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.

2012 Birthday Celebration for Bishop Harold Ivory Williams – April 20-22

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"It Could've Been My Son" – John P. Kee

“It Could’ve Been My Son”
John P. Kee
www.johnpkeeonline.com

Last month when I expressed my outrage about the Trayvon Martin case (see related story), I reported the gospel community’s response and voiced my hope for the momentum to continue.

Pastor John P. Kee has set to music the sentiment of millions of parents all over the country with his brand new single, “It Could’ve Been My Son.”

Once a street thug and drug dealer, the father of nine witnessed firsthand the senseless violence that occurred in his neighborhood, including the untimely death of a close friend.  Since his spiritual transformation, the award-winning singer and Charlotte pastor has pursued an aggressive street ministry, especially to inner city communities.  For the past five years, Kee has hosted a gun exchange program–allowing people to trade in their guns for gift cards.  The guns are then given to the police to be destroyed.

“It Could’ve Been My Son” is available on iTunes.

Related Story
Members of the gospel community support justice for Trayvon Martin

GMF Sightings – Keynotes’ Guitarist Val Alexander

 
 
 
GMF sighted Val Alexander, longtime guitarist and member of Willie Neal Johnson and the Gospel Keynotes, this weekend at New Hope Person Baptist Church in Timberlake, NC.  Alexander traveled with the quartet (whose notable songs include “Show Me the Way” and “Jesus, You’ve Been Good to Me”) approximately 25 years.  Currently, he performs with Mattie Alston (also known as “The Dipping Lady”) and the Voices of Praise from Greensboro.

"Glory" – Mario Brown

“Glory”
Mario Brown
From the upcoming CD, The Mario Brown Project (Available Spring 2012)
www.bronxbridgeent.com 
 
The worship ballad “Glory” is the current single from newcomer Mario Brown’s forthcoming album, The Mario Brown Project.  The singer, songwriter, and musician is signed with Bronx Bridge Entertainment, Inc. and F. Hammond Music.
 
With the tenderness of a warm embrace, Brown sings to the Lord, “I’m living all for Your glory; I found my purpose in You.  That’s why I’m singing, telling everyone my story…”  His emotion is intensified by the beautifully arpeggiated piano chords, lush strings, and occasional interjection of an electric guitar’s distortion.  
 
Brown is a praise and worship leader and the Minister of Music over Christian Faith Fellowship Church Choir in Milwaukee, WI.

Stephen Hurd special to air on The Word Network

Detroit, MI – The Word Network will premiere Stellar Award winner Stephen Hurd’s half hour musical television special, “O That Men Would Worship,” tonight at 9:30 PM EST. The concert was recorded live at First Baptist Church of Glenarden in Upper Marlboro, MD, where Hurd serves as Minister of Music.

Throughout the broadcast, Hurd leads the congregation in song and shares the stage with his musical peers Jason Nelson, Deonte Gary, Anthony Brown and Anthony Evans, who was recently featured on the NBC’s singing competition The Voice. 
The full-length live recording, O That Men Would Worship, is available at Walmart and online. 
Related Story

GMF Anniversary Giveaway! (April 13)

GMF continues to celebrate its first anniversary with giveaways every Friday throughout the month of April.

Here’s this week’s question:

Along with being a singer himself, James Roberson is the producer of what gospel artist’s CD project that was featured last month on GMF?

4/13/12 9:01 AM EST – Congratulations to Tyra Manning-Grate who was the first to email us with the correct answer: Genita Pugh.  You can read GMF’s recent review of  Genita Pugh’s CD, My Purpose, here: My Purpose – Genita Pugh.

Be the first to email us the correct answer at [email protected], and receive James Roberson’s current CD, everyboDy danCe!

“It’s You And Me” Women’s Retreat – May 12

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Speak Myself Free – Robert Jamison and Victory

Robert Jamison and Victory
Speak Myself Free
RJM Publishing (2011)
www.robertjamisonandvictory.com

By Libra Boyd
Gospel Music Fever

Robert Jamison and Victory are on a mission to spread the hope and joy of salvation to all who will receive their message.  The Kentucky native and his gospel ensemble are off to a fairly good start with their four-song introductory project, Speak Myself Free.

Described by Jamison as “good ol gospel music,” the CD opens and closes with two uptempo tracks (“Warfair” and “Can’t Find A Friend”).  The slow ones (“Speak Myself Free” and “I Cannot Make It”) are sandwiched in the middle.  All were written, produced, and arranged by Kyri Demby.

“I Cannot Make It” is the best of the foursome.  Tonya Thomas’s soprano really soars just as the song passes the five-minute mark.  Jamison takes the lead on the last number, “Can’t Find A Friend.”

Constructively speaking, the CD doesn’t quite hit the mark musically.  There are pitch problems in a few spots with both the lead and choir vocals, which a bit more rehearsal time and fine-tuning could remedy.  Were I watching the ensemble perform live, perhaps I wouldn’t notice the lengthy intros to “Warfair” and “I Cannot Make It” (forty seconds and one full minute, respectively), plus the latter features nice guitar work by Mark “Lupe” Hamilton.

Robert Jamison and Victory are on the right track with their mission and their zeal, and they’ve already taken hold of opportunities to share their music with radio markets in Chicago and Dallas.  I’m looking forward to the choir’s growth as they persist in developing their gifts and talents.

Favorite
“I Cannot Make It”

Fever Meter
WARM (2 of 5 Stars)

Video – “Testify” – Sounds of Blackness

The Sounds of Blackness recently released the official music video for “Testify.”  The inspirational ensemble’s current self-titled CD won the 2012 NAACP Award for Outstanding World Music Album.

“Thank You” – Roy and Revelation

“Thank You”
Roy and Revelation
From the CD, Thank You (2012)
www.royandrevelation.com   

Stanley Roy Ladson, Jr. isn’t 30 years old yet, but listening to his group’s tune, “Thank You,” will make you think you just popped a quarter in a late 1950’s Jukebox.

The rock and roll/R&B drenched number is the gospel drive that’s getting Roy and Revelation’s debut recording lots of attention.  The rising South Carolina group recently signed with 4Winds/Malaco and is excited to present its brand of music to the next generation of quartet lovers.