Category: News

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.

DeVaughn Murphy posthumously ordained as an elder in Full Gospel Baptist Church Fellowship

Bishop Jerry Hutchins of the Full Gospel Baptist Church Bishops Council announces DeVaughn Murphy’s posthumous ordination as an elder in the Full Gospel Baptist Church Fellowship International at the conclusion of Murphy’s homegoing celebration today at Detroit’s Second
Ebenezer Church.  His nephew, William Murphy IV (standing with the choir, second from right), looks on.

Murphy, beloved songwriter, musician, producer, and worship leader,
passed July 20, 2015 (read here).  He was 33 years old. 

Marvin Sapp elevated to bishop in Global United Fellowship

Bishop Marvin Sapp (2nd from right) with fellow newly installed Bishops (from left) Antoine Wright, Leofric Thomas, Sir Walter Mack, and Carroll Baltimore.
Photo Credit | Facebook Page of The Official Global United Fellowship

Congratulations to Pastor Marvin Sapp, who was installed as a bishop on July 10, during the Global United Fellowship’s annual conference, held in Jacksonville, FL.  


The pastor and gospel singer will continue to lead his flock in Grand Rapids at the Lighthouse Full Life Center Church.


As a bishop in Global United Fellowship (GUF), under the leadership of Presiding Bishop Neil C. Ellis, Sapp will overssee GUF’s North Central Province which consists of 70 pastors and churches in nine states.

Norris J announces new single & video premiere party – July 24

Inspirational rapper Norris J is dropping a new single, “Put U In,” and he’s celebrating with a video premiere party Friday, July 24, at E-Gallery Studios in Dallas.

The event includes guest appearances by Gabby and NoJo Wallace as well as surprises throughout the evening.

Norris J is an award-winning performer, having picked up KHVN’s Heaven 97 Rap Artist of the Year for the last three consecutive years.


It’s going down:


Friday, July 24, 2015
Doors open at 7 PM
E-Gallery Studios
1330 Motor Circle 
Dallas, TX  
$5 cover

Tribbett launches benefit concert for families of Charleston massacre victims – July 23

From Bill Carpenter

Emanuel 9

The Charleston Church Massacre (June 17) has prompted Grammy Award
winning recording artist Tye Tribbett to launch a “Hate Won’t
Win” concert to benefit the families of the nine people who were shot to
death in that tragic incident. The concert features some of the biggest
names in Christian music such as gold-selling artist Israel Houghton, Tasha Cobbs, Mali
Music, and Columbia, SC native Travis Greene. The concert takes place
Thursday, July 23 at 7 PM at The Medallion Conference Center in Columbia,
SC and caps the first day of Tribbett’s second annual “The Chosen
Music Mentorship” conference for church worship leaders.
 
“Gospel
is the good news,” Tribbett says of his use of music as a healing tool
to create racial harmony in the Carolinas. “By spreading the music we
induce hope, and we train new worship leaders so they are equipped with
the same intent to go fearlessly where some have lost hope and to boldly
declare through this gospel that there is yet hope.”
 
The
Chosen Music Mentorship Program runs July 23-25 and boasts some of the
country’s top gospel

Tribbett

practitioners such as producer Donald Lawrence and
rising star Jonathan McReynolds to provide spiritual and practical
workshops that will improve the lives and ministries of
the participants. It all takes place at The Medallion Conference Center,
7309 Garners Ferry Road, Columbia, SC 29209.  The general public can
call (973) 351-1569 or email chosenmentorship@gmail.com for more information and detail.

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Before BET’s Bobby Jones Gospel, Jubilee Showcase was celebrated as the longest running gospel music program on television.  From 1963 to 1984, gospel greats of the day appeared on the weekly 30-minute show, produced and hosted by Sid Ordower. 

A documentary about Jubilee Showcase is presently in the works, and Ordower’s son, Steve–who is entrusted with the archive of content–invites you to visit jubileeshowcase.launchrock.com.  Once there, sign up with your email to get free and exclusive access to rare footage of gospel performances.