Category: News

GMF wins 2013 Rhythm of Gospel Award for Internet Media Group of the Year

Gospel Music Fever emerged from a category of nine nominees to win Internet Media Group of the Year at this weekend’s 5th Annual Rhythm of Gospel Awards.  The festivities were held in Jacksonville, FL.


“It’s a blessing to be recognized by your readers and industry colleagues for your efforts to advance gospel music and uplift its artists,” comments Libra Boyd, GMF’s founder and editor. “It’s truly a rewarding feeling, and I am thankful.” 

According to the organization, The Rhythm of
Gospel Awards is the “Official & The Largest” Independent Gospel
Show, giving independent gospel artists both a national platform and a
positive collaboration.  The national televised awards show is an annual
event that brings in over 6,500 artists, churches, and media groups throughout
the USA, Canada, and Bahamas.

Gospel Music Fever was founded in spring 2011.  Since its inception, Libra has been the blog’s chief writer and editor, publishing news, articles, interviews, and reviews covering every
style and era of gospel music. 
Accordingly, GMF has grown in popularity and name
recognition among gospel music’s fans and followers.

A complete list of winners is available on The Black Gospel Blog.

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Editor’s Note: Thanks to the National Independent Gospel Music Association (N.I.G.M.A.) and all persons who took part in the voting process.

I am also grateful to the following organizations and contributors that helped make travel to Florida possible: 

Penn Avenue Baptist Church

Pastor W.S. Darby & Penn Avenue Baptist Church
Mr. James Bailey
Mr. Anthony Moore
Mr. Dwight Thorpe

Tributes to Norwood, Hayes at the Rhythm of Gospel Awards – July 26, 2013

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Among the many events taking place at the 2013 Rhythm of Gospel Awards are musical tributes to Evangelist Dorothy Norwood and Bishop Charles Hayes.

Norwood’s career spans more than six decades and includes tenures with the famous Caravans and the Dorothy Norwood Singers, along with renown as a solo artist and “Gospel’s Greatest Storyteller.”

Bishop Hayes is the founder and pastor of Cosmopolitan Church of Prayer on Chicago’s South Side.  He is also the founder of the Cosmopolitan Church of Prayer Choir (also known as The Warriors), which has recorded more than 30 albums including the choir smash “Jesus Can Work It Out.”

The midnight musical starts at 10:30 PM on Friday, July 26, at Downtown Wyndham Jacksonville Riverwalk Hotel. Tickets are available either in advance ($15) or at the door ($20).

2013 Rhythm of Gospel Awards gets underway this week – July 24-28

GMF is nominated for Internet Media Group of the Year

Click to enlarge for more info & list of performers

(Jacksonville, FL)  All roads lead to Jacksonville, FL this week for the 5th Annual Rhythm Of Gospel Awards. The televised awards show is an annual event filled with a variety of innovative and exciting showcases and achievement galas–bringing in over 6,500 excited tourists, church, social and civic groups, families and business professionals throughout the entire USA, Canada, and Bahamas.

Gospel Music Fever is honored to be among this year’s nominees for Internet Media Group of the Year.

The Rhythm of Gospel Awards is the “Official & The Largest” Independent Gospel Show, giving independent gospel artists both a national platform and a positive collaboration, which supports artists of all ethnicities in various genres of gospel music. This year’s event will spotlight 54 categories of recognition and will honor 16 distinguished pastors, national & independent gospel artists, and radio personalities–giving them the opportunity to network formally while congratulating trailblazers from various sectors of the community and music industry. 

Click to picture above for more information and a list of performers.

Teen’s song about Trayvon Martin creates buzz on “The James Fortune Show”

Click here to listen to the song from teen singer/songwriter/guitarist Carvena Jones entitled “I Am Trayvon Martin”.

Pastor Shirley Caesar to dedicate Youth Night of her 2013 annual conference to Martin

The 41st annual conference of Shirley Caesar Outreach Ministries will be held August 4-9, at the Mount Calvary Word of Faith Church in Raleigh (see flyer).  This year, she is making a call to all the youth.  Read more here: Pastor Shirley Caesar shows support in memory Trayvon Martin!

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Rance Allen chats with Tavis Smiley on PBS – July 2

(Indianapolis, IN) Rance Allen continues to make his rounds across the country promoting The Rance Allen Group‘s current project Amazing Grace as well as the accompanying documentary, Music Majors: The Rance Allen Group. His latest stop is in Los Angeles, CA for a chat with renowned journalist and host, Tavis Smiley.
A longtime fan of the group, Smiley invited Allen as a special guest on
his PBS program to discuss the group’s influence on gospel music, the
current project and more.
The interview will air on July 2, on PBS. Check your local listings for times in your area or click here for more information.
The Rance Allen Group’s current project, Amazing Grace,
is currently available in stores and online. This 2-disc CD/DVD special
package features the new songs from the legendary group as well as
their documentary, Music Majors: The Rance Allen Group. For more
information, visit www.tyscot.com.

Mavis Staples talks to NPR about new album

Grammy winner Mavis Staples has a new album.  Hear the story behind it here: Gospel Legend Mavis Staples Comes ‘Full Circle’

GMF’s Libra Boyd is guest on Bob Marovich’s “Gospel Memories” Radio Show – June 15

Libra & Bob in 2011

Tune in to Chicago’s WLUW 88.7 FM (or the live webcast at www.gospelmemories.com) this Saturday, June 15 at 11am EST, for host Bob Marovich’s interview with GMF’s Libra Boyd.  Bob is a friend of GMF as well as an author and walking encyclopedia of gospel music history.

“Libra Boyd, founder and editor of Gospel Music
Fever who helped raise the money for the Barrett Sisters documentary,
is our special guest on Saturday’s Gospel Memories. She’ll share with us
her other brushes with gospel royalty.” – Host Bob Marovich

Livre’ to appear on VH1’s Love & Hip Hop: Atlanta

Update (6/11/13) – From the J. Hardy Agency –

“Due to miscommunication Livre’ will be appearing on the 10th episode (JUNE 24, 2013) of VH1’s Love & Hip Hop Atlanta NOT the 10th Day of June 2013. We apologize for any inconvenience this may have caused and hope that you will tune in on Monday, June 24, 2013! Thanks for your continued support!”

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Atlanta, GA (Tuesday, June 4, 2013) –  Contemporary gospel’s brightest newcomers Livre’ (pronounced LIV-RAY) will make their network television debut aboard next week’s episode of VH1’s hit reality series Love & Hip Hop: Atlanta.  Their appearance on the docu-soap, set to air Monday, June 10, at 8 PM EST, marks just one of many reasons the Bronx-bred sextet have to
celebrate as reports also indicate their newest single “I Will Be Alright” has blasted back onto Billboard’s Top Gospel Singles Chart this week at #26. Listen below.

 

Are you a youth with talent? “Wilson Idol” Talent Search 2013 wants you!

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Summerville Promotion and Production Company (SPPC) has begun its search for talented youth to compete in the first annual “Wilson Idol” contest. Wilson Idol is a local competition sponsored by SPPC and Teaching Academics for Life Learning Outreach Ministries (TALL-1 OM) which will find musical, dance and acting talent from Wilson’s youth, ages 10-18.
The competition will give Wilson’s youth an opportunity to showcase their talent in the areas of solo music, band/group music, dance/step and acting. Cash prizes will be awarded and the top performer will be given an opportunity to perform for Pastor Shirley Caesar, Queen of Gospel and will be given a part in the onstage production of the award winning gospel play, “Spare the Rod, Spoil the Child” written and produced by Dr. Mildred Summerville. All winners will be featured in TPC Magazine and within The City Insight and posted on their websites, www.tcpmagazineusa.com and www.thecityinsight.com. This event will showcase diverse talents throughout the community and give all interested youth an opportunity to reach their full potential while building their confidence, social skills, and communication skills.

The competition is being produced by Dr. Mildred Summerville, Founder/CEO of Teaching Academics for Life Learning 1-Outreach Ministries (TALL1-OM). Dr. Summerville established TALL 1-OM, a community-based nonprofit organization, to strengthen academic achievement and bring about a multicultural awareness within the community on various issues hindering students’ academic success. This awareness serves as a strong force for overcoming barriers such as gangs, crime, drug abuse, teen pregnancy, tobacco use and HIV/AIDS prevention. In addition to its focus on academic achievement, TALL-1 aims to help youth with learning enhanced social and life skills to assist them in becoming healthy functioning members of the community.

As a means to carry out its mission, TALL-1 established the James and Leanther Summerville Academy, named to honor Summerville’s parents. The Academy is a community base school serving suspended students from Wilson County Schools offering them an opportunity to continue their education. Its fundamental purpose is to improve academic performance and reduce negative behavior, leading to a decrease in the number of suspensions and dropouts.

Youth can obtain the Wilson Idol Rules and Application Package by calling Dr. Mildred Summerville at 252-230-2689, Marjie Slagle at 252-265-2688, emailing your request to [email protected], or by picking one up at the J&L Summerville Academy, 618 Tarboro St. NE, Wilson, NC 27893. Additional information on Summerville’s Entrepreneur Program can be obtained by calling Dr. Summerville or emailing her at [email protected].