Posts Tagged ‘Chicago’
Thursday, February 26th, 2015
Plans to bring the life story of Mahalia Jackson to the silver screen advanced with the announcement of Bill Duke signing on to direct the film. The director of A Rage In Harlem and Sister Act 2:Back In the Habit shared his thoughts: “Getting her story to the screen has been a passion project of mine for many years. When she sings ‘How I Got Over,’ it helps us all to believe that we can get over, too.”
Gospel Music’s first megastar, Jackson traveled across the world rightfully earning her the distinction as the world’s greatest Gospel singer. Her close association with Dr. King led to her unforgettable music performance at the March on Washington in 1963 and her influence on music landed her a spot in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. The Mahalia Jackson Story, written by Ruth Ratny, based on the book Just Mahalia Baby will be filmed in Chicago and feature the music of Mahalia including Move On Up A Little Higher and Thomas Dorsey’s Precious Lord, Take My Hand.
Tags: Bill Duke, Chicago, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr, mahalia jackson, Mahalia Jackson Movie, Sister Act 2
Posted in Artist News and Updates, Movies | No Comments »
Monday, September 15th, 2014
Chicago prepares to welcome the Rose of Gospel, Dr. Dorinda Clark Cole as she brings her Singers and Musicians Arts Conference to the Gospel Music Capital of the world, Chicago Illinois on September 18-20. “I am elated
and overjoyed to join Minister Walter Owens and the dynamic music ministry of Salem Baptist Church to bring SMAC to the windy city” said Clark Cole. “Chicago has such great gospel music history having been the home of Mahalia Jackson, Albertina Walker and Inez Andrews and is the place that Donald Lawrence and Ricky Dillard call home.”
The conference begins on Thursday with Thursday, September 18th with an Artist Showcase and Masters Class. On Friday, September 19th, Dorinda Clark Cole hosts a Praise Fest with special guests to include Dexter Walker and Zion Movement, Keshia McFarland, Cinque Cullar, Valencia Lacy and the New Covenant Life Worship Team and more. Saturday, September 20th offers morning and afternoon workshops and panel discussions presented by leading industry professionals, musicians and ministers of music.
Tags: Chicago, Cinque Cullar, Dexter Walker and Zion Movement, Dorinda Clark Cole, Salem Baptist Church of Chicago, Singers and Musicians Arts Conference
Posted in Artist News and Updates, Conferences | No Comments »
Tuesday, September 2nd, 2014
Fountain of Life Reco
rds wastes no time in introducing the world to the ministry gift that is Romandis P. Moore. Moore can be defined as either a preacher that sings or a singer that preaches, in whatever situation he finds himself in, he masterfully ministers the message of the gospel and blesses the people by doing so.
On You, the first single from his debut solo project was crafted by the writing and production team of Pharis Evans, Jr. & Maulty Jewel IV . Moore draws from the musicality of singers like Smokie Norful, Anthony Hamilton, Donnie Hathaway and Marvin Winans to present a sound that is rich and soulful yet unmistakably Gospel.
On You is available at iTunes, Amazon and other digital outlets. Look for a full CD in 2015.
Tags: Chicago, Fountain of Life Records, Maulty Jewel IV, On You, Pharis Evans Jr, Romandis P Moore
Posted in Album Releases, Artist News and Updates | No Comments »
Monday, August 25th, 2014
Chicago is an indisputable CHOIR CONCLAVE. The hallowed roster includes the likes of Rev. Milton Brunson’s Thompson Community Singers, Rev. Clay Evans’ Fellowship Church Choir, Dr. Charles Hayes and the Cosmo Warriors, Ricky Dil
lard and New G and New Direction to simply name a few. Adding to the list is Paul Turner and Creation Ministries Incorporated with the debut of A Singer’s Point of View.
Turner grew up on Chicago’s west side among the social ills that plague the inner city yet made a conscious decision to devote himself to music and the church. He joined the choir (which was originally the Lake Street Community Choir) as their first musician shortly after its inception and ascended the ranks to choir leader. Inspired by Ephesians 2:10, “For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath ordained that we should walk in them”, he rebranded the choir as Creation Ministries and set out on a mission to do “good works” by providing inspiration, light and hope to those in need.
Turner invites all to experience the “sound of creation” via their debut CD, A Singer’s Point of View.
Tags: Chicago, CMI, Creation Ministries, Inc, Milton Brunson, New Direction, New G, Paul Turner, Ricky Dillard, West side
Posted in Album Releases, Artist News and Updates | No Comments »
Friday, July 25th, 2014
In 1945, a group of teenagers assembled at Chicago’s Highway Baptist Church with the intentions of forming a singing group. The group consisted of Sam Cooke, Creadell Copeland, and two pairs of brothers, Marvin and Charles Jones and Curtis and Lee Richardson. This would mark the beginnings of the Highway QCs. During the early years, the group would experience years of personnel changes. Sam Cooke’s decision to leave the group to join the Soul Stirrers would make way for the introduction of his replacement, Lou Rawls. Rawls would stay for two years and leave to join the Chosen Gospel Singers of Los Angeles. He would be replaced by Johnnie Taylor. In the interim, the QCs made their recording debut on the Vee Jay label in 1955. Shortly thereafter, Spencer Taylor (cousin of Johnnie) would become a member of the group and upon Johnnie Taylor’s departure to go and join the Soul Stirrers following the departure of Sam Cooke, Spencer Taylor would lead the Highway QCs for more than 5 decades.
The legacy of the Highway QCs is continued with the addition of Taylor’s sons, Spencer Taylor III and Lynn “Fuzzy” Taylor joining their father in the group. With no signs of slowing down, the Taylors have secured their mark on the future with the launch of an independent label and preparations for a new disc from the Highway QCs in the fall of 2014.
Tags: Chicago, Illinois, Johnnie Taylor, Lou Rawls, Lynn Fuzzy Taylor, Sam Cooke, Spencer Taylor Jr
Posted in Album Releases, Artist News and Updates | No Comments »
Wednesday, June 18th, 2014
Jason Shepherd has been on the watch list for a while now and with good reason. An up and coming producer, songwriter and contemporary Gospel artist, he has composed music for the likes of Shekinah Glory Ministry, Phil Tarver and the Edwin and Walter Hawkins Music and Arts Seminar Mass Choir. Jason’s music was prominently featured in the Coca Cola Pay It Forward Program in 2013. His latest contribution comes via the release of Haven’t Forgot, featuring Vernard Burton backed by Standard. The song serves as a constant reminder of God’s active presence in our lives. Haven’t Forgot was released in early June and is available at digital outlets everywhere.
Tags: Chicago, Coca Cola Pay it Forward Program, Haven't Forgot, Houston, J Shep, Phil Tarver, Shekinah Glory, Standard
Posted in Artist News and Updates | No Comments »
Thursday, May 29th, 2014
First, there was the amazing standing room only 25th anniversary celebration and live recording in Chicago, followed by the amazing performance as the closing act on the 2014 Stellar Awards show earlier this year. As if that wasn’t e
nough, Ricky Dillard and New G continue to dominate radio with Amazing climbing the singles chart, rising to #2 in Gospel Radio. It all leads up to June 10th, when Ricky Dillard’s highly anticipated new live album, Amazing, will hit shelves and digital outlets everywhere.
Ricky Dillard will cross the country with a slate of upcoming appearances, bringing the Amazing live album experience to fans beginning in his native Chicago on June 7th and 8th, then to New York on June 10th, and Philadelphia on the following date with additional dates to be announced.
Tags: 25th Anniversary, Amazing, Billboard, Chicago, New G, Ricky Dillard, Stellar Awards
Posted in Album Releases, Artist News and Updates | No Comments »
Thursday, April 24th, 2014
Many will remember getting ready for church on Saturday nights and waiting for the 9 o clock hour when the telecast of Reverend Clay Evans and the Fellowship Missionary Baptist Church of Chicago would hit the airwaves. The What A Fellowship Hour featured the church’s dynamic 200 voice choir under the direction of Reverend Evans’ sister, Dr. LouDella Evans Reid. When the choir struck up The Lord’s Prayer, you knew you unequivocally THIS WAS CHURCH.
Prepare to relive those memories as the Fellowship Reunion Choir (now known as the Lou Della Evans Reid Traditional Gospel Choir) prepares for their live recording on Sunday, April 27th. “The truth is, we have never stopped singing together”, says octegenarian Dr. Reed. There was such a great outpour and overflow from the 50 years in music ministry and 75th birthday celebration (that resulted in a CD and DVD), then we were together as we celebrated Reverend’s 85th and my 80th birthday that we decided to keep on running as the Lord gives us the strength to do so. Producer Bryant Jones added, “By no means is God finished with Mama Lou and the choir. We’re gonna go back and hit some of the old and add a little bit of the new as well.”
You can read our review of the CD/DVD here, and enjoy the traditional GOSPEL experience here
Tags: Bryant Jones, Chicago, Dr. Lou Della Evans Reid, Fellowship MB Church, Reverend Clay Evans, What A Fellowship Hour
Posted in Artist News and Updates, Back in the Day, Recording Events | No Comments »
Tuesday, April 8th, 2014
Entertainment One 
Music announced the signing of Chicago based songwriter and worshipper Todd Dulaney to its award-winning Gospel roster. Currently in-studio recording the finishing touches for his upcoming new album, Dulaney says of joining eOne Music: “My family and I are beyond excited for this fresh connection with eOne. I’ve watched them do great things in the music business, so I’m humbled to have the chance to be a part of and enhance this mighty machine.”
Phil Thornton, eOne Music Vice President of Marketing & New Business Development, adds, “eOne Music is excited to sign an exceptional talent like Todd Dulaney, whose skilled songwriting and artistry have quickly made him a standout new artist to watch. His passion for ministry is apparent in every lyric and melody, inspiring anyone who has heard his songs, and as we continue development on Todd’s new album, it is clear that his music will impact Gospel for a long time to come.”
Tags: Chicago, eOne, Phil Thornton, Pulling Me Through, Todd Dulaney
Posted in Artist News and Updates | No Comments »
Plans to bring the life story of Mahalia Jackson to the silver screen advanced with the announcement of Bill Duke signing on to direct the film. The director of A Rage In Harlem and Sister Act 2:Back In the Habit shared his thoughts: “Getting her story to the screen has been a passion project of mine for many years. When she sings ‘How I Got Over,’ it helps us all to believe that we can get over, too.”
Recording Artists Charles Jenkins and Fellowship Chicago get a jump on the fall with the release their latest single, WAR. War is a song of declaration serving notice on the devil and his plans. The song is making the rounds at radio and sets the stage for the 2015 release from the Stellar Award winning pastor/songwriter and choir.
