Chicago is the ultimate destination for Gospel music and this is reinforced by the weekly (and sometimes daily) addition of new quartets, groups, choirs and solo acts. In the exception category is the Pleasant Green Missionary Baptist Church where Pastor Walter Matthews greets the members and guests each Sunday morning on Chicago’s south side. From the exterior, the church would give the appearance as one of the many places of worship where people gather weekly, but when any one of the Pleasant Green choirs hit the stand, you are in for some exuberant sounds of joyful noise.
Minister of Music Elaine Pheloan describes it as such, “We are just a group of ordinary people that God has placed together for worship and to unite people through the power of life changing music. The music ministry of Pleasant Green consists of people of all ages from the children to the seniors who love the Lord and take seriously the mandate to make His praise glorious. We are blessed with some amazing singers, anointed musicians and skillful songwriters, God takes what we have and it all comes together.”
On their new single Oh the Blood, Pleasant Green calls upon Grammy and Stellar Award nominated songwriter and producer Montage Pheloan (Ricky Dillard and New G, Isaac Carree, Chicago Mass Choir) and co songwriter Paris Baker to present a Sunday church styled track worthy of Chicago, and the song delivers.
Leo Davis has spent 40 years “singing to the Lord a new song” and ensuring that the singers and musicians under his tutelage mastered the art of not just being loud, but also skillful. After 25 years of ministry at the Mississippi Boulevard Christian Church in Memphis, Tennessee, Davis pens his first book, No Gimmicks. The book offers an autobiographical look at the life of this celebrated servant leader and master musician/choir conductor as well as a wealth of information from his life experiences to motivate persons in music and ministry to reach for higher heights.
A Chicago native who began playing organ for church services at age 15, Davis was exposed to the individuals that helped to shape Gospel music including Dr. Charles Clency, founder of the Voices of Melody, accompanist for the Queen of Gospel Music Mahalia Jackson and choir trainer in the early years for Dr. Charles G. Hayes’ Cosmopolitan Church of Prayer choir. Clency would serve as mentor and model for Davis. The book goes on to give practical insight on major issues facing music ministry leaders in churches today.
No Gimmicks is available at online retailers including Amazon.com
Grammy nominee Anita Wilson is getting in gear for a live recording taking place in Chicago on October 8th. The East St. Louis, Illinois native received a Grammy nomination for her second album Vintage Worship released last year as well as her debut project Worship Soul which was released in 2013 and produced the runaway hit Speechless and the infectious homage to the Barrett Sisters cover of Jesus Will.
In other news, Wilson joined the ranks of the recording industry’s finest with her addition as a recently elected Governor to the Chicago Chapter of the Recording Academy.
Ticket information and other details for the live recording are available via her website.
Edwin Hawkins, the Father of Contemporary Gospel Music celebrates the 35th anniversary of his Edwin and Walter Hawkins Music and Arts Love Fellowship Conference in the Gospel Music Capital of the world, Chicago, Illinois June 26 – July 1st.
“I love Chicago”, said Hawkins. “There is so much Gospel Music history in the city. Chicago was the home of the greats, the Father of Gospel Music, Professor Thomas A. Dorsey (who was with us at our first convention) Sallie Martin, Mahalia Jackson, Roberta Martin, Delois Barrett Campbell, Albertina Walker, Inez Andrews, Rev. Clay Evans, Pastor Maceo Woods and the list goes on. Chicago is now home to the some of Gospel’s current music influencers like Jonathan McReynolds, Donald Lawrence, Ricky Dillard, Tiff Joy and others. The Lord has allowed us to be together for 35 years, and I’m ecstatic that we get a chance to have a reunion celebration in the Windy City. The key to the continuation of our genre is empowerment through education. Its up to us to train future generations, giving them the origins and celebrated history of this great music we know as Gospel music to prepare them for whats to come”
The convention begins with a Quartet Concert followed by a Tribute concert honoring Chicago’s legendary Reverend Milton Brunson and the Tommies featuring some of Chicago’s finest community choirs including Malcolm Williams and Great Faith, Paul Turner and CMI, Dexter Walker and Zion Movement and William Smith and RVC. Classes will be offered during the week with nightly services, guest preachers and musicals. The convention will close on Friday, July 1st as the mass choir presents new music taught by some of the nation’s upcoming songwriters and arrangers.
GOSPELflava joins others across the country wishing a Happy 91st birthday to the Gospel music legend and iconic pastor, preacher civil rights leader and humanitarian, the founding pastor of Chicago’s Fellowship Baptist Church, the one and only Reverend Clay Evans.
It wouldn’t be enough to just mention Rev. Evans without hearing him sing a hymn of the church as only he can:
Robin Covington is in a class all by herself. As a lead singer (and founding member) of Ricky Dillard’s New Generation Chorale, she has earned her keep as a mainstay and an enduring persona with gravitas. Through it all, the Chicago native counts herself in the company of the blessed. “God gave this little girl with a big voice a huge opportunity to sing his praises, and I don’t take that opportunity lightly, when you come to full realization that God doesn’t have to use you, He could have used ANYBODY else to carry out His work, you lose your sense of entitlement, bask in His grace and appreciate each experience. I owe God this and so much more.”
Covington comes into her own as she celebrates her birthday with a Melodies from My Heart concert in Chicago on June 11th. “I have felt the impression in my spirit that its been time to do this, but I have lived with apprehension and fear for so long. The Lord had to tell me Robin, I have equipped you for this, I have prepared you for this, many of the life experiences that you have endured were getting you ready for this moment. After that, there was nothing else to say but Yes Lord.” Look for new music coming via a single in the fall and a CD project to follow.
Todd Dulaney follows up his #1 debut on iTunes Christian & Gospel Albums Chart with a #1 debut on the Billboard Top Gospel Albums Chart for his new disc, A Worshipers Heart. The lead single, “The Anthem” also takes the #1 spot on the Gospel Airplay Chart, and the album charts at #3 on Billboard’s Top Christian & Gospel Albums (Combined) Chart, #14 on Billboard’s Top Independent Albums Chart, and #22 on Billboard’s Current Digital Albums Chart.
Todd is currently on tour in support of the album’s release with special performances in Baltimore, MD; Norfolk, VA; Kansas City, MO; and his home town of Chicago, IL.
In an effort to create, promote and celebrate young seekers and carriers of wisdom, Grammy nominated singer/songwriter Jonathan McReynolds has announced the creation ofElihu Nation. A non-profit, Elihu makes its debut in McReynolds hometown of Chicago, Illinois, and believes that “with God and adequate community, young people can avoid ignorance, shallow living and life-altering mistakes.” (more…)
GOSPELflava joins others around the country mourning the loss of Doris Sykes, lead singer for Pastor Maceo Woods’ Christian Tabernacle Concert Choir of Chicago, Illinois. In a time when sopranos reigned supreme, Sykes had an inimitable style and held her own amongst the likes of Sarah Jordan Powell and Hulah Gene Dunkin while serving as inspiration to newcomers like Lecresia Campbell, Felicia Coleman Evans and Tina Watson. (more…)
Great news for the masses who love the authentic Chicago church sound. The Clay Evans Heritage Series compilation will feature vintage recordings that cover the 50 + years of ministry of Reverend Evans and the Fellowship Choir.
Chicago is the ultimate destination for Gospel music and this is reinforced by the weekly (and sometimes daily) addition of new quartets, groups, choirs and solo acts. In the exception category is the Pleasant Green Missionary Baptist Church where Pastor Walter Matthews greets the members and guests each Sunday morning on Chicago’s south side. From the exterior, the church would give the appearance as one of the many places of worship where people gather weekly, but when any one of the Pleasant Green choirs hit the stand, you are in for some exuberant sounds of joyful noise.
Leo Davis has spent 40 years “singing to the Lord a new song” and ensuring that the singers and musicians under his tutelage mastered the art of not just being loud, but also skillful. After 25 years of ministry at the Mississippi Boulevard Christian Church in Memphis, Tennessee, Davis pens his first book, No Gimmicks. The book offers an autobiographical look at the life of this celebrated servant leader and master musician/choir conductor as well as a wealth of information from his life experiences to motivate persons in music and ministry to reach for higher heights.
Grammy nominee Anita Wilson is getting in gear for a live recording taking place in Chicago on October 8th. The East St. Louis, Illinois native received a Grammy nomination for her second album Vintage Worship released last year as well as her debut project Worship Soul which was released in 2013 and produced the runaway hit Speechless and the infectious homage to the Barrett Sisters cover of Jesus Will.
Edwin Hawkins, the Father of Contemporary Gospel Music celebrates the 35th anniversary of his Edwin and Walter Hawkins Music and Arts Love Fellowship Conference in the Gospel Music Capital of the world, Chicago, Illinois June 26 – July 1st.
Robin Covington is in a class all by herself. As a lead singer (and founding member) of Ricky Dillard’s New Generation Chorale, she has earned her keep as a mainstay and an enduring persona with gravitas. Through it all, the Chicago native counts herself in the company of the blessed. “God gave this little girl with a big voice a huge opportunity to sing his praises, and I don’t take that opportunity lightly, when you come to full realization that God doesn’t have to use you, He could have used ANYBODY else to carry out His work, you lose your sense of entitlement, bask in His grace and appreciate each experience. I owe God this and so much more.”
Todd Dulaney follows up his #1 debut on iTunes Christian & Gospel Albums Chart with a #1 debut on the Billboard Top Gospel Albums Chart for his new disc, A Worshipers Heart. The lead single, “The Anthem” also takes the #1 spot on the Gospel Airplay Chart, and the album charts at #3 on Billboard’s Top Christian & Gospel Albums (Combined) Chart, #14 on Billboard’s Top Independent Albums Chart, and #22 on Billboard’s Current Digital Albums Chart.
