Tag: Passings

GMF remembers Tunesha Crispell (1972-2016)

Tunesha Crispell has died.

A pair of services was recently held July 17 and July 18 in Charlotte, NC to commemorate the life and celebrate the homegoing of songstress Tunesha Crispell.  Tunesha went to be with the Lord on July 13, 2016, after completing a courageous battle with cancer.  She was 43.

Reporter Timothy Yap remembered her life and music at hallels.com.

GMF has continued to lift Tunesha’s son Melvin Crispell, III, and other members and friends of the Crispell family in prayer during this time of adjustment. 

R.I.P. Wilbert Williams, former member of the Clouds, manager for the Mighty Sanfordaires

Mighty Clouds of Joy

By Libra Boyd
Gospel Music Fever

The gospel quartet music community mourns the passing of Wilbert Lee Williams (pictured far left), who died May 14, 2016.  He was 57.  

Williams was a former member of the Mighty Clouds of Joy.  He is featured on the group’s albums Power, Live in Charleston, Together as One, and Gospel Legacy.  

Williams was also a lead singer for the Mighty Sanfordaires, whose projects include Fire and Pick Me Up. The Sanfordaires celebrated their 49th singing anniversary this past Sunday, just one day after Williams made his transition.  The event easily turned into a bittersweet tribute to the group’s longtime frontman and manager.

The funeral service is scheduled for Thursday, May 19, at 3 PM, at Works for Christ Christian Center, 1395 Fire Tower Road, in Sanford, NC.

Leomia Boyd (1950-2016): Singer and Businesswoman

Leomia Boyd has died

GMF notes the transition of Grammy-nominated gospel singer Leomia Boyd.  Boyd passed away Monday, May 9, 2016, at the age of 65.  We extend condolences to all of Leomia’s family and friends.  

The funeral service was held Sunday, May 15, in Aberdeen, MS.

View WTVA’s report of her passing here: Aberdeen Businesswoman. Grammy-nominated singer Leomia Boyd dies

GMF remembers Rufus Poole; benefit musical still set for May 22

By Libra Boyd
Gospel Music Fever 

Homegoing services were held in Durham on Thursday, May 5, 2016, for Rufus Poole, lead singer of the New Stars of Faith.  Poole transitioned April 30.  He was 80 years old.  

Rufus Poole pictured with the New Stars of Faith

I recall one particular occasion almost exactly one year ago when Poole and the New Stars of Faith ministered at New Hope Person Baptist Church in Timberlake.  That evening, I sat on the front pew, no more than four feet from him, as he himself sat in a metal folding chair with his group of singers standing beside him.  With the assistance of oxygen, he sat in that chair tapping his knee and occasionally leaning forward—all while singing under the power of God.  I watched, listened, clapped, and swayed, realizing in that moment that I was witnessing something very special.  Poole did not use vocal acrobatics or any other techniques common to quartet music showmanship.  Simply put, his straightforward, unhurried approach to a gospel song and his manner of delivery were both unique and inimitable.

This Sunday, May 22, Teresa Caviness and Fula Wilds will host the New Stars of Faith benefit musical program at W.A.I.T.T. Outreach Ministries, Inc., 2206 Harvard Avenue in Durham.  Scheduled to sing are The Dowdy Boys of Pittsboro, The Inspirations of Oxford, Shirley McCaden and Company of Henderson, and others.  Poole personally invited many of the groups slated to appear there.  The program starts at 3 PM.

Music industry remembers song stylist Daryl Coley [Arrangements Added]

By Libra Boyd
Gospel Music Fever

Originally posted March 16, 2016 at 5:45 PM
Last updated March 22, 2016 at 10:01 PM



The music industry mourns the passing of gospel vocalist extraordinaire, Daryl Coley, who made his earthly transition Tuesday night, March 15, after several years of health challenges.  He was 60 years old.  You can read more about Coley’s career and passing from the DC Gospel Music Examiner’s Sarah Hearn here.


Many considered Coley’s vocal artistry to be unparalleled.  Erica Campbell, Micah Stampley, Ted Winn, DeWayne Woods, and Anita Wilson are just a handful who name him among their influences.

Homegoing information as released by the family is as follows:

 
Once the news of Coley’s passing was confirmed last week, after the earlier circulation of false reports, industry contemporaries and protégés flooded social media with remembrances.


Please join GMF in continuing to pray for the family of one of the great voices of our time.

An Amazing Artist and Phenomenal Vocalist. You will truly be missed. Love you Darryl Coley! R.I.P.
Posted by Dorinda Clark-Cole on Wednesday, March 16, 2016

I was 24 years old and got a call from Daryl Coley. I knew him very well because Daryl was the one who gave my demo to…
Posted by Kirk Franklin on Wednesday, March 16, 2016

A photo posted by Richard Smallwood (@smallrich) on

R.I.P. Terrell "Midge" Gatlin, formerly of the Williams Brothers

“Midge” (C) with (L to R) Melvin & Doug Williams. | From YouTube

By Libra Boyd
Gospel Music Fever

GMF extends its sympathy in the passing of musician/writer/producer, Terrell “Midge” Gatlin, formerly of the Williams Brothers and the Christianaires.  Gatlin died in an apparent drowning in Mississippi.  As of Wednesday morning, March 16, Pike County authorities were uncertain whether the incident occurred Monday night or Tuesday morning.

In addition to his tenures with the Williams Brothers and Christianaires, Gatlin’s work is featured on projects by the Truthettes, Doug Williams, Willie Neal Johnson and the Gospel Keynotes, the Jackson Southernaires, the Angelic Gospel Singers, and others.

Please join us in prayer for the family and friends during this difficult time.

Edward "Ed" William Hall, Jr., Raleigh area singer and former radio personality, has died

From Lea Funeral Home Website

By Libra Boyd
Gospel Music Fever 

NC’s gospel music community mourns the passing of Edward “Ed” William Hall, Jr., veteran gospel singer and former radio announcer for Raleigh’s WSHA radio station.  Hall died Monday, March 14, at the age of 86.

I first experienced Hall’s traditional gospel style and engaging personality in the 1980s, during his weekly television appearances with the Wesleyan TV Choir on WRAL’s Spiritual Awakening gospel music program.  Hall was a frequent featured soloist with the choir, led by Sandra Byrd, who also served as the show’s host.  In addition, Hall sang with the Sensational Evening Five for a number of years.

GMF extends sincerest condolences to Brother Hall’s family and friends.

Arrangements are as follows:

Visitation
Saturday, March 19, 2016
11AM – 12PM
Upper Room COGIC
3300 Idlewood Village Drive
Raleigh, NC

Funeral
12 PM, immediately following visitation


Interment
Montlawn Cemetery
Raleigh, NC

Herbert "Pee Wee" Pickard, well-known accompanist, has died

Photo | YouTube

By Libra Boyd
Gospel Music Fever


Jordan Phillips informed GMF that Herbert “Pee Wee” Pickard of Detroit, noted accompanist for James Cleveland and the Voices of Tabernacle, the Gospel Harmonettes, and others, passed away today (February 19). 


Pickard was a musical prodigy who grew up in a religious and musical household.  His father was a COGIC pastor and his mother and older sister were pianists.  According to gospel music historian Opal Nations, as a teen Pickard toured with Professor Alex Bradford and Brother Joe May.  During his tenure with May, he grabbed the attention of Evelyn Hardy, pianist for the Gospel Harmonettes.  In the early 1950s, when Hardy decided to leave the group to resume her career as a public school educator, Pickard became the group’s pianist (and later, the organist).

In 1968, the Savoy label released Soul Piano, an album of instrumental solos by Pickard.  In the late 1970s, he recorded again on the Savoy label; this time with his group, the Pickard Singers.

Several musicians, including gospel artist Richard Smallwood, have acknowledged Pickard’s influence on them.  About a year ago, Smallwood took to social media to share his appreciation and admiration publicly.  He wrote,

I remember as a young teen trying to emulate everything I heard on
record as he played for James Cleveland, The Angelic Choir, The Voices
of Tabernacle of Detroit and so many others.  Much love and respect to
you Pee Wee for being my inspiration.  Listening to you and studying you
pushed me to do things out of the box as a young kid.  I stand on your
shoulders.  You will never know how much I appreciate and admire you!  I
am because of you.

A funeral will not be held, as Pickard did not want one, according to his family.  Plans for a memorial musical tribute in March, the month of his 82nd birthday, are underway.  The date will be announced later.

Please join GMF in prayer for the family, friends, and fans of another soldier who has gone home. 

Doris Sykes, noted Chicago gospel singer, to be remembered, celebrated this weekend

GMF was sad to learn of the passing of well-known Chi-Town area singer, Doris Sykes, last week.  Her biography is part of Bob Marovich’s current book A City Called Heaven: Chicago and the Birth of Gospel Music.  An excerpt as well as homegoing arrangements are available here: Doris Sykes, Longtime Soloist for Christian Tabernacle, Passes Away

R.I.P. Robert Hamlett of the Fairfield Four

GMF extends condolences to the family, friends, and fans of the Fairfield Four’s Robert Hamlett, who passed last week (February 1), at age 84.  Read more here: Fairfield Four Gospel Singer, in ‘O Brother,’ dies at age 84

Photo | The Tennessean