From a press release: The McCrary Sisters share the following on the loss of their sister, Deborah McCrary, yesterday, June 1, 2022: “It is with deep sorrow that we share the news of the passing of our beloved sister Deborah.” Deborah Person McCrary, born June 17, 1954 (age 67), was a member of the legendary McCrary Sisters, who have performed on countless recordings, television shows and live performances including Grammy, CMA, CMT, SNL, and others. Deborah’s smile and foundational tones graced the stage with her sisters Ann, Regina, and Alfreda on countless festivals in North America and Europe since 2011. ...

First Run Features presents …Fresh from its Theatrical Release… Robert Clem’s New Music Documentary HOW THEY GOT OVER How They Got Over celebrates the spirit of gospel performers and how they helped usher in a musical revolution that changed the world forever! Beginning in the 1920s, Black singers across the country took to the highways as the new technology of radio and records made it possible to reach a wider audience. Intense competition brought new ways to entertain, first with guitars, later with full bands, then with a performance style that would inspire Mick Jagger and a host of other ...

CHICAGO – March 8, 2022 – The Pillsbury Dough Boy. The Iroquois Theatre. Mayor Jane Byrne. The Father of Gospel. These iconic people, places, and things each have fascinating stories behind them. On Friday, April 1 at 8:00 pm on all platforms, WTTW will premiere a new season of CHICAGO STORIES, the only weekly documentary program dedicated to uncovering the sweeping history, rich diversity, and breadth of human experience that shaped this great American city. Each of the six new stories profiles a person or event that shaped Chicago, including the city’s first female mayor, Jane Byrne, who left an ...

NASHVILLE, April 19, 2022—Highly-regarded music executive Phil Thornton has been appointed Senior Vice President of Capitol Christian Music Group (Capitol CMG), it was announced today by the company’s co-presidents, Brad O’Donnell and Hudson Plachy, to whom Thornton reports. In his newly created position, Thornton will focus on New Business Development, signing talent and the development of label, media and touring partnerships on behalf of Capitol CMG artists. Thornton assumes his new position on May 3 and will be based at Capitol CMG’s headquarters in Nashville. According to O’Donnell and Plachy, “We are thrilled to welcome Phil to the Capitol CMG ...

Los Angeles, CA – “Remember Me: The Mahalia Jackson Story” starring Grammy winner Ledisi, and an all-star cast including Columbus Short, Wendy Raquel Robinson, Janet Hubert, Vanessa A. Williams, Corbin Bleu and Keith David, has been chosen as the opening night film for the 2022 Pan African Film & Arts Festival. The film, executive produced by Ericka Nicole Malone and Vince Allen, and directed by Denise Dowse will make its debut at PAFF, on April 19, 7:00 pm at the Directors Guild of America (DGA) located at, 7920 Sunset Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90046. Mahalia was not only regarded as ...

By Robert M. Marovich Lady Sharon Poston shared the sad news that her husband, Deacon Dr. Timothy D. Poston Sr., passed away on March 15, 2022. The California organist’s Churchin’ on the Hammond B3 Organ was reviewed by the Journal of Gospel Music in 2018. We at JGM express our condolences to the family, friends, and many fans of Dr. Poston, a keyboard talent bar none. Here is the homegoing service information (it will be livestreamed):

By Robert M. Marovich JGM was saddened to learn of the passing of LaShun Pace. Her sister Lydia reported that LaShun passed from organ failure on March 21, 2022, in a Metro Atlanta hospital. She had been on kidney dialysis for five years. Homegoing arrangements will be reported when announced. Here is a bio I wrote for the Malaco Music Group website: Born September 7, 1961, to Murphy and Bettie Ann Pace in Atlanta, Georgia, and brought up in the Church of God in Christ, Tarrian LaShun Pace began singing in church as well as with her eight sisters in ...

March 2022 date set for single release (Charlotte, North Carolina) – Enon Music Group continues building a reputable house of joyful noise with the announcement of the recent addition of viral sensation Jessica Toni. Rhyme and Reason super producer Morgan Turner shared these statements in context, “There is more than likely a good singer in every city somewhere, but rarely do you find a singer with passion and heartfelt emotion. You notice that there is something about them that stands out and invites you to hang on for a little while, that’s Jessica. This young lady has been on social ...

DALLAS, TX (February 28, 2022) – Grammy® Award-Winning Recording Artist Tamela Mann is celebrating wins at the 53rd NAACP Image® Awards for Outstanding Gospel/Christian Album for Overcomer and Outstanding Gospel/Christian Song for “Help Me,” featuring The Fellas. The award-winning, Billboard Gospel music charting album, Overcomer, features the single, “Help Me,” which added to Tamela’s bank of personal bests; the track was her eighth No. 1 on Billboard‘s Gospel Airplay chart. The public and NAACP members cast this year’s award votes, and industry and fans showed their support of Tamela by honoring her with these prestigious awards. “I am so thankful ...

The Journal of Gospel Music is grateful to the Texas Gospel Music Excellence Awards for selecting its Editor-in-Chief Robert M. “Bob” Marovich as its Gospel Promoter of the Year for 2022. The award ceremonies and related activities took place February 24 to 27 in Houston, Texas. For 24 years, the Texas Gospel Music Excellence Awards (TGMEA), founded by Pastor Larry Davies, has been one of the top gospel award shows in the country. It was his desire then, as it still is today, to reward independent artists for the excellence they have shown through their ministry. “What a wonderful surprise,” ...