By Bob Marovich As is our custom for this time of year, the Journal of Gospel Music presents its “best of” lists in the category of CDs, songs, and historical releases. The recordings were not chosen as “best of” based on sales, chart status, promotion, voting, fan popularity, number of likes or retweets, committee decisions, throwing darts, reading tea leaves, arm twisting, or anything other than 1) JGM was serviced with the music for review either on its own platform or for review in another journal or publication, and 2) JGM believes they best represented gospel/sacred music in 2020 in ...

By Cecille Richman, Guest Contributor While many might say that gospel music is incredibly niche, the opposite is actually true. Formed out of a mixture of African American folk music and religious hymns, it’s a soulful genre that has inspired countless others. Genres now considered foundational to American popular music, including soul, blues, and R&B, can all trace their history back to gospel. The recent launch of Legacy Music Group is proof of gospel music’s incredible influence and popularity. Hundreds of popular artists have made use of gospel music or gospel musical influences in their discographies. In a ZenBusiness guide ...

NASHVILLE, TENN. (JUNE 09, 2020) Provident Music Group, a division of Sony Music Entertainment, announced today that it has re-branded as Provident Entertainment to showcase the company’s wide spectrum of industry-leading faith based entertainment. Provident Entertainment, which operates under the umbrella of Sony Music Nashville, includes Provident Label Group, RCA Inspiration, Essential Worship, Essential Music Publishing, Provident Films, and Essential Artist Services. As a faith-based entertainment industry leader, Provident Entertainment and each of its entities strives to produce products that engage faith-minded audiences with positive messages. Terry Hemmings, CEO and President, Provident Entertainment, says, “The name change to Provident Entertainment ...

Philadelphia, PA — Enon Music Group (EMG) is one of the fastest-growing record labels in Gospel music. They have delivered Stellar Award-nominated artists and Billboard Chart Topping songs and albums from their wheelhouse. Founded by Dr. Alyn E. Waller, EMG’s mission is to be a respected resource for quality music and artist development anchored in integrity and theologically centered music. Singer San Franklin is noted as one of Gospel and Christian music’s most commanding vocalists and professional session singers. The vocal beast has been heard on a plethora of award-winning albums and has provided her vocal prowess to Donnie McClurkin, ...

Christon Gray Clear the Heir Fo Yo Soul/Essential Sound/RCA Inspiration (Sony Music) (release date: October 19, 2018) www.christongray.com By Bob Marovich Christon Gray has never been a shrinking violet when it comes to challenging the status quo of Christian music in style, arrangement, and lyric content. On Clear the Heir, his latest full-length offering, Gray drives forward the autobiographical narrative he began on his earlier releases with a frothy fusion of hip hop, rap, dramatic recitations, and even symphonic strings. Clear the Heir also contains some of Gray’s most radio-friendly work to date. The album’s provocative lyrics catch listeners up on the dramatic episodes in ...

(Nashville, TN) – June 8, 2017 – Reunion Records/Sony Music Entertainment announces the anticipated release of Tauren Wells’ new solo LP Hills And Valleys. The digital-only deluxe edition features 15 songs and releases June 23. A physical version of the album, featuring 11 songs, will debut July 21. To create the unique combination of sounds heard throughout Hills And Valleys, Wells, a two-time GRAMMY® nominee, collaborated with a variety of seasoned producers from the musical worlds of R&B, funk, pop, Gospel, urban and AC. Working alongside Chuck Butler, Jordan Sapp, Casey Brown, Colby Wedgeworth and Bernie Herms, Wells also partnered ...

Nashville, TN (August 2, 2016) – RCA Inspiration will operate under the umbrella of the Provident Music Group, a division of Sony Music Entertainment, in a shift of operations for the New York-based award-winning inspirational music label. Under this shift, RCA Inspiration will now conduct operations based out of Nashville, TN. Terry Hemmings, President and CEO of Provident Music Group, says: “Provident Music Group is delighted to welcome RCA Inspiration, and their incredible lineup of artists whose ever-evolving and diverse sounds have continued to make such an impact on Gospel and inspirational music. They mark a valuable addition to Provident ...