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.

R.I.P. Elder James Bellamy

Homegoing services were held recently in Rocky Mount, NC for singer, songwriter, and musician Elder James Bellamy, Jr., who passed September 5.  He was 49 years old. 

Elder Bellamy led a talented camp of singers and musicians who ministered as James Bellamy and T.C. (Triumphant in Christ).  Among the group’s recordings are Let Your Spirit Fill This Place EP (1999), All For Him (2002) and Triumphant – Live! (2007), each recorded with Masterpiece Christian Records. 

Elder Bellamy is remembered by his family, many friends, and colleagues as a radical praiser, devout worshipper, and gifted minstrel. 

"I Got a Good Feeling" – Tam Johnson and God's Favor

Tam Johnson and God's Favor Miracle cover art
“I Got a Good Feeling”
Tam Johnson and God’s Favor
From the CD, Miracle (2014)
www.facebook.com/tamjohnsonandgf
By Libra Boyd
Gospel Music Fever
 
Using alternative hip-hop group Arrested Development’s early 90s arrangement of “People Everyday” (which heavily borrows from Sly the Family Stone’s “Everyday People”) as their music sample, Tam Johnson and God’s Favor deliver a hefty dose of optimism with “I Got a Good Feeling.”  Johnson, the singers, and the band enthusiastically proclaim that everything’s gonna “be all right” over a mid-tempo groove.
Tam Johnson and God’s Favor hail from Wilson, NC.  “I Got a Good Feeling” is featured on their current CD, Miracle.

2015 'Wilson Idol' talent show to feature Evelyn Turrentine-Agee as special guest

By Libra Boyd
Gospel Music Fever

On September 19, sixteen talented Wilson area contestants will compete for the title of “Wilson Idol.”

Wilson’s got talent.  And the competitor whose talent rises to the top next Saturday will win a $1,000 cash prize, a part in the onstage production of the award-winning Mildred Summerville play “Spare the Rod,
Spoil the Child,” and an opportunity to perform for multi-Grammy winner, Pastor Shirley Caesar.

The special guest and judge for the talent show–now in its third year–is Evelyn Turrentine-Agee, who is dubbed “The Queen of Quartet” and is best known for her hit number, “God Did It.”  The Stellar Award winner and evangelist will be joined on the judges’ panel by Rod Lewis, Prophet Calvin Suggs, Rev. Glenda Murray-Kelly, Will Ellis, Bob Owens, Don’trell Barnes, and Wilson Idol’s producer Dr. Mildred Summerville.  

GMF’s Libra Boyd and Min. Justin Barbour will return this year as hosts for the evening.  GMF is also an event sponsor.

 

This year, for the first time, Wilson Idol will recognize three honorees as Tall One Outreach Ministries’ Champions.  During a pre-show, Bishop Eloise Sessoms, Sharetta Blackwell, and Min. Michael Boone will be recognized for standing tall in the Wilson community through excellence in leadership, integrity, and inspiration.The Wilson Idol talent competition is sponsored by Summerville Promotion and Production Company and Tall One Outreach Ministries to give residents of Wilson, NC (ages 10 and up)
an opportunity to showcase their talents in the areas of music, dance/step, and acting.


Event Details
3rd Annual Wilson Idol Talent Competition

Saturday, Sept. 19, 2015
5 PM (doors open at 4)
Fike High School Auditorium
500 Harrison Drive
Wilson, NC 27893

Tickets are $15 in advance ($20 at the door) and can be purchased at
Hamilton Funeral Chapel, Arts Council of Wilson, and from all
contestants.  For more information, contact Dr. Mildred Summerville at
252-230-2689.

Kirk Franklin’s ‘Wanna Be Happy?’ sets record

Kirk Franklin always has a way of relating to the masses with relevant music.  His new single is barely three weeks old and has already made history.

Read more here: Christian Singer Kirk Franklin Makes History with #1 New Single ‘Wanna Be Happy?’

Gospel-soul singer Michelle Brooks-Thompson from ‘The Voice’ releases live music video

 
Enjoy Michelle Brooks-Thompson’s live music video “When I Think.”  The song is from her debut EP, My Life’s Testimony, which is scheduled for release in the coming months.  
 
If Michelle looks familiar, you may remember her from the third season of NBC’s The Voice, on which she was a contestant.
 

Tonya Lewis Taylor's 'Delayed But Not Denied' is her life's soundtrack

By Libra Boyd
Gospel Music Fever

Her name resonated in the music industry for more than 15 years as a celebrity event publicist and marketing executive.  She was responsible for a client roster that included Jay-Z, Kanye West, Jamie Foxx, Tyrese Gibson, Russell Simmons and other mega names in the business.  All the while,Tonya Lewis Taylor yearned to direct her focus toward her own gifts as a singer and songwriter.  She had embarked on a professional music career after college, singing backup for Mariah Carey and Mary J. Blige; but the rigor of touring took its toll.  As time passed, the compound effects of family and work commitments, fear, doubt, and insecurities continued to hamper her personal musical aspirations.

It is altogether fitting, then, that Tonya’s debut album is titled Delayed But Not Denied.  It’s her life’s soundtrack.

The 10-track praise and worship project, written and co-produced by the multi-talented artist herself, features the uptempo contemporary single, “Thank You,” which launched her into the Top 20 on the Billboard Gospel Charts.  It also led her on the 32-city Festival of Praise Tour with Fred Hammond and Donnie McClurkin, which, she tells GMF, changed her life as an artist.

“Can you imagine being mentored by two greats in gospel music?” Tonya muses.  “I had over 50 years of experience right in front of me for six weeks, thirty-two cities….Donnie constantly drilling me about the importance of leaving everything on the stage night after night, and Fred giving me lessons on songwriting and business acumen.  That experience was priceless!”

While “Thank You” resonates with radio and live audiences, it’s her album’s title song that Tonya connects with the most, “because the song is about the fact that my journey isn’t over,” she reflects.  The title song is “Delayed But Not Denied,” and the hook is her motivation on keep moving forward.

“The hook of the song says, ‘because the race is not given to the swift nor to the strong but to the one that endures to the end, I’m still running, and I know I have to win.'” 

Tonya’s motivation extends beyond the music landscape.  She is also active in her community.  With a passion and calling for working with the youth–she’s been involved in youth ministry since the ripe old age of 12–she co-founded the Entertainers 4 Education Alliance/I WILL GRADUATE Youth Development Program with her husband.  The non-profit dropout prevention organization was birthed after the couple made a school visit years ago only to learn from the school’s principal that the students did not attend regularly.  “It became a mission,” Tonya says, to help set the youth in her community on course for brighter futures. 

It’s all about the journey.  

“Whenever possible, I always try to inspire people to do [their] assignment.  Be that person [who] decides to be what God intended for you to be.  Also, never give up on your dreams.  I don’t care if you are 18 or 81, if you have breath in your body you still have a chance to live your dream.  I did….Remember you may be delayed, but you’re not denied.”

Homegoing arrangements set for Samuel Barnes, brother of Luther Barnes

By Libra Boyd
Gospel Music Fever


Samuel Barnes, brother of gospel singer and pastor Luther Barnes and son of the late Bishop F.C. Barnes (of “Rough Side of the Mountain” fame) passed August 22.  He was 66 years old.  


GMF extends condolences to the Barnes family.


Arrangements are entrusted to Hunter-Odom Funeral Service and a homegoing service will take place at 11 AM on Saturday, August 29, at Word Tabernacle Church in Rocky Mount, NC.


Read the obituary notice here.

Swanee Quintet’s Percy Griffin dies

The Swanees with Percy Griffin (fourth from left)     Photo Credit | Facebook

By Libra Boyd
Gospel Music Fever

Bob Marovich of the Journal of Gospel Music informed GMF that Percy Griffin, longtime member of The Swanee Quintet, passed on (see RIP Percy Griffin – Member of the Swanee Quintet).

Griffin joined the Augusta, GA group more than 50 years ago and was one of its lead singers.  Down through the years, The Swanees left audiences reeling with songs like “Eternal Life” and “Dr. Jesus.”  The quartet frontman once told The Augusta Chronicle that being a great gospel singer was always his primary aspiration. 

Griffin shared a longstanding friendship with the Godfather of Soul, the late James Brown, and occasionally sang at the soul singer’s Thanksgiving turkey giveaways in Augusta.

Both Griffin and his father were elders in the United House of Prayer for All People, whose founder, Daddy Grace, used to stay in their home, Griffin once shared.

Among Griffin’s last recordings are The Swanee Quintet’s The Legacy Continues Phase II and Malaco’s An Evening with the Legends of Quartet (LIVE).  Griffin does some tag-teaming with his first cousin Willie Rogers of The Soul Stirrers on the latter project.

Please join GMF in keeping Griffin’s family, friends, fans, and the Swanees lifted in prayer.

Read the obituary here.

An earlier version of this story contained an error in the caption. Thanks to Anthony Smith for catching it and alerting GMF.

Rev. James Herndon remembers former Herndon singer Nathan Murphy

By Libra Boyd
Gospel Music Fever

Gospel singer Nathan Murphy, former member of the James Herndon Singers and organizer of the Nathan Murphy Singers, passed Monday, August 17, reported JGM’s Bob Marovich for the Journal of Gospel Music.

Rev. James Herndon, who departed the famous Caravans in the late 1960s and formed the James Herndon Singers, spoke with GMF about Murphy, fondly remembering him as a dedicated member of the group.  He was a blessing on and off stage, helping to coordinate everything from reliable transportation to the singers’ stage attire; the latter task he shared with fellow member Roxie Bibbs.  Murphy was also instrumental in the selection of his aunt, Wilma Strickland, becoming a member of the group.

“Nathan was never one to be out front, but he supported everyone else in leading songs,” Herndon tells GMF.  “He saw the James Herndon Singers as a fulfillment of a lifelong dream.”

Rev. Herndon also recalls Murphy’s commitment to education and self-improvement.  He attended school to become a respiratory therapist and after his eventual departure from the James Herndon Singers, he pursued a law degree.  He also established his own group, the Nathan Murphy Singers, whom Herndon says “were quite popular in the Los Angeles area and [did] some out of state performances.”

“But he never let these accomplishments sway his faith in God.”

GMF sends prayers up for the family, friends, and fans of Nathan Murphy.

Read more at the Journal of Gospel Music: RIP Nathan Murphy: Sang with James Herndon, Had Own Group

"Powerful–Living In His Body As One" – Japan Mass Choir (Video)

Enjoy the Japan Mass Choir’s debut music video, “Powerful–Living In His Body As One” (Lifeline Records/SRT Entertainment).
The choir has toured in the US, kicking off their series of performances in Kings Mountain, NC, the hometown of the choir’s producer, Jett Edwards.  With 1,000 voices, the aggregation is said to be the world’s largest community choir.