Category: News

The Wardlaw Brothers make movie debut in "On Angel's Wings"

The Wardlaw Brothers (TWB) make their film debut today in the opening of the movie, On Angel’s Wings, starring Reginald Vel Johnson, Robin Givens, Taylor Faye Ruffin, and Sweet Brown.  In addition to appearing in the movie, the group’s hit “Right Now Lord” and cover of “Here I Am to Worship” are featured.  Luther Wardlaw also wrote the movie’s theme song, “Angel’s Wings.”
On Angel’s Wings is directed by Aaron L. Williams (Preaching to the Pastor; The Pastor’s Secrets; Mama, I Want to Sing). It’s a family film about a star player for the Angels soccer team who gets injured, and Coach Carter (Vel Johnson) decides to play the water girl, McKenzie Adams (Ruffin). After embarrassing herself in front of
the entire school, her luck changes when she meets an angel that grants
her three wishes. Unable to keep it a secret, she takes her little brother
Josh (Tyler Humphrey) and their dog Zeus on a whirlwind of fun and adventure.  Their
excitement proves short-lived when McKenzie’s luck runs out and she has
to figure things out on her own. In this coming of age family movie,
McKenzie, Josh, and their dog Zeus find that miracles really do happen
everyday, because they happen whenever we help someone in need.
On Angel’s Wings premieres at AMC Theatre, 9168 Mall of Louisiana Blvd in Baton Rouge, LA, today, April 13, at 3 PM. Tickets to the premiere are available at www.digitalmediala.com/angels.  Use the promo code “Angels” to receive $1.00 off each ticket purchase.
You can watch the official movie trailer here. 

Take 6 to be inducted into Gospel Music Hall of Fame

Take 6 will soon take its place alongside other vocal groups like The Fisk Jubilee Singers and The Winans in one of gospel’s grand “halls.”  The a cappella sextet, along with Brown Bannister, Rich Mullins, and the Gaither Vocal Band, are the newest inductees into the Gospel Music Hall of Fame. 

Take 6’s contemporary brand of gospel, heavily laced with jazz and R&B, has netted them twelve Grammys, five Dove Awards, and one Soul Train Award. The group was formed (and named the Gentleman’s Estate Quartet) in 1980 at Alabama’s Oakwood College. Since becoming Take 6 in 1987, they have released 18 albums; the most recent is entitled One, on the Shanachie label.

The Gospel Music Association also announced that Dr. Bobby Jones is one of five GMA Honors recipients for 2014.

The induction and honors ceremony will take place April 29, 2014, at Lipscomb University’s Allen Arena in Nashville.

Divine Connections’ 4th Anniversary Celebration: Songs, Dance, and ‘Prayse’

Mime group Krazie Prayse from Burlington, NC, performs “Take My Life (Holiness)” at Saturday’s anniversary of Divine Connections in Durham. Check out their YouTube channel here, and like them on Facebook here.

The W.H. Amos Praise and Worship Mass Choir wrecks the house.
GMF recently interviewed Deloris Williams of Divine Connections. Read it here: Deloris Williams, entrepreneur and author, talks about the value of ‘divine connections’.  
See more pics from yesterday’s celebration on the Gospel Music Fever Facebook page. GMF thanks Deloris for the opportunity to be a part.

Annual Gospel Fashion/Dinner Show to benefit Duke Stroke Center – April 5

Joy Armour-Williams and A Touch of Joy Outreach Ministries, Inc. are calling on the community to come out and help bring awareness to, and raise money for, the Duke Stroke Center. 

4th Annual Gospel Fashion/Dinner Show
Saturday, April 5, 2014
6-10 PM (doors open at 5:30)

Campus Hill Community Center
2100 S. Alston Ave
Durham, NC
 
Tickets: Adults – $25; Children – $15; Under 5 – Free
Tickets may be purchased at www.atjomi.com.

Click flyer to enlarge

Jamison & Wright-Pate win sing-off, will perform during Super Bowl Gospel Celebration

Jamison
(Atlanta, GA)  Two talented and extraordinary women have been selected by gospel greats Kierra Sheard, J. Moss and Bishop Paul S. Morton for The American Family Insurance “Your Dream is Out There” Gospel Sensations Sing-Off. Kristen Jamison of Orangeburg, SC and Valaree Wright-Pate of Columbus, OH competed against eight contestants for an opportunity of a lifetime. Jamison and Wright-Pate will perform live January 31, at Madison Square Garden theatre during the 15th Annual Super Bowl Gospel Celebration.

Wright-Pate
In addition to performing, the two winners will also enjoy an all-expense paid Super Bowl winning weekend, which includes tickets to the Big Game, Taste of the NFL, and Super Bowl Boulevard.

Although this is the fourth year American Family Insurance has served as the official sponsor of the NFL sanctioned Super Bowl Gospel Celebration, this is the first year of the Live Sing-Off, which garnered participants from across the country.

To watch videos and for more information about The American Family Insurance “Your Dream is Out There” Gospel Sensations Sing-Off, visit www.dreamsoutthere.com.

For more information about the Super Bowl Gospel Celebration, visit www.superbowlgospel.com.

Gospel Winners Announced at the 56th Grammy Awards

Tribbett

Congratulations to gospel winners (highlighted in yellow) at the 56th Grammy Awards, announced this evening in Los Angeles.



Best Gospel/Contemporary Christian Music Performance
For new vocal gospel/CCM recordings. All sub-genres of gospel/CCM music are eligible.

  1. BREAK EVERY CHAIN [LIVE] Tasha Cobbs
    Track from: Grace [Live] [EMI Gospel/ Motown Gospel]     
  2. HURRICANE Natalie Grant [Curb Records] 
  3. LORD, I NEED YOU Matt Maher
    Track from: All The People Said Amen (Live) [Essential Records] 
  4. OVERCOMER Mandisa
    Track from: Overcomer [Sparrow Records] 
  5. IF HE DID IT BEFORE… SAME GOD [LIVE] Tye Tribbett
    Track from: Greater Than [Live] [Motown Gospel]

Best Gospel Song
A Songwriter(s) Award.  (Artist names appear in parentheses.) Singles or Tracks only.

  1. HAVE YOUR WAY
    Calvin Frazier & Deitrick Haddon, songwriters (Deitrick Haddon)
    [RCA Inspiration; Publishers: Deitrick Vaughn Haddon Publishing/Calvin Frazier Publishing] 
  2. IF HE DID IT BEFORE… SAME GOD [LIVE] Tye Tribbett, songwriter (Tye Tribbett)
    Track from: Greater Than [Live]
    [Motown Gospel; Publisher: Everything Fresh Entertainment LLC] 
  3. IF I BELIEVE
    Wirlie Morris, Michael Paran, Charlie Wilson & Mahin Wilson, songwriters (Charlie Wilson)
    Track from: Love, Charlie
    [RCA Records / P Music Group Inc.; Publishers: Nephew Wirlie Music/EMI Music Publishing/Pacific Coast Pirate Publishing/Mamas Pebbly Publishing] 
  4. A LITTLE MORE JESUS
    Erica Campbell, Tina Campbell & Warryn Campbell, songwriters (Erica Campbell)
    [My Block Inc / Eone Music; Publishers: That’s Plum Song-EMI April/It’s Tea Tyme-EMI April/Campbell Kids
  5. STILL Percy Bady, songwriter (Percy Bady Featuring Lowell Pye)
    Track from: Kingdom Inspirations
    [Maranatha! Music/K-Bizz Ent.; Publisher: Kingdom Bizz Songs BMI]

Best Contemporary Christian Music Song
A Songwriter(s) Award. (Artist names appear in parentheses.) Singles or Tracks only.

  1. HURRICANE
    Matt Bronleewe, Natalie Grant & Cindy Morgan, songwriters (Natalie Grant)[Curb Records; Publisher: Razor & Tie Music Publishing] 
  2. LOVE TAKE ME OVER
    Steven Curtis Chapman, songwriter (Steven Curtis Chapman)Track from: The Glorious Unfolding
    [Reunion Records] 
  3. OVERCOMER
    David Garcia, Ben Glover & Christopher Stevens, songwriters (Mandisa)Track from: Overcomer
    [Sparrow Records; Publishers: Ariose Music/9T One Songs/Meaux Mercy/LarryDavid Music/Capitol CMG Publishing/Universal Music – Brentwood Benson Publishing/D Soul Music] 
  4. SPEAK LIFE
    Toby McKeehan, Jamie Moore & Ryan Stevenson, songwriters (Tobymac)
    Track from: Eye On It
    [Forefront Records; Publishers: Achtober Songs/EMI CMG Publishing/Universal Music – Brentwood Benson Publishing/Songs Of Emack/Jamnu Music/Hole-Steen Music] 
  5. WHOM SHALL I FEAR (GOD OF ANGEL ARMIES) Ed Cash, Scott Cash & Chris Tomlin, songwriters (Chris Tomlin)Track from: Burning Lights
    [sixstepsrecords/Sparrow Records; Publishers: Sixsteps Songs/Worship Together Music/A Thousand Generations Publishing/EMI CMG Publishing/Alletrop Music/McTyeire Music]

Best Gospel Album
For albums containing at least 51% playing time of new vocal gospel recordings.

  1. GRACE [LIVE]
    Tasha Cobbs
    [EMI Gospel/ Motown Gospel] 
  2. BEST FOR LAST: 20 YEAR CELEBRATION VOL. 1 [LIVE]
    Donald Lawrence
    [Quietwater Entertainment/EOne] 
  3. BEST DAYS YET
    Bishop Paul S. Morton
    [Tehillah Music Group/EOne] 
  4. GOD CHASER [LIVE]
    William Murphy[RCA Inspiration/ Verity Gospel Music Group]
  5. GREATER THAN [LIVE]
    Tye Tribbett
    [Motown Gospel] 

Best Contemporary Christian Music Album
For albums containing at least 51% playing time of new vocal contemporary Christian music recordings.

  1. WE WON’T BE SHAKEN Building 429
    [Essential Records]
  2. ALL THE PEOPLE SAID AMEN [LIVE] Matt Maher
    [Essential Records] 
  3. OVERCOMER Mandisa
    [Sparrow Records] 
  4. YOUR GRACE FINDS ME (LIVE) Matt Redman
    [sixstepsrecords/Sparrow Records] 
  5. BURNING LIGHTS Chris Tomlin
    [sixstepsrecords/Sparrow Records] 

Gospel Winners Announced at the 56th Grammy Awards

Tribbett

Congratulations to gospel winners (highlighted in yellow) at the 56th Grammy Awards, announced this evening in Los Angeles.





Best Gospel/Contemporary Christian Music Performance
For new vocal gospel/CCM recordings. All sub-genres of gospel/CCM music are eligible.

  1. BREAK EVERY CHAIN [LIVE] Tasha Cobbs
    Track from: Grace [Live] [EMI Gospel/ Motown Gospel]     
  2. HURRICANE Natalie Grant [Curb Records] 
  3. LORD, I NEED YOU Matt Maher
    Track from: All The People Said Amen (Live) [Essential Records] 
  4. OVERCOMER Mandisa
    Track from: Overcomer [Sparrow Records] 
  5. IF HE DID IT BEFORE… SAME GOD [LIVE] Tye Tribbett
    Track from: Greater Than [Live] [Motown Gospel]

Best Gospel Song
A Songwriter(s) Award.  (Artist names appear in parentheses.) Singles or Tracks only.

  1. HAVE YOUR WAY
    Calvin Frazier & Deitrick Haddon, songwriters (Deitrick Haddon)
    [RCA Inspiration; Publishers: Deitrick Vaughn Haddon Publishing/Calvin Frazier Publishing] 
  2. IF HE DID IT BEFORE… SAME GOD [LIVE] Tye Tribbett, songwriter (Tye Tribbett)
    Track from: Greater Than [Live]
    [Motown Gospel; Publisher: Everything Fresh Entertainment LLC] 
  3. IF I BELIEVE
    Wirlie Morris, Michael Paran, Charlie Wilson & Mahin Wilson, songwriters (Charlie Wilson)
    Track from: Love, Charlie
    [RCA Records / P Music Group Inc.; Publishers: Nephew Wirlie Music/EMI Music Publishing/Pacific Coast Pirate Publishing/Mamas Pebbly Publishing] 
  4. A LITTLE MORE JESUS
    Erica Campbell, Tina Campbell & Warryn Campbell, songwriters (Erica Campbell)
    [My Block Inc / Eone Music; Publishers: That’s Plum Song-EMI April/It’s Tea Tyme-EMI April/Campbell Kids
  5. STILL Percy Bady, songwriter (Percy Bady Featuring Lowell Pye)
    Track from: Kingdom Inspirations
    [Maranatha! Music/K-Bizz Ent.; Publisher: Kingdom Bizz Songs BMI]

Best Contemporary Christian Music Song
A Songwriter(s) Award. (Artist names appear in parentheses.) Singles or Tracks only.

  1. HURRICANE
    Matt Bronleewe, Natalie Grant & Cindy Morgan, songwriters (Natalie Grant)[Curb Records; Publisher: Razor & Tie Music Publishing] 
  2. LOVE TAKE ME OVER
    Steven Curtis Chapman, songwriter (Steven Curtis Chapman)Track from: The Glorious Unfolding
    [Reunion Records] 
  3. OVERCOMER
    David Garcia, Ben Glover & Christopher Stevens, songwriters (Mandisa)Track from: Overcomer
    [Sparrow Records; Publishers: Ariose Music/9T One Songs/Meaux Mercy/LarryDavid Music/Capitol CMG Publishing/Universal Music – Brentwood Benson Publishing/D Soul Music] 
  4. SPEAK LIFE
    Toby McKeehan, Jamie Moore & Ryan Stevenson, songwriters (Tobymac)
    Track from: Eye On It
    [Forefront Records; Publishers: Achtober Songs/EMI CMG Publishing/Universal Music – Brentwood Benson Publishing/Songs Of Emack/Jamnu Music/Hole-Steen Music] 
  5. WHOM SHALL I FEAR (GOD OF ANGEL ARMIES) Ed Cash, Scott Cash & Chris Tomlin, songwriters (Chris Tomlin)Track from: Burning Lights
    [sixstepsrecords/Sparrow Records; Publishers: Sixsteps Songs/Worship Together Music/A Thousand Generations Publishing/EMI CMG Publishing/Alletrop Music/McTyeire Music]

Best Gospel Album
For albums containing at least 51% playing time of new vocal gospel recordings.

  1. GRACE [LIVE]
    Tasha Cobbs
    [EMI Gospel/ Motown Gospel] 
  2. BEST FOR LAST: 20 YEAR CELEBRATION VOL. 1 [LIVE]
    Donald Lawrence
    [Quietwater Entertainment/EOne] 
  3. BEST DAYS YET
    Bishop Paul S. Morton
    [Tehillah Music Group/EOne] 
  4. GOD CHASER [LIVE]
    William Murphy[RCA Inspiration/ Verity Gospel Music Group]
  5. GREATER THAN [LIVE]
    Tye Tribbett
    [Motown Gospel] 

Best Contemporary Christian Music Album
For albums containing at least 51% playing time of new vocal contemporary Christian music recordings.

  1. WE WON’T BE SHAKEN Building 429
    [Essential Records]
  2. ALL THE PEOPLE SAID AMEN [LIVE] Matt Maher
    [Essential Records] 
  3. OVERCOMER Mandisa
    [Sparrow Records] 
  4. YOUR GRACE FINDS ME (LIVE) Matt Redman
    [sixstepsrecords/Sparrow Records] 
  5. BURNING LIGHTS Chris Tomlin
    [sixstepsrecords/Sparrow Records] 

2014 Stellar Award Winners, Air dates, and Times

Congratulations to all of the 29th Annual Stellar Award winners!  See the list below and visit this link frequently for airdates and times in your market. 
AT&T Artist of the Year
Tamela Mann, Best Days (Tillyman Music)

Ford Song of the Year
Kirk Franklin, “Take Me to the King” – Best Days (Tillyman Music)

Male Vocalist of the Year
Tye Tribbett, Greater Man (Motown Gospel)
Albertina Walker Female Vocalist of the Year
Tamela Mann, Best Days (Tillyman Music)
Group/Duo of the Year Presented by Wal-Mart
Anthony Brown & group therAPy (Tyscot Music and Entertainment)
UNCF New Artist of the Year
Tasha Cobbs, Grace (Motown Gospel, formerly EMI)

CD of the Year
Tamela Mann, Best Days (Tillyman Music)
State Farm Choir of the Year
Hezekiah Walker, Azusa: The Next Generation (RCA Inspiration)
Producer of the Year
Fred Hammond & Derek “DC” Clark, United Tenors Hammond Hollister Roberson Wilson (RCA Inspiration)
Contemporary Group/Duo of the Year
Fred Hammond United Tenors, United Tenors Hammond Hollister Roberson Wilson (RCA Inspiration)
Traditional Group/Duo of the Year
John P. Kee and New Life, Life & Favor (Kee Music Group)
Contemporary Male of the Year
Anthony Brown of Anthony Brown & group therAPy (Tyscot Music and Entertainment)

Traditional Male of the Year
John P. Kee, Life & Favor (Kee Music Group) 

Contemporary Female of the Year
Tasha Cobbs, Grace (Motown Gospel, formerly EMI)                              
Traditional Female of the Year
Tamela Mann, Best Days (Tillyman Music)
Contemporary CD of the Year
Tasha Cobbs, Grace (Motown Gospel, formerly EMI)

Traditional CD of the Year
Tamela Mann, Best Days (Tillyman Music)
Urban/Inspirational Single of Performance of the Year
Tamela Mann, “Take Me to the King” – Best Days (Tillyman Music)
Music Video of the Year
Brand X for “Testimony” by Anthony Brown & group therAPy (Tyscot Music and Entertainment)
Traditional Choir of the Year
Hezekiah Walker, Azusa: The Next Generation (RCA Inspiration)
Contemporary Choir of the Year
Earl Bynum & the Mount Unity Choir, Bishop K.W. Brown Presents Earl Bynum & the Mount Unity Choir (K.W. Brown Ministries)

Special Event CD of the Year
Hezekiah Walker, Azusa: The Next Generation (RCA Inspiration)

Rap Hip Hop Gospel CD of the Year
Lecrae, Gravity (Reach Records)
Children’s Project of the Year
Jekalyn Carr, Greater is Coming (Lunjeal/Malaco)
Quartet of the Year
Doc McKenzie & the Hi-Lites, Blessed (Ophir Entertainment)

Recorded Music Packaging of the Year
Patrick Dopson, Best Days (Tillyman Music)

Praise and Worship CD of the Year
Tamela Mann, Best Days (Tillyman Music)

GOSPEL RADIO and ANNOUNCERS’ AWARD WINNERS

Major Market (3 million and up)
WPZE 102.5/102.9, Atlanta – Lori Hall 

Large Market (1-3 million)
Heaven 600 – WCAO 600 AM, Baltimore – Lee Michaels

Medium Market (500,000-1 million)
The Light 103.9 WNNL, Raleigh – Jerry Smith

Small Market (Under 500,000)
WIMG – 1300 AM, Trenton – Ed Long

Internet Radio Station
Yes Lord Radio -YesLordRadio.com – Elder Howard C. Young, III & Rodrick J. Warren

Gospel Announcer
Cedric Bailey, Musical Soul Food – Norfolk/VA Beach, VA

LIVE STREAM ► Stellar Awards Weekend Backstage Pass

Access the live stream below. Chat with others while you watch
and have immediate access to on-demand footage and photos from the
backstage pass weekend! Peep the schedule of events at the bottom of the page so you don’t miss a
thing!



LIVE STREAM SCHEDULE


Friday, January 17, 2014

Live Interviews and Rehearsals 
1:30 – 3:30 PM EST (time subject to change) 

29th Annual Stellars Pre-Show 
7:00 – 10:00 PM EST
Hosted by Sonya Blakey & Angenella

Interviews with Earnest Pugh, Anita Wilson, Beverly Crawford,
Kevin Vasser, J. Moss, JJ Hairston & Youthful Praise, Chanel Haynes,
Monica Lisa Stevenson, Vincent Tharpe & Kenosis, Kevin Lemon &
Higher Calling, Livre, and more.


Saturday, January 18, 2014

Stellar Gospel & Radio Announcers Awards
10:00 AM – 2:30 PM EST
Hosted by  Sonya Blakey, Angenella, & Michael Davis

Red Carpet
5:00 – 6:30 PM  EST
Hosted by Tye Tribbett

Get up-close and personal with all the Stellar Awards nominees, gospel music artists, and legends.


Backstage Pass
7:00 – 10:00 PM EST

Hosted by Tye Tribbett, Jonathan Slocumb, Sonya Blakey, & Angenella

Don’t
miss interviews with Tasha Cobbs, Hezekiah Walker, Ricky Dillard,
VaShawn Mitchell, Jekalyn Carr, Jonathan McReynolds, Shirley Caesar,
Erica Campbell, Lexi, Anthony Brown & group TherAPy, Donald
Lawrence, and more.

GMF to host live stream of Stellar Awards Backstage Pass Weekend

CLICK HERE FOR THE LIVE STREAM ► Stellar Awards Weekend Backstage Pass

GMF has your backstage pass to the 29th Annual Stellar Awards! 

Starting Friday, January 17, you can watch interviews, rehearsals, and the Stellars’ ancillary events–all right here at www.gospelmusicfever.com.


The grand gospel weekend continues on Saturday, January 18, with the Stellar Gospel & Radio Announcers Awards, the red carpet event hosted by Tye Tribbett, and the “Backstage Pass” (offstage interviews while the main show airs live on the UP television network). 

Here’s the complete schedule for the live stream, released by the Stellar Awards and hosted by media affiliate, Gospel Music Fever Blog.  (Please note that the times listed on this blog are Eastern Standard). A few surprises are promised as well!  

Friday, January 17, 2014

Live Interviews and Rehearsals
1:30-3:30 PM EST (time subject to change)

29th Annual Stellars Pre-Show

7:00 – 10:00 PM EST
Hosted by Sonya Blakey & Angenella

Don’t miss interviews with Earnest Pugh, Anita Wilson, Beverly Crawford, Kevin Vasser, J. Moss, JJ Hairston & Youthful Praise, Chanel Haynes, Monica Lisa Stevenson, Vincent Tharpe & Kenosis, Kevin Lemon & Higher Calling, Livre, and more.

Saturday, January 18, 2014

Stellar Gospel & Radio Announcers Awards

10:00 AM – 2:30 PM EST
Hosted by  Sonya Blakey, Angenella, & Michael Davis

Red Carpet
5:00 – 6:30 PM  EST
Hosted by Tye Tribbett


Get up-close and personal with all the Stellar Awards nominees, gospel music artists, and legends.

Backstage Pass
7:00 – 10:00 PM EST

Hosted by Tye Tribbett, Jonathan Slocumb, Sonya Blakey, & Angenella

Don’t miss interviews with Tasha Cobbs, Hezekiah Walker, Ricky Dillard, VaShawn Mitchell, Jekalyn Carr, Jonathan McReynolds, Shirley Caesar, Erica Campbell, Lexi, Anthony Brown & group TherAPy, Donald Lawrence, and more.

The Stellar Awards will be held at the Nashville Municipal Auditorium on Saturday, January 18, 2014.
The show will air on the UP television network live on January 18, and
in broadcast syndication on 150 stations in over 125 markets around the
country from January 18 through March 2, 2014.  Rickey Smiley and Sherri Shepherd will host.