Who’s doing what, when, and where in and around the gospel music industry
The International Music Summit For Independent Christian and Gospel Artist Is Going To London, England Thursday October 5, 2023 through Saturday October 7, 2023.
Get your passports ready, book the time off and travel to London in 2023 with the Summit. Pre-Registration is through April 30, 2023 @ $100 per person. Host Hotel Details Coming Soon…
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Grammy Nominated and Stellar Award Winner Calvin Bridges is celebrated as a living Gospel legend! Calvin inspires countless listeners and is considered one of the most innovative Gospel singers of modern times. With a career spanning more than 30 years, Bridges performs around the world and has given gospel concerts and workshops in more than 20 countries. His personal conviction and faith shine most during live-performances, which makes his music and ministry unforgettable. The soulful singer and anointed songwriter released “Celebrate” to an impressive debut on major music streaming platforms.
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Choir Night was recently held in San Fernando, CA at California Worship Center which is under the leadership of Pastor Warren and 1st Lady Erica (Mary Mary) Campbell.
The event was hosted by KJLH radio and announcer, Aundrae Russell and was more than uplifting as each choir took the room’s energy level higher with each song.
Every song had a significant meaning that ministered to all ages. Major artists dropped by to support the event such as Jonathan McReynolds, Lena Byrd Miles-Major, Stevie Wonder (owner of KJLH) to name a few. Performances included Cecil Tompson and Glory, Rev. Quincy Fielding Jr. and GRACE who sang their nationally acclaimed single, Restore the Joy, led by Katrice Wilburn and an old time favorite, My God is Wonderful lead by the original lead singer, Dave Shirley; Charles Jenkins, who used the entire audience as his choir singing the spirited My God is Awesome, War and other favorite tunes by Jenkins. The awesome energy in the room was climaxed by Bishop Hezekiah Walker with I’ll Make it Alright, Wont He Make You Clean Inside, Grateful and other favorites by Walker
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The Black Music & Entertainment Walk of Fame (BMEWOF) hosted its 4th installation of the Crown Jewel of Excellence™ Black History Month Class of 2023 Induction Ceremony and Brunch Celebration on February 28th, 2023 – immediately following, The Black History Month Celebratory Brunch was held at the Thompson Buckhead Hotel. VIP’s in attendance included Will Packer, Yolanda Adams, Dallas Austin, Vashawn Mitchell, Mayor Andre Dickens, Representative Park Cannon, Isaac Carree, Wardell Malloy; and founders Catherine Brewton, Hon. Erica Thomas, Demmette Guirdy and Michael T. Mauldin.
The Inductees were:
Ambassador Andrew Young a leader in the Civil Rights movement, who built a remarkable legacy as a civic activist, elected official, groundbreaking ambassador, social entrepreneur, and adviser to presidents. Today, he leads the Andrew J. Young Foundation’s efforts to develop and support new generations of visionary leaders who will create sustainable global approaches to economic development, poverty alleviation, and the challenge of hunger.
Danny Glover, who is an award-winning actor, producer, and humanitarian, with a performance career that spans more than 30 years. Glover has served as a Goodwill Ambassador for the United Nations Development Program, focusing on issues of poverty, disease and economic development in Africa, Latin America and the Caribbean. He currently serves as UNICEF Ambassador.
Dr. Bobby Jones an acclaimed singer who has released 14 albums, toured internationally and won many honors, including Stellar Awards, Dove Awards, and a Grammy Award. He is often credited with giving gospel music its first national stage. Started in 1980, Bobby Jones Gospel is the longest continuously running show on cable and a Sunday morning staple of Black Entertainment Television.
The Black Music and Entertainment Walk of Fame is a joint initiative by the Black American Music Association, a 501(c)(6) professional membership trade organization, and Georgia Entertainment Caucus (GEC), a 501(c)(3) organization.
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Dr. Joyce Logan, Founder and Publisher of Gospel International recently attended the Texas Gospel Music Excellence Awards (TGMEA) and received The Living Legends Award for her work and contributions in/to the gospel music industry. Dr. Logan was the first to introduce the music industry to the Internet when consumers did not own home computers in 1993 and has introduced and honored individuals in print and online to millions of internet users over the years, while keeping the readers abreast of who’s doing what, when and where in and around the gospel music industry. GI was also the first to launch a top 10 radio list by sharing the actual tracked reports from over 100 national radio stations which at that time included national retailers of gospel music. This gave readers an actual and exact report of what music was charting at the top of charts nationwide.
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The indomitable voice of Whitney Houston lives on with the release of “He Can Use Me,” the powerful new single from I Go to the Rock: The Gospel Music of Whitney Houston, the long-awaited new gospel album from the legendary singer. “He Can Use Me” is a stunning early gospel recording by a then 17-year-old Whitney. This 1981 recording reveals how even at an early age, she could sing with emotional conviction, vocal power, range, and dexterity — all hallmarks of what she would bring to her later recordings. The song is the second release from I Go to the Rock: The Gospel Music of Whitney Houston, following the premiere earlier this month of “Testimony,” another gospel recording by Whitney.
The new song is one of six never-before-released tracks featured on the album, which is set for release on March 24, 2023, and will be accompanied by a documentary TV special and DVD. The album will be available on CD through Gaither Music Group and on all digital streaming platforms via Arista/Legacy Recordings (in cooperation with The Estate of Whitney E. Houston).
Enjoy Whitney as she sings at GMA with the Georgia Mass Choir in 1998
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GRAMMY®, Stellar, and Dove Award-winning artist Kierra Sheard-Kelly, is releasing her new single and music video for “Praise Through” (Karew Entertainment/RCA Inspiration). The chart topping vocal powerhouse delivers this first new single for 2023 from her upcoming new album All Yours, with “Praise Through” following the September 2022 release of her album’s first single and video for “Miracles,” featuring Pastor Mike Jr. Premiering the music video on YouTube, Kierra rocks a colorful green ensemble in the video performing “Praise Through” live with her band, creating a moving, spiritual song about how faith has the power to guide the human spirit through difficult times.
Kierra’s new album All Yours, is scheduled to be released on March 3rd, and is available for pre-order now, with the two singles “Praise Through” and “Miracles” feat. Pastor Mike Jr. delivered instantly with pre-order.
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Believe Radio, a minority owned media hub & radio station hybrid; A media hub focused on educational programming, content creation, civic programming as well as economic empowerment in the minority community; and MEDIABASE radio station focused on gospel plus inspirational music, celebrated the its first annual Innovator Awards, held in February. The event which was held during Grammy week was invitation only and boasted the attendance of gospel industry VIP’s. The award recipients were music producer Aaron Lindsey and Los Angeles based KJLH Radio (Owned by Stevie Wonder) announcer, Aundrae Russell.
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TikTok has launched its independent distribution platform SoundOn in Australia, just days after news arrived that the platform has been limiting access to major label music in the market as part of a test with a subset of users.
SoundOn was already Live in the UK, US, Brazil and Indonesia, after launching in March last year.
The platform lets artists upload their music directly to TikTok and RESSO and can also distribute artists’ music to platforms like Spotify, Apple Music and Instagram.
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The Gospel Industry Network (G.I.N.) recently hosted its Winter Summit Board Meeting in Los Angeles, CA. Kicking off Thursday, February 2 and wrapping up on Saturday, February 4, 2023, the three day summit delivered a fun filled interactive environment that gave everyone in attendance an opportunity to share, speak and shine with discussions that covered the evolving sounds of Gospel Music to the need of reaching and connecting with the next generation.
Special sessions included “Perfecting your Gifts and Talents,” “Balancing Gospel, Entertainment and Money,” “The Weight of Radio Charts,” and “Church and Hip Hop.” Several musical performances were also delivered by
Gospel Hip Hop Royalty Canton Jones, EMCEE N.I.C.E. and Shari, and Christian Williams “TRAXX”.
Some of this year’s presenters included ir Music Record owner Norman Hutchins, Dr. Joyce Logan, Pastor Calvin B. Rhone, Vickie Mack- Lataillade & Claude Lataillade, Neily Dickerson, Canton Jones, Phil ‘The Voice, EMCEE N.I.C.E., Dr. Deborah Brown, Brother Steve Harris, Bishop Kenneth Wells and Sheilah Belle. Also in attendance were G.I.N. Affiliate Leaders from across the country, Music Industry Executives, Independent Artists, Influencers, Pastors and many lovers of Gospel Music.
The Gospel Industry Network (G.I.N) was established in 2019 to cultivate the mastery, appreciation and advancement of the contribution of Gospel music and the arts to the industry — from the expressive and skilled veterans of the past to the still unimagined creative breakthroughs of ensuing generations of music professionals. Bishop Kenneth Wells founder and CEO says, “This new platform will give unheard voices who work diligently behind the scenes an opportunity to finally be heard. The G.I.N. membership roster includes Radio, Television, Film, Record Labels, Music Executives, Songwriters, Artists, Pastors, Business Owners, Promoters, Publicists, Bloggers, Influencers, Print Media, Business Professionals, Worship Leaders, Choir Members, Choir Directors and others.
As influencers operating with integrity, the G.I.N. seeks to accomplish this objective through strategic engagement, marketing and promotional programs, networking, and activities that attract the music industry and cultural community as well as the general public.
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The Impact Awards and Live video recording, hosted by Bishop Norman Hutchins and his wife Karen Hutchins was recently held during Grammy Week. This year’s honorees included Bishop Kenneth Wells, Aundrae Russell, Steve Harris,
Patrick Henderson, Pastor Calvin Rhone and Sheilah Belle. Special musical guests included Donald Ashley, Victor Bell, David Daughtry, Nero Foster, Kenny Cartwright, The Trilogy Group, Antione Hutchins, Markita Knight, Lady Leah, Shervonne Wells and Markees Williams.
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The 65th Annual Grammy Awards ceremony was held at the Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles on February 5, 2023. It recognized the best recordings, compositions, and artists of the eligibility year, running from October 1, 2021, to September 30, 2022.MCM and Franklin took home the Grammy awards for Best Gospel Performance/Song “Kingdom” feat. Naomi Raine & Chandler Moore, Best Contemporary Christian Music Performance “Fear is Not My Future” feat. Brandon Lake & Chandler Moore, Best Contemporary Christian Music Album “Breathe” and Best Gospel Album (“Kingdom Book One” Deluxe).
Click to view all this year’s gospel music winners.
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Vincent Bohanan founded the Sound of Victory (SOV) Fellowship Choir in January 2014 to provide young gospel singers with the platform and outlet to freely develop and express their musical talents in a positive way. Nine years later, the choir is not only still going strong but it is one of the most dynamic ensembles in Gospel music.
The 9th anniversary of SOV was marked with the release of a brand-new single, I Love to Call Him
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Riding high on the success of his smash hit single “Nothing Else Matters (INSTEAD OF COMPLAINING, PRAISE HIM)”, Billboard #1 Most Added Song in the Country, Music Educator and award-winning gospel artist Brent Jones will serve as artist-in-residence at Stanford University starting February 8th, 2023.
Presented by the Department of Music & the Office for Religious & Spiritual Life, in collaboration with Cardinal Calypso, African & African-American Studies, Black Community Services Center, and the Stanford Gospel Choir, Grammy and Stellar Award winner Brent Jones is one of gospel music’s preeminent recording artists whose critically-acclaimed new album “Nothing Else Matters” was recently named one of the “Best Albums of 2022” by the prestigious Journal of Gospel Music.