Gospel artist, songwriter, and iconic choir director Ricky Dillard tells TBGB's Bob Marovich about his early music influences; the growth and development of New G; how grace undergirds his new album, Amazing; and how he is tackling personal health issues and the violence plaguing Chicago neighborhoods.A
Tone Ross & Inspired performing at last night's preview concertBy Bob Marovich for The Black Gospel BlogThe Chicago Chapter of the Recording Academy joined forces with the city's Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events last night to host a 2014 Chicago Gospel Festival preview concert and conversation.Held at the [...]
Shirlene JacksonWowCRNI (2011)Available at CD BabyBy Bob Marovich for The Black Gospel BlogWow is a self-produced five-track EP by Shirlene Jackson of New Edinburg, Arkansas. A capable gospel singer who proved her merit in 2005 by winning the Gospel Talent Showcase in Hot Springs, Arkansas, Jackson’s calling card is lofting [...]
Anointed By God“I Give You My All”One Voice Media (released March 18, 2014)Available on Amazon and iTunesFabulous gospel vocalist LeJuene Thompson leads this lovely ballad of unbridled discipleship. Anointed by God added Sharonda Walker-Mitchell, Carla Barnes, and Cachet Morganfield to make the background more sweetly treble-focused, and it works. This [...]
Ricky Dillard & New G Amazing Light Records/eOne Entertainment (release date: June 10, 2014) www.rickydillard.net By Bob Marovich for The Black Gospel Blog Ricky Dillard was once the young turk on the gospel block. Beginning in the late 1980s, Dillard and the New Generation Chorale, a Chicago gospel choir [...]
Christon Gray School of Roses Collision Records (release date: March 25, 2014) www.collision-records.com By Bob Marovich for The Black Gospel Blog Christon Gray’s School of Roses may be the most unusual, and the most cerebral, inspirational project you have ever heard. It’s less gospel in its typical structure and more [...]
From Erma Byrd:Per Sandra Crouch, our dear father in contemporary gospel music, Pastor Andrae’ Crouch, is facing some serious health challenges and was just released from the hospital last week. His music has encouraged us, helped many make a decision to give their lives to the Lord, opened doors that allowed [...]
"Wanna Be Close" J Kingdom www.jkingdom.com In 2009, Pastor Michael J. Fisher (aka J Kingdom) led Compton, California's Voices of Destiny choir to the Verizon How Sweet the Sound competition, where the group took top honors as "the best church choir in America." J Kingdom puts as much of a [...]
Pastor David Wright & the N.Y. Fellowship Mass ChoirNext GenerationGodfather Records (released February 2014)godfatherrecordsinc@gmail.comBy Bob Marovich for The Black Gospel BlogRecorded live at Brooklyn’s historic First Church of God in Christ, Pastor David Wright and the N.Y. Fellowship Mass Choir’s Next Generation does more to preserve the legacy of Bishop [...]
Bob Abrahamian did for soul music what "Gospel Memories" tries to do for gospel. His life was cut tragically short, and many, many people will miss him. He and I exchanged emails not three weeks ago about his interview with the late James Phelps. RIP Bob Abrahamian.Death of soul music [...]
