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Barnes, Jenkins, Stampley, et al. to appear in concert for historic college-prep school – April 30

Barnes

The Piney Woods School, one of only four remaining African-American
college-preparatory boarding schools in the country, is hosting its
second annual “Give From Your Heart” scholarship fundraising concert on Saturday, April 30, 2016 at 5 PM at Word and Worship Church, 6286 Hanging Moss Road, Jackson, MS 39206. Tickets ($20 in advance/$25 door) are available at www.pineywoods.org or www.eventbrite.com.

The concert line-up includes Luther Barnes and his band, Pastor
Charles Jenkins, Micah Stampley, hip-hop artist Uncle
Reese, Jermaine Dolly and Lady Erica Donalson. The Piney Woods School
Choir (aka The Cotton Blossoms Singers) will open the program. The event
will be hosted by Willie Moore, Jr., the host of the syndicated radio
program “The Willie Moore Jr. Show” that is heard in 21 markets.

“We’re
very excited,” says radio executive Jerry Smith, one of the event
organizers. “So many artists have offered their support via either a PSA
or donating time to perform at the concert.”

A public service
announcement campaign featuring Jussie Smollett and James T. Alfred from
FOX TV’s drama series Empire and gospel artists ranging from Kirk
Franklin to Candi Staton is in force at radio stations nationwide.

The
Piney Woods School is not an ordinary institution. It is a boarding
school that provides an oasis for students thirsty to escape their rough
environment–over 75% of them hail from lower income neighborhoods
where peer pressure and failing school systems often discourage
learning–to pursue higher education. The Piney Woods School’s rigorous
educational, spiritual and vocational curriculums surround students with
positive peer pressure and 99% of the graduating seniors are admitted
to colleges and universities. The school has been chronicled on 60 Minutes, and U.S. News & World Report profiled it as one of the top
10 boarding schools in the nation. 

From Bill Carpenter

Tye Tribbett gears up for live recording, The Bloody Win, May 6

(Nashville, TN)  Two-time GRAMMY®, Soul Train, Dove and Stellar Award winner Tye Tribbett preps for his next live recording, The Bloody Win.  A powerful and highly in demand artist, Tye’s music ministry is a gift to all who experience it–and on Friday, May 6,
he will unleash a new body of work for his upcoming album release. The
recording will take place at The Redemption Center in Greenville, SC. It’s a free concert, open to the public and is destined to be
life-changing. Doors open at 6 PM, the recording begins at 7 PM.

The
radical singer, songwriter, and preacher who’s known for his edgy and
energetic live performances continues to shatter the mold of what is
traditionally known as gospel music. A true innovator, with one of the
most relevant voices of this generation, Tribbett is set to create a
dynamic new caliber of music.
The recording is the follow-up to Tribbett’s best-selling album Greater Than (Live)
(Motown Gospel) which debuted at #1 on Billboard’s Top Gospel Albums
Chart (four consecutive weeks), #4 on Billboard’s Digital Albums chart,
and #9 on Billboard’s Top 200 (all genres). The success of the album led
to Tribbett earning two GRAMMY® Awards for Best Gospel Album and Best Gospel Song, a Soul Train Music Award for Best Gospel/Inspirational Performance, a GMA Dove Award for Contemporary Gospel/Urban Album of the Year and a Stellar Award win for Male Vocalist of the Year.
From the J. Hardy Agency

"Oh How We Love YOU" – TIFF JOY

“Oh How We Love YOU”
TIFF JOY
From the CD, TIFF JOY (2015)
Walkway Music Group/Tyscot Records


Tiff Joy Oh How We Love You art workBy Libra Boyd
Gospel Music Fever

“Oh How We Love YOU” is the current radio single from TIFF JOY, the Stellar Award-winning singer/songwriter who wrote and performed the hit “Amazing” with Ricky Dillard and New G.

TIFF JOY opens the exultant praise from her self-titled album with an invitation to “put’cho hands together” before directing lyrics of adoration to the Lord.  The beginning lines of which are, “Glory to God in the highest / You are great and greatly (You are greatly to be praised)…”
“Oh How We Love YOU” is co-written by TIFF JOY, Phillip Feaster, Angel Feaster, and Calvin Rodgers.  GMF featured the official lyric video here: Official Lyric Video – “Oh How We Love YOU” – TIFF JOY

Official Lyric Video – "Oh How We Love YOU" – TIFF JOY

Enjoy TIFF JOY’s official lyric video, “Oh How We Love YOU.”  The song–co-written by TIFF JOY, Phillip Feaster, Angel Feaster, and Calvin Rodgers–is the current radio single from her self-titled 2015 full-length project with Walkway Music Group/Tyscot Records.

Pugh leaves Houston’s Lighthouse Church, launches non-profit

Earnest Pugh

Earnest Pugh is ending his tenure as pastor of worship at Lighthouse Church in Houston.

“Pastor Keion Henderson and I mutually agreed that seasons have changed,” Pugh stated in a press release.  “I am moving on to pursue some dreams that have laid dormant in my heart for years.  Our joint efforts of laboring in the vineyard at Lighthouse have been fruitful and we believe God’s best is yet to come for all involved parties.  To God be the glory for the wonderful things He has done, is doing and will do to advance the Kingdom through our lives and ministries.”

In upcoming months, Pugh will launch Vets Rock, a non-profit organization to assist women combat veterans.  A vet himself, the singer is retired from 15 years of active-duty in the Army.  The organization’s official launch on November 21 in Washington, DC will include an “Oh Give Thanks” concert, a Thanksgiving dinner voucher giveaway to 250 vets and their families, and a birthday gala for Pugh.

In addition to establishing Vets Rock, Pugh is reportedly beginning a 50-city tour to commemorate his journey to 50 years of life and more than 20 years in the gospel music industry.

"Let Him Work on You" – Arthur Roland

“Let Him Work on You”
Arthur Roland
From the CD, Stepping Out of Myself (2015)
Nosmoke Records

Arthur Roland Stepping out of myself cover artBy Libra Boyd
Gospel Music Fever

In his self-written and self-produced toe-tapper, Arthur Roland recounts a list of frustrations common to mankind—hard times, failed plans, and bad news.  Then, he urges, “Turn ya life over to Jesus; let Him work on you!”

“Let Him Work on You” is from Roland’s CD Stepping Out of Myself, inspired by the Michael Brown incident.

In 2014, Roland, a 30-year industry veteran, was inducted into the Gospel Music Hall of Fame as a member of Lucille Pope and the Pearly Gates.

"Author" – Latice Crawford

“Author”
Latice Crawford
From the upcoming project, Diary of a Church Girl (Available 2016)
Available at iTunes

Author - Latice Crawford - art workBy Libra Boyd
Gospel Music Fever

Hearing Latice Crawford intertwine the lyrics and melody of her current single “Author” is like reading, or listening to, an aural diary.

“Author, please write me better / Potter, mold me better,” she sings.

The fact is, intimately and steadily, Latice delivers the same impressive, impassioned vocal that landed her in the top three on BET Sunday Best 2.

“Author” is the second single from Latice’s forthcoming project, Diary of a Church Girl.

Music industry remembers song stylist Daryl Coley [Arrangements Added]

By Libra Boyd
Gospel Music Fever

Originally posted March 16, 2016 at 5:45 PM
Last updated March 22, 2016 at 10:01 PM



The music industry mourns the passing of gospel vocalist extraordinaire, Daryl Coley, who made his earthly transition Tuesday night, March 15, after several years of health challenges.  He was 60 years old.  You can read more about Coley’s career and passing from the DC Gospel Music Examiner’s Sarah Hearn here.


Many considered Coley’s vocal artistry to be unparalleled.  Erica Campbell, Micah Stampley, Ted Winn, DeWayne Woods, and Anita Wilson are just a handful who name him among their influences.

Homegoing information as released by the family is as follows:

 
Once the news of Coley’s passing was confirmed last week, after the earlier circulation of false reports, industry contemporaries and protégés flooded social media with remembrances.


Please join GMF in continuing to pray for the family of one of the great voices of our time.

An Amazing Artist and Phenomenal Vocalist. You will truly be missed. Love you Darryl Coley! R.I.P.
Posted by Dorinda Clark-Cole on Wednesday, March 16, 2016

I was 24 years old and got a call from Daryl Coley. I knew him very well because Daryl was the one who gave my demo to…
Posted by Kirk Franklin on Wednesday, March 16, 2016

A photo posted by Richard Smallwood (@smallrich) on

R.I.P. Terrell "Midge" Gatlin, formerly of the Williams Brothers

“Midge” (C) with (L to R) Melvin & Doug Williams. | From YouTube

By Libra Boyd
Gospel Music Fever

GMF extends its sympathy in the passing of musician/writer/producer, Terrell “Midge” Gatlin, formerly of the Williams Brothers and the Christianaires.  Gatlin died in an apparent drowning in Mississippi.  As of Wednesday morning, March 16, Pike County authorities were uncertain whether the incident occurred Monday night or Tuesday morning.

In addition to his tenures with the Williams Brothers and Christianaires, Gatlin’s work is featured on projects by the Truthettes, Doug Williams, Willie Neal Johnson and the Gospel Keynotes, the Jackson Southernaires, the Angelic Gospel Singers, and others.

Please join us in prayer for the family and friends during this difficult time.

Edward "Ed" William Hall, Jr., Raleigh area singer and former radio personality, has died

From Lea Funeral Home Website

By Libra Boyd
Gospel Music Fever 

NC’s gospel music community mourns the passing of Edward “Ed” William Hall, Jr., veteran gospel singer and former radio announcer for Raleigh’s WSHA radio station.  Hall died Monday, March 14, at the age of 86.

I first experienced Hall’s traditional gospel style and engaging personality in the 1980s, during his weekly television appearances with the Wesleyan TV Choir on WRAL’s Spiritual Awakening gospel music program.  Hall was a frequent featured soloist with the choir, led by Sandra Byrd, who also served as the show’s host.  In addition, Hall sang with the Sensational Evening Five for a number of years.

GMF extends sincerest condolences to Brother Hall’s family and friends.

Arrangements are as follows:

Visitation
Saturday, March 19, 2016
11AM – 12PM
Upper Room COGIC
3300 Idlewood Village Drive
Raleigh, NC

Funeral
12 PM, immediately following visitation


Interment
Montlawn Cemetery
Raleigh, NC