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.

“Children Go Where I Send Thee” – Yolanda Rabun

“Children Go Where I Send Thee”
Yolanda Rabun
From the CD, Christmastime (2012) 
Yolanda Rabun could turn a jazz club into a makeshift sanctuary with her rendition of “Children Go Where I Send Thee.”  In fact, Rabun would do that. The tune is from the contralto smooth/soul jazz vocalist’s sophomore CD Christmastime, which features soul, R&B, gospel, folk, and smooth and traditional jazz holiday music; but in actuality, “Children Go Where I Send Thee” sounds as if it’s being enjoyed on scratched vinyl.
 
As the pianist and bassist comp, Rabun briskly recounts the “fo’ for the fo’ that was knockin’ at my do’ / Three for the three wise men….”  Her diction reflects the vernacular of the peoples who likely first sang the negro spiritual.  With the percussionist keeping time with brushes, she trots on: “One for the little bitty baby / Wrapped in swaddlin’ clothin’ / Lying in a manger / B-o-o-o-r-n, Born oh, born in Bethlehem.” 
 
Rabun has worked with Isaac Hayes, Jennifer Holliday, and is opening later this month for the Isley Brothers at the Durham (NC) Performing Arts Center.

Rance Allen interviewed about his gospel roots

Rod Lockwood of toledoblade.com recently interviewed gospel’s main man, Bishop Rance Allen.  Check it out here: Rance Allen Group’s gospel roots run deep in Monroe, Toledo.

Related Story
Rance Allen Group to release new music and documentary on Nov. 27

“A Saint’s Christmas” – Various Artists

“A Saint’s Christmas”
Various Artists
From the CD, Ronnie R. Riles Sr. Presents Family and Friends Praising God (2012)
www.upthapraise.com

Incorporating elements of R&B and hip-hop, “A Saint’s Christmas” offers a lyrical explanation for the meaning of the sacred holiday from a believer’s perspective.  The birth of the Savior and God’s everlasting love are what make the holiday a “M-E-R-R-Y  C-H-R-I-S-T-M-A-S!”

The slow R&B flavored groove features Riles, Sr. and Jesse Wortham and is part of the 15-track CD entitled, Ronnie R. Riles Sr. Presents Family and Friends Praising God.

“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!”