From a press release: The McCrary Sisters share the following on the loss of their sister, Deborah McCrary, yesterday, June 1, 2022: “It is with deep sorrow that we share the news of the passing of our beloved sister Deborah.” Deborah Person McCrary, born June 17, 1954 (age 67), was a member of the legendary McCrary Sisters, who have performed on countless recordings, television shows and live performances including Grammy, CMA, CMT, SNL, and others. Deborah’s smile and foundational tones graced the stage with her sisters Ann, Regina, and Alfreda on countless festivals in North America and Europe since 2011. ...

Episode 154 Playlist He’s working on me – The McDuffies feat. Bishop Darrell McFadden I’m Black and I matter – Evangelist Lemmie Battles I’ve got the victory – Na’kaja Reed My help – Angela Moss Poole feat. Micah Stampley Nothin’ but the spirit – Lisa Bellamy Be alright – Friends (aka Anointed Friends) He’ll be there – RiZen He’s way ahead of you – Denita Gibbs Into this place – Bradie Frank & Ordinary People Come (broken, scarred) – Mary Ozaraga Are you ready – Debbie Cochran Diamond – Emilia Walasik Beside still waters – Derrick “Doc” Pearson feat. Brian ...

“Amazing Grace” The McCrary Sisters McCrary Sisters Productions (release date: April 30, 2021) www.mccrarysisters.com By Robert M. Marovich Only the McCrary Sisters, who could sing the phone book (remember those?) into the gospel charts, could pull off “Amazing Grace” sung to the tune of “House of the Rising Sun.” Except, that is, for the Blind Boys of Alabama, who did it originally. Still, the McCrary Sisters offer an equally intriguing, and arguably more evocative, take on this mix of regret and redemption. Daughters of the late Reverend Sam McCrary of the Fairfield Four, the McCrary Sisters—Ann, Deborah, Regina, and Alfreda—share ...

“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 ...

Paul Thorn Don’t Let the Devil Ride Perpetual Obscurity Records (release date:  March 23, 2018) www.paulthorn.com By Bob Marovich Paul Thorn’s Don’t Let the Devil Ride hits the Americana music jackpot. With the Blind Boys of Alabama and the McCrary Sisters as guest vocalists, the Preservation Hall Horns among the musicians, and Rick Hall’s Fame and Sam Phillips’ studios as well as Preservation Hall providing recording mojo, Thorn could have performed “Happy Birthday to You” and it would have sounded smothered in tangy barbeque sauce. But Thorn taps his sacred roots (his father was a bishop in the Church of God of Prophecy, ...

AsOne AsOne 360 MusicWorx/Capitol Christian Distribution/Universal Music Group (release date: June 23, 2015) www.AsOneOfficial.com By Bob Marovich Interracial gospel/sacred singing groups go back more than a century—from the days of Polk Miller & the Old South Quartette at the turn of the twentieth century to Homer Rodeheaver’s singing with the African American Wiseman Sextette; and from Gene Viale (of Puerto Rican heritage) in the Cleveland Singers, Elizabeth Meagher in the Exodus Singers, and the multicultural Brooklyn Tabernacle Choir. The color of the skin counts less than the color of the voice, and there are rich hues in the voices and ...

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.