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Willie Carrington, founding member of The Mighty Harmonaires, goes from labor to reward

Willie Carrington

GMF extends its sympathy to the family of Mighty Harmonaires’ original member, manager, singer, and lead guitarist Willie Carrington, who passed away Wednesday, June 15th. 

Carrington founded the quartet group more than 40 years ago, which over the years has consisted of family and close friends.  Carrington’s son Richard, the group’s current lead guitarist, also served a brief stint with the Brooklyn Allstars as bassist.  In addition to their travels along the east coast, the Harmonaires are heard live each Sunday morning on Roxboro, NC’s WRXO (1430AM) and WKRX (96.7FM). 

Carrington will be remembered for his love of God, love of people, and love of music.  Below is the obituary from the Hester, Whitted & Daye Funeral Service website.

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Deacon Willie Richard “Mena” Carrington, Jr., age 79 of 300 Newell Street in Roxboro left to be with the Lord on June 15, 2011 at Duke Medical Center. He was a life time member and Deacon of the Prospect Hill Baptist Church where he served for many years. 
 
He was the manager, leader and retired lead guitar player for The Mighty Harmonaires of Roxboro, NC for over 40 years. 
 
He leaves to cherish his memory two children–his daughter, Cynthia Petty and husband Steven; his son William “Richard” Lee Carrington, Sr. and wife Antoinette both of Roxboro, NC; and six grandchildren–Tiffany Cash (husband Steve); William Richard Lee Carrington, Jr. “RJ” (wife Terri); Cinzia Petty, DeAngelo Lunsford, Stavonna Petty and Alicia Toler.  He is also survived by six great grandchildren.  Carrington is survived by three sisters–Essie Edwards of Baltimore, MD; Lucille Bailey and Virginia Lester of Roxboro, NC; two sisters-in-law–Hallie Blackwell of Roxboro, NC and Mattie Howard of New Jersey; three brothers-in-law–Gaither Williams, Jr. of Pennsylvania; Jerry Williams and Clarence Blackwell, Sr. both of Roxboro, NC. 
 
Viewing:
Saturday, June 18th
1-8 P.M. (the family will be at the funeral home 7-8 P.M.)
Hester, Whitted & Daye Funeral Service – 603 South Main St, Roxboro
 
Funeral:
Sunday, June 19th
2 P.M.
Prospect Hill Baptist Church – 301 Bethel Hill School Road, Roxboro

Recap: An Evening with Brother Joseph "JoJo" Wallace & Friends

By Libra Boyd
Gospel Music Fever

Last weekend, a grinning and grateful Brother Joseph “JoJo” Wallace and his family filled the first rows of Durham’s Union Baptist Church.  The occasion was the celebration of his 65 years of ministry with one of the baddest quartets of gospel’s Golden Era, the Sensational Nightingales.  The year he joined as tenor and lead guitarist, 1946, predates the birthdates of most of the people who came to pay homage.

The appreciation musical was delightful.  The ambiance was replete with soft lighting and numerous tributes as family and group photos of Brother JoJo displayed on the projection screen.  Amid the dimly lit sanctuary, Brother JoJo was still quite visible at various times either waving his hand, smiling broadly, applauding joyously or listening attentively.
 
The only disappointments of the evening were the mediocre turnout and the noticeable absence of some well-known nearby gospel music industry comrades (save Reuben and Ruth Cooper, original members of the Triangle area’s legendary Cooper Four, a traditional group who has sung to folks in Radioland live every Sunday since 1952) for whom Brother JoJo was a way-paver.
 
His name is in gospel music books and encyclopedias, etched in the American Gospel Quartet Hall of Fame, and listed among nominees for the coveted Grammy Award.  Brother JoJo would never tell you of these accolades himself, though; maybe this is why some are unaware of his international acclaim.  In fact, the mention of the word “legend” causes him to clasp his jaw-dropped face and announce, “Aw! You’re making me blush!”  He’s just a blessed, spry 84 year-old servant of the Most High, he insists, who has been graced with the health and strength to travel across the country and overseas, ministering to the masses in song.
 
Brother JoJo’s unassuming disposition was spoken of by several who offered tributes during the musical, including former journalists Billy Warden and his wife Lucy Inman.  The celebration also included musical salutes by Carolyn Satterfield, Tony & the Magnificent Voices, Rufus Poole & the Stars of Faith, 12 year-old Kaleb Robinson, John Thorpe, who sang, fittingly, “It’s Your Time,” and New Hope Person Male Chorus with Libra Nicole Boyd, who traveled back in time to 1955 with the Gales’ tune “Somewhere to Lay My Head.” 
 
The most melodic sounds of the celebration came from The Hillian Sisters, a pre-Golden Era sounding trio whose harmonies, minus the soaring vocals, were as sweet as Chicago’s Barrett Sisters.  Darrell Luster (pictured at right), Gales’ former lead singer, took to the platform to sing two selections and to read a tribute from Malaco Records.  The Malaco family praised Brother JoJo for “[being] a rock for us during troubling times.”  Congratulatory letters were also received from President and First Lady Obama, Governor Bev Perdue, and Mayor Bill Bell.
 
The honoree along with the Sensational Nightingales—Horace “Sug” Thompson, Larry Moore, and guest singer and former member Ricky Luster—also treated the audience to two numbers.  Hardly able to contain himself, an overwhelmed Brother JoJo began right away: “You all just don’t know how excited I am.  God be praised!  All honor and all glory belongs to God….My heart is rejoicing.  I want to say to the saints of God, keep your hands in God’s hand, and don’t give up.  Listen carefully.”  Straightway, he strummed opening chords on his guitar, awaiting Luster’s mellow interpretation of  “Don’t Give Up.”  From there, the audience rose to its feet on the brisk-paced “Rapture,” with Thompson and Brother JoJo taking turns with the lead vocals.  The first verse, “some sweet day,” ended with a signature gesture: Brother JoJo swinging his guitar into the heavens.
 
At the close of the evening, the guest of honor trotted to the platform, either shaking hands or hugging everyone on his route, to give remarks.
 
“Thank you, Lord Jesus,” he said toward the sky, his tall, slender frame leaning into the mic.  Then to his guests, he added, “You have given me flowers that I can see today.  I have been on this journey for a long time, and I’m not ready to stop now.”


Top photo: GMF’s Libra Boyd congratulates Brother JoJo.

Second photo: Darrell Luster sings “Every Promise in the Book is Mine.”
Third photo: The Gales render “Don’t Give Up” for the audience.

Lucy Inman talks about compiling a press kit for the Nightingales that caught the attention of then-newspaper reporter Billy Warden (right), led to a front page feature on Brother JoJo, and resulted in Inman and Warden’s courtship and marriage.

The Hillian Sisters perform “All of These Years.”

John Thorpe serenades Brother JoJo with Luther Barnes’ “It’s Your Time.”

Seated at the keyboard, Libra Nicole Boyd cues in lead singer Bernard Thorpe and New Hope Person Male Chorus on the Gales’ 1955 hit “Somewhere to Lay My Head.”

Larry Moore, Ricky Luster, and members of Tony & The Magnificent Voices enjoy a musical tribute.

Program participants Dr. Tonya Armstrong, Dr. W.E. Daye, Pastor Thomas Bannister, III, Dr. Johnny Branch, and Rev. David Bell look on as Brother JoJo is feted.

 

-->Twelve year-old Kaleb Robinson meets Brother JoJo--a dream come true.  Kaleb sang "Face to Face" earlier in the evening.  This is not just some kid who gets props for being young and cute; the boy can sing.  Kaleb brought the house to its feet.  I told him afterwards that I refuse to wait: I want his autograph now.  Trust me when I tell you that "Kaleb Robinson" is a name you want to keep in mind. All photos by Libra Boyd

 

Sizzlin’ This Week (6/13/11) – “Trouble Will Be Over”

“Trouble Will Be Over”
Blest By Four
From the CD, Just Like Fire (2010)
www.mcgrecords.com

They started singing as toddlers.  No one is likely to dispute that, especially once hearing Blest By Four’s close harmonies on the punchy, mid-tempo horn-laden quartet track, “Trouble Will Be Over.”  It’s pretty obvious they’ve sung together enough to present a seemingly effortless blend in their live performances.

Marry the lyrical theme of Luther Barnes and the Sunset Jubilaires’ “When I Get Home” (from the Oh My Lord album) with the overall musical architecture of Williams Brothers’ tunes and the offspring is “Trouble Will Be Over.”

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 GINextDimension@yahoo.com. 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.
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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