Category: News

2017 Stellar Award nominees announced; Greene, Mann lead with nine each

CHICAGO, Jan. 17, 2017 /PRNewswire/ – Central City Productions has announced the nominees in 26 categories for the 2017 Stellar Awards.  Hailed as an “epic night in gospel music,” this year’s Stellar Awards will return to the Las Vegas Orleans Arena on Saturday, March 25, 2017.  The telecast will premiere on TV One Sunday, April 9 at 7 PM ET with encores at 9 PM and 11 PM ET.  In addition, the Stellar Awards will air in national broadcast syndication on 170 stations in over 150 markets around the country April 14 – May 7, 2017.


Praise and worship breakthrough artist Travis Greene and chart-topping soloist Tamela Mann lead the nominations with nine each.  Greene is having an amazing year, in the running for both Male Vocalist of the Year and Song of the Year, for his work on The Hill (RCA Inspiration). This inspirational psalmist is also nominated for CD of the Year, Contemporary Male Vocalist of the Year, Contemporary CD of the Year, and Praise and Worship CD of the Year.


Gospel superstar Tamela Mann joins Greene on the Stellar Awards nominee leader board, nominated this year for Artist of the Year, Albertina Walker Female Vocalist of the Year, and Contemporary Female Vocalist of the Year.  She is also competing for CD of the Year, Producer of the Year, Song of the Year, and Traditional Female Vocalist of the Year.


With seven and six nominations respectively, veterans Hezekiah Walker and Kirk Franklin demonstrate their staying power in gospel music, recognized for Male Vocalist of the Year, Choir of the Year, Contemporary Choir of the Year, and Contemporary Male of the Year for their projects Azusa The Next Generation 2: Better (Walker/EOne Music) and Losing My Religion (Franklin/RCA Records).  Franklin also receives a nod for Artist of the Year, Song of the Year, CD of the Year, Producer of the Year, and Contemporary CD of the Year.   


Jekalyn Carr, nominated for Artist of the Year, and Todd Dulaney, nominated for Male Vocalist of the Year, CD of the Year, and Contemporary CD of the Year, are in contention for Praise and Worship CD of the Year. Other artists earning multiple nominations include newcomers Bri (Brianna Babineaux), Livre’, and Enon Tabernacle, and living legend Shirley Caesar.  For more information visit www.thestellarawards.com and to view the complete list of nominees click here. 


Multiple Stellar Award- and Grammy Award-winning solo artist, nationally-syndicated radio host and television personality Erica Campbell joins multiple Stellar Award winner, songwriter and arranger Anthony Brown to co-host the 32nd Annual Stellar Gospel Music Awards.


Don Jackson, Founder of the Stellar Awards and Chairman of Central City Productions, Inc. commented, “Our 2017 nominees represent the strongest group of gospel artists and songs in our 32-year history of the Stellar Awards.  This year’s large number of artists who are first-time nominees is a positive testament to the new and upcoming artists in gospel music, as well as a reflection of the tremendous growth of the gospel music genre.”


Mr. Jackson further stated, “The announcement of the 2017 nominees corresponds with the launch of www.stellartv.com, the first phase of the Stellar TV Cable Television Network, which will be officially introduced during the taping at the 32nd Annual Stellar Awards on March 25, 2017.”


The Stellar Gospel Music Awards Pre-Show is scheduled for Friday, March 24, to showcase non-televised award winners.  Also, the Stellar Gospel Radio Awards & Showcase will be held on Saturday, March 25, honoring top radio stations and announcers serving urban gospel music audiences.  The Stellar Awards show taping is open to the public, with ticket prices ranging from $50 -$200 and tickets for each event can be purchased at www.ticketmaster.com. 

Fortune thankful for prayers following four-car wreck involving drunk driver

By Libra Boyd
Gospel Music Fever

James Fortune says he is sore but blessed to be alive after a four-car accident involving a drunk driver.

Just last week, a photo was posted to Fortune’s Instagram account along with an urgent request for prayer.  According to the caption, he was en route to church when struck by the drunk driver.  In the photo, Fortune appeared to be on a gurney but was responsive.

The next day, he took to Instagram from his home to thank his supporters for their prayers, adding, “If the enemy’s trying to kill me this early in the year, he gave me a notification that God’s getting ready to do something great in 2017!”

Prayers and well wishes continue to pour in for Cory "CoCo Brother" Condrey

By Libra Boyd
Gospel Music Fever


Prayers have been lifted for media personality/pastor, Cory “CoCo Brother” Condrey, ever since the news broke of his involvement in a horrific head-on collision last month.  In the Periscope update that soon followed, his wife, Joann Rosario-Condrey, disclosed that he sustained several breaks and injuries.


Media sources initially reported the head-on collision was near fatal. Yesterday, Cory, who is recovering, tweeted the tragic news that the man who hit him has now passed on.  Prayers and well wishes continue to flood social media as Cory shares his journey to recovery with his supporters. 


If his face or name is familiar, then you probably recognize Cory as the former host of BET’s Lift Every Voice or as the voice of radio shows “The Spirit” and “CoCo Brother Live: The Weekend.”  He and Joann are pastors of RainFire Church Maranatha in Douglasville, GA.

Caesar to be honored with Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award

Photo Courtesy of eOne Music

By Libra Boyd
Gospel Music Fever


The Recording Academy announced today (Dec. 19) that Shirley Caesar is the recipient of one of the seven 2017 Grammy Lifetime Achievement Awards bestowed by the Academy.  Other Lifetime Achievement Awardees are jazz pianist Ahmad Jamal, country singers Charley Pride and Jimmie Rodgers, vocalist Nina Simone, musician/songwriter Sly Stone, and rock band The Velvet Underground. 


According to a press release from The Recording Academy, “The Lifetime Achievement Award celebrates performers who have made outstanding contributions of artistic significance to the field of recording, while the Trustees Award honors contributions in areas other than performance. The recipients are determined by vote of The Recording Academy’s National Board of Trustees. Technical GRAMMY Award recipients are voted on by The Academy’s Producers & Engineers Wing® Advisory Council and Chapter Committees, and are ratified by The Academy’s Trustees. The award is presented to individuals and/or companies who have made contributions of outstanding technical significance to the recording industry.”
Of Pastor Shirley Caesar, The Recording Academy writes, 

A deeply spiritual and affecting gospel singer, Shirley Caesar’s emotive vocal talents were discovered in a church choir when she was 10 years old. She is arguably best known for her eight-year tenure with the Chicago-based gospel group the Caravans, whom she joined after appealing to Albertina Walker to sing a solo with the group. Electing to pursue a solo career in 1966 alongside her own choir, the Caesar Singers, she subsequently carved out a profile that earned her the title of First Lady of Gospel Music. Caesar’s roll call of achievements includes 11 GRAMMY Awards®, 14 Stellar awards, 15 Dove awards, a NAACP Image Award, a Soul Train Music Award, and two current 59th GRAMMY nominations.

Caesar, 78, has enjoyed a highly successful 2016 that, in addition to the GRAMMY nominations for her Billboard chart-topping album Fill This House, has included a number one spot on the Billboard Hot Gospel Songs chart for “Hold My Mule” (as result of the viral Internet success of the “U Name It” Challenge featuring a portion of the sermonette), and a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.

2017 Grammy nominees announced

By Libra Boyd
Gospel Music Fever


Originally posted Dec. 6, 2016 at 5:30 PM 

Last updated Dec. 6, 2016 at 11:42 PM



Congratulations to gospel’s nominees for the 59th Annual Grammy Awards.  Given her extraordinarily successful year, it isn’t surprising that Shirley Caesar earned two noms for Best Gospel Performance/Song (“It’s Alright, It’s OK”) and Best Gospel Album (Fill This House).


Gospel trendsetters Kirk Franklin and Hezekiah Walker also earned nominations, along with Jekalyn Carr, Travis Greene, Tamela Mann, Tim Bowman, Jr., Todd Dulaney, and William Murphy.  In addition, God Don’t Change: The Songs of Blind Willie Johnson received a nomination for Best Roots Gospel Album. The Blind Boys of Alabama picked up a nomination for their performance (“Mother’s Children Have a Hard Time”) on the album in the Best American Roots Performance category.


To see the complete lists in each of the gospel categories, visit: 59th Annual Grammy Awards Nominees [Gospel/Contemporary Christian Music Award Genre]


The awards show will air February 12, 2017, at 8 PM ET on CBS.


Pictured left to right from top: Caesar, Greene, Carr, Murphy, Walker, Bowman, Mann, Franklin, and Dulaney.

Prayers up for Tonya Lewis Taylor

The following was provided to GMF in a media release.  Please keep Tonya lifted in prayer for a speedy recovery.

(New York, NY – December 1, 2016) Gospel artist Tonya Lewis Taylor was rushed to the emergency room and has been in the hospital since Tuesday.  On Monday night, she started to complain of severe head pains. Tonya, who insists that she doesn’t get headaches, mentioned in a Facebook post that she felt like “her head was about to explode.”  Tonya has a family history of aneurysms and strokes, and she is currently undergoing tests to determine the source of the issue. Please keep her in your prayers!


Tonya Lewis Taylor’s single “I’m A Winner” from her latest project/EP I’ve Got To Win debuted in the top 30 on the Billboard Gospel Charts.  With the highly anticipated release of her national debut album Delayed But Not Denied in 2014 (on which she wrote and co-produced all of the songs), Tonya’s music has seen incredible momentum, blazing radio airwaves.

Lewis-Taylor is not only a singer/songwriter and producer but a teacher, award winning philanthropist and an author.  Wherever she goes, she engages, encourages, and empowers people to reach their full potential in their personal, entrepreneurial and spiritual lives.

Le’Andria Johnson to star in ‘Spare the Rod, Spoil the Child’ stage play at Lincoln Theatre

(Washington, DC)  Tall One Outreach Ministries presents “Spare the Rod, Spoil the
Child” gospel play at the Lincoln Theatre, 1215 U Street NW, Washington, DC, on November
5, 2016, at 7:30 PM.

The award-winning gospel stage play is written by Dr. Mildred
Summerville and directed by James A. House. In this gripping and engaging dramatic piece,
a woman simply known as “Grandma” serves as the pillar of her surroundings. Her son’s
family is in crisis, and those within her neighborhood are drowning in chronic troubles of
their own. Through it all, Grandma seeks God on behalf of those who are not spiritually
inclined enough to seek Him for themselves. Even those who resent her, such as her son’s
sometimes-rigid wife, Linda, ultimately end up on Grandma’s prayer list. And when the walls
of the lives of those around Grandma seem to come tumbling down, they know who to turn
to for guidance and sound counsel. It’s not always advice that they want to hear, but it is
consistently the precise word needed to steer them in the right direction.

Using spirit-filled music and memorable characters like James, the doting son, Linda, the
insensitive daughter-in-law, Tracy, the high-strung teenager, and Sister Cantaloupe,
Grandma’s feisty sister, “Spare the Rod, Spoil the Child” portrays issues within the community
such as family dysfunction, peer pressure, substance abuse, and other pertinent matters
that are too often inadequately addressed or considered taboo altogether.

Other characters in the cast bring even more drama to the script. In her God-given wisdom,
Grandma confronts Tracy’s suppressed anger and bitterness, convincing her to disclose facts
about a rape kept secret for years. Also, she fervently prays for her grandson, William, who
has a change of heart and averts a life of gang involvement.

Though compounding events take a toll on Grandma, the audience will rejoice in knowing
that this elderly woman’s life was prayer-centered, purpose-inspired and inevitably not at all
lived in vain. Extraordinary drama, corrupt karma, a supportive pastor, and a praying
grandma, all come together to make “Spare the Rod, Spoil the Child” a must-see theatrical
production. Infused with foot-stomping gospel music, this is soul-stirring entertainment that
will warm hearts, tickle funny bones, uplift the spirits, and search the souls of all those who
experience it.

Gracing the stage are Grammy Award winning artist Le’Andria Johnson, gospel singing
sensation Shawn McLemore, who is known for his hit single “I Believe,” featuring James
Fortune, Dr. Pauline Key, and Comedian Trina Jeffrie aka Sis. Cantaloupe. Viewers are
in for an unforgettable experience! The additional supporting cast members are Hope
Demps, Anthony A.D. Demmer, Bria Walker, Trenton Lumpkin, Elizabeth Henry,
Hasan Texeira, Dana Kristina-Joi Morgan, and Rhonda McLemore.

About the Writer/Producer
Dr. Mildred Summerville recently received an award from the
Heritage Registry of Who’s Who in the field of Spiritual Education
Entertainment for her award-winning play, “Spare the Rod, Spoil
the Child,” and she is an exclusive member of the Heritage Top
100. She was also a 2016 Down East Honoree of the Lifetime
Achievement Award. Dr. Summerville is an active member of Delta
Sigma Theta Sorority and Mt. Calvary Word of Faith Church in
Raleigh where she serves as an armor bearer for Pastor Shirley
Caesar. During her association and work with the renowned
gospel artist, Summerville realized she had a zeal and talent for
entertainment.

Source – Summerville Promotion and Production Co.

Winners of 47th Annual Dove Awards announced

Congratulations to all of the winners and honorees at the 47th Annual Dove Awards, which took place October 11, at Lipscomb University’s Allen Arena in Nashville.  Kirk Franklin (pictured accepting award) and Anthony Brown & group therAPy were among the gospel artists who carried trophies away from the ceremony.  

For a recap of the show and the complete list of winners, click here.  The Dove Awards will air on TBN this Sunday, October 16, at 10PM ET (7PM PT).

Photo by Terry Wyatt/Getty Images for Dove Awards

Hezekiah Walker lands radio show on Rejoice Musical Soul Food Radio Network



(Virginia Beach, VA)  Rejoice! MSF (Musical Soul Food Radio Network) has signed gospel music legend Hezekiah Walker to an exclusive syndication and sales partnership. Rejoice! MSF will handle production, distribution, and syndication duties while Sun Broadcast Group will supply sales support for Walker’s new syndicated radio program. 

The working title for the show that will launch the first week in November is, “The Hezekiah Walker Show.” The Grammy, Stellar, and Dove Award winning recording artist has sold millions of records over the years and is known for classic songs such as “Every Praise” and his current No. 1 hit “Better.” Hezekiah Walker joins Rejoice! Musical Soul Food’s illustrious roster of gospel stars who also host syndicated radio shows such as Dorinda Clark Cole, Melvin Williams of the Williams Brothers, Dottie Peoples, and Coko Clemmons of the R&B group SWV. 

“The Hezekiah Walker Show” will target urban, urban adult contemporary, hip-hop, and gospel stations with a one-hour, weekday music-driven inspirational format to kick-off the mornings with a burst of inspiration. Additionally, Walker will also package a two-hour weekend program targeting multi-formats. 

“The addition of Hezekiah Walker to our lineup of powerful celebrity-driven shows positions us to increase our impact in the gospel music arena,” says Mike Chandler, Rejoice! MSF President. “We’ve been blessed to have some of the most recognizable names in the gospel industry as part of our talent pool.”


Hezekiah Walker says, “I am excited about teaming up with such an influential organization in the gospel music industry as the Rejoice Musical Soul Food Radio Network….so radio look out, here we come!”


SOURCE Bill Carpenter

Ami Rushes teams with Kurt Carr, seeks songwriters for 2017 album

(Los Angeles, CA)  Gospel recording artist Ami Rushes is gearing up for her sixth album and she wants to make you part of the process. As Rushes continues to uplift and inspire with her Sunday morning classics, praise and worship anthems, and foot-stomping, hand-clapping gospel music, she’s seeking songwriters to contribute music for her presently untitled 2017 release that will be produced by the award-winning Kurt Carr.
“I love ‘Standing Up For Jesus’ and spreading His message through gospel music,” says Rushes. “And I’m looking to work with some fresh, new songwriters on music that will encourage God’s people. Come go to church with me and participate in this recording process.”
All interested songwriters should submit original material only—complete songs with music that will professionally record. Submissions should be sent in the mp3 format. Deadline to submit music is Friday, December 16, 2016. For consideration, submit to: info@amirushes.com.
As a member of the West Angeles Church of God in Christ and a former singer for the late Rev. James Cleveland, Rushes has a deep appreciation for gospel music and prides herself on maintaining the traditions of the genre.