Category: News

Benita Jones survives car accident

Benita Jones

Praise & Worship recording artist, Benita Jones (formerly Benita Washington), has a testimony to share. Last week, the car Jones (pictured) and her manager, Jarita Jackson, were riding in was broadsided by a teenager. The impact was so strong that the car literally flipped over and was totaled.

“Benita recently wanted to start learning the piano,” Jackson says. “We were on our way back from going to a music store to buy a keyboard and the car was T-boned. We literally crawled out of the car and we were helped by some bystanders. The miracle is that no one involved was badly injured –not even the other driver. We had some bumps and bruises. We went to the hospital to get checked out, but God was merciful and everyone will be fine. ”  

This past summer, Jones released her first album in a decade, The Entreating (Tyscot / Integrity), a live concert session. The pulsating, high-energy gospel radio single, “Good God,” peaked at No. 7 on the Billboard Gospel Digital Song Sales chart earlier this year. Jones is now entering the autumn season with a new soul-stirring gospel radio single, “Still Everything.” Fans can listen to the full project at this link: https://benita.lnk.to/TheEntreating 

– From a press release

Nominees announced for 51st GMA Dove Awards

Nominees for the 51st annual Dove Awards have been announced.  Zach Williams and For King & Country lead with five nominations each. Hillsong Worship, Kirk Franklin, and Jonathan McReynolds received four nominations. Among first-time nominees is Kanye West with three nods and Gloria Gaynor with two.  The complete list of nominees is available here.

The 2020 awards show will air on TBN Friday, October 30th.  Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the show will feature a variety of pre-recorded performances and acceptance speeches. 

Congrats to all nominees!

Donald Lawrence to be inducted into NC Music Hall of Fame

Donald Lawrence is among six artists to be inducted into the North Carolina Music Hall of Fame for 2020.

Lawrence 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.

“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.”

Donald Lawrence IG post regarding induction into the NC Music Hall of Fame

The NC Music Hall of Fame has announced that the induction ceremony, originally set for October, will be postponed until 2021, due to the pandemic.  Once the state gives clearance to safely hold mass gatherings, the ceremony is expected to take place at the Gem Theatre in Kannapolis.  Other inductees are The Briarhoppers, Charles Whitted, Jermaine Dupri, Michael Mauldin, and The Squirrel Nut Zippers. Past inductees Roberta Flack and Tony Brown will be honored with Lifetime Achievement Awards.

BMI honors its 2020 trailblazers of Gospel music

“I’M GETTING READY” WRITTEN BY TODD GALBERTH AWARDED SONG OF THE YEAR
KIRK FRANKLIN NAMED SONGWRITER OF THE YEARSONGS OF KOBALT MUSIC PUBLISHING AWARDED PUBLISHER OF THE YEAR

The Top Twenty Most Performed Gospel Songs Of 2019 Were Also Recognized

BMI Trailblazers

(New York, NY) June 29, 2020 – BMI (Broadcast Music, Inc.) paid tribute to the best and brightest in Gospel music with its Trailblazers of Gospel Music celebration. The honorees were announced today on BMI.com and across the organization’s digital platforms, celebrating the inspirational and transformative music of BMI’s accomplished Gospel songwriters. To honor these achievements, BMI created a page on its website where fans can watch special video messages and performances, listen to award-winning music and learn more about their favorite Gospel songwriters: https://www.bmi.com/award-shows/trailblazers-2020/.

“BMI is proud to honor these remarkable luminaries of Gospel music,” said BMI Vice President Creative, Atlanta, Catherine Brewton.  “Their music gives us strength and encouragement, and their voices are a source of comfort and healing when we need it most. We thank our songwriters for sharing their musical gifts that uplift, empower and encourage us all, as we unite in the movement for change, and we look forward to coming together in fellowship once again next year.” 

Reverential hymn “I’m Getting Ready,” co-written by Todd Galberth, received the accolade for BMI’s Gospel Song of the Year. Performed by Tasha Cobbs Leonard, featuring Nicki Minaj, the song spent 52 weeks on Billboard’s Gospel charts and peaked at number one, earning Galberth one of BMI’s top honors and his very first BMI Gospel Award. Kirk Franklin received the coveted Songwriter of the Year title for writing three of BMI’s most performed Gospel songs of 2019: “If You Don’t Mind,” “Love Theory,” and “Never Alone.” The 16-time GRAMMY winner now has 17 BMI Awards to add to his collection of accolades including three BMI Gospel Song of the Year awards, BMI’s 2012 Trailblazers of Gospel Music honoree recognition and multiple Dove and Stellar awards, among many others. Songs of Kobalt Music Publishing received the esteemed Publisher of the Year distinction for representing five of the top performing Gospel songs of the previous year: “If You Don’t Mind,” “I’m Getting Ready,” “Never Alone,” “Stand In Awe” and “Victory.”

In addition to the major award winners, BMI also paid homage to the Twenty Most Performed Gospel Songs of the Year (2019). This year’s crop of talented winners featured 20 first-time Trailblazer Award recipients, including Maranda Curtis for her hit song “Nobody Like You Lord.” Upon receiving this honor, Curtis said, “In our troubled world, music and its healing power is more necessary now than ever before. So, let’s sing louder, let’s produce more, let’s perform bigger and let healing continue.” Other notable first-time award winners include Chanda Mukula (“Mention”), VaShawn Mitchell (“He Got Up”), Jonathan McReynolds and Terrell Demetrius Wilson (“Not Lucky, I’m Loved”), Jeffery L. Thomas II and Dwight Washington II (“Open The Floodgates”), and Wendi Henderson Wyatt (“No Reason To Fear”), among others.  

For a complete list of winners, video messages and performances, go to https://www.bmi.com/trailblazers2020.  

To join the conversation on social media, follow @BMI and use #BMIGospel.

R&B and Gospel songwriter Alvin Garrett pens anthem, ‘Something’s Different This Time,’ amid racial tensions

Alvin GarrettBIRMINGHAM, Ala., June 18, 2020 /PRNewswire/ — Grammy®-nominated songwriter, Alvin Garrett, has written and produced the theme song for today’s racial and social justice issues in America with his new single, “Something’s Different This Time.” With classic soul style and a passionate sound for racial justice reminiscent of Motown in the 1960s, “Something’s Different This Time” harnesses the cry for change within its melodies this Black Music Month.
 
As digital streams and social media shares grow steadily, “Something’s Different This Time” sounds the alarm that America and the world will not be the same – not after the death of Mr. George Floyd, a black man who was killed by Minneapolis police while pleading, “I can’t breathe,” and the racial protests around the world that followed. With public feedback ranging from “This time, it has to be different” to “We all feel so breathless,” Garrett’s fans agree.
 
“This song says what most people are consciously or subconsciously thinking and feeling in regards to the racial tensions in our country right now,” says Garrett. “At times like these, I choose to write songs and make music to capture and communicate my heart and soul.” “Something’s Different This Time” will be featured on Garrett’s upcoming EP entitled, The Awakening, set for release everywhere on July 15, 2020. 
 
 
Garrett plans to continue the conversation beyond the single with students in his innovative song therapy program, The Write Life with Alvin Garrett. Co-sponsored by The Dannon Project, The Write Life with Alvin Garrett uses music to teach life management skills, effective communication, and other tools to youth in the criminal justice system who need a second chance to win at the game of life.
 
As an award-winning songwriter, Alvin Garrett’s incomparable penmanship can be found on R&B songs by Kelly Rowland, Fantasia, Joe, Johnny Gill, Ruben Studdard, Noel Gourdin, and more. In gospel music, the accomplished songwriter has penned songs for the likes of Deitrick Haddon, Trin-I-Tee 5:7, Alexis Spight, Lowell Pye, and Darwin Hobbs. In these two genres alone, Garrett has earned a Grammy® Award nomination, a Soul Train Music Award, a GMA Dove Award, and a Stellar Gospel Music Award nomination. Most recently, Garrett was featured as a guest artist on WBRC Fox 6/Good Day Alabama for “Alabama Strong,” a statewide tribute to encourage Alabamians during the COVID-19 pandemic shutdown. 
 

Follow Alvin Garrett’s musical journey at alvingarrett.com.

– From a media release

BET Awards ’20 nominees announced

Nominees for the 2020 BET Awards have been announced, and congratulations are in order for the following nominees in the Dr. Bobby Jones Best Gospel/Inspirational Award category:

John P. Kee
John P. Kee

Fred Hammond
“Alright”

John P. Kee ft. Zacardi Cortez
“I Made It Out”

Kanye West
“Follow God”

Kirk Franklin
“Just For Me”

PJ Morton ft. Le’Andria Johnson & Mary Mary
“All In His Plan”

The Clark Sisters
“Victory”

The BET Awards will premiere June 28, at 8 PM ET on BET and BET HER, and will simulcast on CBS.  Click here for the complete list of nominees.

KWAY partners with Poor People’s Campaign for Moral March on Washington Digital Justice Gathering – June 20

From a release
 
This pandemic and economic collapse, along with the recent wave of police brutality and racist murders, have forced this nation into an unprecedented season of crisis and action. Much continues to change day by day, but here is what we know: this emergency results from a deeper and much longer-term crisis of systemic racism, inequality, and a society that ignores the needs of 140 million people who are poor or a $400 emergency away from being poor.
 
Over the last two years, the Poor People’s Campaign: A National Call for Moral Revival has worked to lay the groundwork for a broad movement that could unite poor and impacted communities across the country. People across the nation are joining the Campaign to confront the interlocking evils of systemic racism, poverty, climate change and ecological devastation, militarism and the war economy, and the distorted moral narrative of religious nationalism.
 
They are coming together to demand that the 140 million poor and low-income people in our nation – from every race, creed, gender, sexuality and place – are no longer ignored, dismissed or pushed to the margins of our political and social agenda.  That’s why KWAY-DB 24/7 Internet Gospel Station is proud to join the Poor People’s Campaign as a mobilizing partner for the Mass Poor People’s Assembly and Moral March on Washington Digital Justice Gathering, broadcast on June 20, 2020 at 10 AM EST and 6 PM EST, and on June 21 at 6 PM EST at www.kwaygospel.com.
The Mass Poor People’s Assembly and Moral March on Washington will be an historic digital event. Across the internet and the airwaves we will drive the vision and agenda of our communities into the heart of the national narrative. 
 
In this unprecedented moment, we must tell the truth about the dire failures of our political leaders. We must also demonstrate that it is the leadership emerging from our communities that is paving a different way forward.
History teaches us that it is exactly in moments like these that a movement of the many is necessary to force the nation into action and that the key to real and lasting change lies in our ability to come together in new and bold ways. Rise with us by registering for June 20, 2020, and join the broadcast on June 20 at 10 AM EST and 6 PM EST, and on June 21 at 6 PM EST at www.kwaygospel.com.
 
On June 20, we cry power to the nation!
_______________________________
 
Editor’s Note:  KWAY-DB 24/7 Internet Gospel Station broadcasts The Gospel Music Fever Radio Show with Libra Boyd, Mondays at 1 PM ET.
 
 

Central City Productions announces plans to produce 35th Annual Stellar Awards as a virtual telecast

Editor’s Note:  In March, GMF posted a press release from Central City Productions announcing that the 35th Annual Stellar Awards was postponed until August. On May 28th, Central City Productions released its latest update regarding production of the 35th Annual Stellar Awards.  The official release is below.
 
(CHICAGO, IL) May 28, 2020 – Though celebrating the milestone 35th anniversary of the Stellar Gospel Music Awards has been delayed due to the ongoing global health crisis and pandemic of COVID-19, Central City Productions today announced plans to produce the “Greatest Night in Gospel Music” as a two-hour virtual awards telecast that will air in 3Q of this year. Replacing the live taping previously rescheduled for August in Las Vegas, the new show format will harness the power of technology and creative television production honoring the best in gospel music. The virtual production will acknowledge all winners of the Stellar Awards pre-show and main show, with select categories being presented in the broadcast. The broadcast will also feature inspirational performances from gospel music’s most celebrated artists, and special tributes to first responder heroes on the front lines of the battle against the Coronavirus pandemic.
 
“As a result of the COVID-19 pandemic closing venues in Las Vegas we are producing our Stellar Awards as a virtual at home television special to honor our Stellar Award 2020 nominees and winners, that will still raise the roof for our fans at home with great gospel music performances in a new format,” said Stellar Awards Founder and Executive Producer Don Jackson. “Also, it gives us the opportunity to honor COVID-19 first responder heroes in appreciation of the great work they are doing to save lives during this pandemic. We hope to further inspire these heroes with tributes of thanks from our gospel music cast of Stellar winners and performances.”
 
Joining previously announced first time co-hosts Jonathan McReynolds and Koryn Hawthorne is Stellar Awards veteran host Kirk Franklin. The superstar trio will work together to keep the virtual television praise party lifted and flowing seamlessly throughout the evening. Confirmed performers include Donnie McClurkin, James Fortune, J.J. Hairston & Youthful Praise, Travis Greene, Pastor Mike Jr., Kierra Sheard, and Doe, with more to be announced.
 
An important tradition at the Stellar Awards will be held for next year’s 2021 show, where Jackson will bestow well-deserved special honors and recognition upon gospel greats who have elevated the genre. The previously named recipients – The Clark Sisters, Lady Tramaine Hawkins, Pastor Shirley Caesar in addition to gospel music industry leaders Dr. Leonard Scott, Skip Barrett, Kerry Douglas, and Dr. Teresa Hairston – will be celebrated for their contributions to gospel music when The Stellar Awards returns to Las Vegas next Spring in March 2021.
 
Tickets purchased for 2020 Stellar Awards events that were scheduled for August 14–16 will be refunded. To submit requests or for more information, visit Ticketmaster.
 
Previously announced nominees for the 2020 Stellar Awards includes veteran gospel collective, Donald Lawrence Presents The Tri-City Singers who leads the field of nominees with nine nominations. Other top nominees include gospel icon and Stellar Awards host, Kirk Franklin and powerhouse singer, producer and performer Tasha Cobbs Leonard with eight nominations each; JJ Hairston (seven nominations), Bishop Paul S. Morton (six nominations), John P. Kee (five nominations), Kurt Carr & The Kurt Carr Singers, William Murphy, and Pastor Mike, Jr. (four nominations each). Maranda Curtis and Fresh Start Worship (three nominations each) round out the field of top nominated artists. For the complete list of the 35th Anniversary Stellar Gospel Music Awards, please visit The Stellar Awards. 
 
More of the biggest names in gospel and a few additional surprises are being added to the growing list of top performers appearing in this year’s show, presented by AT&T and also sponsored by State Farm.
 
“I am especially grateful and appreciative of the tremendous positive response we have had from gospel music artists, our advertising partners and over 200 television broadcast and cable partners around the country who have agreed to support our 35th annual Stellar Awards at home special honoring Stellar winners and first responder heroes,” said Jackson.
 
The Stellar Gospel Music Awards show is executive produced by Don Jackson, with Jennifer J. Jackson serving as Executive in Charge of Production. Michael A. Johnson will produce and direct this year’s award show.
 
 

‘The Stellar Awards: Music of Hope’ two-hour special hopes to inspire amid COVID-19 pandemic

CHICAGO, March 31, 2020 /PRNewswire/ — In light of the COVID-19 global pandemic, Central City Productions Inc., the producers of the Stellar Gospel Music Awards brings you an uplifting and encouraging two-hour musical special, “The Stellar Awards: Music of Hope.”
 
Executive producer Don Jackson stated, “During this unprecedented crisis, we produced a special to uplift the country with gospel music performances that inspire hope from the many artists who have gifted us with their songs of inspiration from our Stellar Awards library over the past 34 years.”
 
Hosted by multiple Stellar and Grammy-award winning artist, Kirk Franklin, “The Stellar Awards: Music of Hope” special features songs from previous Stellar Awards classic performances by Tamela Mann, Donnie McClurkin, Michelle Williams featuring Beyonce’ and Kelly Rowland, Marvin Sapp, Lecrae, Canton Jones, Da’ T.R.U.T.H., Yolanda Adams, Bebe and Cece Winans, Hezekiah Walker, Mary Mary, Tasha Cobbs Leonard, Jonathan McReynolds, Pastor Shirley Caesar, Brian Courtney Wilson, Patti LaBelle, Ricky Dillard, Karen Clark Sheard, VaShawn Mitchell, Sarah Reeves, Jonathan Butler, Tramaine Hawkins, Travis Greene, Dottie Peoples, and Israel Houghton.
 
“The Stellar Awards: Music of Hope” special will air around the country in broadcast syndication from April 11 through May 24 in more than 216 markets and on Bounce TV on May 24th at 12PM EST (noon). Visit www.stellarawards.com. for a complete list of airdates.
 
“The Stellar Awards: Music of Hope” special leads up to the live taping of the 35th Annual Stellar Gospel Music Awards on Sunday, August 16, 2020. Tickets are available at www.ticketmaster.com.

Production of 35th Annual Stellar Awards postponed until August 14-16, 2020

GMF Update (5/28/20): On May 28, 2020, Central City Productions announced plans to produce the 35th Annual Stellar Awards as a virtual broadcast, which will replace the live taping that was rescheduled for August 2020.  Read the May 28th press release here: Central City Productions announces plans to produce 35th Annual Stellar Awards as a virtual broadcast
________________________________

(Chicago) – March 17, 2020 – The 2020 Stellar Awards 35th Anniversary Show, in partnership with the Orleans Hotel and Arena, thanks everyone for their patience and understanding as we continue to do our best to bring you the greatest week of events in gospel music.

 
In light of recent news and the declaration of the COVID-19 crisis as a global pandemic by the World Health Organization (WHO), the 35th Annual Stellar Gospel Music Awards will now take place August 14-16, 2020. Ticket information for all events is as follows:
 
35TH ANNUAL STELLAR AWARDS – ORLEANS ARENA TICKETS ORLEANS ARENA TICKETS (REFUND OPTIONAL) – Tickets purchased for the 35th Annual Stellar Awards at the Orleans Arena and Hotel will automatically transfer over to the new date, August 16, 2020. If you purchased a ticket for the 35th Annual Stellar Awards via Ticketmaster and want a refund, go to your Ticketmaster account and select the “Refund” button within your order.
 
35TH ANNUAL STELLAR AWARDS PRE-SHOW; STELLAR AWARDS LAUGH OUT LOUD COMEDY SHOW; AND GOSPEL MUSIC RADIO AWARDS – ORLEANS HOTEL SHOWROOM ORLEANS SHOWROOM TICKETS (MUST BE REFUNDED) – All tickets purchased for the Stellar Awards Showroom events noted above will require new tickets so each will be refunded. We are currently rescheduling those events in the Showroom and all dates and times for the Showroom events are forthcoming. If you purchased a ticket for the Showroom events via Ticketmaster, go to your Ticketmaster account and select the “Refund” button within your order.
 
REMINDER: CANCEL YOUR HOTEL RESERVATIONS FOR THE MARCH DATES – Please contact your Las Vegas hotel to cancel your reservation for the March dates. Your hotel should give you the option for a full refund (if deposit was required) or you can transfer dates (pending availability) for the August dates. Central City Productions/The Stellar Awards is not responsible for any cancellation fees or lost deposits you may incur from failure to cancel your reservations by the deadlines imposed by each hotel.
 
Please follow our accounts on social media @thestellars and check our website www.thestellarawards.com for updates from Central City Productions.
 
It is our hope and prayer that with quick community action, we can do our part toward the solution to this global problem. We encourage our families to continue to keep the mission of the gospel music community at heart and support each other with prayer and responsible preparation through this trying time.
 
We thank everyone for 35 years of support of the Stellar Gospel Music Awards and we look forward to safely celebrating this special milestone with everyone soon!
 
Don Jackson, CEO
Central City Productions