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.

Mary Stampley, 15 year-old daughter of Micah Stampley, dies

The Stampley familyGospel singer Micah Stampley and family have announced the passing of their 15 year-old daughter Mary.  The family’s publicist released the following statement today:
It is with a heavy heart that the Stampley family would like to announce the passing of their 15 year-old daughter, Mary Stampley, from complications with a seizure.  Please keep the family in your prayers and respect their privacy as they deal with this traumatic event. 
 
Funeral arrangements and ways to comfort the family will be shared as soon as details are confirmed.
 
Gospel Music Fever extends heartfelt condolences to the Stampleys during this difficult time.

Lauren Daigle has huge night at 50th Annual Dove Awards

The 50th Annual Dove Awards was a night to remember, especially for Lauren Daigle.  Daigle took home three Doves, including the coveted “Artist of the Year” Award.  

Lauren Daigle (Photo Credit: Jules Wortman/Wortman Works)

Songwriter Jason Ingram was the night’s big winner with four awards.  Composer Wayne Haun and producer Paul Mabury also added three Doves to their trophy cases, while Gospel’s Kirk Franklin, Lecrae, and Tasha Cobbs Leonard added a pair each. 

The 50th Annual Dove Awards was celebrated among a sold-out audience at Lipscomb University’s Allen Arena in Nashville.  It will air exclusively on TBN Sunday, October 20, at 8pm EST. 

Read the complete list of winners here. 

North Carolina Music Hall of Fame induction ceremony to include performance by Shirley Caesar

 

(Kannapolis, NC)  The North Carolina Music Hall of Fame (NCMHOF) will hold its annual induction ceremony on October 17, 2019, at 7:15 PM.  The ceremony is presented by BankOZK and will take place at the historic GEM Theatre in downtown Kannapolis, NC, which was recently placed upon the official National Register of Historic Places.
 
Six are slated to perform live at the event: Kellie Pickler, Shirley Caesar, Mitch Easter, Elizabeth Cotten’s family, David Holt (on behalf of Merle Watson), and the Carolina Panthers PurrCussion drumline.  The event is open to the public and all ages will enjoy the ceremony. VIP and general admission tickets may be purchased online at www.NorthCarolinaMusicHallofFame.org or at the NCMHOF Museum.
 
Induction night will feature a pre-ceremony VIP reception, live performances, and the acceptance of each induction.  Those being inducted this year are Elizabeth Cotten, Mitch Easter, Big Daddy Kane, Merle Watson, and 9th Wonder.
 
For the first time, the NCMHOF will highlight two past inductees by featuring them along with the 2019 class.  Pastor Shirley Caesar and Kellie Pickler have been selected as the 2019 highlights.  Both were unable to attend their inductions in 2010 and 2016 respectively, due to unforeseen circumstances.
 
The NCMHOF partnered with Come Hear North Carolina and the NC Department of Natural and Cultural Resources for Governor Roy Cooper’s proclamation of 2019 as the “Year of Music” in North Carolina.  Earlier this year, the 2019 class was announced in a press conference with NCDCR Secretary, Susi Hamilton. This year’s ceremony will be filmed for live stream by the NC Department of Natural and Cultural Resources.
 
– From a press release
 

Celebrated documentary ‘Say Amen Somebody’ restored to 4K; chronicles rich history of gospel music

“SAY AMEN, SOMEBODY”
4K Restored Documentary Celebrates The Father of Gospel Music, Thomas Dorsey, 
Barrett Sisters, O’Neal Twins, Sallie Martin, Mother Willie Mae Ford Smith 
Explores Gospel’s Chicago Roots

The Barrett Sisters, L-R: Rodessa Porter, Delois Campbell, Billie GreenBey
One of the most acclaimed music documentaries of all time, Say Amen, Somebody is George Nierenberg’s masterpiece—a joyous, funny, deeply emotional celebration of African American culture, featuring the father of Gospel, Thomas A. Dorsey (“Precious Lord, Take My Hand”); its matron, Mother Willie Mae Ford Smith; and earth-shaking performances by the Barrett Sisters and the O’Neal Twins. When it was first released in the early 1980s, the film received an overwhelming critical response, garnering rave reviews around the world.
“One of the most joyful movies I’ve ever seen.”
— Roger Ebert, Chicago Sun-Times
“The film’s mood is never less than marvelously infectious.”
— Richard Schickel, Time 
“The music conquers doubt and unhappiness, and when it ends, you feel healed.”
— David Denby, New York Magazine
Unseen in cinemas for nearly thirty years, Say Amen, Somebody has been gorgeously restored to 4K by Milestone with support from the National Museum of African American History and Culture and the Academy Film Archive. The new restoration features brilliantly restored 5.1 soundtrack!


For additional information and screening schedule, visit the website at www.sayamensomebody.com.

– From a press release

Nominees and honorees announced for the 2019 DunAmis Gospel Awards

DunAmis Gospel AwardsCongratulations to nominees for the 2019 DunAmis Gospel Awards.  Voting is now underway and open to the public.

Gospel Music Fever Blog and its founder Libra Boyd received nominations in two categories.  Gospel Music Fever Blog is nominated for Media Publication of the Year and Libra is nominated for Female Musician of the Year.

Devine Sounds, Michael Boykin, Mike Astyn, Mike Teezy, Stephen Williams, and Dion Owens & Renaissance are also among several artists with multiple nominations. 

The DunAmis Gospel Awards was conceptualized by Bishop Terry Young to honor independent gospel artists, pastors, pastor’s wives, churches, and other local and regional talent.  Click here to view the complete list of nominees and to vote multiple times daily.

The sixth annual DunAmis Gospel Awards will also recognize individuals with distinguished contributions to the gospel community.  This year, Dr. Dennis W. Bishop will receive the Living Legend Award; the Lifetime Achievement Award will be presented to Bishop Michael Penn; and the Trailblazer Award will be given to Apostle Dr. Annie Woody.   

The DunAmis Gospel Awards is a ticketed event that takes place November 2, at Cornerstone Conference IPHC in Browns Summit, NC.  Red carpet arrivals begin at 5 PM and the awards show starts at 6 PM.

“All Glory to the Lamb” – Michael L. McCants and ANSI Worshippers

“All Glory to the Lamb”
Michael L. McCants and ANSI Worshippers
From The Vows EP (2018)
www.facebook.com/mlmccantsministries

By Janie Sheeley-Torain
GMF Special Contributor
 
Get ready to get your praise dance on!  Michael L. McCants and ANSI Worshippers bring an island vibe to worship with “All Glory to The King.”  Bongos, maracas, and a hint of Caribbean flavor punctuate the contemporary praise and worship tune–not to mention vocal harmonies that even non-singers find
singable.
 
McCants is the founder of A New Start International (ANSI) Church of the Nazarene, Impact Church of the Nazarene with locations in Florence and Columbia, SC, WFMI iFaith Radio Network, and Faith on Demand Entertainment & Management Group.  He presently leads East Point Church of the Nazarene in Atlanta. 

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Janie Sheeley-Torain, Ed.D, is a gospel music enthusiast, author, National Board Certified Teacher, and life-long educator. She is an advocate of invigorating gospel music that inspires, elevates, and encourages the listener. She has published and is currently working on manuscripts that embolden the musicians of gospel music.

 

From Labor to Reward: Gospel Singer Ricky McDuffie [Updated]

By Libra Boyd
Gospel Music Fever

Ricky McDuffieRev. Ricky McDuffie, lead singer of Ricky McDuffie and The Family, passed Sunday, August 18, 2019, finishing a courageous battle with cancer.  He was 31. 

Unfortunately, news of McDuffie’s death began circulating on social media Sunday before his immediate family made an official announcement.  (Please read this article about thinking before you post R.I.P. on social media.)  Condolences have continued to pour in from fans, friends, and contemporaries in the hours since the family’s official post. 

Ricky McDuffie became the lead singer of the family group consisting of his siblings and cousins, then called The Mighty Golden Stars, at the age of 10.  Shortly after their grandfather Melvin Teal allowed the group to record two songs for his own quartet group’s CD in the late 90s, the grands began traveling as Lil’ Ricky and the Mighty Golden Stars and eventually released their debut CD in 2005, titled, I’m On My Way to Heaven.  In 2013, the group underwent another name change to Ricky McDuffie and The Family.  Their most recent release is He Changed Me Live (2017). 

Despite declining health, McDuffie pressed on to perform with his family as recently as three weeks ago in late July.  In addition to being a singer, McDuffie was scheduled to celebrate nine years of preaching this past Sunday.

Update (8/23/19):  A Celebration of Life service has been announced for Sunday, August 25, 2019, at 3 PM at Berea Baptist Convention Center in Bennettsville, SC.  A musical tribute will take place Saturday, August 24, at 5 PM at Marlboro Civic Center, 106 Clyde Street in Bennettsville.  (Please note the venue for the musical has been changed from Spears Church to Marlboro Civic Center due to the expected attendance.)

GMF extends deepest condolences to McDuffie’s wife Valarie, his children, and the entire family throughout this most difficult time of adjustment.

Nominees for 50th Annual Dove Awards

50th annual Dove Awards nominee, Lauren Daigle
 
Nominees for the 50th annual Dove Awards have been announced.  Lauren Daigle (pictured) leads with six nominations, closely followed by For King & Country and Kirk Franklin’s five.  Tasha Cobbs Leonard is among three artists who received four nods.  The complete list of nominees is available here.

The 2019 awards show will take place October 15 in Nashville and will air October 20 at 8 PM ET, on TBN.

Congratulations to all nominees!

Tessie Hill remembered as ‘powerful and anointed’ gospel singer

 

Tessie HillFamily, friends, and the gospel community are preparing to bid Tessie Hill farewell this week. The gospel great died Sunday night, July 28, 2019.
 
In the 1960s, the Detroit singer was often a featured vocalist with the Original Church of God in Christ Radio Choir. The church was pastored by her husband, the late Rev. Lonnie Hill. In the 1970s, she continued recording as a solo artist signed to the HOB and Peacock labels. Among her standout recordings was “Great Things” from her self-titled vinyl LP. Lady Hill’s latest recording, Stepping Out, was released in 2015.
 
Over the weekend, Pastor Shirley Caesar took to Facebook to express condolences, remembering Lady Hill as a powerhouse.
 
 
“What could I say about the late great Tessie Hill, better known to many others as ‘Mama Tessie’? Well, I can tell you that I met her many years ago when I was singing with the Caravans. [She was] one of the ‘singingest’ women that you’d ever want to hear. Late last year, 2018, she came to our church in Raleigh, NC…and when that woman started singing in our morning worship, I had to sit my little self down. That woman had such a powerful and an anointed voice! And I want you to know that we will forever be thankful and grateful that God blessed her to come and to be such a wonderful blessing to all mankind. Those that knew her, those that sat under her singing ministry, we will forever remember Tessie Hill.”  
 

Arrangements for Tessie Hill are as follows:

 
Viewing
Tuesday, August 6, 2019
Noon – 8 PM
Swanson Funeral Home
14751 W. McNichols
Detroit, MI
 
Homegoing Service
Wednesday, August 7, 2019
10:30 AM – Family Hour
11:00 AM – Service
Citadel of Praise
20280 Lyndon Street
Detroit, MI
 
Repast
Charles J. Edison
24444 W. 7 Mile Road
Detroit, MI
 
This video posted to Facebook by Jacqueline Brinkley on October 29, 2017, shows Hill singing at the Mount Calvary Word of Faith Holy Church, where Pastor Caesar serves as senior pastor.
 
Tessie Hill Photo Credit | Detroit Public Library Digital Collections – shorturl.at/uxyEX
 

"Isaiah Song" – Yemi Ayeni

“Isaiah Song”
Yemi Ayeni (2019)
WTL Records
www.yemiayeni.com

Yemi Ayeni cover art for "Isaiah Song"By Janie Sheeley-Torain
GMF Special Contributor

The sultry voice of Yemi Ayeni in “Isaiah Song” evokes profuse peace and calm as you marvel the holiness of the Lord of Hosts.  It is a mode of worship–inspired by Isaiah 6:1-3–that has the capacity to release you from the anxiety and stress of any current situation, redirecting you to join in with Yemi in seeing the Lord “high and lifted up.”

By the time “Isaiah Song” ascends to its climax, you are likely engulfed with praise and chanting with the background chorus of celestial voices, “Holy, holy, holy is the Lord of Hosts / The whole earth is filled with His glory!”

Yemi is a UK-based singer-songwriter and youth and music minister, and “Isaiah Song” is from her forthcoming worship EP.


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Janie Sheeley-Torain, Ed.D, is a gospel music enthusiast, author, National Board Certified Teacher, and life-long educator. She is an advocate of invigorating gospel music that inspires, elevates, and encourages the listener. She has published and is currently working on manuscripts that embolden the musicians of gospel music.