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.

GMA 46th Dove Award Nominees

Jonathan McReynolds, Tamela Mann, Tasha Cobbs, Erica Campbell, and Charles Jenkins are among those whose nominations were announced today (August 12) for the 46th Annual GMA Dove Awards.  The complete list is available here.

This year’s awards will take place October 13, at Lipscomb University’s Allen Arena in Nashville and will air on TBN.

Congratulations to all nominees!

Lonnie Hunter to be awarded honorary doctorate

From Bill Carpenter

Syndicated radio personality and Stellar Award-nominated recording
artist Lonnie Hunter has had a really busy summer with hosting the
McDonald’s Inspiration Celebration Gospel concert tour and promoting
his latest Billboard Top 5 album #GETITDONE.  He is now closing the
season with a bang as the Executive Board of the One Flesh Ministries
Bible Institute in Glenwood, IL has announced that they will award him
an Honorary Doctorate in Sacred Music during their winter commencement.
“This was totally out of left field,” Hunter laughs of the
unexpected news.  “I am speechless right now and totally humbled and
grateful for this recognition of my work.”
 
A
Chicago native, Hunter began his career as a runway and print model, but
music was his first love. He was a soloist for the U.S. Air Force Jazz
Band and a celebrated gospel choir conductor.  He was well known for his
work with the Voices of St. Mark Choir where he produced the radio
hits “Even Me (The Drip Drop Song),” “Let’s Dance,” and “There’s Power
In His Name.”
Hunter’s career in radio started with Chicago’s WGCI.  Since 2007, he has been a radio personality with
Radio One where he currently hosts the nationally syndicated afternoon
drive program, “The Lonnie Hunter Show.”  Hunter also serves as Pastor of Worship
at Bethany Baptist Church, a 26,000-member church in Lindenwold,
NJ.
Earlier this year, Hunter launched the #GETITDONE apparel line for motivated people at www.lonniehuntermusic.com.

Free concert features the Sensational Nightingales – Aug. 2

Musicals that feature gospel trailblazers are seldom free anymore, so here’s something worth putting on your Google calendar. 


The Sensational Nightingales will appear live in concert Sunday evening, August 2, 2015, at Roxboro Church of God.  The service begins at 6 PM, and the church is located at 1415 N. Main Street in Roxboro, NC.


An offering will be received during the service.


Also appearing will be James Dixon and Company, Kay Ferguson, and Lamont Logan of WSBV-1560 AM.  

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

For more information, contact Rev. Barbara Dixon at 336-322-1959.

DeVaughn Murphy posthumously ordained as an elder in Full Gospel Baptist Church Fellowship

Bishop Jerry Hutchins of the Full Gospel Baptist Church Bishops Council announces DeVaughn Murphy’s posthumous ordination as an elder in the Full Gospel Baptist Church Fellowship International at the conclusion of Murphy’s homegoing celebration today at Detroit’s Second
Ebenezer Church.  His nephew, William Murphy IV (standing with the choir, second from right), looks on.

Murphy, beloved songwriter, musician, producer, and worship leader,
passed July 20, 2015 (read here).  He was 33 years old. 

Songwriter, worship leader DeVaughn Murphy passes

Photo | Vaughn’s Fb profile

By Libra Boyd
Gospel Music Fever

GMF extends condolences to the Murphy family in the passing of DeVaughn Murphy, son of Bishop William Murphy, Jr. and brother of Pastor William Murphy, III.

An anointed songwriter, musician, and worship leader, tunes from DeVaughn’s pen include “Chasing After You” and “Lord, You Are Awesome,” “Like Never Before,” and “Let Us See Jesus.”

Please join GMF in lifting his wife, daughter, and other family members and friends in prayer. 


Gregory Gay of GOSPELflava has shared information regarding the services.  Livestream information is below:

 

Marvin Sapp elevated to bishop in Global United Fellowship

Bishop Marvin Sapp (2nd from right) with fellow newly installed Bishops (from left) Antoine Wright, Leofric Thomas, Sir Walter Mack, and Carroll Baltimore.
Photo Credit | Facebook Page of The Official Global United Fellowship

Congratulations to Pastor Marvin Sapp, who was installed as a bishop on July 10, during the Global United Fellowship’s annual conference, held in Jacksonville, FL.  


The pastor and gospel singer will continue to lead his flock in Grand Rapids at the Lighthouse Full Life Center Church.


As a bishop in Global United Fellowship (GUF), under the leadership of Presiding Bishop Neil C. Ellis, Sapp will overssee GUF’s North Central Province which consists of 70 pastors and churches in nine states.

Norris J announces new single & video premiere party – July 24

Inspirational rapper Norris J is dropping a new single, “Put U In,” and he’s celebrating with a video premiere party Friday, July 24, at E-Gallery Studios in Dallas.

The event includes guest appearances by Gabby and NoJo Wallace as well as surprises throughout the evening.

Norris J is an award-winning performer, having picked up KHVN’s Heaven 97 Rap Artist of the Year for the last three consecutive years.


It’s going down:


Friday, July 24, 2015
Doors open at 7 PM
E-Gallery Studios
1330 Motor Circle 
Dallas, TX  
$5 cover

‘Remember Me’—’Live’ In Concert – The New Christianaires

The New Christianaires "Remember Me"—"Live" In Concert cover artThe New Christianaires
“Remember Me”—”Live” In Concert
Carter Classic Records (2014)
www.thenewchristianaires.com

By Libra Boyd
Gospel Music Fever

“Remember Me”—”Live” In Concert is the latest album by The New Christianaires, whose traditional quartet style intermingled with new school arrangements gives the Florida-based group its modern edge.

Recorded live in Louisiana at House of Praise COGIC, “Remember Me”—”Live” In Concert is bursting with spiritual energy, both from the New Christianaires and their lively hand-clapping audience.  There’s no lack of singing talent in this group; all the members are lead singers.  For this project, the lead tasks are shared among Jarmain Hawthorne, Elvis Brumfield, Jr., Clint Walker, George Carter, Sr., and Joe Mitchell.  On several of the album’s 14 tracks, pairs of them tag-team to get the job done.  Their soul-steeped vocals shine brightly on “Lord I Thank You,” “Still Standing,” and “I Feel the Spirit.”  Sonorous drum and bass lines in the cantering tracks (like “When You Think” and “One of These Old Mornings”) and seamless chord progressions in the mildly paced ones (like “Praise Him” and “Trust Me”), enliven the singers’ harmonies.

The project’s title tune, “Remember Me,” encapsulates the group’s overall sound well, but “Trouble Won’t Last” and “Jesus” turn out to be particularly interesting because of Brumfield’s vintage soul vocal texture and delivery.

The New Christianaires were formed in 2010 by Carter, who was an original member of the Legendary Christianaires from Suntag, Mississippi.  In 2014, the group took home the Rhythm of Gospel Award for Quartet Group of the Year.


Fever Meter

SMOKIN’ (4 of 5 Stars)

Favorites
“When You Think” – “Jesus” – “Trust Me”

Tribbett launches benefit concert for families of Charleston massacre victims – July 23

From Bill Carpenter

Emanuel 9

The Charleston Church Massacre (June 17) has prompted Grammy Award
winning recording artist Tye Tribbett to launch a “Hate Won’t
Win” concert to benefit the families of the nine people who were shot to
death in that tragic incident. The concert features some of the biggest
names in Christian music such as gold-selling artist Israel Houghton, Tasha Cobbs, Mali
Music, and Columbia, SC native Travis Greene. The concert takes place
Thursday, July 23 at 7 PM at The Medallion Conference Center in Columbia,
SC and caps the first day of Tribbett’s second annual “The Chosen
Music Mentorship” conference for church worship leaders.
 
“Gospel
is the good news,” Tribbett says of his use of music as a healing tool
to create racial harmony in the Carolinas. “By spreading the music we
induce hope, and we train new worship leaders so they are equipped with
the same intent to go fearlessly where some have lost hope and to boldly
declare through this gospel that there is yet hope.”
 
The
Chosen Music Mentorship Program runs July 23-25 and boasts some of the
country’s top gospel

Tribbett

practitioners such as producer Donald Lawrence and
rising star Jonathan McReynolds to provide spiritual and practical
workshops that will improve the lives and ministries of
the participants. It all takes place at The Medallion Conference Center,
7309 Garners Ferry Road, Columbia, SC 29209.  The general public can
call (973) 351-1569 or email [email protected] for more information and detail.

Sign up for exclusive content from 'Jubilee Showcase'

Before BET’s Bobby Jones Gospel, Jubilee Showcase was celebrated as the longest running gospel music program on television.  From 1963 to 1984, gospel greats of the day appeared on the weekly 30-minute show, produced and hosted by Sid Ordower. 

A documentary about Jubilee Showcase is presently in the works, and Ordower’s son, Steve–who is entrusted with the archive of content–invites you to visit jubileeshowcase.launchrock.com.  Once there, sign up with your email to get free and exclusive access to rare footage of gospel performances.