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.

“Hosanna” – Joyceland McCaster and Victorious Soul

“Hosanna”
Joyceland McCaster and Victorious Soul
From the CD, The Journey (2011)
www.joymcvs.com

Joyceland McCaster and Victorious Soul create a jubilant atmosphere of praise with “Hosanna,” the lead single from their CD The Journey.

“God of glory, show Your glory / Hosanna, we praise Your name!” vocalizes the rhythm and praise group in celebratory fashion.  “God of power, show Your power / Hosanna, we praise Your name!”  Easy-to-learn lyrics and feel-good music make “Hosanna” a praise team-friendly song of adoration.

Formed in 2007, Joyceland McCaster and Victorious Soul have shared the stage with such greats as Yolanda Adams and Fred Hammond.  This year, they earned a win at the Urban Inspirational Awards for Rhythm and Praise Group of the Year.

Homegoing Arrangements for Sunday Best Finalist Dontavies Boatwright

November 13, 2012- JACKSONVILLE, FL – Arrangements have been finalized for Dontavies Boatwright, PEInc Gospel recording artist, who passed away on Thursday, November 8, 2012, in Jacksonville, Florida.
 
Friday, November 16th
 
PUBLIC VIEWING – 5:00 PM – 8:00 PM
J.E. Fralin & Sons Funeral Service

5065 Soutel Drive
Jacksonville, FL 32208

 
MEMORIAL CONCERT – 7:00 PM
Shiloh Metropolitan Baptist Church
A.B. Coleman Auditorium

1118 W. Beaver Street
Jacksonville, FL 32204

 
Saturday, November 17th
 
HOMEGOING CELEBRATION – 11:00 AM
Bethel Baptist Institutional Church

215 Bethel Baptist Street
Jacksonville, FL 32202

 
In lieu of flowers, donations to the Dontavies Boatwright Memorial Scholarship Fund can be sent to:
 
c/o Parriscope Entertainment, Inc.

5103 San Juan Avenue
Jacksonville, FL 32210

 
The Parriscope studios will be open Tuesday through Friday, 2-6 PM, for anyone who wishes to drop off monetary or food gifts.

"Imagine Me" – Alexis Spight

“Imagine Me”
Alexis Spight
From the upcoming CD, Set Me Free (available March 12, 2013)
Music World Entertainment

From day one of her appearance on BET’s Sunday Best 5, it was apparent to thousands of viewers that Alexis Spight had what it took to go to the finals of the gospel singing contest.  Among her memorable performances was a cover of Kirk Franklin’s “Imagine Me.”  If you were watching that particular Sunday night, you recall that Franklin himself was quite impressed with the 19 year-old red-haired sensation’s arrangement.  Her remake is now heating up radio as the debut single from her forthcoming first album, Set Me Free. 
Spight’s version of “Imagine Me” might strike you simply as nice–that blah nondescript adjective–until you hear her drop a rhyme that reminds you why she stood toe to toe with season winner Joshua Rogers right down to the end.  The Lauryn Hill-esque rap verse along with her smooth-to-the-taste flow, reminiscent of Kim Burrell, is the icing on the cake that elevates her cover of “Imagine Me” from nice to sweet.

GMF Sightings – Carolyn Pettiford-Ryals and Walter Hatcher of WNCU 90.7 FM

WNCU 90.7 FM radio personalities Carolyn Pettiford-Ryals and Walter Wallace Hatcher, aka the Ol’ Chatham County County Boy, are prepping to emcee Saturday’s concert at Lattisville Grove Baptist Church featuring Lee Williams and the Spiritual QC’s.

Pettiford-Ryals and Hatcher are the hosts of “Hallelujah Praise,” which airs every Sunday morning from 6 to 11 AM EST.  Both hosts play a mix of traditional gospel music (mostly quartets), oldies and new releases by local artists.  The broadcast also streams live from www.wncu.org.

Sunday Best 2 finalist Dontavies Boatwright dies

GMF has just confirmed the passing of BET’s Sunday Best 2 finalist Dontavies Boatwright.  BET’s Torrence Glenn reports the cause of death as an apparent heart attack.  He was 33 years old.

Boatwright began singing publicly at the age of 12 and gained international recognition after placing in the top five during the second season of BET’s Sunday Best.  His approach to gospel music was a hit with fans because of his resounding baritone which was enhanced by his opera background.  Though he did not win the gospel contest, he eventually earned the title of “The Pavarotti of Gospel Music.”  Boatwright recently released the CD single “Sunday Best Medley: Glory to Glory” on the Parriscope label.

GMF extends its deepest condolences to Boatwright’s family, friends, and fans.

Malaco Music Group signs Kevin Vasser

Jackson, MS (November 9, 2012) – Malaco Music Group is proud to announce its latest signing of Kevin Vasser, the Director of Worship and Arts at Fellowship Missionary Baptist Church in Chicago (Pastor Charles Jenkins, Pastor) to an exclusive recording agreement.

Expect a full project from Kevin Vasser in 2013. The lead single “Only You Can Deliver” featuring DeWayne Woods will be impacting radio soon.

D.A. Johnson, executive director of Malaco’s gospel division, states, “From the very moment I heard Kevin’s voice singing ‘Only You Can Deliver,’ I knew that this was a special song and it would touch the hearts
of millions.”

Kevin started his singing career with the singing group Youth Edition, which was comprised of his eldest brother and two cousins. Youth Edition’s introduction to the music industry was catapulted by the hit song “Anything Is Possible” written and produced by the amazing songwriter/producer Percy Bady.

“It is truly an honor to be a part of the Malaco Music family,” says Kevin. “I don’t take lightly the rich tradition of the label and I look forward to a long and successful relationship with Malaco.”

With this project produced by Kevin Vasser and his music director Phil Feaster, of the Fred Hammond production team, it has all the ingredients to be his career defining hit, but more importantly it has the music to encourage the nations.

Deanna Ransom’s ups and downs taught her to ‘Never Say Never…Again’

Deanna Ransom
By Libra Boyd
 
To say Deanna Ransom is on the move is an understatement, but somehow GMF caught up with the contemporary music sensation to chat about her current project Never Say Never…Again.  Ransom, a 2011 Rhythm of Gospel Award winner and current nominee in three categories, including Contemporary CD of the Year, explained what inspired the music for Never Say Never…Again.
 
“My life experiences were the fuel,” the soprano vocalist shares.  “Navigating the good and the bad of life–rights and wrongs, the ups and downs, the triumphs and the tragedies–while living the Word is a pretty amazing journey that should always ultimately give glory to God.”
 
Among the triumphs: completing a graduate degree and recording new music.  Amid the tragedies: an assault, the loss of a baby, and the passing of her husband of a little more than a year–all within months of each other.
 
So “I bring…me…my unique perspective, attitude, experiences, and song interpretation,” Ransom says of what she offers gospel and inspirational music like no other artist. 
 
“We all bring our talent, gifts, anointing, vocals and presentation, but nobody can bring what each artist, including myself, brings to the industry and kingdom.”
 
Through it all, the songstress acknowledges, “I really learned to Never Say Never…Again in this latest chapter of my journey!”
 
 

Gospel Music Fever nominated for Rhythm of Gospel Award

Congratulations are in order for Gospel Music Fever (GMF), which has been nominated for the 2013 Rhythm of Gospel Award in the category of Internet Media Group of the Year.  The televised awards show will take place July 27, 2013, in Jacksonville, FL.

News of the nomination took GMF’s founder and editor Libra Boyd by surprise.

“I am really humbled, honored, and thankful that what I do to advance gospel music is being recognized and appreciated,” says Libra, who actually learned of the nomination from a singer she’d recently featured on the blog.

“I had emailed an artist to inform her that she’d been spotlighted on GMF.  She emailed me back to thank me and then she congratulated me on being nominated,” Libra explains.  “I was so puzzled and surprised that I went to the [Rhythm of Gospel] site to verify what she said before I replied to her email!”

According to its website, the awards show, presented by the National and Independent Gospel Music Association (N.I.G.M.A), is “the largest national independent gospel awards show…that recognizes outstanding churches/pastors, choirs and independent gospel music artist[s] of all genres, for their outstanding contributions toward the betterment and advancement of their communities.”

GMF was founded in spring 2011 as a result of Libra’s enduring love of gospel music.  Since its inception, Libra has been the blog’s chief writer and editor, publishing articles, interviews, and reviews covering every style and era of gospel music.  Accordingly, GMF (dubbed by multimedia mogul Steve “Bro. Steve” Harris as “the NAACP of gospel music” for its emphasis on the advancement of the genre), has grown in popularity and name recognition among gospel music’s fans and followers, including Sister 2 Sister magazine, for which Libra has been a contributing writer.

Voting is now open for you, our GMF readers, to vote an UNLIMITED number of times through March 1, 2013.  The awards site requires that you vote in every category; GMF is in category #41.  CAST YOUR VOTES HERE: http://www.therhythmofgospelawards.com/VOTING.html

Official Video – “What Will My Legacy Be?” – Minister Johnson

“What Will My Legacy Be?” 
Minister Johnson
From the CD, What Will My Legacy Be? – Catalog Vol. I (2009)

www.theministerjohnsoncatalog.com

Minister Lamont C. Johnson, Sacramento songwriter and minister of music, brings you the official video “What Will My Legacy Be?” from his CD of the same title.

Related Story
Thank You for Saving Me – Catalog Vol. II – Minister Johnson

66th Anniversary of the Sensational Nightingales – Nov. 4, 2012

Brother Joseph “Jo Jo” Wallace and the Sensational Nightingales invite you to “praise the Lord Jesus” with them at their 66th anniversary appreciation celebration.  The event takes place this Sunday, November 4, 2012, at the Durham Amory, on the corner of Morgan and Foster Street, in downtown Durham, NC.

In addition to the ‘Gales, the Swanee Quintet, Brooklyn Allstars, and Luther Barnes and the Sunset Jubilaires are among the concert headliners.

The program starts at 3:30 PM (doors open at 2:30 PM).  Advance admission is $20 (at the door, $25).  Ticket purchase locations are listed on the flyer.
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