By Robert M. Marovich Last March, the COVID-19 pandemic washed over Bishop J. Drew Sheard’s family and associates like a tsunami. His brother, the Reverend Ethan B. Sheard, tested positive for the virus. So did his children, well-known musicians J Drew II and Kierra. His mother, Willie Mae Sheard, and father, Bishop John H. Sheard, pastor of Greater Mitchell Temple Church of God in Christ in Detroit, also contracted the virus. “It hit my family pretty hard,” Sheard, Senior Pastor of Detroit’s Greater Emmanuel Institutional (GEI) Church of God in Christ, told the Journal of Gospel Music. “The most difficult ...

(Houston, Texas) Blacksmoke Music Worldwide Founder and CEO Mr. Kerry Douglas counts the joys of life a little sweeter as he recovers from an extensive bout with COVID-19. The venerable record company executive, award winning hit making radio promoter and most recent proud father was conducting “Gospel Music business as usual” when COVID-19 stopped him in his tracks placing an indefinite hold on his daily activities. “I knew something was wrong, I just couldn’t put my finger on it. I was fatigued and tired and then the flu like symptoms set in. We don’t know why things happen, but we ...

“I Can’t Give Up” Byron Cage From the AIR / Malaco Music Group CD Isolation www.malaco.com By Bob Marovich It turns out the title of multiple Stellar Awardee Byron Cage’s September 2019 album, Isolation, was prophetic. But on “I Can’t Give Up,” the album’s latest single release, Cage and his background vocalists declare that their present circumstances don’t define them. “I’m built to win,” Cage enthuses, singing on his own behalf as well as on behalf of the listeners. The troupe sets pulpit-honed wisdom such as “I’ve come too far” and “no weapon formed against me shall proper” to an ...

“Alright” Bishop Larry Trotter & Sweet Holy Spirit Choir From the forthcoming album Restored By Bob Marovich Bishop Larry Trotter and the choir of his Sweet Holy Spirit Church on Chicago’s Southeast side offer encouragement in the full-throated, hand-clapping, church-wrecking style emblematic of the Windy City gospel choir sound. In a sandpaper-rough baritone, Trotter sings about “heartaches and pains,” as the choir answers him with a reassuring “alright, it’s gonna be alright.” But it’s the fiery vocalist Betty Lott who sells the song. She works the audience and duets with Trotter as, with the choir, they interpolate a bit of ...

Special COVID Playlist, Part II: Survive – Earnest Pugh Winter Spring – V. Brown Be Strong – Voncile Belcher God Can – Yael Hilton Keep Holding On – Denita Gibbs We Need You – Lowell Pye No Fear – Restine Jackson Through It All – James Johnson He Will Restore – Byron Harvey & TEAM Hold On – Dynasty 901 Stand As One – Danton Whitley God’s Got Angels – Debbie Orange When the World Falls Apart – Terry Barber Peace for My World – Shekinah Glory Ministry It’s Gonna Be Alright – Titus Showers and Jermaine Dolly

This JGM Music Hour is a special edition of recently released songs that either reference the virus or the challenges of our time. May it bring you encouragement and hope for better times ahead. COVID Playlist, Part One: No plague – AR Base Fear and Faith Can’t Live Together – Brent Jones Gonna Be Alright – Ernest J. Lee Heal the Land – Kimberly Williams Healer – Tiff Joy All Your Needs – Chip Bailey Walk Around (Victory) – Jonah A Prayer – Fortune Ebel Heal Our Land – Kassandra McGhee Better Days – Joe Daccache The Lord is My ...

“Heal Our Land” Kassandra McGhee (release date: April 2020) http://www.kassandramcghee.com By Bob Marovich On her new single, “Heal Our Land,” Chicagoland-based singer-songwriter Kassandra McGhee takes for her text 2 Chronicles 7:14. Without mentioning the pandemic once, you know instinctively that this gentle, acoustic ballad is a prayer for global healing during COVID-19. In many ways, it doubles as a mantra for such a time as this. Despite being written and recorded during the pandemic, with all of the stay-at-home measures to accommodate, this is McGhee’s best song to date. John King at Manifested Works gave the song its final touches. ...

By Bob Marovich The Journal of Gospel Music has learned of the passing of Bishop C. L. (Clarence Leslie) Morton Jr., pastor of Mount Zion Full Gospel Baptist Church in Windsor, Ontario, Canada. The cause of death appears to have been related to COVID-19. Bishop Morton was the son of the late Bishop C. L. Morton Sr. and Evangelist Matilda Morton, and the brother of Bishop Paul S. Morton of Greater St. Stephen Full Gospel Baptist Church. Please keep the Morton Family at the top of your prayer list at this time.

By Bob Marovich This pandemic has wrecked havoc on the music community. JGM just learned of another soldier gone: the Reverend Eddie Hunter, singer with the Alabama Spirituals of Alexander City, Alabama. He succumbed to COVID-19 on Sunday, April 5, 2020. Born March 13, 1952, Rev. Hunter served as Pastor of Miracle Missionary Baptist Church in Alexander City, Alabama. He was also the president of the Northeast District State Convention of the Alabama State Missionary Baptist Convention. He had just celebrated his 68th birthday. Please keep Reverend Hunter’s family, congregation, friends, and many fans at the top of your prayer ...

Enon Music Group Creates Fund To Financially Support Musicians Whose Employment Is Affected By Covid-19 Pandemic Philadelphia, PA — Enon Music Group (EMG) is an independent record label established by Dr. Alyn E. Waller, Senior Pastor of Enon Tabernacle Baptist Church in Philadelphia, PA. The growing label has supported a diverse and dynamic roster of Stellar Award Nominated artist as well as new and developing artists. Due to the Covid-19 Pandemic crisis the world is experiencing, EMG has created a relief fund to support Philadelphia area musicians who have lost employment due to the mandatory closure of churches. EMG has ...