Tag: Gospel Keynotes

R.I.H. Jeffrey Newberry, Sr., of The Gospel Keynotes

By Libra Boyd, Editor in Chief

Rise Again vinyl LP cover (1980). Jeffrey Newberry is pictured at the top center of the album artwork.
Rise Again vinyl LP cover (1980). Jeffrey Newberry is pictured at the top center of the album artwork.

GMF joins the gospel music community in mourning the passing of Jeffrey Newberry, Sr., who transitioned December 14, 2025. He was 69.

Newberry joined the Gospel Keynotes in the late 1970s under the leadership of the late Willie Neal Johnson, the group’s organizer and frontman. His bass-baritone voice and charisma were featured on several of the group’s popular songs, including “Rise Again,” “Hold On (Just A Little While Longer),” and “Ain’t No Stopping Us Now,” the title song of their Grammy-nominated album.

At the time of his passing, Newberry was carrying the torch with his eponymous group, Jeffrey Newberry & The Keynotes.

A Celebration of Life service took place Saturday, December 20th, at Lighthouse Worship Center in Fort Lauderdale, FL. Present and past members of the Keynotes, along with Newberry’s grandchildren and son, Jeffrey Newberry, Jr., were among those who rendered musical tributes during the nearly three-hour service. Former Keynote Larry McCowin shared lively reflections and presented a resolution to the family on behalf of the group.

In tribute to his father, Jamaque Newberry emotionally described him as “a presence like no other” with “a voice like velvet,” who “sparked us with a light in all of us to be the best that we can be.”

GMF extends sincere condolences to the entire Newberry family.

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.

GMF Sightings – Keynotes’ Guitarist Val Alexander

 
 
 
GMF sighted Val Alexander, longtime guitarist and member of Willie Neal Johnson and the Gospel Keynotes, this weekend at New Hope Person Baptist Church in Timberlake, NC.  Alexander traveled with the quartet (whose notable songs include “Show Me the Way” and “Jesus, You’ve Been Good to Me”) approximately 25 years.  Currently, he performs with Mattie Alston (also known as “The Dipping Lady”) and the Voices of Praise from Greensboro.

Funeral Services for Alfred “Gino” Smith of the Gospel Keynotes

Thanks to TBGB for passing along arrangements for Alfred “Gino” Smith, baritone singer for the Gospel Keynotes.  Smith passed Saturday, April 2, 2011, in Rochester, NY.

The funeral is today, Saturday, April 9, at 11am, at Rock of Ages-Christ Good Shepherd Church.  The church is on 1000 Winton Road North in Rochester.  Interment will be in Falls Cemetery.  Memories Funeral Home is in charge of the service.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be sent to:
The Family of Alfred “Gino” Smith
c/o Memories Funeral Home
1005 Hudson Avenue
Rochester, NY 14621-3739

He is survived by his wife, Pat; three sisters; two brothers; six grandchildren; and one great-grandchild.

Passings Within the Quartet Community

GMF is sad to report that Alfred “Gino” Smith, baritone singer for the Gospel Keynotes passed away this weekend.

Also, Willie Claud Ligon, younger brother of The Mighty Clouds of Joy’s lead singer and original member Joe Ligon, has passed away.

GMF offers its condolences.  Please uplift their families and friends in prayer during this time.