“Thank You Lord” Pastor Mack Mason Independent (release date: October 17, 2020) By Robert M. Marovich Fronting a team of smooth female vocalists, Pastor Mack Mason doesn’t hold back as he testifies with gushes of gratitude on “Thank You Lord.” The robust-voiced Mason sings at the upper edge of his baritone range, revving up in the song’s vamp, which apexes in the song’s finest moment—an ad libbed shout of joy and relief: “You’re the best friend that I’ve ever had – whoooo!” A veteran radio announcer, author, and publisher, Pastor Mason now helms his grandfather’s church, Greater Prayer Garden Church ...

By Bob Marovich I first met Pastor Mack C. Mason more than a decade ago. Our mutual appreciation for traditional gospel music brought us together for lunch in Chicago’s Loop. At that lunch, Pastor Mack not only gave me great advice, but I took it. He suggested I join the Chicago Area Gospel Announcers Guild. I did.  The Guild helped inspire The Black Gospel Blog, which is now the Journal of Gospel Music.   The Guild also introduced me to so many of you reading this right now. At that first meeting, Pastor Mack said prophetically, “Something good is going to come ...