(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. Funeral arrangements and ways to comfort the family will be shared as soon as details are confirmed. #    # 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 ...

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 ...

By Bob Marovich Despite rumbles of thunder and intermittent downpours that kept the audience under umbrellas for much of the program, the closing event of the two-day 2019 Chicago Gospel Music Festival proceeded without delay. A collaboration between Chicago’s Department of Cultural and Special Events, the Stellar Awards, and the National Museum of Gospel Music, the evening program, held at the city’s Pritzker Pavilion in Millennium Park, featured appearances by several Stellar Award nominees and awardees. Emcees were Pastor Charles Jenkins and Terrell Brown, Anchor, ABC 7 Chicago. Here are a few photographic highlights of the evening:

Stellar Award Lifetime Honoree PASTOR MACEO WOODS Presents HELLO SUNSHINE LIVE! Pastor Maceo Woods, Stellar Award Bobby Jones Lifetime Achievement Award Recipient, Celebrates the 50th Anniversary of the Billboard classic, Hello Sunshine. TRACK LISTING: Hello Sunshine In Jesus Name (I Won’t Leave Here) Jesus is Keeping Me Oh Lord Deliver Me I Thank The Lord I’ll Get Home Someday (We Are Climbing) I’m So Grateful Wonderful He’s There Step To Jesus I’m Living in the Care of the Lord Revive Us Again The Life Boat I Will Give Thanks He Lifted Me Executive Producer: Pastor Maceo L. Woods 2019 Compilation: ...

JGM offers its sympathies on the passing of Elder John Powell, the husband of gospel singer Sara Jordan Powell.