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.

James Dixon celebrates 41st birthday with free musical – April 1

James Dixon, former drummer for the Sensational Nightingales and current lead singer of James Dixon and Company, invites you to his 41st birthday musical.  This year, James is bringing together family, friends, and a host of talent–all of whom are gospel music lovers–for a celebration that won’t soon be forgotten.  The service is free and open to the public.  No April foolin’ here.  Check out the flyer for details. 

Tasha Cobbs marries music director Kenneth Leonard in private ceremony

GRAMMY®-Winning Recording Artist Tasha Cobbs Weds Acclaimed Music Director & Producer Kenneth Leonard In Surprise Private Ceremony

(Atlanta, GA)  GRAMMY® Award-winning recording artist Tasha Cobbs shocked friends, family and fans this weekend with a surprise wedding to longtime beau, acclaimed music director and producer Kenneth Leonard, Jr.
On Friday, March 3, 2017, the pair exchanged vows before an unsuspecting group of family and close friends who believed they were gathering for a private dinner party. News of the wedding surprised many as it saturated social media, but the nuptials had actually been in the works for quite some time.
“We’ve never kept our relationship a secret, but with both of us working publicly in the music industry, we wanted the opportunity to celebrate privately,” shares Cobbs. “After a year of pre-marital counseling and much planning, the timing was finally perfect. It was incredible to be able to surprise those closest to us!”
Kenneth Leonard, Jr. is the accomplished music director and keyboard player for several artists, including soul singer Anthony Hamilton, R&B songstress Tamia, and Cobbs. Holding a bachelor’s degree in Engineering from North Carolina State University, Leonard is also an active music producer. His successful HISound conference equips professional musicians in various areas, including musical skill and industry know-how.
Tasha Cobbs became one of gospel music’s top artists when her 2013 hit, “Break Every Chain,” topped charts and garnered numerous accolades, including a GRAMMY® Award. Named by Billboard Magazine as the Most Streamed Gospel Artist and Top Female Gospel Artist of 2016, Cobbs is currently working on new music, to be released on Motown Gospel later this year.

Angelics' Theresa Burton-Richmond walks down 'Gospel Lane' with group's biggest hit

Theresa Burton-Richmond of the Angelic Gospel Singers sings at Greater Cleggs Chapel Community Missionary Baptist Church.

Theresa Burton-Richmond of the famed Angelic Gospel Singers performed a pair of Margaret “Babe” Allison (1921-2008) and the group’s beloved gems, “Touch Me, Lord Jesus” and “If You Can’t Help Me,” last evening at Greater Cleggs Chapel Community MBC’s Black history musical in Timberlake, NC. The former, first recorded by the Angelics in the late 1940s, was the title of their biggest selling release.
 
The program, called, “Traveling Down Gospel Lane,” featured a narrated contextual overview of gospel’s pioneers and trailblazers as well as performances of sacred music spanning the 17th century to the present.

"Glimpse" – Juan Santiago & Uninhibited Praise

Juan Santiago & Uninhibited Praise "Glimpse" art work

“Glimpse”
Juan Santiago & Uninhibited Praise (March 4, 2017)
www.jsuplive.com

By Libra Boyd
Gospel Music Fever

“Glimpse” is the new single from multi award-winning international recording group, Juan Santiago & Uninhibited Praise (JSUP). Ecstatic applause and a one-minute guitar-infused intro kick off the CCM track through which JSUP proclaims, “Just to get a touch from You / Just to get a glimpse of You / We will be whole.” Santiago, the ensemble’s founder, allows his expressive vibrato to come to the fore as he enthusiastically leads the pulsating vertical worship song.

“Glimpse,” penned by Anthony Shepard, was recorded live in Baltimore and produced by Damion Murrill. It appears on JSUP’s forthcoming full-length project, scheduled for release later this year.

William Bright of Dixie Hummingbirds remembered as pioneer, mentor

William Bright of the Dixie Hummingbirds has died

Funeral services were recently held in Philadelphia for William Bright, a longtime member of the Dixie Hummingbirds.  Bright died earlier this month (Feb. 4), on his way to a radio interview about the group. 

The quartet veteran was born in Greene County, NC, and grew up in Philadelphia.  His love of singing eventually married him to the Dixie Hummingbirds. 

Arlene Edmonds, correspondent to The Philadelphia Tribune reported on the homegoing service and Bright’s contributions to gospel music: Dixie Hummingbirds era ends with singer’s passing

GMF continues to lift the Bright family as well as The Birds in prayer.

Franklin, Mann win at 2017 Grammys; Caesar receives Lifetime Achievement Award

Congratulations to the gospel winners at the 59th Annual Grammy Awards, announced this afternoon (February 12, 2017) in Los Angeles. 

Best Gospel Performance/Song
“God Provides” – Tamela Mann; Kirk Franklin, songwriter

Best Gospel Album
Losing My Religion – Kirk Franklin

Best Roots Gospel Album
Hymns – Joey + Roey

Congratulations also to eleven-time Grammy recipient Shirley Caesar, who receives one of this year’s seven Grammy Lifetime Achievement Awards bestowed by the Academy.  Of Pastor Shirley Caesar, The Recording Academy writes, 

A deeply spiritual and affecting gospel singer, Shirley Caesar’s emotive vocal talents were discovered in a church choir when she was 10 years old. She is arguably best known for her eight-year tenure with the Chicago-based gospel group the Caravans, whom she joined after appealing to Albertina Walker to sing a solo with the group. Electing to pursue a solo career in 1966 alongside her own choir, the Caesar Singers, she subsequently carved out a profile that earned her the title of First Lady of Gospel Music. Caesar’s roll call of achievements includes 11 GRAMMY Awards®, 14 Stellar awards, 15 Dove awards, a NAACP Image Award, a Soul Train Music Award, and two current 59th GRAMMY nominations.

Caesar, 78,  enjoyed a highly successful 2016 that, in addition to this year’s Grammy nominations for her Billboard chart-topping album Fill This House, included a number one spot on the Billboard Hot Gospel Songs chart for “Hold My Mule” (as result of the viral Internet success of the “U Name It” Challenge featuring a portion of the sermonette), and a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.

Deon Kipping announces cancer diagnosis, requests prayers

Gospel singer Deon Kipping took to social media Tuesday (Jan. 17) to announce that he has been diagnosed with stage three cancer and to ask for prayer.


In a video message, he told supporters, “The good news is God is my healer, and I know He has it all under control.”  Deon said he plans to share progress updates via his social media pages.


The singer/songwriter’s announcement comes on the heels of his newly released album, Something to Talk About (RCA Inspiration).


GMF joins a host of well wishers in praying for Deon and his family.

Musician Ivan Powell, Sr. passes on [Arrangements Added]

Arrangements graphic



By Libra Boyd
Gospel Music Fever

Singer/songwriter/producer/musician Ivan Powell, Sr. passed away today (January 18), at the age of 50. Remembrances flooded social media as the news circulated this afternoon.

 
A chance meeting with John P. Kee at the Stellar Awards in the early 90s resulted in Powell accepting the position of music director with the New Life Community Choir a few years later. He is the featured singer with Kee on “Stand.”  Powell is also noted for his work with Karen Clark Sheard, Vanessa Bell Armstrong, Ron Winans, nephew Doobie Powell, and many more. 


Our prayers of comfort are with the Powell family, friends, colleagues, and protégés.

2017 Stellar Award nominees announced; Greene, Mann lead with nine each

CHICAGO, Jan. 17, 2017 /PRNewswire/ – Central City Productions has announced the nominees in 26 categories for the 2017 Stellar Awards.  Hailed as an “epic night in gospel music,” this year’s Stellar Awards will return to the Las Vegas Orleans Arena on Saturday, March 25, 2017.  The telecast will premiere on TV One Sunday, April 9 at 7 PM ET with encores at 9 PM and 11 PM ET.  In addition, the Stellar Awards will air in national broadcast syndication on 170 stations in over 150 markets around the country April 14 – May 7, 2017.


Praise and worship breakthrough artist Travis Greene and chart-topping soloist Tamela Mann lead the nominations with nine each.  Greene is having an amazing year, in the running for both Male Vocalist of the Year and Song of the Year, for his work on The Hill (RCA Inspiration). This inspirational psalmist is also nominated for CD of the Year, Contemporary Male Vocalist of the Year, Contemporary CD of the Year, and Praise and Worship CD of the Year.


Gospel superstar Tamela Mann joins Greene on the Stellar Awards nominee leader board, nominated this year for Artist of the Year, Albertina Walker Female Vocalist of the Year, and Contemporary Female Vocalist of the Year.  She is also competing for CD of the Year, Producer of the Year, Song of the Year, and Traditional Female Vocalist of the Year.


With seven and six nominations respectively, veterans Hezekiah Walker and Kirk Franklin demonstrate their staying power in gospel music, recognized for Male Vocalist of the Year, Choir of the Year, Contemporary Choir of the Year, and Contemporary Male of the Year for their projects Azusa The Next Generation 2: Better (Walker/EOne Music) and Losing My Religion (Franklin/RCA Records).  Franklin also receives a nod for Artist of the Year, Song of the Year, CD of the Year, Producer of the Year, and Contemporary CD of the Year.   


Jekalyn Carr, nominated for Artist of the Year, and Todd Dulaney, nominated for Male Vocalist of the Year, CD of the Year, and Contemporary CD of the Year, are in contention for Praise and Worship CD of the Year. Other artists earning multiple nominations include newcomers Bri (Brianna Babineaux), Livre’, and Enon Tabernacle, and living legend Shirley Caesar.  For more information visit www.thestellarawards.com and to view the complete list of nominees click here. 


Multiple Stellar Award- and Grammy Award-winning solo artist, nationally-syndicated radio host and television personality Erica Campbell joins multiple Stellar Award winner, songwriter and arranger Anthony Brown to co-host the 32nd Annual Stellar Gospel Music Awards.


Don Jackson, Founder of the Stellar Awards and Chairman of Central City Productions, Inc. commented, “Our 2017 nominees represent the strongest group of gospel artists and songs in our 32-year history of the Stellar Awards.  This year’s large number of artists who are first-time nominees is a positive testament to the new and upcoming artists in gospel music, as well as a reflection of the tremendous growth of the gospel music genre.”


Mr. Jackson further stated, “The announcement of the 2017 nominees corresponds with the launch of www.stellartv.com, the first phase of the Stellar TV Cable Television Network, which will be officially introduced during the taping at the 32nd Annual Stellar Awards on March 25, 2017.”


The Stellar Gospel Music Awards Pre-Show is scheduled for Friday, March 24, to showcase non-televised award winners.  Also, the Stellar Gospel Radio Awards & Showcase will be held on Saturday, March 25, honoring top radio stations and announcers serving urban gospel music audiences.  The Stellar Awards show taping is open to the public, with ticket prices ranging from $50 -$200 and tickets for each event can be purchased at www.ticketmaster.com. 

"We Praise You" – Northern Delaware Chapter GMWA Recording Choir

“We Praise You”
Northern Delaware Chapter GMWA Recording Choir
From the CD, God Be Glorified (2016)
 
Northern Delaware Chapter GMWA Recording Choir cover artBy Libra Boyd
 

“We Praise You” is the lively single from the Northern Delaware Chapter GMWA Recording Choir’s project, God Be Glorified.

It doesn’t take long to hear the choir handing out a lot of what we’ve been missing as a result of choir music’s diminishing radio presence: robust, bold, dynamic section harmonies; crisp hand-clapping; prominent organ and piano riffs; and the overall “Sunday morning” vibe.

Minister Wayne E. Carter, Sr. leads the Northern Delaware GMWA chapter and choir and is the project’s executive producer.