Blog

You could be the next producer and/or writer for GI’s new album

If you have talent, read on.
If
you are a music producer and/or songwriter, here is your chance to have
your work possibly featured on Stellar & Dove Award nominated trio
GI’s next album!! GI is looking for creative, original material to be
used for their upcoming album!



Read the official statement from GI below:



“Good people! We are excited to announce that this week we start on our 3rd album! We’re looking for producers/songwriters for our new album.



If you think you’ve got what it takes send your HOTTEST and most ORIGINAL tracks (it can be music/or music & lyrics) to bgamusicgroup@gmail.com.  If
you are only a songwriter, email your contact information and the label
will send you tracks to write to. Any questions on style, direction,
etc. can also be emailed. This opportunity will only be available from April 3rd to May 3rd, so be sure to hurry and get you submissions in! Also, be sure to include your contact information (name, phone number, and email address) when submitting material.”

It's GMF's Second Anniversary!

Today GMF celebrates two years of being your “red hot spot for all things gospel,” and I am deeply thankful for the support of every subscriber, reader, artist, media colleague, and social media follower.

As we enter into year three, continue to keep GMF lifted as we keep on uplifting and advancing gospel music.  As the old hymn line goes, “Every round goes higher and higher.”

With heartfelt gratitude,

Libra Boyd, Founder & Editor
2013 Rhythm of Gospel Nominee – Internet Media Group of the Year

"B A Beacon (Se' Un Faro)" – Everett Drake

“B A Beacon (Se’ Un Faro)”
Everett Drake
From the CD, Amen Goes Right There! (2011)
Dherico Music

Everett Drake cover art

It’s not often that you get to hear something like “B A Beacon (Se’ Un Faro)” from Everett Drake.  The reason is that he’s usually seen churning out more traditional tunes with Ambassador Dr. Bobby Jones and the Nashville Super Choir.  With songs like this quick-paced Latin jazz piece though, Drake shows that he’s quite capable of writing (along with the project’s producer Derrick Lee) and performing a diverse repertoire of gospel and inspirational music. 

Vocalist Kyla Jade and trumpeter Rod McGaha join Drake on “B A Beacon (Se’ Un Faro)” urging, “B A beacon, let your light shine!” 

"The Blood" – Divas Redemption f. Paul Smith

“The Blood”
Divas Redemption featuring Paul Smith
From the CD, I Finally Made It (2010)
Jay St. Records

Divas Redemption

Alternating staccato lines and the promise of victory in Jesus Christ are the highlights of Divas Redemption featuring Paul Smith’s performance of the Benny Hill-penned ballad “The Blood” from their CD, I Finally Made It.

Smith and the Divas (an acronym for Divinely Inspired Victoriously Appointed) melodically narrate the revelation of Jesus Christ to John of Patmos in such a way that one envisions the glorious scene of the first resurrection unfolding right before one’s eyes: “How John said he looked…and he saw a number that no man could number…”

Hailing from New Jersey, Divas Redemption featuring Paul Smith (of the Brower Brothers) continue on to testify that the Blood of Jesus “will set you free!”

Tracy Randall: Surviving Cancer & Prepping for Video Shoot of Single “It Feels Good”

((New York, NY)  Lavish Records artist Tracy Randall is heading south–not to escape the Big Apple’s cold spring–but to shoot a music video
for his inspiring new radio single “It Feels Good.” The song reflects
his upbeat attitude about life and his health. In 2006, he was diagnosed
with leukemia and after aggressive rounds of chemo and radiation
therapy, his doctors conceded defeat and gave him just months to live.
He fought back by strengthening his faith, changing his attitude and
improving his diet so that he could live to provide for his wife and
children. He says that still being alive makes him feel good and that’s
the message of his new feel good Jeep beat.

“I opened up my
eyes and thanked God for a new day,” Randall sings on the up-beat
R&B styled song. “I’ve been blessed in so many ways if I wanted to
write `em down there wouldn’t be enough pages.”

The song comes from his
sophomore CD Troubled Times that features fourteen tracks of what he
calls Rhythm & Gospel. “It’s gospel music,” Randall explains. “But
it has that urban R&B beat.” Visit https://soundcloud.com/tracy-randall/it-feels-good-so-good-tracy to stream the song on SoundCloud.

“I
don’t want people to think that I no longer have the illness,” Randall
says of the cancer. “I have pain and depression. There are times that
I don’t sleep for two days because I am afraid to sleep. However, my
faith has grown tremendously. I am still learning and growing. I still
get mad and ask God, `why me?’ If this can be gone from me, then let it
be. Yet, He touched my soul and I am still here. I am honored to speak
on his behalf as a servant. The fact that He can cancel out what man can
say about you, is pretty amazing.”

The video shoot by Regulus
Films & Entertainment begins Saturday, March 30 at 8 PM, at the
Koinonia Church, 1001 West Plant Street in Wintergarden, FL. Gary
Brown is the producer/video director and Alejandro Fuenmayor is the
videographer.

The Lake Charles, LA native grew up on a musical
diet of Donny Hathaway and Stevie Wonder. After completing his
undergraduate degree from LeMoyne-Owen College in Memphis, Randall was
signed to the Isley Brothers’ T-Neck/Island Records label. After
Universal/Polygram took over the company in 1999, he left to start
Lavish Records. He released his first gospel CD Sinners Have Souls Too
in 2007 and has done a lot of behind the scenes work in the music
industry. Randall co-wrote four songs on Shaggy’s Grammy Award nominated Summer in Kingston CD that reached #1 on Billboard’s Top Reggae
Albums chart in 2012.

“I Wish” – Determined

“I Wish”
Determined
From the CD, Still Determined (2012)
Vision Records

Determined

Tupelo, Mississippi’s quartet-styled group Determined makes good use of their gospel platform to address societal ills with “I Wish” from their 12-track CD Still Determined.

It’s not uncommon for the music of gospel singers to bespeak the times and hope for a better world.  The young group makes such a passionate plea throughout their easy-going musical presentation.

“I Wish” calls for social justice and unity in a society in which discord and hatred are rampant and far too many are still marginalized by pervasive systems of oppression.

Bennie J. Robinson, brother of Sis. Josephine James & Rev. Cleophus Robinson, passes

Dr. Patricia James-Holloway, daughter of Sister Josephine James, informed GMF that Bennie J. “Jay” Robinson passed away.  He was 91 years old and resided in Canton, MS.

Robinson was the brother of Sister James and Rev. Cleophus Robinson, Sr., both of whom were noted traditional gospel singers.

Visitation
Friday, March 22, 2013
3:00-7:00 PM
People’s Undertaking
Canton, MS

Homegoing
Saturday, March 23, 2013
2:00 PM
Mt. Zion Cobbsville Church
Canton, MS

GMF sends its prayers and condolences to the Robinson family during this time of transition.

"Lay Down Your Burdens" – Men of Virtuee

“Lay Down Your Burdens”
Men of Virtuee (2013)
Available at www.indieheaven.com

Men of Virtuee

Just this year, God gave Robert Lunsford, Jr. a vision to bring the singing ministry of his cousins to the forefront. They’ve been singing together for numerous years, but now he, Darnell Woods, Chuck Dixon, and George Pettiford have come together under the moniker Men of Virtuee (yes, with two e’s) to present a new single and concept video “Lay Down Your Burdens.”

Woods takes the lead on the mid-tempo contemporary single, inviting the downtrodden, discouraged, desperate, and disconnected to yield themselves and their life issues to Jesus and be set free.

For more information about the Roxboro, NC based group, peep www.menofvirtuee.com.

Check out the “Lay Down Your Burdens” video here.

"Happy birthday, Delois Barrett Campbell!"

GMF remembers the Royal Lady of Gospel, Delois Barrett Campbell, on what would be her 87th birthday.  Born March 12, 1926, Campbell was a prominent member of the Roberta Martin Singers for nearly 20 years and the lead singer of her sibling trio, The Barrett Sisters, who continue to perform.  Campbell passed August 2, 2011, at age 85.

For years, birthday musicals were hosted in her honor in Chicago and brought in singers and guests from far and near.

This year in February, The Barrett Sisters celebrated the release of a feature length documentary movie entitled The Sweet Sisters of Zion: Delois Barrett Campbell and The Barrett Sisters, detailing the extensive career and travels of the internationally recognized group.  GMF’s Libra Boyd talked with the film’s producer and director Regina Rene about the project.  Read the interview here.

“Happy birthday, Delois Barrett Campbell!'”