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

“Stand in Awe” – Ted Winn (Video)

Enjoy Ted Winn’s video of the single “Stand in Awe.” The song is from the two-time Stellar Award winner’s forthcoming project, Perspective, set to be released September 1.


As Winn describes it,

‘Stand in Awe’ is a song and lyric that we can all relate to. When we consider the universe, creation, grace or the small miracles we experience daily, each of us can say, ‘I stand in awe.’

Sensational Nightingales to be inducted into NC Music Hall of Fame

The Sensational Nightingales are among seven artists to be inducted into the North Carolina Music Hall of Fame for 2017.

The Gales have been on the gospel highway for more than seven decades and are treasured both nationally and abroad.  “It’s Gonna Rain,” “Prodigal Son,” and “At the Meeting” remain among their most requested songs.

The
induction ceremony is set for October 19, 2017, at the Kannapolis Performing Arts Center in
Kannapolis, NC.  Other 2017 inductees are R&B singer/songwriter Anthony Hamilton, country singer/musician Bucky Covington, blues singer/guitarist Etta Baker, country songwriter/musician Jim Lauderdale, R&B songwriter/musician Richard Lewis Spencer, and bluegrass band The Steep Canyon Rangers.

"Victory" – Josian (Video)



Enjoy Josian’s current music video, “Victory,” produced by Donald Robinson of Near Future Media.  Josian Maybury is a Jamaica born and raised gospel reggae singer, currently making her home in Bermuda.

Both the lyrics and meaning of “Victory” became evident to Josian after she received the horrific news–while in the studio–that her seven year-old son was hit by a car and in the hospital.  Her son was discharged from the hospital after a brief stay with only minor bruises. Josian declares that “‘Victory’ represents triumph over tragedy and believing that God will answer your prayers.”



Jay-Z samples the Clark Sisters; Sisters react (video)



Yep, those are the Clark Sisters you hear on Jay-Z’s new CD, 4:44.  The rap mogul’s latest project features a sample of the Clarks’ “Ha Ya” on his track, “Family Feud.”


“Ha Ya (Eternal Life)” was written by Twinkie Clark and first recorded by her and her sisters almost 40 years ago.  Jay-Z is just one of several secular artists who has covered or sampled the music of the Clark Sisters over the years.  Others have included Xscape, Kelly Price, Aaliyah, and Mary J. Blige.


You think the Clarks are excited? 

A post shared by Karen Clark Sheard (@karenclarksheard) on

Lecrae wins BET Award

Lecrae emerged as winner of the Dr. Bobby Jones Best Gospel/Inspirational Award for “Can’t Stop Me Now (Destination)” at the 2017 BET Awards, held Sunday evening in Los Angeles.  Lecrae beat out CeCe Winans, Fantasia (ft. Tye Tribbett), Kirk Franklin (ft. Sarah Reeves, Tasha Cobbs, and Tamela Mann), and Tamela Mann for the honor.


Following his win, the Christian hip-hop artist/activist/songwriter posted on Facebook,

I don’t do it for the Awards…but the rewards. Whatever category it is I’m just glad people appreciate my art. God is the master artist I’m just trying to be like Him. Thanks to those in the 11Six movement. And anyone who supported me even on my worst day. I love y’all.

"I Give You Everything" – Charlene Moore

“I Give You Everything”
Charlene Moore (2017)
Available at iTunes

By Libra Boyd
Gospel Music Fever

“I Give You Everything” is the current single by San Francisco Bay Area singer/musician Charlene Moore.  The ebullient urban contemporary tune is copious with soul and heft, which is evident from the moment Moore wraps her robust, raspy vocal around the first verse:

Lord, I come to You with arms outstretched, nothing to hide;
Offering all that I have without any pride.
Take everything–it’s all for You!

“I Give You Everything” features Moore’s industry friends Martha Wash, Bishop Yvette Flunder, and Sara Williams.