Category: News

“I Still Have A Praise Inside of Me” – Georgia Mass Choir

“I Still Have A Praise Inside of Me”
Georgia Mass Choir (2012)
Savoy Records
Available on iTunes

Rev. Milton Biggham and the Georgia Mass Choir are mainstays in traditional choir music.  Whether shooting movie scenes (The Preacher’s Wife), appearing at athletic events (the 1996 Olympic Games in Atlanta) or being featured on their own recorded DVDs and CDs, their sound appeals to both church and mainstream.  In fact, the opening lines of Georgia Mass Choir’s slow and introspective current single “I Still Have A Praise Inside of Me,” lyrically channel Kirk Franklin and God’s Property’s “More Than I Can Bear.”  After having reflected on the hardest of life’s trials–fires, floods, brokenness, and the like–the choir’s resounding refrain, led by Rev. Biggham and Victor Broughton, is the triumphant “but I still have a praise inside of me!”

Georgia Mass Choir’s single is a timely message of resilience in the midst of trying times.

Regina Belle talks about health, new project

NPR.org recently published an inspiring interview with singing sensation Regina Belle during which she details her health struggles and discusses her latest gospel music project.  You can hear it or read the transcript here: Gospel Singer Regina Belle Reaches ‘Higher’.

“Destiny” – Desirée

“Destiny”
Desirée (2012)
http://www.desireelive.com/

“Everything you go through in life is meant to bring you to your destiny.”

Desirée Ogali delivers this line as if taught from experience.  Indeed, the inspirational gospel artist’s bio explains that her current single “Destiny” is the story of her life.  A simple keyboard and drum track support her soprano vocal.

Music has been a major part of Desirée’s life for as long as she can remember.  Her mother is a singer and her father is a singer/band leader in their home country of Nigeria.  By the time she was nine, Desirée was writing and tapping out tunes on the keyboard herself.  She is presently a music director and worship leader in Miami, FL.

“How Glorious and Excellent is Our God” – Freda Battle & The Temple Worshippers f. Rodney Posey

“How Glorious and Excellent is Our God”
Freda Battle & The Temple Worshippers feat. Rodney Posey
From the upcoming CD, How Glorious and Excellent is Our God (Available July 17, 2012)
Peace-O-Mind Music

Just right for a hot summer day of driving along the freeway with the radio up and windows down is “How Glorious and Excellent is Our God,” the feel-good, worship-filled, bumpin’ single from Freda Battle & The Temple Worshippers’ new CD by the same name.  The forthcoming album is their first in six years.

Produced by brothers Gerald and David Langford, “How Glorious and Excellent is Our God” goes hard with big horns, big bass, and big voices–all declaring the greatness of the Lord.  Interposing the hymns your grandma churched on, Battle and the choir insert a stanza of “It Is Well With My Soul” before handing the song over to guest vocalist Rodney Posey and taking it back for their next interjection, “I Will Trust in the Lord,” between the song’s choruses.  Battle then returns the lead chores to Posey for the remainder of the declaration of God’s glory and excellence.

The full-length project drops Tuesday, July 17.

“Giving God the Glory!”

Calhoun

Jacqueline Calhoun of Anderson (TX) and Stephanie Jackson of St. Louis (below) usher in the presence of God through their solo offerings at the GMWA Quartet Division’s Tuesday night program.

Jackson
Editor’s Note: On Thursday, July 12, Stephanie Jackson was named the winner in the solo category of the GMWA Quartet Division’s “Quartet Quest.”  The group G5, consisting of preteens and teens, earned top honors in the quartet/group category.  Winners received a cash prize and will be given a chance to record with quartet producer and CEO of MILestONe Enterprises, Milon Fenner.

Africa's Glorious Lamps make their first GMWA appearance

By Libra Boyd
Gospel Music Fever

Twenty-two years ago, they were all incarcerated for refusing to serve in a force engaged in killing their fellowmen.  Today, they are shouting “hallelujah” and giving God praise for their spiritual and physical freedom.

The Glorious Lamps (left) brought the GMWA crowd to its feet at the Monday night musical, as much for their testimony as for their energy and uptempo song.  Sometime after being incarcerated, the men were overheard singing together, and the rest is simply divine intervention.

“You guys don’t belong in here,” they were told by the official who overheard them.

“And he backed up the truck,” recalls a group member, “and put us on this truck, and [carried] us to the next liberated country, the Ivory Coast.”
Other house-wrecking performances during the Monday night musical were Atlanta’s Chosen Aggregation (“God Specializes”), Timiney and Anasia Figueroa (“I Decided to Make Jesus My Choice”), and the Cincinnati chapter of GMWA with a sweltering medley (“Two Wings/I’ll Fly Away”).  The Dallas chapter’s charging number about the cleansing power of the blood of Jesus was so contagious that the audience spontaneously reprised the vamp as the choir exited the stage.  One spontaneity led to another as a mic toss ensued and “Mama” Sue Roseberry (BET’s Sunday Best 4 finalist) was pulled from her seat in the audience to add fuel to the Holy Ghost fire. 
Last night was a clear indicator that the old songs of the church have not been abandoned for the new.

After 70 years, Pearly Gates still spread the good news with aptly named CD

By Libra Boyd
Gospel Music Fever

For more than 70 years, they’ve ventured into many a highway and hedge, singing God’s praises.  Initially called the Mighty Pearly Gates, their notable songs have included “Help Somebody Else” and “Holding On.”  In 2003, they altered their moniker to the New Pearly Gates while continuing to spread the same “mighty” good news.

On the heels of the New Pearly Gates’ present release, Through It All, GMF’s Libra Boyd asked manager/musician James Bell to talk more about the VA group that has shared stages with the likes of the Sensational Nightingales, the Canton Spirituals, and Lee Williams and the Spiritual QC’s.

Libra:  Who are the members of the New Pearly Gates?

Bell:  You have Pastor James Harden (lead singer); Deacon Raymond Perry (lead singer/background vocalist), Montell Hill (2nd lead/background vocalist), Javon Johnson (background vocalist/bass player), Rodrick Jennings (background vocalist/drummer), David Bullock (lead guitar player), and yours truly, James Bell (keyboard player).

Libra:  Your group originated more than 70 years ago as the Mighty Pearly Gates.  Are the group’s current members the offspring of the originals?

Bell:  No. No offsprings, but Pastor James Harden used to be the drummer for the group at that time.  Then God gave him a vision to restart the group which is now called the New Pearly Gates.

 

 
Libra:  Your new CD is Through It All.  What is the theme or focus of this project?

Bell:  Well, our focus for this project is to let the people know that no matter what problem you may face or what trial you may encounter, when God allows you to open your eyes to see another day, that should be a sign to let you know that “through it all, I made it.” I made it through the storm, and I’m here to still tell the world that it’s going to be alright ’cause as long as you continue to trust God, everything is going to be alright.

Libra:  The song “I’m Still Here” is autobiographical.  Tell us more about the lead vocalist and the inspiration for this song.

Bell:  Well the lead vocalist, which is Deacon Raymond Perry…he used to be able to walk like you and me… put his pants on, put his shirt on, take a bath.  All the little things that we take for granted, he can’t do anymore.  He was struck with a disease that caused him to be this way, and the song is a true testimony of his life and the journey that he is going to continue to walk on. 

Libra:  The New Pearly Gates have performed with some of gospel’s heavy hitters.  What else is on the horizon for the group?

Bell:  Well, we have our anniversary coming up August the 18th….It’s going to be a very big event and we’re looking for a sold out affair. Also, we will be heading to South Bend, Indiana for a nomination that we received for the Black Essence Grammy Award, and that will be October 6th.

Libra:  Congratulations on both!  It has been a pleasure to learn more about the New Pearly Gates.  How can GMF’s readers get Through It All?

Bell:  They can get our CD on www.cdbaby.com or contact us through our official website at www.wix.com/jkeyz03/thenewpearlygates.

 

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Chicago Gospel Festival 2012 continues through weekend

explorechicago.org

For the first time ever, the Chicago Gospel Festival will not be downtown.  Instead it will be on the South Side, in the Bronzeville neighborhood, not too far from historic Pilgrim Baptist Church–home of “The Father of Gospel Music” Rev. Thomas A. Dorsey.  The weekend will be filled with concerts by Mary Mary, Fred Hammond and others, workshops, and a film screening of the acclaimed documentary Say Amen, Somebody.

More information and the complete schedule is at www.explorechicago.org.

Eunice Wright puts music career on hold to save son

Giving Life to a Life for the Second Time Around
(Dover, Delaware) – June 20, 2012 – For the last four years, national recording artist Eunice Wright has ministered in song to deliver a message of faith, hope, and love to people across the county.  This Friday, June 22, her message takes on new definition as she takes a break from her busy music and secular careers to donate a kidney to her eldest son, Tony.
 
Tony, now 19, was diagnosed over two and a half years ago with End Stage Renal Disease (ESRD), a condition where both of his kidneys have completely shut down.  The cause of this failure is unknown, according to medical professionals.  Treatment options for ESRD are limited–either undergo dialysis and extend life span for five to ten years or opt for a transplant with the hopes of extending lifespan to 15 to 20 years.  In June 2011, Wright made the decision to donate one of her kidneys to her son, and for the last twelve months has been preparing for this Friday’s procedure.
“The process to prepare for the transplant has taken about a year for the doctors to determine that I was a good donor choice for my son,” says Wright.  “There were some health changes I had to make which lead to me losing 40 pounds.  I’m not mad about that part at all!” she jokes.  “I feel confidence that everything will be okay.  I’ve put this whole matter in God’s hands from the very beginning.  He has sustained us and will continue to do so through this journey in our lives.  I trust God and I’m at peace with whatever the outcome may be. God knows the plan He has for me and Tony and His plan is working in us right now.  I also look at it as giving life to my son a second time.  I brought him into this world with God’s help, and now, I’m fighting to keep him here as long as I can with God’s help.”
 
Wright is expected to be back in full force in approximately four to six weeks.  Tony’s recovery, according to doctors, is estimated to be a year.  We are soliciting your prayers for the healing and speedy recovery of Tony and Eunice, as well as your prayers for the Wright, Purnell, and Joyful Noyze families, as they support the two throughout this procedure.
Label executive Carlos Cannon, Sr. states, “It is a very delicate surgery that even afterwards, he (Tony) will have a lot [of] restrictions because of the nature of this procedure.  Surgical procedures are never easy and to have two immediate family members in an operating room at the same time can be overwhelming.  We appreciate your sincere prayers as God carries us all through this ordeal.”
 
Wright recently released her sophomore project Worth It All in April 2012.  Her new project features the hit single “Hello God” that is still making its way to radio waves around the country.  “Hello God” is available for download free on the official Eunice Wright website, www.eunicewright.com.  Worth It All and her debut project, Wait On Me, are also available for purchase on the official website, as well as on iTunes, Amazon, and CD Baby.  For more information contact Joyful Noyze Entertainment or visit www.eunicewright.com.

Gabriel Hardeman, R&B/Gospel singer-songwriter, succumbs

From Bill Carpenter
Originally posted June 18, 2012 at 6:00PM
Last Updated June 21, 2012 at 9:08AM
Singer-songwriter, Gabriel S. Hardeman, best-known for co-writing R&B star Stephanie Mills’ 1987 #1 hit “I Feel Good All Over” and Teddy Pendergrass’ “Truly Blessed”, died Saturday, June 16, in the Philadelphia area from complications of interstitial fibrosis. He was 68 years old.
He was diagnosed with the illness in May 2000, but with medication functioned well until 2005, when he started intermittently using a portable oxygen tank. His condition improved after a 2009 single lung transplant at the University of Pennsylvania Hospital, but he recently began contacting friends to say that his prognosis was grim and to say goodbye.

Born December 13, 1943 in College Park, GA, where his father was an African Methodist Episcopal pastor, Hardeman kicked off his music career by singing and playing piano at his dad’s church. His parents moved the family up north for better financial opportunities when he was still a youth. They settled in Harrisburg, PA, before finally moving to Philadelphia, where Hardeman graduated from William Penn High School.

After graduation, he briefly joined the R&B band, the El Dantes, before going off to West Virginia State College as a physical education major. Upon graduation, he worked as a physical education teacher and it’s during that period that The Gabriel Hardeman Delegation was born.

“There was a talent show, and I wanted to get some kids together and do some gospel music,” he told Rashod Ollison at Philadelphia Inquirer in 2001. “’Oh Happy Day’ was hot then. I had about 40 kids and the next thing you know, word got around and we had like, 80 kids in the choir.”

They started performing throughout the year but he’d lose his best singers as they graduated from high school, so he decided to create an independent group and named it The Delegation in 1973.

“We were doing then what folks like Kirk Franklin are doing now,” he told the Inquirer. “We would go into these conservative churches, and they would tell us we were doing the devil’s music.” The group signed to Savoy Records, where they recorded hit albums such as the self-titled LP that featured the radio hit “Feels Like Fire,” and earned a Grammy Award nomination. 
Hardeman became disenchanted with the politics of the gospel world and retired from recording for a while. However, he and his wife, Annette Hardeman (from the disco era trio, First Choice, best known for “Dr. Love”) began to write songs together. They wrote Stephanie Mills’ #1 R&B hit “I Feel Good All Over,” Mikki Howard’s #2 R&B smash “Love Under New Management,” and “This is the Last Time” and “Truly Blessed” for Teddy Pendergrass. They also did backing vocal sessions for R&B acts such as Patti Labelle, Phil Perry and Phyllis Hyman. 
Eventually, the industry demand for them to write more salacious R&B music conflicted with their faith and they devoted themselves to writing and producing gospel music. Aside from writing for gospel acts such as Edwin Hawkins and the Wilmington-Chester Mass Choir, Hardeman recorded his own albums for the Messiah and Birthright labels before making a comeback with the Stellar Award nominated To the Chief Musician CD in 2001. Hardeman returned to Atlanta in 2003 to take care of his elderly parents and he became a pastor in the Belleview Circuit AME Churches in the city. He returned to Philadelphia in 2008 to take advantage of the better medical facilities in the city.

The viewing takes place Saturday, June 23 at 10AM, at the Hickman Temple A.M.E. Church, 5001 Baltimore Avenue, Philadelphia, PA 19143. The actual service starts promptly at 11AM.  One of his last requests was that friend and colleague, Bryant Pugh, play Richard Smallwood’s “I’ve Come Too Far” at his funeral.

Hardeman is survived by his wife, Annette Hardeman, and their son, Michael. 
GMF extends condolences to the family, friends, and fans of Gabriel Hardeman.