Gospel Music Fever

Tonya Lewis Taylor's 'Delayed But Not Denied' is her life's soundtrack

By Libra Boyd
Gospel Music Fever

Her name resonated in the music industry for more than 15 years as a celebrity event publicist and marketing executive. She was responsible for a client roster that included Jay-Z, Kanye West, Jamie Foxx, Tyrese Gibson, Russell Simmons and other mega names in the business. All the while,Tonya Lewis Taylor yearned to direct her focus toward her own gifts as a singer and songwriter. She had embarked on a professional music career after college, singing backup for Mariah Carey and Mary J. Blige; but the rigor of touring took its toll. As time passed, the compound effects of family and work commitments, fear, doubt, and insecurities continued to hamper her personal musical aspirations.

It is altogether fitting, then, that Tonya’s debut album is titled Delayed But Not Denied. It’s her life’s soundtrack.

The 10-track praise and worship project, written and co-produced by the multi-talented artist herself, features the uptempo contemporary single, “Thank You,” which launched her into the Top 20 on the Billboard Gospel Charts. It also led her on the 32-city Festival of Praise Tour with Fred Hammond and Donnie McClurkin, which, she tells GMF, changed her life as an artist.

“Can you imagine being mentored by two greats in gospel music?” Tonya muses. “I had over 50 years of experience right in front of me for six weeks, thirty-two cities….Donnie constantly drilling me about the importance of leaving everything on the stage night after night, and Fred giving me lessons on songwriting and business acumen. That experience was priceless!”

While “Thank You” resonates with radio and live audiences, it’s her album’s title song that Tonya connects with the most, “because the song is about the fact that my journey isn’t over,” she reflects. The title song is “Delayed But Not Denied,” and the hook is her motivation on keep moving forward.

“The hook of the song says, ‘because the race is not given to the swift nor to the strong but to the one that endures to the end, I’m still running, and I know I have to win.'”

Tonya’s motivation extends beyond the music landscape. She is also active in her community. With a passion and calling for working with the youth–she’s been involved in youth ministry since the ripe old age of 12–she co-founded the Entertainers 4 Education Alliance/I WILL GRADUATE Youth Development Program with her husband. The non-profit dropout prevention organization was birthed after the couple made a school visit years ago only to learn from the school’s principal that the students did not attend regularly. “It became a mission,” Tonya says, to help set the youth in her community on course for brighter futures.

It’s all about the journey.

“Whenever possible, I always try to inspire people to do [their] assignment. Be that person [who] decides to be what God intended for you to be. Also, never give up on your dreams. I don’t care if you are 18 or 81, if you have breath in your body you still have a chance to live your dream. I did….Remember you may be delayed, but you’re not denied.”

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.

‘Remember Me’—’Live’ In Concert – The New Christianaires

The New Christianaires
“Remember Me”—”Live” In Concert
Carter Classic Records (2014)
www.thenewchristianaires.com

By Libra Boyd
Gospel Music Fever

“Remember Me”—”Live” In Concert is the latest album by The New Christianaires, whose traditional quartet style intermingled with new school arrangements gives the Florida-based group its modern edge.

Recorded live in Louisiana at House of Praise COGIC, “Remember Me”—”Live” In Concert is bursting with spiritual energy, both from the New Christianaires and their lively hand-clapping audience. There’s no lack of singing talent in this group; all the members are lead singers. For this project, the lead tasks are shared among Jarmain Hawthorne, Elvis Brumfield, Jr., Clint Walker, George Carter, Sr., and Joe Mitchell. On several of the album’s 14 tracks, pairs of them tag-team to get the job done. Their soul-steeped vocals shine brightly on “Lord I Thank You,” “Still Standing,” and “I Feel the Spirit.” Sonorous drum and bass lines in the cantering tracks (like “When You Think” and “One of These Old Mornings”) and seamless chord progressions in the mildly paced ones (like “Praise Him” and “Trust Me”), enliven the singers’ harmonies.

The project’s title tune, “Remember Me,” encapsulates the group’s overall sound well, but “Trouble Won’t Last” and “Jesus” turn out to be particularly interesting because of Brumfield’s vintage soul vocal texture and delivery.

The New Christianaires were formed in 2010 by Carter, who was an original member of the Legendary Christianaires from Suntag, Mississippi. In 2014, the group took home the Rhythm of Gospel Award for Quartet Group of the Year.

 Fever Meter 
SMOKIN’ (4 of 5 Stars)

Favorites
“When You Think” – “Jesus” – “Trust Me”

Libra Boyd

"Caught Up" – Conrad Miller

“Caught Up”
Conrad Miller (2015)
www.millconmusic.com

Conrad Miller sings exultantly about the second coming of the Savior in his newest single, “Caught Up.” The uptempo contemporary flavored traditional song is written and produced by Stellar winner Earl Bynum.

The tune kicks off with an exuberant horn section that continues for the track’s four-and-half-minute duration. Miller’s technical training as a vocalist is evident and his diction is precise as he describes Christ’s return.

Miller is no stranger to the traditional gospel scene. His music career stretches over 20 years as a singer, composer, arranger, and recording artist.

Libra Boyd

"On My Journey" – Clarice Hall

“On My Journey”
Clarice Hall (2015)
www.msreecie.com

Clarice Hall’s vocals are soulful and crisp—a lovely complement to the contemporary gospel styling of her mid-tempo single, “On My Journey.”

And just when her skillful yet unforced riffs get your head bobbing, she pays tribute to the old school with a turn of phrase (“Church folks sing it like this, y’all…”) that segues into a 20-second a cappella interlude.

Clarice’s vocal flair reaches across the genres of gospel, jazz, and R&B, and her music résumé includes performances with heavyweights in each genre.

Clarice is a native of Raleigh and a member of Word Empowerment Church in Durham. She concurrently serves as minister of music at Durham’s Mt. Olive AME Zion Church.

Libra Boyd

"Breakthrough" – Half Mile Home

“Breakthrough”
Half Mile Home (2015)
www.halfmilehome.com
Church Boy Muzik

Half Mile Home’s inspirational hard handclap track, “Breakthrough,” drives home an important message: keep the faith. The contemporary tune is the lead single from the Akron trio’s album, Don’t Judge Me (set for release this summer).

Check out the official video and you’ll see three gentlemen with soulful chops letting you know it’s “time for your breakthrough!”

Libra Boyd

"Jesus Over Everything" – Thomas E. Bell

“Jesus Over Everything”
Thomas E. Bell (2015)
Available at iTunes

Thomas E. Bell - Jesus Over Everything art work

Thomas E. Bell honed his songwriting craft during his high school days, penning tunes for his R&B group. At the age of 21, he decided it was time to dedicate his talent wholly to the Lord. “Jesus Over Everything” is Bell’s current single. In the hip-hop laced single, he makes clear that the name of Jesus is above all others, and “ain’t nobody takin’ His place.”

“Jesus Over Everything” is heavy on percussion as well as keyboard and vocal effects; but just like a good cobbler crust, Bell’s creatively expressed lyrical message rises to the top.

Libra Boyd

"Just Jesus" – J Squared

“Just Jesus”
J Squared (2015)
Dre Dai Entertainment
Available at iTunes

Comprised of preteen siblings Jordan Camille and Jackson Dondrea Lamont Geter, the hip-hop/pop/gospel duo J Squared “sets it off” with their single, “Just Jesus.” The track is featured on their forthcoming CD, Dreams, scheduled for release in August 2015. The twosome hails from the ATL.

Jordan and Jackson’s ages (nine and six, respectively) match their budding vocals and their simple message about the goodness of Jesus, which is performed in gleeful unison throughout.

With a positive vibe and youthful enthusiasm, J Squared has great things in store for their generation.

Libra Boyd

"Nothing Better" – Corey J

“Nothing Better”
Corey J
From the EP, Worship is a Beautiful Thing (2014)
Available at iTunes

Corey J - Love is a Beautiful Thing cover art

“You never look at my faults / You never judge me when I’m wrong / You always pick me up when I fall…”

These lyrical sentiments support Corey J’s summation that there’s “Nothing Better” than the prevailing attributes of a loving God. It’s a reflective lyrical journey for Corey J, whose life is a miracle itself. (He was born with no heart rate and no pulse, and amid other complications, was given little more than three days to live.)

“Nothing Better” is one of four songs on the EP entitled, Worship is a Beautiful Thing. With its unhurried pace and musical airiness, the Christian pop track leaves sufficient space for Corey’s melodic tenor vocals.

Corey J. Yancey is a native of Oxford, NC, and serves in music ministry at Christian Faith Center in Creedmoor, under the leadership of Senior Pastor Brenda and Co-Pastor Timothy Timberlake. Presently, he has a full-length project in the works that’s set to drop in June 2015.

Libra Boyd

"Believe Louder" – Avehre ft. Amber Bullock

“Believe Louder”
Avehre ft. Amber Bullock (2015)
PH Balanced Music / BAS Music Group
Available at iTunes

Singer/songwriter Avehre and BET Sunday Best 4 champ Amber Bullock team up for a sizable dose of inspiration with the mid-tempo Christian pop single, “Believe Louder.”

Avehre, a Chicago native and protégé of R&B legend Gladys Knight, and Bullock take turns alluding to social conditions and the need to “be the change you wanna see.”

“If you believe, turn it up louder!”

Libra Boyd

GMF asks, ‘What’s your favorite song of the Easter season?’

By Libra Boyd
Gospel Music Fever

This week, I took to social media to ask for your favorite songs of the Easter season. Your responses encompassed old school and new school gospel across several subgenres. Here’s what you said:

“Alive”
Natalie Grant