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'Wilson Idol' 2015: "And the winner is…

Photo | PVICK Studio

By Libra Boyd
Gospel Music Fever

…Patrice Farmer!”


Congratulations to Patrice Farmer (pictured with Dr. Mildred Summerville), grand prize winner of the third annual “Wilson Idol” talent competition, held Saturday, September 19, at Wilson, NC’s Fike High School auditorium.  Patrice wowed the judges and captivated the audience with her vocal performance of Tamela Mann’s “I Can Only Imagine” to capture the first place honor.  The win came with a $1,000 prize and trophy, along with a part in the onstage production of the award-winning Mildred Summerville play “Spare the Rod,
Spoil the Child,” and an opportunity to perform for gospel music’s leading lady, Pastor Shirley Caesar.


As has become standard for the annual competition, participants took to the stage and delivered an evening of impressive performances that left judges splitting hairs over who would earn the grand prize as well as top spots in the youth and adult divisions.


Runners-up in the youth division were:

James Thomas Daniels (1st runner-up)
Precious Finch (2nd runner-up)
William Featherston (3rd runner-up)


In the adult division, runners-up were:

Shannon Baker (1st runner-up)
Kelsey Joyner (2nd runner-up)
Ashley Ongaro (3rd runner-up)


Each runner-up was presented a trophy for his or her exceptional performance, and each contestant received a certificate of recognition. 

“Wilson Idol“ talent competition is sponsored by Summerville Promotion
and Production Company and Tall One Outreach Ministries to give residents of Wilson, NC (ages 10 and up)
an opportunity to showcase their talents in the areas of music, dance/step, and acting.

This year, for the first time, “Wilson Idol” recognized three honorees as Tall One Outreach Ministries’
Champions.  During a pre-show, Bishop Eloise Sessoms,
Sharetta Blackwell, and Minister Michael Boone were celebrated for
standing tall in the Wilson community through excellence in leadership,
integrity, and inspiration. 

GMF congratulates Patrice, the runners-up, the Tall One Outreach Ministries’ Champions, and the show’s producer Dr. Mildred Summerville for jobs well done!

Earl Bynum announces self-titled solo project, releases single


(Chesapeake, VA)  He is a prolific songwriter, a master vocal arranger and has
demonstrated musical creativity and gospel music artistry that has
elevated him as one of the most recognized leaders in music and
ministry.  Multi-award winning vocalist and producer Earl Bynum is the Executive Minster of Music at Mount Lebanon Baptist Church “The Mount” which has four locations–Chesapeake, VA, Elizabeth City, NC, Peninsula, VA and Charlotte, NC.  He is also the International Minister of Music for the Gospel Heritage Foundation.
 With a vast catalog of songs and projects in his repertoire, Bynum is
now preparing to release his long awaited self-titled solo project EARL BYNUM in 2016 and leads off with a soulfully expressive single, “Call Him.”  Click here to watch it.
From The Bellamy Group

"Call Him" – Earl Bynum feat. Andra Cross (Video)

Enjoy Earl Bynum’s official music video, “Call Him” featuring Andra Cross, from his forthcoming self-titled solo project.  The video is directed by TSGS Films and produced by X. Scott and Sean Wilson.
The project, EARL BYNUM, is slated for a 2016 release via Mann-Up Muzik and eOne Distribution. 

Lisa Page Brooks preps for first live recording

Songstress Lisa Page Brooks is set to record her first live album Friday, October 23, 2015, at The Christian Tabernacle Church in Detroit.  Bishop Michael Brooks, founding member of Commissioned, will serve as the evening’s producer.  Attendees can also look forward to a reunion of Witness, the eclectic contemporary group of which Brooks is a former member.  


The live session starts at 7 PM ET.  General admission tickets are $25 and VIP seats are $40.

R.I.P. Elder James Bellamy

Homegoing services were held recently in Rocky Mount, NC for singer, songwriter, and musician Elder James Bellamy, Jr., who passed September 5.  He was 49 years old. 

Elder Bellamy led a talented camp of singers and musicians who ministered as James Bellamy and T.C. (Triumphant in Christ).  Among the group’s recordings are Let Your Spirit Fill This Place EP (1999), All For Him (2002) and Triumphant – Live! (2007), each recorded with Masterpiece Christian Records. 

Elder Bellamy is remembered by his family, many friends, and colleagues as a radical praiser, devout worshipper, and gifted minstrel. 

"I Got a Good Feeling" – Tam Johnson and God's Favor

Tam Johnson and God's Favor Miracle cover art
“I Got a Good Feeling”
Tam Johnson and God’s Favor
From the CD, Miracle (2014)
www.facebook.com/tamjohnsonandgf
By Libra Boyd
Gospel Music Fever
 
Using alternative hip-hop group Arrested Development’s early 90s arrangement of “People Everyday” (which heavily borrows from Sly the Family Stone’s “Everyday People”) as their music sample, Tam Johnson and God’s Favor deliver a hefty dose of optimism with “I Got a Good Feeling.”  Johnson, the singers, and the band enthusiastically proclaim that everything’s gonna “be all right” over a mid-tempo groove.
Tam Johnson and God’s Favor hail from Wilson, NC.  “I Got a Good Feeling” is featured on their current CD, Miracle.

2015 'Wilson Idol' talent show to feature Evelyn Turrentine-Agee as special guest

By Libra Boyd
Gospel Music Fever

On September 19, sixteen talented Wilson area contestants will compete for the title of “Wilson Idol.”

Wilson’s got talent.  And the competitor whose talent rises to the top next Saturday will win a $1,000 cash prize, a part in the onstage production of the award-winning Mildred Summerville play “Spare the Rod,
Spoil the Child,” and an opportunity to perform for multi-Grammy winner, Pastor Shirley Caesar.

The special guest and judge for the talent show–now in its third year–is Evelyn Turrentine-Agee, who is dubbed “The Queen of Quartet” and is best known for her hit number, “God Did It.”  The Stellar Award winner and evangelist will be joined on the judges’ panel by Rod Lewis, Prophet Calvin Suggs, Rev. Glenda Murray-Kelly, Will Ellis, Bob Owens, Don’trell Barnes, and Wilson Idol’s producer Dr. Mildred Summerville.  

GMF’s Libra Boyd and Min. Justin Barbour will return this year as hosts for the evening.  GMF is also an event sponsor.

 

This year, for the first time, Wilson Idol will recognize three honorees as Tall One Outreach Ministries’ Champions.  During a pre-show, Bishop Eloise Sessoms, Sharetta Blackwell, and Min. Michael Boone will be recognized for standing tall in the Wilson community through excellence in leadership, integrity, and inspiration.The Wilson Idol talent competition is sponsored by Summerville Promotion and Production Company and Tall One Outreach Ministries to give residents of Wilson, NC (ages 10 and up)
an opportunity to showcase their talents in the areas of music, dance/step, and acting.


Event Details
3rd Annual Wilson Idol Talent Competition

Saturday, Sept. 19, 2015
5 PM (doors open at 4)
Fike High School Auditorium
500 Harrison Drive
Wilson, NC 27893

Tickets are $15 in advance ($20 at the door) and can be purchased at
Hamilton Funeral Chapel, Arts Council of Wilson, and from all
contestants.  For more information, contact Dr. Mildred Summerville at
252-230-2689.

Tonya Lewis Taylor's 'Delayed But Not Denied' is her life's soundtrack

By Libra Boyd
Gospel Music Fever

Her name resonated in the music industry for more than 15 years as a celebrity event publicist and marketing executive.  She was responsible for a client roster that included Jay-Z, Kanye West, Jamie Foxx, Tyrese Gibson, Russell Simmons and other mega names in the business.  All the while,Tonya Lewis Taylor yearned to direct her focus toward her own gifts as a singer and songwriter.  She had embarked on a professional music career after college, singing backup for Mariah Carey and Mary J. Blige; but the rigor of touring took its toll.  As time passed, the compound effects of family and work commitments, fear, doubt, and insecurities continued to hamper her personal musical aspirations.

It is altogether fitting, then, that Tonya’s debut album is titled Delayed But Not Denied.  It’s her life’s soundtrack.

The 10-track praise and worship project, written and co-produced by the multi-talented artist herself, features the uptempo contemporary single, “Thank You,” which launched her into the Top 20 on the Billboard Gospel Charts.  It also led her on the 32-city Festival of Praise Tour with Fred Hammond and Donnie McClurkin, which, she tells GMF, changed her life as an artist.

“Can you imagine being mentored by two greats in gospel music?” Tonya muses.  “I had over 50 years of experience right in front of me for six weeks, thirty-two cities….Donnie constantly drilling me about the importance of leaving everything on the stage night after night, and Fred giving me lessons on songwriting and business acumen.  That experience was priceless!”

While “Thank You” resonates with radio and live audiences, it’s her album’s title song that Tonya connects with the most, “because the song is about the fact that my journey isn’t over,” she reflects.  The title song is “Delayed But Not Denied,” and the hook is her motivation on keep moving forward.

“The hook of the song says, ‘because the race is not given to the swift nor to the strong but to the one that endures to the end, I’m still running, and I know I have to win.'” 

Tonya’s motivation extends beyond the music landscape.  She is also active in her community.  With a passion and calling for working with the youth–she’s been involved in youth ministry since the ripe old age of 12–she co-founded the Entertainers 4 Education Alliance/I WILL GRADUATE Youth Development Program with her husband.  The non-profit dropout prevention organization was birthed after the couple made a school visit years ago only to learn from the school’s principal that the students did not attend regularly.  “It became a mission,” Tonya says, to help set the youth in her community on course for brighter futures. 

It’s all about the journey.  

“Whenever possible, I always try to inspire people to do [their] assignment.  Be that person [who] decides to be what God intended for you to be.  Also, never give up on your dreams.  I don’t care if you are 18 or 81, if you have breath in your body you still have a chance to live your dream.  I did….Remember you may be delayed, but you’re not denied.”