Category: News

You could be the next producer and/or writer for GI’s new album

If you have talent, read on.
If
you are a music producer and/or songwriter, here is your chance to have
your work possibly featured on Stellar & Dove Award nominated trio
GI’s next album!! GI is looking for creative, original material to be
used for their upcoming album!



Read the official statement from GI below:



“Good people! We are excited to announce that this week we start on our 3rd album! We’re looking for producers/songwriters for our new album.



If you think you’ve got what it takes send your HOTTEST and most ORIGINAL tracks (it can be music/or music & lyrics) to [email protected].  If
you are only a songwriter, email your contact information and the label
will send you tracks to write to. Any questions on style, direction,
etc. can also be emailed. This opportunity will only be available from April 3rd to May 3rd, so be sure to hurry and get you submissions in! Also, be sure to include your contact information (name, phone number, and email address) when submitting material.”

It's GMF's Second Anniversary!

Today GMF celebrates two years of being your “red hot spot for all things gospel,” and I am deeply thankful for the support of every subscriber, reader, artist, media colleague, and social media follower.

As we enter into year three, continue to keep GMF lifted as we keep on uplifting and advancing gospel music.  As the old hymn line goes, “Every round goes higher and higher.”

With heartfelt gratitude,

Libra Boyd, Founder & Editor
2013 Rhythm of Gospel Nominee – Internet Media Group of the Year

Tracy Randall: Surviving Cancer & Prepping for Video Shoot of Single “It Feels Good”

((New York, NY)  Lavish Records artist Tracy Randall is heading south–not to escape the Big Apple’s cold spring–but to shoot a music video
for his inspiring new radio single “It Feels Good.” The song reflects
his upbeat attitude about life and his health. In 2006, he was diagnosed
with leukemia and after aggressive rounds of chemo and radiation
therapy, his doctors conceded defeat and gave him just months to live.
He fought back by strengthening his faith, changing his attitude and
improving his diet so that he could live to provide for his wife and
children. He says that still being alive makes him feel good and that’s
the message of his new feel good Jeep beat.

“I opened up my
eyes and thanked God for a new day,” Randall sings on the up-beat
R&B styled song. “I’ve been blessed in so many ways if I wanted to
write `em down there wouldn’t be enough pages.”

The song comes from his
sophomore CD Troubled Times that features fourteen tracks of what he
calls Rhythm & Gospel. “It’s gospel music,” Randall explains. “But
it has that urban R&B beat.” Visit https://soundcloud.com/tracy-randall/it-feels-good-so-good-tracy to stream the song on SoundCloud.

“I
don’t want people to think that I no longer have the illness,” Randall
says of the cancer. “I have pain and depression. There are times that
I don’t sleep for two days because I am afraid to sleep. However, my
faith has grown tremendously. I am still learning and growing. I still
get mad and ask God, `why me?’ If this can be gone from me, then let it
be. Yet, He touched my soul and I am still here. I am honored to speak
on his behalf as a servant. The fact that He can cancel out what man can
say about you, is pretty amazing.”

The video shoot by Regulus
Films & Entertainment begins Saturday, March 30 at 8 PM, at the
Koinonia Church, 1001 West Plant Street in Wintergarden, FL. Gary
Brown is the producer/video director and Alejandro Fuenmayor is the
videographer.

The Lake Charles, LA native grew up on a musical
diet of Donny Hathaway and Stevie Wonder. After completing his
undergraduate degree from LeMoyne-Owen College in Memphis, Randall was
signed to the Isley Brothers’ T-Neck/Island Records label. After
Universal/Polygram took over the company in 1999, he left to start
Lavish Records. He released his first gospel CD Sinners Have Souls Too
in 2007 and has done a lot of behind the scenes work in the music
industry. Randall co-wrote four songs on Shaggy’s Grammy Award nominated Summer in Kingston CD that reached #1 on Billboard’s Top Reggae
Albums chart in 2012.

Good Day LA interviews Pastor Shirley Caesar

Photo credit: myFOXla.com
There are two video interviews with gospel’s (relatively new) queen, Pastor Shirley Caesar, on her forthcoming CD Good God (in stores on March 26) and her accomplished career in gospel music. Check them both out here: http://www.myfoxla.com/story/21652483/gospel-singer-shirley-caesar-committed-my-life-to-the-lord-at-12.

Related Story 
“God Will Make A Way” – Shirley Caesar

"Happy birthday, Delois Barrett Campbell!"

GMF remembers the Royal Lady of Gospel, Delois Barrett Campbell, on what would be her 87th birthday.  Born March 12, 1926, Campbell was a prominent member of the Roberta Martin Singers for nearly 20 years and the lead singer of her sibling trio, The Barrett Sisters, who continue to perform.  Campbell passed August 2, 2011, at age 85.

For years, birthday musicals were hosted in her honor in Chicago and brought in singers and guests from far and near.

This year in February, The Barrett Sisters celebrated the release of a feature length documentary movie entitled The Sweet Sisters of Zion: Delois Barrett Campbell and The Barrett Sisters, detailing the extensive career and travels of the internationally recognized group.  GMF’s Libra Boyd talked with the film’s producer and director Regina Rene about the project.  Read the interview here.

“Happy birthday, Delois Barrett Campbell!'”

Mary Mary reality show renewed for third season

(New York, NY)  WE tv announced today that the women’s network has greenlit a third season of its popular docu-series, Mary  Mary, just
ahead of the season two finale airing tomorrow night, February 28 at 9 PM, ET/PT.   WE tv has ordered 10, one-hour episodes.  Production will
begin in Los Angeles in mid-March.


Commented Lauren Gellert, WE tv’s SVP of original production & development:  “During the current season of Mary Mary, viewers
witnessed two incredible births: Tina’s baby boy and  Erica and Tina’s
hit single, ‘Go Get It,’ which went on to win the duo a Grammy Award. 
It’s exactly this type of dimensionality that WE tv spotlights in women.
 Erica and Tina juggle their lives with grace and style; they are
amazing role models for today’s young women and a great addition to WE
tv.”


Added Erica Campbell: “We’re so excited about the next season as we
enter a new phase in our lives and careers. This past year has been
both overwhelming and exciting and we were happy to share those moments
with our fans.  We are grateful to provide viewers with an honest look
into who we are and how we handle our differences, and we hope to
continue to inspire and encourage people through our show in addition to
our music.”
Mary Mary is produced for WE tv by eOne Televison, executive
produced by Erica Campbell, Tina Campbell, Tara Long, John Morayniss,
Eric Hoberman and Mitchell Solarek.  Kate Farrell serves as the
executive producer for WE tv.

Got Black gospel music?

Professor Robert Darden of Baylor University is looking for vintage gospel music, mainly from the 1940’s through the 1980’s, for the university’s Black Gospel Restoration Project.  Visit the site for more information about the project and ways to loan or donate materials.

WNCU’s Carolyn Pettiford-Ryals celebrates 15 years in radio with musical – March 16

Click to Enlarge
Carolyn Pettiford-Ryals is known throughout NC’s triangle area as the “Queen of Gospel Radio” as well as one of two infectiously upbeat hosts of the “Hallelujah Praise” radio show, which airs every Sunday morning on WNCU 90.7 FM.  This year marks her 15th as an on-air personality, and she will be honored with an appreciation musical Saturday, March 16, 2013 at 5 PM.  The event will take place at the Person County Office Building Auditorium in Roxboro, NC.
 
Among the groups and soloists set to appear are The Friendly 5, The Spiritual Lights, Second Chance, New Creation, The New Joylette Singers, The Bradleys, All God’s Children, Michael Whitfield, John Thorpe & Truth, and Minister Carolyn Satterfield.
 
GMF congratulates Carolyn Pettiford-Ryals!

Barrett Sisters’ documentary premieres Feb. 16 at Chicago’s Life Center COGIC

Click to enlarge

Songwriter Samuel Archer presents website, music for Black History Month


Songwriter
Samuel Archer launches new website to celebrate Black History Month and
reintroduces Redeem The Dream
Press Release from Pretty Special, Inc.
Samuel Archer (singer/songwriter) has launched a new website and
re-introduced his album Redeem The Dream. The EP project has seven songs
geared to engage conversation on social issues and to promote positivity. The
website lists activities to engage students, teachers, choirs, soloists and
community groups to help spread the positive message of Redeeming The Dream.
“Redeem the Dream” which is the title song, speaks about
Martin Luther King, Malcolm X and Mahatma Gandhi and what it will
be like if they woke up today: would they be happy with what’s going on in our
world or will they be sad and disappointed? “Issues,” another featured
song on the EP, has a strong world-beat influence, which mirrors the ethnic
genre on The Return, one of Sam’s previous albums.

Singing groups, dancers and community groups are encouraged to use the title
song for their Black History Month performances and/or events. Students can
enter into a video making competition and they have the option to use the
recorded version or create their own version of the song to use in the video.
Students are encouraged to be creative. Prizes will be given for the videos with
the most views. Sponsors with interest to contribute a prize must contact the Redeem the Dream team at [email protected]. 

 
With a full
month to celebrate African contributions (Black History Month), Redeem The
Dream will prove to be a great resource and a conversation
piece. 
 
Visit
the website: www.toredeemthedream.info for more
information.
 
To
sample songs from Redeem The Dream, and for more music from Samuel Archer,
please visit www.samuelarcher.bandcamp.com.