Bob

Seventy years ago today, December 31, 1939, Pilgrim Baptist Church of Chicago, under the leadership of Rev. J.C. Austin, hosted a Watchmeeting Service that brought together a "constellation of stars," the old and the new in religious music:The three-hour service (9 p.m. to 12 midnight) featured…The Wings over Jordan Choir [...]

From a Press Release, sent to us by Gregory Gay:The Draper family regretfully reports that Marie “Ma” Draper, age 69, passed away Sunday, December 27, 2009 at St. Francis Hospital from complications stemming from hypertension. Marie, the mother of gospel artist O’Landa Draper, is survived by her daughter, Teresa Draper; [...]

“Jesus is Knocking”Rev. James G. GrimesFrom the CD Jesus is KnockingPrivate Release 2009When it comes to singing gospel music, Rev. James Grimes of Mount Olive, North Carolina admits to being a "late starter." He began singing after his military discharge, worked with a number of quartets in the Southeast and [...]

Monae Miller I’m On My Way EP The Gospel Jam 2009 www.monaemiller.com Earlier this month, TBGB featured the bouncy, tuneful and infectious title track from Kansas-born and Texas-based singer-songwriter Monae Miller’s EP I’m On My Way. In addition to the title cut, I’m On My Way includes three other songs, [...]

From PBS.org:THIRTEEN’s American Masters celebrates the wonderful world of music game-changer and definitive soul singer Sam Cooke in Sam Cooke: Crossing Over, airing Monday, January 11 at 9 p.m. (ET) on PBS.Check out a brief preview video by clicking below:Sam Cooke: Crossing OverTBGB NOTE: The only concern I have is [...]

Henry J2Fill MePlatinum New Alpha Records 2009www.myspace.com/henryj2Chicago’s Henry Johnson II, aka Henry J2, is a triple-threat: musician, singer and songwriter. His music falls squarely within the category of urban contemporary with touches of jazz, soul and R&B. Henry J2 reminds me a little of cutting-edge artists Claude Deuce of Detroit [...]

“Oxyclean”GLOFrom the Arrow Records CD It’s Official: Hip Hop Remixed (2009)www.arrow-records.comThis song never fails to put a smile on my face. It’s rapid-fire, positive music for the dance floor with lyrics drawn straight from 21st Century popular culture. Instead of being “washed whiter than snow,” holy hip hop artist GLO [...]

Tony Cummings of Cross Rhythms tells the story of gospel singer-songwriter and R&B songstress Wynona Carr.Read here:Sister Wynona Carr

Click on the link below and wax nostalgic with vintage Christmas recordings by gospel and spiritual artists, courtesy of "Gospel Memories." The program is hosted by TBGB's own Bob Marovich.Listen to "Gospel Memories" - Ninth Annual Christmas CaravanAmong the recordings showcased on this year's Christmas Caravan is the first known [...]

James CockerhamReflections of the HeartCopro Record Company 2008www.coprorecords.comJames Cockerham is a Berklee College of Music graduate who sings, composes, produces and plays piano. His Reflections of the Heart, a full-length CD released on his own Copro label, distills the musician’s talents into a tranquilly pleasant, well-produced listening experience.The album’s ten [...]