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Al Green fêted at 37th Annual Kennedy Center Honors, airs Dec. 30

Rev. Al Green is among five recipients of the 2014 Kennedy Center Honors. The gala was held December 7, at the Kennedy Center and will be broadcast on CBS tomorrow, December 30, at 9 PM ET.  The Kennedy Center explains:

The Honors recipients recognized for their lifetime contributions to American culture through the performing arts—whether in music, dance, theater, opera, motion pictures, or television—are selected by the Executive Committee of the Center’s Board of Trustees. The primary criterion in the selection process is excellence. The Honors are not designated by art form or category of artistic achievement; the selection process, over the years, has produced balance among the various arts and artistic disciplines.

While Al Green demonstrates musical excellence in both the soul and gospel genres, gospel great Marion Williams (whose career included tenures with the Clara Ward Singers and the Stars of Faith) is the only strictly gospel singer to have received the honor since its inception 37 years ago. Don’t you think it’s time for more of our deserving gospel artists to be recognized?  I can certainly think of a handful who merit recognition for their lifetime contributions and excellence, such as Shirley Caesar, Andraé Crouch, Richard Smallwood, and Edwin Hawkins. 

So, here’s a challenge to GMF readers: review the criteria for this honor and submit your recommendation for 2015 here: Submit A Kennedy Center Honors Recommendation

Tankards’ reality series ‘Thicker Than Water’ returns in January for second season



(New
York, NY)  Bravo
Media’s Thicker Than Water season two will
premiere on Sunday, January 4, at 9 PM ET/PT. Season two features the
unpredictable Tankard clan as they continue to live their lives as best as they
can with their strong religious convictions at hand. Ben and Jewel Tankard are
back, leading their self-proclaimed “Black Brady Bunch” family with
children Brooklyn, Britney, Benji, and Cyrene. Joining the family in the
“Tankard Palace” is Ben’s oldest son, Marcus, who returns to Tennessee with his
wife, Tish, to a warm welcome from everyone—except Britney.


Beginning Monday,
January 5 through Friday, January 9, fans can join the Tankard Family
throughout the week for a series of live Facebook Q&As on the Thicker Than Water Facebook Page. Viewers
will get the inside scoop on the family, the drama and what to expect from
the upcoming season.
For
a sneak peek at the series, visit: www.bravotv.com/thicker-than-water/season-2/videos/first-look-thicker-than-water-season-2
Thicker Than Water is produced by Sirens Media with
Rebecca Toth Diefenbach, Valerie Haselton Drescher and Lucilla D’Agostino
serving as executive producers, and by John Doe Productions with Renard Young and
Darren Toon serving as executive producers. 

Rev. Cleophus Robinson, Jr. has died

Cleophus Robinson, Jr.

Dr. Patricia James-Holloway informed GMF that Rev. Cleophus Robinson, Jr. passed away December 23. He was 57 years old.

Robinson and his five siblings followed in the musical footsteps of their parents, the late Rev. Cleophus Robinson, Sr. and the late Mrs. Bertha Robinson. The younger Robinson was a noted preacher, singer, organist, choir director, recording artist, and radio personality (WESL, KSTL, and Gospel 1600). During his father’s pastorate at Greater Bethlehem Baptist Church in St. Louis, he served as the minister of music.

At age 17, Robinson recorded his first solo album entitled Keep on Stepping on a Nashboro label subsidiary. Some of his additional recordings include Consolation (Savoy, 1980), Back Again (Malaco, 1993), and What You Need (Malaco, 1995). In 2012, Emerged/Reborn Records released a single by Robinson, “He That Thirsteth.”

Dr. Patricia James-Holloway (niece of Robinson Sr. and daughter of Sister Josephine James) remembers her cousin as a “powerhouse” singer and preacher as well as a great musician who “made the organ talk.”

GMF extends heartfelt condolences to Robinson’s family and friends during this difficult time of transition.  

"Good News" – Deborah Brown

“Good News”
Deborah Brown (2014)
Purpose Driven Records

No doubt about it, good news is welcomed amid the chaotic nature of daily encounters, and Atlanta’s Deborah Brown delivers with her upbeat rhythmic single “Good News.”

‘Tis a contemporary gospel bounce that’s dominated by a repeated electric piano chord progression and syncopated horns. The “good news” that Deborah (bearing a smidge of tonal resemblance to Twinkie Clark) sings about throughout the tune turns out to be all the joys that accompany the birth of Christ: “Peace on earth / goodwill towards men / a child is born / a son is given / government on His shoulders…” These proclamations translate into the song’s head-bobbing vamp.

Deborah, along with her husband Dr. Jerry Brown (founder and CEO of Purpose Driven Records), was recently featured on The Don Frost Music City Gospel Show.

"Run and Go Tell It" – Mighty Men of Faith

“Run and Go Tell It”
Mighty Men of Faith
From the CD, Nothing But Grace (2014)
N2L Records
mightymenoffaith.bandcamp.com/

Mighty Men of Faith cover art

They planned to perform only once for a special event at University AME Zion Church, but the one-time plan was axed when the response to their performance opened doors for them to travel throughout northern California. Five years later, they’re known as The Mighty Men of Faith, and they’ve released their sophomore CD entitled Nothing But Grace, which features the urban contemporary single “Run and Go Tell It.”

In contrast to the tempo one might assume belongs to a song with “run” in its title, “Run and Go Tell It” is unhurried. Staccato R&B-esque lead vocals and finger-snap percussion, enhanced by layered harmonies throughout the chorus, accentuate the tune’s simple personal declaration: “I will run and go tell it…what God has done for me.” 


The Palo Alto, CA foursome has been nominated for Rhythm of Gospel Awards in five categories.

"I WIN" – Steve Dalton & The Leviticus Singers of Charlotte

“I WIN”
Steve Dalton & The Leviticus Singers of Charlotte
From the upcoming CD, As ONE, Release the SOUND (Available 2015)
Indie/SDM Productions
Available at CD Baby

Steve Dalton I Win cover art“No matter what you’re going through, God’s got His hands on you,” sings a harmonious cast of energetic vocalists known as Steve Dalton & The Leviticus Singers of Charlotte. The group’s mid-tempo contemporary worship tune “I WIN” is loaded with affirmations and is easily a theme song for overcomers.

Though “I WIN” is filled with positive self-talk, The Leviticus Singers describe their brand of praise and worship music as vertical, emphasizing that it’s from God and points others to Him.

“I WIN” is featured on the choir’s sophomore project entitled, As ONE, Release the SOUND, which is set for release in 2015.

"Merry Christmas" [Free Music] – Norris J

“Merry Christmas”
Norris J feat. Taushey Sias (2014)
Indie
www.norrisj.com

Norris J drops an inspirational rhyme on the meaning of the holiday season in his light and lively rhythmic tune “Merry Christmas,” featuring soprano Taushey Sias. You can download it free here: Christmas Single 2014

The Fort Worth native is a hip-hop artist and songwriter with a passion to connect with the young generation through his music.  He recently teamed up with BET Sunday Best 4 finalist Andrea Helms on her current single “Clap Your Hands.” 

It’s Christmas [Free Music] – Jason Nicholson-Porter

Jason Nicholson-Porter
It’s Christmas [Digital EP]
Indie (2014)
 
Jason Nicholson-Porter’s gift to you this season is a free download of his current EP, It’s Christmas. The download is available by clicking here.
 
The mellow title track is equal parts soulful, jazzy, and festive, balanced by the smooth texture of Jason’s flawless vocals and impressive range. Jason also performs the timeless classic “Noel Noel.” Strings and lush background vocals give his arrangement of the traditional carol its beautifully worshipful ambience. 
 
Jason is a singer and songwriter who hails from Jamaica and presently resides in the UK.  He has sung professionally since the age of 14.

Dorinda Clark-Cole to be part of reality series ‘Preachers of Detroit’

By Libra Boyd
Gospel Music Fever

I suppose the cast of a new Preachers… series wouldn’t be complete without a prominent preacher who is also a powerhouse singer. It’s apparent from the first two seasons that Deitrick Haddon has it on lock with the LA installment.  Come February 18 (10pm ET), Dorinda Clark-Cole will hold it down on the new Oxygen network series, Preachers of Detroit. 

The three-time Grammy winner and member of the legendary Clark Sisters wears many hats: COGIC evangelist, recording artist, TV and radio host, and fashionista with her own clothing line called The Rose Collection. The reality show will chronicle Clark-Cole’s efforts to juggle her whirlwind lifestyle (as her family’s primary bread winner), her desire to strengthen her relationship with her daughter Nikki, and her own self-care.

The Preachers of Detroit cast features six other high-profile persons of the cloth: Bishop Charles H. Ellis, III, Bishop Corletta Vaughn, Pastor Tim Alden, Pastor David Bullock, Bishop-Elect Clarence Langston, and Pastor Don William Shelby, Jr.

Rod Aissa, Executive Vice President of Original Programming and Development for Oxygen Media, says in a press release, “Preachers of Detroit is the latest iteration of the honest, thought-provoking storytelling that Oxygen viewers have so strongly connected with. We introduce a new group of Preachers who have various roads to faith, triumph and transformation, but share a united dedication to help influence positive change in Detroit.”

For a sneak peek of the series visit: www.oxygen.com/shows/videos/preachers-of-detroit-a-new-series

I’m just curious. What’s the likelihood of adding Preachers of Memphis to the franchise with Al Green rounding out the cast?

From
left to right: Bishop-Elect Clarence Langston, Pastor Don William
Shelby, Jr., Bishop Charles H. Ellis, III, Pastor David Bullock, Bishop
Corletta Vaughn, Pastor Tim Alden, and Evangelist Dorinda Clark-Cole.