The Whispers (Nick Caldwell at far left) From a press release: Nick Caldwell, one of the founding members of the legendary R&B group The Whispers who are best known for their #1 R&B hits “Rock Steady” (1987) and “And The Beat Goes On” (1980), has died as a [...]
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 [...]
CHICAGO, Jan. 5, 2016 /PRNewswire/ : Central City Productions today announced that comedian, syndicated radio and TV personality Rickey Smiley (Dish Nation, Rickey Smiley For Real) and actress and TV personality Sherri Shepherd (Ride Along 2, The View) will return as co-hosts of the 31st Annual Stellar Gospel Music Awards, [...]
“Use What I Have” Dynamic Abraham Brothers From the album Family Reunion Available on iTunes In the spirit of Psalm 98, the Dynamic Abraham Brothers encourage praising God by making a joyful noise in all the Earth. If you have a harp, trumpet, or cornet, shouts the lead singer, go [...]
JGM's Bob Marovich was interviewed for Anne Ford's National Public Radio story on the Hammond organ's 80th anniversary, and how it gained greater popularity by first being an ideal instrument for African American church music. Hear the story here.
“Overflow” Bryan Andrew Wilson Feat. Roderick Giles & Grace Bryan’s Songs Records (release date: January 2016) Bryan Andrew Wilson’s forthcoming single “Overflow” falls squarely within the current gospel appetite for brisk, mid-tempo P&W songs with easy to learn melodies and lyrics. As such, it seems ideal for praise team use. [...]
Nicol Sponberg Awake My Soul Discovery House (release date: September 18, 2015) https://dhp.org/ By Bob Marovich As a Catholic kid attending Catholic elementary school, I spent many a weekly church service singing along to the austere church hymns that the organist pumped out at lock-step rhythm. But to a 1970s [...]
Click on the image above to hear the 100th episode of the JGM Music Hour. Playlist: God's got me - Dexter Walker & Zion Movement Up and praise 'em - Judah Band Hope - Tiff Joy He's been good - Dr. A. Edward Davis Jr. [...]
“Satisfied” The Fantastic Violinaires Release date: June 30, 2015 Available from digital music stores Like several professional gospel quartets that organized during or before gospel’s golden age, the Fantastic Violinaires are still very much in the soul-saving business. Recharged with new personnel, the quartet founded in Detroit in 1952 maintains [...]
Jonathan Butler Free Mack Avenue Records (2015) www.jonathanbutler.com By Bob Marovich Growing up financially poor in Cape Town, South Africa, under the repressive rules of apartheid, Jonathan Butler would certainly be excused if his music expressed unforgiving hate. But what the award-winning musical polymath feels instead, according to his latest [...]
