From the Reverend Joe Williams: On Tuesday, June 6, 2017, the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and the City of Philadelphia commemorated the rich heritage of the Dixie Hummingbirds with a historical marker dedication at 2435 North College Avenue, Philadelphia. This was the rehearsal hall and former home of the founder and manager of the Dixie Hummingbirds, the late Mr. James B. Davis. The Dixie Hummingbirds originally formed in 1928 under the management of Mr. Davis. They influenced popular musicians, including James Brown, Stevie Wonder, and the Temptations.  Their version of Paul Simon’s “Loves Me Like a Rock” won a Grammy Award ...

By Bob Marovich The Journal of Gospel Music is saddened to hear of the passing of Kenny Taylor, one of gospel music’s finest and most professional consultants and promotional men. Kenny was someone you could trust that if he said he would do it, he would do it. Dependable, honest, and with integrity…that’s how I describe Kenny Taylor. Each year, he and his Teemade Productions of Washington, DC, would treat the Gospel Announcers Guild with a themed musical at the annual Gospel Music Workshop of America convention. He showcased the artists he was promoting but with a twist that put a ...

Gospel musician and group leader Kenji Bolden informed JGM of the passing of Dr. James B. Boyer, one half of the Boyer Brothers gospel duo. Dr. Boyer passed on May 10, 2017.  His brother, Dr. Horace Clarence Boyer, passed away July 21, 2009. Here is the information from Dr. Boyer’s obituary: The Reverend Dr. James B. Boyer was the Founding Pastor of the Fellowship Temple Church of God in Christ and Professor Emeritus at Kansas State University, both in Manhattan, Kansas. He was born April 3, 1934, in Winter Park, Florida, and was the third of eight children of Elder ...

Chicago, IL, May 23, 2017: Chicago Gospel Music Legend Bishop Willie A. Treadwell, 86, transitioned from this world Sunday, May 21, 2017, at Generations at Oakton Place in Des Plaines, IL. He was born in Anniston, AL. on February 28, 1931, to the late David and Limmer-Jane Treadwell. Bishop Treadwell was drafted into the United States Army in 1952 where we fought in the Korean War. On April 9, 1955, Bishop Treadwell founded the Treadwell Community Singers with Frankie Marie Powell (Treadwell). During this time Bishop Treadwell served in ministry under the leadership of the late Pastor Governor Powell of ...

Nashville, TN (May 22, 2017) – RCA Inspiration celebrates double wins at the 2017 Billboard Music Awards with two top Gospel awards for Kirk Franklin (Fo Yo Soul/RCA) and Travis Greene, winning in the categories of Top Gospel Artist and Top Gospel Song, respectively. Returning winner Kirk Franklin remains a perennial favorite, as the groundbreaking hitmaker is honored with the Top Gospel Artist award for the second consecutive year. Returning nominee Travis Greene wins his first Billboard Music Award with his chart-topping hit “Made A Way,” named Top Gospel Song. Fueled by his wide range of beloved hits on the charts ...

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (May 11, 2017) – GMA Foundation’s annual GMA Honors celebration was held on Tuesday, May 9 at Lipscomb University. Steve Green, Yolanda Adams, Gold City Quartet and Michael Blanton and Dan Harrell were inducted into the GMA Gospel Music Hall of Fame. The event also honored individuals and organizations that are impacting our culture both past and present. This year’s honorees were Amy Grant for Helping Hands, Dr. Shirley Caesar for Shirley Caesar Outreach Ministries, Compassion International and Natalie Grant for Hope for Justice. For the first time, the GMA inducted legacy artists who soared in national prominence ...

By Bob Marovich Combined, gospel artists Travis Greene and Tamela Mann took home nearly half of the honors at the 32nd Stellar Awards, held at the Orleans Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada, this weekend.  Erica Campbell and Anthony Brown served as hosts. Greene garnered six awards, including Song of the Year (“Made a Way”) and Male Vocalist of the Year. Annie Stoll’s design for Greene’s The Hill (RCA Inspiration) secured a Stellar for Recorded Music Packaging of the Year. Mann, whose live rendition of her single, “God Provides,” was among the highlights of the Saturday evening awards program, received six honors, ...

GRAMMY®-Winning Recording Artist Tasha Cobbs Weds Acclaimed Music Director & Producer Kenneth Leonard In Surprise Private Ceremony Atlanta, GA— GRAMMY® Award-winning recording artist Tasha Cobbs shocked friends, family and fans this weekend with a surprise wedding to longtime beau, acclaimed music director and producer Kenneth Leonard, Jr. On Friday, March 3, 2017, the pair exchanged vows before an unsuspecting group of family and close friends who believed they were gathering for a private dinner party. News of the wedding surprised many as it saturated social media, but the nuptials had actually been in the works for quite some time. “We’ve ...

Here’s the rundown on Gospel Music / Christian Contemporary Music winners this weekend at the 59th Annual GRAMMY Awards: Best Gospel Performance/Song: “God Provides” – Tamela Mann (Kirk Franklin, songwriter) Best Contemporary Christian Music Performance/Song: “Thy Will” – Hilary Scott & the Scott Family (Bernie Herms, Hillary Scott, and Emily Weisband, songwriters) Best Gospel Album: Losing My Religion – Kirk Franklin Best Contemporary Christian Music Album: Love Remains – Hilary Scott & the Scott Family Best Roots Gospel Album: Hymns – Joey + Rory Additionally, Pastor Shirley Caesar was awarded a Lifetime Achievement Award, and Tamela Mann and Kirk Franklin ...

From a press release: True aficionados of contemporary gospel will count among their favorites gospel greats like Marvin Sapp, Yolanda Adams, CeCe Winans, Fred Hammond, Martha Munizzi, Commissioned, Darwin Hobbs, The Mighty Clouds of Joy, etc. What some fans may fail to realize is that one of the greatest sonic architects of the genre was Tommie TommyGunn1965 Walker with more than 4 million in song sales to his credit. Sadly, Tommie passed away on February 3, 2017, at 51 years of age, surrounded by family. Tommie passed away after failing to emerge from a medically induced coma brought on by ...