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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Swanee Quintet’s Percy Griffin dies
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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.
Rev. James Herndon remembers former Herndon singer Nathan Murphy
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
"Powerful–Living In His Body As One" – Japan Mass Choir (Video)
Enjoy the Japan Mass Choir’s debut music video, “Powerful–Living In His Body As One” (Lifeline Records/SRT Entertainment).
The choir has toured in the US, kicking off their series of performances in Kings Mountain, NC, the hometown of the choir’s producer, Jett Edwards. With 1,000 voices, the aggregation is said to be the world’s largest community choir.
GMA 46th Dove Award Nominees
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!
Lonnie Hunter to be awarded honorary doctorate
From Bill Carpenter
Syndicated radio personality and Stellar Award-nominated recording
artist Lonnie Hunter has had a really busy summer with hosting the
McDonald’s Inspiration Celebration Gospel concert tour and promoting
his latest Billboard Top 5 album #GETITDONE. He is now closing the
season with a bang as the Executive Board of the One Flesh Ministries
Bible Institute in Glenwood, IL has announced that they will award him
an Honorary Doctorate in Sacred Music during their winter commencement.
artist Lonnie Hunter has had a really busy summer with hosting the
McDonald’s Inspiration Celebration Gospel concert tour and promoting
his latest Billboard Top 5 album #GETITDONE. He is now closing the
season with a bang as the Executive Board of the One Flesh Ministries
Bible Institute in Glenwood, IL has announced that they will award him
an Honorary Doctorate in Sacred Music during their winter commencement.
“This was totally out of left field,” Hunter laughs of the
unexpected news. “I am speechless right now and totally humbled and
grateful for this recognition of my work.”
A
Chicago native, Hunter began his career as a runway and print model, but
music was his first love. He was a soloist for the U.S. Air Force Jazz
Band and a celebrated gospel choir conductor. He was well known for his
work with the Voices of St. Mark Choir where he produced the radio
hits “Even Me (The Drip Drop Song),” “Let’s Dance,” and “There’s Power
In His Name.”
unexpected news. “I am speechless right now and totally humbled and
grateful for this recognition of my work.”
A
Chicago native, Hunter began his career as a runway and print model, but
music was his first love. He was a soloist for the U.S. Air Force Jazz
Band and a celebrated gospel choir conductor. He was well known for his
work with the Voices of St. Mark Choir where he produced the radio
hits “Even Me (The Drip Drop Song),” “Let’s Dance,” and “There’s Power
In His Name.”
Hunter’s career in radio started with Chicago’s WGCI. Since 2007, he has been a radio personality with
Radio One where he currently hosts the nationally syndicated afternoon
drive program, “The Lonnie Hunter Show.” Hunter also serves as Pastor of Worship
at Bethany Baptist Church, a 26,000-member church in Lindenwold,
NJ.
Radio One where he currently hosts the nationally syndicated afternoon
drive program, “The Lonnie Hunter Show.” Hunter also serves as Pastor of Worship
at Bethany Baptist Church, a 26,000-member church in Lindenwold,
NJ.
Earlier this year, Hunter launched the #GETITDONE apparel line for motivated people at www.lonniehuntermusic.com.
Free concert features the Sensational Nightingales – Aug. 2
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.
DeVaughn Murphy posthumously ordained as an elder in Full Gospel Baptist Church Fellowship
Bishop Jerry Hutchins of the Full Gospel Baptist Church Bishops Council announces DeVaughn Murphy’s posthumous ordination as an elder in the Full Gospel Baptist Church Fellowship International at the conclusion of Murphy’s homegoing celebration today at Detroit’s Second
Ebenezer Church. His nephew, William Murphy IV (standing with the choir, second from right), looks on.
Murphy, beloved songwriter, musician, producer, and worship leader,
passed July 20, 2015 (read here). He was 33 years old.
Songwriter, worship leader DeVaughn Murphy passes
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| Photo | Vaughn’s Fb profile |
By Libra Boyd
Gospel Music Fever
GMF extends condolences to the Murphy family in the passing of DeVaughn Murphy, son of Bishop William Murphy, Jr. and brother of Pastor William Murphy, III.
An anointed songwriter, musician, and worship leader, tunes from DeVaughn’s pen include “Chasing After You” and “Lord, You Are Awesome,” “Like Never Before,” and “Let Us See Jesus.”
Please join GMF in lifting his wife, daughter, and other family members and friends in prayer.
Gregory Gay of GOSPELflava has shared information regarding the services. Livestream information is below:
Marvin Sapp elevated to bishop in Global United Fellowship
Bishop Marvin Sapp (2nd from right) with fellow newly installed Bishops (from left) Antoine Wright, Leofric Thomas, Sir Walter Mack, and Carroll Baltimore.
Photo Credit | Facebook Page of The Official Global United Fellowship
Congratulations to Pastor Marvin Sapp, who was installed as a bishop on July 10, during the Global United Fellowship’s annual conference, held in Jacksonville, FL.
The pastor and gospel singer will continue to lead his flock in Grand Rapids at the Lighthouse Full Life Center Church.
As a bishop in Global United Fellowship (GUF), under the leadership of Presiding Bishop Neil C. Ellis, Sapp will overssee GUF’s North Central Province which consists of 70 pastors and churches in nine states.