Tag: News

“For the Cause” Awareness Musical & Cancer Fundraiser set for Dec. 10

Click flyer to enlarge for more info

This Saturday, people will sing, clap, stomp, and dance in a spirit of praise.  They will also gather for another cause.

The non-profit organization called the Community Cancer Awareness Group will sponsor a musical titled “For the Cause” to raise funds to assist persons who are battling cancer and have limited resources.

The visionary of the Person County, NC based organization, Debbie Allen, told The Courier-Times (Dec. 7, 2011) that the idea for the group took form when she noticed the number of ill people within her own community who had to choose whether to buy medication or food.

The musical program features quite an impressive lineup of performers.  Of course, donations are requested and proceeds will go to the Community Cancer Awareness Group for its mission.

For more information about the event or organization, call Debbie Allen at 336-364-2764.

When:  Saturday, December 10
Where:  Greater Cleggs Chapel Community Center – Timberlake, NC
Time:  5 PM (doors open at 4 PM)
Admission:  Free (donations are requested)

Gene Viale of the Cleveland Singers has died

Gene Viale

Robert Marovich of The Black Gospel Blog passed along the sad news to GMF that Minister Gene Viale has died.

Viale was a member of the legendary James Cleveland Singers (1964-1965) and traveled extensively as a solo artist as well.  According to his web bio, he has appeared with numerous gospel greats including Mahalia Jackson, Albertina Walker and The Caravans, Dorothy Love Coates and The Gospel Harmonettes, Andraé and Sandra Crouch, The Staples Singers, Pastor Shirley Caesar, The Mighty Clouds of Joy, and Lee Williams and The Spiritual QC’s.

Just last year, Viale released his first book, entitled, I Remember Gospel and I Keep on Singing.

GMF extends condolences to all who mourn his passing.

“And the Soul Train Award for Best Gospel Performance goes to…Mary Mary!”

Gospel’s platinum-selling duo Mary Mary has to make room for another trophy.  Last evening, Tina and Erica Campbell won the 2011 Soul Train Award for Best Gospel Performance (“Walking”).  The award was presented at the pre-show on the red carpet. 

Other nominees were Kirk Franklin (“I Smile”), Trin-i-tee 5:7 (“Heaven Hear My Heart”), James Fortune featuring Shawn McLemore (“I Believe”), and CeCe Winans (“More”).

During the show’s telecast, Mary Mary also performed the soul classic, “Midnight Train to Georgia,” in tribute to Gladys Knight, who was honored with the Soul Train Living Legend Award. (Earth, Wind and Fire was feted as well.)

Besides adding to their stash of accolades, the sisters are gearing up for their new reality series, set to premiere March 29, on WE tv.

Lee Williams comments on his health, thanks fans for prayers

GMF founder and editor Libra Boyd spoke with Lee Williams this weekend.  Gospel’s iceman was prepping to greet fans, perform a concert later that evening, and promote the Spiritual QCs’ new CD, Living on the Lord’s Side.

Followers of his ministry can’t get enough of Williams and his group’s soul-drenched gospel.  It’s only natural that fans have become concerned by the ongoing questions surrounding his health.  GMF wanted to hear straight from the source if he plans to call it quits with the QC’s anytime soon.

“That’s not my choice,” offers the debonair frontman of few words.  “That’s not up to me; that’s up to God.”  While the decision does not rest with him, he adds that he intends to sing for as long as God allows him and the group to carry the much needed message of hope and encouragement.

And all the rumors about his health?

“If I had a nickel for every time someone has asked me that,” he asserts, “I wouldn’t have to sing anymore; I’d be a rich man.”  Pointing to heaven, he maintains, “That’s not up to me either.  Like I said, as long as He lets me…”

Williams wants his supporters to know that he genuinely appreciates their concern and prayers, and he looks forward to coming their way to have a “good time.”

Bobby Jones, Dottie Rambo get stars on Music City Walk of Fame in Nashville

Congratulations to Dr. Bobby Jones, who is among seven new inductees into Nashville’s Music City Walk of Fame.  The ceremony took place Sunday.  Jones is celebrated for his longstanding contributions to the advancement and preservation of gospel music.  He is perhaps most widely recognized as the host of BET’s Bobby Jones Gospel, which has been on TV for more than 30 years.
Fellow gospel singer and writer Dottie Rambo was also honored posthumously with a star.  Rambo is known for her 2,500-plus compositions including “We Shall Behold Him,” “He Looked Beyond My Fault,” and “I Go to the Rock.”
The stars laud persons who have made significant creative contributions in the city of Nashville.
Jones and Rambo join more than 50 past inductees, including Elvis Presley and Jimi Hendrix.

BET’s Black Girls Rock honors Shirley Caesar

There’s just no stopping Pastor Shirley Caesar.  On the heels of a series of events celebrating her birthday (which was October 13), the “First Lady of Gospel” is among this year’s honorees on BET’s Black Girls Rock.  The show’s first airing is Sunday, November 6.

Louis Dicks of the Blind Boys remembered by family, friends, quartet community

Sandy Foster, Jr. (left) of the Five Blind Boys of Mississippi and Rev. Frank Thompson of the Fantastic Violinaires pay their respects.

Mourners filled the sanctuary of Durham’s New Metropolitan Church Monday, October 24, to celebrate the life of Louis Dicks, longtime member of the Five Blind Boys of Mississippi and the Five Blind Boys of Alabama. 
The host of mourners included members from both the Five Blind Boys of Mississippi and Alabama, the Fantastic Violinaires, and the Swan Silvertones.
Rev. Frank Thompson of the Fantastic Violinaires was among those who offered tributes with a prayer of comfort and a moving verse of “Father, I Stretch My Hands To Thee.”  Pastor Patricia Reams delivered the eulogy.
Dicks died last Monday, October 17. 

GMF thanks RuBena Cooper-Woods for contributing to this piece.

Related Story:
Blind Boys’ famed lead, Louis Dicks, passes from labor to reward

Blind Boys’ famed lead, Louis Dicks, passes from labor to reward

Dicks (standing, far left)

GMF thanks RuBena Cooper-Woods for informing us of the passing of Louis Dicks, longtime lead singer with both the Five Blind Boys of Mississippi and the Five Blind Boys of Alabama.  Dicks died Monday in Durham, NC, where he resided more than 20 years.

The well-known tenor (who, incidentally, was not blind) joined the Five Blind Boys of Mississippi in the mid 1950’s and traveled with the group for several decades.  When Clarence Fountain left the Five Blind Boys of Alabama for a few years in the late 1960’s, Dicks came aboard as the Alabama group’s featured lead for a time. 

In addition to the acclaim he embraced as a member of both legendary aggregations, Dicks wowed crowds throughout NC with his own uniquely named group, World’s Greatest Gospel Singers.

Visitation will be Monday, October 24, at 11am, with the homegoing service following at noon.  Services will be at New Metropolitan Faith Winners Baptist Church, 1509 Riddle Road, Durham, NC.

We extend our condolences to the family and friends.  Another phenomenal singer has joined the Heavenly choir.

BeBe and CeCe Winans get Hollywood Walk of Fame star

Congratulations to BeBe and CeCe Winans, who received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame today.  They are now among the very short list of gospel artists (James Cleveland, Andrae Crouch, and Mahalia Jackson) who have been honored similarly.

BeBe and CeCe have consistently charted with their music, including hits “Addictive Love” and their cover of the Staples Singers’ “I’ll Take You There.”  They have enjoyed massive mainstream success–gold and platinum albums and a host of Grammy, Dove, Soul Train, Stellar, and NAACP Image Awards–throughout their decades-long career as a duo. 

Mahalia Jackson’s hometown commemorates her 100th birthday with several events

Keith Spera has written a nice piece remembering Mahalia Jackson, one whom former president Richard Nixon said was “an artist without peer.”  The article also details events that her hometown of New Orleans has set to commemorate her 100th birthday, which is October 26th.

You can read it here.

Note (updated 10/25/11):  It’s worth noting that Mahalia Jackson’s crypt gives her year of birth as 1912, rather than 1911.  According to gospel historian Robert Marovich, the discrepancy is the result of an error on her birth certificate.  Until Jackson applied for a passport for overseas travel, she was unaware that her birth certificate stated the incorrect birth year, 1911.