Category: Passings

Andraé Crouch (1942-2015) was part of my church family [Arrangements Added]

By Libra Boyd
Gospel Music Fever

Andraé Crouch passed today (January 8) in Los Angeles. He was 72.  (Read the related story at USA Today.) My prayers are with his twin sister Sandra and the Crouch family as well as the New Christ Memorial Church of God in Christ, friends, and fans.

Though I knew the Grammy-winning singer, songwriter, and pastor had been hospitalized since Saturday, reportedly in critical condition from a heart attack, his passing hits me as though he was part of my church family. In a way, he was. As a minister of music, I felt my repertoire of choir selections was incomplete without a Crouch gem. “Maybe God’s Trying to Tell You Something” (from The Color Purple), “Let the Church Say Amen,” “Soon and Very Soon,” “Jesus is the Answer,” “Through It All,” and the classic he penned at age 14, “The Blood Will Never Lose Its Power” have permanent pages in my music catalog, and he, through his powerful, meaningful, and relatable songs, will have an abiding presence in the Sunday worship services I conduct as music director.

Andraé Crouch was very likely part of your church family too. His contributions to American music are too numerous to mention. The artists he has influenced are copious. The masses he has led to Christ are countless. 

Crouch was a pioneer and a legend–and other legends and contemporaries embraced opportunities to work with him. In 2012, “Queen of Gospel” Pastor Shirley Caesar told me that her dream collaboration would be a duet with the man whom some have called “the father of modern gospel music.”

His music is timeless. His legacy is lasting.   

Arrangements have been announced, and both services will stream live.

What is your favorite Andraé Crouch song? Please share in the comment section below. 

Rev. Cleophus Robinson, Jr. has died

Cleophus Robinson, Jr.

Dr. Patricia James-Holloway informed GMF that Rev. Cleophus Robinson, Jr. passed away December 23. He was 57 years old.

Robinson and his five siblings followed in the musical footsteps of their parents, the late Rev. Cleophus Robinson, Sr. and the late Mrs. Bertha Robinson. The younger Robinson was a noted preacher, singer, organist, choir director, recording artist, and radio personality (WESL, KSTL, and Gospel 1600). During his father’s pastorate at Greater Bethlehem Baptist Church in St. Louis, he served as the minister of music.

At age 17, Robinson recorded his first solo album entitled Keep on Stepping on a Nashboro label subsidiary. Some of his additional recordings include Consolation (Savoy, 1980), Back Again (Malaco, 1993), and What You Need (Malaco, 1995). In 2012, Emerged/Reborn Records released a single by Robinson, “He That Thirsteth.”

Dr. Patricia James-Holloway (niece of Robinson Sr. and daughter of Sister Josephine James) remembers her cousin as a “powerhouse” singer and preacher as well as a great musician who “made the organ talk.”

GMF extends heartfelt condolences to Robinson’s family and friends during this difficult time of transition.  

Vanessa Bell Armstrong mourns passing of son

Please join GMF in extending condolences to Vanessa Bell Armstrong in the passing of her son Terrance.  The gospel singer tweeted the news of her son’s passing Thursday, December 4, via Twitter.

Early Friday morning, she shared this tweet with her followers:

Our prayers are with the family during this very difficult time.

Julia Mae Price-Williams of the Davis Sisters, Caravans, succumbs

Bob Marovich of the Journal of Gospel Music informed GMF that Julia Mae Price -Williams, formerly of the Davis Sisters and the Caravans, passed away.  GMF extends condolences to her family and friends.

Price-Williams started singing at age three.  It’s a talent that ran in her family–her father, Rev. Julian Price (who was a pastor in Augusta, GA), and several aunts also sang. As a teenager, she was a member of the Vashti Singers. In the 1960s, she joined the Davis Sisters of Philadelphia before becoming a member of the Caravans in 1966. In 1983, she released her first solo album, which earned “Artist of the Year” and “Traditional Singer of the Year” nominations from the Gospel Music Workshop of America.

Joseph Middleton of the Golden Era Gospel Blog interviewed Price-Williams in 2009, during which she spoke about her career as well as present-day gospel music: The Golden Era Gospel Blog Interviews a Gospel Legend: Ms. Julia Mae Price-Williams.

Rev. Jonas Brown, former WNCU radio host, dies

From The Herald-Sun
From The Herald-Sun (10/31/14):
DURHAM – Reverend Jonas Buster Brown passed on October 27, 2014 in Durham, NC.

He leaves to cherish his memory his loving wife Rosa Hannah Brown; four
sons, Christopher Brown (Monica V. Martin), Jimmy Hannah (Tomeka
Copeage), Jonas R. Hannah, Jr. (Linda Yvette Cox), Richard Lamont Brown;
three brothers, Willie Boston, Jr. (Patricia), Erol Boston and Wayne
Boston.
 
A memorial service will be held Saturday, November 1, 2014 at Lakeview
Baptist Church, 3411 Dearborn Drive, Durham, NC, beginning at 1 p.m. A
visitation with family and friends will take place at 12:30 p.m.
 
Arrangements are entrusted to Scarborough and Hargett Memorial Chapel
and Gardens, Inc. Online condolences may be expressed at
Scarboroughandhargettfh.com.
Brown was the former host of the Sunday morning radio show “Gospel Connections” on North Carolina Central University’s WNCU 90.7 FM.

Charles Johnson of the Nightingales, Revivers passes on

Charles JohnsonGMF is sad to share news of the passing of singer/musician/songwriter Charles Johnson, formerly of the Sensational Nightingales and Charles Johnson & The Revivers. Johnson passed this morning (Monday, October 6). He was 83 years old. He is survived by his wife and six children.

During my childhood, I regularly attended concerts featuring the Sensational Nightingales. Johnson was indeed one of the most unique and earnest voices in gospel quartet music.

Read more by Barbara Huffman and see homegoing arrangements at www.singingnews.com.

The “Gospel Memories” Radio Show with host Bob Marovich will feature an extended set of Johnson’s recordings this Saturday (October 11).  The show airs at 10 am central time and can be streamed live at www.gospelmemories.com.

Melvin, Doug Williams & family mourn passing of matriarch, Amanda Williams

Join GMF in extending condolences to the Williams family in the passing of their matriarch, Amanda “Mom” Williams.  She was 94 years old.

A guiding force in the lives of her ten children, she and her husband Leon “Pop” Williams (d. 1989) nurtured their musical talents at southern Mississippi’s Rose Hill Missionary Baptist Church. Sons Huey and Frank became members of The Jackson Southernaires. Frank eventually organized the Mississippi Mass Choir.  Leonard, Melvin, and Doug (along with family friend Henry Green) comprised The Williams Brothers.  Some of the other children entered the music field on the business side.

While there is sadness over “Mom” Williams’ transition, there most certainly must also be rejoicing over her blessed life and rich legacy.

Photo from Facebook profile of Linder Banks Williams

Alex Hobbs, son of Al "The Bishop" Hobbs, dies just weeks after father

Bob Marovich of The Journal of Gospel Music reports the unexpected passing Alex Hobbs (left), whose tragic death comes barely one month after the passing of his father, music industry veteran Al “The Bishop” Hobbs.

Alex, an active duty serviceman, was present with his siblings at their father’s tribute services about two weeks ago and could be seen riding along on the horse and carriage that escorted their father to be interred.

GMF extends condolences to the family during this shocking and difficult time. Read more at JGM.

Dr. Bobby Jones mourns passing of sister Lula Puckett

GMF sends condolences to Dr. Bobby Jones and family in the passing of his elder sister, Lula Puckett, who died Sunday, August 10, 2014, in Paris, TN. She was 79.
Services are scheduled for Thursday, August 14, at Allen Temple CME Church, 213 Warren Street, Paris, TN.  The funeral begins at noon with viewing for two hours prior. 
Rawls Funeral Home is handling arrangements.  You may share condolences there or by email to [email protected].

Al "The Bishop" Hobbs, National GAG Chair of GMWA, dies [Arrangements]

Al “The Bishop” Hobbs, Chairman of the National Gospel Announcers Guild of the Gospel Music Workshop of America, Inc., died today.  He battled cancer in recent years, and just this week, he was saluted during a tribute program at the 47th annual GMWA convention festivities.

Having seen and heard Al from a distance down through the years, I finally met him two years ago at GMWA.  Talking with him was like chatting with a longtime friend.  He will be sorely missed across the gospel music industry.

Read more by Bob Marovich of The Journal of Gospel Music here: Gospel Community Mourns Loss of Al “The Bishop” Hobbs

Condolences can be sent to the Hobbs Residence, 9009 Shetland Court, Indianapolis, IN 46278.  Arrangements are as follows:

Friday, August 15, 2014
Viewing
3 – 6 PM
Prelude
6 – 7 PM
Musical 
7 – 11 PM

Saturday, August 16, 2014
Viewing
8 – 10 AM
Service
10 AM

All services will take place at Christ Church Apostolic, 6601 Grandview Drive, Indianapolis, IN, and will also be streamed live here.