Category: News

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.

Malaco announces first Malaco Artists Retreat & Showcase (M.A.R.S.)

(Jackson, MS) – The Malaco Music Group is proud to announce the inaugural Malaco Artists Retreat & Showcase (M.A.R.S.).

The Malaco Artists Retreat & Showcase (M.A.R.S.)  is a national singing and performance competition developed to give unsigned artists an opportunity to showcase their talents, win prize money, receive a recording contract with one of the Malaco Music Group family of labels and appear on a national television show on The Word Network. The Word network is available in over 200 countries and reaches nearly 60 million homes in the U.S. alone.

In addition, there will be panel discussions conducted with veteran industry professionals in the areas of Gospel Radio, Marketing, Radio Promotions, Public Relations, Distribution, Booking & Management, Concert Promotion, Studio Production, Songwriting, Publishing, Copyrights, and How To Succeed in Today’s Gospel Music Industry.

The Malaco Artists Retreat & Showcase (M.A.R.S.) will take place on February 16, 2013 at Stronger Hope Baptist Church located at 223 Beasley Road in Jackson, MS 39206.

Visit www.malacoshowcase.com for more information.

Winners at the 28th Annual Stellar Gospel Music Awards

‘Twas a big night for Charles Jenkins & Fellowship Chicago and Mary Mary

Winners are listed in red.  Click here for dates and airtimes in your market.

ARTIST OF THE YEAR
Andraé Crouch, The
Journey, Riverphlo Entertainment
Charles Jenkins &
Fellowship Chicago, The Best Of Both Worlds, Inspired People
Donald Lawrence &
Company, YRM (Your Righteous Mind), Quiet Water Entertainment/Verity
Gospel
Music Group/ Sony
Marvin Sapp, IWin,
Verity Gospel Music Group
SONG OF THE YEAR
Andraé Crouch,
“Let The Church Say Amen” – The Journey, Riverphlo
Entertainment
Charles Jenkins,
“Awesome” – The Best Of Both Worlds, Inspired People
Marvin Sapp &
Aaron Lindsey, “My Testimony” – IWin, Verity Gospel Music
Group
Tina Campbell, Erica
Campbell & Warryn Campbell, “Go Get It” – Go Get It, My
Block/Columbia Records
MALE VOCALIST OF THE
YEAR
Deitrick Haddon, A
Beautiful Soul, Tyscot Music & Entertainment
Fred Hammond, God,
Love & Romance, Verity Gospel Music Group
Jason Nelson, Shifting
The Atmosphere, Verity Gospel Music Group
Marvin Sapp, IWin,
Verity Gospel Music Group
ALBERTINA WALKER
FEMALE VOCALIST OF THE YEAR
Dorinda Clark Cole, I
Survived, Light Records/eOne Music
Kierra Sheard, Free,
Karew Records
Le’Andria Johnson, The
Awakening Of Le’Andria Johnson, Music World Gospel
Maurette Brown Clark,
The Sound Of Victory, Air International Records
GROUP/DUO OF THE YEAR
Donald Lawrence &
Company, YRM (Your Righteous Mind), Quiet Water Entertainment/Verity
Gospel Music Group/Sony
Forever Jones, Musical
Revival, EMI Gospel
James Fortune &
FIYA, Identity, Light Records/eOne Music
Mary Mary, Go Get
It, My Block/Columbia Records
NEW ARTIST OF THE
YEAR
Charles Jenkins &
Fellowship Chicago, The Best Of Both Worlds, Inspired People
Cheneta Jones, Transformed,
Real Talent Media Group
Isaac Carree, Uncommon
Me, Sovereign Agency/Door 6 Entertainment
Le’Andria Johnson, The
Awakening Of Le’Andria Johnson, Music World Gospel
CD OF THE YEAR
Andraé Crouch, The
Journey, Riverphlo Entertainment
Charles Jenkins &
Fellowship Chicago, The Best Of Both Worlds, Inspired People
Fred Hammond, God,
Love & Romance, Verity Gospel Music Group
Marvin Sapp, IWin,
Verity Gospel Music Group
CHOIR OF THE YEAR
Charles Jenkins &
Fellowship Chicago, The Best Of Both Worlds, Inspired People
James Hall Worship
& Praise, Trip Down Memory Lane, Music Blend, Inc.
Jj Hairston &
Youthful Praise, After This, Light Records/eOne Music
Richard Smallwood
With Vision, Promises, Verity Gospel Music Group
PRODUCER OF THE YEAR
Donald Lawrence, YRM
(Your Righteous Mind), Quiet Water Entertainment/Verity Gospel Music
Group/Sony
Fred Hammond, God,
Love & Romance, Verity Gospel Music Group
Isaac Carree, Eric
Dawkins, Warryn Campbell, Gerald Haddon, & Rick Robinson, Uncommon Me,
Sovereign Agency/Door 6 Entertainment
Warryn Campbell, Go
Get It, My Block/Columbia Records
CONTEMPORARY
GROUP/DUO OF THE YEAR
Donald Lawrence &
Company, YRM (Your Righteous Mind), Quiet Water Entertainment/Verity
Gospel Music Group/ Sony
Forever Jones, Musical
Revival, EMI Gospel
James Fortune &
FIYA, Identity, Light Records/eOne Music
Mary Mary, Go Get
It, My Block/Columbia Records
TRADITIONAL GROUP/DUO
OF THE YEAR
Angela Spivey &
Greater Blessings Praise Team, He Keeps His Promise, Innovative Records
Luther Barnes &
The Sunset Jubilaires, Another Level, Air International Records
The Williams
Brothers, Live At The Hard Rock – Part 1, Blackberry Records
Tim Rogers & The
Fellas, Real, Blackberry Records
CONTEMPORARY MALE OF
THE YEAR
Fred Hammond, God,
Love & Romance, Verity Gospel Music Group
Isaac Carree, Uncommon
Me, Sovereign Agency/Door 6 Entertainment
Smokie Norful, Once
In A Lifetime, EMI Gospel
Zacardi Cortez, Zacardi
Cortez: The Introduction, Blacksmoke Music Worldwide
TRADITIONAL MALE OF
THE YEAR
Andraé Crouch, The
Journey, Riverphlo Entertainment
Jason Nelson, Shifting
The Atmosphere, Verity Gospel Music Group
Marvin Sapp, IWin,
Verity Gospel Music Group
William McDowell, Arise,
Light Records/eOne Music
CONTEMPORARY FEMALE
OF THE YEAR
Anita Wilson, Worship
Soul, EMI Gospel
Dorinda Clark Cole, I
Survived, Light Records/eOne Music
Kierra Sheard, Free,
Karew Records
Le’Andria Johnson, The
Awakening Of Le’Andria Johnson, Music World Gospel
TRADITIONAL FEMALE OF
THE YEAR
Angela Spivey, He
Keeps His Promise, Innovative Records
Dorothy Norwood, God’s
Been Just That Good, Malaco Records
Shirley Murdock, Live:
The Journey, Tyscot Music & Entertainment
Vanessa Bell
Armstrong, Timeless, Music World Gospel
CONTEMPORARY CD OF
THE YEAR
Donald Lawrence &
Company, YRM (Your Righteous Mind), Quiet Water Entertainment/Verity
Gospel Music Group/ Sony
Dorinda Clark Cole, I
Survived, Light Records/eOne Music
Fred Hammond, God,
Love & Romance, Verity Gospel Music Group
Mary Mary, Go Get
It, My Block/Columbia Records
TRADITIONAL CD OF THE
YEAR
Andraé Crouch, The
Journey, Riverphlo Entertainment
Byron Cage, Memoirs
Of A Worshipper, Verity Gospel Music Group
Charles Jenkins &
Fellowship Chicago, The Best Of Both Worlds, Inspired People
Marvin Sapp, IWin,
Verity Gospel Music Group
URBAN/INSPIRATIONAL
SINGLE OR PERFORMANCE OF THE YEAR
Anita Wilson,
“Speechless” – Worship Soul, EMI Gospel
Fred Hammond, “I
Feel Good” – God, Love & Romance, Verity Gospel Music Group
Isaac Carree,
“In The Middle” – Uncommon Me, Sovereign Agency/Door 6
Entertainment
Mary Mary, “Go
Get It” – Go Get It, My Block/Columbia Records
MUSIC VIDEO OF THE
YEAR – SHORT FORMAT
Darren Grant, Go Get
It – Go Get It, My Block/Columbia Records
Daven Baptiste,
“In The Middle” – Uncommon Me, Sovereign Agency/Door 6
Entertainment
Jamaal Banks,
“Lead Us To Truth” – The Next Dimension, Bga Music Group
Steve Huffman,
“I’m At Peace” – I’m At Peace, Shanachie Entertainment Corp.
TRADITIONAL CHOIR OF
THE YEAR
Bill Winston &
LivingWord, Bill Winston Presents LivingWord “Released”, Source Media
Charles Jenkins &
Fellowship Chicago, The Best of Both Worlds, Inspired People
James Hall Worship
& Praise, Trip Down Memory Lane, Music Blend, Inc.
Richard Smallwood
With Vision, Promises, Verity Gospel Music Group
SPECIAL EVENT CD OF
THE YEAR
Deitrick Haddon, Anthology:
The Writer & His Music, Tyscot Music & Entertainment
James Fortune &
FIYA, The James Fortune & FIYA, Blacksmoke Music Worldwide
Mary Mary, Go Get
It, My Block/Columbia Records
Smokie Norful, Once
In A Lifetime, EMI Gospel
RAP HIP HOP GOSPEL CD
OF THE YEAR
Da T.R.U.T.H., The
Whole Truth, XIST Music/Black Fuel Entertainment
Flame, The 6th,
Clear Sight Music
Json, Growing
Pains, Lamp Mode Recordings
Trip Lee, The Good
Life, Reach Records
CHILDRENS PROJECT OF
THE YEAR
Anointed By God, Anointed
By God, One Voice Media
Kingdom Kids
Worldwide, Kingdom Kids Worldwide – After School Party, Headstrate
Entertainment
Nyasia, Take Off,
Independent
Pure-N-Heart Kids, Pure-N-Heart
Kids: Live Praise And Worship Experience, Music2changeu Records
QUARTET OF THE YEAR
Luther Barnes &
The Sunset Jubilaires, Another Level, Air International Records
The Clark Brothers, It’s
In Your Hands, CE Records
The Williams
Brothers, Live At The Hard Rock – Part 1, Blackberry Records
Tim Rogers & The
Fellas, Real, Blackberry Records
RECORDED MUSIC
PACKAGING OF THE YEAR
Charles Jenkins, The
Best Of Both Worlds, Inspired People
Daniel Joel Ortiz, The
Journey, Riverphlo Entertainment
Denise Trotman, God,
Love & Romance, Verity Gospel Music Group
Fusako Chubachi, Go
Get It, My Block/Columbia Records
PRAISE AND WORSHIP CD
OF THE YEAR
Anita Wilson, Worship
Soul, EMI Gospel
Byron Cage, Memoirs
Of A Worshipper, Verity Gospel Music Group
Jason Nelson, Shifting
The Atmosphere, Verity Gospel Music Group
William
McDowell, Arise, Light Records/eOne Music
OTHER HONOREES OF THE EVENING
Bishop T.D. Jakes
Thomas A. Dorsey Most Notable Achievement Award
Inez Andrews (Posthumous)
Ambassador Dr. Bobby Jones Legends Award
Kurt Carr 
James Cleveland Lifetime Achievement Award