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.

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.

Bishop Andrew J. Ford, II passes from labor to reward

Bishop Andrew FordGMF is sad to report the passing of Bishop Andrew J. Ford, II.  Ford died Friday, July 19, in New Jersey.

Bishop Ford was the presiding prelate of Next Generation Fellowship Ministries, Inc. and pastor of Philadelphia’s Ford Memorial Temple Baptist Church, the latter founded (as Highway Christian Church of Christ) and pastored by his father Bishop Andrew J. Ford, Sr. until his death in 1993.  Bishop Ford was also a gospel music industry notable who is credited with propelling several artists’ careers.  His social media bio reads in part:

[Bishop Ford] is also the founder and executive producer of Sweet Rain Record Company, where he discovered, launched the careers of, and produced some of America’s gospel notable artists such as Pastor Hezekiah Walker and the Love Fellowship Crusade Choir, The Reverend Ernest Davis, Jr. and Wilmington Chester Mass Choir featuring Rev. Daryl Coley, Southeast Inspirational Choir of Houston, introducing Yolanda Adams, and many others. During his tenure in the recording industry, he was considered ‘The Renaissance Man’ of gospel music, because of his unique ability in recording live choir recordings. His production company was affectionately known as ‘The Choir Boys.’ He has also trained and produced his ‘How Sweet the Sound’ and ‘TV One / Sony Choir Competition’ award-winning church choir, The Anointed Voices of Ford Memorial Temple.

GMF extends condolences and prayers to Bishop Ford’s immediate and extended family, church family, and host of friends.

“Wind and Waters” – Native Kingdom

“Wind and Waters”
Native Kingdom (2019)
www.nativekingdom.com

Wind and Waters cover artBy Janie Sheeley-Torain
GMF Special Contributor

Native Kingdom’s “Wind and Waters” puts passion and prayer to song with resounding hope and joy.  The warm melodious instrumental and intimately personal lyrics rejuvenate your spirit like the refreshing waters of a brook on a hot summer day, offering an encouraging message for anyone currently in the midst of a fiery furnace or a tempestuous storm. 

The Native Kingdom Collective is based in the Pacific Northwest and was founded by Ryan and Haley Smith and Reuben Wai.  “Wind and Waters” is Native Kingdom’s first original single. 

Whether you are relaxing or exercising, put your earbuds in for a natural mood booster.  “Wind and Waters” will usher you into praise and worship of the One who will be with you to the end.


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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.

“I Am More Than A Conqueror” – Tonya Lewis Taylor

“I Am More Than A Conqueror”
Tonya Lewis Taylor
From the forthcoming EP, I Am More Than A Conqueror (Available 2019)
www.tonyalewistaylor.com

I am more than a conqueror artwork

By Libra Boyd
Gospel Music Fever

Scriptural affirmations frame the premise for Tonya Lewis Taylor’s self-written and produced single “I Am More Than A Conqueror.” 

The mid-tempo contemporary track features Taylor and her backing choir engaging in vocal interplay to proclaim, “I am more than a conqueror; through Christ, I can do all things!”

Taylor seamlessly melds ministry and uplift in her music, including her other singles “I’m A Winner” and “Delayed But Not Denied.” It stands to reason; the singer is also a minister and empowerment coach.  

If you’re itching to hear another good choir tune, Tonya Lewis Taylor’s current single “I Am More Than A Conqueror” is sure to be music to your ears.