte and Janice Brown-Stephens sang, preached, and pastored together. | Photo Credit: Off The Beaten Path Photography by Tina Dee
Pastors Monte and Janice Brown-Stephens

Following Brown-Stephens’ departure from the duo in the late 1980s, she left the music industry and became a pastor in a small Jones County, NC town. Two decades later, she reemerged in the industry with a new duet partner, Monte Stephens, a former radio station owner who was the founder and then-president of Freedom Records in Murfreesboro, TN. The partnership began after Stephens’ now-deceased wife Dee heard one of Janice Brown’s recordings, insisted on meeting her, and ultimately invited her to record a project with Monte. Dee produced the new project and even titled it Alive and Well to clap back at Internet misinformation that the gospel singer had died. Unfortunately, Dee herself passed away from cancer before the album’s release. Several months later, Janice and Monte united in marriage and continued their singing and preaching ministry under the name of Ebony and Ivory Ministries.

Brown-Stephens and her husband were the pastors of Full Circle Church of God in Friendsville, TN.

A celebration of life service is scheduled for September 14, at 10 a.m. with a pre-celebration one hour prior. The services will take place at Deeper Life Church Ministries in Goldsboro, NC.

GMF extends condolences to the entire Brown and Stephens family.