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Brooklyn Tabernacle Choir to perform at 57th Presidential Inauguration

Long before the recent presidential election
was decided, U.S. Senator Charles E. Schumer (Democrat-NY and Chairman of the
2013 Joint Congressional Committee on Inaugural Ceremonies) selected The
Brooklyn Tabernacle Choir to perform its new rendition of “The Battle Hymn of
the Republic” at the official ceremony of the 57th Presidential
Inauguration scheduled to take place on the steps of the U.S. Capitol on
January 21, 2013.
“I’m pleased to invite The Brooklyn
Tabernacle Choir to perform at the 57th Inauguration in
January,” Schumer said this past June when he announced the choir’s addition to
the program. “As a frequent visitor to their wonderful congregation I know from
first-ear experience how amazing this choir is, and I know they will wow the
whole nation, too.”
The novel rendition of “The Battle Hymn of the
Republic” was arranged by the choir’s founder, Carol Cymbala, and its music
director, Jason Michael Webb, with majestic
orchestral accompaniment that’s punctuated with innovative new harmonies while
maintaining the classic feel of one of America’s most beloved anthems. Alicia Olatuja, a
mezzo-soprano who has performed at Carnegie Hall, leads the song.  It will be bundled with the rousing new
anthem “Let Your Kingdom Come” (led by Brandon Camphor), as an iTunes (and other online music retailers)
digital download and made available to the public on January 15th. Both tunes
are featured on the choir’s forthcoming spring CD release Love Lead The Way
– its 28th recorded album.
The 300-voice choir is a blend of ethnic and
economic backgrounds, with members ranging from lawyers and doctors to former
drug addicts.  Over the years, the
choir has performed at major venues such as Radio City Music Hall and Madison
Square Garden.  Visit http://www.brooklyntabernacle.org
for more information on the choir.  Meanwhile, you can also take a listen to “The Battle Hymn of the Republic” below.



 

Help the Barrett Sisters release their long-awaited documentary film

For more than 60 years, Delois Barrett Campbell and The Barrett Sisters have performed gospel music throughout the United States and overseas.  They have made media appearances with Johnny Carson, Patti LaBelle, and Oprah Winfrey and are counted among pioneers in gospel music alongside Thomas A. Dorsey, Mahalia Jackson, Roberta Martin, Theodore Frye, and Sallie Martin.  Still, perhaps you know them best from their performance in the critically acclaimed movie Say Amen, Somebody. 
 
One remaining dream for the renowned 80-something year-olds is the release of The Sweet Sisters of Zion: Delois Barrett Campbell and the Barrett Sisters, the long-anticipated documentary film tracing their extensive careers and contributions to gospel music through rare performance footage and interviews with sisters Delois, Billie, Rodessa and others.
 
But the Barrett Sisters need the help of their family, friends, fans, and well-wishers around the world.
 
The film is finished; however, expenses for its release are mounting and your financial support is much needed.  Your contributions will pay for the costs of filming, packaging, promoting, and distributing the independently produced movie, as well as hosting a premiere screening in Chicago on February 16, 2013.
 
Go to www.indiegogo.com/TheBarrettSisters to make your contribution, claim your thank-you gift(s), watch sneak peeks, and stay updated throughout the campaign.
 

This documentary is sure to be treasured for generations to come as a commemorative piece of gospel music history about one of the genre’s greatest female trios.

 

Charles McLean of the Gospel Keynotes has died

Rev. Charles McLean, formerly of the Gospel Keynotes, died today.  He was 69 years old.

Rev. McLean was born in Greensboro (NC) in 1943. He joined the Keynotes in 1979 and remained with the group through 1984, when he departed to focus on his own ministry.
GMF sends condolences to Rev. McLean’s family and to the quartet community.  He will be remembered as one of the great falsetto singers in quartet music.

Arrangements are as follows:

Musical Tribute
Thursday, January 10th at 7 PM

Homegoing Service
Friday, January 11th at 10 AM

Both services will be at Gospel Temple Church Of God In Christ, 4121 Thurmond Road, Conley, GA 30288.  Meadows Mortuary in Atlanta is in charge of arrangements.

Men of Standard’s Pierce takes helm as senior pastor of Greensboro’s Mt. Zion Baptist

Bryan Pierce, Sr. of the Stellar Award winning group Men of Standard has been named the Senior Pastor and CEO of Mt. Zion Baptist Church in Greensboro, NC.  The “Passing of the Torch” service took place New Year’s Eve at Mt. Zion.  Bishop George W. Brooks, who has been the church’s senior pastor for more than 31 years, is now Pastor Emeritus.

Pierce started preaching at age six and was licensed at nine.  Since being ordained at the age of 19, he has served in the capacity of Youth Pastor at Greater St. Stephens Full Gospel Baptist Church under Bishop Paul Morton, Sr. and as Senior Pastor of Bethel Baptist Church Ministries in Kannapolis, NC.  In June 2011, he became the Chief Administrative Officer at Mt. Zion Baptist Church where he served until his appointment to senior pastor there.

In addition to his pastoral duties, Pierce is a noted songwriter, arranger and producer.

‘Happy New Year’ and ‘Thank You’ from GMF’s Libra Boyd

Happy New Year to each of you! 

I take this time to thank you so much for your support, prayers, and well wishes throughout 2012.  Thank you for your interest in GMF; you have been reading, commenting, and telling others about the blog.  Many of you have also submitted wonderful music: thank you, and keep it coming!
You are the reason GMF is a 2013 Rhythm of Gospel Award nominee for Internet Media Group of the Year.  Thank you to all who are voting; your frequent votes through March 1, 2013 are appreciated. (Vote here and vote often.)
As we enter into this new year, let’s keep moving forward with great expectations for God, self, and the advancement of gospel music.
Libra Boyd, Founder & Editor
Gospel Music Fever

GMF Editor’s Top 10 Picks of 2012

By Libra Boyd
Gospel Music Fever

This year has been another filled with great gospel music.  As I look forward to 2013 ushering in more of the same, I revisit the best ten songs to have come across the GMF desk during 2012.  The following short list includes only the songs I have reviewed and featured on GMF this year.

“Awesome God”
Maurette Brown Clark

“I Call Him Mine”
Daphney Hilton

“Don’t Forget About Me”
Cat Cole

“Turn It Around”
Tim Rogers & The Fellas feat. John P. Kee

“Can’t Live”
Genita Pugh

“How Glorious and Excellent Is Our God”
Freda Battle & The Temple Worshippers feat. Rodney Posey

“Hosanna“
Joyceland McCaster and Victorious Soul

“Burn It All Down”
Lexi 

“Imagine Me”
Alexis Spight

“I Still Have A Praise Inside of Me”
Georgia Mass Choir

Inez Andrews Homegoing Recap

Yolanda Adams, Smokie Norful, and the Caravans were among those who gathered to remember Inez Andrews Friday at Apostolic Church of God in Chicago.  Andrews, a towering force and soaring voice in the famous Caravans, passed December 19, at age 83.

Dave Hoekstra of the Chicago Sun-Times provided a well-written recap (click here), and award-winning photographer David Spearman captured photos of the service (view the gallery here).  He also shared footage (click here), during which Pastor Shirley Caesar comforts the family with stirring and uplifting remarks following the Caravans’ musical numbers (“May the Work I’ve Done Speak for Me,” “Jesus Is the Best Thing That Ever Happened to Me,” and “Lord, Keep Me Day by Day”).

"Salute to the High Priestess"

Milton Brunson’s Thompson Community Singers minister at the memorial musical for Inez Andrews of the Caravans, Thursday night at Chicago’s Apostolic Church of God. The homegoing will be at the church Friday at 11am.