Tag: Music Industry Buzz

Anita Wilson's CD, Vintage Worship, is in stores and online today

It’s June 24th, and Anita Wilson’s sophomore album, Vintage Worship, is now in stores and online everywhere.

The Wardlaw Brothers make movie debut in "On Angel's Wings"

The Wardlaw Brothers (TWB) make their film debut today in the opening of the movie, On Angel’s Wings, starring Reginald Vel Johnson, Robin Givens, Taylor Faye Ruffin, and Sweet Brown.  In addition to appearing in the movie, the group’s hit “Right Now Lord” and cover of “Here I Am to Worship” are featured.  Luther Wardlaw also wrote the movie’s theme song, “Angel’s Wings.”
On Angel’s Wings is directed by Aaron L. Williams (Preaching to the Pastor; The Pastor’s Secrets; Mama, I Want to Sing). It’s a family film about a star player for the Angels soccer team who gets injured, and Coach Carter (Vel Johnson) decides to play the water girl, McKenzie Adams (Ruffin). After embarrassing herself in front of
the entire school, her luck changes when she meets an angel that grants
her three wishes. Unable to keep it a secret, she takes her little brother
Josh (Tyler Humphrey) and their dog Zeus on a whirlwind of fun and adventure.  Their
excitement proves short-lived when McKenzie’s luck runs out and she has
to figure things out on her own. In this coming of age family movie,
McKenzie, Josh, and their dog Zeus find that miracles really do happen
everyday, because they happen whenever we help someone in need.
On Angel’s Wings premieres at AMC Theatre, 9168 Mall of Louisiana Blvd in Baton Rouge, LA, today, April 13, at 3 PM. Tickets to the premiere are available at www.digitalmediala.com/angels.  Use the promo code “Angels” to receive $1.00 off each ticket purchase.
You can watch the official movie trailer here. 

Jamison & Wright-Pate win sing-off, will perform during Super Bowl Gospel Celebration

Jamison
(Atlanta, GA)  Two talented and extraordinary women have been selected by gospel greats Kierra Sheard, J. Moss and Bishop Paul S. Morton for The American Family Insurance “Your Dream is Out There” Gospel Sensations Sing-Off. Kristen Jamison of Orangeburg, SC and Valaree Wright-Pate of Columbus, OH competed against eight contestants for an opportunity of a lifetime. Jamison and Wright-Pate will perform live January 31, at Madison Square Garden theatre during the 15th Annual Super Bowl Gospel Celebration.

Wright-Pate
In addition to performing, the two winners will also enjoy an all-expense paid Super Bowl winning weekend, which includes tickets to the Big Game, Taste of the NFL, and Super Bowl Boulevard.

Although this is the fourth year American Family Insurance has served as the official sponsor of the NFL sanctioned Super Bowl Gospel Celebration, this is the first year of the Live Sing-Off, which garnered participants from across the country.

To watch videos and for more information about The American Family Insurance “Your Dream is Out There” Gospel Sensations Sing-Off, visit www.dreamsoutthere.com.

For more information about the Super Bowl Gospel Celebration, visit www.superbowlgospel.com.

2014 Stellar Award Winners, Air dates, and Times

Congratulations to all of the 29th Annual Stellar Award winners!  See the list below and visit this link frequently for airdates and times in your market. 
AT&T Artist of the Year
Tamela Mann, Best Days (Tillyman Music)

Ford Song of the Year
Kirk Franklin, “Take Me to the King” – Best Days (Tillyman Music)

Male Vocalist of the Year
Tye Tribbett, Greater Man (Motown Gospel)
Albertina Walker Female Vocalist of the Year
Tamela Mann, Best Days (Tillyman Music)
Group/Duo of the Year Presented by Wal-Mart
Anthony Brown & group therAPy (Tyscot Music and Entertainment)
UNCF New Artist of the Year
Tasha Cobbs, Grace (Motown Gospel, formerly EMI)

CD of the Year
Tamela Mann, Best Days (Tillyman Music)
State Farm Choir of the Year
Hezekiah Walker, Azusa: The Next Generation (RCA Inspiration)
Producer of the Year
Fred Hammond & Derek “DC” Clark, United Tenors Hammond Hollister Roberson Wilson (RCA Inspiration)
Contemporary Group/Duo of the Year
Fred Hammond United Tenors, United Tenors Hammond Hollister Roberson Wilson (RCA Inspiration)
Traditional Group/Duo of the Year
John P. Kee and New Life, Life & Favor (Kee Music Group)
Contemporary Male of the Year
Anthony Brown of Anthony Brown & group therAPy (Tyscot Music and Entertainment)

Traditional Male of the Year
John P. Kee, Life & Favor (Kee Music Group) 

Contemporary Female of the Year
Tasha Cobbs, Grace (Motown Gospel, formerly EMI)                              
Traditional Female of the Year
Tamela Mann, Best Days (Tillyman Music)
Contemporary CD of the Year
Tasha Cobbs, Grace (Motown Gospel, formerly EMI)

Traditional CD of the Year
Tamela Mann, Best Days (Tillyman Music)
Urban/Inspirational Single of Performance of the Year
Tamela Mann, “Take Me to the King” – Best Days (Tillyman Music)
Music Video of the Year
Brand X for “Testimony” by Anthony Brown & group therAPy (Tyscot Music and Entertainment)
Traditional Choir of the Year
Hezekiah Walker, Azusa: The Next Generation (RCA Inspiration)
Contemporary Choir of the Year
Earl Bynum & the Mount Unity Choir, Bishop K.W. Brown Presents Earl Bynum & the Mount Unity Choir (K.W. Brown Ministries)

Special Event CD of the Year
Hezekiah Walker, Azusa: The Next Generation (RCA Inspiration)

Rap Hip Hop Gospel CD of the Year
Lecrae, Gravity (Reach Records)
Children’s Project of the Year
Jekalyn Carr, Greater is Coming (Lunjeal/Malaco)
Quartet of the Year
Doc McKenzie & the Hi-Lites, Blessed (Ophir Entertainment)

Recorded Music Packaging of the Year
Patrick Dopson, Best Days (Tillyman Music)

Praise and Worship CD of the Year
Tamela Mann, Best Days (Tillyman Music)

GOSPEL RADIO and ANNOUNCERS’ AWARD WINNERS

Major Market (3 million and up)
WPZE 102.5/102.9, Atlanta – Lori Hall 

Large Market (1-3 million)
Heaven 600 – WCAO 600 AM, Baltimore – Lee Michaels

Medium Market (500,000-1 million)
The Light 103.9 WNNL, Raleigh – Jerry Smith

Small Market (Under 500,000)
WIMG – 1300 AM, Trenton – Ed Long

Internet Radio Station
Yes Lord Radio -YesLordRadio.com – Elder Howard C. Young, III & Rodrick J. Warren

Gospel Announcer
Cedric Bailey, Musical Soul Food – Norfolk/VA Beach, VA

History of the Roberta Martin Singers highlighted on Cross Rhythms

Cross Rhythms music editor Tony Cummings charts the history of the Roberta Martin Singers.  Read it here: Roberta Martin Singers: Chicago’s gospel legends of the ’50s and ’60s.

Habakkuk Music releases compilation CD for exclusive sale at Cracker Barrel

(Baltimore, MD)  Noted entrepreneur April Washington’s Habakkuk Music recording label has compiled a black gospel CD collection for Cracker Barrel Old Country Store®. Gospel Legacy: The Collection was made available on August 26, 2013 exclusively in all Cracker Barrel Old Country Store® locations and online at crackerbarrel.com.
 
“As a minority business owner, it’s important to stay relevant and inspired to create innovative ways to market your product,” Washington says. “We are excited to establish a relationship with Cracker Barrel Old Country Store® by providing this genre of music that we hope their guests will find inspirational and uplifting.  What’s more, this CD creates a bridge to building a business relationship for diversity inclusion with such a notable corporation.”
 
This soul-stirring, twelve-song CD boasts vintage and present day gems by some of America’s most beloved recording artists. There are rousing traditional gospel songs such as Aretha Franklin’s 1972 rendition of “How I Got Over,” Fred Hammond’s “Jesus Be A Fence Around Me” and Vickie Winans’ “Long As I Got King Jesus.” There are contemporary tracks like Kirk Franklin’s double platinum smash “Stomp” and Gerald Scott & Co.’s festive “Alright.”
 
Passionate songs like Kurt Carr & The Kurt Carr Singers’ “In The Sanctuary” and Shirley Caesar’s “Jesus (I Love Calling Your Name)” are some of the most memorable praise and worship tunes around. The Winans’ pristine ballad “Tomorrow” and Cece Winans’ “Mercy Said No” show off the softer side of gospel, while The Commodores’ “Jesus is Love” is a power anthem known throughout the globe.
 
Gospel Legacy: The Collection will be featured Labor Day Weekend (August 29  – September 1) at the 2013 Allstate® Tom Joyner Family Reunion (TJFR) in the Orlando, FL area. The Grammy® Award nominated artist, Kurt Carr, who appears on the CD, will perform in concert at the TJFR Gospel Explosion, followed by an in-store autograph signing at Cracker Barrel Old Country Store® located at 5400 W. Irlo Bronson Memorial Highway on Sunday, September 1, 2013 at 2:00 PM near the Gaylord Resort in Kissimmee, FL. 
 
Founded in 2007, Habakkuk Music is sold through normal distribution channels by INgrooves Fontana (a division of Isolation Network, Inc.) and has released superlative gospel music by brilliant artists such as Lisa Page Brooks, Cheneta Jones, Earl Bynum & The Mount Unity Choir, Gerald Scott & Co., and The Temple of Deliverance Choir. Its acts have won Stellar Awards and enjoyed chart-topping hits on the Billboard gospel charts. Washington has successfully formed marketing relationships with organizations such as the American Heart Association | American Stroke Association, Chick-fil-A and Rejoice Radio Network, etc. to broaden and expand the reach of her musical products.
 
Cracker Barrel Old Country Store, Inc. provides a friendly home-away-from-home in its old country stores and restaurants.  Guests are cared for like family while relaxing and enjoying real home-style food and shopping that’s surprisingly unique, genuinely fun and reminiscent of America’s country heritage.

GMF wins 2013 Rhythm of Gospel Award for Internet Media Group of the Year

Gospel Music Fever emerged from a category of nine nominees to win Internet Media Group of the Year at this weekend’s 5th Annual Rhythm of Gospel Awards.  The festivities were held in Jacksonville, FL.


“It’s a blessing to be recognized by your readers and industry colleagues for your efforts to advance gospel music and uplift its artists,” comments Libra Boyd, GMF’s founder and editor. “It’s truly a rewarding feeling, and I am thankful.” 

According to the organization, The Rhythm of
Gospel Awards is the “Official & The Largest” Independent Gospel
Show, giving independent gospel artists both a national platform and a
positive collaboration.  The national televised awards show is an annual
event that brings in over 6,500 artists, churches, and media groups throughout
the USA, Canada, and Bahamas.

Gospel Music Fever was founded in spring 2011.  Since its inception, Libra has been the blog’s chief writer and editor, publishing news, articles, interviews, and reviews covering every
style and era of gospel music. 
Accordingly, GMF has grown in popularity and name
recognition among gospel music’s fans and followers.

A complete list of winners is available on The Black Gospel Blog.

__________________________
Editor’s Note: Thanks to the National Independent Gospel Music Association (N.I.G.M.A.) and all persons who took part in the voting process.

I am also grateful to the following organizations and contributors that helped make travel to Florida possible: 

Penn Avenue Baptist Church

Pastor W.S. Darby & Penn Avenue Baptist Church
Mr. James Bailey
Mr. Anthony Moore
Mr. Dwight Thorpe

Livre’ to appear on VH1’s Love & Hip Hop: Atlanta

Update (6/11/13) – From the J. Hardy Agency –

“Due to miscommunication Livre’ will be appearing on the 10th episode (JUNE 24, 2013) of VH1’s Love & Hip Hop Atlanta NOT the 10th Day of June 2013. We apologize for any inconvenience this may have caused and hope that you will tune in on Monday, June 24, 2013! Thanks for your continued support!”

 _____________________________

Atlanta, GA (Tuesday, June 4, 2013) –  Contemporary gospel’s brightest newcomers Livre’ (pronounced LIV-RAY) will make their network television debut aboard next week’s episode of VH1’s hit reality series Love & Hip Hop: Atlanta.  Their appearance on the docu-soap, set to air Monday, June 10, at 8 PM EST, marks just one of many reasons the Bronx-bred sextet have to
celebrate as reports also indicate their newest single “I Will Be Alright” has blasted back onto Billboard’s Top Gospel Singles Chart this week at #26. Listen below.

 

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 [email protected].  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.”

Mary Mary reality show renewed for third season

(New York, NY)  WE tv announced today that the women’s network has greenlit a third season of its popular docu-series, Mary  Mary, just
ahead of the season two finale airing tomorrow night, February 28 at 9 PM, ET/PT.   WE tv has ordered 10, one-hour episodes.  Production will
begin in Los Angeles in mid-March.


Commented Lauren Gellert, WE tv’s SVP of original production & development:  “During the current season of Mary Mary, viewers
witnessed two incredible births: Tina’s baby boy and  Erica and Tina’s
hit single, ‘Go Get It,’ which went on to win the duo a Grammy Award. 
It’s exactly this type of dimensionality that WE tv spotlights in women.
 Erica and Tina juggle their lives with grace and style; they are
amazing role models for today’s young women and a great addition to WE
tv.”


Added Erica Campbell: “We’re so excited about the next season as we
enter a new phase in our lives and careers. This past year has been
both overwhelming and exciting and we were happy to share those moments
with our fans.  We are grateful to provide viewers with an honest look
into who we are and how we handle our differences, and we hope to
continue to inspire and encourage people through our show in addition to
our music.”
Mary Mary is produced for WE tv by eOne Televison, executive
produced by Erica Campbell, Tina Campbell, Tara Long, John Morayniss,
Eric Hoberman and Mitchell Solarek.  Kate Farrell serves as the
executive producer for WE tv.