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.

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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28th Annual Stellar Gospel Music Awards Nominees Announced

CHICAGO, Oct. 26, 2012 /PRNewswire/ — Two of Gospel music’s biggest acts will share the microphone when Kirk Franklin and Tina and Ericka Campbell of Mary Mary co-host the 28th Annual Stellar Gospel Music Awards. The annual salute to gospel’s best and brightest performers returns to Nashville‘s iconic Grand Ole Opry House Theater Saturday, January 19, 2013.
The Stellar Awards will air in broadcast syndication on 150 stations in
over 125 markets around the country and on the GMC TV network from January 19 to March 3, 2013. Today the nominees in twenty-eight categories of excellence were announced via webcast (www.thestellarawards.com) and social media. 
With
more than 30,000 fans logging online to cast their votes for their
favorite projects of the year, show co-hosts and WEtv reality stars Mary Mary
lead the list of nominees with nine total nominations based on their
latest disc Go Get It.  Nominations include “Song of the Year,”
“Contemporary Group/Duo of the Year,” and “Contemporary CD of the Year,”
in addition to recognition for the project in the “Producer of the
Year,” “Music Video of the Year” and “Recorded Music Packaging of the
Year” categories. 
Newcomer Charles Jenkins
who, in addition to earning a “Best New Artist” nomination for his
debut CD The Best of Both Worlds, garnered recognition in seven
additional categories including “Artist of The Year” and “Song of The
Year.” Other multiple nominees include superstars Marvin Sapp and Fred Hammond
with six nominations each, both nominated in the hotly-contested “Male
Vocalist of the Year” and “CD of the Year” categories; legendary Andraé Crouch
with five nominations, including “Artist of the Year” and “Song of the
Year” for his disc The Journey; and “Best New Artist” contender Isaac Carree with five nods for his solo debut Uncommon Me.
“We’ve participated in the Stellar Awards for years and always look forward to it,” said Tina Campbell of Mary Mary.  Erica Campbell added, “Serving as hosts this year with our friend and colleague Kirk Franklin is an added bonus–we’re looking forward to having an amazing time!”
Hailed as “gospel music’s biggest night,” this year’s Stellar Gospel Music Awards features live performances by Tamela Mann, Charles Jenkins & Fellowship Chicago, Israel Houghton, Marvin Sapp, Tye Tribbett and Le’Andria Johnson, among others.
This
year, the Stellar Awards will also present five special categories
highlighting the top radio stations serving urban gospel music
audiences. Via an online fan voting campaign that runs November 1 through November 25, the award for “Radio Station of the Year” will let viewers decide who should receive the highest honor among terrestrial radio, internet, syndicated and satellite programs that broadcast gospel music. 
In
addition to recognizing the year’s most outstanding contributions in
the genre, The Stellar Awards also bestows special honors upon
individuals whose names are synonymous with greatness through
distinguished careers in the gospel arena. This year, global inspirational leader Bishop T.D. Jakes will receive the Thomas A. Dorsey Most Notable Achievement Award; the James Cleveland Lifetime Achievement Award will be presented to gospel music great Kurt Carr; and the Ambassador Dr. Bobby Jones Legends Award will be bestowed upon Inez Andrews for her contributions to the industry. 
“It
is always humbling to be recognized for the work you do in service of
others,” said Jakes, who will be acknowledged for his work as a
faith-leader, author and producer. “To receive the Most Notable
Achievement Award from The Stellar Gospel Music Awards is a true honor.” 
The live taping at the Grand Ole Opry House Theater in Nashville, TN is open to the public and tickets are on sale now through Ticketmaster. Ticket prices range from $55 to $200. Balcony seats are available for students for $35.
In addition to the awards ceremony, there are a number of ancillary
activities that celebrate and recognize outstanding achievement in the
genre which are open to the public, including the Stellar Awards
Pre-Show on Friday, January 18 and the Stellar Gospel Radio Awards and Showcase on Saturday, January 19.
For additional details, visit the Stellar Awards website.

Official Video – “Burn It All Down” – Lexi

Malaco Records recently announced the VEVO World Premiere of “Burn It All Down,” the debut video/single from Lexi.

In the video, Lexi showcases her acting skills while illustrating the importance of remaining grounded and connected to family as her star rises.

Related Story 
“Burn It All Down” – Lexi

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

For over 40 years, the Rance Allen Group has crossed
many boundaries, influenced countless artists and made musical history
with their lives and music.
In celebration of their life and career,
Tyscot Music & Entertainment presents Amazing Grace,
an audio and visual collection that showcases their music from the past four decades.  This project features brand new music and a few cover tunes
including an unforgettable rendition of the world-renowned hymn,
“Amazing Grace.”
The visual collection includes the never-before-seen
Rance Allen Group documentary Music Majors, featuring rare interviews with Kirk Franklin, James Fortune, Isaac Caree, Dorinda Clark-Cole, Keith ”Wonderboy” Johnson, Paul Porter
and more. These phenomenal artists came together to express their love
for The Rance Allen Group and how they influenced their lives and music.

The documentary takes fans on a journey through the life of Rance,
Tom and Steve Allen from their early days in Monroe, OH, to becoming
Grammy Award nominees and performing on BET’s Celebration of Gospel. 
The Rance Allen Group’s new two-disc set CD/DVD project, Amazing Grace will be available in stores and online November 27th.

Upcoming ‘Quartet Divas’ project to underscore female talent in quartet music

Milon Fenner, President and CEO of MILestONe Music, professes that he’s “placing a marker at every mile, leaving a trail in music.”  Among the next of his markers is a new project that features rising women talents in quartet music entitled Quartet Divas.

The forthcoming CD is part of the singer/songwriter/producer’s vision to increase the visibility of singin’ sisters who are helping to keep quartet music alive and thumpin’.

“Quartet female artists are often overlooked by the gospel music industry,” comments Fenner regarding the inspiration for Quartet Divas.  “This project seeks to highlight the talents and gifts of female artists who promote the same message as the well-recognized male artists.  Women, just as men, have powerful
ministries and a great deal of anointing that has been stunted because
of the industry’s male domination.” 

Tallie Rogers, RuBena Cooper-Woods, Tuekellia Jones, Karen George, Ruby Glenn, Brenda Northern, Flossie Johnson, Formecia Wallace, Melvette Armond, Shaleah Lewis, Sherice Wilkes, and Annie Whishop are among those set to appear on the project, which is scheduled for release in early 2013.

R.B. Greaves, pop singer and nephew of Sam Cooke, dies

Pop singer R.B. Greaves has died at the age of 68.  His passing in Los Angeles on September 27th was confirmed by his son.
Greaves scored success in 1969 with his self-penned single “Take A Letter Maria.”  The song reached #2 on the Billboard Hot 100.
Greaves was the nephew of gospel and soul singer Sam Cooke.  

You can read more of his career highlights at nytimes.com.

Photo credit: Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images

“It’s You and Me” Women’s Retreat – October 12-13

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Official Video – “Mighty GOD” – Deacon Authority

“Mighty GOD”
Deacon Authority
From the upcoming CD, Mighty GOD (Available December 2012)

One look at the “Mighty GOD” official video, and you’ll see that Deacon Authority goes hard reppin’ the power of the God and the kingdom dominion He’s given His people.

Deacon Authority, whose real name is Cedric Hester, recorded the official video for the single from his forthcoming album of the same name in his hometown of Roxboro, NC, making use of some of the small town’s well known landmarks.  The video is produced by Cool Cannon Films and Media Lane Photography.

Deacon Authority was ordained a deacon in 2000, at Favoured Ministries.