tag:weblogs.baltimoresun.com,2009:/entertainment/gospelrama/290 2009-06-05T18:07:43Z The Baltimore Sun's Karlayne Parker blogs about everything gospel music. Movable Type 3.36 tag:weblogs.baltimoresun.com,2009:/entertainment/gospelrama//290.194650 2009-06-05T16:17:12Z 2009-06-05T18:07:43Z

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...

Karlayne Parker 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 ]]> tag:weblogs.baltimoresun.com,2009:/entertainment/gospelrama//290.194275 2009-06-04T13:50:31Z 2009-06-04T14:55:42Z

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...

Karlayne Parker Chicago Defender. Join me on Facebook at Karlayne's Gospelrama. ]]> tag:weblogs.baltimoresun.com,2009:/entertainment/gospelrama//290.194272 2009-06-04T13:35:07Z 2009-06-04T14:53:46Z

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...

Karlayne Parker 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]]> tag:weblogs.baltimoresun.com,2009:/entertainment/gospelrama//290.193664 2009-06-02T14:37:33Z 2009-06-02T15:15:30Z

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...

Karlayne Parker 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. ]]> tag:weblogs.baltimoresun.com,2009:/entertainment/gospelrama//290.193643 2009-06-02T14:31:27Z 2009-06-02T15:13:52Z

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...

Karlayne Parker Sanctified, a Chicago play, here. ]]> tag:weblogs.baltimoresun.com,2009:/entertainment/gospelrama//290.193383 2009-06-01T16:50:26Z 2009-06-01T17:45:56Z

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...

Karlayne Parker 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]]> tag:weblogs.baltimoresun.com,2009:/entertainment/gospelrama//290.193375 2009-06-01T16:35:41Z 2009-06-01T17:06:43Z

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...

Karlayne Parker Columbus Dispatch.]]> tag:weblogs.baltimoresun.com,2009:/entertainment/gospelrama//290.192854 2009-05-29T14:31:34Z 2009-05-29T15:36:37Z

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,...

Karlayne Parker 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.]]> tag:weblogs.baltimoresun.com,2009:/entertainment/gospelrama//290.192847 2009-05-29T14:30:59Z 2009-05-29T15:41:07Z

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...

Karlayne Parker 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. ]]> tag:weblogs.baltimoresun.com,2009:/entertainment/gospelrama//290.192670 2009-05-28T18:57:03Z 2009-05-28T19:50:38Z

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...

Karlayne Parker Right Now Praise, which includes the ever popular “My Name is Victory.” ]]> tag:weblogs.baltimoresun.com,2009:/entertainment/gospelrama//290.192661 2009-05-28T18:36:04Z 2009-05-29T14:29:41Z

Gospel sound that uplifts the soul during these trying economic times is what's in store for those in the Detroit area who have can see award winning artists Marvin Sapp and Mary Mary on stage. The Stellar and Grammy award...

Karlayne Parker Detroit News. ]]> tag:weblogs.baltimoresun.com,2009:/entertainment/gospelrama//290.192543 2009-05-28T13:37:44Z 2009-05-28T17:10:54Z

Natalie Cole is known for many things: She's the daughter of Nat "King" Cole and a Grammy Award winner; and in the last several years, the R&B artist has been recognized for adding gospel music to her repertoire. She, at...

Karlayne Parker Praise The Lord - a church ministry in song and word - and has appeared on TV One's The Gospel of Music with Jeff Majors show. During these public programs - including an interview on CNN's Larry King Live - Cole spoke about her need for a kidney transplant. Earlier this month, her prayers were answered. She underwent a kidney transplant on May 18 and went home to recover. But this physical healing came with some bittersweet news that her older sister Carol Cole died. Cole, who was slated to perform at the Capital Jazz Fest next month, has canceled that appearance and other tour dates this summer to recover from the surgery, according to an ajc.com.]]> tag:weblogs.baltimoresun.com,2009:/entertainment/gospelrama//290.192292 2009-05-27T17:43:15Z 2009-05-27T19:33:25Z

Civil rights groups and broadcasters continue to lobby for a hearing on the Performance Rights Act, which would have all radio stations, including those that play gospel music, pay royalties to recording artists whose music they play on the air....

Karlayne Parker Cathy Hughes, owner of Radio One, which has both R&B and gospel stations, has lead this opposition in the last month. To read more, click here. ]]> tag:weblogs.baltimoresun.com,2009:/entertainment/gospelrama//290.192263 2009-05-27T16:18:26Z 2009-05-27T17:58:40Z

Grammy and Oscar-winning Jennifer Hudson is set to perform tonight at a Democratic National Committee fundraiser in California where President Barack Obama is expected to be in attendance, according to KTLA.com. Hudson seems to have won fans in the DNC,...

Karlayne Parker Democratic National Committee fundraiser in California where President Barack Obama is expected to be in attendance, according to KTLA.com. Hudson seems to have won fans in the DNC, having performed her soulful, gospel-toned "Star Spangled Banner" last year during the party's national convention in Denver. Hudson is a gospel talent whose voice continues to give depth to music by reaching back to her youthful days in the church choir. As a result, she has a fuller sound, which can be heard on her self-titled CD. She recently concluded her first concert tour with R&B artist Robin Thicke. Since returning to public life earlier this year, after mourning the brutal slayings of her mother, brother and nephew last fall in Chicago, the former "American Idol" contestant has been on a roll and it doesn't appear that her time in the spotlight will be dimming any time soon. ]]> tag:weblogs.baltimoresun.com,2009:/entertainment/gospelrama//290.191874 2009-05-26T13:38:23Z 2009-05-26T14:30:10Z

Sly Stone, 66, is talking about his music career, from his gospel roots to the funky hits of the 1960s and 1970s. In an interview with KCRW's "Morning Becomes Eclectic," he talks about how he started out at singing in...

Karlayne Parker The Stewart Four. He says he realized the power music had over people when he sang "On the Battlefield" during a Sam Cooke show at the Oakland Auditorium at age 4. "Towards the end of the song, people starting running down the aisle and I didn't know what was going on," Stone said in the interview, which can be found on CNN.com. "I didn't know what was going on. I didn't know they were just happy. So, I turned around and ran, and I've been running ever since." To hear the interview, go to KCRW 89.9 FM.]]>