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“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.

Juan Santiago launches new label at showcase and release party featuring Kierra Sheard

(Durham, NC) – May 22, 2017 – Many in the Gospel music industry are familiar with Juan Santiago as the leader of the gifted Gospel ensemble Juan Santiago & Uninhibited Praise (JSUP). The group is known for presenting sacred music with exquisite harmonies and God-focused lyrics. Now the head of JSUP is embarking on a new venture as he launches a record label called Milagro Records. Santiago will be showcasing his label’s talented artists at his upcoming Artist Showcase & Single Release Party. The event will celebrate the start of the label as well as the release of three singles by Milagro’s artists on Saturday, June 3, 2017 at 5 PM, at Faith Assembly Christian Center located at 3120 Fayetteville St. in Durham, NC.
 
Hosted by Radio One’s Darlene McCoy, the Artist Showcase & Single Release Party will also feature GRAMMY Award Winner Kierra Sheard. Doors will open at 4 PM and the evening will include performances by Milagro Records artists Juan Santiago & Uninhibited Praise, LaBria Thompson, Frank Lewis, Jr. and Sunila Williams. Tickets can be purchased through Eventbrite.com or by contacting Milagro Productions at [email protected].
 
Santiago is excited about the event, his artists, and the launch of his new venture. Recognizing the fact that some record label deals are not advantageous to artists, he launched his record company because he wants to offer gospel artists the opportunity to sign with a label that truly puts the artist first. “It’s important to me that artists are treated fairly,” Juan states. “As an independent artist, I know the struggles that come with being an indie artist and I want to offer something at Milagro Records that artists would not be able to find elsewhere. My prayer is that God will use Milagro Records to open doors for artists so that His music can move forward.”
 
It’s with that heart and spirit that Juan signed three artists to Milagro. The first artist he signed was LaBria Thompson. Born in Hattiesburg, MS and raised in Marietta, GA, LaBria is a worship leader, songwriter and songstress who has sung background vocals for Gospel artist Marjane Parks. An ordained minister, LaBria just celebrated one year of healing from lupus. It’s with that testimony in mind that she is releasing her new single, “How Can I Smile.”
 
Frank Lewis, Jr., another new artist on Milagro Records, has been playing the piano since the age of nine. That talent found him playing at a number of local churches as a youth. An exceptional vocalist, he made it to the second round of FOX’s American Idol and participated on BET’s Sunday Best and NBC’s The Voice. Flaunting a soulful sound, the Dallas, TX resident is a gifted songwriter as well. His first single is entitled “Peace.” The track, co-written by the artist himself, was inspired by challenges he endured and the peace he found in the midst of it.
 
Sunila Williams is Santiago’s sister and is a new artist on his label as well. Hailing from Buffalo, NY, she has been singing most of her life. She belted out songs in the choir at Holy Temple COGIC and sang in the state choir as well. A former background singer for Kathy Burrell, sister of gospel singer and Pastor Kim Burrell, Sunila also led the song, “My Hiding Place,” on JSUP’s Naro Group Presents Juan Santiago & Uninhibited Praise, Ultimate Worship Experience. She will be dropping a new single as well entitled “My King.”
 
Juan’s own group, Juan Santiago & Uninhibited Praise, will be ministering at the event, too. Formed in 1995, the ensemble features singers from all over the east coast that initially included college students and ministry leaders. Since the group’s start, they’ve released Naro Group Presents Juan Santiago & Uninhibited Praise, Ultimate Worship Experience and are currently working on a new record. Also signed to Milagro Records, JSUP will be dropping a new single, “Glimpse” (see GMF’s review here), produced by GRAMMY and Stellar Award Nominee, Damion Murrill. 

Billboard Music Awards 2017 Winners

Billboard Music Award winners were announced at last night’s live show, televised on ABC. Winners (blue) in the gospel categories are as follows:

Top Gospel Artist
Jekalyn Carr
Kirk Franklin
Travis Greene
Tamela Mann
Hezekiah Walker

Top Gospel Album
Tamela Mann, One Way
Kirk Franklin, Losing My Religion
Travis Greene, The Hill
Tasha Cobbs, One Place: Live
Hezekiah Walker, Better: Azusa – The Next Generation 2

Top Gospel Song
Jekalyn Carr, “You’re Bigger”
Tasha Cobbs ft. Kierra Sheard, “Put A Praise On It”
Kirk Franklin, “Wanna Be Happy??”
Travis Greene, “Made A Way”
Hezekiah Walker, “Better”

Top Christian Artist
Lauren Daigle
Hillsong Worship
Hillary Scott & the Family
Skillet
Chris Tomlin

Top Christian Album
Casting Crowns, The Very Next Thing
Lauren Daigle, How Can It Be
Joey + Rory, Hymns
Hillary Scott & The Family, Love Remains
Skillet, Unleashed

Top Christian Song
Lauren Daigle, “Trust In You”
Hillary Scott & The Family, “Thy Will”
Skillet, “Feel Invincible”
Ryan Stevenson ft. GabeReal, “Eye Of The Storm”
Zach Williams, “Chain Breaker”

The complete list of winners is available here.