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.

Official Video – “One of Dem” – Terrell King

Terrell King’s music has been described as “genre-defying,” and he welcomes you to see for yourself with the release of the first music video from his EP The Serenade, called “One of Dem.” 

The Atlanta resident’s introduction into the industry was his songwriting and production talents. Working behind the scenes, he has worked with some of the biggest producers in pop, gospel and R&B (Midi Mafia, Kendrick “Wyldcard” Dean, and EMI’s Kyle Lovett to name a few).

Those introductions led Terrell to release The Serenade in order to whet the sonic appetite of his long-time supporters.  “The purpose of the EP,” he says, “is to promote God’s love and positive energy in a new, fresh way.”

Check out the official video.

Niece of Vickie Winans succumbs

Vickie Winans
Dannielle “Precious” Wasson, niece of Vickie Winans (left) and Tim Bowman, Sr., passed away today due to cancer complications.  She was 30 years old.
 
Wasson is the daughter of Eddie and Cathy Williams, marriage seminar counselors and regular hosts on the TCT television network.  Cathy is Vickie and Tim’s sister.
 
In addition to her parents, Wasson is survived by her husband, two daughters, one sister, a host of aunts and uncles, and other family and friends.
 

Let us remember the Wasson, Williams, Winans, and Bowman families in our prayers during this difficult time.

NPR interviews Michael Corcoran on ‘forgotten’ influential pianist Arizona Dranes

Arizona Dranes.  If it doesn’t ring a bell, this name is surely a must-add to your list of Black church music greats. Read and/or listen to the NPR interview with writer Michael Corcoran to find out why some of secular music’s most thrilling pianists may not have reached their zeniths without her artistic influence: Arizona Dranes, Forgotten Mother of the Gospel Beat.

It’s Official: Earnest Pugh signs Vincent Tharpe & Kenosis

Gospel sensation Earnest Pugh has officially signed Vincent Tharpe & Kenosis to EPM Music Group.  The dynamic gospel ensemble will release its new CD Live in Memphis on October 30, 2012.  The single “Thank You, Lord” is already heating up the airwaves.

Pugh was inspired to sign the rising group after they performed Pugh’s hit “I Need Your Glory” at a TV taping for the Gospel Superfest.

“They did what they do and `brought it’ in a major way and I wanted to give them this opportunity to `bring it’ on a national level,” remarks Pugh on his decision.  “I’m very optimistic about their ministry because they manage to attract young adults but they are also seasoned enough to capture the attention of the mature church crowd as well”.

For more information on Vincent Tharpe & Kenosis and other EPM Music Group acts, visit www.epmmusicgroup.com.

Above, left to right: Keith Williams, President of EPM Music Group; Vincent Tharpe (new artist); and Earnest Pugh, Founder & CEO of EPM Music Group.

Passings: Gladys Beamon Gregory and Willa Ward Royster

These are the news items that really sadden me to pass along.  


My friend Bob Marovich of The Black Gospel Blog has reported that Gladys Beamon Gregory of the acclaimed Little Lucy Smith Singers and Willa Ward Royster, sister of Clara Ward and member of the famous Ward Singers have entered into eternal rest.  They died yesterday and today, respectively.
Born in 1925, Gregory was a member of the original Lucy Smith Trio, which later became the Little Lucy Smith Singers.  One of the group’s biggest hits was “Somebody Bigger Than You and I.”
Royster, her sister Clara, and other members of the Ward Singers traveled all over the country and overseas, working capacity crowds into frenzies in their heyday.  At various points, she had her own groups also: the Willa Ward Singers, the Willa Moultrie Singers, the Gay Charmers (later performing as the Sophisticates), the Willettes, the Willa Ward Trio, and the Willa Ward Duo.  She was 92.
The Black Gospel Blog will post additional information on Gregory and Royster as it becomes available. 

Chicago Tribune also remembers Gladys Beamon Gregory with an informative news piece.

GMF extends sincere condolences to the families and friends of these two gospel greats and prays the circle of gospel pioneers and legends will be unbroken by and by.
_______________________  

Above left:  The Little Lucy Smith Singers, whose members were Little Lucy Smith, Gladys Beamon Gregory, Catherine Campbell, and Sarah McKissick.

Above right: Willa Ward Royster during a 2009 interview with Casey Snyder, Mari Saito and Julio Nunez.

Official Video – “Somewhere Listening” – Wardlaw Brothers

The Wardlaw Brothers introduce the official music video of their single “Somewhere Listening,” from their soon-to-be-released project God’s Been There.  The CD, set to drop this fall, is produced by Cedric Thompson, Antonio Neal, and Martin Luther Wardlaw.

"Christ in Me" – Jacqueline T. Powell

“Christ in Me”
Jacqueline T. Powell
From the upcoming CD, Christ in Me (Available October 2012)
www.jacquelinetpowell.com

“Christ in me covers me consistently…” croons Jacqueline T. Powell in her current single “Christ in Me.”  While there is “a war going on,” Powell (who also plays eleven instruments) reminds us that Christ is at work in our lives to free us from our past and propel us toward our purpose.

Andre Lester Mobley, Shekinah Glory Ministry member, has died

Shekinah Glory Ministry member Andre Lester Mobley passes away just weeks before release of platinum-selling ensemble’s new Surrender live CD on September 25th

Andre Lester Mobley

Chicago, IL – Andre Lester Mobley, 46, a founding member of the platinum selling-ensemble, Shekinah Glory Ministry, passed away on August 2nd from blood clot complications. “There are heavy hearts in Shekinah Glory Ministry and the Kingdom Records family today,” says Kingdom Records President, Joan Sullivan. “Another soldier gone.”  This tragic death comes just weeks after another veteran member of the group, Pepe Epting, suddenly died of renal failure in June. One longtime friend wrote on Facebook that Mobley was “a man of a gentle, quiet and humble spirit.”

Mobley, who was born November 17, 1965, joined Valley Kingdom Ministries (the church home of Shekinah Glory Ministry and Kingdom Records) April 5, 1992, when he played the organ during the 8 AM service. He played on three of Shekinah Glory Ministry’s hit recordings, including “Praise Is What I Do,” “Live,” and “Jesus.”  He did not play on the group’s forthcoming CD Surrender that was recorded live at Valley Kingdom this past April and will be released nationally on September 25.  Mobley’s survivors include two children, Andrea and Avery.

Mobley’s viewing will take place Thursday, August 9, 2012, at Callahan Funeral Home, 7030 S. Halsted, Chicago, IL from 4 to 7 PM. The funeral service takes place Friday, August 10, 2012, at Valley Kingdom Ministries International located at 1102 East 154th Street, South Holland, IL.  The wake begins at 10 AM with the memorial service starting immediately thereafter at 11 AM.

“I’m just a wonderful person who loves God and people,” Mobley once posted on his Facebook page.  “If you don’t know me, I’m probably someone you would want to know.” Everyone at Valley Kingdom Ministries International agrees.  For news on Shekinah Glory Ministry, log on at http://www.sgmsurrender.com.

Marvin Sapp’s New Reality Show (Sneak Peek – Pt. 1)

"He's A Miracle Worker" – The Angelic Shaw Sisters

“He’s A Miracle Worker”
The Angelic Shaw Sisters
From the CD, He’s A Miracle Worker (2012)
www.angelicshawsisters.com

From Dallas, TX, the Angelic Shaw Sisters bring you “He’s A Miracle Worker.”

The vocal and music stylings resemble that of a 1970’s soul/R&B girl group, and the story itself is told by Helen Shaw-Coleman in the fashion of a children’s storyteller.  Indeed, her lead vocal is just that: a simple spoken-word narrative of Jesus’ water-to-wine miracle and the healing of the woman with the issue of blood.  After each account, the sisters chant, “He’s a miracle worker/He’s a miracle worker/I know He is…”  Eventually, Alice Shaw-Piper takes the lead and inserts her personal testimony, choosing to sing it rather than tell it.

The mild tempo and 70’s groove give this song its seasoning, and the easy hook you’ll find yourself humming.