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.

R.I.H. Andrea Marie Brown of The Brown Sisters of Chicago

Andrea Brown of the Brown Sisters of Chicago

Andrea Marie Brown of the Chicago-based gospel act, The Brown Sisters of Chicago, passed away on September 30, 2021, of COVID-19. The group shot to fame in the gospel world with their self-titled 2009 debut album that featured, “Awesome God,” a Billboard Top 20 radio single. “We are saddened by the loss of Andrea `Lil Bit’ who was a beautiful person inside and out, and was an amazing musical talent,” says Joan Sullivan of Kingdom Records. 

The baby of a family with five daughters and a son, Brown was born August 21, 1968. Her mother, Alberta, was a school teacher and her father, Ben, was the pastor of The Pillar of Truth C.O.G.I.C. assembly in Chicago. Early on, the siblings launched a gospel group under the name of The Brown Singers. It consisted of the sisters Vanessa, Adrienne, Phyllis, Lavette, and Andrea. Their brother, Zachary, played in their band. They sang at church functions throughout the community.

Brown graduated from Curie Metropolitan High School, and later from Pittsburgh’s Robert Morris University in 1988. Over the years, she gave piano lessons and played keyboards at local churches such as The Corinthian Temple C.O.G.I.C./The Cathedral of Praise.

As The Brown Sisters of Chicago, their dynamic stage performances won them big-name fans such as gospel legend, Inez Andrews, who introduced them to a concert promoter who booked them throughout Europe. They went on to share bills with the likes of Mavis Staples, Bobby McFerrin, and Aretha Franklin. From 1994 to 1999, They also served as the house vocal group for the syndicated TV program, “Testify,” which filmed in Chicago.

After years of performing and releasing a custom album in Europe, their American debut, The Brown Sisters: Live in Chicago, was released by Kingdom Records in 2009. The radio single, “Awesome God,” peaked at No. 15 on the Billboard Gospel Airplay chart. “The harmonies are impeccable…The passion and sincerity pouring from these songs uplift the spirit while feeding you a helping of encouragement and unretained hope,” a music critic wrote of the album in Worship Leader magazine. In 2010, they won Best Gospel Entertainer of the Year and Best Gospel Album of the Year awards at the Chicago Music Awards.

Brown was predeceased by her brother Zachary and her sister, Phyllis, who both passed away from cancer. Donations can be sent to Andrea’s parents Ben & Alberta Brown,  6533 North Avenue, Oak Park, IL 60302, or via CashApp ($AdrienneBrown).

The funeral will take place Saturday, October 16, 2021, at Greater Harvest Baptist Church, 5141 S. State Street, Chicago, IL 60609. The wake is 9:30 AM and the service is 10:30 AM.

– From a news release

James C. Birdsong, Jr., Lillian Lilly to be honored at 2021 Antigua Barbuda Gospel Music & Media Awards

Birdsong and Lilly will receive recognition for their contributions to the Gospel music industry  

St. John’s, Antigua – James C. Birdsong, Jr., a member of the renowned Birdsong family and award-winning figure in gospel music, and Lillian Lilly, the longtime principal vocalist of the world-renowned GRAMMY®-Award-nominated Mississippi Mass Choir, are among nine honorees for the 7th Annual Antigua Barbuda Gospel Media & Media Awards (ABGMA) on Friday, October 22, 2021, at Kentish Pentecostal Church in St. John’s, Antigua of the West Indies during an invitation-only event.

Birdsong will receive the Impact Award of Honor for his leadership skills, mentoring abilities among today’s youth and aspiring artists to become successful in the Gospel music industry, and other contributions. With more than 35 awards, interviews on multiple television, radio, and print platforms across the country and abroad, he plans to pursue his longtime dream of being a national recording artist, songwriter, and record label owner. 

Birdsong and Lilly will receive their recognition at the Legacy Ball & Media Awards on October 22. Due to the COVID-19 restrictions, they will not be in attendance. Their acceptance speeches will be given by video during a live broadcast of the ceremony.

A legend, icon, and trailblazer in gospel music, Lilly will receive the Legacy Award for more than 30 years as a founding member and principal vocalist of the Mississippi Mass Choir. Known for leading the choir’s popular songs such as “I Just Can’t Tell You (How Good God’s Been),” “It’s Good to Know Jesus,” “Holy City,” and “Lord, You’re the Landlord,” she made history as the first solo recording artist in the choir to record two projects, Gotta Have Faith and the Stellar Award-nominated, The Other Part of Me. The red carpet will begin at 4:30 PM EST followed by the awards at 5:30 PM EST. It will broadcast live on So Arise TV at www.soarisemusic.com/soarisetv and UGN Broadcasting Network via Roku TV, Apple TV, Amazon Firestick, and Android TV.

Toledo mayor proclaims Sept. 24th as Rance Allen Group Day

Left to right: Producer Chris Byrd, Tom Allen, Steve Allen, Mayor Wade, and Tyscot A&R executive, Sidney Scott. Out front is Chris Byrd’s grandson, Christopher.

Mayor Wade Kapszukiewicz has proclaimed Friday, September 24, 2021, as Rance Allen Group Day in the gospel trio’s adopted hometown of Toledo, Ohio. Steve Allen and Tom Allen visited with the city’s chief executive in his office earlier this week when he officially presented them with the proclamation.  The front man, Bishop Rance Allen, passed away in October 2021. His widow, Ellen Allen, called in on the speakerphone to thank the mayor for honoring the group.

The big day coincides with the Rance Allen Group’s new retro-soul styled track, “Love Makes the World Go Around”  (Tyscot), which debuts on all digital music platforms  on September 24th too. The song about peace and brotherhood features Rance Allen’s signature  squalls alongside the thick harmonies of his brothers, Steve and Tom.

“We actually recorded it years ago and it was never released,” Steve Allen told news reporters at the event. “The song is about bringing people together. There’s a line in the song that says,` When I look through Love’s eyes, things don’t look so bad.’ and it gives us hope.  The Bible says, a house divided against itself will not stand. There’s so much division in our country. There’s a way to have differences without being angry.  We’ve got to find a way to bring it back to love.”

Stax Records’ parent company Concord Records recently pledged a million dollars to establish the Concord Stax Scholarships which will provide full tuition to at least 20 students each year for the next five years to pursue musical careers. Each of the scholarships is named for a prominent personality in the history of Stax Records such as Otis Redding, The Staple Singers, Isaac Hayes, and Rance Allen. Visit https://staxmusicacademy.org for more information.

Over the course of their career, the Rance Allen Group has earned five GRAMMY® Award nominations and amassed over 250 million digital streams. Launching their career with Stax Record’s Gospel Truth imprint circa 1972, they scored with soulful message songs such as “Ain’t No Need in Crying” and “Lyin’ on the Truth.” They’ve also enjoyed six R&B chart singles, including the 1979 Top 25 gem, “I Belong to You.” From the 1980s on, their music was more church, and ministry oriented. The reached No. 1 on Billboard’s Top Gospel Albums chart in 1992 with the album, Phenomenon, which featured the radio smash, “Miracle Worker.” In 2002, they signed to Tyscot Records where they had hits such as “Do Your Will,” “Closest Friend,” “You That I Trust,” and “Something About the Name Jesus.” Most recently, Allen stepped out from the group to collaborate with rap star Snoop Dogg on the track “Blessing Me Again” which peaked at No. 11 on the Billboard Gospel Airplay chart in 2018.

– From a press release

“Pass Me Not” – Elder Randall Ogans, Sr. & Dorian Ogans

“Pass Me Not”
Elder Randall Ogans, Sr. & Dorian Ogans (Available Sept. 5, 2021)
Alpha 7 Ministries
Available at https://elderrandalloganssr.hearnow.com/

By Libra Boyd
Gospel Music Fever

Elder Randall Ogans, Sr. and Dorian Ogan’s “Pass Me Not” delights the palates of sacred hymn lovers and jazz aficionados alike.

“Pass Me Not” is interpreted through the artistry of Elder Ogans’ son Dorian – the gospel jazz track’s arranger – who can be heard on acoustic and electric piano, guitar, and bass. Listeners will enjoy tasteful piano and bass comping alongside the guitar solo on the first pair of verses and refrain. Elder Ogans carries the melody through the second verse and subsequent refrain on the Hammond B3. The interplay among the instruments adds both texture and depth to the piece.

“Pass Me Not” is the first single to be released from the Ogans’ forthcoming gospel-jazz CD by the same name. The full project has an early 2022 release date.

Lee Williams of the Spiritual QC’s dies at 75 [Arrangements Added]

Lee Williams of the Spiritual QC’s has died. The quartet great’s death was announced Monday, August 30, on the group’s official Facebook page.

“It is with our deepest sorrow that we announce the passing of our fearless leader, Dr. Lee Williams,” the post read. “We thank God for allowing him to Stop By On His Way Home, and though he has moved from his temporary house, the love, the memories and the music will linger on. We will always remember that to Give Up is not an option if we want to be Welcomed Home.”

Despite health challenges in recent years, Williams continued to perform with the QC’s until retiring in 2018. (Read “Living Legends Concert” honors Lee Williams & The Spiritual QC’s as Williams readies for retirement.) In 2011, Williams commented to GMF that he intended to travel and minister with the multi award-winning Tupelo-based group “as long as [God] lets me.”

Our deepest sympathy is with the entire Williams family, the Spiritual QC’s, and the gospel music community. A man of remarkable talent, resoluteness, and humility is now at rest. A memorial service sponsored by the City of Tupelo is set for 4 PM CT on Saturday, September 11, at Gumtree Park. The homegoing celebration takes place Sunday, September 12, at the BancorpSouth Arena at 1 PM CT. Additional details are on the flyer below.

Lee Williams' final service arrangements

Journal of Gospel Music’s Bob Marovich wrote a brief bio of Lee Williams and the Spiritual QC’s that you can read here.

GMA announces 52nd Annual Dove Awards nominees

52nd GMA Dove Awards Nominees Announced

Nashville, Tenn. (August 11, 2021) – The Gospel Music Association is pleased to announce nominees for the 52nd Annual GMA Dove Awards. Top nominations include Steven Furtick with ten (10) nominations, Chris Brown with nine (9), Wayne Haun with eight (8), seven (7) nominations each for Elevation Worship and Brandon Lake, six (6) to for KING & COUNTRY and five (5) nods to CeCe Winans, Ed Cash, Tiffany Hammer (Hudson) and Zach Williams. Voted on by the GMA Professional Membership, this year’s nominees were chosen from over 4,600 submitted entries and include a wide range of creativity and artistic integrity in both artist and non-artist categories.

Nominees were announced in a star-studded livestream event featuring Alex Campos, John Cooper, Bill & Gloria Gaither, Kari Jobe, Brian & Jenn Johnson, Jonathan McReynolds, Wande and Tauren Wells. The announcement premiered on the GMA Dove Awards YouTube and Facebook pages with clips on the Dove Awards Instagram and TikTok.

“We are thrilled to welcome back an in-person Dove Awards this year and equally excited about our impressive list of nominees,” says GMA President Jackie Patillo. “As we continue to celebrate the immense creativity and diversity within our community, we’re looking forward to an awards program this year’s nominees deserve.”

Voting for the final winners will run August 19 through August 26. The GMA Dove Awards are happening live and in-person in Nashville, TN, October 19, 2021. A limited number of tickets and Fan Experiences are still available. The broadcast will air exclusively on TBN, Friday, October 22, 2021 8:00 p.m. ET and then again at 10:00 p.m. ET.

For the complete list of nominees, visit doveawards.com.

Jason Nelson to release sixth album, ‘Close,’ after three-year recording hiatus

Jason Nelson, best known for his No. 1 gospel ballads “Forever” and “I Am,” will emerge from a three-year recording hiatus on August 6th with the release of his sixth album, Close (Jaelyn Song Music / Tyscot / FairTrade). 

“First, it’s a studio record [his past sets have been live sessions],” Nelson explains. “Secondly, I delve into music that helped to nurture my sound as a singer. It pays homage to Dawkins & Dawkins, Fred Hammond, Commissioned. The first album I ever purchased was by Jaco Pastorious (a legendary bassist known for his work with jazz fusion band, Weather Report). All of them played a major role in my musical journey.”   

With hints of Jazz, R&B, and Pop flavors, Nelson is flexing new musical muscles on Close. Joining him for this sonic workout are luminaries such as R&B singer, Chrisette Michele; jazz bassist, John Patitucci; and Cross Worship leader, Osby Berry. Although the set breaks new musical ground for Nelson, it’s still an album that solidly delivers the heartfelt, Jesus-centered songs of faith that Nelson’s core fans have come to love. The first radio single, “Residue,” has already racked a million streams and charted in the Top 20 on Billboard’s Gospel Airplay chart.

The twelve-track set is also the first fruit of Nelson’s Jaelyn Song imprint’s new marketing and distribution partnership with Tyscot Records and FairTrade Services. “I love the freedom of being able to curate my career and make decisions that I feel are the best for me,” Nelson says after a nearly decade-long recording relationship with RCA Inspirational. 

A Baltimore, Maryland native, Nelson has been active on the national stage since 2005. Over the years, he’s enjoyed a string of gospel radio hits such as “Shifting the Atmosphere,” “Nothing Without You,” “I Am,” and “Forever” that have earned him over 100 million digital streams. He is also pastor of The Tab (formerly The Tabernacle at Greater Bethlehem Temple) in Windsor Mills, MD. He and his wife, Tonya, have two children, Jaelyn Paris and Jason Christopher.

36th Annual Stellar Gospel Music Awards announces winners

Stellar Awards logo

Congratulations to the nominees and winners of the 36th Annual Stellar Gospel Music Awards. The gospel awards show, with this year’s hosts Jekalyn Carr and Tye Tribbett, was taped live on July 10, 2021, at the Schermerhorn Symphony Center in Nashville, TN, and aired Sunday, August 1, on BET.

Pastor Mike Jr. had a fantastic night with wins for Artist of the Year, Rap/Hip-Hop Gospel Album of the Year, and Urban/Inspirational Single or Performance of the Year. Other artists with multiple wins included Kierra Sheard (Song of the Year and Contemporary Album of the Year), Maverick City Music (New Artist of the Year and Album of the Year), Jonathan McReynolds (Male Vocalist of the Year, Contemporary Male Vocalist of the Year, and Producer of the Year along with Darryl Howell and Rogest Carstarphen, Jr.), and Tasha Cobbs Leonard (Albertina Walker Female Vocalist of the Year, Praise and Worship Album of the Year, and Contemporary Female Vocalist of the Year).

The Clark Sisters, Lady Tramaine Hawkins, and Pastor Shirley Caesar were among the evening’s honorees, receiving the James Cleveland Lifetime Achievement Award, the Aretha Franklin Icon Award, and the Ambassador Dr. Bobby Jones Legends Award, respectively.

You can view the complete list of winners and honorees at thestellarwards.com.

Deacon Authority: ‘My Music is About Growth’

By Libra Boyd
Gospel Music Fever

Deacon Authority

Deacon Authority’s mantra is, “Stay salty.” But don’t take that to mean he wants you angry, irritated, or upset. Certainly, that’s not how the Christian hip-hop artist Cedric Hester, known as Deacon Authority or simply “DA,” moves. In contrast, he’s an encourager who simply chooses to remind Jesus’s followers of their Matthew 5:13 call to influence and make a difference: “You are the salt of the earth…”

As founder and CEO of MG (Mighty God) Music Group, Deacon Authority dedicates his time to writing and producing music for a number of artists as well as himself. He also performs with several of the artists at churches, amphitheaters, and a variety of other venues up and down the East Coast. The door was even opened for them to share their hip-hop gospel message in the UK in 2019. 

Deacon Authority gave his life to Christ in 1998. Since then, he has been on a mission to share his faith and spread the gospel message through his gifts and talents. Recently, he chatted with me about his process. 

Libra: Talk about how you knew rap to be the avenue for you. 

DA: I was in church listening to my pastor and words started coming to me during the sermon. 

Libra: Is this how you get much of the inspiration for the music you write?

DA: Currently my inspiration comes from current events and life. I remember how my Pastor broke down the scripture for me to understand, rather than [just giving a] quotation. Now my inspiration comes from wisdom and experiences. I want my music to help people long after I’m gone. To me, my music is about growth and encouraging the listener. 

Libra: Who has been the biggest influence on your music style and how? 

DA: I’m influenced by all genres of music. I hardly listen to hip-hop unless it’s music that I’ve produced. I like to understand how artists come up with their music. I’m a student of music. 

Libra: MG Music Group has been invited into some very traditional worship spaces that aren’t accustomed to God being sung about in this style. What has been your approach to engaging an audience that can’t seem to get with how you minister? 

DA: Honestly, I pray and most of the time I pick songs according to the Holy Spirit. My goal is to minister according to the needs of the people. Sometimes I’m praising for my [own] breakthrough. 

Libra: What’s your favorite song to perform?

DA: “Mighty God.”

Libra: Is that also your most popular?

DA: “You Forgot.”

Libra: MG Music Group is constantly releasing new music and new music videos. First, let’s talk about what goes into the creative process. 

DA: The videos are organic. We hardly prep. We have a great chemistry with our videographer!! We are being ourselves on each video. We believe in “what you see is what you get”!! 

Libra: I want us to also talk about the collaborative process because rarely do we see just one MG Music Group artist featured on a song or video. How do these collabs come about and why do you find them meaningful? 

DA: They stem from fellowships, personal experiences, and conversations. There are certain things or topics that we can relate to that turn into our content. 

Libra: What topic seems to resonate most with your audiences?

DA: Being truthful and honest.

Libra: Outside of MG Music Group artists, who would you most like to collaborate with? 

DA: For me, Richard Smallwood. 

Libra: Wow, I totally would not have guessed that! Please tell me why this would be a dream collab for you and how you envision the different styles coming together.

DA: His music moves me and I enjoy his messages. I truly feel if we got in the studio together, it would be crazy.

Libra: I would definitely look forward to that. On another note, do you feel the industry has changed for the better as it relates to indie artists? 

DA: In some ways, yes, because it’s easier to get your music out. At the same time I’m noticing that music is being more watered down because some people do it for money and attention instead of the art. 

Libra: What positive impact has the pandemic had on your ministry? 

DA: I was able to slow down and focus on my personal life and focus on things that I didn’t have time to address. This allowed me to grow and that growth is always incorporated into the music.

NC Music Hall of Fame 2021 double-induction to include Donald Lawrence

The North Carolina Music Hall of Fame will hold inductions for its 2020 and 2021 class on Thursday, October 21, 2021, in Kannapolis, North Carolina. The 2020 inductees, announced last year during the COVID-19 pandemic, included six nationally known and award-winning legends from North Carolina: The Briarhoppers, Jermaine Dupri, Donald Lawrence, Michael T Mauldin, Charles Whitfield, and the Squirrel Nut Zippers.

Donald Lawrence (pictured at top, second from right) is a Grammy award-winning songwriter, producer, and choirmaster from Gastonia, NC who currently resides in Chicago. His discography includes credits with the Carolina-based Tri-City Singers, Donald Lawrence & Co., The Clark Sisters, Kirk Franklin, Donnie McClurkin, and a host of other music notables.

Following last year’s announcement of inductees, Lawrence shared via Instagram, “I’m overwhelmed and soooooo honored that I am being inducted into the NC Music Hall Of Fame,” Lawrence shared on Instagram following last week’s announcement. “It’s such an honor to join the long list of NC distinguished creatives like Andy Griffith, Roberta Flack and many others inducted in the past. . . . Thank you for honoring my musical contributions WOW this comes at such purposeful moment for me.”

According to a media release, the annual ceremony which normally takes place the third Thursday of every October was postponed and ultimately cancelled due to the pandemic. To this, the NCMHOF will host its first ever double induction which will include the 2021 inductees Tony Rice and Robert Moog. The Hall has also selected two past inductees, Tony Brown and Roberta Flack, to be honored with Lifetime Achievement Awards.

The honors will be commemorated in a live event which will take place at the historic Gem Theatre in Kannapolis. The ticketed event is open to the public and arrivals to the red carpet will begin at 6:00 PM. The evening will include live performances as the inductees are installed into the Hall of Fame.