Category: News

39th Annual Conference of Shirley Caesar Outreach Ministries set for Aug. 8-12

The 39th Annual “Wilt Thou Be Made Whole” Conference of Shirley Caesar Outreach Ministries kicks off this Monday at Mount Calvary Word of Faith Church in Raleigh, NC.  The services continue through Friday, August 12, which is Founder’s Night in honor of Pastor Shirley Caesar, and will feature an awesome lineup of guest speakers and singers.

Click the flyers for additional details.

Malaco signs Sounds of Blackness

Press Release from Malaco Records
Malaco Music Group has signed Sounds of Blackness, and the group’s debut single “Fly Again” from their self-titled CD, The Sounds of Blackness will be hitting radio the first of August.
Gary Hines, music director/producer of Sounds of Blackness states, “Sounds of Blackness and I are extraordinarily overjoyed to have the honor of signing with Malaco! Sounds of Blackness and Malaco have a lot in common–bringing Black Music to all people, celebrating four decades of existence, and remaining true to our roots!”

Malaco Vice President Tommy Couch Jr, comments, “We are so exited to work with a group of this magnitude. The Sounds Of Blackness are still about the music and the message while maintaining their unique creativity.”

“Much like Bebe & Cece Winans,” adds D.A. Johnson, executive director of Malaco’s gospel division, “the Sounds Of Blackness was extremely instrumental in crossing Gospel/Inspirational music over into the mainstream in the 90’s and It is great to see them return stronger than ever.”

“Happy birthday, Dr. Thomas Dorsey!”

Dr. Thomas A. Dorsey, recognized as the “Father of Gospel Music,” would have turned 102 today.  His most famous gospel composition is “Take My Hand, Precious Lord,” though he wrote over 1000 blues and gospel songs during his lifetime.
May we never forget the pioneers on whose shoulders we stand.

Contemporary gospel trio G.I. announces CD release date, promo contest, and tour

Press Release from G.I.

G.I. (God’s Image) announces a contest launch and kick-off of promo tour in support of their sophomore debut The Next Dimension, due in-stores and online July 12, 2011 on BGA Entertainment/Infinity/Central South Distribution. 

Beginning June 1st, G.I. fans can upload videos of themselves to YouTube singing the group’s single “Forever We Will Worship” or praise dancing to “Forever We Will Worship.” Videos must be uploaded to YouTube and tagged with: G.I.’s Next Dimension Contest and Forever We Will Worship. The YouTube link must then be sent to GINextDimension@yahoo.com. There is no age minimum or maximum, and videos will be judged on talent, presentation and creativity. 

G.I.’s Next Dimension Contest awards & prizes: 

  • 3rd Place Winner: will receive an autographed copy of G.I.’s new album The Next Dimension
  • 2nd Place Winner: will receive an autographed copy of G.I.’s new album The Next Dimension and a $50.00 gift card
  • 1st Place Winner: will receive an autographed copy of G.I.’s new album The Next Dimension, a $100.00 gift card, and opening slot for G.I. at a 2011 concert, and a personal phone call from G.I. 

The Next Dimension Promotional Tour stops include:

  • 6/30 NYC 
  • 7/1 Philadelphia, PA*  
  • 7/2-3 Newark, NJ*  
  • 7/6-7 Houston, TX*
  • 7/8 Virginia Beach, VA  
  • 7/9 Richmond, VA*  
  • 7/10 Petersburg, VA  
  • 7/11 Jackson, MS 
  • 7/12 Atlanta, GA*  
  • 7/13 Columbia, SC  
  • 7/13 Charleston, SC  
  • 7/14 Charlotte, NC  
  • 7/15 Winston-Salem, NC*  
  • 7/16 Raleigh, NC  
  • 7/17 Baltimore, MD  
  • 7/18 Washington, D.C. 
  • 7/21-23 Columbus, GA  
  • 7/31 Cleveland, OH  
  • 8/1 Columbus, OH  
  • 8/2 Detroit, MI  
  • 8/3 Chicago, IL  
  • 8/4 Indianapolis, IN 

* Cities that are participating in the contest

G.I.’s sophomore album, The Next Dimension hits stores nationwide on July 12, 2011.

G.I. has already experienced career highs including European tours and performances on BET. But for the group who strives to be consistent role models and even derived the group’s name from Genesis 1:26-27, their concern remains not on accolades but rather on spreading the word of Jesus Christ–as evident in the message of their latest single “Forever We Will Worship.” Learn more and stay connected with G.I. at www.giforever.com

Appreciation musical for Nightingales’ “JoJo” Wallace set for this Saturday

GMF reminds you to show your support for one of NC’s own pioneering gospel singers, Brother Joseph “JoJo” Wallace, lifelong singer and guitarist of the world renowned Sensational Nightingales.

What:  “An Evening with Brother Joseph Wallace and Friends”
When: Saturday, June 11, 2011, at 3 P.M.
Where:  Union Baptist Church, 904 N. Roxboro Street – Durham, NC
Admission: FREE; an offering will be received for the Joseph Wallace Scholarship Fund

You can read GMF’s recent post announcing the appreciation musical and guests here: Nightingales’ Joseph “JoJo” Wallace to be honored with musical celebration.

Pictured in the circa 1954-55 photo are, clockwise from top:  Willie “Bill” Woodruff, Carl Coates, Joseph “JoJo” Wallace, Ernest James, and Julius “June” Cheeks.   GMF thanks Opal Nations for verifying this caption.

Singer/Musician Kent Brooks to be honored with appreciation musical

First Calvary Baptist Church in Durham is honoring its Director of Music Ministries, Kent Brooks, on Sunday, May 29th.  The appreciation celebration will also be a farewell service; Brooks is leaving to pursue aspirations in higher education.

Brooks is a well known singer, musician, and workshop clinician who has served as music director for gospel greats Albertina Walker and Richard Smallwood.  He is also the founder, composer/arranger, conductor and accompanist for the Kent Brooks Ensemble.

Brooks spawned thought-provoking insights on the role of gay men in gospel music and the church in 2006, when he offered his perspective to Chicago Tribune in a feature story called “Letting Their Voices Be Heard.”
The musical will feature a mass choir of musicians, choirs and praise teams.  Fredrick A. Davis is the host pastor.
Location:  First Calvary Baptist Church, 1311 Morehead Avenue
Date:  May 29, 2011
Time:  4pm

Nightingales' Joseph "JoJo" Wallace to be honored with musical celebration

The Sensational Nightingales were one of the fiercest quartet-styled groups of gospel’s golden age, and he’s been singing and playing professionally with them since 1946, just as that era in gospel music history was budding.  On Saturday, June 11th, quartet legend Brother Joseph “JoJo” Wallace, who is still a lead singer and guitarist for the internationally known quartet will be celebrated for his 65 years of ministry with the group.
“An Evening with Brother Joseph Wallace and Friends” takes place at Durham, NC’s Union Baptist Church on 904 N. Roxboro Street and starts at 3:00 PM.  Tributes by The Sensational Nightingales, Darrell and Ricky Luster, John K. Thorpe, New Hope Person Baptist Church Male Chorus under the direction of Libra Nicole Boyd, The Hillian Sisters,  Billy Warden, Evangelist Carolyn Satterfield and others are planned.  A couple of surprise musical guests are also expected to pay tribute.
The event is free and everyone is invited; a freewill offering will be received.  Proceeds go to The Joseph Wallace Scholarship Fund.

Top: Pictured in the circa 1954-55 photo are, clockwise from top:  Willie “Bill” Woodruff, Carl Coates, Joseph “JoJo” Wallace, Ernest James, and Julius “June” Cheeks.   GMF thanks Opal Nations for verifying this caption.

Bottom:  Brother Joseph “JoJo” Wallace ministers in concert with The Sensational Nightingales.

Gospel music documentary features legends, hits theaters June 3

Rejoice and Shout gospel music documentary

Rejoice and Shout is a new gospel music documentary that opens in theaters June 3rd.  The San Francisco International Film Festival calls it “the most thoroughly researched and exhaustive film about African-American gospel music ever committed to film.”

The documentary features interviews from Smokey Robinson, Ira Tucker, Anthony Heilbut and Mavis Staples among others, and a lot of footage from pioneers and legends including Rosetta Tharpe, The Dixie Hummingbirds, Mahalia Jackson, Rev. James Cleveland, The Blind Boys of Alabama, The Staples Singers, and Andrae Crouch.

If you are a gospel music enthusiast, the Rejoice and Shout trailer is sure to whet your appetite.

Recordings by C.L. Franklin, Blind Willie Johnson to be preserved by Library of Congress

I recently posted that Rev. Al Green’s 1970’s R&B hit, “Let’s Stay Together” was chosen this year to be included in the National Recording Registry for preservation in the Library of Congress (see “Happy birthday, Rev. Al Green!”).

Well, I am thrilled to learn that Blind Willie Johnson’s “Dark Was the Night, Cold Was the Ground” (1927) and Rev. C.L. Franklin’s sermon, “The Eagle Stirreth Her Nest” (1953) are among gospel recordings selected for the National Recording Registry.  These recordings–which meet registry requirements of being at least 10 years old and culturally, historically, and aesthetically significant–will be digitized in formats that are conducive to long-term preservation.
A complete list of the latest additions to the registry can be viewed here: 2010 Registry.
___________________________
In news related to Blind Willie Johnson, I learned from The Black Gospel Blog that efforts are under way to fund a documentary called The Search for “Blind” Willie Johnson and the Texas Gospel.  According to the Kickstarter campaign site, the film will also examine the musical contributions of Washington Phillips, Arizona Dranes and The Soul Stirrers.  More information about the documentary and fundraising campaign is available at this site: The Search for “Blind” Willie Johnson and the Texas Gospel.
(Photos: top left, Rev. C.L. Franklin; bottom right, Blind Willie Johnson)

Keith “Wonderboy” Johnson fans can expect to ‘LOL’ at his next live recording

GMF learned today that Keith “Wonderboy” Johnson is gearing up for a live recording on Thursday, April 28, 2011, and it’s going to leave you in stitches.  Yep, you may have a hand-clapping, foot-stomping good time with the award-winning quartet sensation, but this go-round it will be because of his punchlines.

Johnson recently announced on his Facebook page, “The wait is over! Those that [have] been asking for me 2 do a comedy cd, I’m doin’ a live recording on Thursday, April 28th, at 55 Pleasant Grove Rd, Lynchburg, SC 29080.  Take I-95 to exit 141, [and] go behind da [sic] shell gas station. Join me as we laugh!”

Johnson is not the first gospel artist to showcase comedic talent.  In 1999, Vickie Winans released a comedy CD called Share the Laughter (which peaked at #20 on Billboard Gospel), and more recently she released The Vickie Winans Laugh While You Lose fitness DVD.

The live comedy recording starts at 7pm and admission is free.