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Ami Rushes teams with Kurt Carr, seeks songwriters for 2017 album

(Los Angeles, CA)  Gospel recording artist Ami Rushes is gearing up for her sixth album and she wants to make you part of the process. As Rushes continues to uplift and inspire with her Sunday morning classics, praise and worship anthems, and foot-stomping, hand-clapping gospel music, she’s seeking songwriters to contribute music for her presently untitled 2017 release that will be produced by the award-winning Kurt Carr.
“I love ‘Standing Up For Jesus’ and spreading His message through gospel music,” says Rushes. “And I’m looking to work with some fresh, new songwriters on music that will encourage God’s people. Come go to church with me and participate in this recording process.”
All interested songwriters should submit original material only—complete songs with music that will professionally record. Submissions should be sent in the mp3 format. Deadline to submit music is Friday, December 16, 2016. For consideration, submit to: [email protected].
As a member of the West Angeles Church of God in Christ and a former singer for the late Rev. James Cleveland, Rushes has a deep appreciation for gospel music and prides herself on maintaining the traditions of the genre.

Services announced for Lecresia Campbell

The passing of songstress Lecresia Campbell (September 29) left the gospel music industry in mourning.  Campbell—whose notable songs include “Perfect Praise (How Excellent)” with Walt Whitman and the Soul Children of Chicago, “Stand Still,” “Magnify,” and “Safety”—was recovering from a stroke and was scheduled to be released from Emory Rehabilitation when a pulmonary embolism led to her demise.

Remembrances have flooded social media and include condolences from fans and ministry colleagues across the country.  Our prayers are with Campbell’s family, friends, and fans.  Celebration of Life services appear on the flyer below.

Arrangements flyer for Lecresia Campbell

‘Wilson Idol’ winner Alexander Blount: ‘I am ready to see where He takes me on this journey’

Alexander Blount

By Libra Boyd
Gospel Music Fever

With gospel vocalist Shawn McLemore at the helm of the judges’ panel and a $1,000 prize and other perks at stake, Alexander Blount emerged as the 2016 grand prize winner of the “Wilson Idol” Talent Show, held Saturday, September 24, at Fike High School in Wilson, NC.  The annual competition was presented by Summerville Promotion and Production Company and Tall One Outreach Ministries and emceed by GMF’s Libra Boyd and Rev. Justin Barbour. 

‘Wilson Idol’ is an event that showcases the singing, instrumental, and spoken-word talents of Wilson area youths and adults.  The talent show opens doors for many participants and exposes them to the greater Wilson community and beyond. 

Libra caught up with the East Carolina University sophomore and newly named “Wilson Idol” to talk more about his musical journey and ambitions. 

Libra:  Congrats on your win!  Please tell us about your musical background and interests.

Thank you! I started singing at church and school when I was young, like most children. I know I wasn’t more than three or four when I started singing. I have always loved music and the positive effects that it had on people, but I never looked at the bigger picture of what Christ had for me. I definitely didn’t start taking my singing seriously until 11th grade. My chorus teacher, Mr. Jeremy Tucker, really started showing me the possibilities of what I could do with music, and I’m glad that I listened. I attend East Carolina University’s School of Music, and I’m majoring in music education and vocal performance. As far as my interests go, I really like what every genre has to offer. Music is a universal language that musicians and listeners all speak, but if I had to choose [a genre] I’d [choose] gospel and jazz music.

Libra:  Who are your musical influences?

Lauryn Hill, Marvin Winans, Jermaine Dolly, James Hall, Cory Henry, Pastor Andrew Barbour, Greg Cox, and Stephen Pender. They all have brought something totally different to the world of music, whether it [be] their own rendition of a song or something [completely original]. I really like how they were comfortable to be themselves. They did things their way instead doing what everyone else was doing, and the music that they have created is absolutely great.

Libra:  The judges selected you from 15 contestants as the grand prize winner of “Wilson Idol” for your performance of VaShawn Mitchell’s “Turning Around for Me.”  How did you select that song and what was your prep process like?

I actually heard one of my friends at church sing it, and I really loved the message behind it. Things will turn around as soon as you put your faith in Christ and stop worrying. I would practice at least four days out of the week to make sure I had everything down. Eventually, I [got] my parents to come hear me. Then once I got with the ‘Wilson Idol’ band (Rod Lewis, Jamal Lewis, Jesse Johnson, and Zyyayre Johnson), we all clicked and I was like, ‘Yeah, we have something special here.’

Libra:  So you expected to win?

Honestly?  No ma’am.  There were a lot of great vocalists in the competition. But I’m grateful that I won!

Libra:  What are your music ambitions?

I plan on releasing a single within the next few months and eventually an EP…then an album and eventually [I want to] collaborate with different artists. I’ve been talking to Jamal Lewis and Stephen Pender about it. Jamal is a great producer and over the course of my ‘Wilson Idol’ experience I got to know him; he’s a great guy.  Stephen is a family friend, and he’s like my big brother; and in my opinion he’s one of the best organists on the East Coast. Along with them, my parents and peers are backing me so I can’t wait to get to the next level of my career.

Libra:  With more exposure and larger platforms, it becomes important to remain grounded in and covered by your local assembly.  Would you like to shout out your church?

I would absolutely love to! Everyone in Willing Workers Apostolic Holiness Church (Lucama, NC)–young and old–have watched me grow and perfect my craft daily. They all are my family and I truly love them!

Blount adds,

I [also] really appreciate the opportunity that Dr. Mildred Summerville gave me. I thank my parents and grandparents, my siblings, my girlfriend, and everyone that is connected with me for believing in me. Most importantly, I thank God for the gifts and talents that He has instilled in me and I am ready to see where He takes me on this journey of life. 

In addition to the $1,000 cash prize, Blount’s win comes with a trophy, a chance to perform for gospel great Pastor Shirley Caesar, a part in the stage production of Dr. Mildred Summerville’s award-winning gospel play, “Spare the Rod, Spoil the Child,” and an opportunity to record with artist Dr. James Robertson.

GMF congratulates Blount as well as the runners-up in the youth and adult divisions.

"God's Grace" – Rev. Luther Barnes and the Restoration Worship Center Choir

Luther Barnes The Favor of God cover art

“God’s Grace”
Rev. Luther Barnes and the Restoration Worship Center Choir
From the CD, The Favor of God (2016)
www.shanachie.com

By Libra Boyd
Gospel Music Fever 

“God’s Grace” is the current single from Rev. Luther Barnes’ full-length release, The Favor of God, his first choir project in ten years.

“God’s Grace” adheres to Barnes’ characteristically uncomplicated vocal approach and traditional genesis, sauntering from his mild opening verses to the choir’s passionate refrain.

The singer/songwriter/producer/pastor is backed by the Restoration Worship Center Choir, which sounds like a compact version of the Redd Budd Gospel Choir that he recorded with for years. Barnes is the senior pastor of Restoration Worship Center.

2016 'Wilson Idol' on tap for Sept. 24 with Shawn Mclemore as special guest judge

On September 24, 2016, “Wilson Idol” will provide an evening of entertainment at Fike High School, 500 Harrison Drive, Wilson, NC.  Doors 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.

“Wilson Idol,” produced by The Summerville Promotion and Production Company along with Tall One Outreach Ministries, showcases the musical, dance, and spoken word talents of Wilson’s unsung acts.  This year, more than 20 hopefuls will vy for the title of “Wilson Idol.”  Special guest and judge is recording artist Shawn McLemore, whose credits include the Billboard charting CD, Wait on Him and more recently, “I Believe,” on which he is featured with James Fortune and Zacardi Cortez.

In addition to media coverage and a cash prize, the evening’s top performer will have an opportunity to perform for gospel’s queen Pastor Shirley Caesar and will be given 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 winner will also earn an opportunity to record with Dr. James Robertson.

Correlated with last year’s competition was the launch of the Tall One’s Champion Award program.  The Tall One’s Champion Award program honors individuals for their hard work, perseverance, and meritorious contributions to their communities. The chosen honorees have impacted their communities through various initiatives such as performing arts, community services, education, and outreach ministries.  This year, Tall One Outreach Ministries pays tribute to Bishop Aaron McNair, Dr. Brooksie Harrington, Prophet Calvin Suggs, Pastor Ricky Daughtridge, Evangelist Veronica Morgan, Marjie Slagle, and Roy Edmundson.

For ticket information and other inquiries, contact Dr. Mildred Summerville at 252-230-2689 or email [email protected].

– From a press release

Ruth Cooper (1928-2016) of The Cooper Four

By Libra Boyd
Gospel Music Fever

Ruth Cooper of The Cooper Four has died.

Ruth Cooper, a lead singer of The Cooper Four, passed away August 12, 2016.  She was 88.

Ruth and three of her siblings—twin brother Reuben (d. January 12, 2016), sister Maria (d. 1996), and brother Walter—started singing in 1935, at their log cabin in Hillsborough, NC.  By 1954, The Cooper Four were singing live every week on WSRC, Durham’s first all-Black radio station.  They continued to harmonize every Sunday morning on the radio for well over fifty years.

The group’s rootsy traditional singing style, simple guitar accompaniment, and distinctly deep singing voices amassed both a local and regional following in their heyday, including 12 year-old Shirley Caesar, who appeared at one of their anniversary programs.  In the 1960s, WSRC Records released a 45rpm single featuring the quartet and the sides “This May Be My Last Time” and “Stay in the Field Until the War is Ended.”  

GMF extends condolences to Ruth’s brother Walter and to other Cooper family members and friends.

Vickie Winans to perform concert, comedy in Roxboro, NC – August 13

This Saturday, August 13, Vickie Winans brings her “Bling, Sing, Laugh Til You Scream” concert to Roxboro, NC, where she will perform some of her well-known hits, serve up her brand of comedy, and showcase her line of self-made jewelry. 

Winans tells GMF’s Libra Boyd, “Baby, we’re gonna laugh, we might cry a little bit,
we’re gonna worship, we’re gonna dance, and when it’s all over, we’re
gonna get us a chicken sandwich and go to the crib!”  Read the full interview here: Vickie Winans: Blinging, Singing, Laughing, and Giving Today’s Music Talent a Chance.

The event will also feature a fashion show production by Mr. Carlyle, founder of Durham, NC Fashion Week; music by Indebted Praise; and the local talents of area youth.  Vendors will also be on-site. 

Proceeds from the concert will benefit Bridging the Gap.  According to its visionary, Kelly Rogers, Bridging the Gap’s purpose is to bring ministries together, unite generations “to work as one in the Kingdom,” and to “bring [people] from the ages of 16 to 35 who have strayed from the church back to God.” 
_____________

EVENT DETAILS
What:  Live in Concert: National Recording Artist Vickie Winans
When:  August 13, 2016 at 5 PM (doors open at 4 PM)
Cost:  Tickets – $20 (complimentary for pastors and their spouses)
Where:  Stories Creek Elementary School, 1333 Stories Creek School Road  Roxboro, NC  27574

For more information or to purchase tickets, contact Kelly Rogers at 919-426-2891.

Vickie Winans: Blinging, Singing, Laughing, and Giving Today’s Music Talent a Chance

Vickie WinansBy Libra Boyd
Gospel Music Fever

Vickie Winans’ voice, smile, and personality have one thing in common: they are all larger than life.  All three have endeared her to fans across the country, allowing her to maintain the momentum of a music career that spans three decades.

Despite not having released an album in several years, the award-winning singer of such hits as “We Shall Behold Him,” “Shake Yourself Loose,” and “Long As I Got King Jesus” remains in demand, nearly as much for her side-splitting humor as for her uplifting, high-energy concerts.  Her travel and performance schedule are rigorous.  In fact, when we talked by phone yesterday afternoon, the 62 year-old songstress was waiting to be picked up from the airport after a trio of weekend concerts in Massachusetts and Pennsylvania.  This Saturday, she is headed to North Carolina to headline a concert dubbed, “Bling, Sing, Laugh Til You Scream.”  As far as the bling is concerned, Winans, who manages herself, confessed to me that between now and this weekend, she will have to carve out time to make custom pieces of jewelry to showcase and sell at her concert.  While she and I laughed and talked–I did most of the laughing and she did most of the talking–she spoke about the legacy of her friend Dr. Bobby Jones, her knack for making people laugh, her jewelry line, and the big opportunity she’s giving aspiring singers in all 50 states. 

Libra:  Vickie, just last month, the finale of BET’s Bobby Jones Gospel aired, and you had the distinction of being one of the show’s final performers, helping to send off the longest running original show in cable TV history with “We Shall Behold Him.”  What was that like for you personally, helping to close that chapter in TV history?

Vickie: You know what?  That’s the very first song I sang when I was first on [his] show.  Being able to close [the finale] out with the song that opened my career–I mean when that song came out in 1985, it was my very first hit, and I ain’t looked back.  [Bobby] was a blessing to me when I first came out, so it was a blessing to be able to celebrate his next chapter.  He was so successful, [and] you know he just doesn’t stop.  I don’t know what he’s running on!  I’ve never seen anyone like him.  They say that about me, but Honey I’m like, ‘Okay. All right…I need to be tryin’ to retire in a minute!’ (Laughing)  But it was a happy and sad moment; I cried in the back. 

Libra:  I have to digress and ask, have you always been the comedian among your family and friends?

Vickie: Girl, you know it.  Clown.  Class clown.  How [are you] the class clown and the valedictorian?  That’s what I wanna know!  I was the class clown and valedictorian of the same class!  There were 12 kids in my family, and my daddy had a really outgoing personality, so I think I just got hit.  He had a big smile, and everybody tells me I have a big smile.  All my sisters and brothers got big smiles, all my nieces and nephews, grandkids…everybody!  We’re hit with all these teeth–and it’s expensive when you get old because they go to falling every which way and you gotta keep ‘em in.  I told my daddy, ‘Man, your smile is so big, your gums just run out!’

Libra:  (Laughing) See, this is the unique aspect of your concerts.  You not only sing, but you make us laugh!  Now you even have a jewelry line that you showcase.  Tell us about your jewelry. 

Vickie: Yeah...you try to make it a ‘line,’ but when you’re going as fast as me Chile, you just make jewelry and sell it! I make it myself. Handmade. By myself. I can’t keep up [with the demand].

Libra:  Is every piece a custom piece?

Vickie: Oh yeah!  I make them all right out of my head–necklaces, earrings, and bracelets.  You know I’m a clean freak; I keep my house clean.  But baby you turn that corner and go in that office–Lord Jesus!  I’ve got over a million beads and they’re everywhere…and I sit [at home and make my jewelry] at night when I get done with all my contract stuff….I just got back from China, trying to get [my line] launched.  I owned a jewelry store, and it got to be so busy that I couldn’t handle it, so I closed it.  But I still love jewelry, so I make jewelry and sell it.  I do it to better myself, to better my church, to better my life, to better my children and their children, and to better my homeless foundation.…You know, people named me The Hardest Working Woman [in Gospel].  I didn’t name me that.  I just looked up and somebody said, ‘Here comes the hardest working woman–‘  I said, ‘The what?  How come y’all don’t give me no real nice names like they gave Dorinda–The Rose of Gospel?  And Shirley Caesar–The First Lady of Gospel.’  But it’s a compliment! 

Libra:  It certainly is.  Being called The Hardest Working Woman in Gospel is a compliment and a testament to your work ethic.  It’s amazing and it’s inspiring to other people who are trying to wear many hats successfully.  And since you are extremely busy, what else is going on that you want to make sure our readers know about? 

Vickie: Well, I am getting ready to put out something so big for people who don’t get the opportunities that I get.  I’m going to all 50 states, holding auditions, selecting the top ten singers [in each state], and doing a compilation CD featuring those singers.  I’m calling it ‘She Gave Us A Chance.’  So it will be Vickie Winans Presents: Michigan Sings Gospel, Vickie Winans Presents: New York Sings Gospel, Vickie Winans Presents: Ohio Sings Gospel, and so on.

Libra:  So to be clear, there will be a total of 50 CDs – a CD representing each state – and on each of those CDs will be ten artists from that state.

Vickie: Yes, the top ten artists who win the auditions in each state.  And the ones who don’t win, that doesn’t mean the end for them.  They will be in the videos, they will be background singers–they will be used in whatever we do with that particular album.  And we’re going to use producers who are not already [exposed].  And you know I don’t put out no junk tracks!  You like that idea?

Libra:  I love that idea!  Is this for 2017?

Vickie: Naw Girl!  I anticipate starting this the first of September.  What would I be waiting on?  Old as I am, I don’t even buy green bananas; I might not have time to see ’em get ripe.  I’m starting in September!

Libra:  (Laughing)  You know, this is such a fitting way to finish our conversation, because we began by talking about Dr. Jones and his platform.  Even though you’re using a different medium, you are doing the same thing: giving people opportunities and a platform for their talents.

Vickie: I try.  I believe that when you are successful, you should reach back and pull as many people as you can over, and I can’t wait!

47th Annual GMA Dove Award nominees announced

Photo Credit | GMA Website

Tasha Cobbs, Jonathan McReynolds, Kirk Franklin, and Anthony Brown & group therAPy
are among those whose nominations were announced today (August 10) for
the 47th Annual GMA Dove Awards.  The complete list is available here.

 
This year’s awards will take place October 11, at Lipscomb University’s Allen Arena in Nashville and will air October 16, exclusively on TBN. 

Congratulations to all nominees!

RCA Inspiration announces shift To Nashville, TN under Provident Music Group

(Nashville, TN)  RCA Inspiration
will operate under the umbrella of the Provident Music Group, a
division of Sony Music Entertainment, in a shift of operations for the New York-based award-winning inspirational music label.  Under this shift, RCA Inspiration will now conduct operations based out of Nashville, TN.

Terry Hemmings,
President and CEO of Provident Music Group, says: “Provident Music
Group is delighted to welcome RCA Inspiration, and their incredible
lineup of artists whose ever-evolving and diverse sounds have continued
to make such an impact on Gospel and inspirational music. They mark a
valuable addition to Provident Music Group’s ongoing growth and shared
vision in delivering wide-ranging and uplifting entertainment across the
world.”







RCA Inspiration includes a comprehensive
breadth of artists steering the sounds of Gospel, praise and worship,
contemporary inspiration, hip hop, and more today, which also includes
artists on Kirk Franklin’s
Fo Yo Soul Recordings label.  RCA Inspiration’s top-notch roster
encompass award-winning superstars, such as prolific influencers Israel Houghton, Fred Hammond, Marvin Sapp, and Donnie McClurkin.  It also continues developing hit-making newer artists, such as Travis Greene,
Le’Andria Johnson, and Dee-1.  In relocating under Provident Music
Group, RCA Inspiration joins the division’s outstanding scope of fueling
faith-based entertainment across multiple creative platforms from
Christian music and worship to music publishing and film. Provident
Music Group’s labels and entertainment entities encompass Christian and
worship artists such as Casting Crowns, Steven Curtis Chapman, Brandon Heath, Matt Maher, Third Day, as well as Provident Films (“War Room,” “Woodlawn“), Essential Music Publishing, among other services.         


ABOUT RCA INSPIRATION
RCA
Inspiration (formerly Verity Gospel Music Group), is the Gospel label
operating under Provident Music Group, a division of Sony Music
Entertainment. Voted Billboard’s #1 “Gospel Songs Label” for the past 15
years, RCA Inspiration is the home of mega-gospel artists Donnie McClurkin, Israel Houghton, Marvin Sapp, Le’Andria Johnson, Fred Hammond and many more.

SOURCE RCA Inspiration – August 2, 2016