Tuesday, May 13, 2008

Gospel Legend Dottie Rambo Dies In Bus Crash



MOUNT VERNON, Mo. - Joyce "Dottie" Rambo, an influential gospel singer and songwriter, died early Sunday when her tour bus ran off the highway and struck an embankment. She was 74.

Seven other people on the bus were injured in the wreck about two miles east of Mount Vernon on Interstate 44, the Missouri Highway Patrol said. They were hospitalized in Springfield with moderate to severe injuries, according to the patrol.

It was unclear whether the crash was related to the severe storms and tornadoes that hit the region on Saturday. Storms also swept through the area later in the night, according to the National Weather Service.

Rambo, of Nashville, Tenn., was on her way to a Mother's Day performance in Texas, according to her Web site.

"She was a giant in the gospel music industry," said Beckie Simmons, Rambo's agent. "Dolly Parton recorded some of her songs."

Parton sent condolences to "everyone involved in this terrible tragedy."

"I know Dottie is in heaven in the arms of God right now, but our earth angel will surely be missed," Parton said in a statement. "Dottie was a dear friend, a fellow singer, songwriter and entertainer, and as of late my duet singing partner."

Rambo was inducted into the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame last year and the Kentucky Music Hall of Fame in 2006.

Rambo has had more than 2,500 published songs, including gospel classics such as "He Looked Beyond My Faults and Saw My Need" and the 1982 Gospel Music Association Song of the Year, "We Shall Behold Him."

[GOSPEL'S RAMBO]
Dottie Rambo
(Official Website)

Youthful Praise Back With CD/DVD Combo



Nashville, TN: The Bridgeport, CT-based choir and charismatic director James “JJ” Hairston along with Youthful Praise, are back at it again with the CD/DVD combo release of “Exalted… Live in Baltimore ” (Evidence/Light Records). Set to release May 13, 2008, the 35 member aggregation recorded their live performance at Baltimore ’s Church of the Redeemed of the Lord. The project is packed with cameos by Judith McAllister, Ted Winn (Ted & Sheri), Jordan Martin, Timiney Figueroa Caton & Steve Lawrence, and Hairston’s mother-in-law, Gloria White, and is guaranteed to have viewers dancing and singing praises.

With 20 years and five albums under their belt it was only natural for YP to finally release their first DVD. Much like the album, there is something on the DVD that will impact everyone. “We try to bring the church service to the listeners and viewers,” says Hairston. So much like a church service, YP fashions their album accordingly: praise and worship which leads to worship ballads in preparation of the word, the message, and closing praise.

All with YP flair there are worship anthems such “He is Exalted/Give You Praise” and “Glory and Honor” featuring Judith Christie McAllister, up-tempo pop-rock tracks, “Everything is Changed” and “You Are” featuring Jordan Martin, congregational tunes such as “Sincerity” and “Jesus Reigns”, street rhythms such as “Freedom” and the rousing modern disco vibe of “Spirit of God.” Consistent with YP’s praise mantra there is the call and response tune, “I Will Give You Praise” (featuring Timiney Figueroa Caton & Steve Lawrence) that stylistically lends a resemblance to “Incredible God, Incredible Praise.” Led by Hairston’s mother-in law, Evangelist Gloria White, “Satisfied” will remind YP enthusiasts of the traditional Pentecostal feet stomping and fast piano playing. To close out the taping is the soulful groove of “Wonderful God” which was written and led by Ted Winn of the Stellar award winning duo, Ted & Sheri.

While YP has stayed true to glorifying God, YP has certainly grown over the last two decades they have been performing together. There sound has matured, there praise has impacted lives, and their experiences have changed their outlook. But even with the changes Hairston exclaims, “We worship, we praise, we dance, and we shout! And we try to present all of that in our music as well.”

“I hope and pray that believers will truly be encouraged to praise God after listening to this record. I want them to believe every word He says without doubt. In a day like today, our faith has to be stronger than ever before,” Hairston shares.

[YOUTH FULLNESS]
Youthful Praise (Official Website)
Youthful Praise (MySpace.com)

Wednesday, May 07, 2008

PRAYZEHYMN May Checklist

We have been so busy on this end trying to get PRAYZEHYMNOnline.com where it needs to be - it's ridiculous. But we are definitely making great strides and changes. Changes you will be glad to hear.

New album reviews - of course - are on the way.

PRAYZEHYMN Life finally updated for the months of May and June. The last update at PRAYZEHYMN Life was in February...so we are glad to announce that we finally broke the curse.

The Music Center is refreshed with a brand new update. New music from Norman Hutchins, Alvin Slaughter, CeCe Winans, Ken Reynolds, Brent Jones, Voices of Promise and the Brooklyn Tabernacle Choir makes the list.

More articles...you ain't seen nothing yet. Just this month alone, you will see articles including "Hanging Up The Old Robe?" and "Gospel 101: 90's Countdown: The Top 50 Gospel Songs of the 1980s"

The ETC page will get a BIG and MAJOR update. We are turning the page into a resource outlet for friendly links, banners, wallpaper and detailed information on PRAYZEHYMNOnline.com. How cool is that?

But we have some very bad news for the PRAYZE Report...we are going to cease the blog to move on to better things. We're not closing up shop yet at PRAYZEHYMNOnline.com - just dropping posts at the PRAYZE Report. We are not certain when the last date and post will be...but it will be sometime this year. It's hard to say good-bye, but our intentions will be shifting to bigger projects. So keep us in your prayers!