Kirk Franklin always has a way of relating to the masses with relevant music. His new single is barely three weeks old and has already made history.
Read more here: Christian Singer Kirk Franklin Makes History with #1 New Single ‘Wanna Be Happy?’
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.”
By Libra Boyd
Gospel Music Fever
Samuel Barnes, brother of gospel singer and pastor Luther Barnes and son of the late Bishop F.C. Barnes (of “Rough Side of the Mountain” fame) passed August 22. He was 66 years old.
GMF extends condolences to the Barnes family.
Arrangements are entrusted to Hunter-Odom Funeral Service and a homegoing service will take place at 11 AM on Saturday, August 29, at Word Tabernacle Church in Rocky Mount, NC.
Read the obituary notice here.
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| The Swanees with Percy Griffin (fourth from left) Photo Credit | Facebook |
By Libra Boyd
Gospel Music Fever
Bob Marovich of the Journal of Gospel Music informed GMF that Percy Griffin, longtime member of The Swanee Quintet, passed on (see RIP Percy Griffin – Member of the Swanee Quintet).
Griffin joined the Augusta, GA group more than 50 years ago and was one of its lead singers. Down through the years, The Swanees left audiences reeling with songs like “Eternal Life” and “Dr. Jesus.” The quartet frontman once told The Augusta Chronicle that being a great gospel singer was always his primary aspiration.
Griffin shared a longstanding friendship with the Godfather of Soul, the late James Brown, and occasionally sang at the soul singer’s Thanksgiving turkey giveaways in Augusta.
Both Griffin and his father were elders in the United House of Prayer for All People, whose founder, Daddy Grace, used to stay in their home, Griffin once shared.
Among Griffin’s last recordings are The Swanee Quintet’s The Legacy Continues Phase II and Malaco’s An Evening with the Legends of Quartet (LIVE). Griffin does some tag-teaming with his first cousin Willie Rogers of The Soul Stirrers on the latter project.
Please join GMF in keeping Griffin’s family, friends, fans, and the Swanees lifted in prayer.
Read the obituary here.
An earlier version of this story contained an error in the caption. Thanks to Anthony Smith for catching it and alerting GMF.
By Libra Boyd
Gospel Music Fever
Gospel singer Nathan Murphy, former member of the James Herndon Singers and organizer of the Nathan Murphy Singers, passed Monday, August 17, reported JGM’s Bob Marovich for the Journal of Gospel Music.
Rev. James Herndon, who departed the famous Caravans in the late 1960s and formed the James Herndon Singers, spoke with GMF about Murphy, fondly remembering him as a dedicated member of the group. He was a blessing on and off stage, helping to coordinate everything from reliable transportation to the singers’ stage attire; the latter task he shared with fellow member Roxie Bibbs. Murphy was also instrumental in the selection of his aunt, Wilma Strickland, becoming a member of the group.
“Nathan was never one to be out front, but he supported everyone else in leading songs,” Herndon tells GMF. “He saw the James Herndon Singers as a fulfillment of a lifelong dream.”
Rev. Herndon also recalls Murphy’s commitment to education and self-improvement. He attended school to become a respiratory therapist and after his eventual departure from the James Herndon Singers, he pursued a law degree. He also established his own group, the Nathan Murphy Singers, whom Herndon says “were quite popular in the Los Angeles area and [did] some out of state performances.”
“But he never let these accomplishments sway his faith in God.”
GMF sends prayers up for the family, friends, and fans of Nathan Murphy.
Read more at the Journal of Gospel Music: RIP Nathan Murphy: Sang with James Herndon, Had Own Group
Jonathan McReynolds, Tamela Mann, Tasha Cobbs, Erica Campbell, and Charles Jenkins are among those whose nominations were announced today (August 12) for the 46th Annual GMA Dove Awards. The complete list is available here.
This year’s awards will take place October 13, at Lipscomb University’s Allen Arena in Nashville and will air on TBN.
Congratulations to all nominees!
From Bill Carpenter
Musicals that feature gospel trailblazers are seldom free anymore, so here’s something worth putting on your Google calendar.
The Sensational Nightingales will appear live in concert Sunday evening, August 2, 2015, at Roxboro Church of God. The service begins at 6 PM, and the church is located at 1415 N. Main Street in Roxboro, NC.
An offering will be received during the service.
Also appearing will be James Dixon and Company, Kay Ferguson, and Lamont Logan of WSBV-1560 AM.
The Gales have been on the gospel highway for more than seven decades. “It’s Gonna Rain,” “Prodigal Son,” and “At the Meeting” remain among their most requested songs.
For more information, contact Rev. Barbara Dixon at 336-322-1959.