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.

GMF Sightings – William Rigsbee of Willie Banks & The Messengers

William Rigsbee
Click to Enlarge
William Rigsbee, formerly of Willie Banks and the Messengers, performed several tunes from the group’s catalog on Sunday, June 2, at the anniversary musical of the Spiritual Lights of Rougemont, NC.  Rigsbee currently resides in Nashville, NC, and is known to his following as “The Singing Angel.”

Photo by Libra Boyd

GMF’s Libra Boyd is guest on Bob Marovich’s “Gospel Memories” Radio Show – June 15

Libra & Bob in 2011

Tune in to Chicago’s WLUW 88.7 FM (or the live webcast at www.gospelmemories.com) this Saturday, June 15 at 11am EST, for host Bob Marovich’s interview with GMF’s Libra Boyd.  Bob is a friend of GMF as well as an author and walking encyclopedia of gospel music history.

“Libra Boyd, founder and editor of Gospel Music
Fever who helped raise the money for the Barrett Sisters documentary,
is our special guest on Saturday’s Gospel Memories. She’ll share with us
her other brushes with gospel royalty.” – Host Bob Marovich

Mickey Martin of the Brooklyn Allstars has died

Gospel promoter Gladys Poteat passed along the news that singer/drummer Mickey Martin died yesterday.

Martin shared his musical talents with many, including the Brooklyn Allstars, the Sons of Zion, Willie Banks and the Messengers, the Gospel Aires and the Five Blind Boys of Alabama.

GMF expresses its sympathy to Mr. Martin’s family, friends, and supporters.

Homegoing arrangements are as follows:

Visitation for Family & Friends
Monday, June 17, 2013
12:30 – 1 PM
 New Light Missionary Baptist Church
1105 Willow Road
Greensboro, NC

Funeral to Follow at 1 PM

Radio veteran, Gospel Announcers Guild officer Donna Creer perishes in fire

GMF extends heartfelt condolences to and prayers on behalf of the family and many friends of gospel radio personality and GMWA Gospel Announcers Guild 2nd Vice President Donna Creer.  She and her husband Donald passed this morning when fire struck their Little Rock, AR home, according to published reports.  (Click here for the story from ABC affiliate KATV.)
Very recently, prayer requests circulated online after Creer was hospitalized due to a reported “serious and critical situation.”

I met Donna last July at GMWA, and she was a warm and kind spirit.  I was blessed by our brief time together, her wealth of knowledge, and her willingness to pass it along.

Homegoing arrangements for the couple, as reported by www.gospelnewsroom.com, are as follows:

Visitation
Thursday, June 20, 2013
12 – 6 PM
Robinson Mortuary
1201 Dr. Martin Luther King Dr.
Little Rock, AR  72202

Memorial Musical 
Thursday, June 20, 2013
6:30 PM
Greater St. Mark Baptist Church
5722 W. 12th St.
Little Rock, AR  72204


Homegoing Celebration
Friday, June 21, 2013
11 AM
Greater St. Mark Baptist Church
5722 W. 12th St.
Little Rock, AR  72204

Kirk Franklin shares vision for new SiriusXM channel, sings “I Smile”

Livre’ to appear on VH1’s Love & Hip Hop: Atlanta

Update (6/11/13) – From the J. Hardy Agency –

“Due to miscommunication Livre’ will be appearing on the 10th episode (JUNE 24, 2013) of VH1’s Love & Hip Hop Atlanta NOT the 10th Day of June 2013. We apologize for any inconvenience this may have caused and hope that you will tune in on Monday, June 24, 2013! Thanks for your continued support!”

 _____________________________

Atlanta, GA (Tuesday, June 4, 2013) –  Contemporary gospel’s brightest newcomers Livre’ (pronounced LIV-RAY) will make their network television debut aboard next week’s episode of VH1’s hit reality series Love & Hip Hop: Atlanta.  Their appearance on the docu-soap, set to air Monday, June 10, at 8 PM EST, marks just one of many reasons the Bronx-bred sextet have to
celebrate as reports also indicate their newest single “I Will Be Alright” has blasted back onto Billboard’s Top Gospel Singles Chart this week at #26. Listen below.

 

Homegoing services announced for Rev. Gerald Thompson

From robinsonmortuary.com
GMF is saddened to learn of the passing of Rev. Gerald Thompson on May 22, at age 52.  The noted singer/songwriter, musician, arranger, producer, and preacher’s popular compositions include “Everybody Ought To Know Who Jesus Is,” “Hallelujah I Found Him (The Barnyard Song),” and “Jesus Is My Rock.”  
Rev. Thompson’s discography includes work with the Arkansas Fellowship Mass Choir, Rev. Timothy Wright, Rev. James Moore, and Bishop Paul Morton and the Full Gospel Baptist Church Fellowship Mass Choir.  He also co-produced Dottie Peoples’ albums Live At Salem and On Time God.

Additionally, Rev. Thompson served the Greenwood Missionary Baptist Church in Lamar, MS as its pastor and was the founder and president of Gerald Thompson Ministries, Inc.

He is survived his wife Vikki, stepsons, mother, and a host of other relatives.  GMF extends its sincerest condolences.

Homegoing arrangements are as follows:

Musical Tribute
Tuesday, May 28, 2013
6:30 PM
Covenant of Zion Cathedral
3023 W. 12th St.
Little Rock, AR 

Visitation for Family & Friends

Wednesday, May 29, 2013
12 – 6 PM
Robinson Mortuary Chapel
1201 Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Dr.
Little Rock, AR

Homegoing Celebration
Thursday, May 30, 2013
11 AM
Greater Second Baptist Church
5615 Geyer Springs Rd.
Little Rock, AR

Cards can be mailed to The Family of Gerald Thompson, P.O. Box 165818, Little Rock, AR  72202.  Flowers may be sent to Robinson Mortuary.

"Soldier Cries" – Lonny Bereal f. Tyrese, Foxx, Kee, Hamilton, Omarion & Hollister (Video)

 
Lonny Bereal
Lonny Bereal presents a poignant Memorial Day reminder of the sacrifices armed forces members and their families make on a daily basis with the emotional ballad “Soldier Cries.” Tyrese, Jamie Foxx, John P. Kee, Anthony Hamilton, Omarion, and Dave Hollister join him for the heartfelt tribute.
 
Bereal—whose discography includes performances with Kelly Rowland, David Banner, and Teddy Riley, among others—first recorded “Soldier Cries” as a solo on his debut album The Love Train.
 

Colin McGuire reviews indie doc on New Orleans’ Electrifying Crown Seekers

“Despite its rich tradition,” reports PopMatters Music Reviews editor Colin McGuire, “the future of gospel music in various parts of the world has been an issue of contention and heartbreak in recent years, but the Electrifying Crown Seekers make a case that the genre is still going strong.”

Read more here: “In Defense Of…New Orleans Gospel Music”

Official Video – “Abide” – Lexi

Lexi has released the concept video for the single “Abide” from her current CD Phenomenal.  Phenomenal is the singer/TV host’s fifth studio album.