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.

"Silent Night" – Ex Musiq

“Silent Night”
Ex Musiq (2015)
www.facebook.com/exmusiq

By Libra Boyd
Gospel Music Fever

Ex Musiq’s gift to you this Christmas is a free download of “Silent Night,” available at http://vibedeck.com/3hprecords/145219.

Despite their eclectic blend of gospel, hip-hop, pop, and R&B sounds, the Baltimore area inspirational trio presents “Silent Night” in its traditional form with an unaltered melody cushioned by warm layers of strings.

"Do You Hear What I Hear?" – Charles P. Walker

“Do You Hear What I Hear?”
Charles P. Walker
From the digital EP, Do You Hear What I Hear? (2015)
www.charlespwalker.com

By Libra Boyd
Gospel Music Fever

Charles P. Walker rolls in holiday cheer with a lively instrumental performance of “Do You Hear What I Hear?”  The saxophone arrangement is the title track from his digital Christmas EP.

Walker has drawn comparisons to sax greats Grover Washington and Kirk Whalum, among others.  Still, his style bears a uniqueness that has earned him session credits with Bernard Harris and Kevin Whalum as well as shared platforms with Smokie Norful and Donnie McClurkin.

Walker is a featured artist at the bi-annual Kingdom Global World Connect Conference, the Music Boat, and K-Love Christian Cruises.

"God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen" – Livrè

“God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen”
Livrè
From the CD, A Classic Holiday…Presented by MBK (2015)
MBK Entertainment/Sony Music Entertainment
Available at iTunes

By Libra Boyd
Gospel Music Fever

For the Christmas holiday, Livrè delivers a delightfully harmonic and soulful arrangement of “God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen.”

The urban inspirational quintet’s modern a cappella rendition of the 16th century carol is featured along with the music of Alicia Keys, Tyrese, Brandy, Elle Varner, and others on the multi-genre compilation disc, A Classic Holiday…Presented by MBK.

58th Annual Grammy nominees announced

Libra Boyd
Gospel Music Fever 

Congratulations to gospel’s nominees for the 58th Annual Grammy Awards.  Israel & New Breed received two nods.

Pioneering gospel greats, The Fairfield Four, also earned a nomination.  Travis Greene, Jonathan McReynolds, Tasha Cobbs, sisters Dorinda Clark-Cole and Karen Clark Sheard and others are among this year’s nominees as well.

To see the complete list in the gospel categories, visit: 58th Annual Grammy Awards Nominees [Gospel/Contemporary Christian Music Award Genre]

The awards show will air February 15, 2016, at 8 PM ET on CBS.

"O Holy Night" – Kevin Riley

“O Holy Night”
Kevin Riley (2015)

By Libra Boyd

 
This season, Kevin Riley lends his distinct baritone to the sacred Christmas standard, “O Holy Night.” Jansen Goodwin’s orchestral arrangement complements Kevin’s compelling performance of the holiday classic.
 
“O Holy Night” is available at iTunes.
 
Kevin resides in Little Rock, AR, and serves as pastor of In His Presence Worship Ministries.

R.I.P. Robert Holland of Doc McKenzie & the Hi-Lites

Robert Holland has died

By Libra Boyd
Gospel Music Fever

Robert Holland, longtime member of Doc McKenzie and the Hi-Lites, has died after battling health issues for several years.

Holland said in a recent interview that he’s been a member of the Hi-Lites for 19 years. During his tenure, fans have enjoyed hearing him deliver the songs “Love One Another,” “Down the Road,” “Born by the River,” and “One Touch.” Despite his physical ailments, he continued to sing with the group as long as his health permitted.

At one time or another, Holland also had tenures with the Fantastic Goldenaires, Bill Pinkney and the Original Drifters, and Robert Holland and the Chosen Brothers.

Holland’s voice, which drew comparisons to Sam Cooke, will certainly be both remembered and missed. Our condolences are extended to his family, friends, fans, and Doc McKenzie and the Hi-Lites.

Update (12/7/15): Homegoing arrangements have been posted by the funeral home as follows:

Friday, December 11, 2015
Visitation and Viewing
4:00 – 6:00 PM
Musical Celebration of Life
6:30 – 8:30 PM

Red Budd Holy Church
637 Cleveland St.
Rocky Mount, NC

Saturday, December 12, 2015
Funeral Service
12 PM
L.N. Forbes Tabernacle
1800 Lane St. Ext.
Wilson, NC

Interment
Homestead Memorial Gardens
Greenville, NC

Eddie Williams, pianist for the Caravans, passes on

Eddie Williams of the Caravans

By Libra Boyd
Gospel Music Fever

GMF is sad to learn of the passing of Eddie Williams, songwriter and pianist with the Caravans from 1957 to 1962 (with a hiatus in 1960).  Bob Marovich of the Journal of Gospel Music reported the news yesterday (Nov. 30), and information will be added there as it becomes available.

Eddie Williams was the writer of one of the Caravans’ best known songs, “Lord Keep Me Day by Day.” 

Upon hearing of his passing, Rev. James Herndon, who became the famed group’s pianist and a primary songwriter after Williams’ departure, spoke with GMF about the caliber of his contributions to the Caravans:

Eddie was one of the most profound writers of gospel music as well as an accomplished musician. He wrote the timeless classic “Lord Keep Me Day By Day,” which as you know is still being sung today. It has never grown old to me. He also wrote “Hallelujah ‘Tis Done,” “I’m Glad I Counted Up the Cost,” and many more. He will live forever through the great music he gave the world.

Our prayers and thoughts are with the Williams family in their hour of bereavement.

‘Holiday Praise: The Thankful Tour’ features Charles Jenkins, Michelle Williams, Byron Cage

(Chicago, IL)  Multi-award winning songwriter and Inspired People
recording artist Pastor Charles Jenkins (right) and his electrifying
choir Fellowship Chicago are hitting the road this month for Inspired
People’s “Holiday Praise: The Thankful Tour.”  Pastor Jenkins will be
joined on the tour with fellow GRAMMY® winner Michelle Williams and Byron Cage.
 
Pastor
Jenkins is coming off of a huge summer hit with his radio smash “War,” which spent five weeks at #1 on Billboard Magazine’s Gospel Airplay chart
and 55 weeks on the overall survey.  His new radio single and latest
worship anthem “Just To Know Him” features Byron Cage and is
quickly making its way up gospel radio playlists everywhere.  Both tracks
hail from the album “Any Given Sunday” (Inspired People/Motown Gospel)
that debuted at #1 on Billboard’s Gospel Albums sales chart this past
spring.

“It’s been an amazing year for us and we’re all so thankful,”
says Jenkins.  “We all have so much to be thankful for and to celebrate
God’s goodness.  The tour is going to be an amazing, uplifting and fun
experience for the entire family.”
 
Here are the dates:
 
11/22 @ 7 PM New Jerusalem Church, Jackson, MS (Hallelujah 95.5 FM)
11/23 @ 7 PM New Rising Star Church, Birmingham, AL (WAGG 102.1/610 AM)
11/24 @ 7 PM Restoration Ministries Int. Christian, Augusta, GA (Shout 94.7 FM)
11/26 @ 8 PM Elizabeth Baptist Church, Atlanta, GA (Praise 102.5 FM)
12/07 @ 7 PM Fellowship Chicago, Chicago, IL (1390 AM)
 
General Admission seating is $20 and VIP seats are $35.  Tickets are available at www.holidaypraise.com.


From Bill Carpenter (press release)

Tribbett to host ‘iHope’ concert in memory of murdered cousin Corey Jones

Tye Tribbett’s cousin Corey Jones, a drummer, was on his way home from a concert gig when he experienced SUV trouble in the early morning of October 18th. While he was awaiting roadside assistance on Interstate 95 in Palm Beach Gardens, FL, an undercover officer approached Jones’ stranded vehicle. While there are differing accounts of what happened next, less than an hour later Jones was dead, felled by at least three bullets after he began to run away from the policeman.

The death of Tribbett’s cousin has moved him once again to speak out and advocate for change in the way humans deal with each other and how law enforcement deals with us all.

The Grammy winner is hosting a free admission “iHOPE” concert to call for social change with Tasha Cobbs, Mali Music, Le’Andria Johnson and Tim Rogers. The free concert takes place Thursday, November 12 at 7:30 PM at The Faith Center located at 5555 NW 95th Avenue, Sunrise, FL. For concert info, contact (973) 351-1569 or visit www.tyetribbettworldwide.com.

Earlier this year Tribbett was moved to speak out after the June 2015 Charleston church massacre. Consequently, he launched a packed “Hate Won’t Win” concert in Columbia, SC to benefit the Mother Emanuel Hope Fund that retired burial debt and other expenses related to the nine people who were shot to death in that tragic incident.



From Bill Carpenter (press release)

GMF nominated for 2016 Rhythm of Gospel Award

Vote now through March 1, 2016.

Congratulations are in order again for Gospel Music Fever (GMF), which has been nominated for the 2016 Rhythm of Gospel (ROG) Award in the category of Gospel Internet Promotion & Marketing Group of the Year.  


This
is GMF’s second nomination.  In 2013, GMF emerged from a category of
nine nominees to win the ROG Award for Internet Media Group of the Year.


“It’s gratifying to be nominated,” says GMF’s founder and editor, Libra Boyd. “GMF uplifts and advances gospel music, and it’s an honor for that to be recognized.”

According to the Rhythm of Gospel Awards website,
the awards show is presented by the National and Independent Gospel Music
Association (N.I.G.M.A.) and “recognizes
outstanding churches/pastors, choirs and independent gospel music
artists of all genres, for their outstanding contributions toward the
betterment and advancement of their communities.”
 
Voting is now open for you, our GMF readers, to vote at http://www.therhythmofgospelawards.com/VOTING.html# an UNLIMITED number of times through March 1, 2016.  Please note:

  1. GMF is in category #49
  2. The site requires that you vote for each category
  3. You must click the black and white VOTE box near the bottom of the page to submit your votes.