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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 [email protected]. 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.

Sizzlin’ This Week (6/6/11) – “God Made Me”

“God Made Me”
Mississippi Mass Choir
From the CD, Then Sings My Soul (2011)
http://www.mississippimass.com

When Mississippi Mass Choir’s current project was released earlier this year, “God Made Me” was one song in particular that came with an abundance of encouragement.

Penned by Jules Bartholomew (“Calling My Name,” “Faithful is Our God,” “God Favors Me”) and led by Benjamin “Benjie” Cone, III in the reminiscent spoken-word fashion of his father, the number is filled with personal affirmations: “I’m a conqueror, I am victorious, I won’t be stopped–I won’t be stopped!  I’m a believer, I’m an achiever, I won’t be blocked–I won’t be blocked!”

Already enjoying a nice ride on radio waves and gospel charts, you can expect church music departments all over the country to add “God Made Me” to their repertoire of inspirational choir music.

"Spiritual" – Donald Lawrence & Company

“Spiritual”
Donald Lawrence & Company
From the upcoming CD, Your Righteous Mind (Available Aug 9, 2011)
Available on iTunes

Donald Lawrence’s songs are often lifted right from the Scriptures, reminding you that the Bible is as timely as it is timeless.  Such is the matter of “Spiritual” from his forthcoming Your Righteous Mind album.

Blanche McAllister-Dykes (whom you know from Lawrence’s Tri-City Singers) delivers this number’s rich lead vocal atop a soul-infused music and choir arrangement, before Lawrence shouts out the band in the brassy musical interlude.  Die-hard Clark Sisters fans will recognize that the song’s climactic vamp makes its ascent sampling the sisters’ early 1980’s tune, “Walking in the Spirit.”

“Spiritual” is the second single from Your Righteous Mind.  The first single, which is the album’s title song and features Dorinda Clark-Cole, has been making waves since its radio debut.

Lawrence recently announced that the full-length project will drop August 9th.

McClurkin headlines McDonald’s Gospelfest, talks about competitiveness in gospel music

By Libra Boyd

Shaundria Williams contributed to this feature

This is the second of a two-part feature with pastor and singer Donnie McClurkin.
 
Donnie McClurkin
“If you take a drive through any community, you will see the golden arches,” speaks Donnie McClurkin of the most recognized fast food chain in the world, “and if you drive through any community, you will see the entity of McDonald’s…has been wise enough to discern that the real pulse of the community is the church.”
 
McDonald’s Gospelfest returns to the New York Tri-State area on Saturday, June 18, 2011 at the Prudential Center in Newark, NJ.  The auditions are complete and competitors are preparing to share the stage with some of the biggest names in Gospel including Kirk Franklin, Bishop Hezekiah Walker, James Fortune & FIYA, Bobby Jones, Bishop T.D. Jakes, and the one and only Donnie McClurkin.
 
The competition, originated in 1983, showcases talent in several categories ranging from soloists and choirs to dance, step, groups, instrumentalists and gospel rappers. 

McClurkin is headlining this particular talent competition, and he will soon be seen in the judge’s chair on another.  McClurkin, who has signed onto BET’s Sunday Best again this season, recently talked with GMF about the McDonald’s Gospelfest, competition in gospel music, and some of his favorite new artists.

GMF:  Please explain the appropriateness of competition in the body of Christ.
 
McClurkin:  I don’t see it as competition.  I see it as iron sharpening iron.  I don’t see it as us competing; I see it as me being able to draw from you or critique you.  If you’re doing something right, I want to learn from it; if you’re doing something wrong, I gotta critique it and I gotta tell ya, “Hey, hey, that’s not gonna work.”  Even with Sunday Best, we’re sitting there…a thousand people come past us in every city, and [we’re] sitting there going, “Next!  Oh my God, no–don’t ever sing again!  Please, don’t ever–”  It’s all in fun, but it’s also to make sure people stay in their lane and in their place. So from that level, there’s no competition.  
On the level of myself…Fred Hammond, Kirk Franklin, CeCe Winans, Kim Burrell…there’s no competition.  Donald Lawrence–no competition.  We sharpen each other, and we sit back and wait to see who’s coming out with what CD…and it inspires us to go in and do more.  So that keeps the fresh move in the gospel industry, musically.  It keeps us on our toes and it makes sure that we get the best of quality, because we don’t compete, we compel and we push one another to do better.
 
GMF:  Along the lines of iron sharpening iron, who are some of your favorite up and coming artists?
 
McClurkin:   There’s a girl named Preashea Hilliard; she’s got a great CD!  “Fresh Fire” is one of the greatest songs.  Then you’ve got Forever Jones–the whole family–mother, father and kids.  They’ve got a great song out called “He Wants It All.”  There are some great artists coming up that you have never even heard of like Brittney Wright, people like Maurice Griffin, and even Duward Davis, and the list goes on…LeAndria Johnson…they are the new guys coming up and it’s our job to make space for them….Kirk Franklin is pushing Isaac Caree, and I’m taking Andrea Mellini and pushing her.  So, all of us are taking artists and pushing them; Donald Lawrence took DeWayne Woods and Sheri Jones-Moffett.  We’re bringing up these new artists, putting them out in the foreground, so that we can disappear one day.
 
GMF:   The Gospelfest takes place Father’s Day weekend.  Talk to us about your father or father figure and the impact he has had on your ministry.
 
McClurkin:  Well, there are two. (Read McClurkin’s complete response Father’s Day weekend right here on GMF, where he’ll talk openly about his biological father.)
 
GMF:  Beyond the gentlemen that are featured in the Gospelfest, will there be community leaders that will be honored as men of valor?
 
McClurkin:  Possibly.  We always do something for people who’ve passed away like Walter Hawkins and Albertina Walker; so some people will be honored.
_______________________________
 
Tickets for McDonald’s Gospelfest can be purchased at the Prudential Center Box Office or through Ticketmaster by calling 800.745.3000, or at www.ticketmaster.com. For further information, please call the McDonald’s Gospelfest Hotline at 866.898.7772.
 

Sizzlin’ This Week (5/30/11) – “Judgement”

“Judgement”
Witness
From the CD, 4 Righteousness Sake – The Process (2010)
Available on iTunes

Secular-turned-gospel rapper Darnell Deshaun Woods, also known as Witness, is fulfilling his purpose.  Rap, which his pastor says stands for “reaching all people,” is his forte.

The proof is in the pudding.  In this case, the pudding is “Judgement,” through which Witness flows over layers of electric piano, wah-wah effects, finger snaps, and luscious background vocals.  Of course, all of this is after the startling intro of shrieks, sirens, and shots followed by his plea: “Father, help me get it right before You return.  I don’t want to hear you say those words, ‘Depart from me, I know you not.'”

“Judgement” is a personal and soulful track brought to us by a talented and reflective witness.

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

Donnie McClurkin talks church, fame, and relationships

By Libra Boyd
Gospel Music Fever
Shaundria Williams contributed to this feature

Donnie McClurkinThis is the first of a two-part feature with pastor and singer Donnie McClurkin.

Donnie McClurkin is a giant in gospel music.  From his early days of recording with New York Restoration Choir to his solo albums that have achieved gold and platinum status, the singer/songwriter/musician is among the most gifted male vocalists of our time.  Yet, while McClurkin’s singing virtuosity is unmatched and draws audiences of thousands, the multiple Grammy winner spends more time these days discussing another calling that is dear to his heart: being a pastor.
 
For ten years, Donnie McClurkin has also been known as Pastor McClurkin, shepherd of the flock of Perfecting Faith Church in Freeport, NY.  It is a calling that he fully embraces, and he recently spoke with us about a vision to which he is wholeheartedly devoted.  McClurkin’s music reaches across cultures, denominations, and generations; he envisions the same impact for his church and churches across the globe as well.
 
“What I see the Lord doing is tear[ing] down all of these divisive walls–tear[ing] down the walls of culture and race, tear[ing] down the walls of denomination, tear[ing] down all of these walls and teach[ing] us how to function with one another…that’s what I see God doing in the ministry he’s given me and the ministry of a few others,” McClurkin explains.  “There’s no victory, there’s no power, there’s no real accomplishment in the division,” he continues.  “Jesus said the house that’s divided against itself cannot stand–so why did we turn around and start dividing the house?”
 
The pastor’s passion for unity over traditionalism, oneness over denominationalism, is glaring.
 
“With denominations…we have made [the church as a whole] everything that God said He did not want it to be,” he asserts.  McClurkin is confident that when churches align with the purposes of God, they will experience unity that will cause the gospel to be preached freely with its effects far reaching.
 
“[God] never ordained the gospel to be preached in the church,” he declares.  “He ordained the gospel to be preached in all the world, on the streets where the people are.”
 
If McClurkin comes across emphatically, it’s because he is all about the people.  Everyday people.  Commoners.  Persons from every walk of life and upbringing.  He himself carefully avoids the trappings of fame in order to be an effective servant among the people that he leads.  This down-to-earthiness, he believes, allows him to strengthen relationships with his members, all the while pointing them to Jesus rather than himself.
 
“My church doesn’t see me as ‘Donnie McClurkin’; they see me as Pastor.  My church doesn’t really hear me in concert because I do very few concerts in New York [where the church is].”  McClurkin recalls the time one of his young members became aware of his renown.  “One of the 17 year-olds came to me two years ago…and he said, ‘Dog, Pastor, I didn’t know you rolled like that!’ And that’s the key–that I make sure that I am not an icon to them, [but that] I’m a servant to them.”
 
McClurkin has often spoken of leaving the music industry.  The tone in which he speaks on the subject even nowadays enigmatically suggests that a superb vocalist, with both gospel and mainstream success, is a misfit for the business and ready to bow out.  When McClurkin considers the next ten years for instance, he remarks, “I see me being iconically spoken about and never found musically, because I’ve hung up my musical ‘cape.'”  Accordingly, McClurkin looks forward to devoting himself entirely to his pastoral duties and to developing ministries across the country.  Not finished with his thoughts on being iconic, he grapples with the notion again, this time further emphasizing his need to relate to people from all walks of life.
 
“In the music world people serve you–it’s about visibility,” he expounds.  “How many people have your CD, how many awards do you win, how many platforms of great renown can you stand on, how global is your ministry, how commercial is your appeal.”  Then he elaborates on his personal convictions.
 
“See, I’ve never been iconic. I don’t like the hoopla; so I travel without an entourage.  I don’t believe in all this security stuff; I don’t like the stuff….I like to sit behind the scenes, and I like to serve.”  Sensing that he still hasn’t qualified his aversion to fame, McClurkin opens up even more about his disinterest in the fortune, glitz, and bling that so frequently accompany celebrity status.
 
“I don’t receive a salary from my church–never have in ten years, not a red Abraham Lincoln penny.  I don’t have a car–forget about driving a luxury car–I don’t even have a car.  I don’t live in a gated community; I live in the ‘hood in Lakeview, where people throw beer cans over in my yard!  ‘Why Donnie?’ Because that’s where the people live, and if I’m a servant, I’ve got to live where the people are.  I can’t drive around in a Bentley and see people taking the bus to church….It may be lawful, but it’s not expedient to me,” he says flatly with a biblical reference to 1 Corinthians 10:23.
 
Dog, Pastor, we didn’t know you rolled like that!  This is McClurkin’s point precisely.
 
“As a minister, you can’t serve me; I gotta serve you!”  In pastoring, he says, “It’s gotta be ‘how low can you go and how high can you lift somebody else?'”
 
 

Next week, Donnie McClurkin talks to GMF about McDonald’s GospelFest and what he really thinks about competition in gospel music.

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.

Sizzlin’ This Week (5/23/11) – “I Hear the Sound”

“I Hear the Sound”
Maurette Brown Clark
From the upcoming CD, The Sound of Victory (Summer 2011)
www.maurettebrownclark.com

Maurette Brown Clark’s new single, “I Hear the Sound” has been heating up radio and is now available on iTunes.

The energetic praise song is from her soon-to-come fourth project entitled The Sound of Victory, which was recorded live in Norfolk, VA on AIR Gospel/Malaco and features a DVD component.

Encouraging lyrics and a contagious melody make “I Hear the Sound” the perfect soundtrack for your victory party.