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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.”

The Anointed Caravans: Giving God the Glory!

Photo by Libra Boyd
The Anointed Caravans serenade a near-capacity audience Sunday evening at Kirby Civic Auditorium.  Pictured (front to rear) are vocalists Courtni Croom, Indiya Pettiford, Devin Paylor, and Nila Allen.
 

 

Say “The Famous Caravans” in a gospel music context and one likely thinks of names like Walker and Caesar and songs like “Sweeping Through the City.”  The old school.

Say “The Anointed Caravans” and toggle to a new generation of traditional gospel singers that, age-wise, ranges from preteen Indiya Pettiford–first place winner in Apollo Theater’s “Stars of Tomorrow” Amateur Night–to charismatic college man Devin Paylor.  Be on lookout for this new school of young singers on the gospel scene, giving God the glory!

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.

Louis Dicks of the Blind Boys remembered by family, friends, quartet community

Sandy Foster, Jr. (left) of the Five Blind Boys of Mississippi and Rev. Frank Thompson of the Fantastic Violinaires pay their respects.

Mourners filled the sanctuary of Durham’s New Metropolitan Church Monday, October 24, to celebrate the life of Louis Dicks, longtime member of the Five Blind Boys of Mississippi and the Five Blind Boys of Alabama. 
The host of mourners included members from both the Five Blind Boys of Mississippi and Alabama, the Fantastic Violinaires, and the Swan Silvertones.
Rev. Frank Thompson of the Fantastic Violinaires was among those who offered tributes with a prayer of comfort and a moving verse of “Father, I Stretch My Hands To Thee.”  Pastor Patricia Reams delivered the eulogy.
Dicks died last Monday, October 17. 

GMF thanks RuBena Cooper-Woods for contributing to this piece.

Related Story:
Blind Boys’ famed lead, Louis Dicks, passes from labor to reward

"Don't You Give Up" – Christopher Terrell & The New Journey Project

“Don’t You Give Up”
Christopher Terrell & The New Journey Project
From the upcoming CD, It’s Cool to Love God  (November 4, 2011)
http://www.christopherterrellnewjourneyproject.com/

Christopher Terrell is no stranger to the music scene.  You’ve heard his music on Tyler Perry’s Daddy’s Little Girls soundtrack (“Struggle No More”), and he’s collaborated with a number of producers and artists from the R&B and hip hop industries.

Just a few years ago, Terrell formed The New Journey Project, and on Friday, November 4, the ensemble will release a brand new CD, It’s Cool to Love God.  He describes the project as “neither traditional nor contemporary gospel,” but versatile with something that he hopes will appeal to everyone.  Take a listen to the current single, “Don’t You Give Up” for yourself.  Its message is clear: hold on, be strong, don’t give up, and God will see you through.

Blind Boys’ famed lead, Louis Dicks, passes from labor to reward

Dicks (standing, far left)

GMF thanks RuBena Cooper-Woods for informing us of the passing of Louis Dicks, longtime lead singer with both the Five Blind Boys of Mississippi and the Five Blind Boys of Alabama.  Dicks died Monday in Durham, NC, where he resided more than 20 years.

The well-known tenor (who, incidentally, was not blind) joined the Five Blind Boys of Mississippi in the mid 1950’s and traveled with the group for several decades.  When Clarence Fountain left the Five Blind Boys of Alabama for a few years in the late 1960’s, Dicks came aboard as the Alabama group’s featured lead for a time. 

In addition to the acclaim he embraced as a member of both legendary aggregations, Dicks wowed crowds throughout NC with his own uniquely named group, World’s Greatest Gospel Singers.

Visitation will be Monday, October 24, at 11am, with the homegoing service following at noon.  Services will be at New Metropolitan Faith Winners Baptist Church, 1509 Riddle Road, Durham, NC.

We extend our condolences to the family and friends.  Another phenomenal singer has joined the Heavenly choir.