The Journal of Gospel Music was saddened to learn of the passing today of the Reverend Dr. Clay Evans, founder and pastor emeritus of Fellowship Missionary Baptist Church in Chicago. Our deepest sympathies to Ms. Lou Della Evans Reid, Rev. Pharis Evans, the rest of the Evans family, and the Fellowship M.B. Church community. The following is a short bio that I wrote for the Malaco Music Group website, with the generous assistance of Ms. Patty Nolan-Fitzgerald: Reverend Dr. Clay Evans An iconic pastor, singer, songwriter, recording preacher, community organizer, and civil rights leader, the Reverend Dr. Clay Evans was ...

Congratulations to the nominees in the Gospel and Christian categories for the 62nd GRAMMY Awards, to be held at L. A.’s Staples Center and televised Sunday, January 26. I am honored to be part of this list for the first time (see Category 67). 36. Best Gospel Performance/Song LOVE THEORY Kirk Franklin; Kirk Franklin, songwriter TALKIN’ ‘BOUT JESUS Gloria Gaynor Featuring Yolanda Adams; Bryan Fowler, Gloria Gaynor & Chris Stevens, songwriters SEE THE LIGHT Travis Greene Featuring Jekalyn Carr SPEAK THE NAME Koryn Hawthorne Featuring Natalie Grant THIS IS A MOVE (LIVE) Tasha Cobbs Leonard; Tony Brown, Brandon Lake, Tasha ...

Bob Marovich, editor-in-chief of the Journal of Gospel Music, and Hasan James, publisher and editor of Root Magazine, talk with host Jon Caramanica on The New York Times Popcast about the new Kanye West album and film, Jesus is King. Listen to the Popcast here: https://nyti.ms/2JyAjEs

(ATLANTA, GA) October 22, 2019 – It is with a heavy heart that the Stampley family would like to announce the passing of their 15 year old daughter, Mary Stampley, from complications with a seizure. Please keep their family in your prayers and respect their privacy as they deal with this traumatic event. #    # The Journal of Gospel Music sends its heartfelt sympathies to the Stampley family on the loss of Mary. Parents should never have to bury their children. Our heart breaks for you.

LAUREN DAIGLE TAKES HOME THREE DOVES INCLUDING THE TOP AWARD “ARTIST OF THE YEAR” KIRK FRANKLIN, TASHA COBBS LEONARD AND LECRAE TAKE TWO NASHVILLE, Tenn. (Oct. 15, 2019) – The Gospel Music Association celebrated the 50th Annual Dove Awards with a sold out crowd in Nashville, TN. The special evening shined a light on Christian and Gospel music’s rich and diverse history and showcased the future of exceptional artistry. The awards will be televised on TBN (Trinity Broadcasting Network) on Sunday, October 20 at 8 p.m. EST / 5 p.m. PST. The big winners of the night were songwriter Jason ...

By Bob Marovich Dennis Bines informed the Journal of Gospel Music that Dr. Jonathan Greer II passed away on Saturday, August 31, 2019. Home going arrangements will be announced as soon as they are known. Meanwhile, here is a brief bio on Dr. Greer, written by me for the Malaco Music Group website and approved by the late Dr. Greer: A gospel organist, choir director and church leader, Dr. Jonathan Greer II was born June 4, 1941, to Bishop Jonathan Greer Sr. and Vanilla “Dear” Thompson. The young Jonathan grew up in his father’s Chicago church, Light of the World ...

Awards to be held ‘live’ Tuesday, October 15 in Nashville, Tennessee and will air on TBN on Sunday, October 20, 8 p.m. EST / 5 p.m. PST NASHVILLE, Tenn. (August 14, 2019) – The Gospel Music Association (GMA) announced today the nominees for the 50th Annual GMA Dove Awards, revealed exclusively on Facebook ‘Live’ with the help of Natalie Grant, Jekalyn Carr and Karen Peck. This historic celebration will take place on Tuesday, October 15 in Nashville, Tennessee. Trinity Broadcasting Network (TBN) will exclusively air the show on Sunday, October 20, 8 p.m. EST / 5 p.m. PST. Voting for ...

Marcel West of Detroit, Michigan, informed the Journal of Gospel Music that gospel singer Tessie Hill-Ackey passed away on July 28, 2019. Born October 9, 1934, in Monroe, Georgia, Madame Hill migrated at a young age to Detroit, Michigan. She later became lead vocalist of the choir at the church shepherded by her husband, the late Pastor Lonnie Hill. The Original Church of God in Christ Choir, which for a time included a young Rance Allen on guitar, made albums for Savoy Records during the 1960s. Hill’s vivacious, expressive voice led many of the choir’s selections. Hill had a solo ...

Bishop Andrew Ford II, Pastor of Ford Memorial Temple in Philadelphia’s Nicetown community, passed away on Friday, July 19, 2019, at age 66. From Bishop Ford’s Facebook page: Bishop Andrew James Ford II is a visionary with a clear insight for the Next Generation and New Millennium church. He is the Senior Pastor of Ford Memorial Temple, Inc., Philadelphia, PA, as well as the establishmentarian and Presiding Prelate of the Next Generation Fellowship Ministries, Inc., a national interdenominational fellowship of churches, clergy, and church leaders from various ecumenical backgrounds. He’s a member of the Joint College of African American Pentecostal ...