Gospel Music

Yesterday evening, Chicago’s gospel legends came out in full force to send their friend and colleague Eugene Smith home on the wings of a dove.Smith, a member (and later manager) of the Roberta Martin Singers from its inception as the Martin & Frye Quartette in 1933 to Miss Martin’s passing [...]

“Wonderful”Coco McMillanFrom the T Records CD I’ve Been Delivered (release scheduled for July 17, 2009).www.trecords.netI first heard Coco McMillan when she appeared at GMWA in 2007 to promote her single, “Stand With Me.” The North Carolina native is a stylish, bright and vibrant contemporary gospel singer with a hip-cool presence, [...]

Eddie ReddicHe Accepted MeReddic Records 2003www.eddiereddiconline.comHouston, Texas native Pastor Eddie Reddic plays most of the positions on his debut album, He Accepted Me. He sings, plays guitar, bass, organ and keyboards, and writes and arranges. He co-produced the album with Haniel Trisna and released it on his own record label, [...]

National Basketball Association star, three-time All-American at the University of Oklahoma and jazz musician Wayman Tisdale died in his hometown of Tulsa, Oklahoma today, Friday, May 15. Tisdale was 44.The 6 foot-9 inch hoopster played for Indiana, Sacramento and Phoenix, and earned a gold medal in the 1984 Olympics as [...]

True BelieversBreak ThroughMalaco Records 2008www.malaco.comHere’s another young quartet with an old soul.Earlier in the decade, McComb, Mississippi’s True Believers recorded for the Blackberry label under the guidance of the Williams Brothers, then signed with Malaco, releasing their first project for the imprint in 2007. The group unveiled Break Through, its [...]

“Till the Morning Comes”Sylvester BurksC&W Records 2009www.C-N-WRecords.comTalk about a crossroads.As an eighteen year-old, Sylvester Burks had to choose between a request from Rev. James Cleveland to go on tour or finish his studies. At his mother’s request, Burks obediently chose the books, but the poignant “Till the Morning Comes,” arranged [...]

Everybody Dance!James RobersonJDI Records 2009www.myspace.com/jamesrobersonjdiIn the liner notes for his debut solo album Everybody Dance!, JDI Records chief Professor James Roberson explains that making this CD was on his mind and in his heart for seven years. After producing successful albums on Norman Hutchins, Beverly Crawford and DeNetria Champ, it [...]

TBGB learned today from both Joseph Middleton and David Jones that Eugene Smith of the Roberta Martin Singers died today, May 9, at his home in Chicago.The senior living apartments where Smith was a resident confirmed his passing. They found his body in his apartment this morning.Eugene Smith just recently [...]

From Monika Diaz of WFAA-TV and Texas Cable News:DALLAS - Thousands of listeners, who tune in every morning to get their daily dose of inspiration and spirituality from a popular radio voice, discovered this morning that he was gone. Gospel legend, Joe Bagby, the man known as the spiritual heartbeat [...]

“Close to You”BeBe & Cece WinansMalaco/B & C Records 2009www.myspace.com/bebeandcecewinansNot to be confused with the Carpenters’ 1970s hit of the same name, this “Close to You” is a sweet, melodic gospel-pop ballad from the pen of BeBe Winans. BeBe and CeCe trade leads with ease, and harmonize as only longtime [...]