Blog

Eddie Williams, pianist for the Caravans, passes on

Eddie Williams of the Caravans

By Libra Boyd
Gospel Music Fever

GMF is sad to learn of the passing of Eddie Williams, songwriter and pianist with the Caravans from 1957 to 1962 (with a hiatus in 1960).  Bob Marovich of the Journal of Gospel Music reported the news yesterday (Nov. 30), and information will be added there as it becomes available.

Eddie Williams was the writer of one of the Caravans’ best known songs, “Lord Keep Me Day by Day.” 

Upon hearing of his passing, Rev. James Herndon, who became the famed group’s pianist and a primary songwriter after Williams’ departure, spoke with GMF about the caliber of his contributions to the Caravans:

Eddie was one of the most profound writers of gospel music as well as an accomplished musician. He wrote the timeless classic “Lord Keep Me Day By Day,” which as you know is still being sung today. It has never grown old to me. He also wrote “Hallelujah ‘Tis Done,” “I’m Glad I Counted Up the Cost,” and many more. He will live forever through the great music he gave the world.

Our prayers and thoughts are with the Williams family in their hour of bereavement.

‘Holiday Praise: The Thankful Tour’ features Charles Jenkins, Michelle Williams, Byron Cage

(Chicago, IL)  Multi-award winning songwriter and Inspired People
recording artist Pastor Charles Jenkins (right) and his electrifying
choir Fellowship Chicago are hitting the road this month for Inspired
People’s “Holiday Praise: The Thankful Tour.”  Pastor Jenkins will be
joined on the tour with fellow GRAMMY® winner Michelle Williams and Byron Cage.
 
Pastor
Jenkins is coming off of a huge summer hit with his radio smash “War,” which spent five weeks at #1 on Billboard Magazine’s Gospel Airplay chart
and 55 weeks on the overall survey.  His new radio single and latest
worship anthem “Just To Know Him” features Byron Cage and is
quickly making its way up gospel radio playlists everywhere.  Both tracks
hail from the album “Any Given Sunday” (Inspired People/Motown Gospel)
that debuted at #1 on Billboard’s Gospel Albums sales chart this past
spring.

“It’s been an amazing year for us and we’re all so thankful,”
says Jenkins.  “We all have so much to be thankful for and to celebrate
God’s goodness.  The tour is going to be an amazing, uplifting and fun
experience for the entire family.”
 
Here are the dates:
 
11/22 @ 7 PM New Jerusalem Church, Jackson, MS (Hallelujah 95.5 FM)
11/23 @ 7 PM New Rising Star Church, Birmingham, AL (WAGG 102.1/610 AM)
11/24 @ 7 PM Restoration Ministries Int. Christian, Augusta, GA (Shout 94.7 FM)
11/26 @ 8 PM Elizabeth Baptist Church, Atlanta, GA (Praise 102.5 FM)
12/07 @ 7 PM Fellowship Chicago, Chicago, IL (1390 AM)
 
General Admission seating is $20 and VIP seats are $35.  Tickets are available at www.holidaypraise.com.


From Bill Carpenter (press release)

Tribbett to host ‘iHope’ concert in memory of murdered cousin Corey Jones

Tye Tribbett’s cousin Corey Jones, a drummer, was on his way home from a concert gig when he experienced SUV trouble in the early morning of October 18th. While he was awaiting roadside assistance on Interstate 95 in Palm Beach Gardens, FL, an undercover officer approached Jones’ stranded vehicle. While there are differing accounts of what happened next, less than an hour later Jones was dead, felled by at least three bullets after he began to run away from the policeman.

The death of Tribbett’s cousin has moved him once again to speak out and advocate for change in the way humans deal with each other and how law enforcement deals with us all.

The Grammy winner is hosting a free admission “iHOPE” concert to call for social change with Tasha Cobbs, Mali Music, Le’Andria Johnson and Tim Rogers. The free concert takes place Thursday, November 12 at 7:30 PM at The Faith Center located at 5555 NW 95th Avenue, Sunrise, FL. For concert info, contact (973) 351-1569 or visit www.tyetribbettworldwide.com.

Earlier this year Tribbett was moved to speak out after the June 2015 Charleston church massacre. Consequently, he launched a packed “Hate Won’t Win” concert in Columbia, SC to benefit the Mother Emanuel Hope Fund that retired burial debt and other expenses related to the nine people who were shot to death in that tragic incident.



From Bill Carpenter (press release)

GMF nominated for 2016 Rhythm of Gospel Award

Vote now through March 1, 2016.

Congratulations are in order again for Gospel Music Fever (GMF), which has been nominated for the 2016 Rhythm of Gospel (ROG) Award in the category of Gospel Internet Promotion & Marketing Group of the Year.  


This
is GMF’s second nomination.  In 2013, GMF emerged from a category of
nine nominees to win the ROG Award for Internet Media Group of the Year.


“It’s gratifying to be nominated,” says GMF’s founder and editor, Libra Boyd. “GMF uplifts and advances gospel music, and it’s an honor for that to be recognized.”

According to the Rhythm of Gospel Awards website,
the awards show is presented by the National and Independent Gospel Music
Association (N.I.G.M.A.) and “recognizes
outstanding churches/pastors, choirs and independent gospel music
artists of all genres, for their outstanding contributions toward the
betterment and advancement of their communities.”
 
Voting is now open for you, our GMF readers, to vote at http://www.therhythmofgospelawards.com/VOTING.html# an UNLIMITED number of times through March 1, 2016.  Please note:

  1. GMF is in category #49
  2. The site requires that you vote for each category
  3. You must click the black and white VOTE box near the bottom of the page to submit your votes.

JSUP to hold S.O.S. (Select Our Single) Listening Party – Nov. 14

Inasmuch as SOS is the international Morse code distress signal, it can be said that Juan Santiago and Uninhibited Praise (JSUP) need your help.

JSUP has been working hard in the studio and is ready for you to hear what they’ve been cooking up.  The choir invites fam, fans, friends, and media to join them November 14 at 3 PM, for their S.O.S. (Select Our Single) Listening Party.  That’s right, the award-winning aggregation wants you to select the new single from their forthcoming album, Fresh Fire.

The event takes place at SkyLofts Gallery & Studios, 3701 Bank Street, in Baltimore, MD.  General admission is $12.  Admission is free for media, but you must RSVP to [email protected] by November 12.

In other celebratory news this year, JSUP is nominated for four Rhythm of Gospel Awards, including Traditional Choir of the Year and Traditional Song of the Year for “Take Your Burdens.” (Read GMF’s review of “Take Your Burdens” here.)

"Never Let You Go" – Dennis Garner ft. Truman Comer

“Never Let You Go”
Dennis Garner feat. Truman Comer (2015)
Available at iTunes

"Never Let You Go" artwork_Dennis Garner

By Libra Boyd
Gospel Music Fever

Nope, it’s not Maze featuring Frankie Beverly.  It’s Dennis Garner featuring Truman Comer. And the only reason I’m telling you is because when you hear the intro, you just might think otherwise.

Nope, it’s not the 1980s R&B hit “Before I Let Go.”  The single is actually its gospelized equivalent, “Never Let You Go.”  The music is entirely familiar, but Garner’s lyrics are conspicuously different: “I am so grateful You saved my soul….You are my Savior, and I’ll never let You go.”

The producer, songwriter, and multi-instrumentalist has worked with Quincy Jones and other industry heavyweights throughout his decades-long career.  The Greensboro, NC native also made a pair of movie appearances in The Color Purple (as a guitar player) and Eddie.

Official Video – "Back Where You Belong" – Brian Nhira

 Enjoy Brian Nhira’s music video “Back Where You Belong,” produced by Faith Nhira and directed by Isaiah Cartledge.
The poignant composition communicates the compelling request of a child for his father’s active daily presence.  The song is from Brian’s album, Hope’s Stand, and brings attention to the issue of families with absent fathers. 

Lecrae celebrates multiple wins at 46th Annual GMA Dove Awards

Lecrae

One wonders if Lecrae is running out of space for all his music hardware.  The rapper toted three trophies–including one for Artist of the Year–from the 46th annual GMA Dove Awards.  The sold-out show was held October 13, at Allen Arena on the campus of Lipscomb University.  Tasha Cobbs and Erica Campbell also won awards for Gospel Artist of the Year and Contemporary Gospel/Urban Song of the Year, respectively.  

Also among the evening’s highlights was the presentation of the Lifetime Achievement Award to Bobby Jones Gospel, which is currently airing its final season of shows to crown a 35-year run. 

The Dove Awards will air this Sunday, October 19, at 9 PM CT (10 PM ET) on TBN. 

Read more and see the complete list of winners here: 46th Annual GMA Dove Awards Honored Top Christian and Gospel Artists

Tiff Joy’s self-titled debut project charts on Billboard

Chicago native Tiff Joy has had a very good two years.

It was almost two
years ago when she hit the national stage as the songwriter and soloist
on Ricky Dillard & New G’s Grammy Award nominated gospel radio
smash “Amazing.” Three weeks ago, her soul-stirring radio single “The
Promise” made its Top 30 debut on the Billboard Gospel Airplay chart, and
this past week her inaugural album Tiff Joy (Walkway Music Group/Tyscot
Records) made its Billboard Top Gospel Albums chart entrance at
#5.

“Wow…. this is crazy,” the ecstatic singer says. “I am CONSTANTLY
in awe of how GOD moves. This is HIM and I’m forever Grateful.“

From Bill Carpenter

Marshalee talks about new single, unique sound

By Libra Boyd
Gospel Music Fever

Marshalee is a gifted and skilled singer.  She has sung at conventions and conferences, performed in corporate circles, made TV appearances, and landed roles in professional theatre.  Marshalee’s resumé is weighty, and yet, just a glance at her bio tells you that her highest priority is representing Jesus Christ and “seeking daily to live in His image.”

As His representative, the Jamaican-born songstress is using her current single, “Follow,” to invite others to do likewise.  Recently, Marshalee shared more with me about her single and the “sound” that has given her exposure across multiple platforms.

I love the song, “Follow.”  It encourages you to stay the course and follow Christ where He leads, and He will see that you accomplish the goals He has placed in your heart.  A line in the song says, ‘I want to speak your words I wanna dream your dreams,’ and it means I want to help evangelize the world so that people may come to know Jesus Christ and receive the gift of salvation so they can have a good and abundant life here on earth as well as have eternal life in heaven.  It is Christ’s desire (to bring it down to earth—my level of understanding—it’s His dream) that ‘all should be saved…’ and that ‘none should perish.’

“Follow” is the lead single off the singer’s 2015 album by the same name and is produced by Grammy-winning songwriter/producer Jeff Pardo, whom Marshalee describes as “a real musical genius…an amazing musician and extremely creative.”  The contemporary christian anthem is also illustrative of a distinct sound—one that is inspired by her locale. 

I describe my ‘sound’ as CCMS (Contemporary Christian Music Soul) with a Caribbean and R&B flavor.  Naturally, being from the islands in addition to doing traditional, urban, contemporary and R&B gospel song arrangements, song ideas also come to me in reggae and calypso—both of which are natural formats of gospel music for me.  I believe God intended for me to incorporate those types of musical arrangements in my albums and stage presentations by virtue of the fact that He caused me to be born and raised in the culture and Island of Jamaica.

In addition to the influence of Jamaican culture, Marshalee eagerly acknowledges a host of artists who have been inspirations – Dottie Peoples, Yolanda Adams, Mary Mary, Mandisa, Pastor Donnie McClurkin, and Jonathan Nelson are just a few. She credits one gospel legend’s concert in particular for the trajectory of her music ministry.

I remember attending a Shirley Caesar concert with my cousins in Paterson, New Jersey in the 1990’s, and that experience had a profound spiritual and musical influence on me. It really focused my mind, spirit and heart on ministry and on serving God.  Her testimony and ministry was instrumental in setting me on my way to where I am in singing and writing music today.

Supplementary to her work as a performing artist, Marshalee dedicates herself to nurturing the musical interests of the youth in her community by offering a free summer music program for children and teens.  As she describes, the Voice Lesson and Choral Program “[provides] exposure to youth who are interested in music and [helps] validate and
nurture their vocal skills.”  As many as 75 youths from the Framingham community have participated annually.  The program, Marshalee explains, is an extension of her ministry as a gospel artist.

There’s boundless hope and power in gospel music soothing the body, soul, heart
and mind….Gospel music has the power to empower the hopeless and to
rebuild ruined lives.    

_____________________________
Marshalee is busy gearing up for her 2015 album release community concert, set for Friday, November 20, 2015, at 6 PM.  The event takes place at the Greater Framingham Community Church, 44 Franklin Street, Framingham, MA.  All are invited, and admission is free.  The full-length album will be on sale at the concert and can be pre-ordered at www.MarshaleeMusic.com.  It will also be available for download on iTunes, Amazon, and other electronic media.