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.

Malaco signs Sounds of Blackness

Press Release from Malaco Records
Malaco Music Group has signed Sounds of Blackness, and the group’s debut single “Fly Again” from their self-titled CD, The Sounds of Blackness will be hitting radio the first of August.
Gary Hines, music director/producer of Sounds of Blackness states, “Sounds of Blackness and I are extraordinarily overjoyed to have the honor of signing with Malaco! Sounds of Blackness and Malaco have a lot in common–bringing Black Music to all people, celebrating four decades of existence, and remaining true to our roots!”

Malaco Vice President Tommy Couch Jr, comments, “We are so exited to work with a group of this magnitude. The Sounds Of Blackness are still about the music and the message while maintaining their unique creativity.”

“Much like Bebe & Cece Winans,” adds D.A. Johnson, executive director of Malaco’s gospel division, “the Sounds Of Blackness was extremely instrumental in crossing Gospel/Inspirational music over into the mainstream in the 90’s and It is great to see them return stronger than ever.”

Kirby Powell of gospel quartet, The Powell Tradition, has passed

GMF is sad to report that Kirby Powell, lead singer of Robersonville, NC quartet gospel group The Powell Tradition, passed Wednesday.  He was 29 years old.
The Powell Tradition is a family group consisting of brothers and cousins who were exposed to music as toddlers and who have been singing together as The Powell Tradition for more than 24 years. The group’s recordings include It’s Been Too Long and Personal Diary.

At the time of Powell’s passing, the group was prepping for an appearance on Bobby Jones Gospel next month as well as a live CD/DVD recording this fall.

Our thoughts and prayers are with Kirby’s wife and his entire family, friends, and The Powell Tradition.

Funeral Arrangements:

Viewing
Saturday, July 23 
6-8 PM
Roberson Chapel
4014 US Hwy 64, Robersonville, NC 

Homegoing
Sunday, July 24
2 PM
South Creek High School (formerly Roanoke High)
21077 Hwy 903, Robersonville, NC

“I Believe” – Praises of Zion

“I Believe”
Praises of Zion
From the CD, I Believe (2010)
Savoy Records

Praises of Zion may not be on your personal playlist–yet. Put ’em there.  The bouncy “I Believe” is one tune from their current project (by the same name) that is infectious.

On the title song, Wayne Robinson leads the choir in acknowledging their trust in the promises of God in celebratory fashion.

“I read Your letter sent from above / Every single word tells of Your love / No longer doubting the path I go / All is in Your hands and that I know.”

Recorded live at The First Cathedral in Bloomfield, CT, on the Savoy label (a Malaco subsidiary), “I Believe” is Praises of Zion’s personal approach to a very public praise.

Funeral Arrangements for Bishop F.C. Barnes of “Rough Side of the Mountain” Fame

Arrangements for Bishop F.C. Barnes have been announced by Glessa Morris, booking manager for Luther Barnes Song Ministries.  Barnes passed Monday morning.  He was 82. (See related post here.)

Memorial Service
Friday, July 15th
7-9 PM
Red Budd Holy Church
1108 Luper Street – Rocky Mount
Funeral
Saturday, July 16th
11 AM
Red Budd Holy Church

Arrangements are by Hamilton Funeral Chapel in Wilson, NC.

Sizzlin’ This Week (7/11/11) – “It Was A Great Thing”

“It Was A Great Thing”
Rev. F.C. Barnes & the Red Budd Combined Choir
From the CD, “LIVE” featuring “Rough Side of the Mountain” (1994)
www.malaco.com

Bishop F.C. Barnes transitioned in the early hours of yesterday morning at the age of 82 (see the related post here), but not before leaving a rich legacy to be remembered for years to come.

Bishop Barnes founded Red Budd Holy Church in Rocky Mount in 1959.  This week’s pick, “It Was A Great Thing,” features him with the Red Budd Combined Choir.

Thank you, Bishop Barnes, for reminding us of the mercy of Jesus Christ.  Yes, it was a great thing that He did for us!

Bishop, singer, and patriarch Barnes has passed

GMF is sad to report that Bishop Faircloth Barnes passed early this morning.

Bishop F.C. Barnes was the founder of Red Budd Holy Church in Rocky Mount, NC.  He is most recognized, however, for his rise to gospel music fame in 1983 with the blockbuster hit, “Rough Side of the Mountain,” recorded with Rev. Janice Brown.

Singing was seemingly always a family affair for the bishop.  Through the years, in addition to his own group, Bishop F.C. Barnes and Company (his nieces), Bishop Barnes was featured on projects with Luther Barnes, his son; The Sunset Jubilaires, his brothers; and the Red Budd Gospel Choir, which consists of his granddaughter, nieces, and other family and friends.  His sons Samuel, Melvin, and Tony were musicians on several of the recordings.

Recently, Bishop Barnes appeared on Darrell Luster’s (God is God) He Won’t Change album, putting his signature down home flavor on the title cut.

Please keep the entire Barnes family as well as the church family in your thoughts and prayers.

GMF will post arrangements as information becomes available.  Update: Arrangements have been announced.  Click here for service times.

“Peace in the Valley” – Raymond Silver

“Peace in the Valley”
Raymond Silver
From the CD, Use Me (2010)
http://raymondsilverproductions.com

“Peace in the Valley” is a timeless hymn that has been covered by the likes of Mahalia Jackson (for whom it was written), Red Foley, Pat Boone, Dolly Parton, Randy Travis, Loretta Lynn, Take 6, The Soul Stirrers, Elvis Presley, and no less than a score of others.

Now you can add Raymond Silver to the roster.

On his current CD, Use Me, the multi-talented Silver delivers his own interpretation of the Thomas Dorsey classic.  Silver’s arrangement is faster, but he handles the traditional gem with care, as if the composer is within earshot.  Most of Silver’s liberties are taken in the vamp (the repeated phrase “in the valley”) as he chronicles all the glooms he’ll abandon and joys he’ll embrace upon entering into eternal peace.

Hearing this version of “Peace in the Valley” 70-plus years after it was written, I think Rev. Dorsey would be pleased.

Sizzlin’ This Week (7/4/11) – “When the Saints Go Marching In”

“When the Saints Go Marching In”
Louis Armstrong
From the CD, Hallelujah!: Gospel 1930-1941 (2002)
Frémeaux & Associés

Louis Armstrong frequently said his birthday was July 4, 1900.  In the mid 1980’s–many years after his death in 1971–baptismal records revealed his true birthdate was in fact August 4, 1901.

In honor of the iconic jazz trumpeter’s unofficial birthday and in celebration of his contributions to American music, my pick this week is Satchmo’s version of the gospel classic turned jazz standard, “When the Saints Go Marching In,” from the CD compilation Hallelujah!: Gospel 1930-1941.

“Resurface” – SkyWay Rec

“Resurface”
SkyWay Rec
From the upcoming CD, Resurface (Available August 20, 2011)
www.skywayrec.com

The hook is, “I’ve been hard at work (work) / Watch me resurface.”  It’s more than just the hook for his brand new single “Resurface” though.  The work that Christian artist SkyWay Rec raps about is one that began with singing and playing and has grown into a ministry relevant to his generation.  Even his stage name bespeaks that, which SkyWay Rec explains.

“When I write, sing, rap or produce, I am in the clouds colliding with God in the spirit!  [The name] is the meaning of me and God connecting in the spirit to bring forth what He is saying to the world; hence the name SkyWay Rec.  It’s the best ‘wreck’ anyone could ever have!”

“Resurface” is performed alongside slick beats and production with a message that’s hip and hopeful, telling of a renewed sense of purpose.  SkyWay Rec’s purpose, of course, is to change lives, break strongholds, and rep the Father.

Resurface, the full-length CD, drops August 20th.

“Happy birthday, Dr. Thomas Dorsey!”

Dr. Thomas A. Dorsey, recognized as the “Father of Gospel Music,” would have turned 102 today.  His most famous gospel composition is “Take My Hand, Precious Lord,” though he wrote over 1000 blues and gospel songs during his lifetime.
May we never forget the pioneers on whose shoulders we stand.