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GMF wins 2013 Rhythm of Gospel Award for Internet Media Group of the Year

Gospel Music Fever emerged from a category of nine nominees to win Internet Media Group of the Year at this weekend’s 5th Annual Rhythm of Gospel Awards.  The festivities were held in Jacksonville, FL.


“It’s a blessing to be recognized by your readers and industry colleagues for your efforts to advance gospel music and uplift its artists,” comments Libra Boyd, GMF’s founder and editor. “It’s truly a rewarding feeling, and I am thankful.” 

According to the organization, The Rhythm of
Gospel Awards is the “Official & The Largest” Independent Gospel
Show, giving independent gospel artists both a national platform and a
positive collaboration.  The national televised awards show is an annual
event that brings in over 6,500 artists, churches, and media groups throughout
the USA, Canada, and Bahamas.

Gospel Music Fever was founded in spring 2011.  Since its inception, Libra has been the blog’s chief writer and editor, publishing news, articles, interviews, and reviews covering every
style and era of gospel music. 
Accordingly, GMF has grown in popularity and name
recognition among gospel music’s fans and followers.

A complete list of winners is available on The Black Gospel Blog.

__________________________
Editor’s Note: Thanks to the National Independent Gospel Music Association (N.I.G.M.A.) and all persons who took part in the voting process.

I am also grateful to the following organizations and contributors that helped make travel to Florida possible: 

Penn Avenue Baptist Church

Pastor W.S. Darby & Penn Avenue Baptist Church
Mr. James Bailey
Mr. Anthony Moore
Mr. Dwight Thorpe

"Gotta Believe in Me" [Audio] – Ebony Archer

“Gotta Believe in Me”
Ebony Archer
From the upcoming EP, The Breakthrough (Fall 2013)
www.ebony-archer.com

Ebony Archer Gotta Believe in Me art work
Here’s one to sing to yourself in the mirror every morning: “Doesn’t matter if I fall / Gonna make it through it all / For now I see / Gotta believe in me!”  Better yet, let gospel and inspirational pop artist Ebony Archer sing it for you; she has the chops as well as the infectious dance track to go with it. “Gotta Believe in Me” is part of her forthcoming five-track EP, The Breakthrough.

The Chicago singer, who’s a former member of Walt Whitman and the Soul Children, says that “the message of this song is to let everyone know that in order to reach your dreams, you must believe in yourself first, in order to make them come true.”

At 21 years of age, Ebony doesn’t just talk the talk.  In addition to singing, she is an author and the executive producer of Youth Speak Out TV Show.  She also has plans to film and produce her first documentary this year.

"The Medley" [Audio] – Connection!

“The Medley”
Connection! (2013)
Redeemed Records
Available on Amazon

Connection artwork
The group of young men from Houston known as Connection! makes good use of a medley to showcase clean vocals, slick production, and the ability to drop some good music on both contemporary and traditional gospel quartet fans.
 
Simply called “The Medley,” Connection! starts with ‘”Heaven is My Goal” followed by “Running (99 1/2 Won’t Do),” both of moderate tempo and R&B/soul feel, before diving into the hand-clapper “Hold On.”
 
Since the group’s formation in 2000, Connection! has gotten much attention, including racking up a pair of Rhythm of Gospel Award nominations.

Tributes to Norwood, Hayes at the Rhythm of Gospel Awards – July 26, 2013

Click to enlarge

Among the many events taking place at the 2013 Rhythm of Gospel Awards are musical tributes to Evangelist Dorothy Norwood and Bishop Charles Hayes.

Norwood’s career spans more than six decades and includes tenures with the famous Caravans and the Dorothy Norwood Singers, along with renown as a solo artist and “Gospel’s Greatest Storyteller.”

Bishop Hayes is the founder and pastor of Cosmopolitan Church of Prayer on Chicago’s South Side.  He is also the founder of the Cosmopolitan Church of Prayer Choir (also known as The Warriors), which has recorded more than 30 albums including the choir smash “Jesus Can Work It Out.”

The midnight musical starts at 10:30 PM on Friday, July 26, at Downtown Wyndham Jacksonville Riverwalk Hotel. Tickets are available either in advance ($15) or at the door ($20).

"You Are" – Patricia Leigh

“You Are”
Patricia Leigh
From the CD, The L.I.F.E. Project (2013)
Poieo Music
www.iampatricialeigh.com

Patricia Leigh cover art
“You Are” from Patricia Leigh’s current release, The L.I.F.E. Project, is a great example of her self-described sound, “polyethnic sophisti-pop soul.”
 
The tune is lively: heavy on synths and drums.  And though it somewhat deviates from the contemporary gospel vibe to which many are acquainted, it’s Patricia’s warm alto that so effortlessly proclaims, “Because You are, I am” that makes it obvious she’s found her niche.
 
Patirica is a graduate of Oakwood University (also the alma mater of Take 6, Brian McKnight, and Committed), and has shared the stage several industry notables including Donnie McClurkin, CeCe Winans, and Lamar Campbell.

2013 Rhythm of Gospel Awards gets underway this week – July 24-28

GMF is nominated for Internet Media Group of the Year

Click to enlarge for more info & list of performers

(Jacksonville, FL)  All roads lead to Jacksonville, FL this week for the 5th Annual Rhythm Of Gospel Awards. The televised awards show is an annual event filled with a variety of innovative and exciting showcases and achievement galas–bringing in over 6,500 excited tourists, church, social and civic groups, families and business professionals throughout the entire USA, Canada, and Bahamas.

Gospel Music Fever is honored to be among this year’s nominees for Internet Media Group of the Year.

The Rhythm of Gospel Awards is the “Official & The Largest” Independent Gospel Show, giving independent gospel artists both a national platform and a positive collaboration, which supports artists of all ethnicities in various genres of gospel music. This year’s event will spotlight 54 categories of recognition and will honor 16 distinguished pastors, national & independent gospel artists, and radio personalities–giving them the opportunity to network formally while congratulating trailblazers from various sectors of the community and music industry. 

Click to picture above for more information and a list of performers.

The Call My Answer – Zone Of The Trinity

Zone Of The Trinity
The Call My Answer (EP)
Indie (2013)
Available on iTunes

Zone of the TrinityBy Libra Boyd
Gospel Music Fever

Jesse Crosby Mantey aka Zone Of The Trinity is sharing his message with others through the release of his three-track EP, The Call My Answer.
 
Zone Of The Trinity is originally from Ghana (currently living in NJ) and cultivated his singing and songwriting talents under the influence of the country’s contemporary gospel movement.
 
Each of the three songs on The Call My Answer move along at a moderately slow tempo, which is suitable for the reflective nature of the lyrics. “Doubting Castle” is a plea for God to remove doubt and restore a heart of faith; and it’s in “I Can’t Run Away Anymore” that Zone Of The Trinity likens himself to Jonah, acknowledging that he can neither void nor avoid the call of God on his life. The final track, “I’m So Ready” can be considered the resolution to the inner conflict revealed through the first two songs, the embracing of God’s will: “I’m so ready for You / I’m willing for You / I’m ready for Your spirit to fill me…”
 
Both Zone Of The Trinity’s vocal and musical presentations are simple. No frills. And I think that’s fine with him. At his core, he is a unique solo artist who combines African and American sounds with the desire to bring us inside his journey from the call to his answer, hence, The Call My Answer.

“Won’t Be Like This Always” [Audio] – PreZ Blackmon II

“Won’t Be Like This Always”
PreZ Blackmon II (2013)
Available on iTunes

In light of all that’s going on in our society and throughout the country, PreZ Blackmon II’s “Won’t Be Like This Always” has arrived just in time to point us to brighter days. 
Though the Cali singer/songwriter does not speak directly to societal ills through his single, he soulfully delivers an earnest message of encouragement applicable to a majority; that is, anyone from any walk of life who is searching for their cloud’s silver lining.

“Won’t Be Like This Always”–described by PreZ as “old school with a new school twist”–features guitar work by Agape Jerry and production by Patrick Bolton.