“Gospel Roots of Rock and Soul” will be broadcast by US public radio stations during Black History Month (February) Note: Journal of Gospel Music’s Editor-in-Chief Bob Marovich is honored to have been interviewed for this remarkable radio documentary. PHILADELPHIA (JANUARY 15, 2019): A new radio documentary that explores the history of black gospel music and illustrates its significant influence on the formation of rock and soul music will be broadcast by US radio stations in February, during Black History Month. Hosted by GRAMMY award-winning gospel singer CeCe Winans, Gospel Roots of Rock and Soul is produced by Philadelphia public radio ...

By Bob Marovich To carve out a niche in a quartet community crowded with local and national artists, the Gospel Sensations are employing a time-honored principle that has been all but abandoned in gospel music. A cappella harmony singing. That’s right: trendsetting by going back to the way gospel quartets sang prior to the 1950s: without musical instruments. And people like it. “Sometimes music takes a more commercial turn, and I get that,” said Robert C. Marion Jr., member of the Gospel Sensations. “It takes money to finance a ministry, but the a cappella sound, when it is done right, ...

Gospel winners at the 58th GRAMMY Awards: 36. Best Gospel Performance/Song “Wanna Be Happy?” – Kirk Franklin 37. Best Contemporary Christian Music Performance/Song “Holy Spirit” – Francesca Battistelli 38. Best Gospel Album Covered: Alive in Asia [Live] (Deluxe) – Israel & Newbreed (RGM Newbreed/RCA Inspiration) 39. Best Contemporary Christian Music Album This is Not a Test – Tobymac (ForeFront Records) 40. Best Roots Gospel Album Still Rockin’ My Soul – Fairfield Four (Fairfield Four Records) 45. Best American Roots Performance “See That My Grave Is Kept Clean” – Mavis Staples (Anti) For a complete list of winners and nominees, visit ...

    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 ...

The Fairfield Four Still Rockin’ My Soul Fairfield Four Records (2015) www.thefairfieldfour.com By Bob Marovich In 1925, when the Fairfield Four organized in Nashville, Tennessee, quartet singing was done a cappella. No instruments, just the human voice.  And God saw that it was good. No–great. Over the years, quartets added to the mix an ever-expanding combo of guitar, piano, organ, drums, electric bass, and synthesizer until the music threatened to overpower the vocal harmonies. Whether or not you are a fan of quartet singing with music, we can agree that there’s something seriously magical about hearing a cappella vocal singing. ...

Enjoy this special episode of the JGM Music Hour – all Christmas songs! Click on the image above to begin the audio stream. 2014 Christmas Special – Playlist: It’s Christmas time – Smokey Robinson & the Miracles feat. Kevin Ross Christ is born – Maurice Griffin Tis the season of miracles – Tarralyn Ramsey Merry Christmas – Lorianna Good news – Deborah Brown Children go where I send thee – Fairfield Four The Christmas song – Calvin Bridges This Christmas – Shawn Millz Mary don’t you know – the Bishops Quartet Merry Christmas – Norris J. feat. Taushey Sias All ...

The Americana Music Association saluted the Fairfield Four and McCrary Sisters. Read more here: With its awards show, the Americana Music Association embraces blues, gospel, and R&B.