Gospel Music Fever

2021 Dunamis Gospel Award Winners

Higher Dimension Praise Chorale opened the 2021 Dunamis Gospel Awards.

Over the weekend, Dunamis Gospel Awards were handed out in 25 categories at Central Triad Church in Winston-Salem, NC. Throughout the evening, with emphasis on its motto, “power in action,” Bishop Terry L. Young, president and founder of the Dunamis Gospel Awards, and Yves McKenzie and Billie M. Johnson, the show’s hosts, punctuated the significance of community and camaraderie among artists, churches, and leaders.

Husband-wife duo David and Tiffany Spencer (pictured right) were multiple winners at Saturday’s eighth annual ceremony, earning a pair of awards for Dunamis Artist of the Year and Dunamis CD/Song of the Year. Other highlights of the night were the live performances that charged the atmosphere, including Jalessa Cade’s rendition of Brooklyn Tabernacle Choir’s “My Help,” which segued into the chorus of Richard Smallwood’s “Total Praise.” Later, Jonathan Parker-Ashley presented her with the award for Worship Leader of the Year. Before the night was over, Parker-Ashley had himself collected an award for Group/Duo of the Year. Members of his group JPA & Ascension joined him onstage to accept the glass trophy.

Choirs and ensembles were well represented with dynamic performances from Higher Dimension Praise Chorale, Will Harris & Friends, Jeremiah Salter & United Worship, Pastor H.E. Dixon & Truth Tabernacle Choir, Macedonia Mass Choir, Dionn Owen & Renaissance, and Sir Jerry Saddler & SOP. Brea Miles and Antwaun Millunz were among the Holy Hip-Hip artists who rocked the mic. Earlier in the evening, Miles picked up the award for Holy Hip-Hop Artist of the Year. Testimony Mime, quartet group Gift3d, and vocalist Ora Roberts also offered stirring performances at the ceremony. Gift3d went on to win the award for Quartet of the Year.

In addition, Bishop Young and his wife Lady Geneva took to the stage to make several special presentations honoring area ministry leaders for their service: Apostle Sylvester D. Johnson (Bishop Jerome Dawson Lifetime Achievement Award), Pastor Leroy Kelly (Mother Doris Cohen Harbor Pioneer Award), Dionn Owen & Renaissance (Apostle John Henry Heath Music of Excellence Award), and Bishop Greg Hargrave (Humanitarian Award). In light of COVID-19 putting the Dunamis Gospel Awards on hiatus last year, 2020’s recipient of the Living Legend Award, Bishop Franklin O. Hanes, was recognized at this year’s show.

Congratulations to all the 2021 Dunamis Gospel Award recipients. Below is the full list of winners and honorees.

Pastor of the Year – Male
Overseer Aaron McNair, Jr.

Pastor of the Year – Female
Apostle Flora Morris

First Lady of the Year
Lady Shawna Milton

Choir Director of the Year
Sir Jerry Saddler

Church Choir of the Year
Voices of Deliverance

Worship Leader of the Year
Jalessa Cade

Church Praise and Worship Team of the Year
Greater Hope Cathedral

Musician of the Year – Male
Kwynn Gilbert

Musician of the Year – Female
Joyce Harbor

Vocalist of the Year – Male
Carlton Doggett

Vocalist of the Year – Female
Angeline Crank

Dunamis Artist of the Year
David and Tiffany Spencer

Quartet of the Year
Gift3d

Holy Hip-Hop Artist of the Year
Brea Miles

Group/Duo of the Year
JPA & Ascension

Dance/Mime Ministry of the Year
Alexis Lambert

Community Choir of the Year
East Coast Mass Choir

College Gospel Choir of the Year
Winston-Salem State

Media Publication of the Year
Divine Connections Magazine

Comedian of the Year
T-Roy

Songwriter of the Year
Alicia Moore

Producer of the Year
Charles Wright

Gospel Announcer of the Year
Brandon Smith

Dunamis CD/Song of the Year
David and Tiffany Spencer

2021 Bishop Jerome O. Dawson Lifetime Achievement Award
Apostle Sylvester D. Johnson

2021 Living Legend Award
Apostle Faye D. Thomas

2021 Humanitarian Award
Bishop Greg Hargrave

2021 Mother Doris Cohen Harbor Pioneer Award
Pastor Leroy Kelly

2021 Apostle John Henry Heath Music of Excellence Award
Dionn Owen & Renaissance

2020 Living Legend Award
Bishop Franklin O. Hanes

Church of the Year
His Kingdom Ministries

Photo highlights from the 2021 Dunamis Gospel Awards

Libra Boyd

Libra Nicole Boyd, PhD is a musician, award-winning author, gospel music aficionado, and the founder and editor of Gospel Music Fever™. Her commitment to journalistic integrity includes bringing you reliable gospel music content that uplifts and advances the art form. Libra is presently working on several scholarly projects about gospel music in the media as well as gospel music in social movements.

2021 Dunamis Gospel Awards set for Nov. 13

The 2021 Dunamis Gospel Awards, said to be one of the fastest-growing awards events in the Southeast, is set for this weekend in Winston-Salem, NC.

“These prestigious awards of honor will highlight some of the area’s most prominent pastors, first ladies, church and independent gospel artists, radio stations, radio announcers, and choir directors for their accomplishments and spiritual commitment through their ministry gifts to the Kingdom,” says Dunamis Gospel Awards founder, Bishop Terry L. Young.

The eighth annual ceremony takes place November 13, at Central Triad Church on 2935 Cole Road. Red carpet interviews begin at 5 PM and the awards show starts at 6 PM.

Among several artists delivering special music performances are Will Harris and Friends, Sir Jerry Sadler and SOP, Jonathan Parker-Ashley and Higher Dimension, and Macedonia Mass Choir. First Lady Billie Mason Johnson and Yves McKenzie have been tapped as the evening’s co-hosts.

In recent weeks, the public had the opportunity to cast their votes to help determine winners in each of the awards categories. Winners will be revealed at Saturday’s event. Gospel Music Fever is honored to be nominated for Media Publication of the Year.

Tickets for the Dunamis Gospel Awards can be purchased at ticketbud.com.

Libra Boyd

Quartet documentary ‘How They Got Over’ opens in select US cinemas

How They Got Over celebrates the spirit of gospel performers and how they helped usher in a musical revolution that changed the world forever.

Beginning in the 1920s, Black singers across the country took to the highways as the new technology of radio and records made it possible to reach a wider audience. Intense competition brought new ways to entertain, first with guitars, later with full bands, then with a performance style that would inspire Mick Jagger and a host of other rock and rollers.

Their music was infectious, wrecking many a house on the chittlin’ circuit, then graduating in the 40s and 50s to the Apollo and other major auditoriums across the country. The success of gospel quartets inspired record labels to form “doo-wop” groups that enticed gospel singers like Sam Cooke, Lou Rawls and Wilson Pickett to cross over to greater fame.

How They Got Over features classic performance footage of the Soul Stirrers, Dixie Hummingbirds, Blind Boys of Alabama and Mississippi, Sensational Nightingales, Mighty Clouds of Joy, Highway QCs, Davis Sisters, Sister Rosetta Tharpe, and many more. Some of the greatest names in quartet music are interviewed in the film, giving vivid accounts of how they “got over” in their performances: shouting, bending over backwards, dancing, jumping off the stage – what came to be known as “gospel drama.” The film celebrates the spirit of gospel performers and how they helped usher in a musical revolution that changed the world forever.

For screening locations, dates, and times, visit https://www.firstrunfeatures.com/howtheygotover.html

– From a press release

Libra Boyd

2021 GMA Dove Awards: CeCe Winans collects four statuettes

Published October 26, 2021, at 4:01 PM ET
Updated October 27, 2021, at 5:32 PM ET

Nashville, TN (October 26, 2021) – The 52nd Annual GMA Dove Awards were recently handed out in 38 categories at the Allen Arena in Nashville, Tennessee. Under the banner Stronger Together, Christian/Gospel music’s biggest night of the year stressed a theme of racial harmony in light of America’s polarization following the birth of COVID-19 and the death of George Floyd. The show was hosted by gospel singer Jonathan McReynolds, and Christian Pop star Natalie Grant, who lost thousands of social media followers when she condemned Floyd’s killing last year.

The biggest winner of the night was gospel legend CeCe Winans, who won four awards, including Gospel Artist of the Year. Draped in an angelic silver and black gown with feathers, she belted out the title track of her album, “Believe for It,” to standing ovations when she opened and concluded the dramatic performance. Later, R&B star and Maroon 5 keyboardist PJ Morton, along with gospel showman Pastor Mike Jr., presented her the Gospel Artist of the Year trophy.

“I’m honored to lift up the name of Jesus,” Winans said, echoing the evening’s theme. “I’m so glad for all of my brothers and sisters and it’s time we understand the importance of unity because it’s through us really loving each other that the whole world is going to come to know who He is.”

Although he wasn’t in attendance, Marvin Sapp won Traditional Gospel Album of the Year for his project, Chosen Vessel. Jekalyn Carr took home the statuette for Traditional Gospel Recorded Song of the Year for her track, “Changing Your Story.” Lecrae picked up the 11th Dove of his career for “Deep End,” which won Rap/Hip-Hop Recorded Song of the Year. KB took home the prize Rap/Hip Hop Album of the Year for his set, His Glory Alone.

After 2020’s virtual show, the music community reunited this year with stellar live performances which included Lauren Daigle’s haunting ballad “Hold on to Me” and a chill-inducing rendition of “My Weapon” by Natalie Grant. There were also one-of-a-kind collaborations that lit up the stage such as rapper KB with British worship leader Matt Redman, Jonathan McReynolds with Mali Music, and Dante Bowe with Kelontae Gavin. The show also paid tribute to the Fisk Jubilee Singers’ 150th anniversary with a montage of the choir’s history.

The ground-breaking, multi-racial music collective, Maverick City Music – currently the only act sharing space in Billboard’s Gospel Streaming Songs chart with Kanye West – performed their big hit, “Jireh” that featured solos by Chandler Moore and Naomi Raine. They also ended up winning the New Artist of the Year award.

Mali Music performs at the 2021 Dove Awards. | Jamie Gilliam

For the complete list of winners, click here.

The GMA Dove Awards aired Friday, October 22, on Trinity Broadcasting Network. If you missed it, you can view it on YouTube.

– From a press release

Libra Boyd

James C. Birdsong, Jr., Lillian Lilly to be honored at 2021 Antigua Barbuda Gospel Music & Media Awards

Birdsong and Lilly will receive recognition for their contributions to the Gospel music industry

St. John’s, Antigua – James C. Birdsong, Jr., a member of the renowned Birdsong family and award-winning figure in gospel music, and Lillian Lilly, the longtime principal vocalist of the world-renowned GRAMMY®-Award-nominated Mississippi Mass Choir, are among nine honorees for the 7^th Annual Antigua Barbuda Gospel Media & Media Awards (ABGMA) on Friday, October 22, 2021, at Kentish Pentecostal Church in St. John’s, Antigua of the West Indies during an invitation-only event.

Birdsong will receive the Impact Award of Honor for his leadership skills, mentoring abilities among today’s youth and aspiring artists to become successful in the Gospel music industry, and other contributions. With more than 35 awards, interviews on multiple television, radio, and print platforms across the country and abroad, he plans to pursue his longtime dream of being a national recording artist, songwriter, and record label owner.

Birdsong and Lilly will receive their recognition at the Legacy Ball & Media Awards on October 22. Due to the COVID-19 restrictions, they will not be in attendance. Their acceptance speeches will be given by video during a live broadcast of the ceremony.

A legend, icon, and trailblazer in gospel music, Lilly will receive the Legacy Award for more than 30 years as a founding member and principal vocalist of the Mississippi Mass Choir. Known for leading the choir’s popular songs such as “I Just Can’t Tell You (How Good God’s Been),” “It’s Good to Know Jesus,” “Holy City,” and “Lord, You’re the Landlord,” she made history as the first solo recording artist in the choir to record two projects, Gotta Have Faith and the Stellar Award-nominated, The Other Part of Me. The red carpet will begin at 4:30 PM EST followed by the awards at 5:30 PM EST. It will broadcast live on So Arise TV at www.soarisemusic.com/soarisetv and UGN Broadcasting Network via Roku TV, Apple TV, Amazon Firestick, and Android TV.

Libra Boyd

Toledo mayor proclaims Sept. 24th as Rance Allen Group Day

Left to right: Producer Chris Byrd, Tom Allen, Steve Allen, Mayor Wade, and Tyscot A&R executive, Sidney Scott. Out front is Chris Byrd’s grandson, Christopher.

Mayor Wade Kapszukiewicz has proclaimed Friday, September 24, 2021, as Rance Allen Group Day in the gospel trio’s adopted hometown of Toledo, Ohio. Steve Allen and Tom Allen visited with the city’s chief executive in his office earlier this week when he officially presented them with the proclamation. The front man, Bishop Rance Allen, passed away in October 2021. His widow, Ellen Allen, called in on the speakerphone to thank the mayor for honoring the group.

The big day coincides with the Rance Allen Group’s new retro-soul styled track, “Love Makes the World Go Around” (Tyscot), which debuts on all digital music platforms on September 24^th too. The song about peace and brotherhood features Rance Allen’s signature squalls alongside the thick harmonies of his brothers, Steve and Tom.

“We actually recorded it years ago and it was never released,” Steve Allen told news reporters at the event. “The song is about bringing people together. There’s a line in the song that says,` When I look through Love’s eyes, things don’t look so bad.’ and it gives us hope. The Bible says, a house divided against itself will not stand. There’s so much division in our country. There’s a way to have differences without being angry. We’ve got to find a way to bring it back to love.”

Stax Records’ parent company Concord Records recently pledged a million dollars to establish the Concord Stax Scholarships which will provide full tuition to at least 20 students each year for the next five years to pursue musical careers. Each of the scholarships is named for a prominent personality in the history of Stax Records such as Otis Redding, The Staple Singers, Isaac Hayes, and Rance Allen. Visit https://staxmusicacademy.org for more information.

Over the course of their career, the Rance Allen Group has earned five GRAMMY® Award nominations and amassed over 250 million digital streams. Launching their career with Stax Record’s Gospel Truth imprint circa 1972, they scored with soulful message songs such as “Ain’t No Need in Crying” and “Lyin’ on the Truth.” They’ve also enjoyed six R&B chart singles, including the 1979 Top 25 gem, “I Belong to You.” From the 1980s on, their music was more church, and ministry oriented. The reached No. 1 on Billboard’s Top Gospel Albums chart in 1992 with the album, Phenomenon, which featured the radio smash, “Miracle Worker.” In 2002, they signed to Tyscot Records where they had hits such as “Do Your Will,” “Closest Friend,” “You That I Trust,” and “Something About the Name Jesus.” Most recently, Allen stepped out from the group to collaborate with rap star Snoop Dogg on the track “Blessing Me Again” which peaked at No. 11 on the Billboard Gospel Airplay chart in 2018.

– From a press release

Libra Boyd

GMA announces 52nd Annual Dove Awards nominees

Nashville, Tenn. (August 11, 2021) – The Gospel Music Association is pleased to announce nominees for the 52nd Annual GMA Dove Awards. Top nominations include Steven Furtick with ten (10) nominations, Chris Brown with nine (9), Wayne Haun with eight (8), seven (7) nominations each for Elevation Worship and Brandon Lake, six (6) to for KING & COUNTRY and five (5) nods to CeCe Winans, Ed Cash, Tiffany Hammer (Hudson) and Zach Williams. Voted on by the GMA Professional Membership, this year’s nominees were chosen from over 4,600 submitted entries and include a wide range of creativity and artistic integrity in both artist and non-artist categories.

Nominees were announced in a star-studded livestream event featuring Alex Campos, John Cooper, Bill & Gloria Gaither, Kari Jobe, Brian & Jenn Johnson, Jonathan McReynolds, Wande and Tauren Wells. The announcement premiered on the GMA Dove Awards YouTube and Facebook pages with clips on the Dove Awards Instagram and TikTok.

“We are thrilled to welcome back an in-person Dove Awards this year and equally excited about our impressive list of nominees,” says GMA President Jackie Patillo. “As we continue to celebrate the immense creativity and diversity within our community, we’re looking forward to an awards program this year’s nominees deserve.”

Voting for the final winners will run August 19 through August 26. The GMA Dove Awards are happening live and in-person in Nashville, TN, October 19, 2021. A limited number of tickets and Fan Experiences are still available. The broadcast will air exclusively on TBN, Friday, October 22, 2021 8:00 p.m. ET and then again at 10:00 p.m. ET.

For the complete list of nominees, visit doveawards.com.

Libra Boyd

Jason Nelson to release sixth album, ‘Close,’ after three-year recording hiatus

Jason Nelson, best known for his No. 1 gospel ballads “Forever” and “I Am,” will emerge from a three-year recording hiatus on August 6th with the release of his sixth album, Close (Jaelyn Song Music / Tyscot / FairTrade).

“First, it’s a studio record [his past sets have been live sessions],” Nelson explains. “Secondly, I delve into music that helped to nurture my sound as a singer. It pays homage to Dawkins & Dawkins, Fred Hammond, Commissioned. The first album I ever purchased was by Jaco Pastorious (a legendary bassist known for his work with jazz fusion band, Weather Report). All of them played a major role in my musical journey.”  

With hints of Jazz, R&B, and Pop flavors, Nelson is flexing new musical muscles on Close. Joining him for this sonic workout are luminaries such as R&B singer, Chrisette Michele; jazz bassist, John Patitucci; and Cross Worship leader, Osby Berry. Although the set breaks new musical ground for Nelson, it’s still an album that solidly delivers the heartfelt, Jesus-centered songs of faith that Nelson’s core fans have come to love. The first radio single, “Residue,” has already racked a million streams and charted in the Top 20 on Billboard’s Gospel Airplay chart.

The twelve-track set is also the first fruit of Nelson’s Jaelyn Song imprint’s new marketing and distribution partnership with Tyscot Records and FairTrade Services. “I love the freedom of being able to curate my career and make decisions that I feel are the best for me,” Nelson says after a nearly decade-long recording relationship with RCA Inspirational.

A Baltimore, Maryland native, Nelson has been active on the national stage since 2005. Over the years, he’s enjoyed a string of gospel radio hits such as “Shifting the Atmosphere,” “Nothing Without You,” “I Am,” and “Forever” that have earned him over 100 million digital streams. He is also pastor of The Tab (formerly The Tabernacle at Greater Bethlehem Temple) in Windsor Mills, MD. He and his wife, Tonya, have two children, Jaelyn Paris and Jason Christopher.

Libra Boyd

36th Annual Stellar Gospel Music Awards announces winners

Congratulations to the nominees and winners of the 36th Annual Stellar Gospel Music Awards. The gospel awards show, with this year’s hosts Jekalyn Carr and Tye Tribbett, was taped live on July 10, 2021, at the Schermerhorn Symphony Center in Nashville, TN, and aired Sunday, August 1, on BET.

Pastor Mike Jr. had a fantastic night with wins for Artist of the Year, Rap/Hip-Hop Gospel Album of the Year, and Urban/Inspirational Single or Performance of the Year. Other artists with multiple wins included Kierra Sheard (Song of the Year and Contemporary Album of the Year), Maverick City Music (New Artist of the Year and Album of the Year), Jonathan McReynolds (Male Vocalist of the Year, Contemporary Male Vocalist of the Year, and Producer of the Year along with Darryl Howell and Rogest Carstarphen, Jr.), and Tasha Cobbs Leonard (Albertina Walker Female Vocalist of the Year, Praise and Worship Album of the Year, and Contemporary Female Vocalist of the Year).

The Clark Sisters, Lady Tramaine Hawkins, and Pastor Shirley Caesar were among the evening’s honorees, receiving the James Cleveland Lifetime Achievement Award, the Aretha Franklin Icon Award, and the Ambassador Dr. Bobby Jones Legends Award, respectively.

You can view the complete list of winners and honorees at thestellarwards.com.

Libra Boyd

NC Music Hall of Fame 2021 double-induction to include Donald Lawrence

The North Carolina Music Hall of Fame will hold inductions for its 2020 and 2021 class on Thursday, October 21, 2021, in Kannapolis, North Carolina. The 2020 inductees, announced last year during the COVID-19 pandemic, included six nationally known and award-winning legends from North Carolina: The Briarhoppers, Jermaine Dupri, Donald Lawrence, Michael T Mauldin, Charles Whitfield, and the Squirrel Nut Zippers.

Donald Lawrence (pictured at top, second from right) is a Grammy award-winning songwriter, producer, and choirmaster from Gastonia, NC who currently resides in Chicago. His discography includes credits with the Carolina-based Tri-City Singers, Donald Lawrence & Co., The Clark Sisters, Kirk Franklin, Donnie McClurkin, and a host of other music notables.

Following last year’s announcement of inductees, Lawrence shared via Instagram, “I’m overwhelmed and soooooo honored that I am being inducted into the NC Music Hall Of Fame,” Lawrence shared on Instagram following last week’s announcement. “It’s such an honor to join the long list of NC distinguished creatives like Andy Griffith, Roberta Flack and many others inducted in the past. . . . Thank you for honoring my musical contributions WOW this comes at such purposeful moment for me.”

According to a media release, the annual ceremony which normally takes place the third Thursday of every October was postponed and ultimately cancelled due to the pandemic. To this, the NCMHOF will host its first ever double induction which will include the 2021 inductees Tony Rice and Robert Moog. The Hall has also selected two past inductees, Tony Brown and Roberta Flack, to be honored with Lifetime Achievement Awards.

The honors will be commemorated in a live event which will take place at the historic Gem Theatre in Kannapolis. The ticketed event is open to the public and arrivals to the red carpet will begin at 6:00 PM. The evening will include live performances as the inductees are installed into the Hall of Fame.

Libra Boyd