Category: Features

"This Christmas" – Joshua Rogers

“This Christmas”
Joshua Rogers (2016)
Mixed Bag Entertainment
http://www.thejoshuarogers.us

By Libra Boyd
Gospel Music Fever

Certain Christmas songs put you in the holiday spirit from the opening note.  Donny Hathaway’s “This Christmas” is one of them. Forty-six years following its original release, Joshua Rogers delivers a cover of the R&B/soul classic.

Rogers, who became the youngest person and first male to win BET’s Sunday Best, chooses an “if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it” approach to “This Christmas.”  The gospel sensation‘s sage decision underscores his facility for traversing music genres and pays tribute to Hathaway’s creative genius.

Rogers is gearing up to drop a new album in summer 2017.

"I Found a Friend" – John Joyner

“I Found a Friend”
John Joyner (2016)
Available at CD Baby

John Joyner "I Found A Friend"

By Libra Boyd
Gospel Music Fever

“I Found a Friend” is the newly released single from NC minister and musician, John Joyner.  Joyner’s silvery tenor lends itself to ballads, which he demonstrates in a pair of verses describing discouragement, dismay, and loneliness.  “When my friends, they turn their backs on me,” he sings, “I can say I have a best friend, and He’s all I need.”

“I Found a Friend” is produced by Brian Foster.  Joyner leads Order My Steps Outreach Ministry in Oxford, NC.

"Say Yes" – Tiffany Jeffers

"Say Yes" Tiffany Jeffers art work“Say Yes”
Tiffany Jeffers (2016)
Write Haus Music Group
www.tiffanyjeffers.com

By Libra Boyd
Gospel Music Fever

The intro of Tiffany Jeffers’ single “Say Yes” could easily be part of an old Nintendo game.  But get this: just as quickly as the synth sequence catches your ear, the classically trained gospel singer’s richly textured vocal comes to the fore and the music mellows into R&B and soul sweetness.

“Say Yes” is the single from Tiffany’s debut EP by the same name, which features 10 songs produced by Morgan Turner and Josh Lay of Rhyme and Reasons Productions.  The song’s message is solid and straightforward–surrender to God’s will–and the vibe is palatable to listeners with urban gospel tastes.

Tiffany hails from Baltimore, MD.

"It is Well" – Joe Pace Presents: Pastor H.B. Charles, Jr. and the Shiloh Church Choir

Pastor H.B. Charles, Jr. and the Shiloh Church Choir cover art

“It is Well”
Pastor H.B. Charles, Jr. and the Shiloh Church Choir
From the CD, Joe Pace Presents: Pastor H.B. Charles, Jr. and the Shiloh Church Choir (September 23, 2016)
Shiloh Worship/360MusicWorX
www.Shiloh.church/music

By Libra Boyd
Gospel Music Fever

The sacred hymn “It is Well (With My Soul)” is two years older than the 141 year-old Shiloh Baptist Church, shepherded by Pastor H.B. Charles, Jr.  Nevertheless, Joe Pace’s arrangement of the hymn staple, as featured on the project, Joe Pace Presents: Pastor H.B. Charles, Jr. and the Shiloh Church Choir, melds the tune’s enduring lyrics with modern musical and vocal stylings to refresh the morning worship standard for a new generation.  

The Shiloh Church Choir’s contemporized version of “It is Well” is characterized by an uptempo rhythmic bounce and a vamp in which they emphatically affirm, “It is well with my soul / It is well with my soul, it is well!“

Pace is a Grammy, Dove, and Stellar-nominated songwriter, producer, and choir director.  The music industry veteran presently serves as Shiloh’s pastor of worship and arts.

Shirley Caesar celebrates birthday, pastorate, 50-year solo career with all-star musical

Pastor Shirley Caesar (front), joined by (left to right): Melvin Williams, LaDehra Alston, Dr. Bobby Jones, Beverly Crawford, Le'Andria Johnson, Ami Rushes, Teddy Campbell, and Tina Campbell. 
Pastor Shirley Caesar (front), joined by (left to right): Melvin
Williams, LaDehra Alston, Dr. Bobby Jones, Beverly Crawford, Le’Andria
Johnson, Ami Rushes, Teddy Campbell, and Tina Campbell. 

By Libra Boyd
Gospel Music Fever

The tribute lineup read like Who’s Who in gospel music Friday evening, October 14, at Raleigh’s Mt. Calvary Word of Faith Church, where gospel’s queen Shirley Caesar is pastor.  There, a host of artists along with a crowd of over 1,000 gathered to help the pastor-singer celebrate her 78th birthday.  Caesar’s longtime friend and industry colleague, Dr. Bobby Jones, was the emcee.

The four-hour program included musical tributes from the Mt. Calvary Word of Faith Choir, mime minister Arie Pope, Ami Rushes, Melvin Williams, Teddy and Tina Campbell, Wess Morgan, Le’Andria Johnson, and Beverly Crawford.  Nieces Tammy Caesar and LaDehra Alston along with Shirley Caesar Group mainstay Bernard Sterling also honored Caesar with musical tributes.  Interspersed between the performances were humorous anecdotes, no fewer than three frenzied praise breaks, and congratulatory videos from Karen Clark-Sheard, Regina Belle, Jekalyn Carr, and Stellar Awards executive producer Don Jackson.

The honoree took the stage as the night drew to a close.  Flanked by the program participants, Pastor Caesar and the audience revisited her recent Hollywood Walk of Fame experience with video excerpts from the star dedication ceremony.  Afterward, the gospel music matriarch offered expressions of gratitude–sprinkled with humor and sermonic tuning–and treated her fans to an abbreviated version of “Jesus, I Love Calling Your Name.”

Pastor Caesar’s birthday was October 13, and Friday’s musical was the third of four services this week commemorating her birthday.  This year’s events are also in recognition of her 26th pastoral anniversary, 50-year solo music career, and star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.  The celebration series culminates Sunday, October 16, at 5 PM, with a choir competition dubbed, “Battle of the Choirs.”

Dr. Bobby Jones (front) with (left to right): Bernard Sterling, Biddy Newborn, Melvin Williams, Tammy Caesar, Anthony Hill, LeDehra Alston, Beverly Crawford, Le'Andria Johnson, Ami Rushes, Teddy Campbell, Tina Campbell, Wess Morgan, and Mt. Calvary Word of Faith Choir (background). Not pictured: Arie Pope.
Dr. Bobby Jones (front) with (left to right): Bernard Sterling, Biddy Newborn, Melvin Williams, Tammy Caesar, Anthony Hill, LeDehra Alston, Beverly Crawford, Le’Andria Johnson, Ami Rushes, Teddy Campbell, Tina Campbell, Wess Morgan, and Mt. Calvary Word of Faith Choir (background). Not pictured: Arie Pope.

"Grateful" – Ted Winn & Balance feat. Maranda

"Grateful" Ted Winn & Balance art work

“Grateful”
Ted Winn & Balance feat. Maranda (2016)
Shanachie Entertainment
Available at iTunes

By Libra Boyd
Gospel Music Fever

Ted Winn’s gospel ballad “Grateful” doubles as a personal expression of thanks and a tribute to his friend and musical influence, the late Bishop Walter Hawkins.  

Inspired by Hawkins as well as three generations of matriarchs in his own family, Winn said of the self-penned single, “‘Grateful’ is a song I penned as I thought about the significance of my mom, my grandmother and great-grandmother in my life. My dad wasn’t present but God orchestrated it so that these powerful women were.  So I realized you can cry over who left or celebrate who stayed. I chose to be grateful.”

Strings and a simple piano chord progression open the track, leaving ample room for Winn’s impassioned words of gratitude:

Taught me how to love myself 
Recognized my value, my internal wealth
Now I see my potential the way you do
And I am grateful to you

The song ascends from its bridge to the chorus, accompanied by group members Balance, before making its segue into the Hawkins classic “Be Grateful,” where jazzy Maranda Willis trades the lead with Winn.

“Grateful” is from Winn’s forthcoming album, set for release in 2017.

“Come On Everybody” – Greater New Hope Mass Choir

Greater New Hope Mass Choir cover art

“Come On Everybody”
Greater New Hope Mass Choir (2016)
Touch One Musiq
Available at CD Baby

By Libra Boyd
Gospel Music Fever

Greater New Hope Mass Choir in Oxford, NC is having some foot-stomping church, and they don’t intend to do it alone.  They issue an exuberant invitation to “praise the Lord…for He is good, He is good, He is good” with their current single, “Come On Everybody,” recorded live during a spiritual service.

“Come On Everybody” has all the hand clapping, horn stabbing, organ riffing, and tambourine shaking you’d expect in a traditional church choir song.  Punctuated by pulsating bass and the lead vocal of the song’s writer and producer Brian Foster—who is Greater New Hope Baptist Church’s minister of music and co-founder of the North Carolina Community Choir (Malaco)—”Come on Everybody” has Sunday Morning written all over it.

‘Wilson Idol’ winner Alexander Blount: ‘I am ready to see where He takes me on this journey’

Alexander Blount

By Libra Boyd
Gospel Music Fever

With gospel vocalist Shawn McLemore at the helm of the judges’ panel and a $1,000 prize and other perks at stake, Alexander Blount emerged as the 2016 grand prize winner of the “Wilson Idol” Talent Show, held Saturday, September 24, at Fike High School in Wilson, NC.  The annual competition was presented by Summerville Promotion and Production Company and Tall One Outreach Ministries and emceed by GMF’s Libra Boyd and Rev. Justin Barbour. 

‘Wilson Idol’ is an event that showcases the singing, instrumental, and spoken-word talents of Wilson area youths and adults.  The talent show opens doors for many participants and exposes them to the greater Wilson community and beyond. 

Libra caught up with the East Carolina University sophomore and newly named “Wilson Idol” to talk more about his musical journey and ambitions. 

Libra:  Congrats on your win!  Please tell us about your musical background and interests.

Thank you! I started singing at church and school when I was young, like most children. I know I wasn’t more than three or four when I started singing. I have always loved music and the positive effects that it had on people, but I never looked at the bigger picture of what Christ had for me. I definitely didn’t start taking my singing seriously until 11th grade. My chorus teacher, Mr. Jeremy Tucker, really started showing me the possibilities of what I could do with music, and I’m glad that I listened. I attend East Carolina University’s School of Music, and I’m majoring in music education and vocal performance. As far as my interests go, I really like what every genre has to offer. Music is a universal language that musicians and listeners all speak, but if I had to choose [a genre] I’d [choose] gospel and jazz music.

Libra:  Who are your musical influences?

Lauryn Hill, Marvin Winans, Jermaine Dolly, James Hall, Cory Henry, Pastor Andrew Barbour, Greg Cox, and Stephen Pender. They all have brought something totally different to the world of music, whether it [be] their own rendition of a song or something [completely original]. I really like how they were comfortable to be themselves. They did things their way instead doing what everyone else was doing, and the music that they have created is absolutely great.

Libra:  The judges selected you from 15 contestants as the grand prize winner of “Wilson Idol” for your performance of VaShawn Mitchell’s “Turning Around for Me.”  How did you select that song and what was your prep process like?

I actually heard one of my friends at church sing it, and I really loved the message behind it. Things will turn around as soon as you put your faith in Christ and stop worrying. I would practice at least four days out of the week to make sure I had everything down. Eventually, I [got] my parents to come hear me. Then once I got with the ‘Wilson Idol’ band (Rod Lewis, Jamal Lewis, Jesse Johnson, and Zyyayre Johnson), we all clicked and I was like, ‘Yeah, we have something special here.’

Libra:  So you expected to win?

Honestly?  No ma’am.  There were a lot of great vocalists in the competition. But I’m grateful that I won!

Libra:  What are your music ambitions?

I plan on releasing a single within the next few months and eventually an EP…then an album and eventually [I want to] collaborate with different artists. I’ve been talking to Jamal Lewis and Stephen Pender about it. Jamal is a great producer and over the course of my ‘Wilson Idol’ experience I got to know him; he’s a great guy.  Stephen is a family friend, and he’s like my big brother; and in my opinion he’s one of the best organists on the East Coast. Along with them, my parents and peers are backing me so I can’t wait to get to the next level of my career.

Libra:  With more exposure and larger platforms, it becomes important to remain grounded in and covered by your local assembly.  Would you like to shout out your church?

I would absolutely love to! Everyone in Willing Workers Apostolic Holiness Church (Lucama, NC)–young and old–have watched me grow and perfect my craft daily. They all are my family and I truly love them!

Blount adds,

I [also] really appreciate the opportunity that Dr. Mildred Summerville gave me. I thank my parents and grandparents, my siblings, my girlfriend, and everyone that is connected with me for believing in me. Most importantly, I thank God for the gifts and talents that He has instilled in me and I am ready to see where He takes me on this journey of life. 

In addition to the $1,000 cash prize, Blount’s win comes with a trophy, a chance to perform for gospel great Pastor Shirley Caesar, a part in the stage production of Dr. Mildred Summerville’s award-winning gospel play, “Spare the Rod, Spoil the Child,” and an opportunity to record with artist Dr. James Robertson.

GMF congratulates Blount as well as the runners-up in the youth and adult divisions.

"God's Grace" – Rev. Luther Barnes and the Restoration Worship Center Choir

Luther Barnes The Favor of God cover art

“God’s Grace”
Rev. Luther Barnes and the Restoration Worship Center Choir
From the CD, The Favor of God (2016)
www.shanachie.com

By Libra Boyd
Gospel Music Fever 

“God’s Grace” is the current single from Rev. Luther Barnes’ full-length release, The Favor of God, his first choir project in ten years.

“God’s Grace” adheres to Barnes’ characteristically uncomplicated vocal approach and traditional genesis, sauntering from his mild opening verses to the choir’s passionate refrain.

The singer/songwriter/producer/pastor is backed by the Restoration Worship Center Choir, which sounds like a compact version of the Redd Budd Gospel Choir that he recorded with for years. Barnes is the senior pastor of Restoration Worship Center.

Vickie Winans: Blinging, Singing, Laughing, and Giving Today’s Music Talent a Chance

Vickie WinansBy Libra Boyd
Gospel Music Fever

Vickie Winans’ voice, smile, and personality have one thing in common: they are all larger than life.  All three have endeared her to fans across the country, allowing her to maintain the momentum of a music career that spans three decades.

Despite not having released an album in several years, the award-winning singer of such hits as “We Shall Behold Him,” “Shake Yourself Loose,” and “Long As I Got King Jesus” remains in demand, nearly as much for her side-splitting humor as for her uplifting, high-energy concerts.  Her travel and performance schedule are rigorous.  In fact, when we talked by phone yesterday afternoon, the 62 year-old songstress was waiting to be picked up from the airport after a trio of weekend concerts in Massachusetts and Pennsylvania.  This Saturday, she is headed to North Carolina to headline a concert dubbed, “Bling, Sing, Laugh Til You Scream.”  As far as the bling is concerned, Winans, who manages herself, confessed to me that between now and this weekend, she will have to carve out time to make custom pieces of jewelry to showcase and sell at her concert.  While she and I laughed and talked–I did most of the laughing and she did most of the talking–she spoke about the legacy of her friend Dr. Bobby Jones, her knack for making people laugh, her jewelry line, and the big opportunity she’s giving aspiring singers in all 50 states. 

Libra:  Vickie, just last month, the finale of BET’s Bobby Jones Gospel aired, and you had the distinction of being one of the show’s final performers, helping to send off the longest running original show in cable TV history with “We Shall Behold Him.”  What was that like for you personally, helping to close that chapter in TV history?

Vickie: You know what?  That’s the very first song I sang when I was first on [his] show.  Being able to close [the finale] out with the song that opened my career–I mean when that song came out in 1985, it was my very first hit, and I ain’t looked back.  [Bobby] was a blessing to me when I first came out, so it was a blessing to be able to celebrate his next chapter.  He was so successful, [and] you know he just doesn’t stop.  I don’t know what he’s running on!  I’ve never seen anyone like him.  They say that about me, but Honey I’m like, ‘Okay. All right…I need to be tryin’ to retire in a minute!’ (Laughing)  But it was a happy and sad moment; I cried in the back. 

Libra:  I have to digress and ask, have you always been the comedian among your family and friends?

Vickie: Girl, you know it.  Clown.  Class clown.  How [are you] the class clown and the valedictorian?  That’s what I wanna know!  I was the class clown and valedictorian of the same class!  There were 12 kids in my family, and my daddy had a really outgoing personality, so I think I just got hit.  He had a big smile, and everybody tells me I have a big smile.  All my sisters and brothers got big smiles, all my nieces and nephews, grandkids…everybody!  We’re hit with all these teeth–and it’s expensive when you get old because they go to falling every which way and you gotta keep ‘em in.  I told my daddy, ‘Man, your smile is so big, your gums just run out!’

Libra:  (Laughing) See, this is the unique aspect of your concerts.  You not only sing, but you make us laugh!  Now you even have a jewelry line that you showcase.  Tell us about your jewelry. 

Vickie: Yeah...you try to make it a ‘line,’ but when you’re going as fast as me Chile, you just make jewelry and sell it! I make it myself. Handmade. By myself. I can’t keep up [with the demand].

Libra:  Is every piece a custom piece?

Vickie: Oh yeah!  I make them all right out of my head–necklaces, earrings, and bracelets.  You know I’m a clean freak; I keep my house clean.  But baby you turn that corner and go in that office–Lord Jesus!  I’ve got over a million beads and they’re everywhere…and I sit [at home and make my jewelry] at night when I get done with all my contract stuff….I just got back from China, trying to get [my line] launched.  I owned a jewelry store, and it got to be so busy that I couldn’t handle it, so I closed it.  But I still love jewelry, so I make jewelry and sell it.  I do it to better myself, to better my church, to better my life, to better my children and their children, and to better my homeless foundation.…You know, people named me The Hardest Working Woman [in Gospel].  I didn’t name me that.  I just looked up and somebody said, ‘Here comes the hardest working woman–‘  I said, ‘The what?  How come y’all don’t give me no real nice names like they gave Dorinda–The Rose of Gospel?  And Shirley Caesar–The First Lady of Gospel.’  But it’s a compliment! 

Libra:  It certainly is.  Being called The Hardest Working Woman in Gospel is a compliment and a testament to your work ethic.  It’s amazing and it’s inspiring to other people who are trying to wear many hats successfully.  And since you are extremely busy, what else is going on that you want to make sure our readers know about? 

Vickie: Well, I am getting ready to put out something so big for people who don’t get the opportunities that I get.  I’m going to all 50 states, holding auditions, selecting the top ten singers [in each state], and doing a compilation CD featuring those singers.  I’m calling it ‘She Gave Us A Chance.’  So it will be Vickie Winans Presents: Michigan Sings Gospel, Vickie Winans Presents: New York Sings Gospel, Vickie Winans Presents: Ohio Sings Gospel, and so on.

Libra:  So to be clear, there will be a total of 50 CDs – a CD representing each state – and on each of those CDs will be ten artists from that state.

Vickie: Yes, the top ten artists who win the auditions in each state.  And the ones who don’t win, that doesn’t mean the end for them.  They will be in the videos, they will be background singers–they will be used in whatever we do with that particular album.  And we’re going to use producers who are not already [exposed].  And you know I don’t put out no junk tracks!  You like that idea?

Libra:  I love that idea!  Is this for 2017?

Vickie: Naw Girl!  I anticipate starting this the first of September.  What would I be waiting on?  Old as I am, I don’t even buy green bananas; I might not have time to see ’em get ripe.  I’m starting in September!

Libra:  (Laughing)  You know, this is such a fitting way to finish our conversation, because we began by talking about Dr. Jones and his platform.  Even though you’re using a different medium, you are doing the same thing: giving people opportunities and a platform for their talents.

Vickie: I try.  I believe that when you are successful, you should reach back and pull as many people as you can over, and I can’t wait!