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"Prayer Changes Things" – Adriann Lewis-Freeman

“Prayer Changes Things”
Adriann Lewis-Freeman (2017)
Daf Entertainment Group
Available at iTunes
 

Prayer Changes Things Adriann Lewis-Freeman art workBy Libra Boyd

Gospel Music Fever
 
If you don’t have a tambourine, you’re going to want one for Adriann Lewis Freeman’s current single, “Prayer Changes Things.”
 
Known by many as the lead singer for RiZen, Lewis-Freeman has returned from a recording hiatus—which included earning a pair of degrees, getting married, and teaching middle school—to deliver this enthusiastic proclamation.  The singer and pastor’s wife sings “Prayer Changes Things” like she knows it, because she does.  (Among other challenges, Lewis-Freeman has endured a cancer diagnosis.)  Throughout the foot-stomping number, Lewis-Freeman vocally teeters between song and sermon.  In the drive, she summons a trio of the Bible’s notable witnesses—Daniel, Paul, and Silas—to affirm the power of prayer.  “Prayer Changes Things” is produced by Ay’Ron Lewis.

Feedspot names GMF as one of Top 50 Gospel Music Blogs and Websites

Gospel Music Fever Blog has been named as one of the Top 50 Gospel Music Blogs and Websites on the web, Feedspot announced today.

“This is the most comprehensive list of Top 50 Gospel Music Blogs on the internet and I’m honored to have you as part of this!” Anuj Agarwal, Feedspot founder, told GMF.

GMF’s founder Libra Boyd is honored to, in the words of Agarwal, be ranked among the “best gospel music blogs on the planet.”  

Russell Witcher talks about ‘Coming Out’ memoir, healing balm of sacred music

Russell Witcher
 
 
By Libra Boyd
Gospel Music Fever
 
Russell Witcher knows something about resilience.  It is one lesson he generously shares in his recently released book, Coming Out of the Ashes. 
 
The accomplished organist and pianist has spent most of his life making music, dedicating his time and talents to God and serving churches in North Carolina and Virginia. Currently, he serves two North Carolina churches, Union Grove Baptist Church in Hurdle Mills as minister of music and First Baptist Church in Raleigh as lead musician and worship leader. Russell is also an ordained minister, recording artist, and more recently, author of Coming Out of the Ashes.
 
The 140-page memoir details a dark time in life during which Russell balanced a secular job with music duties at a church he previously served. During this time, colleagues at his place of employment brought allegations against him which Russell says were ultimately proven false. Still, the humiliation, investigation, arrest, court appearance, and negative media attention plunged him into isolation and an overwhelming sense of helplessness.
 
Seven years later, Russell has found healing in the writing and telling of his story. He has also found healing through music. The trial deepened not only his faith, Russell explains, but his worship.
 

I have a deeper appreciation for hymns like ‘Amazing Grace,’ ‘What a Friend We Have in Jesus,’ and ‘Great is Thy Faithfulness,’ because [God’s] grace sustained me and was truly made perfect in my weakness. He was also my friend when it seemed like everyone had deserted me and turned their backs. During this period, I definitely ministered from a place of pain. At times I would become so ‘full’ that I was left speechless for the moment…tears streaming down my face with stretched out arms in worship to God but surrendered in total dependence on Him for the strength that I needed to get through this ordeal, as well as the understanding of what He was teaching me through the trial.  And He has truly been faithful and unfailing in His love and care for me.

“Prayer Will Change Things” from Russell’s very own 2008 CD, Sacred Notes from a Minister of Music, also grew more relatable.  The song recounts the well known New Testament story of Paul and Silas in jail and the midnight prison shake-up.  Russell now has his own testimony.  He recalls,
 

When I was thrown in jail (in the pit, as I said in my book), I lived that experience. I was there until midnight when [my wife’s cousin], who is a bailsman, came to my aid. Not only was it a familiar Bible story, but it was a reality for me.  It was prayer that pulled me through.  

Russell shares his story to inspire people who are confronted with despairing situations that they too can make it through their difficult season.  Coming Out of the Ashes was a featured title at Book Expo America 2017 and is available at Amazon.

GMF Radio Show to premiere Labor Day

GMF founder/editor Libra Boyd recently took to social media to announce the launch of The Gospel Music Fever Radio Show, a companion to her award-winning Gospel Music Fever Blog.  The first installment of the show airs at 12 PM CT (1 PM ET) on Labor Day at kwaygospel.com.  


The GMF Show features the great music spotlighted on the blog and is hosted by Boyd. Just like the blog, the radio playlist spans across various styles and eras of gospel to present variety that is not commonly heard in a single radio show.


“I am excited about the opportunity to connect with gospel music enthusiasts around the world through the new GMF online radio show,” says Libra. “With no geographical boundaries, I am able to share this amazing music widely and to further GMF’s overall aim to uplift and advance the gospel music art form. I’m especially thankful to McDonald and Arnetta Yancey of KWAY for inviting my participation.”


New episodes of the GMF Show will air every Monday at 12 PM CT (1 PM ET).  Listeners can tune in at kwaygospel.com or by downloading the KWAY-DB app from Google Play or iTunes to a mobile device.  


KWAY is a 24-hour Internet radio station based in Oklahoma City, OK, and is the sister station to KOSR 109.9 FM in Stockton, CA.

R.I.P. Roger McKinney of the Spiritual QC's

Roger McKinney
 

A celebration of life service was held in Amory, MS on August 26, 2017, for Roger McKinney, gospel singer and longtime member of Lee Williams and the Spiritual QC’s. McKinney passed August 18.  He was 68 years old.  View the complete obituary here.


GMF extends heartfelt condolences to the McKinney family during its time of bereavement.

David L. Gough, International Gospel Music Hall of Fame and Museum founder, remembered

David L. Gough has died

Homegoing celebrations were held this past weekend (August 18-19) in Michigan for David L. Gough, 67, founder of the International Gospel Music Hall of Fame and Museum.  GMF extends condolences to the Gough family.

The following statement was released by IGMHFM Communications:

(Detroit, MI)  The world’s only International Gospel Music Hall of Fame and Museum (IGMHFM) was the brainchild of the late great David Lee Gough. He once said that “when God gave me the perfect vision for preserving and highlighting his amazing music (gospel), I knew then to form a serious committee who was just as dedicated and heartfelt about it as I was.” And that is exactly what he did… call together a handful of like minded, loyal believers and gospel music lovers to help him see the task through. As with anything great, it was no easy feat and even in his passing, the dream will live on. 

 
In addition to the IGMHFM, David was a musical genius who not only launched his own music and award winning gospel music label, DoRhon Records, inspired by his three awesome sons, Damon, D. DoRhon, and Devin Gough; he was responsible for launching and cultivating countless careers in music and beyond over the years. A man with a heart of gold who could be found slipping money and food to someone in need. He also noted that without God, his beautiful wife Carolyn Gough, and the love of his family and church, he was nothing. He traveled the world for business and some pleasure, did and accomplished some things that many dare to dream of. A staunch entrepreneur who worked tirelessly through many days and nights, infusing himself into both established and new ideas, David L. Gough didn’t know the meaning of the words “no” and “quit.” 
 
A quick cornucopia of his unique successes would include being the executive producer of the movie Pay the Price, overseeing all aspects of DoRhon Records and the artists within, being behind the scenes in many confidential ventures, and of course, [founding] the world’s only International Gospel Music Hall of Fame and Museum (IGMHFM). His voice has been silenced and the world is already on alert… but if anyone knew the David L. Gough that some of us were blessed to meet and to know, do understand that it’s not over by a long shot! 
 
The 67 year old icon is survived by his lovely wife Carolyn R. Gough; three sons and their wives, Damon (Michelle), D. DoRhon (Cherita), and Devin (Cortney); seven beautiful grandchildren (with one on the way); and a host of various loved ones, colleagues, and the vast world of gospel music. He will be missed but not forgotten and surely his legacy and a part of him will live on in the minds and hearts of many. He wouldn’t want strife or struggle, just for everyone to keep their eyes on God and to do whatever possible for one another and to share the love of gospel music worldwide. 

Nominees for 48th Annual Dove Awards Announced

From Twitter @GMADoveAwards

Nominees for the 48th annual Dove Awards have been announced.  Kirk Franklin, Tamela Mann, CeCe Winans, VaShawn Mitchell, and Steven Malcolm are among several artists who received multiple nominations.  The complete list of nominees is available here.

The 2017 awards show will take place October 17, at Lipscomb University’s Allen Arena in Nashville and will air October 22, exclusively on TBN.


Congratulations to all nominees!

Recap: ‘Dinner Concert at the Main,’ presented by Milagro Productions

By Libra Boyd
Gospel Music Fever


“No singing at the table” is an etiquette rule that definitely was not applicable at JC’s Kitchen on East Main Street Saturday evening.  The Durham restaurant hosted “Dinner Concert at the Main,” presented by Milagro Productions, and the truth is that nearly everyone sang at his or her table at some point throughout the lively four-hour event.  Stellar Award-winning radio announcer Bobby Parker served as the emcee.


Roughly 50 people packed into the eatery, occupying every section of the compact dining area, to enjoy an evening of music, mime, comedy, and home-style food.  Concerns about the broken A/C—and the pesky wasp that hung out for a while—faded swiftly once the concert got underway with mime dancer Anointed Vessel’s rousing performance.  Milagro Records’ Brandie Brown followed, debuting her uptempo contemporary single “Undefeated.”

Beth Daniels joins JSUP on "Te Bendecire" at Milagro Production's "Dinner Concert at the Main."
Beth Daniels joins JSUP on “Te Bendecire.”

Milagro’s Juan Santiago and Uninhibited Praise rendered several tunes from their repertoire, including the ensemble’s exuberant current single “Glimpse” and “Te Bendecire,” which are both featured on JSUP’s forthcoming full-length CD.  For the concert finale, Santiago invited nearly a fifth of the audience to come down and take turns riffing over the refrain of “Healing Rain,” another of the group’s requested songs.


Other performances of the evening included a pair of selections from Yolanda Mitchell—who later transformed into the comically eccentric Ms. Marzette—and a medley of worship anthems from Shelia Copeland.

2017 ‘Wilson Idol’ set for Sept. 9 with McDonald Sisters as guest judges



Summerville Promotion and Production Company and Tall One Outreach Ministries take great pride in presenting the 2017 “Wilson Idol” Talent Show.  The competition is set for September 9, 2017, at Fike High School, 500 Harrison Drive, Wilson, NC.  

This year, ten hopefuls will vy for the title of “Wilson Idol.”  Special guest judges are gospel powerhouses, The McDonald Sisters.

“Wilson Idol” is an annual event that showcases the musical, dance, and spoken word talents of Wilson’s emerging and unsung artists.  The participants compete for cash prizes, an opportunity to perform for gospel’s queen Pastor Shirley Caesar, and a part in the stage production of the award-winning gospel play, “Spare the Rod, Spoil the Child,” a gospel drama written and produced by Dr. Mildred Summerville. This year’s show is expanding to feature two non-competitive categories, “Babes Have Talent, Too” (ages 3-9) and “Seniors Have Talent, Too” (ages 65 and up).

Tall One Outreach Ministries will also honor Pastor Victor Baine, Phyllis Vick, Dr. Mural Lanier, Bishop Gregory Blow, Tracy Gordon, Esther Gordon, Leonard Slagle, and  Dr. Raymond Summerville with The Tall One Champion’s Award.  Tall One’s Champion’s Award Program honors individuals for their hard work, perseverance, and meritorious contributions to their communities. The chosen honorees have affected their communities through various educational initiatives such as the performing arts, community services, education, and outreach ministries. 

Doors for the “Wilson Idol” show open at 4 PM and the event is scheduled to begin promptly at 5 PM.  Tickets are $15 in advance and $20 at the door.  For ticket information and other inquiries, contact Dr. Mildred Summerville at 252-230-2689 or email [email protected].


– From a press release