Category: News

Lecrae celebrates multiple wins at 46th Annual GMA Dove Awards

Lecrae

One wonders if Lecrae is running out of space for all his music hardware.  The rapper toted three trophies–including one for Artist of the Year–from the 46th annual GMA Dove Awards.  The sold-out show was held October 13, at Allen Arena on the campus of Lipscomb University.  Tasha Cobbs and Erica Campbell also won awards for Gospel Artist of the Year and Contemporary Gospel/Urban Song of the Year, respectively.  

Also among the evening’s highlights was the presentation of the Lifetime Achievement Award to Bobby Jones Gospel, which is currently airing its final season of shows to crown a 35-year run. 

The Dove Awards will air this Sunday, October 19, at 9 PM CT (10 PM ET) on TBN. 

Read more and see the complete list of winners here: 46th Annual GMA Dove Awards Honored Top Christian and Gospel Artists

Tiff Joy’s self-titled debut project charts on Billboard

Chicago native Tiff Joy has had a very good two years.

It was almost two
years ago when she hit the national stage as the songwriter and soloist
on Ricky Dillard & New G’s Grammy Award nominated gospel radio
smash “Amazing.” Three weeks ago, her soul-stirring radio single “The
Promise” made its Top 30 debut on the Billboard Gospel Airplay chart, and
this past week her inaugural album Tiff Joy (Walkway Music Group/Tyscot
Records) made its Billboard Top Gospel Albums chart entrance at
#5.

“Wow…. this is crazy,” the ecstatic singer says. “I am CONSTANTLY
in awe of how GOD moves. This is HIM and I’m forever Grateful.“

From Bill Carpenter

'Wilson Idol' 2015: "And the winner is…

Photo | PVICK Studio

By Libra Boyd
Gospel Music Fever

…Patrice Farmer!”


Congratulations to Patrice Farmer (pictured with Dr. Mildred Summerville), grand prize winner of the third annual “Wilson Idol” talent competition, held Saturday, September 19, at Wilson, NC’s Fike High School auditorium.  Patrice wowed the judges and captivated the audience with her vocal performance of Tamela Mann’s “I Can Only Imagine” to capture the first place honor.  The win came with a $1,000 prize and trophy, along with a part in the onstage production of the award-winning Mildred Summerville play “Spare the Rod,
Spoil the Child,” and an opportunity to perform for gospel music’s leading lady, Pastor Shirley Caesar.


As has become standard for the annual competition, participants took to the stage and delivered an evening of impressive performances that left judges splitting hairs over who would earn the grand prize as well as top spots in the youth and adult divisions.


Runners-up in the youth division were:

James Thomas Daniels (1st runner-up)
Precious Finch (2nd runner-up)
William Featherston (3rd runner-up)


In the adult division, runners-up were:

Shannon Baker (1st runner-up)
Kelsey Joyner (2nd runner-up)
Ashley Ongaro (3rd runner-up)


Each runner-up was presented a trophy for his or her exceptional performance, and each contestant received a certificate of recognition. 

“Wilson Idol“ talent competition is sponsored by Summerville Promotion
and Production Company and Tall One Outreach Ministries to give residents of Wilson, NC (ages 10 and up)
an opportunity to showcase their talents in the areas of music, dance/step, and acting.

This year, for the first time, “Wilson Idol” recognized three honorees as Tall One Outreach Ministries’
Champions.  During a pre-show, Bishop Eloise Sessoms,
Sharetta Blackwell, and Minister Michael Boone were celebrated for
standing tall in the Wilson community through excellence in leadership,
integrity, and inspiration. 

GMF congratulates Patrice, the runners-up, the Tall One Outreach Ministries’ Champions, and the show’s producer Dr. Mildred Summerville for jobs well done!

Earl Bynum announces self-titled solo project, releases single


(Chesapeake, VA)  He is a prolific songwriter, a master vocal arranger and has
demonstrated musical creativity and gospel music artistry that has
elevated him as one of the most recognized leaders in music and
ministry.  Multi-award winning vocalist and producer Earl Bynum is the Executive Minster of Music at Mount Lebanon Baptist Church “The Mount” which has four locations–Chesapeake, VA, Elizabeth City, NC, Peninsula, VA and Charlotte, NC.  He is also the International Minister of Music for the Gospel Heritage Foundation.
 With a vast catalog of songs and projects in his repertoire, Bynum is
now preparing to release his long awaited self-titled solo project EARL BYNUM in 2016 and leads off with a soulfully expressive single, “Call Him.”  Click here to watch it.
From The Bellamy Group

Lisa Page Brooks preps for first live recording

Songstress Lisa Page Brooks is set to record her first live album Friday, October 23, 2015, at The Christian Tabernacle Church in Detroit.  Bishop Michael Brooks, founding member of Commissioned, will serve as the evening’s producer.  Attendees can also look forward to a reunion of Witness, the eclectic contemporary group of which Brooks is a former member.  


The live session starts at 7 PM ET.  General admission tickets are $25 and VIP seats are $40.

2015 'Wilson Idol' talent show to feature Evelyn Turrentine-Agee as special guest

By Libra Boyd
Gospel Music Fever

On September 19, sixteen talented Wilson area contestants will compete for the title of “Wilson Idol.”

Wilson’s got talent.  And the competitor whose talent rises to the top next Saturday will win a $1,000 cash prize, a part in the onstage production of the award-winning Mildred Summerville play “Spare the Rod,
Spoil the Child,” and an opportunity to perform for multi-Grammy winner, Pastor Shirley Caesar.

The special guest and judge for the talent show–now in its third year–is Evelyn Turrentine-Agee, who is dubbed “The Queen of Quartet” and is best known for her hit number, “God Did It.”  The Stellar Award winner and evangelist will be joined on the judges’ panel by Rod Lewis, Prophet Calvin Suggs, Rev. Glenda Murray-Kelly, Will Ellis, Bob Owens, Don’trell Barnes, and Wilson Idol’s producer Dr. Mildred Summerville.  

GMF’s Libra Boyd and Min. Justin Barbour will return this year as hosts for the evening.  GMF is also an event sponsor.

 

This year, for the first time, Wilson Idol will recognize three honorees as Tall One Outreach Ministries’ Champions.  During a pre-show, Bishop Eloise Sessoms, Sharetta Blackwell, and Min. Michael Boone will be recognized for standing tall in the Wilson community through excellence in leadership, integrity, and inspiration.The Wilson Idol talent competition is sponsored by Summerville Promotion and Production Company and Tall One Outreach Ministries to give residents of Wilson, NC (ages 10 and up)
an opportunity to showcase their talents in the areas of music, dance/step, and acting.


Event Details
3rd Annual Wilson Idol Talent Competition

Saturday, Sept. 19, 2015
5 PM (doors open at 4)
Fike High School Auditorium
500 Harrison Drive
Wilson, NC 27893

Tickets are $15 in advance ($20 at the door) and can be purchased at
Hamilton Funeral Chapel, Arts Council of Wilson, and from all
contestants.  For more information, contact Dr. Mildred Summerville at
252-230-2689.

Kirk Franklin’s ‘Wanna Be Happy?’ sets record

Kirk Franklin always has a way of relating to the masses with relevant music.  His new single is barely three weeks old and has already made history.

Read more here: Christian Singer Kirk Franklin Makes History with #1 New Single ‘Wanna Be Happy?’

GMA 46th Dove Award Nominees

Jonathan McReynolds, Tamela Mann, Tasha Cobbs, Erica Campbell, and Charles Jenkins are among those whose nominations were announced today (August 12) for the 46th Annual GMA Dove Awards.  The complete list is available here.

This year’s awards will take place October 13, at Lipscomb University’s Allen Arena in Nashville and will air on TBN.

Congratulations to all nominees!

Lonnie Hunter to be awarded honorary doctorate

From Bill Carpenter

Syndicated radio personality and Stellar Award-nominated recording
artist Lonnie Hunter has had a really busy summer with hosting the
McDonald’s Inspiration Celebration Gospel concert tour and promoting
his latest Billboard Top 5 album #GETITDONE.  He is now closing the
season with a bang as the Executive Board of the One Flesh Ministries
Bible Institute in Glenwood, IL has announced that they will award him
an Honorary Doctorate in Sacred Music during their winter commencement.
“This was totally out of left field,” Hunter laughs of the
unexpected news.  “I am speechless right now and totally humbled and
grateful for this recognition of my work.”
 
A
Chicago native, Hunter began his career as a runway and print model, but
music was his first love. He was a soloist for the U.S. Air Force Jazz
Band and a celebrated gospel choir conductor.  He was well known for his
work with the Voices of St. Mark Choir where he produced the radio
hits “Even Me (The Drip Drop Song),” “Let’s Dance,” and “There’s Power
In His Name.”
Hunter’s career in radio started with Chicago’s WGCI.  Since 2007, he has been a radio personality with
Radio One where he currently hosts the nationally syndicated afternoon
drive program, “The Lonnie Hunter Show.”  Hunter also serves as Pastor of Worship
at Bethany Baptist Church, a 26,000-member church in Lindenwold,
NJ.
Earlier this year, Hunter launched the #GETITDONE apparel line for motivated people at www.lonniehuntermusic.com.

Free concert features the Sensational Nightingales – Aug. 2

Musicals that feature gospel trailblazers are seldom free anymore, so here’s something worth putting on your Google calendar. 


The Sensational Nightingales will appear live in concert Sunday evening, August 2, 2015, at Roxboro Church of God.  The service begins at 6 PM, and the church is located at 1415 N. Main Street in Roxboro, NC.


An offering will be received during the service.


Also appearing will be James Dixon and Company, Kay Ferguson, and Lamont Logan of WSBV-1560 AM.  

The Gales have been on the gospel highway for more than seven decades.  “It’s Gonna Rain,” “Prodigal Son,” and “At the Meeting” remain among their most requested songs.

For more information, contact Rev. Barbara Dixon at 336-322-1959.