“Oh How Good It Is” Byron Cage From the Malaco / AIR Release Isolation (release date: September 27, 2019) www.malaco.com By Bob Marovich Byron Cage, designated the Prince of Praise for helping popularize Praise & Worship music in African American churches, opens his new single, the cheerful “Oh How Good It Is,” with a declaration of praise. He wants to be “in the presence of the King”—so much so that it makes him want to shout, holler, and throw up his hands. Not out of anger and frustration, like Marvin Gaye, but out of joy and gratitude. Halfway through the ...

              Playlist for Christmas Hour 2017: 1. Joy to the world – Chris Byrd & True Victory 2. Savior of the world – The Ginyards 3. Have yourself a merry little Christmas – E. L. Williams 4. O come Emmanuel – Mike McCoy & Voices United 5. Don’t take Christ out of Christmas – Angelo and Veronica 6. Carol of the bells – MARi 7. Make room for Jesus – Volunteer State Mass Choir 8. Angels we have heard on high – DOE 9. Oh what a pretty little baby – Liz McComb 10. ...

          Click on the image above to begin streaming the show. Playlist for Episode 110: Operator 911 – Chris Byrd and the Heavenaires Higher ground – Dr. Mark Williams Let it be done – Albert White and AVOP Hold on – Rance Allen Group Let it go – Evang. Brenda Whitt-Abney & Bones of Fire Jesus reigns – VaShawn Mitchell You were there – Henry Hall and New Dimension Worshippers Because of who you are – Sounds of Imani Angel – Hostyle Gospel feat. Tone Jonez I am changed – Karlos Nichols Key to my heart ...

“Operator 911” Chris Byrd & the Heavenaires From the album Diversified (released August 2016) Available from digital music outlets Chris Byrd and the Heavenaires dust off and update “Operator,” the Cleveland-based Friendly Brothers’ 1959 classic covered in the 1970s by a cappella vocal group the Manhattan Transfer.  In their hands, it is now known as “Operator 911.” It doesn’t matter that the telephone operator has gone the way of the telephone booth and directory assistance. With a funky, bass-driven beat and a call-and-response vamp (“It’s a matter of urgency / I’m calling 911”), the quartet makes it its own and ...

    Playlist: Jesus, oh what a wonderful child – The Walls Group Go tell it – Calvin Bridges Time to celebrate – Voncile Belcher Bethlehem morning – Caleb Collins feat. Morris Chapman God rest ye merry gentlemen – Livre’ O come all ye faithful – Grace Covenant Worship This Christmas – Tony McClendon Silent night – Immeasurable The Christmas song – Deon Robertson Don’t take Christ out of Christmas – Angelo & Veronica Worship the newborn king – Tim Spady Carol of the drum – Robert Person O holy night – Kevin Riley Savior of the world – The ...