Tag: Media

R&B and Gospel songwriter Alvin Garrett pens anthem, ‘Something’s Different This Time,’ amid racial tensions

Alvin GarrettBIRMINGHAM, Ala., June 18, 2020 /PRNewswire/ — Grammy®-nominated songwriter, Alvin Garrett, has written and produced the theme song for today’s racial and social justice issues in America with his new single, “Something’s Different This Time.” With classic soul style and a passionate sound for racial justice reminiscent of Motown in the 1960s, “Something’s Different This Time” harnesses the cry for change within its melodies this Black Music Month.
 
As digital streams and social media shares grow steadily, “Something’s Different This Time” sounds the alarm that America and the world will not be the same – not after the death of Mr. George Floyd, a black man who was killed by Minneapolis police while pleading, “I can’t breathe,” and the racial protests around the world that followed. With public feedback ranging from “This time, it has to be different” to “We all feel so breathless,” Garrett’s fans agree.
 
“This song says what most people are consciously or subconsciously thinking and feeling in regards to the racial tensions in our country right now,” says Garrett. “At times like these, I choose to write songs and make music to capture and communicate my heart and soul.” “Something’s Different This Time” will be featured on Garrett’s upcoming EP entitled, The Awakening, set for release everywhere on July 15, 2020. 
 
 
Garrett plans to continue the conversation beyond the single with students in his innovative song therapy program, The Write Life with Alvin Garrett. Co-sponsored by The Dannon Project, The Write Life with Alvin Garrett uses music to teach life management skills, effective communication, and other tools to youth in the criminal justice system who need a second chance to win at the game of life.
 
As an award-winning songwriter, Alvin Garrett’s incomparable penmanship can be found on R&B songs by Kelly Rowland, Fantasia, Joe, Johnny Gill, Ruben Studdard, Noel Gourdin, and more. In gospel music, the accomplished songwriter has penned songs for the likes of Deitrick Haddon, Trin-I-Tee 5:7, Alexis Spight, Lowell Pye, and Darwin Hobbs. In these two genres alone, Garrett has earned a Grammy® Award nomination, a Soul Train Music Award, a GMA Dove Award, and a Stellar Gospel Music Award nomination. Most recently, Garrett was featured as a guest artist on WBRC Fox 6/Good Day Alabama for “Alabama Strong,” a statewide tribute to encourage Alabamians during the COVID-19 pandemic shutdown. 
 

Follow Alvin Garrett’s musical journey at alvingarrett.com.

– From a media release

U.K. gospel artist Seth Pinnock releases new worship music and visuals in times of global pandemic

UK singer-songwriter Seth Pinnock serves up a timely video with his gospel group, A New Thing, following the highly anticipated release of their sophomore album, A New Thing Live, earlier last year. The latest release offers Christian crowds much needed hope and faith-filled focus during the current, challenging climate of the coronavirus pandemic. 

“If My People” draws directly from scripture, II Chronicles, and hosts the considerable vocal skills and dulcet tones of upcoming worship artist, Lucy Grimble, also based in the UK. Showcasing a softer, devotional vibe, “If My People” offers itself as a communal prayer, leading our hearts back to a posture of humility as we face these unprecedented times, trusting God to be the only one to offer
resolution. 

Beginning the year in nationwide prayer during the heavily attended “Headstart New Year’s Prayer Week,” a signature Christian event run through his charitable organization called Symphony Co, and off the back of a postponed three month tour originally scheduled for this spring, Seth speaks of the pandemic and latest musical offerings:

We had planned the tour to begin this spring, however, within a week of starting, news of COVID-19 spread among the nation, resulting in us postponing what we were confident would be a significant move of worship and revival. I doubt there’s anybody that isn’t being impacted during this pandemic, whether through significant loss or affected by so much change and transition; so we thought long and hard as to what our offering should be during this time. Ultimately, this was the visual and sound we wanted to contribute to the noise worldwide – one of faith and firm assurance, that God remains in control. If ever there was a time to speak about the fullness of God, to turn our gaze towards Him and seek Him to heal our land, we felt this was it. We pray as a collective, the worship released encourages hearts and lifts spirits… 


Seth and A New Thing plan to reschedule the tour at the earliest convenience once the pandemic is over, gathering many churches and congregations nationwide into an immersive and impactful worship
experience once more. The new video can be found on Symphony Co’s YouTube channel with the song available to download on all major digital platforms, drawing many into a time of hope and peace during uncertainty. 
With its very simple yet
profound lyrics, “If My People” has been written as a call to prayer
for the global church. Given the worldwide crisis that is currently taking
place, there is an urgent need for prayer and this song does an excellent job instilling a new faith in the hearts of its listeners. Seth Pinnock enlisted the help of the outstanding
Lucy Grimble who is a renowned singer-songwriter within the CCM industry and
who also gives a heartwarming vocal performance on this track.
Lucy’s vocal delivery combined with Seth’s traditional gospel style
creates such a refreshing sound that captivates the listeners’ hearts both
musically and lyrically. This collaboration also exemplifies the unity that we
hope to inspire with this song.
 
– From a press release

Andrea René Williams debuts ‘Count It As Done’ lyric video

Enjoy this lyric video from Andrea René Williams titled, “Count It As Done.”

“‘Count It As Done’ was a song that came to me in two separate dreams,” says Williams, the song’s composer, arranger, producer and engineer. “The message and the music are so powerful to me. I don’t believe we realize what power we’ve been given as believers. Even in the climate of this current COVID-19 pandemic, we can use the word of God to speak healing and restoration over this nation and this world. We need to use the authority that the Lord gave us in Matthew 11:23 and speak to the mountains in our lives. We need to exercise our faith.”

Williams’ music résumé is robust.  In addition to being a gospel artist, she is a pianist, former GRAMMY Awards manager, former gospel music publicist, 2019 summa cum laude graduate of Berklee College of Music, and two-time 2020 WAMMIE Award nominee.

Official Video – “Unbelief” – Stephen King

 

Enjoy this official music video from Stephen King titled, “Unbelief.”  King is a rap/Christian hip hop artist, songwriter, and minister. 


 

“Worship While I Wait” – TaMyya J (Video)

 
Enjoy the live music video from TaMyya J called “Worship While I Wait.”  The song is written and produced by Michael M. Smith and is from TaMyya’s project, Love For Your Name.
 
 

Official Video – “Christmas Day” – Willard Yancey

 
Enjoy the official music video from Willard Yancey called “Christmas Day.”  The holiday single is produced and directed by Jeshua Yancey for JYM Productions. 

Celebrated documentary ‘Say Amen Somebody’ restored to 4K; chronicles rich history of gospel music

“SAY AMEN, SOMEBODY”
4K Restored Documentary Celebrates The Father of Gospel Music, Thomas Dorsey, 
Barrett Sisters, O’Neal Twins, Sallie Martin, Mother Willie Mae Ford Smith 
Explores Gospel’s Chicago Roots

The Barrett Sisters, L-R: Rodessa Porter, Delois Campbell, Billie GreenBey
One of the most acclaimed music documentaries of all time, Say Amen, Somebody is George Nierenberg’s masterpiece—a joyous, funny, deeply emotional celebration of African American culture, featuring the father of Gospel, Thomas A. Dorsey (“Precious Lord, Take My Hand”); its matron, Mother Willie Mae Ford Smith; and earth-shaking performances by the Barrett Sisters and the O’Neal Twins. When it was first released in the early 1980s, the film received an overwhelming critical response, garnering rave reviews around the world.
“One of the most joyful movies I’ve ever seen.”
— Roger Ebert, Chicago Sun-Times
“The film’s mood is never less than marvelously infectious.”
— Richard Schickel, Time 
“The music conquers doubt and unhappiness, and when it ends, you feel healed.”
— David Denby, New York Magazine
Unseen in cinemas for nearly thirty years, Say Amen, Somebody has been gorgeously restored to 4K by Milestone with support from the National Museum of African American History and Culture and the Academy Film Archive. The new restoration features brilliantly restored 5.1 soundtrack!


For additional information and screening schedule, visit the website at www.sayamensomebody.com.

– From a press release

Official Video – “Listen” – Seun Ayeni

Seun Ayeni Listen art
Enjoy the official music video from Seun Ayeni called “Listen.”  Ayeni describes his self-written tune as one of his most animated pieces.  The video is directed by Tope Valentine of Genesis Paparazzi Studios. 


Official Video – "I Won't Judge" – Half Mile Home

Half Mile Home


Enjoy the official music video from Half Mile Home titled, “I Won’t Judge.”  A portion of the proceeds from the Akron-based quartet’s single will be given to the Boiling Point Foundation, a nonprofit that assists people battling mental health issues as well as the loss of a loved one.

Official Video – “Wanna Worship” – Seun Ayeni

Seun Ayeni Wanna Worship cover art

Enjoy the official music video from Seun Ayeni titled, “Wanna Worship.”  Ayeni dedicates his debut single to the leadership of Christ Apostolic Church Worldwide and Pastor J.K. Omoniyi
for “allowing God to bring an end to the 27 year-old dispute within the body
in their time.”