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.

GMF Radio Show to premiere Labor Day

GMF founder/editor Libra Boyd recently took to social media to announce the launch of The Gospel Music Fever Radio Show, a companion to her award-winning Gospel Music Fever Blog.  The first installment of the show airs at 12 PM CT (1 PM ET) on Labor Day at kwaygospel.com.  


The GMF Show features the great music spotlighted on the blog and is hosted by Boyd. Just like the blog, the radio playlist spans across various styles and eras of gospel to present variety that is not commonly heard in a single radio show.


“I am excited about the opportunity to connect with gospel music enthusiasts around the world through the new GMF online radio show,” says Libra. “With no geographical boundaries, I am able to share this amazing music widely and to further GMF’s overall aim to uplift and advance the gospel music art form. I’m especially thankful to McDonald and Arnetta Yancey of KWAY for inviting my participation.”


New episodes of the GMF Show will air every Monday at 12 PM CT (1 PM ET).  Listeners can tune in at kwaygospel.com or by downloading the KWAY-DB app from Google Play or iTunes to a mobile device.  


KWAY is a 24-hour Internet radio station based in Oklahoma City, OK, and is the sister station to KOSR 109.9 FM in Stockton, CA.

R.I.P. Roger McKinney of the Spiritual QC's

Roger McKinney
 

A celebration of life service was held in Amory, MS on August 26, 2017, for Roger McKinney, gospel singer and longtime member of Lee Williams and the Spiritual QC’s. McKinney passed August 18.  He was 68 years old.  View the complete obituary here.


GMF extends heartfelt condolences to the McKinney family during its time of bereavement.

David L. Gough, International Gospel Music Hall of Fame and Museum founder, remembered

David L. Gough has died

Homegoing celebrations were held this past weekend (August 18-19) in Michigan for David L. Gough, 67, founder of the International Gospel Music Hall of Fame and Museum.  GMF extends condolences to the Gough family.

The following statement was released by IGMHFM Communications:

(Detroit, MI)  The world’s only International Gospel Music Hall of Fame and Museum (IGMHFM) was the brainchild of the late great David Lee Gough. He once said that “when God gave me the perfect vision for preserving and highlighting his amazing music (gospel), I knew then to form a serious committee who was just as dedicated and heartfelt about it as I was.” And that is exactly what he did… call together a handful of like minded, loyal believers and gospel music lovers to help him see the task through. As with anything great, it was no easy feat and even in his passing, the dream will live on. 

 
In addition to the IGMHFM, David was a musical genius who not only launched his own music and award winning gospel music label, DoRhon Records, inspired by his three awesome sons, Damon, D. DoRhon, and Devin Gough; he was responsible for launching and cultivating countless careers in music and beyond over the years. A man with a heart of gold who could be found slipping money and food to someone in need. He also noted that without God, his beautiful wife Carolyn Gough, and the love of his family and church, he was nothing. He traveled the world for business and some pleasure, did and accomplished some things that many dare to dream of. A staunch entrepreneur who worked tirelessly through many days and nights, infusing himself into both established and new ideas, David L. Gough didn’t know the meaning of the words “no” and “quit.” 
 
A quick cornucopia of his unique successes would include being the executive producer of the movie Pay the Price, overseeing all aspects of DoRhon Records and the artists within, being behind the scenes in many confidential ventures, and of course, [founding] the world’s only International Gospel Music Hall of Fame and Museum (IGMHFM). His voice has been silenced and the world is already on alert… but if anyone knew the David L. Gough that some of us were blessed to meet and to know, do understand that it’s not over by a long shot! 
 
The 67 year old icon is survived by his lovely wife Carolyn R. Gough; three sons and their wives, Damon (Michelle), D. DoRhon (Cherita), and Devin (Cortney); seven beautiful grandchildren (with one on the way); and a host of various loved ones, colleagues, and the vast world of gospel music. He will be missed but not forgotten and surely his legacy and a part of him will live on in the minds and hearts of many. He wouldn’t want strife or struggle, just for everyone to keep their eyes on God and to do whatever possible for one another and to share the love of gospel music worldwide. 

Nominees for 48th Annual Dove Awards Announced

From Twitter @GMADoveAwards

Nominees for the 48th annual Dove Awards have been announced.  Kirk Franklin, Tamela Mann, CeCe Winans, VaShawn Mitchell, and Steven Malcolm are among several artists who received multiple nominations.  The complete list of nominees is available here.

The 2017 awards show will take place October 17, at Lipscomb University’s Allen Arena in Nashville and will air October 22, exclusively on TBN.


Congratulations to all nominees!

Recap: ‘Dinner Concert at the Main,’ presented by Milagro Productions

By Libra Boyd
Gospel Music Fever


“No singing at the table” is an etiquette rule that definitely was not applicable at JC’s Kitchen on East Main Street Saturday evening.  The Durham restaurant hosted “Dinner Concert at the Main,” presented by Milagro Productions, and the truth is that nearly everyone sang at his or her table at some point throughout the lively four-hour event.  Stellar Award-winning radio announcer Bobby Parker served as the emcee.


Roughly 50 people packed into the eatery, occupying every section of the compact dining area, to enjoy an evening of music, mime, comedy, and home-style food.  Concerns about the broken A/C—and the pesky wasp that hung out for a while—faded swiftly once the concert got underway with mime dancer Anointed Vessel’s rousing performance.  Milagro Records’ Brandie Brown followed, debuting her uptempo contemporary single “Undefeated.”

Beth Daniels joins JSUP on "Te Bendecire" at Milagro Production's "Dinner Concert at the Main."
Beth Daniels joins JSUP on “Te Bendecire.”

Milagro’s Juan Santiago and Uninhibited Praise rendered several tunes from their repertoire, including the ensemble’s exuberant current single “Glimpse” and “Te Bendecire,” which are both featured on JSUP’s forthcoming full-length CD.  For the concert finale, Santiago invited nearly a fifth of the audience to come down and take turns riffing over the refrain of “Healing Rain,” another of the group’s requested songs.


Other performances of the evening included a pair of selections from Yolanda Mitchell—who later transformed into the comically eccentric Ms. Marzette—and a medley of worship anthems from Shelia Copeland.

2017 ‘Wilson Idol’ set for Sept. 9 with McDonald Sisters as guest judges



Summerville Promotion and Production Company and Tall One Outreach Ministries take great pride in presenting the 2017 “Wilson Idol” Talent Show.  The competition is set for September 9, 2017, at Fike High School, 500 Harrison Drive, Wilson, NC.  

This year, ten hopefuls will vy for the title of “Wilson Idol.”  Special guest judges are gospel powerhouses, The McDonald Sisters.

“Wilson Idol” is an annual event that showcases the musical, dance, and spoken word talents of Wilson’s emerging and unsung artists.  The participants compete for cash prizes, an opportunity to perform for gospel’s queen Pastor Shirley Caesar, and a part in the stage production of the award-winning gospel play, “Spare the Rod, Spoil the Child,” a gospel drama written and produced by Dr. Mildred Summerville. This year’s show is expanding to feature two non-competitive categories, “Babes Have Talent, Too” (ages 3-9) and “Seniors Have Talent, Too” (ages 65 and up).

Tall One Outreach Ministries will also honor Pastor Victor Baine, Phyllis Vick, Dr. Mural Lanier, Bishop Gregory Blow, Tracy Gordon, Esther Gordon, Leonard Slagle, and  Dr. Raymond Summerville with The Tall One Champion’s Award.  Tall One’s Champion’s Award Program honors individuals for their hard work, perseverance, and meritorious contributions to their communities. The chosen honorees have affected their communities through various educational initiatives such as the performing arts, community services, education, and outreach ministries. 

Doors for the “Wilson Idol” show open at 4 PM and the event is scheduled to begin promptly at 5 PM.  Tickets are $15 in advance and $20 at the door.  For ticket information and other inquiries, contact Dr. Mildred Summerville at 252-230-2689 or email [email protected].


– From a press release

“Stand in Awe” – Ted Winn (Video)

Enjoy Ted Winn’s video of the single “Stand in Awe.” The song is from the two-time Stellar Award winner’s forthcoming project, Perspective, set to be released September 1.


As Winn describes it,

‘Stand in Awe’ is a song and lyric that we can all relate to. When we consider the universe, creation, grace or the small miracles we experience daily, each of us can say, ‘I stand in awe.’

Sensational Nightingales to be inducted into NC Music Hall of Fame

The Sensational Nightingales are among seven artists to be inducted into the North Carolina Music Hall of Fame for 2017.

The Gales have been on the gospel highway for more than seven decades and are treasured both nationally and abroad.  “It’s Gonna Rain,” “Prodigal Son,” and “At the Meeting” remain among their most requested songs.

The
induction ceremony is set for October 19, 2017, at the Kannapolis Performing Arts Center in
Kannapolis, NC.  Other 2017 inductees are R&B singer/songwriter Anthony Hamilton, country singer/musician Bucky Covington, blues singer/guitarist Etta Baker, country songwriter/musician Jim Lauderdale, R&B songwriter/musician Richard Lewis Spencer, and bluegrass band The Steep Canyon Rangers.

"Victory" – Josian (Video)



Enjoy Josian’s current music video, “Victory,” produced by Donald Robinson of Near Future Media.  Josian Maybury is a Jamaica born and raised gospel reggae singer, currently making her home in Bermuda.

Both the lyrics and meaning of “Victory” became evident to Josian after she received the horrific news–while in the studio–that her seven year-old son was hit by a car and in the hospital.  Her son was discharged from the hospital after a brief stay with only minor bruises. Josian declares that “‘Victory’ represents triumph over tragedy and believing that God will answer your prayers.”



Jay-Z samples the Clark Sisters; Sisters react (video)



Yep, those are the Clark Sisters you hear on Jay-Z’s new CD, 4:44.  The rap mogul’s latest project features a sample of the Clarks’ “Ha Ya” on his track, “Family Feud.”


“Ha Ya (Eternal Life)” was written by Twinkie Clark and first recorded by her and her sisters almost 40 years ago.  Jay-Z is just one of several secular artists who has covered or sampled the music of the Clark Sisters over the years.  Others have included Xscape, Kelly Price, Aaliyah, and Mary J. Blige.


You think the Clarks are excited? 

A post shared by Karen Clark Sheard (@karenclarksheard) on