NASHVILLE, Tenn. (October 17, 2017) – Tonight, the Gospel Music Association (GMA) handed out honors in 39 categories at the 48th Annual GMA Dove Awards plus special industry recognitions at Lipscomb University’s Allen Arena in Nashville. Kari Jobe and Tasha Cobb Leonard hosted the sold-out show and Trinity Broadcasting Network (TBN) will exclusively air the awards show on October 22 at 8 p.m. CST. Visit www.doveawards.com for more information. MercyMe was named Artist of the Year and Zach Williams took home New Artist of the Year. Gospel music legend Pat Boone received the SoundExchange Fair Play Award. From first-time nominees ...

By Bob Marovich The Reverend Joe Williams informed JGM this morning that Mr. Howard Carroll, longtime singer and guitarist with the Dixie Hummingbirds, and long considered the dean of gospel guitar, passed away this morning in Philadelphia’s Mount Airy community. He was 93. “He did things with the guitar that no one ever did,” Williams told a crowd at Philadelphia’s Clef Club in 2016 during a presentation of the Gospel Guitar Award to Carroll. “No one ever did it in gospel music. He actually changed the way gospel music became because of the original things he did with the guitar. Then some ...

AKRON, OH (Wednesday, October 11, 2017) — Prayers and condolences to Half Mile Home’s Todd Burton. This past Saturday his son DeAndre Andrus, 21, was shot and killed in what police believe to be a drive-by shooting that involved his cousin. Todd’s son was found dead the next morning from the gunshot wounds in Akron’s Goodyear Heights neighborhood. This is the second time that one of Todd’s kids was shot. His son Trey was shot in the head at the end of last year after an altercation with a man and his girlfriend. Please keep Todd and his family in ...

The Journal of Gospel Music has been selected by Feedspot panelists as one of the Top 100 Christian Music Blogs on the web. “This is the most comprehensive list of Top 100 Christian Music Blogs on the internet and I’m honored to have you as part of this!” Feedspot founder Anuj Agarwal said to JGM. We are honored to be part of this distinguished list of citizen journalists. View all 100 Top Christian Music Blogs on the list here: Feedspot  

Chicago—September 12, 2017— Every Sunday morning from 1963 until 1984, Chicago gospel music lovers watched Jubilee Showcase for the inspiring and soul-stirring performances by nationally known artists and local favorites, including the Staple Singers, Andrae Crouch, the Edwin Hawkins Singers, the Soul Stirrers, Albertina Walker, the Caravans, Jessy Dixon, the Barrett Sisters, Vernon Oliver Price and the Norfleet Brothers. Choral groups such as George Mays and Voices of Praise, the Wooten Choral Ensemble as well as the Institutional Church of God in Christ Radio Choir from Brooklyn, NY, were also regularly featured on the program. Episodes of this classic gospel ...

By Bob Marovich JGM was saddened to learn from Gayle Lecus and others in Southern California today that Dr. Rodena Preston has transitioned from earthly labor to heavenly reward. Rodena’s music career was fostered by her mother, Mrs. Robbie Preston-Williams, who had her daughter playing piano at age three. By age nine, Rodena was accompanying the junior choir at the Victory Baptist Church in Los Angeles. Her brother, Billy Preston, went on to play the organ and achieve success as an organist and vocalist in both the gospel and pop music worlds. Later, Rodena joined the Ladies of Song and was the ...

On Saturday, September 9, Journal of Gospel Music founder and editor-in-chief Bob Marovich received the Gospel Image Gold Award “for spiritual excellence through Christian Ministry” during the Gospel Image Award ceremonies in Charlotte, North Carolina. Among other awardees were Malaco executive Darrell Luster, Ambassador Dr. Bobby Jones, gospel singer Babbie Mason, gospel choir icon Pastor John P. Kee, and Brooklyn All Star quartet bass and nonagenarian Rev. Thomas Spann. Marovich founded the Journal of Gospel Music in July 2004.  Initially called The Black Gospel Blog, the site changed to the Journal of Gospel Music in 2014.  It is a trusted resource for news, interviews, and reviews of ...

By Bob Marovich JGM learned that choir director Alonzo Atkins passed away. Atkins had a longstanding tenure working with the Reverend James Cleveland. He directed the Voices of Tabernacle of Detroit, Michigan, after Cleveland relocated to Los Angeles. When Cleveland opened his Cornerstone Baptist Church in Los Angeles, he summoned Atkins to be the church’s minister of music. Atkins also worked with the Southern California Community Choir, also under the leadership of Rev. James Cleveland.  Atkins helped with the music at Cleveland’s funeral. In 2001, Atkins began directing Pastor John P. Kee’s New Life Fellowship Choir. Many will also remember Atkins from his ...

By Bob Marovich Darryl Lassiter informed JGM of the passing of David Gough at age 67. A gospel music artist, film producer, and owner of DoRohn Records, Gough is probably best known for establishing the International Gospel Music Hall of Fame and Museum in Detroit, Michigan, in 1995. I had the opportunity to meet Mr. Gough at the Gospel Music Workshop of America some years ago, and to speak with him several times by telephone.  He will most certainly be missed. JGM extends its sympathies to the Gough Family.   Here are the home going details. Public Viewing Friday, August 18th 12p-4p Kemp Funeral ...

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (August 9, 2017) – The Gospel Music Association (GMA) announced today the nominees for the 48th Annual GMA Dove Awards. The awards show will take place on Tuesday, October 17, 2017 at Lipscomb University’s Allen Arena in Nashville at 6:30 p.m. CST. Trinity Broadcasting Network (TBN) will exclusively air the awards show on Sunday, October 22, reaching over 100 million viewers in the U.S., plus global and multi-platform distribution. Voting for the final winners will run August 21 through August 28. Zach Williams and Lauren Daigle lead artist nominations with five, followed by Chris Tomlin, Crowder, Kirk Franklin ...