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.

Benita Jones survives car accident

Benita Jones

Praise & Worship recording artist, Benita Jones (formerly Benita Washington), has a testimony to share. Last week, the car Jones (pictured) and her manager, Jarita Jackson, were riding in was broadsided by a teenager. The impact was so strong that the car literally flipped over and was totaled.

“Benita recently wanted to start learning the piano,” Jackson says. “We were on our way back from going to a music store to buy a keyboard and the car was T-boned. We literally crawled out of the car and we were helped by some bystanders. The miracle is that no one involved was badly injured –not even the other driver. We had some bumps and bruises. We went to the hospital to get checked out, but God was merciful and everyone will be fine. ”  

This past summer, Jones released her first album in a decade, The Entreating (Tyscot / Integrity), a live concert session. The pulsating, high-energy gospel radio single, “Good God,” peaked at No. 7 on the Billboard Gospel Digital Song Sales chart earlier this year. Jones is now entering the autumn season with a new soul-stirring gospel radio single, “Still Everything.” Fans can listen to the full project at this link: https://benita.lnk.to/TheEntreating 

– From a press release

“Take Your Knee Off My Neck” – Shirley Caesar

“Take Your Knee Off My Neck”
Shirley Caesar (September 11, 2020)
Shu-Bel Records/Red Alliance Media
http://smarturl.it/shirleycaesar

By Libra Boyd
Gospel Music Fever

“Take Your Knee Off My Neck” is one of the most direct and impassioned calls to action for social and racial justice that Pastor Shirley Caesar has issued in song. That speaks volumes for a gospel legend whose nearly seven decades of recording stretch across many of our nation’s darkest days of bigotry, segregation, and injustice.

In the riveting single co-written with Michael Mathis, Pastor Caesar speaks frankly about George Floyd’s May 2020 “lynching in broad daylight,” during which Minneapolis police officers held him in place with a knee to his neck until he lost consciousness. Floyd’s death was followed by days of demonstrations around the country. The track opens with crowd chants of “I can’t breathe!” – the last words of too many who have died in officer-involved encounters. Caesar minces no words addressing this and related acts of police brutality.

“Take your knee off my neck!”

“Enough is enough!”

“Stop killing our sons and daughters!”

“Leave us alone!”

She speaks the names of several other victims as well: Trayvon Martin, Michael Brown, Oscar Grant, Tamir Rice, Breonna Taylor, Sandra Bland. The roll call of Black lives taken senselessly never ceases to stir deep emotions for me, and this context is no different. “You’re gonna reap what you’ve sowed,” Caesar warns the evildoers.

The straightforward message of “Take Your Knee Off My Neck” is driven by the song’s pulsating rhythm section. It’s an auditory evocation of trifold symbolism. Caesar’s finger is on the pulse of the times, singing pointedly about defenseless hearts that have stopped beating at the hands of their cold-hearted murderers.

Despite the circumstances that make “Take Your Knee Off My Neck” a necessary and urgent call to action, Caesar doesn’t confront the oppressors without lifting up the oppressed. “Beautiful Black people,” she sings, “hold your head up high. Don’t be ashamed of who you are. Black lives matter!”

Rev. James Herndon honors Delores Washington-Green as a ‘remarkable talent’ in Caravans, Herndon Singers

By Libra Boyd
Gospel Music Fever

Condolences from the gospel community have been abundant in the days since the transition of Delores Washington-Green on Wednesday, September 2, 2020. Washington-Green had been recovering from a recent stroke, according to an August social media post from her son Leonidas. The classically trained soprano was a member of the legendary Caravans as well as the James Herndon Singers. 

Rev. James Herndon, himself a member of the Caravans from 1959 to 1967 as pianist, singer, and writer of several of their popular songs including “I Won’t Be Back No More (Sweeping Through the City),” remembers how her approach to gospel singing proved to be a fine complement to the gritty gospel fervor that made the Caravans a tour de force.

Caravans
The Caravans: (seated) James Herndon; (second row) Albertina Walker and Shirley Caesar; (third row) Josephine Howard, Cassietta George, and Delores Washington.

“Delores was a remarkable talent. She was a trained soprano. She had been taught by Leonard Bernstein’s sister. Really, she added the beauty to the [Caravans’] background. She was what really made it pretty. Even though she didn’t do a lot of leading, she was still an integral part of the group because you just expected to hear her voice when you heard the Caravans.”

When Herndon departed the Caravans and started the James Herndon Singers in 1967, his friend “Dee” was right there along with Josephine Howard, also an alumna of the famed Caravans. He notes that Washington-Green’s 1968 recording of “Oh Lord Have Mercy” became a signature piece for the James Herndon Singers. “That was a big song for Delores. That got to be our anchor for a while.”

She and Herndon also teamed up to record Dynamic Gospel Duets: James and ‘Dee’ for Savoy Records, “and everybody was shocked because she’s a soprano singer and I’m, at best, maybe just a baritone. The range between us was so different, people were amazed that we were able to do that. But we had a closeness of spirit and heart.”

GMF joins the gospel community in extending sympathy to the Green family in this time of bereavement.

Screenshot of Leonidas Green's August 12th Facebook post
Delores Washington-Green passed Wednesday, September 2, 2020. In recent weeks, she had been in the hospital “due to a stroke,” according to an August Facebook post from her son, Leonidas.

Nominees announced for 51st GMA Dove Awards

Nominees for the 51st annual Dove Awards have been announced.  Zach Williams and For King & Country lead with five nominations each. Hillsong Worship, Kirk Franklin, and Jonathan McReynolds received four nominations. Among first-time nominees is Kanye West with three nods and Gloria Gaynor with two.  The complete list of nominees is available here.

The 2020 awards show will air on TBN Friday, October 30th.  Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the show will feature a variety of pre-recorded performances and acceptance speeches. 

Congrats to all nominees!

Donald Lawrence to be inducted into NC Music Hall of Fame

Donald Lawrence is among six artists to be inducted into the North Carolina Music Hall of Fame for 2020.

Lawrence 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.

“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.”

Donald Lawrence IG post regarding induction into the NC Music Hall of Fame

The NC Music Hall of Fame has announced that the induction ceremony, originally set for October, will be postponed until 2021, due to the pandemic.  Once the state gives clearance to safely hold mass gatherings, the ceremony is expected to take place at the Gem Theatre in Kannapolis.  Other inductees are The Briarhoppers, Charles Whitted, Jermaine Dupri, Michael Mauldin, and The Squirrel Nut Zippers. Past inductees Roberta Flack and Tony Brown will be honored with Lifetime Achievement Awards.

Richard Wallace, founding member of the Mighty Clouds of Joy, passes on

Richard Wallace, founding member of the legendary Mighty Clouds of Joy has died, according to a statement released today by Rev. Isaac Lindsey, manager of Joe Ligon’s Mighty Clouds of Joy.  The official statement reads:

We are heartbroken to share the news that the world’s greatest gospel bass guitarist and baritone singer, Brother Richard Wallace of the three-time Grammy Award-winning group The Mighty Clouds of Joy of Los Angeles, California, passed away today, Monday, July 27, 2020, at the UT Health Center in Tyler, Texas surrounded by his wife and family.

Richard was a loving husband, father, grandfather, brother, cousin, uncle, mentor, and friend to so many who loved him dearly.

As much as Richard cherished his privacy, he always appreciated the expressions of goodwill from people around the world and from all walks of life.

While we mourn the loss of a very good and humble man, we also celebrate his remarkable life as one of the founding members of one of the most successful groups in gospel music history, The Mighty Clouds of Joy, and hope that it serves as an example to young people around the world to work hard to make their dreams come true, to be willing to explore and push the limits, and to selflessly serve a cause greater than themselves.

For those who may ask what they can do to honor Richard, we have a simple request. Honor his example of service, accomplishment, and modesty, and the next time you set your mind to do anything, declare and decree that God is not dead, he still lives and that you can’t do anything on your own.

We kindly ask everyone to please respect the family’s privacy during this time of bereavement.

The Celebration of Life service will take place at 12 PM (CT) on Saturday, August 1, 2020, at the Green Acres Baptist Church in Tyler, TX.  Cards and memorials may be sent to Mrs. Elizabeth Wallace, 2209 Woodlands Drive, Tyler, TX 75703.

GMF extends sincere sympathy to the Wallace family and the Clouds during this deeply emotional time. 

Joy Bogonko talks debut EP, shares best advice she’s ever gotten

By Libra Boyd
Gospel Music Fever

Joy Bogonko is an emerging voice for her generation. The young Minnesota raised up-and-coming musician, singer, and songwriter chatted with Gospel Music Fever about her self-titled EP and offered advice to her contemporaries. 

Libra: Joy, it’s such a pleasure to talk with you.  Please tell us how your music journey started and who your influences have been.
 
Joy: It’s a pleasure talking with you as well! I’ve always been into music from a young age. I grew up playing different instruments and loving how music brings people together. I was about 15 when I started my current journey of singing professionally. I’ve been influenced by my big sister the most for sure because she has always believed in me and my potential. Her unwavering support has honestly been a huge contribution to where and who I am today. Musically, I’ve always loved Adele, Israel Houghton, Rihanna, Jonathan McReynolds, and Lauryn Hill, because of how they embrace their unique voices. 
Libra: Talk to us about your current EP.
 
Joy: My current EP is generally a positive theme about strength, weakness, and conquering what life throws at you. Something a bit more personal to me is understanding that no matter what anyone’s going through, we are not alone and our feelings are valid. 
 
Libra: This is your debut EP.  There’s a lot in store for you.  What are some of your music goals?
 
Joy: I hope to connect with more people, collaborate with other artists, and get better at my passion.
 
Libra: What do you believe is the biggest issue your generation faces, and what is your advice to empower them?
 
Joy: The biggest issue my generation faces is not being heard. I believe in young people so much and as a young person myself, it can feel really hard to speak out on what I believe in. I think the best advice I can give is always remember that any contribution counts, no matter how big or small. We are a force to be reckoned with and I think the rest of the world is starting to catch up. 
 
Libra: Speaking of advice, what’s the best advice you’ve ever been given?
 
Joy: The best advice I’ve ever been given is that there is no competition. When I think of myself as the person I’m competing with, it drives me to excel while also giving myself the compassion and grace I deserve. 
 
Libra: These next questions are totally random. Here we go!  iPhone or Android?
Joy: iPhone.
 

Libra: Texting or talking?
Joy: Talking.

Libra: Last song you downloaded?
Joy: “Black Is Beautiful” by Mayyadda.

Libra: At what venue would you most like to perform?
Joy: I would love to perform at Radio City Music Hall!

Libra: What’s your dream music collaboration?
Joy: My dream collaboration would be with Tori Kelly or H.E.R. 

Libra: What do you want to make sure GMF readers know?
Joy: I want to make sure that readers know that they are valuable and that they matter. And don’t let anyone ever tell you otherwise!

Joy’s current single is “He’s Not Done Yet.”  You can listen to it here and visit her socials here. 

BMI honors its 2020 trailblazers of Gospel music

“I’M GETTING READY” WRITTEN BY TODD GALBERTH AWARDED SONG OF THE YEAR
KIRK FRANKLIN NAMED SONGWRITER OF THE YEARSONGS OF KOBALT MUSIC PUBLISHING AWARDED PUBLISHER OF THE YEAR

The Top Twenty Most Performed Gospel Songs Of 2019 Were Also Recognized

BMI Trailblazers

(New York, NY) June 29, 2020 – BMI (Broadcast Music, Inc.) paid tribute to the best and brightest in Gospel music with its Trailblazers of Gospel Music celebration. The honorees were announced today on BMI.com and across the organization’s digital platforms, celebrating the inspirational and transformative music of BMI’s accomplished Gospel songwriters. To honor these achievements, BMI created a page on its website where fans can watch special video messages and performances, listen to award-winning music and learn more about their favorite Gospel songwriters: https://www.bmi.com/award-shows/trailblazers-2020/.

“BMI is proud to honor these remarkable luminaries of Gospel music,” said BMI Vice President Creative, Atlanta, Catherine Brewton.  “Their music gives us strength and encouragement, and their voices are a source of comfort and healing when we need it most. We thank our songwriters for sharing their musical gifts that uplift, empower and encourage us all, as we unite in the movement for change, and we look forward to coming together in fellowship once again next year.” 

Reverential hymn “I’m Getting Ready,” co-written by Todd Galberth, received the accolade for BMI’s Gospel Song of the Year. Performed by Tasha Cobbs Leonard, featuring Nicki Minaj, the song spent 52 weeks on Billboard’s Gospel charts and peaked at number one, earning Galberth one of BMI’s top honors and his very first BMI Gospel Award. Kirk Franklin received the coveted Songwriter of the Year title for writing three of BMI’s most performed Gospel songs of 2019: “If You Don’t Mind,” “Love Theory,” and “Never Alone.” The 16-time GRAMMY winner now has 17 BMI Awards to add to his collection of accolades including three BMI Gospel Song of the Year awards, BMI’s 2012 Trailblazers of Gospel Music honoree recognition and multiple Dove and Stellar awards, among many others. Songs of Kobalt Music Publishing received the esteemed Publisher of the Year distinction for representing five of the top performing Gospel songs of the previous year: “If You Don’t Mind,” “I’m Getting Ready,” “Never Alone,” “Stand In Awe” and “Victory.”

In addition to the major award winners, BMI also paid homage to the Twenty Most Performed Gospel Songs of the Year (2019). This year’s crop of talented winners featured 20 first-time Trailblazer Award recipients, including Maranda Curtis for her hit song “Nobody Like You Lord.” Upon receiving this honor, Curtis said, “In our troubled world, music and its healing power is more necessary now than ever before. So, let’s sing louder, let’s produce more, let’s perform bigger and let healing continue.” Other notable first-time award winners include Chanda Mukula (“Mention”), VaShawn Mitchell (“He Got Up”), Jonathan McReynolds and Terrell Demetrius Wilson (“Not Lucky, I’m Loved”), Jeffery L. Thomas II and Dwight Washington II (“Open The Floodgates”), and Wendi Henderson Wyatt (“No Reason To Fear”), among others.  

For a complete list of winners, video messages and performances, go to https://www.bmi.com/trailblazers2020.  

To join the conversation on social media, follow @BMI and use #BMIGospel.

R&B and Gospel songwriter Alvin Garrett pens anthem, ‘Something’s Different This Time,’ amid racial tensions

Alvin GarrettBIRMINGHAM, Ala., June 18, 2020 /PRNewswire/ — Grammy®-nominated songwriter, Alvin Garrett, has written and produced the theme song for today’s racial and social justice issues in America with his new single, “Something’s Different This Time.” With classic soul style and a passionate sound for racial justice reminiscent of Motown in the 1960s, “Something’s Different This Time” harnesses the cry for change within its melodies this Black Music Month.
 
As digital streams and social media shares grow steadily, “Something’s Different This Time” sounds the alarm that America and the world will not be the same – not after the death of Mr. George Floyd, a black man who was killed by Minneapolis police while pleading, “I can’t breathe,” and the racial protests around the world that followed. With public feedback ranging from “This time, it has to be different” to “We all feel so breathless,” Garrett’s fans agree.
 
“This song says what most people are consciously or subconsciously thinking and feeling in regards to the racial tensions in our country right now,” says Garrett. “At times like these, I choose to write songs and make music to capture and communicate my heart and soul.” “Something’s Different This Time” will be featured on Garrett’s upcoming EP entitled, The Awakening, set for release everywhere on July 15, 2020. 
 
 
Garrett plans to continue the conversation beyond the single with students in his innovative song therapy program, The Write Life with Alvin Garrett. Co-sponsored by The Dannon Project, The Write Life with Alvin Garrett uses music to teach life management skills, effective communication, and other tools to youth in the criminal justice system who need a second chance to win at the game of life.
 
As an award-winning songwriter, Alvin Garrett’s incomparable penmanship can be found on R&B songs by Kelly Rowland, Fantasia, Joe, Johnny Gill, Ruben Studdard, Noel Gourdin, and more. In gospel music, the accomplished songwriter has penned songs for the likes of Deitrick Haddon, Trin-I-Tee 5:7, Alexis Spight, Lowell Pye, and Darwin Hobbs. In these two genres alone, Garrett has earned a Grammy® Award nomination, a Soul Train Music Award, a GMA Dove Award, and a Stellar Gospel Music Award nomination. Most recently, Garrett was featured as a guest artist on WBRC Fox 6/Good Day Alabama for “Alabama Strong,” a statewide tribute to encourage Alabamians during the COVID-19 pandemic shutdown. 
 

Follow Alvin Garrett’s musical journey at alvingarrett.com.

– From a media release

BET Awards ’20 nominees announced

Nominees for the 2020 BET Awards have been announced, and congratulations are in order for the following nominees in the Dr. Bobby Jones Best Gospel/Inspirational Award category:

John P. Kee
John P. Kee

Fred Hammond
“Alright”

John P. Kee ft. Zacardi Cortez
“I Made It Out”

Kanye West
“Follow God”

Kirk Franklin
“Just For Me”

PJ Morton ft. Le’Andria Johnson & Mary Mary
“All In His Plan”

The Clark Sisters
“Victory”

The BET Awards will premiere June 28, at 8 PM ET on BET and BET HER, and will simulcast on CBS.  Click here for the complete list of nominees.