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Enjoy Mario Brown’s remake of the Donny Hathaway classic “This Christmas”

Boston, MA (December 20, 2012) – Gospel newcomer Mario Brown has recorded one of the all-time Christmas favorites, “This Christmas,” and is making it available to all.
Mario says 2012 “has been a great year. My album [The Mario Brown Project] has been released and I am surrounded by family and friends.”
“God has truly blessed me,” Mario reflects. “My gift to the community comes in song. ‘This Christmas’ has always been special to me so I give everyone the gift of my version of the classic.”
The singer, songwriter, and musician is signed with Bronx Bridge Entertainment, Inc. and F. Hammond Music.
Enjoy!
Related Story
“Glory” – Mario Brown

Inez Andrews of the Caravans: From Labor to Reward

GMF has learned from gospel singer Ron Barrett that “The High Priestess of Gospel” Inez Andrews passed today. Her health had been in decline for several months.  She was 83 years old.

Inez Andrews was a long-time member of the famous Caravans and continued to captivate audiences as recently as her appreciation musical this past September with her signature performance of “Mary Don’t You Weep.” (How she could tease us with her playful hesitance: “I don’t know, but I think I can call her”–Mary, that is–“a lil’ bit louder,” before letting out that piercing shriek, “MAAAARY!”)
Some of the singer/songwriter’s other popular songs with the Caravans were “I’m Not Tired Yet” and “I’m Willing to Wait.” As a solo artist, one of her biggest hits was “Lord, Don’t Move the Mountain.”  
In the 1990’s, Andrews earned a Stellar Award nomination for her album Raise Up A Nation. In 2002, she was inducted into the Gospel Music Hall of Fame. And, in what will now be a bittersweet tribute, she will be honored with the Ambassador Dr. Bobby Jones Legends Award at the 2013 Stellar Awards in January; she was selected for the award earlier this year. 
GMF’s heartfelt condolences and prayers are with Lady Andrews’ family, friends, and fans.

Services will be held at Apostolic Church of God, 6320 S. Dorchester Avenue, Chicago, IL 60637.


Musical
Thursday,
December 27, 2012
7 PM 
Homegoing Celebration
Friday,
December 28, 2012

11 AM

Visitation one hour prior

Churchy Christmas/Joy to the World – Beverly Crawford & JDI Christmas

Beverly Crawford and JDI Christmas
Churchy Christmas / Joy to the World
JDI Records (2012)
 
By Libra Boyd
 

You need not hear anything beyond this CD’s opening track to understand exactly why it’s called Churchy Christmas.

If your spirits need uplift this holiday season, Beverly Crawford and her labelmates at JDI Records have just what you need. Crawford herself kicks off Churchy Christmas with “Joy to the World,” a traditional Christmas carol recorded live in Dallas that she transforms into a high energy fire-starter. She’s backed by the 200-voice Antioch Fellowship Voices of Praise. (GMF recently shared the official video.)  The scorcher is followed by Shanika Bereal’s “Precious Lamb of God” and Gary Mayes and Nu Era’s “Don’t 4get the Baby,” featuring the sensational Nakitta Clegg Foxx (of the Kurt Carr Singers).  Both selections stand out beautifully for tenderly rendered vocals.

But it’s not just the ladies who deliver on this project.  Professor James Roberson ministers a flawless interpretation of the BeBe Winans ballad “I Wanna Be More,” and Patrick Lundy and The Ministers of Music sprinkle in some Yuletide funk with the bouncy “Emmanuel” (written by Cedric Thompson).  Earnest Pugh comes along and serenades the Savior on the jazzy “Hosanna” (which hints ever so slightly to Kool & the Gang’s “Joanna”), elevating the chorus after announcing, “I feel a key change in the house right here!” There’s still room for one more drive though, and that belongs to Chester D.T. Baldwin on “Go Tell It On the Mountain,” backed by a jubilant choir and band as he takes us on modulation after modulation.
 
Genita Pugh (“Holy to the Lamb”) and saxophonist Donald Hayes (“What Child Is This”) round out Churchy Christmas, making this CD one of the nicest and churchiest I’ve heard this season.
 
Favorites
“Joy to the World” – “Don’t 4get the Baby” – “Holy to the Lamb”

Fever Meter
SMOKIN’ (4 of 5 Stars)

GMF's Libra Boyd to be in-studio guest on WNCU's "Hallelujah Praise" – Dec. 16

Tune in to WNCU 90.7 FM this Sunday, December 16, at 8:30 AM EST.  GMF’s founder and editor Libra Boyd will be a live in-studio guest on the “Hallelujah Praise” show with co-host Carolyn Pettiford-Ryals.

“Hallelujah Praise” is broadcast every Sunday morning from the campus of North Carolina Central University. The program plays a mix of traditional gospel music, including oldies and new releases by local and national artists.

You can also stream live at www.wncu.org.

Tammy Edwards & The Edwards Sisters on Bobby Jones Gospel – Dec. 9

Tammy Edwards and the Edwards Sisters of Greenville, NC will make their national television debut this Sunday morning on Bobby Jones Gospel.  The show airs at 9 AM EST on BET.
The group’s current release is On the Right Road Now, on the 4 Winds Records/Malaco label.

GMF spotlighted Tammy Edwards and the Edwards Sisters in May 2012 for their hard-driving number “All Go Back.”  You can read our review here: “All Go Back” – Tammy Edwards and the Edwards Sisters.

Gospel Nominees for 55th Grammy Awards

Mary Mary, Tamela Mann, James Fortune, Israel Houghton, Fred Hammond, Marvin Sapp, and Lecrae are among those who got nods for the 55th Annual GRAMMY Awards.  The show airs February 10, 2013, on CBS.  The gospel categories are below.  See www.grammy.com for the complete list of nominees.
Best Gospel/Contemporary Christian Music Performance


“Jesus, Friend Of Sinners”


Casting Crowns
Track from: Come To The Well
[Beach Street/Reunion Records]
 

“Take Me To The King”


Tamela Mann
[Tillymann Music Group]
 

“Go Get It”


Mary Mary
[Columbia Records]
 

“10,000 Reasons (Bless The Lord)”


Matt Redman
Track from: 10,000 Reasons
[sixstepsrecords/Sparrow Records]
 

“My Testimony”


Marvin Sapp
Track from: I Win
[Verity Gospel Music Group]
 
Best Gospel Song



“Go Get It”

Erica Campbell, Tina Campbell & Warryn Campbell, songwriters (Mary Mary)
[Columbia; Publishers: EMI April Music, It’s Tea Tyme, That’s Plum Song, Wet Ink Red Music]
 

“Hold On”


Cheryl Fortune, James Fortune & Terence Vaughn, songwriters (James Fortune & FIYA, Monica & Fred Hammond)
Track from: Identity
[Light Records/eOne Music]

 

“I Feel Good”
Phillip Feaster, Fred Hammond, Jonathan Miller & Calvin Rodgers, songwriters (Fred Hammond)
Track from: God, Love & Romance
[Verity Gospel Music Group;
Publishers: fHammond Music/Bridge Bldg Music/CJMS Music/Music Feast
Productions/Jonathan Miller Publishing]

 


“My Testimony”


Aaron Lindsey & Marvin Sapp, songwriters (Marvin Sapp)
Track from: I Win
[Verity Gospel Music Group; Publishers: Universal Music-Brentwood Benson Songs/Marvin L. Sapp Music/Ardent Media]

 


“Released”

Donald Lawrence, songwriter (Bill Winston & Living Word Featuring Donald Lawrence)
[Source Media; Publisher: Quiet Water Ent.]
 
Best Contemporary Christian Music Song
“Jesus, Friend Of Sinners”


Mark Hall & Matthew West, songwriters (Casting Crowns)
Track from: Come To The Well
[Beach Street/Reunion Records]
 

“10,000 Reasons (Bless The Lord)”


Jonas Myrin & Matt Redman, songwriters (Matt Redman)
Track from: 10,000 Reasons
[sixstepsrecords/Sparrow
Records; Publishers: Thankyou Music/sixsteps Music/worshiptogether.com
Songs/Said And Done Music/Shout! Publishing]
 

“When Mercy Found Me”


Jeff Pardo & Rhett Walker, songwriters (Rhett Walker Band)
Track from: Come To The River
[Essential Records; Publishers: Sony ATV Music, Ships In A Bottle/Simple Tense Songs]
 

“White Flag”


Jason Ingram, Matt Maher, Matt Redman & Chris Tomlin, songwriters (Passion & Chris Tomlin)
Track from: White Flag
[sixstepsrecords/Sparrow
Records; Publishers: sixsteps Music/worshiptogether.com Songs/Vamos
Publishing/Said And Done Music/Valley of the Songs Music/Sony ATV Timber
Publishing/West Main Music/Windsor Hill Music/Thankyou Music]
 

“Your Presence Is Heaven”


Israel Houghton & Micah Massey, songwriters (Israel & New Breed)
Track from: Jesus At The Center Live
[Integrity Music; Publishers: Integrity’s Praise! Music/Sound of the New Breed, Regenerate Music]

Best Gospel Album



Identity


James Fortune & FIYA
[Light Records/eOne Music]

 


Jesus At The Center Live

Israel & New Breed
[Integrity Music]

 


Gravity


Lecrae
[Reach Records]

 


I Win


Marvin Sapp
[Verity Gospel Music Group]

 


Worship Soul

Anita Wilson
[EMI Gospel]

 

Best Contemporary Christian Music Album


Come To The Well


Casting Crowns
[Beach Street/Reunion Records]

 


Where I Find You

Kari Jobe
[Sparrow Records]
 

Gold


Britt Nicole
[Sparrow Records]
 

Eye On It


TobyMac
[ForeFront Records]
 

Into The Light


Matthew West

[Sparrow Records]

Maurice Culpepper, noted choir director, has passed

GMF is sad to report that Minister Maurice Culpepper, founder and director of the Showers of Blessings Choir, passed away Sunday morning.

Culpepper was a well-known and respected minister of music, having shared his gifts with several choirs and churches, including the Praise Power Fellowship Choir, Citadel of Hope Evangelistic Church Of God In Christ, and Decatur’s New Piney Grove Missionary Baptist Church.  Additionally, he and his singing aggregation, the Maurice Culpepper Singers, provided background vocals for Juanita Bynum’s 2006 gold-selling album, A Piece of My Passion.

GMF extends condolences to his wife Tina and to the entire Culpepper family, as well as to his many friends.

Homegoing arrangements will be announced by Gus Thornhill’s Funeral Home, Inc. of East Point, GA. 

GMF Sightings – Thomas "Butch" Cobbs, Founding Member of the Gospel Persuaders

GMF’s Libra Boyd and Thomas Cobbs
I had the privilege to worship with the God’s Temple Holiness Church family in celebration of Pastor Mary Cobbs’ anniversary Saturday night. It was a pleasant surprise to learn that her husband is Deacon Thomas “Butch” Cobbs, founding member of the Gospel Persuaders. He appeared equally surprised to learn that I own one of the group’s popular 1980’s 45 singles, “God Will Take Care of You.”

The Gospel Persuaders were a traditional quartet group from the Danville, VA area that traveled nationally during the zenith of their music career. In addition to being the founder and guitarist, Cobbs was the group’s chief songwriter. Among the Persuaders’ most popular tunes was their gospelized cover of “You’ve Got A Friend.”