Billboard’s Top 10 Albums in Gospel for the Week of June 18 puts WOW Gospel 2016 at the top, bumping Livre’s Jericho from the number one spot. Bri Babineaux’s Keys To My Heart sees the biggest gain jumping from #21 last week to #6 this week. And Jonathan McReynolds’ Life Stages Two, makes its way back in the Top 10 slots.
Dr. Marabeth Gentry extends an invitation for all to join her and the National Convention of Gospel Choirs and Choruses for its 83rd annual gathering taking place in Louisville, Kentucky August 6th - 13th. The Dorsey Convention, founded and organized by the Father of Gospel
Immerse, the education and networking summit sponsored by the Gospel Music Association takes place June 13-15 on the campus of Lipscomb University in Nashville, TN. New to this year's event is the addition of a faith based film track for aspiring filmmakers, screenwriters and actors. The
Kirk Franklin and Kanye West. Chance The Rapper and Byron Cage. Puff Daddy and Isaac Carree? Well… not exactly, but close enough. Isaac Carree and Zacardi Cortez are singing background vocals on the Bad Boy Family Reunion Tour that reunites entertainers Puff Daddy, Lil Kim, Mase, Faith Evans, Mario Winans, Total, Carl Thomas, 112 and The Lox in venues around the country.
This isn’t anything new as gospel singers often provide background vocals for many artists outside of gospel music. So what makes this news? In the last few years we have seen a lot of notable gospel artists collaborating with those across the secular lines. Hey! Shirley Caesar even got a few stanzas in with Anthony Hamilton. well Sean “Diddy” Combs is known to have gospel influences in his music as well as his presentations, and adding Carree and Cortez might just be the thing to give that portion the authenticity it needs.
After closing out the first day with a rousing performance at the Chicago Gospel Music Festival, the Chicago Mass Choir announces the release of I Give You Praise, the second single from their Billboard charting disc We Give You Praise. Ken Harding, President of New Haven
Motown Gospel gives a different approach to its artist’s songs with the release of an acoustic compilation aptly titled 1 Mic 1 Take. The CD brings together the label’s best loved performers including Grammy Award winners Smokie Norful and Tasha Cobbs as well as Myron Butler & Levi, Brian Courtney Wilson and Royce Lovett.
This was a first time venture for the label, with the sessions all taking place at the iconic Capitol Studios. “Putting world class artists in a legendary room performing their signature songs with scaled back production doesn’t present itself often,” says, Larry Blackwell, Vice President and General Manager of Motown Gospel. “I believe the artists captured the fundamental essence of our genre with their soulful performances.”
Robin Covington is in a class all by herself. As a lead singer (and founding member) of Ricky Dillard's New Generation Chorale, she has earned her keep as a mainstay and an enduring persona with gravitas. Through it all, the Chicago native counts herself in
One thing is for certain, The Kings Theater in Brooklyn, New York will not be the same after July 23rd. Bishop Hezekiah Walker brings together the Love Fellowship Crusade Choir for a gigantic reunion concert. Its sure to be a night to remember the string
Pastor Shirley Caesar is without a doubt a Gospel music legend and icon. With 40 records to date, 11 Grammy awards, 18 Dove Awards, 14 Stellar Awards and a 2016 star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, the reigning Queen of Gospel took time to talk with GOSPELflava about the blessings of God on her life and ministry, her new album and took some time to dispense some good advice.
GOSPELflava: Pastor Caesar, what a privilege to talk with you. What can be said about your many years of ministry? Did you ever imagine that life would bring you to this point?
Pastor Caesar: I always knew that the calling of God was on my life from a child. I used to lay up in bed at night and visualize myself singing and preaching and having a healing service with my mother at the front of the prayer line. But if anybody would have ever told me that I would be next in line behind Mahalia Jackson to receive a Grammy for Gospel music and sing for Presidents and heads of state, and travel overseas and do films and tv. I would have never believed it , never never never. I will add to this, that this is the Lord’s doing, and its just marvelous in our eyes. I owe Him my life.
Grammy Award Winning Gospel Artist Kirk Franklin has kicked off the second leg of his, Twenty Years in One Night Tour. Before going on a brief hiatus, the tour hit several cities across the country and opened to rave reviews. The tour has been filled with special appearances from Tasha Cobbs, Marvin Sapp, Geoffrey Golden, and others. During the Jacksonville stop this past weekend, Franklin gave the microphone to Josiah “Jojo” Martin during his song, “Intercession”.
Martin is a newly signed artist to Grammy Winner PJ Morton’s label, Morton Records, and has been a background vocalist, writer, and producer in the music industry for over a decade. While Martin did his ad-lib parts the song became very personal. For the past three years he’s battled kidney disease and is currently on the waiting list to receive a new one. At the age of 31 the disease has had a profound impact on his health and he’s currently undergoing dialysis treatment. To support JoJo during his medical crisis, you can donate here: https://www.gofundme.com/luuou8
