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.

Doris Sykes, noted Chicago gospel singer, to be remembered, celebrated this weekend

GMF was sad to learn of the passing of well-known Chi-Town area singer, Doris Sykes, last week.  Her biography is part of Bob Marovich’s current book A City Called Heaven: Chicago and the Birth of Gospel Music.  An excerpt as well as homegoing arrangements are available here: Doris Sykes, Longtime Soloist for Christian Tabernacle, Passes Away

R.I.P. Robert Hamlett of the Fairfield Four

GMF extends condolences to the family, friends, and fans of the Fairfield Four’s Robert Hamlett, who passed last week (February 1), at age 84.  Read more here: Fairfield Four Gospel Singer, in ‘O Brother,’ dies at age 84

Photo | The Tennessean

Arrangements for LaTonya Williams Pittman, Daughter of Melvin Williams

(McComb, MS)  The Williams family regrets to announce the passing of LaTonya Williams Pittman, daughter of Melvin Williams (The Williams Brothers) of Smithdale, MS.  She passed away unexpectedly at their home on Friday, January 29, at the young age of 35 years old.  Ms. Pittman was a licensed cosmetologist, an advocate for the Sickle Cell disease, and she loved to sing as well as write music.
 

LaTonya leaves to cherish her memory her husband of nine years, Robert Pittman; two daughters, Jaleona and Ariana Pittman; parents, Melvin Williams and Donnice Jenkins; dear friend, Bridget Fleury; and a host of uncles, aunts, nephews, nieces, extended family, and friends.



LaTonya Williams Pittman’s homegoing service is as follows:
 

Thursday, February 4,  2016

Visitation
 at 11 AM
Service at Noon

East Fernwood Baptist Church

3176 Fernwood Road

McComb, MS 39648


Services are entrusted to Craft Funeral Home, located at 210 Martin Luther King Drive
, McComb, MS 39648. 
 Please send all flowers, cards, and expressions of condolence to Craft Funeral Home
.

GMF extends heartfelt sympathy to LaTonya’s family and friends during this difficult time.

Dottie Peoples and family mourn passing of matriarch, Althea Milton

By Libra Boyd
Gospel Music Fever

GMF offers sincere condolences to Dottie Peoples and family in the passing of her mother, Althea Milton, who transitioned January 21, 2016.  She was 85 years old.

Many remember Mother Milton’s appearance on her daughter’s album, God Can & God Will. She was featured with Dottie on “Oh What A Time.”

Arrangements are entrusted to Willie A. Watkins Riverdale Chapel and Wright and Young Funeral Home of Miami.

Reuben (Bill) Cooper, original member of the Cooper Four, makes transition

By Libra Boyd
Gospel Music Fever

Reuben (Bill) Cooper, original member of the Cooper Four, passed yesterday (January 12), after an extended period of declining health.  He was 87 years old.


The Cooper Four’s brand of folksy traditional gospel, minimal musical accompaniment (often only guitar), and notably deep voices made the sibling foursome–Bill along with Walter, Maria (d. 1996), and Bill’s twin sister Ruth–a regional favorite at the peak of their popularity. 


The group began singing in their rural Hillsborough, NC home in 1935.  In 1954, they began singing live weekly on Durham’s first all-Black radio station, WSRC.  As of 2011, the group could still be heard live each week on WRJD radio in Durham.


The Cooper Four’s early 1960s vinyl single, featuring “This May Be My Last Time” and “Stay in the Field Until the War is Ended” still receives occasional airplay.


GMF extends condolences to Bill’s wife Ella, daughter Rubena, grandchildren, siblings, and host of family members and friends.  He will be remembered fondly.

Rest in peace, Otis Clay

By Libra Boyd
Gospel Music Fever

GMF extends heartfelt condolences to the family, friends, and fans of Otis Clay.  Remembrances flooded social media in the hours following the soulful multi-genre singer’s unexpected passing on Friday evening, January 8.

His cover of Thomas Dorsey’s “When the Gates Swing Open” became the definitive version for me as well as many traditional gospel music lovers.


Read Howard Reich’s article on Clay’s career and legacy here: Chicago Tribune | Chicago soul legend Otis Clay dead at 73

Nominees for the 31st Annual Stellar Gospel Music Awards

Congratulations to this year’s nominees for the 31st Annual Stellar Gospel Music Awards.  You can view the complete list here.

The show takes place February 20, 2016, at Orleans Arena in Las Vegas.  Rickey Smiley and Sherri Shepherd will share hosting duties.

‘Spare the Rod, Spoil the Child’ is back; stars Shirley Caesar [Updated]

Originally posted Jan. 2, 2016 at 7:30 AM

Last updated Jan. 9, 2016 at 5:45 PM

The information originally shared here has been updated as a result of cast updates provided to GMF by the play’s writer and producer, Dr. Mildred Summerville on Friday, January 8.  

Dr. Mildred Summerville, award-winning playwright, presents the stage play “Spare the Rod, Spoil the Child” Saturday, January 23, 2016, at Columbus, GA’s River Center.  The play, directed by James A. House, features a talented cast, including 11-time Grammy winner Pastor Shirley Caesar.

For more information or to buy tickets, visit www.sparetherodstageplay.com. Showtime is 8 PM. 

Read the play synopsis below.
 
SYNOPSIS
Genre: Drama/Comedy/Musical/Christian
Time/Place: The time is present day. The place is the James’ family home, workplace and a church.

Using
spirit-filled music and memorable characters like Mark, the doting son; Tammy, the insensitive daughter-in-law; Hope, the promiscuous teenager; and Sister Cantaloupe, Grandma’s feisty sister, “Spare the Rod, Spoil the
Child” touches on issues within the community such as family dysfunction,
peer pressure, substance abuse, and other pertinent matters that are
too often inadequately addressed or considered altogether taboo. 

In
this gripping and engaging dramatic piece, a woman simply known as
“Grandma” serves as the pillar of her surroundings. Her son’s family is
in crisis, and those within her neighborhood are drowning in chronic
troubles of their own. Through it all, Grandma seeks God on behalf of
those who are not spiritually inclined enough to seek Him for
themselves. Even those who resent her, such as her son’s sometimes-rigid
wife, Tammy, ultimately end up on Grandma’s prayer list. And when the
walls of the lives of those around Grandma seem to come tumbling down,
they know who to turn to for guidance and sound counsel. It’s not always
advice that they want to hear, but it is consistently the precise word
needed to steer them in the right direction.

Other
characters in the cast bring even more drama to the script. In her
God-given wisdom, Grandma confronts Hope’s suppressed anger and
bitterness, convincing her to open up about a rape kept secret for
years. In addition, she prays her grandson, Timothy, out of choosing a
life of gang involvement.

Though
the ending takes a toll on Grandma, the audience will rejoice in
knowing that this elderly woman’s life was full of purpose and not at
all lived in vain.

High
drama, bad karma, and a praying grandma, all come together to make “Spare
the Rod, Spoil the Child” a must-see theatrical production. Infused with
foot-stomping gospel music, this is soul-stirring entertainment that
will warm the hearts, tickle the funny bones and uplift the spirits of
all those who experience it.

Julius Caesar, brother of Pastor Shirley Caesar, passes on

By Libra Boyd 
Gospel Music Fever


GMF offers its deepest condolences to Pastor Shirley Caesar and family in the transition of her brother, Julius Caesar, who died December 27, one day shy of his 90th birthday.


The homegoing service will take place Sunday, January 3, at 2:30 PM (with visitation one hour prior) at Raleigh’s Mt. Calvary Word of Faith Church.

In addition to Pastor Caesar, he is survived by two sons, one daughter, one brother, and six grandchildren.

Photo Credit | B. Jackson Caesar via Facebook

"All of Me" – Doug Williams

“All of Me”
Doug Williams
From the upcoming CD, Crossover (Available Summer 2016) 
Blackberry Records

Doug Williams All of Me art work

By Libra Boyd
Gospel Music Fever 

Doug Williams’ current single “All of Me” is a contemporary vertical worship tune—not necessarily what one might expect from one of gospel quartet’s most recognizable voices.  Doug has always been on the cutting edge, though—whether performing solo or with Melvin and Henry aka The Williams Brothers.

“All of Me,” from the singer/songwriter’s forthcoming project, Crossover, adheres mostly to the familiar CCM I-V-vi-IV progression.  Doug comfortably assumes the role of worship leader while the background singers‘ alternating unison and harmony voicings carry the worship melody.