The Journal of Gospel Music Information about the gospel music of yesterday, today, and tomorrow.

Willy Leiser and Linwood Heath informed JGM that Bernard Pinder has passed away. Here is a brief bio, courtesy of andre-café.com: Bernard Pinder is an anointed gospel singer whose gift has allowed him to travel extensively across the country as well as overseas. Bernard has sung before some of the most influential people in the world today, yet is as excited about singing at the smallest storefront church, as he is to sing before great men. It is a blessing to hear Bernard sing and he is an undisputed favorite in the Delaware Valley. His life is devoted to the worship ...

“Never Leave You Alone” Supreme Angels (release date: 2020) By Bob Marovich The latest iteration of the Supreme Angels continues the quartet’s music ministry into its eighth decade. Its new single, “Never Leave You Alone,” features the Angels’ characteristic hard gospel lead singing, a message of hope and encouragement, and that devastating “rocking chair” rhythm. Written by Jontee Ruffin, “Never Leave You Alone” is produced by Johnny Ruffin Jr. Originally known as the Paramounts, the Supreme Angels was organized in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. In 1958, the quartet became a national recording artist when it signed with Nashboro Records. Until 2007, when ...

Fisk Jubilee Singers Celebrating Fisk! (The 150th Anniversary Album) Curb (release date: August 10, 2020) www.fiskjubileesingers.org By Bob Marovich On the eve of the sesquicentennial of its founding, the Fisk Jubilee Singers have released an album more musically and culturally diverse than any of its other recordings, going back more than a century. Founded in 1871 to raise funds for a young and financially-struggling Fisk University, the Fisk Jubilee Singers toured the U.S. and Europe, ultimately raising the needed funds but also triggering a jubilee-singing phenomenon emulated by other HBCUs as well as by commercial troupes. Jubilee singers also gave ...

Atlanta, Aug 8, 2020 (Issuewire.com) – James C. Birdsong, Jr., a member of the renowned Birdsong family, will receive the Shining Star Award on Friday, August 28th, 2020, at 7 p.m. via pay-per-view live stream. The Shining Star Award is presented every year by Preach the Word Worldwide Network TV, an international Christian TV network in Roswell, Georgia, that reaches 50 million homes and devices around the world. Birdsong, 40, is being honored for his contributions to the Gospel music industry, leadership abilities in the community, and being a mentor for today’s youth throughout the United States. The author of ...

ZACH WILLIAMS AND FOR KING & COUNTRY LEAD WITH FIVE NOMINATIONS EACH HILLSONG WORSHIP, KIRK FRANKLIN, AND JONATHAN McREYNOLDS HONORED WITH FOUR NOMINATIONS THIS YEAR’S GMA DOVE AWARDS “CARRY THE CHANGE” BROADCAST ONLY CELEBRATION TO AIR FRIDAY, OCTOBER 30TH ON TBN NASHVILLE, TN (August 13, 2020) – The Gospel Music Association (GMA) announced today the nominations for the 51st Annual GMA Dove Awards recognizing an array of new songs and first-time nominees, as well as esteemed performers and hit songs that have been a bright light during this difficult time. The following nominations were announced live: ARTIST OF THE YEAR: ...

Instruments of Musick Determination (EP) Independent (release date: June 20, 2020) By Bob Marovich “Psalm 33:2,” a track from the Instruments of Musick’s Determination, is a rousing sacred steel-led and non-vocal interpretation of “Praise the Lord with harp: sing unto him with the psaltery and an instrument of ten strings.” While the track, evocative of a Campbell Brothers jam, evokes the musical excitement of a praise break, it also serves as a motto for the ensemble’s stringed-instrument music ministry. Blood brothers Garvin and Gary “Fatman” McKinney of Detroit comprise the gospel band Instruments of Musick. Although Determination is not their ...

Episode 146 Playlist Been changed – Chosen Wonders I appreciate you – Fred Perry & 2nd Generation Another chance – The McDuffies Someday – Shirley Murdock feat. Regina Belle, Beverly Crawford, & Kelly Price Love – Donnell Russell & Free Worship On and on – Darius Paulk feat. Janae Slack-Smith Waiting on you – Dominique Johnson feat. Ernest J. Lee He’s alive – Tametre Lawrence feat. Simply Praise Jesus let us be one – Roscoe Robinson God made it beautiful – Jason Clayborn & Atmosphere Changers feat. Daria Raymore Heal the brokenness – Mietta Stancil-Farrar God is good – Ethan ...

“Trust and Believe”Mona MooreIndependent (release date: July 2, 2020)Available on iTunes By Bob Marovich Mona Moore’s affecting treatment of the dramatic “Trust and Believe” is what sells the single. From Houston, Texas, Moore reminds the listener that God is a “miracle worker,” so don’t fret: “God will do what he said He will do.” The lyric inspiration comes in part from Psalm 46:10 (“Be still and know that I am God”). Like a veteran vocalist, Moore begins softly, almost whispery, then moves incrementally into shouting evangelist mode as the mood of the song alters. “Trust and Believe” continues building to ...

Mali Music The Book of Mali RCA Inspiration (release date: August 14, 2020) www.rcainspiration.com By Bob Marovich The Book of Mali is aptly titled. Mali Music’s fifth album, released in a partnership between his own imprint, K Approved Enterprises, and RCA Inspiration, is a study in self-awareness. Much of the album has a confessional quality, a series of private-made-public conversations between Mali and his Lord. For example, on “Let Go,” Mali dizzyingly delineates the temptations he has left behind. The hypnotic current single, “Mo Lo” (Like You),” is about getting closer to God by humbling one’s self in His presence. ...

From Classical Movements: Vox Virtual is a first-of-its-kind online a cappella festival, August 22-29. It will bring together musicians representing cultures and traditions from around the world for a week-long program of free streaming concerts. The very unique part of the festival is each concert will be livestreamed free across all participating ensembles’ Facebook pages through cross-posting. In other words, when an artist or presenter posts a live video, it mainly reaches their audience. However, by having multiple pages going live with the same performance, the audience size increases substantially. It is a new model rather than simply sharing someone ...