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From Effie Rolfe of the Chicago Defender (Jan. 13, 2006):Our prayers go to the legendary Delores Barrett Campbell of the world renowned Barrett Sisters who has been hospitalized for several weeks. The gospel music icon has been on bed rest since September and is about to enter rehab at Lincoln [...]

“Heavenly Father”Crescent City Gospel SingersArcadia 1091956 Available on New Orleans Gospel Quartets: 1947-1956 (504 Music) and on Quartet Collection, Volume 10 (Pewburner 572) From the opening bars of the song – a passionate supplication sung by lead singer Charles Taylor and bathed in studio echo – to the intensely recited [...]

From D.A. Johnson of Malaco Music Group:***Official Statement*** Blackberry Records, Inc. (which is solely owned & operated by DougWilliams, Melvin Williams & Henry Green a/k/a The Williams Brothers) hasmoved its entire operations from McComb, MS to Jackson, MS. They soldtheir office building in McComb and are currently in the process [...]

“Turn it Around” Israel and New BreedFrom Alive from South AfricaIntegrity Gospel 2006When I first heard Israel Houghton a couple of years ago, I was struck by how intelligent was his mix of gospel, Christian, rock, and pop styles with lovely melodies and muscular production. My admiration only strengthens with [...]

A USA Today report noted that Scottsdale, Arizona resident Billy Preston, 59, is "recovering from a serious infection of the sac encasing his heart." He "remains seriously ill and cannot speak because he has a tracheotomy." Preston had a kidney transplant some years ago but the kidney failed, placing him [...]

On a very sad note: Madame Hulah Gene Dunklin Hurley of Detroit, Michigan passed away Wednesday, January 25. Gospel scholar David Jones told TBGB that she was in the hospital for a routine operation, experienced some post-op complications that may not have been diagnosed properly, and suffered a massive heart [...]

"Dance"Chris Jones featuring Word of Praisefrom the Forthcoming CD, Chris Jones Featuring Word of PraiseTyscot 2006www.tyscot.comAs I was previewing "Dance," the first single to be released from Detroiter Chris Jones' upcoming new project, Chris Jones Featuring Word of Praise, I could almost hear it being dropped into radio rotation with [...]

"Looking for You"Kirk FranklinFrom the Gospocentric CD Hero2005Gospel disco?The sacred lyric has been embraced by blues, jazz, soul, funk, RnB, doo-wop, so why not disco? So must have thought baseball-capped gospel superstar Kirk Franklin, as he all but hangs a mirror ball and lights the dance floor on "Looking for [...]

Martha Munizzi“No Limits”From the CD, No LimitsIntegrity Gospel 2005Having heard golden-haired and silky-voiced Martha’s spectacular talent on display both live and on her CD package of marvelously-interpreted holiday songs, I know of and respect her vocal talent. Her upcoming single, “No Limits,” however, is an ironic title for a track [...]

“Rough Side of the Mountain”Rev. F.C Barnes & Rev. Janice BrownConsolating Sound (AIR) 1983“Rough Side of the Mountain” was an early home run for then-fledgling, now major indie Atlanta International Records (AIR), when the company was doing business under the Consolating Sound imprint. The recording’s irresistible sing-along chorus and windshield-wiper [...]