Category: News

2014 'Wilson Idol' competition to feature Shirley Caesar as guest judge

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Now here’s a local competition with national flair.

On September 27, twenty-eight talented Wilson Idol hopefuls will vy for the chance to win $1000, a trophy, an appearance in the onstage production of award-winning Mildred Summerville play “Spare the Rod, Spoil the Child,” and an opportunity to perform for the Queen of Gospel, Pastor Shirley Caesar.

Here’s the topper: Gospel’s queen will be there in person as guest judge.  The 11-time Grammy winner will be joined by fellow judges Dr. Brooksie Harrington, Calvin Suggs, Danny Howell, Lamont Hamilton, and Dr. Mildred Summerville.

GMF’s Libra Boyd and Justin Barbour will serve as the hosts for the evening.

The Wilson Idol talent show is sponsored by Summerville Promotion and Production Company to give residents of Wilson, NC (ages 10 and up) an opportunity to showcase their talents in the areas of solo music, band/group music, dance/step, and acting.  The first Wilson Idol competition was held last year, and the WTT Majestic Choir earned top prize.

Regarding the event’s purpose, Dr. Summerville expresses:

Wilson is where I was born and raised, giving it a special place in my heart. I have a great passion to reach out and save the youth through innovative ideas.  I believe that when children are given an opportunity to express themselves through performing arts they attend school more regularly, earn higher grades and test scores, have better social and communication skills, have better relationships with their parents, and have higher self-esteem.  My mission is to encourage all Wilson County students to stay in school (graduate) and to further their education or enroll in post-secondary [institutions]. Additionally, Wilson Idol is designed to bring unity in the community by building a solid arts foundation that will serve all ages and ethnicities through the performing arts. 

Event Details
Saturday, Sept. 27, 2014
5pm (doors open at 4)
Fike High School Auditorium
500 Harrison Drive
Wilson, NC 27893

Tickets are $12 in advance ($17 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.   

September marks Gospel Music Heritage Month

September is Gospel Music Heritage Month.  Celebrations are planned by the Gospel Music Heritage Month Foundation in Washington, DC and Houston, TX.  Visit gospelmusicheritage.org for more information about the celebrations as well as the foundation.

Earnest Pugh to drop new EP Sept. 2

Earnest Pugh is all set to release his new EP, Just Worship, Tuesday, September 2, which features five of his most-loved worship songs recorded “live.”  The project’s first radio single is “Alpha & Omega.”

Joshua Rogers hosts 'Teachable Moments' for aspiring artists

Ever since Joshua Rogers was named BET Sunday Best champ in season five, making him the first male and the youngest winner in the show’s history, he says questions have poured in from other rising gospel singers who desire to be successful in the music industry.  Consequently, Joshua (whom Kirk Franklin nicknamed “Young Buck”) is launching “Teachable Moments,” a free series of teleconferences to answer questions and share from his own experiences.  He won’t be the only one giving advice though; established industry notables will also join the discussions, starting with Dorinda Clark-Cole.

“Teachable Moments” kicks off Thursday, August 21, at 6 PM (eastern time), with Dorinda as Joshua’s special guest co-host.  To participate, dial 712-432-1212 and enter 549-827-236# as the meeting ID.

45th Annual GMA Dove Award nominees announced

Lecrae, Mandisa, Tye Tribbett, Sherri Jones-Moffett, and Micah Stampley are among those whose nominations were announced today (August 13) for the 45th Annual GMA Dove Awards.  The complete list is available here.

This year’s awards will take place October 7, at Lipscomb University’s Allen Arena in Nashville and will air on TBN.

Congratulations to all nominees!

Anthony Brown & group therAPy headline minority donor awareness event

(Indianapolis, IN)  Anthony Brown & group therAPy lent their voices as the headliner for the 18th Annual National Minority Donor Awareness Week Gospel Program.  Nearly 2,000 attendees filled the Church of Christian Compassion in Philadelphia, PA this past Sunday to support the organization’s effort to increase awareness of the need for minority organ and tissue donations.


Participants were treated to a free gospel concert as well as the opportunity to increase their knowledge about the importance of this initiative.


During the event, Anthony Brown spoke about the importance of organization’s such as the Gift of Life Donor program stating, “A very wise man once told me that businesses like this…places like this are an extension of God’s healing hand.”


According to the the organization’s official Facebook page, 120 new individuals registered to be donors that very evening. To find out more information about the Gift of Life Donor Program, please visit: http://www.donors1.org/learn2/religion/gospelprogram/ 


Here’s a clip from their performance. 


The preceding content is from a press release issued by Tyscot Music and Entertainment.

The Rance Allen Group readies for new project

Pictured from left: Chris Byrd, Tom Allen, Floyd Timeless Thomas, Rance Allen, Steve Allen, and Sidney Scott, following a recording session for the Rance Allen Group’s new project. 

Tyscot Music released this photo along with a heads up that the Rance Allen Group has been working on music for a new project, set for release later this year. According to the press release, the project is a “fresh, new twist to their classic sound.” A debut single is forthcoming.

Pop/soul Christian artist Kima Charysse drops ‘Heaven’

Pop/soul Christian singer Kima Charysse (pronounced Key-ma Sha-
reese) has released a brand new single entitled, “Heaven,” available at iTunes.


In a press release, the Atlanta-based artist says:

“Heaven” is about those of us who are seeking something outside ourselves that we just can’t seem to find.  It speaks from a tangible and relatable view point that is sure to grab hearts and remind us of the big picture.   

The mid-tempo single is an introduction to a variety of styles represented on Kima’s forthcoming full-length project, set to drop later this year, reads the press release.

Gospel Music Fever gets a new look

Finally.  


WELCOME! Welcome to the redesigned Gospel Music Fever site. We hope the improvements we’ve made are obvious at first glance: easier access to all of the site’s content and more prominence for the artists that we feature.  You’ll also notice a new GMF feature we’ve devoted to the NC scene (since that’s my home state and hotbed of great gospel music).  


Here are a couple of caveats as you engage with the new layout.  First, major site changes are heavy-duty work and glitches are inevitable; thanks in advance for your patience as we figure them out and get them fixed. Secondly, if searching via Google, Yahoo, etc. or if following a link from social media, you may find that a few of our links have moved. No worries!  If this happens, you can simply go to the GMF homepage–www.gospelmusicfever.com–and find it there via the search box in the orange bar.  


GMF is still all about the business of uplifting and advancing gospel music and its artists, and we are excited to continue to do so.


Enjoy the new Gospel Music Fever experience.  Let us know what you think.


Libra Boyd
Founder & Editor

Yancey Family Ministries presents ‘Giving God the Glory’ Gospel Explosion – July 26

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Read GMF’s review of featured artist Damion Murrill and Siloam’s current single here: “Kingdom Come” – Damion Murrill and Siloam