From Bill Carpenter
Habakkuk Music has announced a historic partnership with Central City Productions to release a special compilation album celebrating the 30th anniversary of The Stellar Gospel Music Awards. The highly anticipated album, Stellar Awards 30th Anniversary 1985-2015, (Habakkuk Music) releases March 31, 2015.
The first Stellar Gospel Music Awards television broadcast took place at the Arie Crown Theater in Chicago in 1985, and this year’s landmark program takes place at The Orleans Arena in Las Vegas. The collector’s edition album will feature an array of chart-topping tracks by fifteen of the most legendary names to ever stand on a Stellar Awards stage and sing the praises of God. The final track will be announced in the coming weeks.
The Stellar Gospel Music Awards show is executive produced by Don Jackson and produced by Barbara Wilson for Central City Productions (CCP). Founded in 1970 by Don Jackson, the Chicago-based Central City Productions is a distributor of original targeted programming to television and cable networks. CCP’s award-winning television programs include The Stellar Gospel Music Awards, The Trumpet Awards, The Black College Quiz Show Series, Hispanic College Quiz, Our World with Black Enterprise and Women of Power, among others.
Founded in 2007, Habakkuk Music is distributed by UMG and IN grooves (a division of Isolation Network, Inc.) and has released gospel music by brilliant artists such as Lisa Page Brooks, Earl Bynum & The Mount Unity Choir, Kevin Levar, Cheneta Jones, Papa San, The Temple of Deliverance Women’s Choir and others. Habakkuk Music, Inc. (d/b/a HBK Media) has successfully formed marketing relationships with organizations such as the American Heart Association | American Stroke Association, Cracker Barrel Old Country Stores and Rejoice Radio Network, among others.
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"The Greater" – J. Grant Thompson
“The Greater”
J. Grant Thompson (2014)
Available at iTunes
By the time J. Grant Thompson was six, he was singing and playing drums for the children’s choir at his church. His musical gifting was evident. Years later, his musicianship evolved to include piano, writing, and music production. The evolution continues with the recent release of his debut single, “The Greater.”
Just as evident as J. Grant’s musical gifting is his heartfelt vertical worship through lyrical prayer: “Open my eyes to see greater…The Greater is You!” Flowing piano arpeggios and uncomplicated background harmonies usher the urban contemporary worship track to its climactic emphasis—”You are Greater!”
J. Grant is a native of Washington, DC, and serves as a worship leader at Church of the Rock Praise Factory, founded and pastored by his parents, Pastor G. Ainsworth and Lady Margaret Thompson.
Cheryl "Cheri" McClurkin, sister of Donnie McClurkin, passes on [Arrangements Added]
Los Angeles, CA (March 3, 2015) – The McClurkin Family gathered together today to say farewell to sibling, Cheryl “Cheri” McClurkin, who died from complications of a massive coronary heart attack at 4pm EST.
Cheri was a mother of five and grandmother of nine; she sang and recorded with The McClurkin Family over the years. However, she is best known as a playwright who recently penned her life story in the form of a riveting play entitled “A Cry for Help,” that was produced by her own company, Cheronic Productions. The family will ensure that this play lives on in her honor.
The McClurkin Family requests prayers and privacy at this time. All cards and condolences can be forwarded to Perfecting Faith Church, 311 N. Main, Freeport, NY 11520. Details for service arrangements will be forthcoming.
Update (3/6/15): Arrangements, as announced by Donnie McClurkin, are below.
Homegoing Service
Friday, March 13, 2015
7 PM
Freedom Chapel International Church
641 Broadway
Amityville, NY 11701
(Pastor Jimmy Jack)
(Pastor Jimmy Jack)
George Dickens, Jr. of George Dickens and The Gospel Disciples succumbs [Arrangements Added]
GMF is sad to report the passing of George Dickens, Jr. The singer died after being shot Saturday afternoon (February 28) at his barbershop in Tarboro, NC, according to WITN News. He was 36 years old.
Dickens is known throughout and beyond North Carolina as a singer, songwriter, and producer. In addition to a string of popular recordings with his family group George Dickens and The Gospel Disciples (including “All I Need,” “Nobody But You,” and “Turnin’ Things Around”), he also penned and was featured on Keith “Wonderboy” Johnson’s hit song “I Made It” (from the album Just Being Me) which won Johnson a Stellar Award in 2007.
Our deepest sympathy is extended to Dickens’ family, friends, group members, and all who mourn his unexpected passing.
Services are entrusted to Hemby-Willoughby Funeral Mortuary, Inc., and arrangements have been announced: Obituary for George Lee Dickens, Jr.
Family, friends remember singer Stephanie Dotson
Stephanie Dotson, known widely for her musical performance in Tyler Perry’s Madea’s Family Reunion, passed unexpectedly Monday, February 23. Her family and friends talked with KSLA News about her legacy. Read more here: Shreveport gospel singer dies, loved ones remember her legacy
Prior to her appearance on the big screen, Stephanie emerged as the winner of BET’s Gospel Dream singing competition in 2004. Subsequently, she released Miracles Still Happen on the Artemis Gospel label.
GMF extends condolences to Stephanie’s family, friends, and colleagues.
Photo Credit | Facebook Profile of Stephanie Dotson
Passing: Barron "BaBa" McGlothin, formerly of O'landa Draper & The Associates
GMF extends condolences to the family and friends of Barron “BaBa” McGlothin, who was found dead early Friday morning, February 20, according to WHBQ Fox 13 in Memphis: COGIC Member, Elementary Teacher Found Dead
BeBe and CeCe to be inducted in GMA Gospel Hall of Fame
Congratulations to BeBe and CeCe Winans, who are among this year’s inductees into the GMA Gospel Music Hall of Fame. The honors ceremony will be held May 5, 2015, at Lipscomb University’s Allen Arena in Nashville. Bishop Paul Morton, Founding Bishop of the Full Gospel Baptist Church Fellowship International and noted singer/recording artist, will also be honored.
Read more here: Gospel Music Association Announces Hall of Fame Inductees & Honorees
"I Love to Praise Him" – Tim Rogers & The Fellas
“I Love to Praise Him”
Tim Rogers & The Fellas (2014)
www.pastortimothyrogers.com
Tim Rogers & The Fellas hit hard with their remake of Jessy Dixon’s “I Love to Praise Him.” The Arkansas quartet’s current single is downloadable on iTunes.
At the outset, Rogers announces, “Church, I’m ’bout to take you back down to the country, from where I’m from!” From there, he and his group drive the classic into repeated declarations of “hallelujah” and “thank You, Jesus.”
"Take Your Burdens" – Juan Santiago and Uninhibited Praise
“Take Your Burdens”
Juan Santiago and Uninhibited Praise (2015)
www.jsuplive.com
Juan Santiago and Uninhibited Praise (2015)
www.jsuplive.com
Juan Santiago and Uninhibited Praise’s single “Take Your Burdens” can be summed up in one word: churchy.
JSUP, an aggregation of vocal talent recognized in and beyond the country for its captivating style of praise and worship (with songs like “Holy is the Lord” and “Healing Rain”), presents a markedly different sound with “Take Your Burdens.” Vocalist Jeneal Johnson and JSUP’s cascading choir vocals make this moderately paced scorcher of a traditional choir number redolent of South Side Chicago Sunday mornings, Jackson Sunday afternoons, and Memphis Sunday evenings.
Official Video – “All We Need Is Love” – Totally 4 Him ft. Doug Williams and Stan Jones
Enjoy the official music video “All We Need is Love” from The Bellamy Group’s Totally 4 Him. The tune, available at iTunes, features Doug Williams of the Williams Brothers and hit producer Stan Jones.