Summer Sizzlers of 2008

Summer 2008 has been quite hot, hazy and has left an unpleasant drought of super gospel hits for us to enjoy during those nice drives down the boulevard. Add in the fact that the U.S. is still struggling over the idea of seeing $4.00 a gallon for regular unleaded. Just think about the countless hundreds of dollars pumped into your gas tank just during the week. It has been quite depressing, to say the least.

We usually place our annual pickings for the best summer jams at PRAYZEHYMNOnline.com in our Summer Sizzlers' section. And boy, would we want to feature a healthy list for our faithful viewing audience. But this time around, there have been very little jams to spread around. Luckily, we were able to manage to pull out ten songs that inspired us and got us going during the dog days of summer. Let's see who and what made the cut this year.

10. "Holding On To You" - 21:03
Total Attention (PAJAM/Verity)
The charm tucked in the cool R&B groove and the sexy-sounding production fits oh so well on the young gents. It's riding music with a "B2K meets Commissioned" touch.

9. "For Your Feet" - Rance Allen Group
Closest Friend (Tyscot)
A fun track that sho'nuff makes you wanna boogie woogie woogie (slide to the left/then move to the right/everything that's breathin'/get your praise on tonight). The funky groove, laced with flashy horns and tough percussion, is a comfortable revisit to the golden days of this legendary group. Got Stax?

8. "Favor of God" - Martha Munizzi
Change The World (Martha Munizzi Music)
Shelia E. should be jealous right about now! Martha Munizzi works the sweat out of this jubilant praise celebration and is perfected with Munizzi's enthusiastic ad-libs. And while the lyrics are quite encouraging, the funk is where the song thrives.

7. "Words of Life" - J.R.
Life By Stereo (Cross Movement Records)
With the brand of cool resembling a John Legend and the lush production of an Al Green tune, this song is definitely one of the 2008's ultimate summer gospo-ballads. While radio focused more on the rock/hip-hop-sliced single "Not A Slave," we were too busy enjoying this smooth worship ballad.

6. "Friend of Mine" - The Murrills
Family Prayer (QuietWaters Entertainment/Verity)
And then D. Lawrence opened up his collection of 45's and unearthed a treasure with Eddie Kendricks' gospel-inspired "He's A Friend." He took the song into the studio and put new verses with the soulful lead vocals of the Murrills on it...and breathed new life into the disco gem. And it was good.

5. "Made It" - Cheryl James & Voices of Worship
Live (Source of Synergy)
The glorious East Coast groove on this joint is worth hearing again and again. Melvin Crispell's arrangements on top of VOW's juicy harmonies nail this funky cut. And when the vamp kicks in, turn up the volume. You are bound to declare:"I'm still here/standing/standing/standing."

4. "Stand Out" - Tye Tribbett & G.A.
Stand Out (Columbia)
You got a taste of hip-hop, rock and tough gospel mixed into this outcry for holiness. The super-charged gospel anthem is a hyperactive party starter that sums up the high-octane of Tye Tribbett's live performances into one cutting-edge radio-friendly track. About time!

3. "Ooh La La" - LeJune Thompson
Metamorphosis (LeCe Entertainment)
Cedric Thompson is still one of the coolest masterminds in the studio today. This cool vibe, featuring Lejune Thompson's impressive vocals and slick executions, is one of the year's freshest tracks cut. With just a little extra push from a major distributor, this track would have blazed many urban gospel radio markets. It sure did get our attention.

2. "Still In Love" - Kirk Franklin
The Fight of My Life (GospoCentric/Zomba)
After hearing Kirk Franklin's skate party introduction, this track grooves with the dazzling effects of Anita Ward's "Ring My Bell" and the legendary Larry Gold's crisp strings. It's another heavyweight summer jam from the reigning gospel veteran. This is fun music!

1. "Return" - Dorinda Clark-Cole
Take It Back (GospoCentric/Zomba)
PAJAM gets jiggy with it on this big urban jam featuring the awesome raspy, jazzy vocal work of Dorinda Clark-Cole. Surprisingly, the song fits like a magic glove on Clark-Cole's personality. The melody is totally strong, the chorus is smart and the vamp is outrageously addictive after one listen.

So...now that we finished our annual summer report for 2008, what summer jams do you feel should have been mentioned in our assessment?

[SIZZLE MAH NIZZLE]
Summer Sizzlers' 07 [PRAYZEHYMNOnline.com]
Summer Sizzlers 2006 [PRAYZEHYMNOnline.com]

Remembering Isaac Hayes

Beyond “Shaft,” Isaac Hayes remains a highly celebrated artistic icon for his legendary workmanship on the soul music genre and for making full-length albums friendlier for black consumers. Before Hayes released the classic LP Hot Buttered Soul in 1969, the black market of R&B and soul music surrounded the assembly-line 45 r.p.m. singles. But Hot Buttered Soul changed everything and has remained the most significant event in the world of R&B music ever since. Up to the release of Hot Buttered Soul, virtually everyone in the record industry had assumed that the black audience was neither economically equipped nor aesthetically interested in purchasing LPs in large numbers. Consequently black artists were not afforded the great luxuries enjoyed by their white contemporaries in creating elaborate album concepts or extended songs. Instead, most black LPs were rushed to release and were aimed to be economically friendly to the music companies; focusing only on a string of hit singles. But Isaac Hayes’ crafty abilities in pulling a string and horn section into the studio and working on soothing and heavily orchestrated arrangements changed the entire music biz. At the very beginning of the 1970s, Hayes was accredited for being the very first super artist in R&B - being hailed as “Black Moses” by his beloved followers and fans. And even with his symbolic golden chains, his shaven head and his highly recognizable deep baritone, Hayes was much more than a cultural superhero.

Go back to the early years of Stax Records, the popular music empire of Memphis, Tennessee, and you will find the superstars of Otis Redding, Carla Thomas, Booker T. & the M.G’s, Sam and Dave and the Staple Singers. Behind all that talent stood the writing duo of David Porter and Isaac Hayes. Together the two wrote genre-defining hit singles including Sam & Dave’s “Soul Man,” “When Something Is Wrong With My Baby” and “Hold On I’m Comin’.” Other hits came about: Carla Thomas’ “B-A-B-Y,” Mable John’s “Your Good Thing Is About To End” and The Astors’ “Candy.” He also played piano and other instruments on dozens of Stax records and had developed a name as one of the most dependable and creative session players within the company.

Rob Bowman wrote about Hayes in July 2005 in his moving biography about Stax Records in Soulsville U.S.A.: The Story of Stax Records.

“As monumental as his contributions were in the first part of his career, they are dwarfed by the impact of his solo albums such as Hot Buttered Soul, Shaft and Black Moses. With these records Hayes would become the biggest artist Stax ever produced and one of the most important artists in the history of rhythm and blues. From 1969 through 1975, he single-handedly redefined the sonic possibilities of black music, in the process opening up the album market as a commercially viable medium for black artists.”

When Hot Buttered Soul was released, the music world was stunned. The epic soulful creations of the Dionne Warwick hit “Walk On By” and the stunning 18-minute remake of “By The Time I Get to Phoenix” (capped with his signature storytelling monologue) gave birth to a cool, sexy, seductive and charming soul brother during what some music historians call a “new day” in R&B music. With only four tracks on the album, radio edits of “Walk On By” and “By The Time I Get To Phoenix” were shopped to the big stations to met the public demand of Hayes’ new sound. But history was already rewritten, the LP itself reached number one on both the jazz and R&B charts and even climbed to number eight on the pop charts - doing far greater in sales than the singles themselves.

Other hit albums repeated the Hayes’ formula including To Be Continued, The Isaac Hayes Movement (featuring the amazing reworking of the Jerry Butler hit “I Stand Accused”) and the colorful double-LP Black Moses. The latter also landed at number one on the R&B charts, number two on the jazz charts and number ten pop. Hayes had perfected an unique groove, a holy soulful sound, that merged the glorious emotions of gospel into the heartfelt expressions of soul music. This sound would later be enriched by fellow counterparts including Marvin Gaye, Curtis Mayfield and Barry White.

In 1971, Hayes broke all ground with his phenomenal effort of writing a musical score to the hip “blaxploitation” film Gordon Parks’s Shaft. The resulting double LP and the signature theme song were both influential in kick-starting the disco movement and the uprising of the black soundtrack for future motion pictures. The #1 pop/R&B single earned Hayes both an Academy and Grammy Awards - one of the first of African Americans to win in both the world of music and film - and made him an icon overnight.

At the height of his career, he landed a spectacular performance during the Wattstax festival at the Los Angeles Coliseum in August 1972. Portions of that concert were featured in the 1973 documentary film Wattstax by Mel Stuart.

While bankruptcy woes and his departure from Stax Records troubled him and his image throughout the ‘70s, Hayes bounced back with colorful disco and Quiet Storm gems in the late ‘70s on the Polydor music label. Hits like “Don’t Let Go,” “A Few More Kisses to Go” and “Moonlight Lovin’” kept his radiant star glowing during this new era of Hayes’ musical expressions.

Hayes, raised in the Baptist church, never laid sight off of his upbringing and his spirituality. His moving composition, “Soulsville,” tells of the tough climate and environment in the inner city and the passion for the poor and forgotten to survive its calamities with God’s help. On the 1973 LP Live at the Sahara Tahoe, Hayes breathes faith and inspiration into the Burt Bacharach/Hal David tune “The Windows of the World.” And while his dabs in Scientology has baffled many of Hayes’ longtime fans and has left behind an unexplainable cloud of unanswered questions, he remained a beloved hero in his hometown of Memphis, a hardworking humanitarian and remained an active force towards black empowerment and achievement.

In his latter years, Hayes became well known for his voice; appearing on South Park as “Chef,” appearing in commercials, film (Dr. Doolittle 2, Reindeer Games, Hustle and Flow, I’m Gonna Get You Sucka) and television (The Rockford Files, The Hughleys, Girlfriends, Stargate SG-1). And he continued to work in the music industry with international tours, heavy sampling by Mystikal, Ashanti and Jay-Z and even working with Alicia Keys. He was also inducted into the Rock ‘n Roll Hall of Fame in 2002 and a wonderful documentary, featuring Hayes, was also released that same year.

Unfortunately, our Black Moses left us so soon. Isaac Hayes passed away at the age of 65, just ten days short of his 66th birthday, in his Memphis home on the Sunday morning of August 10.

I grew up on Hayes music but took greater dips into the portals of Hayes's music a few years ago. I began to appreciate the creative process of his music and how he brilliantly created these super musical episodes of gorgeous symphonic beauty. From the lovely French horn part in “Ellie’s Love Theme” to the innovative wah-wah rhythm guitar on the “Theme From Shaft,” from the gorgeous and heavily-sampled “Hung Up On My Baby” to the misty sweet sounds of his 1980 reworking of “It’s All In The Game,” from the beautiful harmonies of the female group Hot Buttered Soul on “(They Long to Be) Close To You” to the funky sounds found on “Hyperbolicsyllabicsesquedalymistic” - there was always something refreshing and beautiful about Hayes’ music.

I was blessed to know Hayes personally in his latter years. He was a charming and well respected man and emailed me a few times. In one of his last emails to me, Isaac stated:

“My apologies for not replying sooner-my schedule is extremely hectic. Thank you very much for acknowledgment of my work as an artist. I very much appreciate it. Keep on enjoying the music...there will be a new album out at the end of this year!”

I was later told today that the album was never recorded. But there is good news in knowing that Soul Men, an upcoming movie about two estranged soul-singing legends (played by Samuel Jackson and the late Bernie Mac) agreeing to participate in a reunion performance at the Apollo Theater to honor their recently deceased band leader (played by John Legend), is slated to hit theaters November 2008. The film features Isaac Hayes playing himself..It’s so sad that we have lost an earthly treasure like Isaac Hayes. His music will forever live long and will always linger with us - as long as great music lives. Can you dig it?

[BLACK MOSES' EXODUS]

Singer, songwriter Isaac Hayes Dies at 65 [Associated Press @ YouTube]
Gentle voice, music giant: Isaac Hayes dies at age 65 [USA Today]
Soul icon Isaac Hayes dies in Memphis at 65 [Reuters]

Singer Isaac Hayes dies at 65 [TIME]

Soul legend Isaac Hayes dies [CNN.com]
Isaac Hayes: Unshackled by History's Chains [Washington Post]
Isaac Hayes Dies at 65 [Rod 2.0]

Isaac Hayes [Official Website]
and for more reading...

Stax of Music [PRAYZE Report]

The Stax Site

Stax Museum of America - Soulsville USA (Official Website)

Marvin Sapp and Shekinah Glory Goes Gold

While recent reports of gospel sales have dropped in the last two quarters, there is still a bit of good news in the music market with the RIAA's recent announcements of Chicago's Shekinah Glory Ministry and Marvin Sapp reaching gold status.

Marvin Sapp was recently featured in USA Today and by the Associated Press about his record-breaking success of the hit single "Never Would Have Made It;" a song that remains perched at number one on the gospel charts to this day and continues to touch the lives of millions with his inspiring message. The song is a crossover success - reaching number one on the urban adult contemporary charts and crossing over to the R&B and pop charts - and has become the longest running number one single in all of Billboard's genre history. The album Thirsty, released last July, has since been certified gold and continues to break records.

Shekinah Glory Ministry, the urban worship magnet of Chicago, also has alot to be thankful for. Their double-CD, Live, was also certified gold by the RIAA this week; becoming their second straight RIAA gold record released. The album, released independently through Kingdom Records and distributed by Universal, featured the radio hit "Yes."

Elder Phil Tarver is the Praise and Worship Leader of Shekinah Glory Ministry: "We are taught that the more God exalts you the more you should humble yourself. We are humbled but honored to know that more than a few folks are enjoying what we do as we continue our mission of creating music that pierces the kingdom of darkness and enlarges the Kingdom of God."

[GOLDEN LINKS]
Marvin Sapp song continues to break records (Associated Press)
Marvin Sapp's gospel hit finds crossover success (USA Today)
Kingdom Records Scores Second RIAA Certified Gold Record (GospelCity.com)
Marvin Sapp (MySpace.com)
Kingdom Records (Official Website)

Remembering Rev. Lawrence C. Roberts

Rev. Lawrence C. Roberts, known for his important roles as record producer for Savoy Records at its creative peak and for serving as the pastor of the renowned First Baptist Church of Nutley, New Jersey, finished his earthly course on July 14, 2008 in his Stone Mountain, Georgia residence at the age of 77.

While Roberts never inherited the majesty of the artists he worked with, his importance to the world of gospel music is nostalgic in all of its infinite glory. While serving as pastor and developing the First Baptist Church into one of the popular churches in the city of Nutley, Roberts went on to help the Newark-based Savoy Records become one of the fastest growing and most successful record companies in gospel music. He also made history for being one of the first black record producers of a major U.S. recording company. The Savoy label during its glory years housed some of the greatest talent in all of gospel music history including the Angelic Gospel Singers, the Roberta Martin Singers, Dr. Mattie Moss Clark, Albertina Walker & the Caravans and Rev. James Cleveland.

In 1960, Roberts decided to experiment with live recordings on Rev. James Cleveland, one of the label’s hit makers, and made a momentous decision to tape the project at First Baptist. With a young Billy Preston on organ, the album gained major attention and started a series of albums featuring the famed Angelic Choir (of First Baptist Church). The historic Peace Be Still LP, also known as Volume III, broke national ground and became an instant best-seller while also paving the way for gospel music’s bright future using the live recordings format. Roberts, a gifted baritone and choir director, produced a number of groundbreaking hits for Cleveland including “I Stood On The Banks of Jordan,” “Life Can Be Beautiful,” “No Cross, No Crown,” “I Had a Talk with God” and “My God Can Do Anything.” Roberts won two Grammy Awards and continued to pastor First Baptist Church for thirty-six years until his retirement in 1995.

Roberts made a guest appearance on the Gospel Legends CD/DVD super compilation, released on Malaco Records in 2006. The label has also announced that they will be releasing his final contribution to the historic music label entitled “Bridging the Past, Blessing the Present in Song.”

Roberts is survived by his wife, Delores, a renowned singer in her own right who Roberts credited with inspiring him to pursue his gospel career. He also is survived by three children, a son, Derrick Roberts, and two daughters, Vanessa Walker and Renee Whitney.

His funeral services took place on July 19 at Victory Church in Stone Mountain, Georgia and was well attended by hundreds of mourners including gospel giants Dorothy Norwood, Rev. Richard “Mr. Clean” White, GMWA chairman Rev. Albert Jamison and present-day Savoy president Rev. Milton Biggham.

Below I have enclosed a special video tribute from Rev. Lawrence Roberts, taped at the memorial services of the late Rev. James Cleveland in 1991. Years later, the video - with its prolific words and spiritual dynamics - speaks for itself.

Rest in peace, Rev. Roberts. We will see you again.

[REMEMBERING A LEGACY]

Savoy Records Producer Funeral Arrangements (GospelCity.com)
Lawrence C. Roberts, gospel icon, Newark native, dies at 77 (NJ.com)
Rev. Lawrence Roberts -Rest In Peace (Black Gospel Blog)
Gospel Legends: Album Review (PRAYZEHYMN Online.com)

Judy Is A Native New Yorker...

One thing is for sure...I didn't know it.

And you probably didn't know it either. But that's not the point. The point is renowned worship leader Judith Christie-McAllister will be preparing for her upcoming project and live recording session to take place in the Big Apple. Where she is a native.

The effort will consist of a live DVD/CD recording at the Greater Allen Cathedral AME Church - pastored by Dr. Floyd Flake - on August 8 at 7:00 p.m. The live recording is free and open to the public. And topping things off, McAllister will be ministering to registrants in a special Impartational Workshop on August 9 from 10 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. If you are interested in attending this one-on-one session with the her, you must register in advance for this event. Registration is $20.

The First Lady of Praise and Worship has never let us down before with her album releases. After recording super hits including "Oh Give Thanks," "Like The Dew," "High Praise," "Hallelujah, You're Worthy" and the recent radio smash "Bless Thou The Lord O My Soul," McAllister aims to impress her longtime supporters with the next move in her music career and ministry.

Kudos to Marcellus Coleman @ Minstrel's Point of View for the updated information and flyer.

[NEW YORK HERE WE COME]
Judith Christie McAllister (MySpace.com)
Judith Christie-McAllister - Judah Music (Official Website)
Judith Christie-McAllister: Sound The Trumpet Flyer

Greater St. Stephens Destroyed By Fire

After recovering from the brutal and disastrous aftermath of Hurricane Katrina, the popular New Orleans church - once pastored by the renowned teleevangelist Bishop Paul S. Morton - experienced yet another tumultuous downfall with the Monday predawn three-alarm fire leaving the 2,000-seat church in ruins.

Greater St. Stephens Full Gospel Baptist Church was still trying to bounce back from the major blow of Hurricane Katrina three years ago; which swallowed up their mega-church 20,000-membership status to 5,000 members. With the Eastern church location still being closed due to the water damage, Senior Pastor Debra Morton, who now pastors the church, continued to walk the church through their next phase of rebuilding and restoration. Bishop Paul S. Morton, the church's former pastor, handed the New Orleans church to his wife so that he could focus more on the satellite church he established in Atlanta.

According to Bishop Paul S. Morton, he has stated that investigators suspected the fire starting in the choir loft behind the church's pulpit. Both pastors believe that the church will bounce back and better than ever.

Temporary Sunday morning services will be held at Congregation Temple Sinai, located next to Loyola University at 9:00 a.m. and 11:15 a.m.

In a press statement released on July 20, Rabbi Edward Cohn said, “In the wake of the devastating fire which destroyed the sanctuary of one of New Orleans’ religious landmarks, an opportunity for interfaith love and cooperation was presented to our historic congregation. Bruce Nolan, religion reporter from the Times Picayune put us in touch with Greater St. Stephen leadership and we offered a setting for their Sunday services for at least a month. Temple Sinai is a house of prayer for all people and all who enter our doors in the spirit of brotherhood and sisterhood are always welcome and that includes the members of Greater St. Stephen Ministries.”

Bishop Paul S. Morton is a renowned gospel artist, a five-time Stellar Award winner and national bishop of the Full Gospel Baptist Church Fellowship. Known for big hits including "Let It Rain, "Bow Down And Worship Him," and "Your Tears," Morton has recorded for a number of gospel labels including GospoCentric, Blackberry and currently records on the Light Records label.

[BLAZIN' LINKS]
Greater St. Stephens church ravaged by fire (nola.com)
Displaced Greater St. Stephens worships again (nola.com)
Greater St. Stephens Full Gospel Baptist Church (Official website)
Full Gospel Baptist Church Fellowship (Official website)

Timothy Wright Hurt In Tragic Car Accident

Reverend Timothy Wright, known for gospel hits including "Who's On The Lord's Side," "Trouble Don't Last Always," "For The Rest Of My Life (I'll Serve Him)," and his recent hit, "Jesus Jesus Jesus," was critically injured in a car crash in central Pennsylvania that killed his wife and a wrong-way driver who hit their vehicle, according to police.

Wright, 61, was injured Friday night around 10:30 p.m. Friday along with his 14-year-old grandson, D.J. Wright, and both were taken to Geisinger Medical Center in Danville, according to a hospital spokesman. A third vehicle, blinded by the smoke from Wright's vehicle, struck Wright's 2002 Lincoln Blackwood in the back after the initial crash, police told the Detroit Free Press.

First Lady Betty Wright, 58, died in the three car wreck on Interstate 80 in Greene Township, state police confirmed. Betty Wright, co-writer of "Jesus, Jesus, Jesus," also was a pastor at Wright's Grace Tabernacle Church of God In Christ.

Rev. Wright was traveling home to New York after attending the Church of God In Christ AIM Convention in Detroit, Michigan.

A memorial service will be held Sunday at 11:45 a.m. and a prayer service at 5:45 p.m. Sunday at Grace Tabernacle COGIC; the church in which Rev. Wright pastors. The prayer service will be led by Bishop Albert Jamison.

Watch the YouTube video below of Rev. Timothy Wright performing "Jesus Jesus Jesus."

[WRIGHT SOURCES]
Local pastor's wife killed in Pa. car accident (Newsday.com)
Gospel singer Wright hurt in Pa. car accident (MSNBC.com)
Gospel legend critically injured in car crash (Detroit News)
Car crash badly hurts gospel star, wife dies (New York Times)

White House Goes To The Church House

You wouldn't believe it if I said it...so the picture is here to proof it.



The White House celebrated the genre and historical relevance of gospel music in the East Room on June 17 with live performances from the Kurt Carr Singers, Spensha Baker, Walter & Edwin Hawkins and Narcissus Brown. The invitation-only event was hosted by Dr. Teresa Hairston - founder and publisher of Gospel Today magazine.

This wasn't the first time gospel music stepped itself into the walls of the White House, but this one will be highly remembered for its exclusive tribute to the genre of gospel music for an entire program during Black Music Month - annual held in the month of June.

The 50-minute celebration can still be viewed on the Internet in its entirety by clicking here.

[PRAISE IN THE HOUSE]
President Bush's Transcript at Gospel Celebration (WhiteHouse.gov)
Gospel Celebration Video (Windows Media Player required)

Ira Tucker Passes Away

Ira Tucker, one of the last members of the original Dixie Hummingbirds, died on June 24 in South Carolina due to heart failure. His legacy, being instilled in greatness and attached to one of the greatest quartets of the Golden Era of gospel, allowed him to sing with the Birds for seventy years - when he joined the group at the age of 13 in 1938. The group went on to record hits records on the Decca, MCA and Peacock labels, and afforded the group a mighty opportunity to provide background vocals on Paul Simon's pop/gospel hit "Loves Me Like A Rock." The group recorded their own version, without Simon, in 1973, and won a Grammy for Best Soul Gospel Performance.

The Dixie Hummingbirds' most popular hits, featuring Tucker's vocals, includes: "Christian's Automobile," "Let's Go Out To The Progams, "Who Are We?" and "In The Morning." Tucker also recently worked with Wynonna Judd on "How Great Thou Art" and recorded a country album.

Anthony Heilbut, an author, producer and expert on gospel and other music, called Mr. Tucker “the presiding intelligence” of gospel quartet music.

During the early years of his tenure, when the group was struggling to distinguish itself from other a cappella outfits, Tucker began to help the group forge a unique sound and style. “He really moved the Dixie Hummingbirds into what we call the 'soul gospel' era, which would roughly be throughout the 1950s," said Jerry Zolten, author of “Great God A'mighty: The Dixie Hummingbirds Celebrating the Rise of Soul Gospel Music." “We begin hearing instrumental accompaniment. We begin hearing that expression of angst and soulfulness that we associate with the best of Southern soul. We began to hear a different kind of rhythmic feel."

Their last project, Still...Keeping It Real: The Last Man Standing, was released on MCG Records in 2006.

He is survived by his wife Louise , daughters Sundray and Lynda, son Ira Jr., five grand-children and six great-grandchildren.

Ira Tucker of The Dixie Hummingbirds funeral will be held on Wednesday July 2, 2008 at The Met, 858 N. Broad St. Philadelphia, PA 19130. Corner Broad &
Poplar. (Renamed Dixie Hummingbird Way)

The viewing will be conducted from 9:00 AM-11:00 AM. The funeral will
proceed immediately following.

The funeral arrangements are being handled by Yarborough Rocke Funeral Home, 1001 N. 63rd St. Philadelphia, PA 19151. Phone: (215) 473-5100

Please send cards and flowers to the funeral home. Faxed condolences should
be sent to: (215) 879-3145. E-mail: lrocke2188@aol.com

[IN MEMORY OF IRA TUCKER]

Ira Tucker Obituary (Los Angeles Times)
MCG Records (Official Website)
Ira Tucker (Wikipedia.com)

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)

Dottie Rambo Music
Dottie Rambo (MySpace.com)
Gospel singer Dottie Rambo dies in tour bus wreck in Mo. (AP)

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)

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!

tobyMac, Tomlin and Casting Crowns Big Winners At Doves

The biggest night in universal Christian music is over and the results are in on Wednesday's 39th Annual Dove Awards; which was shown live on the Gospel Music Channel.

tobyMac took home the Artist of the Year award, while Casting Crowns, one of the night's key nominee leaders, collected four trophies out of their six nominations - mostly accredited to group front man and songwriter Mark Hall. tobyMac also racked up awards in the Rock/Contemporary Album and Short-Form Video categories.

Earlier winners on Wednesday were Natalie Grant for female vocalist and Chris Tomlin for male vocalist - their third times winning in their respective categories.

Brandon Heath won new artist of the year - knocking out DeWayne Woods - the big winner at this year's Stellar Awards.

Israel & New Breed won an award for Contemporary Gospel Album for their last album; A Deeper Level.

The Clark Sisters, whom were three-time champions at this year's GRAMMYs, were snubbed out of their three nominations at the Dove Awards. Their live performance of "Blessed And Highly Favored" signaled their presence, but left many surprised as to why they went home empty-handed.

American Idol alumni Chris Sligh, Phil Stacey and Mandisa along with Amy Grant performed on a special tribute to renowned songwriter and CCM legend Michael W. Smith and remained one of the night's biggest highlights.

[LOVEY DOVEY]

tobyMac, Mark Hall, Casting Crowns win big at Dove Awards (Associated Press)
Dove Awards Winners and Nominees (DoveAwards.com)

Doves Honor Unsung Heroes Along with Favorites (ChristianityToday.com)

When Doves Cry (PRAYZE Report)
GMA Gets Diversified (PRAYZE Report)

When Doves Cry Out

April 23 will be a big day in the history of the Dove Awards. The 39th Annual Dove Awards not only will be airing live in Nashville at the Grand Ole Opry House on the Gospel Music Channel, but the impressive line-up of performing artists are continuing to add up. And the type of diversity is something that should be documented - ultimately proving that the Doves is bound to be the biggest night in Gospel music this year.

American Idol finalists Chris Sligh, Mandisa and Phil Stacey have all been added to the extended line-up, along with American Idol winner and Jive Recording Artist Jordin Sparks. Country legend Wynonna Judd, Ricky Skaggs and the Whites, Point of Grace, Natalie Grant, 33 Miles and DeWayne Woods are also set to rock the stage.

In a special tribute to Michael W. Smith, the American Idol stars along with Amy Grant will pay tribute to the CCM legend with a special medley.

The Clark Sisters and Marvin Sapp are also expected to perform, along with Casting Crowns, Switchfoot, Trin-i-tee 5:7, Israel Houghton, Angella Christie and the David Crowder Band.

As announced before, the show will not have a host, but will be led by musical performances and the award announcements.

Gospel Music Channel is the exclusive television home for the GMA Dove Awards. GMC is the fastest growing television network in America and can be seen in 40 million homes across the country on DIRECTV channel 338, cable systems including Comcast, Time Warner, Cox, Charter, and Knology as well as on Verizon FiOS. In addition to the live telecast - set to air April 23 from 8-10 p.m. (ET), GMC will present back-to-back encore broadcasts that night and additional re-airings following.

Tickets for the 39th Annual GMA Dove Awards are currently available at TicketMaster or www.doveawards.com

[LOVEY-DOVEY]
Dove Awards (Official Website)
Gospel Music Channel (Official Website)

GMA Gets Diversified (PRAYZE Report)

Hope Nation Tour Details

Coming to a city near you...

The Hope Nation Tour, sponsored by World Vision and the Ellis Verne Agency, will feature Myron Butler & Levi, Coko, DeWayne Woods, Jonathan Nelson, Ted Wynn, Canton Jones and Tarsha McMillian-Hamilton.

So mark your calendars, it's set to be one of 2008's most talked about gospel tours. Dates and times are tentative and are subject to change.

April 11 @ 7:00 p.m.
East Birmingham COGIC, Birmingham, AL

April 12 @ 6:00 p.m.
World Changers, Atlanta, GA

April 13 @ 7:00 p.m.
University of Central Arkansas (IdaWaldron Auditorium), Conway, Arkansas

April 15 @ 7:00 p.m.
Revolution Christian Ministries, Grand Rapids, MI

April 16 @ 7:00 p.m.
Come2Go Ministries, Fort Wayne, IN

April 17 @ 7:00 p.m.
West Point Baptist Church, Chicago, IL

April 18 @ 7:00 p.m.
Century Center, South Bend, IN

April 20 @ 7:00 p.m.
Mt. Olive Missionary Baptist Church, Fayetteville, NC

May 1 @ 7:00 p.m.
Calvary Revival Church, Norfolk, VA

May 3 @ 7:00 p.m.
Temple of Praise, Washington DC

May 8 @ 7:00 p.m.
New Destiny Christian Church, Orlando, FL

May 10 @ 7:00 p.m.
Bethel Baptist Institutional Church, Jacksonville, FL

May 15 @ 7:00 p.m.
Eastern Star Church, Indianapolis, IN

May 16 @ 7:00 p.m.
Masonic Temple, Cleveland, OH

May 17 @ 7:00 p.m.
Columbus, OH

May 18 @ 7:00 p.m.
Good Shepherd Baptist Church, Petersburg, VA

May 23 @ 7:00 p.m.
Greater St. Stephens Full Gospel Baptist Church, New Orleans, LA

May 24 @ 7:00 p.m.
Beebe Memorial Cathedral Church, Oakland, CA

May 25 @ 7:00 p.m.
West Angeles COGIC, Los Angeles, CA

[MORE HOPE FOR YOU]
Ellis Verne Agency (Official Website)
Gospel Notes (BlackVoices.com)
Coko (Official MySpace Page)

DeWayne Woods (MySpace.com)

Meet The Browns' Opens At #2

Tyler Perry's Meet The Browns, featuring Angela Bassett, Rick Fox and gospel singers David & Tamela Mann (of Kirk Franklin fame and from Tyler Perry's plays), opened on Easter weekend at number two - packing in $20 million. The animated family film Dr. Seuess' Horton Hears A Who remained at number one - taking in $5 million more than Perry's film.

The film, an adaption of the Perry's play with the same name, tells the story of a single mother, Brenda, living in an inner city and her struggle to make ends meet raising three children. She, played by Angela Bassett, looses confidence in her life after she is laid off from her job, but later receives a letter from her family in Georgia (a crucial and popular destination for Perry's plays) announcing the death of her family - a man she's never met.

Typically, Perry has kept his fanbase satisfied in his movies and continues to receive support from them with the release of this movie. But critics are not as satisfied with the film.

"The latest product in the inexhaustible auteur's seemingly inexhaustible assembly line of black-themed films, Tyler Perry's "Meet the Browns" is a decided step back after his more sophisticated recent efforts." - Hollywood Reporter

"Bassett looks fantastic, but this isn't her best work, mostly because of a clumsy script that makes her character a contradiction - a pushover when it comes to her abusive ex-husband and then way too steely when dealing with a new romance." - San Francisco Chronicle

"...a holding-pattern movie for a filmmaker whose skills and ambition seemed to be growing, movie by movie, even if the films all fit the same pandering, female-empowerment formula. Whatever progress the man was making, ''Browns'' is a Madea-sized big fat step backward. It's a sloppy, slapdash dramedy based on Perry's play (and video of that play) of the same title." - The Morning Call

"Maybe it's time for Tyler Perry to take a vacation. After all, it's got to be exhausting to preside over an expanding empire of plays, books, DVDs, television, and film, all churned out at a rapid-fire rate. Eventually something's got to give, and the slapdash feel of "Meet the Browns" hints that he might need to give himself a break." - NY Daily News

"There's a nice little movie in Meet the Browns somewhere, the story of a dedicated single mom working to better her life. But it's obscured by way too many distractions." - Arizona Republic

""Meet the Browns" is saddled with the usual quotient of phony snafus and entanglements that are easily untangled. While Bassett is usually an asset to any movie she's in, it's hard to work up much empathy for her character, who doesn't know a knight in shining armor or a fixer-upper dreamhouse when they are staring her square in the face." - Newsday

"When Perry shoehorns in an unexplained, unmotivated and absurd police chase with Madea (the grandmotherly character Perry plays in drag) solely to promote his next film, "Madea Goes to Jail" in September, you can't help but wish he'd hire somebody else to polish his mediocre stage scripts before he films them. And you'd hope that someday he'll care less about his "Tyler Perry" brand, pandering to his base audience and padding his bank account." - Orlando Sentinel

"As long as Perry continues to be more concerned with flaunting his success and popularity as a sign of his abilities rather than developing his muse and talent, he will likely continue to make money hand over fist but also leave behind disposable artifacts such as "Meet the Browns," full of empty platitudes and self-serving righteousness." - Los Angeles Times

And the list of unsatisfied professionals reviewers continue to pour in. Unfortunately, PRAYZEHYMNOnline.com only covers reviews gospel music...for now.

[MEETING THE BROWNS ONCE AGAIN]
Meet The Browns (Official Website)

Tyler Perry's Meet The Browns (Rotten Tomatoes.com)

CeCe Returns To Her Church Roots

High expectations are up over the upcoming release of CeCe Winans' eight career solo project, Thy Kingdom Come; set to drop in stores on April 1 on the PureSprings Gospel label.

Produced by award-winning hit-makers Tommy Sims, Luther “Mano” Hanes, Percy Bady, Cedric & Victor Caldwell (along with CeCe’s son Alvin Love III as co-producer) and new comers Christopher Capehart and Brannon Tunie. The fourteen-track disc finds the beloved gospel vocalist performing empowering, congregationally accessible songs of praise, intimate worship and inspiration.

“When you’re in the throne room, your focus is just God,” Winans said. “Nothing’s more powerful than that. When you do other music—positive music, gospel, inspirational, whatever you want to name it—you’re teaching lessons to other people, which is still very important. But nothing’s more powerful than when you’re face to face with God.”

Thy Kingdom Come is the follow-up to 2005’s chart-topping Purified, which showcased the gospel veteran interpreting buoyant, life-affirming songs with a contemporary edge. The album earned the songstress her sixth and seventh GRAMMY® awards in the categories of Best Gospel Performance and Best Contemporary Soul Gospel Album.

The first single “Waging War” was serviced to radio and went for adds Feb 25. In preparation for the eagerly anticipated album, she also has some upcoming speaking and concert dates which include an April 10 performance in Fort Hood, Texas, as part of the “Salute to Our Heroes” event. Winans will also be appearing on TBN’s Praise the Lord on April 14th, performing new music.

The album is currently available for pre-order purchases in the U.S. at http://www.cecewinans.com and will be available on iTunes on April 1, 2008.

And for your listening pleasure, you can listen to the first single from Thy Kingdom Come. Click here to listen.

[CECE'S KEYS TO THE KINGDOM]

Listen to "Waging War" (Spotlight Grooves)
CeCe Winans (Official Website)

Obama's Pastor Gets In The Spotlight

All across the country, the pulpit in American churches has been used to preach theological beliefs, historical information and revelation-conscious opinion for decades. It's no longer the place to just read the Word of God, but it's the place where preachers and pastors exalt their own words to something that resembles an act of God. Their words to its listeners become as the red letters in the Four Gospels - pivotal, crucial and essential. That seems to be the case for the fiery sermons of Dr. Jeremiah A. Wright - the popular and beloved pastor of the 10,000 member Trinity United Church of Christ. He has since retired from pastoring the large congregation after thirty-six years of active ministry, but the retirement has gone under silence in the media due to the emergence of what many call "racially-inflammatory and anti-American" messages preached from his pulpit. What makes all of this most important is that, while in a very crucial presidential election year, Wright happens to be the pastor of Democratic presidential nominee Barack Obama and his messages do not coincide with the "peace-love-and-hope" messages and dialogue of Obama.

Wright's relationship with Obama extends beyond the last few months of the 2008 presidential race. Obama joined Trinity, under Wright's watch, in the 1980s and was later joined in marriage by the pastor. Wright is also accredited by Obama for the title of his best-selling book, "The Audacity of Hope." Once the sermons hit news reports last week focusing on Wright's big endorsements on Obama and even bigger controversial views, Obama denounced them in a press conference and later removed him from his appointment over Obama's African American Religious Leadership Committee. Whether one wants to fully believe or support Wright is one thing, but hearing it in the open is sometimes very tough to digest. To some critics, his statements on racism often point towards black separatism. ABC News aired sermons showing Wright, in the traditional gospel preacher role, accusing the federal government of crimes against people of color, including selling drugs to blacks, creating the HIV virus to infect blacks, and perpetuating racism that led to disproportionate imprisonment of blacks. The media also ran circles around a particular message that Wright preached claiming that "the United States was responsible for the September 11, 2001 attacks on the World Trade Center and urged black Americans to ask God to "damn America."

Obama didn't derail his pastor when questioned by the media about Wright's statements. Instead he said Rev. Wright "is like an old uncle who says things I don't always agree with," telling a Jewish group that everyone has someone like that in their family."

On the Tuesday episode of ABC's popular daytime talk-dish The View, things got nasty when co-host Elizabeth Hasselbeck confronted the issue - stating that there is an evident contradiction for Obama to announce Don Imus' resignation for racially-graphic tones but quickly defended his pastor in the media.

On the other hand, African Americans are remaining supportive of Obama and Trinity's former pastor. During a Sunday evening service, Pastor Otis Moss III addressed the matter by stating that "it is an indictment on Dr. Wright's ministerial legacy to present his global ministry within a 15- or 30-second sound bite."

In truth, Obama shouldn't be judge because of his pastor's actions and opinions. But it is scary to separate the fact that birds of a feather flock together. In this case, if you want to know your presidential candidate, do your homework. While he is a great speaker, intelligent and highly beloved by many supporters for his "hopeful" agenda, it might be fair to say - after the recent investigation of his pastor - that we probably don't have a clue as to who the real Obama is.

[AN OBAMA-NATION]

Obama's Pastor: God Damn America, US To Blame For 9/11 (ABC News)

Trinity: Wright's character 'being assassinated' (Chicago Sun-Times)

Obama on race: A legacy stained (Philadelphia Inquirer)
Obama Delivers Speech On Race At Constitution Center (CBS News)
Jeremiah Wright Responds On FOX's 'Hannity & Colmes' (YouTube.com)

IRS Looks Into Yolanda Adams

GRAMMY award-winning and gospel superstar Yolanda Adams has a big battle on her hands. It's not just the Lord's battle either. This time, it's serious business as the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) launched a probe into Adams' financial records from as far back as 2000. According to the Houston Chronicle, the Houston native failed to keep an appointment ordered by the IRS to explain her financial affairs and to determine Adams' tax liability and how the agency would collect on the debt.

The investigation surrounds the two million-dollar mortgage loan applications filed by the singer, where there were inconsistencies listed in her assets.

A 2005 Ocwen application said Adams earned $40,000 a month and listed $8 million in assets — including an $800,000 trust account, $4.9 million in other personal holdings and jewelry worth $1.5 million. That document said she owned a Lexus and a Hummer.

A subsequent Chase home loan application listed $3 million in assets, including a business worth $1.5 million, a Mercedes-Benz and a Range Rover. She owns a home worth more than $2 million in Houston's Royal Oaks Country Club subdivision.

The agency also wants details about her endorsements and royalties as well as music companies and foundations with whom she is affiliated.

Houston entertainment lawyer and Adams' attorney Ricky Anderson said that he was unaware of the lawsuit and declined to comment until he could look at the IRS filings and reach Adams, who was being featured on a gospel cruise to the Bahamas.

According to sources, she failed to appear with the IRS on Feb. 5 because she decided to appear on her syndicated morning show.

Earlier this year, the agency issued a summons that required Adams, 46, to bring financial documents for the last six years to Houston's IRS office in February and answer questions. When Adams missed her appointment, the government asked the court to force the entertainer to cooperate. She is scheduled to appear in court next month.

Let's hope she doesn't do a Bobby Brown by dodging the heat. The morning show can wait.

[MORE ON YOLANDA'S BATTLE]

Federal judge orders singer Adams to appear in court (Houston Chronicle)
Yolanda Adams subject of investigation (GospelCity.com)

This One Is For You...

Oh, What a night it was for Sen. Hillary Clinton.

The exit polls earlier last week sighted that Democratic challenger Sen. Barack Obama had a slight edge over Clinton; pushing fear into the air and into her campaign. But as she has proven before, exit polls have no power over the end result. And the final numbers proved that polls aren't always what they are hyped up to be. Clinton comfortably took Ohio on Tuesday night with 55% of the vote going to her, 43% for Obama. She also won the favor of Rhode Island. She even picked up the win in the delegate-rich Texas with 51% going to her. Earlier that day, it was too close to call for either Democrat nominee, but towards the end with 95% of the precincts being counted up Clinton surged ahead as the victor. Obama's only win of the night was in Vermont; surging ahead with 60% of the voters.

It was mandatory that Clinton needed to win two of the key states in Tuesday's primary to stay in the game. These victories for her keeps her in the race for the Democratic nomination and brings more tension in weeks to come as the Pennsylvania's primary nears.

The Associated Press praised Clinton on her courage and her ability to stand against the storm saying that "Clinton is a realist and most observers — even those sympathetic to her quest — said she would be loath to wage a fruitless battle if the results are anything less than a decisive game-changer that stops Obama's momentum."

Obama still leads in the delegate count, and has even convinced some of the "super-delegates" to cross over to Obama-mania, including longtime Clinton friend and civil rights icon Georgia Rep. John Lewis. Lewis' decision to switch to Obama made serious attention, especially after his decision was mostly accredited to what he considers to be the "people's candidate." During this time period, mega superstars got into Obama's corner to fuel his campaign with dollars, support and impressive endorsements. But Clinton shows no signs of stopping as she declared in Columbus, Ohio as if the walls of Jericho had fell in this heated race for the White House. "The nation is coming back and so is this campaign," she uttered with great joy. "For everyone here in Ohio and across America who's been ever been counted out but refused to be knocked out, for everyone who has stumbled but stood right back up, and for everyone who works hard and never gives up -- this one is for you," Clinton said before an excited and enthusiastic audience.

As for the Republican contest, let's call it a done deal. John McCain sealed the deal with his GOP nomination; reaching beyond the 1,100 mark. Mike Hucakbee, his only challenger, dropped out of the Republican race after the results came in. "It's now important that we turn our attention not to what could have been or what we wanted to have been, but now what must be -- and that is a united party," Huckabee told a crowd in Dallas.

[CLINTON'S BIG COMEBACK]

Clinton Wins Key Primaries (CNN.com)
New wins revive Clinton camp (Yahoo! News)
In two battlegrounds, voters say, not yet (MSNBC.com)