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.

DeWayne Woods features Mint Condition on single, “They Said”

From Bill Carpenter


The award-winning vocalist DeWayne Woods teams up with Lawrence Waddell and Stokley Williams of the legendary R&B band Mint Condition for the third radio single from his best-selling album Life Lessons (Soul Therapy).  The smooth track combines intimate urban balladry with a powerfully revelatory message of God’s love and self-affirmation. “When everybody had given up on me He knew I was redeemable and made me whole,” Woods sings of God’s intervention during his lowest moments.  In the second verse, he hits naysayers with, “Used to be so hung up on what others said about me; so busy casting stones they overlooked their own wrong.”

“I’ve made many mistakes and bad decisions in my life and most of us at one point or another have allowed what others said about us to affect us in a negative way, but God has the final word and gives us a second chance,” says Woods, who is currently performing alongside Yolanda Adams and Donald Lawrence on The McDonald’s Celebration Inspiration Gospel Tour running through October. “It’s mind blowing to be afforded this amazing opportunity to be a part of such widely respected national tour and to sing this empowering song to the thousands who have been attending the shows.”

“Working with DeWayne on ‘They Said’ was amazing,” Waddell and Williams said in a joint statement about the song they tailor-wrote and produced for Woods. “He sings with a genuineness and musical sensibility that is at once moving and awe-inspiring. Beyond a vocalist, he is an instrumentalist with words.”

DeWayne Woods led a late `90s incarnation of the R&B group Atlantic Starr before making a leap into faith music with John P. Kee.  His debut album, Introducing DeWayne Woods & When Singers Meet, won four of five Stellar Award nominations–including New Artist of the Year and Male Vocalist of the Year.  His sophomore set, My Life’s Lyric, hit  #3 on Billboard’s Top Gospel Albums chart.  Woods’ latest project, Life Lessons, debuted at #2 on Billboard’s Top Gospel Albums chart and features “Never Be The Same” (#23 Billboard Hot Gospel Songs chart) and the Anthony Hamilton & Dave Hollister collaboration “Friend of Mine” (#13 Billboard Hot Gospel Songs chart).

The Church and B.B. King

By Libra Boyd
Gospel Music Fever

Over his nearly 70-year professional career, blues legend B.B. King (1925-2015) returned to his gospel roots once, in 1959, to record a vinyl album entitled B.B. King Sings Spirituals. The Crown Records release captures 30-something year-old King wailing, at times both vocally and on his guitar, tunes that we now know have withstood the test of time in traditional gospel.  Among them is “Take My Hand, Precious Lord,” composed by a former blues pianist who is now recognized as the Father of Gospel Music, Rev. Thomas A. Dorsey. 

King passed May 14, at the age of 89.

In his essay for The Washington Post, “How the church gave B.B. King the blues,” Daniel Silliman explores King’s church upbringing. Read it to gain insight into the King of the Blues’ relationship to the church and gospel music in his own words. 

B.B. King’s official website reports that there will a public viewing Friday, May 22, from 3 PM to 7 PM at the Palm South Jones Mortuary, 1600 South Jones Blvd, Las Vegas.  For complete information about the memorials and funeral, visit www.bbking.com.

"Jesus Over Everything" – Thomas E. Bell

“Jesus Over Everything”
Thomas E. Bell (2015)
Available at iTunes

Thomas E. Bell - Jesus Over Everything art work

Thomas E. Bell honed his songwriting craft during his high school days, penning tunes for his R&B group.  At the age of 21, he decided it was time to dedicate his talent wholly to the Lord.  “Jesus Over Everything” is Bell’s current single.  In the hip-hop laced single, he makes clear that the name of Jesus is above all others, and “ain’t nobody takin’ His place.”

“Jesus Over Everything” is heavy on percussion as well as keyboard and vocal effects; but just like a good cobbler crust, Bell’s creatively expressed lyrical message rises to the top.

Official Video – "God Wants to Hear from You" – Bishop Samuel Blakes


Enjoy the official music video “God Wants to Hear from You” from Bishop Samuel Blakes.  The track is available at iTunes.  Bishop Blakes’ debut album is scheduled for a summer 2015 release and features Bishop Paul Morton and Dave Hollister.

‘Bobby Jones Gospel’ enters its final season, announces BET

By Libra Boyd
Gospel Music Fever

BET has reported that the upcoming 35th season of Bobby Jones Gospel will be its last. 

The flagship gospel program is the longest running original show in cable TV history and is hosted by its namesake, Dr. Bobby Jones.

It is said that all good things must come to an end, but Bobby Jones Gospel has been embedded in the routine of our Sunday mornings for three and a half decades.  Not seeing the legendary Dr. Jones, his “super choir cast,” and his suits will be a major adjustment–not to mention the famous as well as not-yet-famous gospel talents who leave smoke on the studio stage year after year.

GMF will follow the final season closely. Stay tuned in the coming months for my commentary on a series that has done what no other has been able to do for gospel music.

Earnest Pugh to receive Alumni Award for the Arts from Howard U. School of Divinity

By Libra Boyd
Gospel Music Fever
 
Congratulations to Earnest Pugh (“I Need Your Glory” and “Rain on Us”) who will be presented with the Alumni Award for the Arts this weekend by the alumni association of his alma mater, Howard University School of Divinity. Pugh earned the M.Div. degree there while balancing his successful recording career and serving in the music department at Ebenezer A.M.E. Church in Fort Washington, MD. (He is also the recipient of the honorary Doctorate of Divinity in Christian Counseling from The Institute for Teaching God’s Word in Rockdale, TX.)

In a press release, Pugh comments,

I view
this as one of the greatest accomplishments in my life to be honored by
my alma mater. My tenure at HUSD was instrumental in
shaping, molding, and developing me into the man, preacher and artist
that I am today.


The weekend begins with Howard University School of Divinity’s third annual Alumni Association Awards Banquet and concert, featuring Pugh, on Saturday, April 25.  On Sunday morning, April 26, he will perform at Ebenezer’s 7:45am worship service, before attending Howard University’s main campus to receive the alumni award.

Here’s the weekend at a glance:

Saturday, April 25, 2015
Concert featuring Earnest Pugh at 5:30 PM
Howard University School of Divinity’s 3rd Annual Alumni Association Awards Banquet
Armour J. Blackburn University Center
2397 Sixth Street NW
Washington, DC 20059
(Red carpet arrival and reception at 3 PM; dinner at 4 PM)
 
Concert featuring Earnest Pugh at 7 PM
In celebration of Howard Univ. School of Divinity Professor Robert G. Childs’ 30th pastoral anniversary

Berean Baptist Church
924 Madison St. NW
Washington, DC 20011
(Concert proceeds go to the alumni association’s scholarship fund)


Sunday, April 26, 2015
Special performance by Earnest Pugh at 7:45 AM worship
Ebenezer A.ME. Church
7707 Allentown Road
Fort Washington, MD 20744

"Just Jesus" – J Squared

“Just Jesus”
J Squared (2015)
Dre Dai Entertainment
Available at iTunes

J Squared - Just Jesus art work

Comprised of preteen siblings Jordan Camille and Jackson Dondrea Lamont Geter, the hip-hop/pop/gospel duo J Squared “sets it off” with their single, “Just Jesus.” The track is featured on their forthcoming CD, Dreams, scheduled for release in August 2015. The twosome hails from the ATL.

Jordan and Jackson’s ages (nine and six, respectively) match their budding vocals and their simple message about the goodness of Jesus, which is performed in gleeful unison throughout.

With a positive vibe and youthful enthusiasm, J Squared has great things in store for their generation.

"Nothing Better" – Corey J

“Nothing Better”
Corey J
From the EP, Worship is a Beautiful Thing (2014)
Available at iTunes

Corey J - Love is a Beautiful Thing cover art

“You never look at my faults / You never judge me when I’m wrong / You always pick me up when I fall…”

These lyrical sentiments support Corey J’s summation that there’s “Nothing Better” than the prevailing attributes of a loving God.   It’s a reflective lyrical journey for Corey J, whose life is a miracle itself. (He was born with no heart rate and no pulse, and amid other complications, was given little more than three days to live.) 

“Nothing Better” is one of four songs on the EP entitled, Worship is a Beautiful Thing.  With its unhurried pace and musical airiness, the Christian pop track leaves sufficient space for Corey’s melodic tenor vocals.

Corey J. Yancey is a native of Oxford, NC, and serves in music ministry at Christian Faith Center in Creedmoor, under the leadership of Senior Pastor Brenda and Co-Pastor Timothy Timberlake. Presently, he has a full-length project in the works that’s set to drop in June 2015.

"Believe Louder" – Avehre ft. Amber Bullock

“Believe Louder”
Avehre ft. Amber Bullock (2015)
PH Balanced Music / BAS Music Group
Available at iTunes 


"Believe Louder" - Avehre ft. Amber Bullock art workSinger/songwriter Avehre and BET Sunday Best 4 champ Amber Bullock team up for a sizable dose of inspiration with the mid-tempo Christian pop single, “Believe Louder.”

Avehre, a Chicago native and protégé of R&B legend Gladys Knight, and Bullock take turns alluding to social conditions and the need to “be the change you wanna see.”

“If you believe, turn it up louder!”

"I Hear Music in the Air" Conference returns to Cincinatti May 15-17, 2015

From Jason Hardy
(Cincinnati,
OH)  Assembling some of the industry’s best
and brightest singers, ministers, songwriters, praise & worship
leaders, pastors, music industry professionals and more, “I Hear Music in the Air” ministry and music conference makes its highly anticipated return to Cincinnati, Ohio, May 15-17, 2015.

Boasting
international acclaim as one of the gospel music industry’s premier
events for 14 years, the conference was designed to specifically
highlight the needs of gospel music and provide a forum where industry
professionals can equip each other with insight on creating successful
music ministries. Courting attention from industry veterans, newcomers,
and aspiring leaders alike, the “I Hear Music in the Air”
conference has become a haven for professionals for its wealth of
workshops, concerts, seminars, forums, and networking opportunities –
with this year aiming to raise bar higher than ever.

The
conference weekend is set to kick off with the explosive “I Hear Music
in the Air Concert” at Cincinnati’s renowned Inspirational Baptist
Church on May 15, at 7:00 PM. Hosted by Stellar® Award-winning singer Isaac Carree and The City of Love Church’s beloved Bishop Lester Love
(of New Orleans). The dynamic lineup of performers for the pre-show
includes L. Spencer Smith, Daniel and Andrea McClurkin Mellini, and
Jonathan Dunn. The main show’s line-up includes award winning artists Pastor Donnie McClurkin, Israel Houghton, William Murphy,William McDowell, Jonathan McReynolds, and Rodney Posey. Billboard’s #1 Gospel new artist Casey J. (known for her #1 single “Fill Me Up”) has been added to the main show.

On
Saturday, May 16, attendees will have access to a host of “must see”
events. From 4-7pm, aspiring artists are urged to display their talents
in front of a panel of industry executives at the “I Hear Music in the Air New Artist Showcase”
which will be held at Inspirational Baptist Church located at 11450
Sebring Drive, Cincinnati, OH. The event offers free admission and
requests interested artists visit http://www.ihearmusicintheair.com/i-hear-music-conference/ to register.

At 2:00 PM eOne Music’s Vice President and General Manager, Urban Inspirational Phil Thornton will give insight on the business of music and television and Bishop
Hezekiah Walker will discuss ministry in a “Mastery Class” session at
3:00 PM. The mastery class–hosted at Inspirational Baptist Church–comes just a few hours before Bishop Walker hosts his annual “Choir
Fest” at the same location, which kicks off at 6:00 PM and will feature
20 choirs in front of a live audience and panel of industry
professionals. Choirs interested in participating are urged to visit www.HWChoirfest.com to sign up when registration opens.

The close of the conference will come aboard its annual “Legends Ball,” honoring the achievements of leaders in the industry, community, and world. Grammy® and Stellar® Award winner Pastor Charles Jenkins will serve as keynote speaker and Gospel crooner Brian Courtney Wilson
as the guest psalmist. The event will culminate the ‘I Hear Music in
the Air’ conference weekend at the Sharonville Convention Center on May
17, at 5:30pm.

For more information visit www.ihearmusicintheair.com.