For the past year, I've enjoyed giving you news about your favorite gospel singers or R&B artists with gospel music roots on Gospelrama. But unfortunately, it's time for me and Gospelrama to part ways with the Baltimore Sun.

I want to thank the Sun for providing the forum for the news and information about faith-based music, which I enjoy passionately. I also thank my editors who have worked with me from the beginning.

Most of all, I want to thank you, the readers, for continually clicking on the site to read or leave comments about the artists or gospel news of the day.

It's been a great ride. During the past year, the newspaper blog about faith-based music sustained a top 10 spot (out of more than 40 blogs on the Baltimore Sun site) on significant news cycles involving coverage of Jennifer Hudson, Wayman Tisdale, Rev. Timothy Wright and many others.

Today, Gospelrama is leaving baltimoresun.com. But it will find a new home soon. For now, follow Gospelrama on Facebook at Karlayne's Gospelrama. You can also find it on twitter as well - just type in the word Gospelrama. After a brief hiatus, I'll announce Gospelrama's new home.

One thing is for sure: The Gospel never dies and neither does the music that uplifts the faith in a power greater than us all.

Godspeed!!!

Karlayne Parker

Posted by Karlayne Parker at 12:17 PM | Permalink
                       

Kirk Franklin, Donnie McClurkin and Fantasia and Diane Barrino are headlining the Chicago Gospel Fest this weekend.

Admission is free.

"This year’s special lineup will be a tribute to the many genres within gospel music, drawing from classical to R&B to traditional gospel music performed by the industry’s top, award-winning artists,” said Megan McDonald, executive director of the Mayor’s Office of Special Events.

For more information about the festival go to the Chicago Defender.

Join me on Facebook at Karlayne's Gospelrama.

Posted by Karlayne Parker at 9:50 AM in Events | Permalink
                       

President Barack Obama is still being celebrated as the first African-American president of the United States.

Every day, while he makes news with decisions he is making to guide the country as its commander and chief, the reality of his historic administration continues to be worth talking about, writing about and now singing about.

Israel Houghton, Donnie McClurkin, Dottie Peoples, T.D. Jakes' Potter House Mass Choir, Juanita Bynum and others are singing in his honor on A Gospel Tribute to President Obama.

McClurkin contributes the affirmation “King Inside of Me” while gold-selling artist Israel Houghton offers “Send Me to the Nations.” Veteran vocalist Jerard Woods sings “I’m Gonna Make It,” and William Murphy lends his voice to “Changes.”

Micah Stampley’s tenor vocals are mixed with Michael O’Brien’s jazzy tones on “Brothers and Friends.”

There is also a tribute to Michelle Obama by R&B veterans Kelly Price and Shirley Murcdock who sing “The Curtain’s Raised.”

Most of the selections on the CD were produced by Victor and Cedric Caldwell, who have worked with artists ranging from Whitney Houston to Take 6. Other producers include Kevin Bond, Marc Harris, Tommy Sims and Myron Williams.

For more information on this and other gospel projects, visit www.ilovegospelmusic.com. The CD will be available beginning Tuesday for $12.99.

SOURCE: Capital Entertainment

Posted by Karlayne Parker at 9:35 AM in Gospel in the news | Permalink | Comments (1)
                       

Gospel Hill, which made its debut last summer during the Democratic National Convention, is opening the Hollywood Black Film Festival today.

The movie includes an eclectic source of music, including gospel, as the backdrop for a story about racial tension in a southern town.

The movie is set during the Civil Rights era, where the church, choir and negro spirituals are part of the empowerment movement.

"Woke Up This Morning With My Mind Stayed on Jesus" is one of the gospel songs in the independent film, which stars Samuel Jackson, Angela Bassett, Danny Glover, Giancarlo Esposito, Nia Long, Adam Baldwn and Taylor Kitsh.

To read more, go to the Los Angeles Independent.

Posted by Karlayne Parker at 10:37 AM in Events | Permalink | Comments (1)
                       

From a review by the Chicago Tribune:

A small African-American church in the rural South, called the East Piney Grove Baptist Church, has hit hard times; those Wal-Mart-like megachurches are taking their toll. It's in need of a major revival. Pastor Jones (the likable Levi Stewart) brings in a divalike musicologist (played by Norissa Pearson) to wake up a church choir populated by the kind of eccentrics all too familiar to anyone who has spent much time around a church choir.

Read more about Sanctified, a Chicago play, here.

Posted by Karlayne Parker at 10:31 AM | Permalink
                       

The Clark Sisters have been added to the lineup of gospel and R&B artists who will sing on “I Wanna Thank You… An All-Star Tribute to Maze Featuring Frankie Beverly."

Other artists on the CD, to be produced by Grammy Award winning gospel producer Donald Lawrence, include Mary J. Blige, Musiq Soulchild, Mint Condition, Raheem DeVaughn and Ledisi, among others.

The Clark Sisters will revive Maze's 1983 song “I Wanna Thank You." The sisters will be joined by cousin J. Moss and Clark Sister Karen Clark Sheard's daughter, Kierra Sheard.

Lawrence's current CD is Back II Eden, which is at the top of the gospel charts.

The album is the idea of Beverly's son, Anthony Beverly, who wanted to honor his father's 40-year career legacy. The CD is due out in August.

SOURCE: Bill Carpenter, Capital Entertainment

Posted by Karlayne Parker at 12:50 PM | Permalink
                       

Accompanied by drums and an electric keyboard, the members of the Harlem Gospel Choir performed Sunday at the Lincoln Theatre in Columbus, Ohio.

In a program that included some of the area's politicians, the choir sang a broad range of gospel music, including Richard Smallwood's "Total Praise,'' a bluesy "Amazing Grace," Stevie Wonder's "Signed, Sealed, Delivered, I'm Yours" and "Oh, Happy Days.''

Read a review of the concert in the Columbus Dispatch.

Posted by Karlayne Parker at 12:35 PM | Permalink
                       

Jonathan Nelson is taking his music ministry from the Baltimore area to Fort Lauderdale, where he will join the Faith Center International.

In a recent interview, Nelson said the move was needed because he wanted to leave his comfort zone, the place where he grew his talent and faith, to another place "of greater blessing, of growth in the ministry and growth in my marriage.''

It's a risky move considering that this year Nelson and his group, Purpose, won numerous Stellar Awards. They were also Dove Award nominees.

"It's bittersweet," said Nelson, who will also be leaving Empowerment Temple, one of Baltimore's largest churches, where he is minister of music. "I've been there seven years.

"My father told us to always build bridges and relationships. He (Pastor Jamal Harrison-Bryant of Empowerment) gave me his blessing,'' he said.

Nelson said the warm weather state will be a welcome change. He will be joining Faith Center International, where Bishop Henry Fernandez is pastor.

Nelson could not comment as to how he will fit into that church ministry.
"We've definitely discusssed me being involved in his ministry in some way," Nelson said.

While the specifics are worked out, Nelson plans to continue working with his group Purpose, made up of artists from the Baltimore area.

"I will be home from time to time. I plan to continue recording in Baltimore for now,'' said Nelson, who is the twin brother of Jason Nelson, pastor of Greater Bethlehem Temple of Randallstown, where their father was once the pastor. Jason Nelson is also a national recording gospel artist.

Moving to Florida for Nelson, who is married and has two children, is also a strategic move.

Nelson and Purpose's latest CD Right Now Praise, which was released last year, continues to be a huge success, particularly with audiences in the South. Over the last year, he's been back and forth to places in North Carolina and Tennessee. At the time of this interview, he had an appearance lined up in Houston.

"I'm down South once or twice or month,'' he said. "They listen. They know every word of every song. They take ownership of it (the songs). It's a humbling experience.''

Nelson is also hoping that with the move to Florida, he'll have more time with his family.

"This is the right time for me and my family,'' he said. "I believe God has ordained this.''

A farewell concert will be held Sunday at 6 p.m. in honor of Nelson and his family at Empowerment Temple. Scheduled performers are Karen Clark-Sheard, Tye Tribbett, Chrystal Rucker, VaShawn Mitchell, Stephen Hurd, J.J. Hairston & Youthful Praise and more.

Posted by Karlayne Parker at 10:31 AM in Gospel in the news | Permalink | Comments (1)
                       

Patti LaBelle, who in 2006 released the CD, The Gospel According to Patti LaBelle, is planning to use her voice to proclaim her faith at the McDonald's Gospelfest next month.

She jokes with the Newark Star-Ledger of New Jersey,""It will be a total gospel set, though maybe I'll do a song like 'Over the Rainbow,' too," she says. "If you hear me do 'Lady Marmalade,' I want you to call the cops." The event will be held June 13 in Newark.

This is LaBelle's first appearance in the 26-year history of the popular festival. While the event hosts local talent (soloists, groups and choirs) from the East Coast, particularly New York and New Jersey, it is also a stop for many award winning gospel artists.

Donnie McClurkin, CeCe Winans, Regina Belle, Cissy Houston, J. Moss, Vickie Winans and Hezekiah Walker and his Love Fellowship Choir will headline this year's event. Gospelfest also include performances in the categories of praise dance, poetry, comedy and rap.

To read more, click here.

Posted by Karlayne Parker at 10:30 AM in Gospel in the news | Permalink
                       

Jonathan Nelson, the award-winning music minister of Empowerment Temple, is saying goodbye to the Baltimore area.

A farewell concert will be held Sunday at 6 p.m. in honor of Nelson and his family at Empowerment Temple. Scheduled performers are Karen Clark-Sheard, Tye Tribbett, Chrystal Rucker, VaShawn Mitchell, Stephen Hurd, J.J. Hairston & Youthful Praise and more.

I recently spoke to Nelson about his impending departure to Fort Lauderdale, where he will join the Faith Center International for some promising spiritual and career opportunities. Come back tomorrow for the full interview, in which he says his move is very strategic since much of his most recent success is due in part to the broad appeal he has had with audiences in the South.

Nelson has written or co-written numerous gospel hits, including the Youth for Christ’s “The Struggle is Over.” In 2007, that song was No. 1 on Billboard magazine’s Hot Gospel songs chart for 12 weeks. He also penned Donald Lawrence’s "Healed,'' Bishop T.D. Jake's Grammy-winning "A Wing and a Prayer'' CD and "The Right Place'' for Rudolph McKissick Jr.

This year Nelson and his group Purpose won several Stellar Awards for songs on their latest CD, Right Now Praise, which includes the ever popular “My Name is Victory.”

Posted by Karlayne Parker at 2:57 PM | Permalink