Tag: News

Al Green fêted at 37th Annual Kennedy Center Honors, airs Dec. 30

Rev. Al Green is among five recipients of the 2014 Kennedy Center Honors. The gala was held December 7, at the Kennedy Center and will be broadcast on CBS tomorrow, December 30, at 9 PM ET.  The Kennedy Center explains:

The Honors recipients recognized for their lifetime contributions to American culture through the performing arts—whether in music, dance, theater, opera, motion pictures, or television—are selected by the Executive Committee of the Center’s Board of Trustees. The primary criterion in the selection process is excellence. The Honors are not designated by art form or category of artistic achievement; the selection process, over the years, has produced balance among the various arts and artistic disciplines.

While Al Green demonstrates musical excellence in both the soul and gospel genres, gospel great Marion Williams (whose career included tenures with the Clara Ward Singers and the Stars of Faith) is the only strictly gospel singer to have received the honor since its inception 37 years ago. Don’t you think it’s time for more of our deserving gospel artists to be recognized?  I can certainly think of a handful who merit recognition for their lifetime contributions and excellence, such as Shirley Caesar, Andraé Crouch, Richard Smallwood, and Edwin Hawkins. 

So, here’s a challenge to GMF readers: review the criteria for this honor and submit your recommendation for 2015 here: Submit A Kennedy Center Honors Recommendation

Rev. Cleophus Robinson, Jr. has died

Cleophus Robinson, Jr.

Dr. Patricia James-Holloway informed GMF that Rev. Cleophus Robinson, Jr. passed away December 23. He was 57 years old.

Robinson and his five siblings followed in the musical footsteps of their parents, the late Rev. Cleophus Robinson, Sr. and the late Mrs. Bertha Robinson. The younger Robinson was a noted preacher, singer, organist, choir director, recording artist, and radio personality (WESL, KSTL, and Gospel 1600). During his father’s pastorate at Greater Bethlehem Baptist Church in St. Louis, he served as the minister of music.

At age 17, Robinson recorded his first solo album entitled Keep on Stepping on a Nashboro label subsidiary. Some of his additional recordings include Consolation (Savoy, 1980), Back Again (Malaco, 1993), and What You Need (Malaco, 1995). In 2012, Emerged/Reborn Records released a single by Robinson, “He That Thirsteth.”

Dr. Patricia James-Holloway (niece of Robinson Sr. and daughter of Sister Josephine James) remembers her cousin as a “powerhouse” singer and preacher as well as a great musician who “made the organ talk.”

GMF extends heartfelt condolences to Robinson’s family and friends during this difficult time of transition.  

Vanessa Bell Armstrong mourns passing of son

Please join GMF in extending condolences to Vanessa Bell Armstrong in the passing of her son Terrance.  The gospel singer tweeted the news of her son’s passing Thursday, December 4, via Twitter.

Early Friday morning, she shared this tweet with her followers:

Our prayers are with the family during this very difficult time.

Erica Campbell wins the 2014 Soul Train Award for Best Gospel/Inspirational Song

Congratulations to Erica Campbell, whose tune “Help” won the 2014 Soul Train Award for Best Gospel/Inspirational Song. Campbell beat out nominees Tamela Mann (“I Can Only Imagine”), Smokie Norful (“No Greater Love”), Inspired People featuring Charles Jenkins (“Real Love”), Michelle Williams featuring Beyonce and Kelly Rowland (“Say Yes”), and Donnie McClurkin featuring Tye Tribbett (“We Are Victorious”) for the win. 

Campbell is one-half of the duo Mary Mary. “Help” is the title track of her debut solo studio album. 

The Soul Train Awards was filmed November 7, at New Orleans Arena and aired November 30, on BET and Centric TV networks. 

Julia Mae Price-Williams of the Davis Sisters, Caravans, succumbs

Bob Marovich of the Journal of Gospel Music informed GMF that Julia Mae Price -Williams, formerly of the Davis Sisters and the Caravans, passed away.  GMF extends condolences to her family and friends.

Price-Williams started singing at age three.  It’s a talent that ran in her family–her father, Rev. Julian Price (who was a pastor in Augusta, GA), and several aunts also sang. As a teenager, she was a member of the Vashti Singers. In the 1960s, she joined the Davis Sisters of Philadelphia before becoming a member of the Caravans in 1966. In 1983, she released her first solo album, which earned “Artist of the Year” and “Traditional Singer of the Year” nominations from the Gospel Music Workshop of America.

Joseph Middleton of the Golden Era Gospel Blog interviewed Price-Williams in 2009, during which she spoke about her career as well as present-day gospel music: The Golden Era Gospel Blog Interviews a Gospel Legend: Ms. Julia Mae Price-Williams.

Donald Lawrence signs with Doug Banks Media Group to host radio show

(Chicago, IL)  The Doug Banks Media Group has signed Grammy Award winning producer and recording artist Donald Lawrence to host a new syndicated, Urban AC motivational radio program entitled “Music Therapy with Donald Lawrence.”  The program launches in January 2015 with distribution to Urban Adult Contemporary (UAC) radio station formats.


“I’m pretty excited about it,” says Lawrence. “I’ve always been committed to using music as therapy to inspire and encourage as well as to entertain and that’s what the Doug Banks Media Group recruited me to do with this show. It will be a mix of inspiring music by artists ranging from Jill Scott to the Sounds of Blackness. There will also be audience call-ins, motivational messages and daily words of wisdom to help listeners live their best life.”
 
“Donald Lawrence is a very talented and well-respected gospel music industry icon! We are excited to bring his Music Therapy program to radio stations around the country,” says Doug Banks, a legendary on-air radio personality and a pioneer in radio syndication.


“As we look to grow Doug Banks Media Company, we fully recognize the opportunities available with our core UAC audience,” says Ed Pearson, President, Doug Banks Media Group. “Gospel music and inspirational engagement is now and always has been very important to our listeners, and we are happy to be offering stations the opportunity to bring to their listeners, a unique spiritual experience with Donald Lawrence’s Music Therapy.”
 
Lawrence began his career as a music director for R&B legend Stephanie Mills and vocal coach for En Vogue. Then, in the mid 1990s he made headlines as the leader of the critically-acclaimed Tri-City Singers choir that enjoyed a dozen radio hits such as “The Blessing of Abraham,” “The Best Is Yet To Come,” and “Encourage Yourself.” In 2004, Lawrence launched a solo career that has included signature songs such as “Back II Eden” and “Healed.” Since 2007, Lawrence has served as spokesman for Verizon Wireless’ How Sweet The Sound national gospel choir talent competition. Lawrence’s latest project, 20 Year Celebration – Vol. 1: Best For Last, boasts the radio hits “Best For Last (featuring Yolanda Adams),” ”There Remaineth A Rest,” and the #1 smash “The Gift.” A Grammy® Award winning producer, Lawrence has written for and collaborated with R&B artists such as Faith Evans, Mary J. Blige, Lalah Hathaway, Kelly Price, and SWV’s Coko. He’s also produced #1 gospel hits such as Hezekiah Walker’s “Every Praise” and The Clark Sisters’ “Blessed And Highly Favored.”

The Philadelphia-born, Detroit-raised Doug Banks began his radio career as an on-air personality at KDAY in Los Angeles. One of his next stops was in Chicago at WBMX (now V103), where he took the morning show from a 1.8 share to a healthy 5.6, beating the competition. Eventually moving into mornings, he became a Chicago institution from 1987 through 1994. Then for more than a dozen years, Banks’ syndicated “The Doug Banks Show” aired over the ABC Radio Network. In 2010, Banks moved to American Urban Radio Networks and re-launched his syndicated morning show as an afternoon drive program first as “The Ride with Doug and DeDe” and now back to its original “The Doug Banks Show” moniker.   


– Press release from Bill Carpenter

Rev. Jonas Brown, former WNCU radio host, dies

From The Herald-Sun
From The Herald-Sun (10/31/14):
DURHAM – Reverend Jonas Buster Brown passed on October 27, 2014 in Durham, NC.

He leaves to cherish his memory his loving wife Rosa Hannah Brown; four
sons, Christopher Brown (Monica V. Martin), Jimmy Hannah (Tomeka
Copeage), Jonas R. Hannah, Jr. (Linda Yvette Cox), Richard Lamont Brown;
three brothers, Willie Boston, Jr. (Patricia), Erol Boston and Wayne
Boston.
 
A memorial service will be held Saturday, November 1, 2014 at Lakeview
Baptist Church, 3411 Dearborn Drive, Durham, NC, beginning at 1 p.m. A
visitation with family and friends will take place at 12:30 p.m.
 
Arrangements are entrusted to Scarborough and Hargett Memorial Chapel
and Gardens, Inc. Online condolences may be expressed at
Scarboroughandhargettfh.com.
Brown was the former host of the Sunday morning radio show “Gospel Connections” on North Carolina Central University’s WNCU 90.7 FM.

Winners of the 2nd Annual "Wilson Idol" competition announced

As promised, the “Wilson Idol” talent show (held September 27, 2014) was a most competitive evening as far as its producer Dr. Mildred Summerville and the rest of the distinguished panel of judges were concerned.  Those who presented their talents are certain to have felt that same intensity. In fact, many of the score cards were so closely ranked that declaring winners became extremely challenging on the part of the statistician.  After the four top scorers were initially identified, the judges made the final decision to categorize the scores into Gospel, R&B, and Instrumental.  Therefore, Dr. Summerville and the judges are pleased to announce the top scorers of each category.

Photo by Shaundria Williams

$1000 Grand Prize Winner 
Eric P. Fleming (right), who performed Smokie Norful’s “I Need You Now” 

Gospel

Quincy Spell, Jr. 
Tami Cherry
The Remnant 

R&B
Ronnie Ezzell
Dillon Green
Jason Bunn 

Instrumental
Zyyayre Williams 

Each of the top scorers received trophies for his/her outstanding performance.

The judges’ announcement comes with Dr. Summerville’s acknowledgement that the evening was “quite diverse” and included displays of talent ranging from jazz and R&B to rap, modern contemporary, gospel and more–making the evening a “memorable pleasure of delight.”

From left: Dr. Mildred Summerville, Jason Bunn, Dillon Green, Eric P. Fleming, Tami Cherry, Ronnie Ezzell, Quincy Spells, Jr., The Remnant, and Zyyayre Williams. GMF thanks The Wilson Times for the use of this photo.

Charles Johnson of the Nightingales, Revivers passes on

Charles JohnsonGMF is sad to share news of the passing of singer/musician/songwriter Charles Johnson, formerly of the Sensational Nightingales and Charles Johnson & The Revivers. Johnson passed this morning (Monday, October 6). He was 83 years old. He is survived by his wife and six children.

During my childhood, I regularly attended concerts featuring the Sensational Nightingales. Johnson was indeed one of the most unique and earnest voices in gospel quartet music.

Read more by Barbara Huffman and see homegoing arrangements at www.singingnews.com.

The “Gospel Memories” Radio Show with host Bob Marovich will feature an extended set of Johnson’s recordings this Saturday (October 11).  The show airs at 10 am central time and can be streamed live at www.gospelmemories.com.

Cancer survivor Marcia Love donates portion of CD proceeds to Susan G. Komen

(Phoenix, AZ)  Gospel artist Marcia Love knows what it’s like to have your life turned upside down. On one fateful day in 2012, she was given the news that every woman dreads: she had been diagnosed with breast cancer. With the strength of her faith and the love of her family, she was able to endure the challenging season. After multiple surgeries, she is now cancer-free. A singer for her entire life, the experience was the impetus for her to get back in the studio to record her second CD. Earlier this year, she released the sophomore project, Counting My Blessings, which features the singles “Counting My Blessings” and “Joy.” Through her music ministry, she wants to inspire other women who have been diagnosed with the dreaded disease. To support the efforts of Susan G. Komen in finding a cure, Marcia is donating 25% of the proceeds of her CD, Counting My Blessings, and all digital downloads of her music in the month of October in honor of Breast Cancer Awareness Month.

“As a nurse, I understand that sickness can be difficult to handle,” shares Marcia. “As a cancer survivor, I know that a support system is vital. I want to make sure that every woman who hears the words I heard, ‘You have breast cancer,’ knows that God is there to comfort them. I also want to help them by giving organizations the resources they need to help stamp out this horrible disease. That’s why I am donating 25% of sales of my singles and my full CD, Counting My Blessings, to Susan G. Komen.”

Always one to encourage and uplift, Marcia’s CD, Counting My Blessings, is chock full of inspiration. “Joy,” penned by the artist after her health challenge, is a musical expression of happiness, a song of gratitude. Other songs include the churchy “The Rock Of His Name,” the riveting ballad, “Wholly Thine” and the mid-tempo title tune. Music has always been a way for Marcia to express her feelings and this project is no different.

Hailing from Durham, NC, Marcia began singing as a toddler.  As many singers do, she honed her singing skills at church.  She also was called upon to sing for her father’s preaching engagements.  Eventually, singing morphed into directing gospel choirs.  It wasn’t until 2011 that she pursued a recording career with the release of her debut, Jesus On My Side, which was followed by 2014’s Counting My Blessings.  To find out more information about Marcia Love, go to www.marcialove.com. To connect with her, find her on Facebook and Twitter.