Category: News

“And the Soul Train Award for Best Gospel Performance goes to…Mary Mary!”

Gospel’s platinum-selling duo Mary Mary has to make room for another trophy.  Last evening, Tina and Erica Campbell won the 2011 Soul Train Award for Best Gospel Performance (“Walking”).  The award was presented at the pre-show on the red carpet. 

Other nominees were Kirk Franklin (“I Smile”), Trin-i-tee 5:7 (“Heaven Hear My Heart”), James Fortune featuring Shawn McLemore (“I Believe”), and CeCe Winans (“More”).

During the show’s telecast, Mary Mary also performed the soul classic, “Midnight Train to Georgia,” in tribute to Gladys Knight, who was honored with the Soul Train Living Legend Award. (Earth, Wind and Fire was feted as well.)

Besides adding to their stash of accolades, the sisters are gearing up for their new reality series, set to premiere March 29, on WE tv.

Happy Thanksgiving from GMF

“Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good.  His love endures forever.” Psalm 136:1 NIV

Every day is one of thanksgiving, and the Lord merits our praise!
Today, I also say thank you for being apart of GMF.  Thank you for reading and for your encouragement.  Thank you also for your feedback since the blog’s inception.
May your Thanksgiving holiday be filled with fond memories, warm fellowship, and an attitude of gratitude.  

Kind regards,
Libra Boyd, Founder & Editor

The Faithful Foundation Inc. presents benefit musical for homeless – Nov. 26, 2011

The Faithful Foundation Inc., a non-profit (501c) organization, and The Chapel Hill Shelter Ministries invite you to help spread holiday cheer and encouragement to the homeless in Chapel Hill, NC.
This year’s benefit event is entitled “Oh Give Thanks!” and will feature gospel music from The New Twilights, Tony and the Magnificent Voices, Linda Bumpers, and other area artists.
Tony & the Magnificent Voices are one of the featured artists.
Attendees are simply asked to donate any of the following items, which will benefit the Men’s Homeless Shelter of Chapel Hill NC: 
  • Toiletries (toothpaste, toothbrushes, soap, small mouthwash, lip balm, lotion)
  • Gloves
  • Underwear (all sizes)
  • Socks
  • T-shirts (all sizes, but especially medium up to 5x)

Financial donations are also appreciated and are tax deductible.  (Checks/money orders should be written to The Faithful Foundation Inc.  An acknowledgment of your support will be noted and expressed at the event.) 

The mission of The Faithful Foundation Inc. is to serve the local community through providing services and resources that contribute to the health and vitality of the community, and improving the welfare of youth, single parents, and the homeless. 

Event Information
Saturday, November 26, 2011 – 5 PM
Cain’s Chapel Baptist Church
2001 St. Mary’s Road, Hillsborough, NC
Free Admission

For more information, contact event coordinator Elder Michael T. Harris at (919) 477-9785 or [email protected].

Lee Williams comments on his health, thanks fans for prayers

GMF founder and editor Libra Boyd spoke with Lee Williams this weekend.  Gospel’s iceman was prepping to greet fans, perform a concert later that evening, and promote the Spiritual QCs’ new CD, Living on the Lord’s Side.

Followers of his ministry can’t get enough of Williams and his group’s soul-drenched gospel.  It’s only natural that fans have become concerned by the ongoing questions surrounding his health.  GMF wanted to hear straight from the source if he plans to call it quits with the QC’s anytime soon.

“That’s not my choice,” offers the debonair frontman of few words.  “That’s not up to me; that’s up to God.”  While the decision does not rest with him, he adds that he intends to sing for as long as God allows him and the group to carry the much needed message of hope and encouragement.

And all the rumors about his health?

“If I had a nickel for every time someone has asked me that,” he asserts, “I wouldn’t have to sing anymore; I’d be a rich man.”  Pointing to heaven, he maintains, “That’s not up to me either.  Like I said, as long as He lets me…”

Williams wants his supporters to know that he genuinely appreciates their concern and prayers, and he looks forward to coming their way to have a “good time.”

"I Will (She Will Remix)" – C. Lewis

“I Will” 
C. Lewis (2011)
Hip-hop sensation C. Lewis continues to drop great new music.  Check out this featured track, “I Will.”
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Bobby Jones, Dottie Rambo get stars on Music City Walk of Fame in Nashville

Congratulations to Dr. Bobby Jones, who is among seven new inductees into Nashville’s Music City Walk of Fame.  The ceremony took place Sunday.  Jones is celebrated for his longstanding contributions to the advancement and preservation of gospel music.  He is perhaps most widely recognized as the host of BET’s Bobby Jones Gospel, which has been on TV for more than 30 years.
Fellow gospel singer and writer Dottie Rambo was also honored posthumously with a star.  Rambo is known for her 2,500-plus compositions including “We Shall Behold Him,” “He Looked Beyond My Fault,” and “I Go to the Rock.”
The stars laud persons who have made significant creative contributions in the city of Nashville.
Jones and Rambo join more than 50 past inductees, including Elvis Presley and Jimi Hendrix.

Salvation and Deliverance Church Choir wins Verizon's "How Sweet the Sound"

Salvation and Deliverance Church Choir took top honors this weekend at Verizon’s “How Sweet the Sound” national choir competition.

The finale was held Friday, October 28, at the Staples Center in Los Angeles.  Nine regional choir winners competed and were critiqued by three of gospel’s heavyweights: Pastor Marvin Sapp, Pastor Shirley Caesar, and Israel Houghton.

Salvation and Deliverance Church Choir of Tarboro, NC performed its version of The Hallelujah Chorus from Handel’s Messiah and walked away with cash and prizes totaling $40,000 along with a chance to sing at the Stellar Awards and the 2012 Super Bowl Gospel Celebration.

The Gospel Music Channel will air the Road to Finale special on Thanksgiving weekend, highlighting the stories of the church choirs who advanced to the final round.

BET’s Black Girls Rock honors Shirley Caesar

There’s just no stopping Pastor Shirley Caesar.  On the heels of a series of events celebrating her birthday (which was October 13), the “First Lady of Gospel” is among this year’s honorees on BET’s Black Girls Rock.  The show’s first airing is Sunday, November 6.

BeBe and CeCe Winans get Hollywood Walk of Fame star

Congratulations to BeBe and CeCe Winans, who received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame today.  They are now among the very short list of gospel artists (James Cleveland, Andrae Crouch, and Mahalia Jackson) who have been honored similarly.

BeBe and CeCe have consistently charted with their music, including hits “Addictive Love” and their cover of the Staples Singers’ “I’ll Take You There.”  They have enjoyed massive mainstream success–gold and platinum albums and a host of Grammy, Dove, Soul Train, Stellar, and NAACP Image Awards–throughout their decades-long career as a duo. 

Mahalia Jackson’s hometown commemorates her 100th birthday with several events

Keith Spera has written a nice piece remembering Mahalia Jackson, one whom former president Richard Nixon said was “an artist without peer.”  The article also details events that her hometown of New Orleans has set to commemorate her 100th birthday, which is October 26th.

You can read it here.

Note (updated 10/25/11):  It’s worth noting that Mahalia Jackson’s crypt gives her year of birth as 1912, rather than 1911.  According to gospel historian Robert Marovich, the discrepancy is the result of an error on her birth certificate.  Until Jackson applied for a passport for overseas travel, she was unaware that her birth certificate stated the incorrect birth year, 1911.