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.

Zacardi Cortez teases fans with five-track digital EP

Ever since his vocal contributions to James Fortune & FIYA’s “The Blood” and “I Believe,” it seems folks just can’t get enough of Zacardi Cortez. 

The buzz about the 26 year-old’s debut CD, Zacardi Cortez: The Introduction, is so strong that a five-song digital EP has been released to tide fans over until the full-length project drops later this spring.

The self-titled EP is now live and available for streaming and downloading on iTunes, Amazon.com, Google Play, eMusic.com, Rhapsody, Spotify.com, and Zune.

"A Story to Tell" – North Carolina Community Choir

“A Story to Tell”
North Carolina Community Choir feat. Darrell Luster
4Winds/Malaco Music Group (2012) 
www.malaco.com 

Originally posted March 20, 2012 at 7:58AM
Last Updated March 21, 2012 at 11:52AM

Darrell Luster takes the lead on North Carolina Community Choir’s new single “A Story to Tell.”

“What’s that behind that smile on your face?” the choir inquires over the unhurried horn-laced musical backdrop. “What kind of pain are you trying to erase?  How do you hide it–hide it so well?”

“I’ll bet you’ve got a story,” Luster interposes.  The choir returns, “A story to tell!” 

The choir was originally formed in 2008, under the direction of Ray Braswell, Jr. and James Bellamy in Rocky Mount, from the vision of Dr. Thomas L. Walker (known for his circa 1980 gospel gold album One Day at a Time).  At that time, the aggregation was called The Promise Choir.  Sometime later, the choir was revamped and renamed with Luster, Braswell, and songwriter Brian Foster at the helm.

The choir has performed on Bobby Jones Gospel, and has sung on projects by The Sensational Nightingales (Live in Rocky Mount), Darrell Luster & F.C. Barnes (“He Won’t Change”), and Lil’ Blair & The Fantastic Heirs.

“A Story to Tell” is a compelling preface to the North Carolina Community Choir’s upcoming CD memoir.

From GMF on Attribution

To GMF Readers:

Since GMF first reported “Shirley Caesar to be crowned ‘Queen of Gospel,'” it has been brought to our attention that portions of GMF’s piece have been published verbatim on other websites without proper credit.

We welcome you to share the information you read here, but please credit Gospel Music Fever™ and/or post a link to the original GMF post.  Thank you.

Message of Stephen Hurd’s new CD: Worship is for men, too

Press Release from Bill Carpenter

Over the last decade, Stephen Hurd has distinguished himself as one of the leading voices in urban praise and worship music and his songs “Undignified” and “Lead Me To The Rock” are sung at faith gatherings around the globe. Now, he’s preparing to release his most ambitious project yet, O That Men Would Worship, his sixth CD and the first on his own Hurd The Word recording label.  He has designed the new CD as a tool to inspire men to take on a greater leadership role in church worship services.

Recorded live at The First Baptist Church of Glenarden in Upper Marlboro, MD, where Hurd is the Minister of Music, the collection is scheduled to hit retail stores on March 20, via a distribution deal with Central South Distribution, Inc.

“My goal is to get men and especially men of color to realize that worship is not a feminine sport,” Hurd says. “In this season, I feel we should come together and lift up a sound that has the power to change families and strengthen communities and help brothers to get a glimpse of what real worship is. I think when men see other men worship it gives them freedom to worship without feeling emasculated.”

Joining Hurd for this manly worship experience are Verity Records artist Jason Nelson, Christian pop artist Anthony Evans and Minister Deonte Gray who is a member of the 7 Sons of Soul vocal group. Hurd created an all male sextet of singers to back certain songs and a coed group called Extol to back the CD as a whole. Aside from co-writing most of the songs, Hurd produced the fifteen track set alongside up-and-coming producers Kenny Shelton and Anthony Brown. Celebrated producer Steve Ford, who’s worked with acts ranging from Phyllis Hyman to Richard Smallwood, created the lush string arrangements while the in-demand Phil Lassiter (John P. Kee, Marvin Sapp) delivered the hearty horn arrangements.

“It was the easiest thing I’ve ever done,” Hurd says of the recording. “There was no drama. Everybody was excited to be there and came with the attitude of what can I do to make this impact?”

A praise party mini-concert to celebrate the new CD is set for Tuesday, March 20, at 7:30 PM, at First Baptist Church of Glenarden.  There is no admission and CDs will be available for purchase. The church is located at 600 Watkins Park Drive, Upper Marlboro, MD 20774. Visit www.hurdthewordmusic.com for more information on Hurd.

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

Minister Johnson
Thank You For Saving Me – Catalog Vol. II
Psalms Way Music Ministry (2011)
www.theministerjohnsoncatalog.com

By Libra Boyd
Gospel Music Fever

Minister Lamont C. Johnson’s Thank You For Saving Me – Catalog Vol. II is full of west coast flair.  The Sacramento songwriter and minister of music’s charisma is apparent from the CD’s opening track, the trotting “Won’t Just Say I’m Saved,” but it’s really the collaborations that nicely round out this 13-song contemporary gospel project.

“I’m Doing It God’s Way (Women’s Anthem),” which I’d be none surprised to hear in a gospel stage play, features Carla Fleming as a Godly woman laying out her standards to the player who wants to “just kick it.”  The anthem is dedicated to Minister Johnson’s wife, Felicia, whose commitment to sexual purity before marriage changed his walk with the Lord.

Adrian Weatherspoon joins Minister Johnson for “They Never Knew You Were God,” a slow, heartfelt preface to the subsequent “You Are the King,” which features Deneen Cox’s warmly textured contralto over a bed of velvety background vocals.

On the title track, Minister Johnson croons an ode of gratitude to his Savior atop minimal musical accompaniment: finger snaps, electric piano, and guitar.  Norman McDaniel eventually takes the guitar solo and crafts an intimate melody for the final few bars.

Other selections are in the vein of today’s popular contemporary music, save the ear-arresting “God’s Time.”  Surely, it’s the lyrics targeted to the members of “Bedside Baptist Church” that will prompt you to “get up, get dressed, and get in” to a house of worship on Sunday morning! 

Thank You For Saving Me – Catalog Vol. II is a testament to Minister Johnson’s diversity as a songwriter and zeal for spreading the gospel through music.

Favorites
“You Are the King” – “Thank You For Saving Me”

Fever Meter
SIMMERIN’ (3 of 5 Stars)

Anniversary Concert for Pastor George Crews, III – March 16

Click flyer to enlarge
The pastoral anniversary concert also features B.T. Green and the Christian Harmonettes, the Clark Sisters, Chosen Phase 2, and Rufus Poole and the Stars of Faith.  Radio personalities Walter “Country Boy” Hatcher and Carolyn Pettiford-Ryals will be on hand to emcee.  For more information, visit www.lattisvillegrove.com.

“Just That Good (The Albertina Walker Tribute)” – Dorothy Norwood

“Just That Good (The Albertina Walker Tribute)”
Dorothy Norwood
From the upcoming CD, God’s Been Just That Good (Available March 20, 2012)
http://www.malaco.com/

Dorothy Norwood is warming up traditional radio with her current single “Just That Good (The Albertina Walker Tribute).”

Norwood, this year’s recipient of the Ambassador Dr. Bobby Jones Legend Award at the Stellars, joins Monica Lisa Stevenson and Bishop J.D. Means for a traditional tribute to her friend and mentor, Albertina Walker.  Rather than somberly reminiscing, the Caravans alumna opts to esteem her comrade before forging ahead into the uplifting song of gratitude and praise.

"Awesome God" – Maurette Brown Clark

“Awesome God”
Maurette Brown Clark
From the CD, The Sound of Victory (2011)
www.maurettebrownclark.com

Maurette Brown Clark is the kind of singer that can usher you right into the presence of the Lord, and the vertical “Awesome God” from her The Sound of Victory project is confirmation.

The choir along with gospel music’s sweetheart worship their way through the song’s alternating stanzas, with each set getting a modulation and an additional layer of instruments.  “Awesome God” crescendos to its zenith shortly after the three-minute mark, before bursting into its refrain: “Oh You/Oh You/You are an awesome God!”

Maurette’s ability to lead you into the Lord’s presence makes it likely that you will lose yourself in worship and forget all about her simple but intense lead vocals and exhortations.

Shirley Caesar to be crowned “Queen of Gospel” – CALLING ALL FANS

Originally posted March 10, 2012 at 8:18PM
Last Updated April 26, 2012 at 3:08PM
Albertina Walker and Shirley Caesar

 

GMF has learned from Mildred Summerville that the “First Lady of Gospel” Pastor Shirley Caesar will be feted on April 29, 2012, during which she will be crowned the “Queen of Gospel.”  The metaphorical crown was previously worn by the late Albertina Walker, who passed October 2010.  Pastor Caesar, an alumna of the famous Caravans, considers Walker as a mentor, friend, and legend on whose shoulders she stands.

A multiple Grammy, Stellar and Dove award winner, Pastor Caesar is one of the most recognized and beloved women in gospel music, both here and abroad.  Her recording career stretches across six decades.

The crowning ceremony will take place at Mount Calvary Word of Faith Church (3100 Sanderford Road, Raleigh, NC), at 4 PM, where Caesar pastors.  The service will feature a host of gospel singers and performers including six year-old Symone Spencer, performing as Baby Shirley Caesar, Michael Boone, Leniyus Sullivan, Fayetteville State University Choir United Voices of Praise, Mount Calvary Word of Faith Choir, and the mini-stage play “Hold My Mule” by Lucy Hawkins of the 700 Club. 

Click flyer to enlarge

Also performing are: The Caesar Singers, Virginia Beach, Juan Santiago and JSUP, The Maryland Mass Chior, Ruth La’Ontra Jones, Bishop Floyd Knowlin & Lighthouse Choir, Steve Johnson & Singers, New Bethel Baptist Choir, TDK Mime, and Anointed Voices of Praise.

Jerry Smith of The Light 103.9FM and Peggy Tatum of TCP Magazine will host.

The service is open to the public and all seats are free.

Update (3/17/12):  A fan club donation along with congratulatory cards will be presented to Pastor Caesar during the ceremony.  This is your chance to give her flowers while she can enjoy them, by showing her just how much her music has meant to you.

Cards as well as donations of any amount are welcomed.  All checks should be made payable to Pastor Shirley Caesar and mailed to:

Dr. Mildred Summerville
Fan Club Coordinator
P.O. Box 21
Wilson, NC  27894

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Grand Opening of Greensboro’s Club EnCORE

It’s being called Greensboro’s premier spot for Christian nightlife.  Tonight, you can check it out for yourself at the grand opening of Club EnCORE.
Christian hip-hop crew, The C.O.R.E. will perform along with other guests.
When: March 10, 2012
Where: 2100 E. Wendover Avenue, Greensboro, NC  27405
Time: 7 PM until
Admission: General – $10; College Students – $7