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.

The Gospel Jubilators – "Count Your Blessings!"

Gospel Jubilators
Photo | Libra Boyd

 

True to their moniker, the Gospel Jubilators’ close a cappella harmonies roused Durham’s Antioch Baptist Church congregation Sunday afternoon.  The quintet helped celebrate the church’s 20th anniversary with three selections, including “Count Your Blessings.”  The group has performed for more than 40 years, continuing the tradition of jubilee singing popularized in the 1930’s and 1940’s by groups like the Golden Gate Quartet.

Anthony Brown & group therAPy sing TCS’s “For the Love of the People” (video)

If you’ve ever seen Anthony Brown & group therAPy live, then you’re familiar with the portion of their show where they pay special tribute to an artist who has greatly influenced them. 

This time the group decided to film one for all to enjoy: “For the Love of the People” by The Clark Sisters.


Visit to South African music school inspires launch of Jonathan Butler Foundation

Butler plays with members of the school’s first youth band, Freeborn.

(Eersterust, Pretoria)  Surrounded by children who danced with joy, Jonathan Butler, recently visited the Tshwane School of Music, of which he is Patron.

Butler visited the South Africa school to pay homage to the children who had inspired him to launch the Jonathan Butler Foundation, the reason why he is in the country this heritage week. The Jonathan Butler Foundation is established to help young people who are at risk by providing them with the means to create and develop a new heritage for themselves. Butler will be an active contributor to the foundation and its work, returning to South Africa as often as his hectic touring and recording schedule will allow. The foundation will roll out several music related programs and art therapy interventions across the country. Some of these have already been implemented in communities such as Eersterust.

While the Jonathan Butler Foundation has been a dream of the international music icon for many years, it was the meeting with Freddy Arendse, founder and CEO of the Tshwane School of Music, that could make a reality.

“I didn’t want to die and then have someone suggest ‘why don’t we do something to remember Jonathan Butler?’ I want to create a living legacy while I am still around to contribute to the initiative,” said Butler who was visibly emotional while surrounded by all the excited children. “It has taken time to implement this project as it of the utmost importance to work with the right people. Through the Tshwane School of Music, I now have the right team to assist me in making this dream come true.”

Aiming to replicate the success of the Tshwane School of Music around South Africa, the foundation is already in discussion with several partners and sponsors.

About the Jonathan Butler Foundation

The main aim of the Jonathan Butler Foundation (JBF) is to be a self-funded organization providing positive intervention to promote access to music and arts education for children. Underlying this, the JBF focuses on helping to prevent kids falling into a life of substance abuse.  For more information about the foundation, visit www.jonathanbutlerfoundation.org.za.

"Rejoice!" – SoJo Ministries

“Rejoice”
SoJo Ministries (2012)
Eternity Productions
www.sojojo2.com

Solo Ministries

Joe Yancey, Jr. and his wife Sophia have been on their musical journey together for more than a decade. Under the name SoJo Ministries, they have since released their first single “Rejoice!” in digital format.

Reminded of God’s grace, Sophia’s light, breathy soprano rings out in the simple chorus, “Rejoice! It’s a brand new day / I just want to give You praise!”  Sophia handles the lead and background vocals on the urban inspirational feel-good track, while Joe takes care of all the instruments.

SoJo is originally from Wilmington, DE, and presently based in Atlanta.

"Gud 2 Me" – Em Bailey

“Gud 2 Me”
Em Bailey (2013)
T8 Flight Entertainment
Available on iTunes

Em Bailey art work Gud 2 Me

Twenty-two year old Em Bailey is described as a “fierce praiser”—wild and heartfelt.  Her debut single “Gud 2 Me” is all abuzz on the inspirational music circuit, combining gospel, R&B, rock, soul, and pop elements. The uptempo track leans more heavily toward R&B/pop, and—coincidence or not—the vocal stylings of Em and musical elements of “Gud 2 Me” bring to mind another “fierce” R&B/pop female sensation.

The Haines City, FL native is the first artist signed to T8 Flight Entertainment, an urban inspirational company formed by George “GL The GR8” Lott and Pastor Jarvis L. Marshall.

A grammar teacher may grimace upon repeatedly hearing, “He be He be gud / He be gud 2 me,” but the students wouldn’t.  They’d be too busy pencil-tapping the tune’s rhythmic sequences on their desks.

Luther Barnes to give concert at Duke Chapel – Sept. 22

To celebrate the 50th anniversary of the integration of Duke University, gospel singer Luther Barnes will be performing in concert this Sunday, September 22, at Duke Chapel.  The musical is one of four events commemorating the occasion.

The performance starts at 4 PM and will feature Barnes with a local choir.  Tickets are free and open to the public.  For more information, call 919-684-8353.

“Church Girl” movie stars Ja Rule, features production & music by Israel Houghton

Click to enlarge
(Beverly Hills, CA)  Hollywood newcomer Reverence Gospel Media
(“RGM”) announced today that their first feature film, I’m In Love With A Church Girl, will open domestically on October 18, 2013 with an international
release to follow.

Based on a true story, the film stars Jeff “Ja Rule” Atkins who, as a successful
entrepreneur haunted by a criminal past and surrounded by old friends still “in the life,”
finds faith, redemption and inspiration when God puts a woman of faith (Adrienne
Bailon) in his life. Rounding out the cast are Stephen Baldwin, Vincent Pastore, Michael
Madsen, T-Bone, Martin Kove and TobyMac. Steve Race directs.

Galley Molina wrote the film and has produced it alongside Christian music superstar and RGM vice president Israel Houghton, who also
contributed to the movie soundtrack. Houghton, who also shares screenplay
credit on Reverence Gospel Media’s next two films, is a multiple Grammy, Stellar and
Dove Award winner, and is a worship leader at Lakewood
Church in Houston.

I’m In Love With A Church Girl (102 minutes, rated PG) will be distributed in the US by High Top Releasing.  Check out the official trailer below.

Habakkuk Music releases compilation CD for exclusive sale at Cracker Barrel

(Baltimore, MD)  Noted entrepreneur April Washington’s Habakkuk Music recording label has compiled a black gospel CD collection for Cracker Barrel Old Country Store®. Gospel Legacy: The Collection was made available on August 26, 2013 exclusively in all Cracker Barrel Old Country Store® locations and online at crackerbarrel.com.
 
“As a minority business owner, it’s important to stay relevant and inspired to create innovative ways to market your product,” Washington says. “We are excited to establish a relationship with Cracker Barrel Old Country Store® by providing this genre of music that we hope their guests will find inspirational and uplifting.  What’s more, this CD creates a bridge to building a business relationship for diversity inclusion with such a notable corporation.”
 
This soul-stirring, twelve-song CD boasts vintage and present day gems by some of America’s most beloved recording artists. There are rousing traditional gospel songs such as Aretha Franklin’s 1972 rendition of “How I Got Over,” Fred Hammond’s “Jesus Be A Fence Around Me” and Vickie Winans’ “Long As I Got King Jesus.” There are contemporary tracks like Kirk Franklin’s double platinum smash “Stomp” and Gerald Scott & Co.’s festive “Alright.”
 
Passionate songs like Kurt Carr & The Kurt Carr Singers’ “In The Sanctuary” and Shirley Caesar’s “Jesus (I Love Calling Your Name)” are some of the most memorable praise and worship tunes around. The Winans’ pristine ballad “Tomorrow” and Cece Winans’ “Mercy Said No” show off the softer side of gospel, while The Commodores’ “Jesus is Love” is a power anthem known throughout the globe.
 
Gospel Legacy: The Collection will be featured Labor Day Weekend (August 29  – September 1) at the 2013 Allstate® Tom Joyner Family Reunion (TJFR) in the Orlando, FL area. The Grammy® Award nominated artist, Kurt Carr, who appears on the CD, will perform in concert at the TJFR Gospel Explosion, followed by an in-store autograph signing at Cracker Barrel Old Country Store® located at 5400 W. Irlo Bronson Memorial Highway on Sunday, September 1, 2013 at 2:00 PM near the Gaylord Resort in Kissimmee, FL. 
 
Founded in 2007, Habakkuk Music is sold through normal distribution channels by INgrooves Fontana (a division of Isolation Network, Inc.) and has released superlative gospel music by brilliant artists such as Lisa Page Brooks, Cheneta Jones, Earl Bynum & The Mount Unity Choir, Gerald Scott & Co., and The Temple of Deliverance Choir. Its acts have won Stellar Awards and enjoyed chart-topping hits on the Billboard gospel charts. Washington has successfully formed marketing relationships with organizations such as the American Heart Association | American Stroke Association, Chick-fil-A and Rejoice Radio Network, etc. to broaden and expand the reach of her musical products.
 
Cracker Barrel Old Country Store, Inc. provides a friendly home-away-from-home in its old country stores and restaurants.  Guests are cared for like family while relaxing and enjoying real home-style food and shopping that’s surprisingly unique, genuinely fun and reminiscent of America’s country heritage.

Pastor Shirley Caesar sings “How I Got Over” at 50th Anniversary of MOW (video)

In 1963, gospel’s Queen Mahalia Jackson took to the platform and rattled the heavens with the Clara Ward-inspired “How I Got Over” at the March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom.  Exactly half a century later, gospel’s reigning queen, Pastor Shirley Caesar, did the same during the 50th Anniversary of the March on Washington commemorative celebration.


VA area recording artist and pastor Ray Jackson passes on

GMF has learned by way of Pastor Jermaine Parker that Bishop Ray Jackson of Danville, VA passed today after a period of illness.  Bishop Jackson was well known throughout the NC/VA area as a singer, songwriter, promoter, musician, radio personality, and pastor.  He was 66 years old.

For more than 40 years, Jackson traveled with his family group, The Jackson Brothers Quartet, as well as performed as a solo artist and keyboardist.  His most recent project Some Day was released last year on Nu Vision Records.

We extend our heartfelt sympathy to Bishop Jackson’s family, friends, and many supporters.

Homegoing
Saturday, August 31, 2013
1 PM
Fisher and Watkins Funeral Home Chapel
707 Wilson St.
Danville, VA 24541