Dr. Mark A. Williams One Touch: The Reconciled Series (EP) Independent (release date: March 29, 2024) By Robert M. Marovich As an otolaryngologist and founder of the Voice Care Center of Nashville, Dr. Mark Williams knows a thing or two about the voice. A singer, he lends his own vocals in service of the Lord. His first post-pandemic release, One Touch, is a three-track EP and the first issue of a planned three-volume succession of releases called The Reconciled Series. Williams’ voice is a pleasant and full-bodied baritone that is equal parts gospel and R&B. Each of the EP’s selections ..read more

Chicago, IL – April 16, 2024: The Chicago Music Industry Professionals is hosting a CHICAGO GOSPEL MUSIC HISTORY TOUR. The tour is happening on Friday, May 31, 2024. The ANNUAL CHICAGO GOSPEL MUSIC FESTIVAL is happening the very next day. Date: The festival is scheduled for Saturday, June 1, 2024. Location: It will take place at Millennium Park in Chicago. Admission: The festival is free to attend. Event Entrances: You can access the festival at the entrances located on Randolph Street and Monroe Street within Millennium Park. If you’re in town, you may very well want to take advantage of this ..read more

“Father in Heaven (Right Now)” BeBe Winans feat. Gerald Albright Regimen Records (release date: April 12, 2024) By Robert M. Marovich Possessing one of the sultriest male voices in gospel music today, BeBe Winans enters the prayer room for his latest single, “Father in Heaven (Right Now).” Winans lofts praises to the Lord for being a constant presence in his life and soulful saxophonist Gerald Albright puts a fine point on the sentiment with a short but simmering solo. It’s a sacred moment amidst a quiet storm ..read more

Singers El DeBarge, Donnie McClurkin, David & Nicole Binion, Bebe Winans, and Erica and Tina Campbell (Mary Mary) Will Sing at Musical Tribute… Pastor Marvin Winans and Bebe Winans Will Attend Homegoing Service, Eulogy To Be Delivered By Crouch’s Spiritual Son and Assistant Church Pastor, Kenneth J. Cook… Services Moved to Faithful Central Bible Church, April 16-17, in Inglewood, CA Los Angeles, CA: The previously announced Celebration of Life services for Grammy® Award winning gospel singer and pastor, SANDRA CROUCH, have changed. The April 16-17 proceedings will relocate from Crouch’s Ne ..read more

Director Paul Wenske informed JGM that his documentary, I’m So Glad: Kansas City and the Roots of Black Gospel Music, is part of this year’s Kansas City FilmFest. It screens this Sunday, April 14, 1:30 PM at Ward Parkway Theatre 2. I’m So Glad Synopsis: Kansas City is known for its jazz and blues. But the same forces that shaped those American art forms also led to the development of Black Gospel music. Our region’s gospel blues have a rich but largely overlooked history. In fact, historians say gospel music may be the best window through which to view the development of the Black community ..read more

“Victorious” Jason Buckley Independent (release date: September 29, 2023) By Robert M. Marovich Jason Buckley’s “Victorious” is another in a litany of gospel songs written during, or in response to, the COVID pandemic. The singer-songwriter and instrumentalist wrote the medium-tempo piece to encourage himself during a time when what he saw around him was society in a tailspin and people rightfully scared. He found that the message “if God be for us, who can stand against?” ministered to him and therefore might be of service to his fellow sufferers. A pleasant interplay between Buckley and his ..read more

Mighty Men of Faith Faithful Journey: Let It Be So Independent (release date: March 5, 2024) By Robert M. Marovich For those who like sweet singing gospel quartets who minister in a Whispers/Spinners/Dramatics style, the Mighty Men of Faith deliver. Their new album, the eleven-track Faithful Journey: Let It Be So, is no different. It’s steeped in smooth and soulful harmonies, sweet falsetto lead singing, and electronic beats. Not to be confused with the Mighty Power of Faith, a hard-singing (and long-gone) Chicago-based quartet, the Mighty Men of Faith has for years worked in a ‘70s/’80s sou ..read more

“Prayer Room” Sarah Betshabaz Independent (release date: February 19, 2024) By Robert M. Marovich Sarah Betshabaz, a young singer-songwriter from Latvia, accompanies herself on piano on the title track of her new album. “Prayer Room” is a ballad as intimate and quietly passionate as its subject, that special space where petitions are given air and lifted like balloons toward the Maker. Whether as a musician, songwriter, or singer—her soprano voice is tender and vulnerable—Sarah Betshabaz is captivating. Sarah Betshabaz ..read more

Marcus Mason Resounding Praise Independent (release date: October 27, 2023) By Robert M. Marovich Although technically Resounding Praise is Marcus Mason’s solo album, it’s a collective accomplishment. Mason surrounds himself with a passel of capable vocalists, musicians, and producers who contribute their respective talents to this skillfully-crafted and thoroughly-enjoyable release. Mason, a descendant of Church of God in Christ founder Bishop C. H. Mason, shows himself to be a fine songwriter. He either wrote or co-wrote the songs with the album’s co-producer and Jennifer Hudson MD David Jac ..read more

“I’m Redeemed” Beloved St. John Evangelistic Church Music and Fine Arts Ministry Independent (release date: October 6, 2023) By Robert M. Marovich The Music and Fine Arts Ministry of Philadelphia’s Beloved St. John Evangelistic Church is the Goldilocks of church choirs. Their tone is neither too loud nor too soft—it’s just right. Maybe the production helps, but the choir exudes a warmth of expression and a depth of musicality that evokes the work of Donald Lawrence or the Brooklyn Tabernacle Choir. Their newest single, “I’m Redeemed,” is the latest example of their enveloping sound. It is id ..read more