Gospel Music

Various ArtistsThe Pitch/Gusman Records StoryBig Legal Mess Records 2009www.biglegalmessrecords.com/pitch.htmWe must have been very good boys and girls this year to merit yet another multi-CD collection of out-of-print indie gospel recordings. Truth is, The Pitch/Gusman Records Story might never have happened at all if it weren’t for the passion and dedication [...]

Kim RuffReady to LiveMackim Records 2009www.kimruff.comWhile enjoying Kim Ruff’s singing on her debut CD, Ready to Live, I discovered something even more striking than her pleasant, pop-influenced voice:She’s one heck of a songwriter.The Georgia native and 2010 Stellar-nominated artist has Diane Warren’s touch with a melody: simple, lovely, memorable. Singers [...]

TBGB Spotlight: C.D.W. Music Groupwww.cdwmusicgroup.comC.D.W. Entertainment and Recording Studios (“Christ Doing Wonders”) is also a record label and songwriting concern based in St. Louis, Missouri.The C.D.W. label’s current roster of gospel artists features an amalgam of sacred styles: from the neo-soul vocals of singer-musician Cherie Whitt (photo, left) and Holy [...]

“Nobody”Shirley Caesar and J MossFrom the CD A City Called Heaven (Light/Shu-Bel Records 2009)www.lightrecords.comTraditional meets contemporary on “Nobody” from Shirley Caesar’s new album, A City Called Heaven. Shirley and J Moss share their fierce convictions in an equally fierce, fiery duet.The singers have at least two things in common: they [...]

Forever JonesGet ReadyEMI Gospel (release scheduled for early 2010)www.emigospel.comIn gospel music, family groups are as plentiful as singing preachers and go back just as far. Most gospel artists will tell you that their first singing experience was with their siblings, whether professionally, for their home church, or harmonizing in the [...]

Congratulations to the following gospel artists who have been nominated for a GRAMMY Award!The 52nd Annual GRAMMY Awards ceremony will take place on Sunday, January 31, 2010 at the Staples Center in Los Angeles. For more information, go to http://www.grammy.com/.Best Gospel Performance • Free To Be MeFrancesca Battistelli[Fervent Records/ Word [...]

Steve ArringtonPure ThangGod Factor Records 2009www.stevearringtonministries.comOn the title track of his latest release, Pure Thang, funk meister Steve Arrington declares, “Just like Thelonious [Monk], I’m known to be different/It’s just the way I am, in this I’m consistent. No time for foolishness ‘cause I’m on a mission.”Truer words were never [...]

Check out Charlie Horner's illustrated article on the Swan Silvertones. It can be found on the Classic Urban Harmony website, an excellent resource Charlie and his wife Pam have created:Swan Silvertones

"Emmanuel"Norman Hutchins From Norman Hutchins & JDI Christmas (JDI/Universal Music Group, 2009)www.cdbaby.com/cd/jamesroberson“Next time you’re riding down the road in your car, sing this to the Lord. You’ll get where you’re going much faster.”JDI Records hitmaker Norman Hutchins makes this declaration at the opening of “Emmanuel,” a full-throated choir outing with [...]

Chris BryantAll I Need to Knowwww.chrisbryantmusic.comInspiration is a funny thing. You never know where or when it will strike.Just ask Chris Bryant. The Durham, North Carolina artist tells this story on his website:“A couple of months ago, I woke up singing a song that I don't remember hearing before. The [...]