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"King of Glory" – Psalmist Raine & The Refresh Team

“King of Glory”
Psalmist Raine & The Refresh Team (2017)
 
Psalmist Raine King of Glory cover artBy Libra Boyd
 
“King of Glory” is the new single from Psalmist Raine and the Refresh Team’s forthcoming CD, Refresh Worship Live II: For the Nations.  The enthusiastic praise anthem, produced by Nicholas McCree of Salohcin Media Group, invokes the King of Glory’s presence, for “the Lord God strong and mighty is the greatest of them all…King of Glory, we welcome you!”
 
The full-length project was recorded live on September 29, 2017, at Atlanta’s Tabernacle of Praise International Church and is the Chicago-based singer’s fourth live recording.  “King of Glory” is available at CD Baby, and the entire CD is set for release in early 2018.

"The Train" – The Torain Family Singers

“The Train”
Torain Family Singers (October 2017)
www.facebook.com/groups/torainfamily

By Libra Boyd
Gospel Music Fever

cover art

The Torain Family Singers of Roxboro, NC salute their group’s former lead singer with the spirited single, “The Train,” produced by Demetrius Ledbetter.  As its title suggests, the song incorporates gospel music’s often referenced train metaphor into its rollicking invite for the Heaven-bound ride.

Frances Torain, whose rustic, churchy singing style and non-showy stage presence frequently left congregations craving more, long after she and her group took their seats, boarded the train herself in 2016 (see related story).  

This October, the Torain Family Singers released “The Train,” one of Frances’ most recognizable and requested songs with the group.  Thanks to the magic of digital audio recording and a three year-old amateur live performance archive, Frances rejoins her family on this single for the number’s opening call, “Come on, come on, come on,” to which the family responds, “Don’tcha wanna go?”  From that point, Victor Torain moves the song forward with the family in tow, enthusiastically affirming, “Yes, I want to go!”  The family ultimately charges into the bass guitar-driven vamp with a recurring interjection of “ooh-hoo,” but not before eight year-old Makiyh Allen makes his own affirmative assertion (“Oh yeah!”), echoed by his elders. 

To ride, Victor sings, “You’ve got to be holy / you’ve got to live right / no matter what the people say / you’ve got to live right…”

"Glory to God" ft. Taylor Simone-Butts – Vernon Hill

“Glory to God” featuring Taylor Simone-Butts
Vernon Hill
From the CD, Great Joy (2015)
Available at iTunes

By Libra Boyd
Gospel Music Fever

“Glory to God” is a featured single from the Great Joy holiday project, presented by producer/songwriter Vernon Hill. 

Taylor Simone-Butts leads the delightfully fluid Christian Adult Contemporary worship song.  Melodically, she calls us to proclaim, like the multitude of the heavenly host in Luke’s biblical narrative, 

We sing glory to God in the highest
Glory to God in the highest
Let there be peace on earth
Goodwill towards men
We sing glory to God in the highest 

The Great Joy CD is available at iTunes.

"Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas" – Wanda Mo'Net

“Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas”
Wanda Mo’Net
Indie (2014)
www.wandamonet.com

By Libra Boyd
Gospel Music Fever

“Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas” has been recorded by dozens of artists.  Wanda Mo’Net joins the list of singers and instrumentalists who has now covered the decades-old seasonal tune.

The gospel singer and Atlanta native delivers a recorded performance that boasts warm layers of clear, crisp urban contemporary-styled vocals.  Though I occasionally hear pitch correction technology at work, I imagine it is probably more for stylistic effect than for actual pitch inaccuracies.  After all, Wanda has been singing publicly since the age of three, has shared the stage with a host of gospel greats, and is a former member of the Georgia Mass Choir.

60th GRAMMY nominees announced

Congratulations to nominees for the 60th GRAMMY Awards, announced earlier today (November 28).  


Travis Greene, Le’Andria, Marvin Sapp, CeCe Winans, and Anita Wilson are among this year’s Gospel/CCM nominees, along with Tina Campbell, JJ Hairston & Youthful Praise featuring Bishop Cortez Vaughn, Tauren Wells, and the Walls Group.  


The full list of nominees is available here. 

The awards show will air Sunday, January 28, 2018, on CBS.

Gospel music community mourns death of Pastor Shawn Jones [Arrangements]

Pastor Shawn Jones died suddenly while in concert with his group in Pensacola, FL.

The gospel community is still reeling from the unexpected passing of Shawn Jones.  The singer, preacher, and founding pastor of New Thing Empowerment Church passed Saturday night, November 18, while in concert with his group, Shawn Jones and The Believers, in Pensacola, FL.  He was 32.  

Since his transition, condolences have flooded social media, radio, and musical programs.  Many have described the soulful gospel singer as a rising star whose charisma and recordings of “Worthy Is He” with the Alabama Spirituals–of which he is a former member, and “I’m Depending on You” with his own group caused music enthusiasts around the country to take notice.

GMF joins others in extending heartfelt sympathy to Rev. Jones’ immediate and extended family, the New Thing Empowerment Church family of Auburn, AL, and The Believers. 

Homegoing information was posted on the “Shawn Jones Believers” Facebook page Tuesday evening.  Both services will stream live at www.shawnjoneslegacy.com.  Additional information for supporters and guests who plan to attend can be found there as well. 

Official Funeral Arrangements
“The Legacy Concert”
Monday, November 27, 2017
6 PM CT
Pilgrim Rest Baptist Church
Montgomery, AL

Homegoing Celebration
Tuesday, November 28, 2017
11 AM CT
Pilgrim Rest Baptist Church
Montgomery, AL

Photo | Facebook Profile of Shawn Jones

DunAmis Gospel Awards 2017 Winners

Congratulations to all of the winners and honorees announced at the 4th annual DunAmis Gospel Awards, held Saturday, November 4, at Cornerstone Conference IPHC in Browns Summit, NC.  Recording artists Tasha Wall, Greg Drumwright, and Will Harris served as hosts for the four-hour show.
 
GMF’s own Libra Boyd (pictured), who is a musician and the longtime minister of music for New Hope Person Missionary Baptist Church in Timberlake, NC, received this year’s award for Musician of the Year-Female.  MG Music Group’s Cedric Hester aka Deacon Authority (pictured) took home the award for Holy Hip Hop Artist of the Year.  The full list of winners and honorees is below.  
 
The DunAmis Gospel Awards was conceptualized by Bishop Terry Young to honor
independent gospel artists, pastors, pastor’s wives, churches, and other local and regional talent.  GMF celebrates all of the 2017 award recipients and applauds Bishop Young and his team for an excellent production.  For more information about the DunAmis Gospel Awards, visit www.dunamisgospelawards.org.
 
 
Pastor of the Year
Bishop Ben Mittman

Female Pastor of the Year
Pastor Deborah Chambliss

First Lady of the Year
Whitnei Johnson

Church of the Year (Tie)
Christ Cathedral Church of Deliverance – Winston-Salem
East White Oak Baptist Church – Greensboro

Choir Director of the Year
Sir Jerry Sadler

Young Adult Choir of the Year
Voices of Praise

Musician of the Year (Male)
Mike Astyn

Musician of the Year (Female)
Libra Boyd

Gospel Announcer of the Year
Darlene Vinson

Quartet of the Year
George Perkins and Envision

Church Choir of the Year
Citadel of Praise – Greensboro

Soloist of the Year (Male)
Bishop Stephen Williams

Soloist of the Year (Female)
Felesha Maree

Dance/Mime Ministry of the Year
Keith Rick (Open Vessel)

Community Choir of the Year
Dionn Owen and Renaissance

Spoken Word Artist of the Year
Amorah Brown

CD/Song of the Year
Toren Mozingo

Holy Hip Hop Artist of the Year
Cedric Hester (Deacon Authority)

Worship Leader of the Year
Pastor Cassandra Elliott

A Cappella Group of the Year
The Price Family

Producer of the Year
Mischeal Goldsmith

Lifetime Achievement Award Honoree
Rev. Dr. Jerry Wilson

Trailblazer Award Honoree
Minister Corey Williams

Legends Award Honorees
Dr. Ron Bigelow
Elder Lewis Bernard Florence

Arrangements announced for singer-songwriter-guitarist Wallace Hedgspeth

By Libra Boyd
Gospel Music Fever

Wallace Hedgspeth pictured with The Hedgspeth Brothers
Photo Credit | Mickey’s Creative Photography

GMF joins countless others in mourning the passing of singer, songwriter, and guitarist Wallace Hedgspeth (second from right).  Wallace, a native of Rougemont, NC, transitioned unexpectedly Friday, October 20, 2017.  He was 73 years old. 

Wallace held memberships in many groups and choirs over several decades, including The Gospel Supremes and Just Us Guys, with whom he ministered on the evening of his passing.  Additionally, he and his wife Arlene regularly delighted audiences with rousing duets.  Their cover of The Consolers’ “Little Wooden Church” was a crowd favorite.  Wallace also wrote for, sang, and recorded independent projects with The Hedgspeth Brothers (pictured)–an aptly named traditional quintet that consisted of his father and brothers–and The Bradleys, whose lineup includes his daughter Lisa H. Bradley and grandsons Tyrik and Quenci.

A talented and remarkably humble man has now joined the ever-enlarging heavenly choir.  During this difficult time, GMF extends heartfelt condolences and prayers to the entire Hedgspeth family and additional beloved family members and friends.

Service information has been announced as follows:

Visitation
Thursday, October 26, 2017
6-8 PM

Homegoing Celebration
Friday, October 27, 2017
1 PM

Both services will take place at Greater Cleggs Chapel Community MB Church, 2601 Surl-Mt. Tirzah Road, Timberlake, NC.

Official Video – “Heaven” – Sir the Baptist


Enjoy the self-edited
and self-directed official music video of Sir the Baptist’s urban inspirational
“Heaven,” which features Donald
Lawrence & Co, Keke Wyatt and ChurchPpl. 

In conjunction with last month’s video release, Sir announced–in
partnership with H&S Commercial & Industrial Supplies and Services–“Mission
432: Heaven to Houston” to help rebuild the city of Houston in the aftermath of
Hurricane Harvey.  For more information about the mission, visit mission432.com.


“Heaven” is from Sir’s
full-length project, Saint or Sinner.



Winners of the 48th Annual Dove Awards announced

CeCe Winans

Congratulations to all of the winners at the 48th Annual Dove Awards, which took place October 17, at Lipscomb University’s Allen Arena in Nashville.  CeCe Winans and Kirk Franklin were among many artists who picked up wins on Christian/gospel music’s big night.


For the complete list of winners, click here.  The Dove Awards will air on TBN this Sunday, October 22, at 8 PM CT.