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.

GMF Sightings – Reuben "Bill" Cooper of NC's legendary Cooper Four

Reuben “Bill” Cooper of the golden era’s Cooper Four was eyed after the CD release musical of New Creation, of which he and his wife Ella’s only daughter, RuBena Cooper-Woods, is a lead singer.

The Cooper Four’s brand of traditional gospel made the sibling foursome a regional favorite at the peak of their popularity.  The group has been a mainstay, singing live weekly on the radio since 1952.  They can still be heard live on Durham’s WRJD-AM each Sunday morning.  In addition to Cooper, the group currently consists of its original members Walter and Ruth Cooper (who was also in attendance at the musical), as well as Stephanie and Cheryal Lipscomb, granddaughters of deceased original member, guitarist Maria Cooper-Whitted.

Editor’s Note: RuBena Cooper-Woods relayed the background information shared with GMF in this piece, including the year the group began singing on the radio.  An interview with the group, which appeared in The Herald Sun in 2006, notes the group began singing at WSRC in 1954, the same year the station launched.

Pastor Shirley Caesar to be honored with birthday, anniversary celebrations

This week, Mt. Calvary Word of Faith Church is hosting services to celebrate the birthday and pastoral anniversary of its shepherdess, Pastor Shirley Caesar.  Pastor Caesar’s birthday is October 13.

Services take place Tuesday, October 11 through Thursday, October 13 at 7:30 PM nightly.  Featured speakers are Pastor Aaron McNair, Associate Pastor Wess Morgan, and Elder Kervy Brown.

Mt. Calvary Word of Faith Church is located at 3100 Sanderford Road in Raleigh, NC.
I personally wish Pastor Caesar a huge happy birthday and pastoral anniversary!  She looks and sounds as heavenly as ever.

"Dr. Maggie Ingram is in the building!"

 
 
Today has been a memorable one for Evangelist Maggie Ingram.  This morning, a Richmond, VA seminary conferred upon the 81 year-old down-home singer the Honorary Doctorate of Music degree.  Tonight, the silver-haired fireball and her blazing group, the Ingramettes, added Holy Ghost fuel to the fire that was burning at White Rock Baptist Church’s homecoming kickoff service in Oxford, NC.
 
The high-energy quartet showstoppers were not only in the house, but right at home, keeping the capacity crowd and host pastor Steven Hargrove on their feet with a mix of old and new numbers, including “When Jesus Comes,” “Like A Ship,” “Family Prayer,” and “Standing on the Promises.”

 

Related Story
Sizzlin’ This Week (6/27/11) – “Like A Ship”

“Fly Again” Music Video – Sounds of Blackness

Malaco Records has released the official music video of the new inspirational single by Sounds of Blackness.  Click here to watch.

John P. Kee and Lisa Knowles team up on Youthful Praise release

J.J. Hairston and Youthful Praise is working on new music for 2012, and from what I hear, we should be on the lookout for a great pairing of John P. Kee and the Brown Singers’ Lisa Knowles on the forthcoming project.  This choir featuring these powerhouses is certainly enough to whet any appetite!

YP’s current CD is Resting on His Promise, released in 2009.

“Rejoicing in Heaven” – Operation Faith feat. Rev. Harold Johnson

“Rejoicing in Heaven”
Operation Faith featuring Rev. Harold Johnson (2011)
Available on CD Baby

Scripture (Luke 15:10 KJV) says, “Likewise, I say unto you, there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner that repenteth.”

Rev. Harold Johnson makes vivid the emotion of this passage in his uptempo single, “Rejoicing in Heaven.”  He is featured with Operation Faith, described as a “Christian/Gospel Music Experience that features various vocal artists, composed, produced and arranged by David Crawford.”

Johnson, a former member of the Motown group Devastating Affair, recreates the 1970’s Memphis soul sound, combining what some would call a couple of essential elements: an Al Green-esque vocal and spicy organ riffs.  His testimony is,  “Jesus claimed the deed to my life and laid His spirit on me,” which is definitely a cause for rejoicing in Heaven as well as on earth!

Carolyn Pettiford-Ryals – “It’s You And Me” Women’s Retreat on Oct. 22-23

Carolyn Pettiford-Ryals invites women to join her at her upcoming “It’s You and Me” Women’s Retreat.

Ryals, Sunday morning radio host on WNCU-90.7FM, talked with GMF in May about the blessing these retreats have been to women from all walks of life (see “Raleigh-Durham radio personality uses voice to inspire on, off air”).

The next weekend event is October 22-23.  Visit http://cprministries.info for more details.

 

Marvin Sapp’s live CD/DVD to be recorded Oct. 7, released March 2012

Pastor Marvin Sapp announced via Twitter yesterday that the release date for his upcoming CD/DVD is March 13, 2012.  This will be the singer’s first album since his wife’s passing in 2010. 
Discussing the project, Sapp told Billboard.com, “The focus of this record is how you can come through situations and still remain on top. It’s about how the enemy has a way of hitting you with stuff to cause you to fold and buckle, but I’m still standing.”
The live recording is scheduled for Friday, October 7, at Evangel Cathedral Temple in Upper Marlboro, MD.

Yancey Family Ministries presents Harbour House Convention, Sept. 28 – Oct. 1

The Harbour House 2011 Convention, presented by Cornerstone Christian Community Church and Yancey Family Ministries, starts today and continues through Saturday, October 1.  This year’s theme is “Work While It Is Day.”  All convention proceeds go to the Harbour House Ministry, which provides transitional housing for broken, bruised and battered persons in Granville and neighboring NC counties. 


This year’s convention will feature preaching by Pastor James Isaac, III, Dr. M.R. Weaver, and Minister Chad Downey.  Music will be rendered by Vision A Capella Group, SwS Music Group, the Baldwin Family, and others.

The Yancey Family

Saturday’s service will feature the Yancey Family in concert.  Called “the best kept secret in Granville County” by legendary gospel singer Evangelist Dorothy Norwood, all eleven Yancey siblings have sung and/or played an instrument since childhood.  Collectively, they emerged to become one of the most requested groups in the area.  Upon hearing Gloretta Yancey McNeil’s project, Thou Art Worthy, Evangelist Norwood, taken by the family’s talent and anointing, presented the Yancey Family in its first “live” recording.  The project will be released in the coming months on Movonia Records. 

Convention At-A-Glance

All services will be held at Cornerstone Christian Community Church, 3237 Knotts Grove Road, Oxford, NC 27565.  An offering will be received nightly.  

Wednesday, Sept. 28 – 7 PM
Guest speaker: Pastor James Isaac, III (New Hope Granville Baptist Church)

Thursday, Sept. 29 – 7 PM
Guest speaker: Dr. M.R. Weaver (Seed Time & Harvest Fellowship)

Friday, Sept. 30 – 7 PM  Youth Night
Guest speaker: Min. Chad Downey (Raleigh International Church)

Saturday, Oct. 1 – 5 PM
Musical featuring the Yancey Family and the Baldwin Family

Jessy Dixon, legendary gospel singer & songwriter, has died

The Black Gospel Blog just reported that another gospel legend in the person of Rev. Jessy Dixon has passed from labor to reward.

Dixon was an internationally acclaimed singer, songwriter, and musician whose memorable compositions include “I Am Redeemed,” “I Love to Praise His Name,” and “Lord Prepare Me to Be a Sanctuary.”  He wrote more than 200 songs throughout his career.  He was also a sought-after accompanist.  His fans were many including celebrities Stevie Wonder, Natalie Cole, Bette Midler, and Diana Ross.

The Black Gospel Blog will provide additional information as it becomes available.

GMF extends sympathy to Rev. Dixon’s family and friends and to the gospel community.