Category: gospel

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gospel music performances releases United States

Shekinah Glory Ministry celebrates 10th year with live recording

Shekinah Glory Ministry celebrates its 10th year anniversary with a new, and as yet untitled, live CD/DVD recording that
will take place at 6 p.m. Sunday, May 16, 2010, at Valley Kingdom Ministry International, 5300 W. 151st St. in Oak Forest, IL.
Tickets are $15 in advance and $20 at the door. For more information on the live recording, visit www.kingdomrecordsinc.com.
According to a news release, the live recording event is the finale to Shekinah Glory Ministry’s first praise-and-worship conference to will begin Friday, May 14, 2010. During the workshops, attendees will learn the varied facets of performing praise-and-worship music from some of the genre’s most gifted practitioners.  The registration cost for the “Refreshed By Fire… Ascending Higher” conference is $60. For more information, visit http://www.kingdomrecordsinc.com/regform.html.
Since their evolution from 1999-2000, Shekinah Glory Ministry has earned five R.I.A.A. (Recording Industry Association of America) gold certifications for their musical projects, including “Praise is What I Do” and “Shekinah Glory Ministry Live.” Their debut CD spent 103 weeks on the Billboard gospel albums sales chart. They have become renowned around the world for their radio anthems “Yes,” “Jesus,” “How Deeply I Need You” and signature tune “Praise is What I Do.” Their acclaimed CD “Jesus” won the Stellar Award (the gospel industry’s Grammy equivalent) as Praise and Worship CD of the Year in 2009. 

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arts black history church classical music gospel religion United States

Black Methodists meet for historic “Gathering” on March 1-3 in South Carolina

The country’s three largest African-American Methodist denominations (the African Methodist Episcopal-AME, African Methodist Episcopal Zion-AME Zion, and Christian Methodist Episcopal-CME) are convening as a body for the first time in 45 years from March 1-3 at the Carolina Coliseum, 701 Assembly St. in Columbia, SC. 
“It appears that we could do more together than we can apart,” said Senior Bishop George W.C. Walker, one of the organizers for the historic Great Gathering. 

According to a news release, the purpose of the Great Gathering meeting is to address how illiteracy, unemployment, crime, personal responsibility and other issues are affecting African-American men’s ability to be good providers and role models in their communities.
 “Together, all our denominations represent a people and a community with many ills and problems,” Senior Bishop John R. Bryant said. “But we feel strongly that we can overcome all that might separate our churches so we can all focus collectively on what we can do to make things better for our people.” 
Over the course of three days, some of the country’s leading thinkers from the fields of education, religion and politics will discuss and collaborate on an initiative to solve the problems that the Great Gathering will define. Among the confirmed participants are Princeton University professor scholar Cornel West; Marian Wright Edelman of the Children’s Defense Fund; philosopher Dr. Jawanza Kunjufu; platinum recording gospel artist Marvin Sapp; singer Byron Cage, and Grammy winner artist Bishop Hezekiah Walker.
AME Zion pastor Dr. Staccato Powell, who is also the CEO of Grace in the City, a community development corporation that is redeveloping the blighted College Park neighborhood in Raleigh, NC; is the chairman for this groundbreaking summit. All activities will take place at the Carolina Coliseum in Columbia, SC. For more information, go to http://www.greatgathering.org/ for registration details.

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gospel releases Time Life United States

“Shoutin’ Down the Aisles” inches up on Billboard Charts

According to a news release, the “Shoutin’ Down the Aisles” release by Time Life is rocking the church rafters. It has debuted at #8 on Billboard’s Top Gospel Albums chart.
Opening with Vickie Winans’ 1997 smash “As Long As I Got King Jesus,” the collection takes on the aura of a Pentecostal church service with such up-tempo favorites as Fred Hammond’s “Jesus Be a Fence Around Me”, the Chicago Mass Choir’s “Holy Ghost Power” with Lemmie Battles’ earth-quaking hoops and hollers, Jimmy Hick’s “Born Blessed”, Shirley Caesar & Tonex’s “I Know the Truth”, Keith Wonderboy Johnson’s quartet staple “Let and Let God” and Bryan Wilson & the Bapolstogic band’s burner “If You’re Talking About Jesus.”
The compilation rounds out with two bonus cuts not featured on the previous Shoutin’ set. The Blind Boys of Alabama’s rootsy “Down in the Hole” and Deniece Williams’ praise jam “Glory to Glory to Glory” complete this must have album for any fan of traditional gospel music.

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arts awards brown sisters gospel kingdom records music United States

Brown Sisters named Best Gospel Entertainer of Year at Chicago Music Awards

Gospel group The Brown Sisters (consisting of Vanessa, Phyllis, Lavette, 
Adrienne & Andrea Brown) continue to win new fans and accolades with their debut CD “The Brown Sisters Live in Chicago” on Kingdom Records. According to a news release, the group recently won Best Gospel Entertainer of the Year and Best Gospel Album of the Year Awards at the 29th Annual Chicago Music Awards (CMA) that took place at the Windy City’s Alhambra Palace. 

Other winners included Jennifer Hudson, Jeremih, R. Kelly, jazz great Ramsey Lewis, rapper Common, classic soul legends The Chi-Lites, blues star Buddy Guy and rock band Smashing Pumpkins.
The Brown Sisters have developed a sterling reputation in the Chicago for their riveting gospel stage performances that date back to the early 1990s. They have appeared onstage with stellar acts as Aretha Franklin, Bobby McFerrin and Mavis Staples, among others. They have performed in Europe for a decade (and recorded
a successful traditional gospel CD of hymns and church standards for the European market) and have appeared at the prestigious Montreux Jazz and New Orleans Jazz Festivals. They also spent a decade as the house background vocal group for the nationally syndicated “Testify” television program.

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arts awards gospel music United States

Gospel artist Marvin Winans wins GMC award for Best Video of 2009

Marvin Winans Jr. has won a Gospel Music Channel Music Video Award as Best Soul Video of 2009 for the concept clip of his radio hit “You Never Let Me Down” from his latest CD “Image of a Man.” Thousands of fans voted in a
people’s choice sort of procedure where the fans decided the winner.
Other nominees included other Christian artists such as Mary Mary and Kirk Franklin to Skillet and tobyMac.
Rodney Jerkins (Brandy, Jennifer Lopez, Backstreet Boys) produced the Caribbean-styled radio single “You Never Let Me Down.”  
“It’s the joy you feel when you know that you have someone with you that will never fail you, never let you fall, never let you down,” Winans said in a news release.




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benefit gospel Haiti music United States

Celebs, politicians, clergy join forces with others for “Chicago’s Hope for Haiti”

Some of Chicago most renowned music artists, politicians and clergy will join forces to raise funds for three nonprofit organizations in Haiti.
“Chicago’s Hope for Haiti” will feature Chicago Mayor Richard M. Daley, Illinois Gov. Pat Quinn  Illinois State Sen. the Rev. James T. Meeks and representatives from the hip-hop, poetry, gospel, jazz and R&B music communities. The event will take place at 7 p.m. Feb. 8 at The House of Hope, 752 E. 114th Street in Chicago.  Charles Jenkins, pastor of Fellowship Missionary Baptist Church, is spearheading this effort and has enlisted Grammy-winning recording artist/producer Donald Lawrence to organize the music for the “Chicago’s Hope for Haiti” benefit concert.
“I woke up early Tuesday morning and said to myself, I’ve heard what the NFL, the NBA and what the government is doing for Haiti but I haven’t heard anything about what the church community is doing.” Jenkins said in a news release. “I saw the need to have every part of the Chicago community come together for this tragedy.”
“Chicago’s Hope for Haiti” will be aired live on WJYS. The confirmed talent includes actor/rapper Common on behalf of the Common Ground Foundation, Grammy winner Donald Lawrence and Co., the legendary Shirley Caesar, platinum recording artist Marvin Sapp, Urban AC artist Lalah Hathaway, Comedian George Wilborn, Karen Clark Sheard, poet J. Ivy, Tarrey Torae, jazz saxophonist Steve Cole, gospel artist John P. Kee, and BET TV personality Dr. Bobby Jones.
The proceeds will benefit Yele Haiti (www.yele.org), Samaritan’s Purse (www.samaritanspurse.org) and Hospitals for Humanity (www.hospitalsforhumanity.org). All organizations are currently on the ground in Haiti, providing immediate relief (ranging from food and water to medical care) to earthquake survivors.

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arts awards gospel music United States

Songwriter Derrick Stark receives BMI award for most performed gospel song of year



Photo caption: BMI Senior Director, Writer/Publisher Relations Wardell Malloy; BMI Vice President, Writer/Publisher Relations Catherine Brewton; 2010 Most Performed Gospel Song of the Year writer Derrick Starks; 2010 Trailblazers honoree Donnie McClurkin; co-host Yolanda Adams; and BMI President & CEO Del Bryant. (Photo by Arnold Turner).


According to a news release, veteran songwriter Derrick Starks, who resides in Atlanta, was recently honored by Broadcast Music Inc. (BMI), the performing rights organization, at their 11th Annual Trailblazers of Gospel Music Awards Luncheon in Nashville, TN.
BMI Vice President of Writer/Publisher Relations joined Grammy winner Dorinda Clark Cole to present Starks with the BMI Award for the Most Performed Gospel Song of the Year for composing Dorinda Clark Cole’s smash hit “Take It Back.” The song reached #2 on Billboard’s Hot Gospel Songs and #17 on its Bubbling Under R&B/Hip-Hop Singles charts in 2008 and remains a popular recurrent.
A gifted organist/keyboard player, Starks founded the contemporary gospel ensemble Today’s Generation in 1991. His group has backed such artists as John Tesh and Shirley Caesar. Starks and his group released best-selling gospel CDs such as “Derrick Starks and Today’s Generation” (1994), “He’s On Time” (1999) and “Sacrifice” (2001). His 2001 remake of the Commodores’ classic “Jesus is Love” proved to be a major hit for Starks as well.
Currently the music director for the Trumpet Awards on the TBS television network, Starks is also a gifted songwriter. He’s written Dorinda Clark Cole’s big hit “So Many Times,” “Been Good to Me” for The Mighty Clouds of Joy, “I Am Yours” for Dorothy Norwood and “Let the Healing Begin” for Bishop Paul S. Morton, among others.



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CD gospel jazz music reflections United States

Mitch’s Reflection: Bil Carpenter Presents “An Uncloudy Christmas”

If you’ve enjoyed the book “Uncloudy Days: The Gospel Music Encyclopedia” by Bil Carpenter, music journalist and co-founder of Capital Entertainment, then you will enjoy the compilation “An Uncloudy Christmas.”

The 12-track compact disc features artists Bryan Wilson, Pookie Hudson and the Spaniels, Ann McCrary, Candi Staton, Richard Hartley, Markas Nair and Carpenter ending things country style with title single “Uncloudy Christmas.”

Opening with “The Savior Has Come,” Wilson presents such a feel-good house of prayer shout band style that it’s hard not to clap your hands a few times. Pookie Hudson and the Spaniels presents traditional gospel style tracks “The Angels Watching Over Me” and “I Just Want to Thank Him.” McCrary brings a modern touch to the compilation with the jazzy “Remember Not to Forget Jesus.”

In “An Uncloudy Christmas,” there is a song to fit any fan’s musical taste or holiday mood, and each artist does a fine job of presenting the true meaning of the holiday season.

Editor’s Note: Review CD was provided by Capitol Entertainment.

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gospel kingdom records music national reflection reviews the whispers

Mitch’s Reflection: The Whispers “Thankful”


Legendary R&B group The Whispers release their first gospel project “Thankful” this week on Kingdom Records. Grammy-winning gospel artist Fred Hammond lends his creative production skills to the project, along with the songwriting and vocal skills of Magic of Magic Muzik Productions Inc., Ralph Hawkins of ND Hawk Entertainment and Nicholas Caldwell of Heavens Gate and Unified Tribe.

“Working with The Whispers was truly a dream come true,” Hammond said in a news release. “I grew up listening to The Whispers and patterned a large part of my personal vocal style after, who have now become affectionately known as, uncles Scottie and Walker.”

The Whispers’ perfect, harmonious style is prevalent throughout the 10-track CD. Fans will appreciate up-tempo tracks such as “Praise His Holy Name” and the soft disco rhythm track of “In the Name of Jesus.” For a bit of Quiet Storm, The Whispers offers the track “For Thou Art With Me,” now viewed as a hit for Urban AC and gospel radio formats.

With almost 50 R&B chart singles, The Whispers are one of the most successful vocal groups in soul music history. The Grammy and American Music Award nominated ensemble has earned seven gold or platinum singles/albums, a 2002 NAACP Image Award and an induction into the Vocal Group Hall of Fame in 2003.

Editor’s Note: Review CD was provided by record label.

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Chuck Cissel contemporary jazz gospel jazz music Oklahoma Oklahoma Jazz Hall of Fame traditional jazz tulsa

Oklahoma Jazz Hall of Fame announces 2009 Autumn Jazz Concert Series


The Oklahoma Jazz Hall of Fame in Tulsa has announced two upcoming musical events for the 2009 Autumn Music Season.
Chuck Cissel, artistic director and executive producer of the Autumn Jazz Concert Series said, “We are thrilled to present four months of Sunday afternoon concerts from September through December 2009 at the Jazz Depot.”
The series is titled “Sounds of the Spirit” and kicks off at 5 p.m. Sunday, September 13 with smooth jazz Tulsa saxophonist, Grady Nichols. Nichols is also the 2003 Legacy Tribute Award recipient from the Jazz Hall and one of Tulsa’s most popular entertainers.
Other artists that will be featured in the series include Maestro Marc Gottlieb and his string quartet, with special guests vocalist Charlotte Blakely and New York Philharmonic pianist, Harriett Wingreen. In addition, University of Tulsa’s Big Jazz Band will feature trumpeter great Walter White of the Jazz at Lincoln Center’s jazz ensemble in New York City, led by JALC artistic director, Wynton Marsalis.
Also on board for the Autumn season, the Rev. Cortez Rex performs his special musical tribute to gospel legend, the Rev. James Cleveland.
Cissel said the Viento Sur Trombone Quartet from Argentina will also make a return appearance this Fall at the Hall, and the concert series will conclude with the Holiday Concert featuring Jazz Hall inductee, the Rev. Joey Crutcher and the Gospel Workshop Choir of America.
According to Cissel, “This is perhaps our most ambitious Autumn series programming effort yet, because we are covering the bases from ragtime, classical, Dixieland, big band, swing, traditional jazz, blues and gospel, while several of our musical guests will be making their debut at the Jazz Depot and many of the musical artists will be from New York City. Our programming efforts are to make it fresh and exciting by putting a new spin on the music each season; give the Jazz Hall members and music lovers new music to enjoy and new artists to become acquainted with.”
All Autumn Jazz Concert performances are held at the Jazz Depot (1st and Cincinnati – upper level)at 5 p.m. on Sundays. General admission is $15 for adults, $10 for seniors, college students and Jazz Hall members and $5 for students. You may also reserve a seat at $20 per person at one of our tables of eight. Reserved seating and table reservations need to be purchased in advance of the concert date(s). For tickets or more information, call the Oklahoma Jazz Hall of Fame at (918) 281-8600/8609 or go online. Gift shop and concessions are available. All major credit cards are accepted. *Tickets for weeknight performances are the same price as Sunday performances. All weeknight performances begin at 7:30pm.