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.

Pastor Shirley Caesar to dedicate Youth Night of her 2013 annual conference to Martin

The 41st annual conference of Shirley Caesar Outreach Ministries will be held August 4-9, at the Mount Calvary Word of Faith Church in Raleigh (see flyer).  This year, she is making a call to all the youth.  Read more here: Pastor Shirley Caesar shows support in memory Trayvon Martin!

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“Won’t Be Like This Always” [Audio] – PreZ Blackmon II

“Won’t Be Like This Always”
PreZ Blackmon II (2013)
Available on iTunes

In light of all that’s going on in our society and throughout the country, PreZ Blackmon II’s “Won’t Be Like This Always” has arrived just in time to point us to brighter days. 
Though the Cali singer/songwriter does not speak directly to societal ills through his single, he soulfully delivers an earnest message of encouragement applicable to a majority; that is, anyone from any walk of life who is searching for their cloud’s silver lining.

“Won’t Be Like This Always”–described by PreZ as “old school with a new school twist”–features guitar work by Agape Jerry and production by Patrick Bolton.

"Faithful" – Gwendolyn M. Smith

“Faithful”
Gwendolyn M. Smith
From the CD, Faithful (2013)
www.gwendolynmsmith.com

Gwendolyn M. Smith Faithful artwork
Gwendolyn M. Smith, a California native, is a songwriter whose contemporary gospel style is inspired by Edwin Hawkins and The Clark Sisters. Carrying that inspiration a bit further, she offers you “Faithful,” the title song from her current 13-track CD.
 

The worship tune’s personal lyrics and simple piano and string accompaniment are soothing complements to Smith’s light soprano, attesting, “You are God, and You’ve been true to me.”

"He Rescued Me" – Tim Woodson and the Heirs of Harmony

“He Rescued Me”
Tim Woodson and the Heirs of Harmony
From the upcoming CD, Live in Newport News – Millionaire (2013)
Peacock Music Group
 
Tim Woodson and the Heirs of Harmony Millionaire cover art
Tim Woodson and the Heirs of Harmony take it back to the old school with their new toe-tapper, “He Rescued Me,” from the forthcoming CD, Live in Newport News – Millionaire. Woodson is a former member of The Mighty Clouds of Joy.
 
The Grand Rapids group’s presentation brings to mind a few of their likely quartet influences. Woodson’s styling during the opening lines, for instance, hints at The Sensational Nightingales’ Horace “Sug” Thompson while the rafter-rattling background falsetto harmonies channel the Fantastic Violinaires. When you add in the rallies for audience participation, “He Rescued Me” is like trotting down memory lane with Tim Woodson and the Heirs of Harmony on a pleasant Sunday afternoon.

"Light" – Tobbi & Tommi

“Light”
Tobbi & Tommi (2013)
BAS Music Group
Available at iTunes

Tobbi & Tommi cover art

Donald Lawrence describes them as “two of the best sopranos on the planet!” After 12 years with his aggregation, Donald Lawrence and Company, sisters Tobbi and Tommi step forward with their brand new single “Light.”

“Light” shines as a contemporary christian beacon of praise–“Glory, hallelujah, Jesus reigns and there’s access to redemption through His name!”–throughout which the two declare that “Jesus is the Light!”

Hailing from East St. Louis, Illinois, Tobbi and Tommi (formerly known as T&T and The White Sisters) have been immersed in gospel music for as long as they can remember.  Tobbi is also the featured vocalist on the new single, “The Gift,” from Donald Lawrence’s forthcoming 20th anniversary CD.

Producer, radio/TV host Bobby Hurd has died

GMF was sad to learn of the passing of music industry veteran Bobby Hurd yesterday.  We extend our condolences to his family, friends, and entire gospel community.  Read more about the producer and TV/radio host here: One of Atlanta’s own Bobby Hurd has passed.

Rance Allen chats with Tavis Smiley on PBS – July 2

(Indianapolis, IN) Rance Allen continues to make his rounds across the country promoting The Rance Allen Group‘s current project Amazing Grace as well as the accompanying documentary, Music Majors: The Rance Allen Group. His latest stop is in Los Angeles, CA for a chat with renowned journalist and host, Tavis Smiley.
A longtime fan of the group, Smiley invited Allen as a special guest on
his PBS program to discuss the group’s influence on gospel music, the
current project and more.
The interview will air on July 2, on PBS. Check your local listings for times in your area or click here for more information.
The Rance Allen Group’s current project, Amazing Grace,
is currently available in stores and online. This 2-disc CD/DVD special
package features the new songs from the legendary group as well as
their documentary, Music Majors: The Rance Allen Group. For more
information, visit www.tyscot.com.

Mavis Staples talks to NPR about new album

Grammy winner Mavis Staples has a new album.  Hear the story behind it here: Gospel Legend Mavis Staples Comes ‘Full Circle’

Eddie Atkins, Jr., father of duo Mary Mary, passes

Eddie Atkins, Jr., father of Tina and Erica Campbell, has died.  GMF extends sympathy to his wife, children, other family members and friends.

Read more here: Mary Mary Duo Mourns Loss of Father to Cancer, Thanks Fans for Prayers

Brooklyn Allstars' Thomas Spann reflects on "signature sound that I didn't realize I had"

By Libra Boyd
Gospel Music Fever
 
Thomas Spann
A fan approaches Rev. Thomas Spann sporting a wide grin and extending a slightly trembling hand, hailing, “The Legend! The Legend!” Rev. Spann graciously returns the gesture, “My man! Good to see you,” making apparent that he appreciates his supporters as much as they appreciate him. Admiration for the quartet veteran is immediately perceivable by the number of fan interruptions that continue throughout our early evening interview just prior to one of the Brooklyn Allstars’ concerts.
 
Rev. Spann tells me he organized the Brooklyn Allstars in 1948. Since then, he has worked the gospel circuit with his group’s instantaneously recognizable styling, which is directly attributed to his own bass vocals. Along the way, they’ve racked up a couple of gold records (“They say they were gold; I just say they were good,” Rev. Spann interjects) and toured extensively. Now, at 88 years old, Rev. Spann is assisted by a cane and sits onstage with mic in hand during some of the group’s mild numbers such as “No Cross, No Crown.” But you can rest assured that his voice still booms and when the Spirit moves him on tunes like “Stood on the Banks of Jordan,” he springs from his chair to join in with group member Sonny McClary, with whom he now shares lead tasks. Theirs is a sound that stands apart in traditional quartet music.
 
“I guess that’s what I say the longevity or success of the group is attributed to—the signature sound that I didn’t realize I had for a lot of years until I got a chance to compare it to a lot of other artists; then I realized it was so different that I decided to change it one time,” reflects Spann. He admits that the group almost lost its following when he tried to alter it.
 
“I was rejected; I had no idea I had that many fans, and I didn’t know that that many people cared one way or another, you know, about what we were doing.”
 
They still care. As a matter of fact, their loyal fan base is what keeps them going more than six decades later; and they’re picking up a younger generation of quartet heads with their current release, Just Look At Me Now. Among the tracks on the Malaco/4 Winds project is a 4-song throwback medley that includes “I’ve Got My Ticket,” a number first recorded in 1950 that Rev. Spann says bears the group’s trademark sound.
 
“And [our fans] still want us to do that song most places we go right now,” he adds. Hopefully, those places will continue to be many for the man known to his fans as “The Legend.”
 
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Thanks to Malaco/4 Winds’ Darrell Luster and YouTube, you can watch the Brooklyn Allstars (Rev. Spann with Bobby Butler and Sonny McClary) and Luster rehearse a snippet of “I’ve Got My Ticket” a cappella.