
The 2019 awards show will take place October 15 in Nashville and will air October 20 at 8 PM ET, on TBN.
Congratulations to all nominees!
“What could I say about the late great Tessie Hill, better known to many others as ‘Mama Tessie’? Well, I can tell you that I met her many years ago when I was singing with the Caravans. [She was] one of the ‘singingest’ women that you’d ever want to hear. Late last year, 2018, she came to our church in Raleigh, NC…and when that woman started singing in our morning worship, I had to sit my little self down. That woman had such a powerful and an anointed voice! And I want you to know that we will forever be thankful and grateful that God blessed her to come and to be such a wonderful blessing to all mankind. Those that knew her, those that sat under her singing ministry, we will forever remember Tessie Hill.”
Arrangements for Tessie Hill are as follows:
“Isaiah Song”
Yemi Ayeni (2019)
WTL Records
www.yemiayeni.com
By Janie Sheeley-Torain
GMF Special Contributor
The sultry voice of Yemi Ayeni in “Isaiah Song” evokes profuse peace and calm as you marvel the holiness of the Lord of Hosts. It is a mode of worship–inspired by Isaiah 6:1-3–that has the capacity to release you from the anxiety and stress of any current situation, redirecting you to join in with Yemi in seeing the Lord “high and lifted up.”
By the time “Isaiah Song” ascends to its climax, you are likely engulfed with praise and chanting with the background chorus of celestial voices, “Holy, holy, holy is the Lord of Hosts / The whole earth is filled with His glory!”
Yemi is a UK-based singer-songwriter and youth and music minister, and “Isaiah Song” is from her forthcoming worship EP.
GMF is sad to report the passing of Bishop Andrew J. Ford, II. Ford died Friday, July 19, in New Jersey.
Bishop Ford was the presiding prelate of Next Generation Fellowship Ministries, Inc. and pastor of Philadelphia’s Ford Memorial Temple Baptist Church, the latter founded (as Highway Christian Church of Christ) and pastored by his father Bishop Andrew J. Ford, Sr. until his death in 1993. Bishop Ford was also a gospel music industry notable who is credited with propelling several artists’ careers. His social media bio reads in part:
[Bishop Ford] is also the founder and executive producer of Sweet Rain Record Company, where he discovered, launched the careers of, and produced some of America’s gospel notable artists such as Pastor Hezekiah Walker and the Love Fellowship Crusade Choir, The Reverend Ernest Davis, Jr. and Wilmington Chester Mass Choir featuring Rev. Daryl Coley, Southeast Inspirational Choir of Houston, introducing Yolanda Adams, and many others. During his tenure in the recording industry, he was considered ‘The Renaissance Man’ of gospel music, because of his unique ability in recording live choir recordings. His production company was affectionately known as ‘The Choir Boys.’ He has also trained and produced his ‘How Sweet the Sound’ and ‘TV One / Sony Choir Competition’ award-winning church choir, The Anointed Voices of Ford Memorial Temple.
GMF extends condolences and prayers to Bishop Ford’s immediate and extended family, church family, and host of friends.
“Wind and Waters”
Native Kingdom (2019)
www.nativekingdom.com
By Janie Sheeley-Torain
GMF Special Contributor
Native Kingdom’s “Wind and Waters” puts passion and prayer to song with resounding hope and joy. The warm melodious instrumental and intimately personal lyrics rejuvenate your spirit like the refreshing waters of a brook on a hot summer day, offering an encouraging message for anyone currently in the midst of a fiery furnace or a tempestuous storm.
The Native Kingdom Collective is based in the Pacific Northwest and was founded by Ryan and Haley Smith and Reuben Wai. “Wind and Waters” is Native Kingdom’s first original single.
Whether you are relaxing or exercising, put your earbuds in for a natural mood booster. “Wind and Waters” will usher you into praise and worship of the One who will be with you to the end.
“I Am More Than A Conqueror”
Tonya Lewis Taylor
From the forthcoming EP, I Am More Than A Conqueror (Available 2019)
www.tonyalewistaylor.com
By Libra Boyd
Gospel Music Fever
Scriptural affirmations frame the premise for Tonya Lewis Taylor’s self-written and produced single “I Am More Than A Conqueror.”
The mid-tempo contemporary track features Taylor and her backing choir engaging in vocal interplay to proclaim, “I am more than a conqueror; through Christ, I can do all things!”
Taylor seamlessly melds ministry and uplift in her music, including her other singles “I’m A Winner” and “Delayed But Not Denied.” It stands to reason; the singer is also a minister and empowerment coach.
If you’re itching to hear another good choir tune, Tonya Lewis Taylor’s current single “I Am More Than A Conqueror” is sure to be music to your ears.
“Hallelujah”
Doyin Johnson (2018)
For more information, email [email protected]
By Janie Sheeley-Torain
GMF Special Contributor
Get ready to close your eyes, raise your hands and usher in the presence of the Holy Spirit through worship! Doyin Johnson’s “Hallelujah” is an energizing, powerful worship song with lyrics that will lure you closer to Jesus.
Worship is a powerful spiritual exercise in anyone’s life. As you listen, worship and rejoice, for God’s grace has been lavished on us. We have received a generous, over-abundance of God’s love, grace and favor! Doyin invites you to join her along with all that was created to bring God glory—the 24 elders, ocean, mountain, and trees—to give God the highest praise, “Hallelujah!”
Janie Sheeley-Torain, Ed.D, is a gospel music enthusiast, author, National Board Certified Teacher, and life-long educator. She is an advocate of invigorating gospel music that inspires, elevates, and encourages the listener. She has published and is currently working on manuscripts that embolden the musicians of gospel music.
Alice Houston of the Clara Ward Singers informed GMF’s Libra Boyd this morning that the Clara Ward Singers’ Agnes Jackson passed Sunday, May 12. GMF extends deepest condolences.
Jackson joined the legendary group in the late 1960s and was the featured soloist on several of the Clara Ward Singers’ songs including “Up Above My Head,” “It Is Well With My Soul,” “The Lord’s Prayer,” “His Eye Is On The Sparrow,” and “I Believe.”
Jackson was 87.
Homegoing information is as follows:
Visitation
Monday, May 20, 2019
10 – 11 AM
Reliable Funeral Home
3958 Washington Blvd
St. Louis, MO 63108
Funeral Service
Monday, May 20, 2019
11 AM
Reliable Funeral Home
3958 Washington Blvd
St. Louis, MO 63108
Watch Lady Agnes Jackson with the Clara Ward Singers on The Flip Wilson Show (1971) here. She is featured on “His Eye Is On The Sparrow.”