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Cancer survivor Marcia Love donates portion of CD proceeds to Susan G. Komen

(Phoenix, AZ)  Gospel artist Marcia Love knows what it’s like to have your life turned upside down. On one fateful day in 2012, she was given the news that every woman dreads: she had been diagnosed with breast cancer. With the strength of her faith and the love of her family, she was able to endure the challenging season. After multiple surgeries, she is now cancer-free. A singer for her entire life, the experience was the impetus for her to get back in the studio to record her second CD. Earlier this year, she released the sophomore project, Counting My Blessings, which features the singles “Counting My Blessings” and “Joy.” Through her music ministry, she wants to inspire other women who have been diagnosed with the dreaded disease. To support the efforts of Susan G. Komen in finding a cure, Marcia is donating 25% of the proceeds of her CD, Counting My Blessings, and all digital downloads of her music in the month of October in honor of Breast Cancer Awareness Month.

“As a nurse, I understand that sickness can be difficult to handle,” shares Marcia. “As a cancer survivor, I know that a support system is vital. I want to make sure that every woman who hears the words I heard, ‘You have breast cancer,’ knows that God is there to comfort them. I also want to help them by giving organizations the resources they need to help stamp out this horrible disease. That’s why I am donating 25% of sales of my singles and my full CD, Counting My Blessings, to Susan G. Komen.”

Always one to encourage and uplift, Marcia’s CD, Counting My Blessings, is chock full of inspiration. “Joy,” penned by the artist after her health challenge, is a musical expression of happiness, a song of gratitude. Other songs include the churchy “The Rock Of His Name,” the riveting ballad, “Wholly Thine” and the mid-tempo title tune. Music has always been a way for Marcia to express her feelings and this project is no different.

Hailing from Durham, NC, Marcia began singing as a toddler.  As many singers do, she honed her singing skills at church.  She also was called upon to sing for her father’s preaching engagements.  Eventually, singing morphed into directing gospel choirs.  It wasn’t until 2011 that she pursued a recording career with the release of her debut, Jesus On My Side, which was followed by 2014’s Counting My Blessings.  To find out more information about Marcia Love, go to www.marcialove.com. To connect with her, find her on Facebook and Twitter.

Juan Santiago and Uninhibited Praise set for live recording Oct. 4

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Juan Santiago and Uninhibited Praise (JSUP) is gearing up for its sophomore live recording, titled The Ultimate Worship Experience, Part II. The evening of worship will take place at 5pm on October 4, 2014, at St. James Free Baptist Church in Baltimore, MD.  Songstress Michelle Prather of Kurt Carr and the Kurt Carr Singers will make a special guest appearance.

JSUP is no stranger to the gospel music scene.  The choir’s debut CD, Taking It to the Streetz, was released in 2005.  In 2011, the aggregation released Ultimate Worship Experience Live, which featured the songs “Healing Rain,” “Majesty,” “Holy is the Lord,” and “God is Here.”

Tickets for Saturday’s event are available at www.anjelicarecords.com and John 3:16 Christian Bookstore in Lanham.  For more information about JSUP, visit jsuplive.com.

2014 'Wilson Idol' competition to feature Shirley Caesar as guest judge

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Now here’s a local competition with national flair.

On September 27, twenty-eight talented Wilson Idol hopefuls will vy for the chance to win $1000, a trophy, an appearance in the onstage production of award-winning Mildred Summerville play “Spare the Rod, Spoil the Child,” and an opportunity to perform for the Queen of Gospel, Pastor Shirley Caesar.

Here’s the topper: Gospel’s queen will be there in person as guest judge.  The 11-time Grammy winner will be joined by fellow judges Dr. Brooksie Harrington, Calvin Suggs, Danny Howell, Lamont Hamilton, and Dr. Mildred Summerville.

GMF’s Libra Boyd and Justin Barbour will serve as the hosts for the evening.

The Wilson Idol talent show is sponsored by Summerville Promotion and Production Company to give residents of Wilson, NC (ages 10 and up) an opportunity to showcase their talents in the areas of solo music, band/group music, dance/step, and acting.  The first Wilson Idol competition was held last year, and the WTT Majestic Choir earned top prize.

Regarding the event’s purpose, Dr. Summerville expresses:

Wilson is where I was born and raised, giving it a special place in my heart. I have a great passion to reach out and save the youth through innovative ideas.  I believe that when children are given an opportunity to express themselves through performing arts they attend school more regularly, earn higher grades and test scores, have better social and communication skills, have better relationships with their parents, and have higher self-esteem.  My mission is to encourage all Wilson County students to stay in school (graduate) and to further their education or enroll in post-secondary [institutions]. Additionally, Wilson Idol is designed to bring unity in the community by building a solid arts foundation that will serve all ages and ethnicities through the performing arts. 

Event Details
Saturday, Sept. 27, 2014
5pm (doors open at 4)
Fike High School Auditorium
500 Harrison Drive
Wilson, NC 27893

Tickets are $12 in advance ($17 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.   

Vintage music of two NC quartets featured on Swedish producer’s compilation CD

The Gospel Harmanaires of Oxford and The Carolina Kings of Henderson have songs on a compilation that highlights gospel music from 1959-1962. 


Best of Revelation Records, 1959-1962 cd artBy Libra Boyd
Gospel Music Fever

The year was 2005.  It’s the year Sweden-based producer Per “Slim” Notini began collecting vinyl singles recorded on Bobby Robinson’s short-lived small, independent record label called Revelation Records.  Notini continued to unearth gems over the years and from his treasure has now produced and released a 27-track disc entitled Best of Revelation Records, 1959-1962,for NarroWay Records.  Among the singers featured on the golden era CD compilation are two NC quartets, The Gospel Harmanaires of Oxford with “Too Close” and The Carolina Kings of Henderson with “What A Blessing.”

“Too Close,” featuring James Thornton and bass singer Ray Gill on lead, takes off in uptempo fashion.  It’s a contrast to Alex Bradford’s composition of the same name, which was popularized by quartets like the Brooklyn Allstars and the Five Blind Boys of Alabama. 

A few tracks later, paradoxical to its title, “What A Blessing” opens noticeably somber with organ and the tremolo-heavy guitar of the song’s writer, George Hargrove.  Soon enough though, listeners are captured by Lonnie Heggie’s resonant tenor and the sturdy backing vocals of The Kings.  Not unusual for songs of the era, the track length falls 15 seconds short of the three-minute mark.  Given the immediate attention the music and vocals command despite the song’s brevity, “What A Blessing” sounds like it might have been a perfect opening number for The Kings’ concerts.

The CD is accompanied by essay liner notes and photos compiled and composed by Notini about Revelation Records, Bobby Robinson, and the label‘s producer John Bowden.  The essay also contains photos and bios on most of the featured artists.  Notini says he regrets not having any information about the Harmanaires and The Kings at the time his notes were written.  Scouring the Internet yielded no biographical information on either group.

Hargrove, the founder and only surviving original member of The Carolina Kings, talked with GMF about his group’s 61-year history (the group was formed in 1952) and original members (General Rainey, Goodrich Rainey, Prince Moore, William Nowell, and Hargrove). He also recalls appearing frequently on programs with The Gospel Harmanaires, but he believes all the group’s members have now passed on.

Hargrove is thrilled that his group’s music has been preserved and presented in this format.  This is just one of at least 27 reasons Best of Revelation Records, 1959-1962 is a gospel collector’s joy.  If not for the efforts of Per “Slim” Notini, such gems would very likely remain hidden from the present-day generation of traditional gospel enthusiasts.

Melvin, Doug Williams & family mourn passing of matriarch, Amanda Williams

Join GMF in extending condolences to the Williams family in the passing of their matriarch, Amanda “Mom” Williams.  She was 94 years old.

A guiding force in the lives of her ten children, she and her husband Leon “Pop” Williams (d. 1989) nurtured their musical talents at southern Mississippi’s Rose Hill Missionary Baptist Church. Sons Huey and Frank became members of The Jackson Southernaires. Frank eventually organized the Mississippi Mass Choir.  Leonard, Melvin, and Doug (along with family friend Henry Green) comprised The Williams Brothers.  Some of the other children entered the music field on the business side.

While there is sadness over “Mom” Williams’ transition, there most certainly must also be rejoicing over her blessed life and rich legacy.

Photo from Facebook profile of Linder Banks Williams

Earnest Pugh to drop new EP Sept. 2

Earnest Pugh is all set to release his new EP, Just Worship, Tuesday, September 2, which features five of his most-loved worship songs recorded “live.”  The project’s first radio single is “Alpha & Omega.”

Alex Hobbs, son of Al "The Bishop" Hobbs, dies just weeks after father

Bob Marovich of The Journal of Gospel Music reports the unexpected passing Alex Hobbs (left), whose tragic death comes barely one month after the passing of his father, music industry veteran Al “The Bishop” Hobbs.

Alex, an active duty serviceman, was present with his siblings at their father’s tribute services about two weeks ago and could be seen riding along on the horse and carriage that escorted their father to be interred.

GMF extends condolences to the family during this shocking and difficult time. Read more at JGM.