   |
|
  Retailer, radio announcer and artist manager are only some of what she does. Quartet enthusiast Ms. Willie McClendon writes this regularly-appearing quartet column for Gospelflava.com. October 27, 2006 I recently stopped by a local restaurant and while there a young man came in to sell bootlegged CDs and DVDs. I was amazed at the people who gathered around him, because many of them I recognized as church folks. I could not believe that these people didn’t know that they were helping support an illegal business. I left in a state of shock, wondering where and when it would stop. Please know that we need to support our favorite artist by purchasing their music from them or from a legitimate retailer. Just in case you don’t know, when you purchase bootlegged copies the artist doesn’t reap any profit nor does the sale count toward their number of units sold. Let’s learn to treat each other with fairness, honesty and dignity. Let’s begin to put in practice the fruit of the Spirit that’s mentioned in Galatians 5. This year the Quartet Division of the Gospel Music Workshop of America once again partnered with For Life Miracle Records to present the Quartet Division Gala Banquet. This event was truly one that will be talked about for a long time. The theme: Legends: Their Lives, Our Love! This event was hosted by Comedian extraordinaire Ricky Smiley who was speechless (if you can imagine) by the presence of some of this nations great talent including the Legendary Caravans, Dottie Peoples, Doc McKenzie, The Williams Brothers, Harvey Watkins, the Christianaires, Joe Ligon just to name a few. Smiley said, “Ya’ll don’t even have to PAY ME… Ya’ll did not TELL me that all of these folks that I have been playing on the piano and playing on radio for years were gonna be here”. “WOW!!” Those in attendance were blessed with music from For Life’s srtists including Greg Kelly, The Gospel Four, The Mighty Travelers and Bishop Nathaniel Bond and Ensemble. A special award honoring the memory of Roy “Mr. Malaco” Wooten was established to recognize a person or persons who work tirelessly to promote and enhance the promotion of gospel music. This year’s recipient was longtime Dallas promoter, Mr. Robert Taylor. The division also recognized radio announcers Early Weatherall, Dora Tymes, Darrell Martin and others. This year’s Quartet New Artist Winners are Blessed of Detroit, with the first runner-up Courtney Little of Memphis and second runner-up Meant 2 B of Jackson, MS. Congratulations to all who participated, and especially to Mr. Tyrone Porter and his entire staff for a great and informative meeting. Joe Ligon and the Mighty Clouds of Joy recorded their live album in Dallas on August 18th, following the conclusion of GMWA. Let me tell you, you need to save your money for this one. Joe and the Clouds were awesome. Joe did a song about Rain and it rocked the house. Look for this project to be in stores April 2007. In recent days it has been rumored that Ron Staples is no longer with the Clouds. After a thorough investigation, it has been confirmed that this is indeed true. Let us keep the Clouds lifted up in prayer as they began the hard task of trying to replace this great singer. Luther Barnes just completed his 10th Annual Fall Gospel Classic, “The Plight Of The Quartet”. This year’s event was Spirit-filled and those in attendance were blessed by some of this nation’s great artist. The Classic concluded with a live recording featuring Luther and the Sunset Jubilaires, Rev. F.C. Barnes (Luther’s father), Deborah Barnes and the Red Budd Choir. This album will be a must for your music collection. D.A. Johnson – Executive Director, Gospel Division for the Malaco Music Group was in Rocky Mount with Luther and participated on one of many forums presented during the Classic. D.A. stated that “Malaco is committed to Quartet Music today just as we were in years past and will be releasing some exciting news over the next couple of months that will be very instrumental to the Quartet community”. The Spiritual Highlights of Chattanooga, TN celebrated their anniversary with their special guest, Little Willie and the Keynotes, who did an outstanding job. Congratulations Highlights, on a great program. PB Productions based in Memphis, proudly presents a new CD featuring the legendary Jubilee Hummingbirds, “One Day With Jesus”. The Hummingbirds have been singing great, toe tapping, hand clapping, gospel music for over sixty years and their new CD continues their legacy as they sing and praise God with their fantastic vocal and musical presentation. Quartet Boyz Records are very proud to introduce The Concert Supremes who will be celebrating their anniversary and the release of their new CD entitled “We Got A Message” on November 5th, 2006. This group of young anointed quartet singers hails from the great state of Louisiana and their desire is to win lost souls for Christ. These young people are doing a great work for the Lord and this album is one that you should check out. Rev. Laramie Long and Divine Truth will present the First Annual Veterans Day Tribute To The Troops Gospel Extravaganza on November 11th in Greensboro, AL and on November 12 in Tuscaloosa, AL. These events will feature some great music from various groups out of Tuscaloosa, AL, Birmingham, AL, Columbus, MS and many, many more. A memorial ceremony will be held in honor of our fallen soldiers and their family members. The Singing Pastors of Piscataway, NJ continue to climb the chart with their release “Down Through The Years”. This group of local ministers has put scripture with quartet music and their delivery is a blessing to the body of quartet lovers. George Dean and The Gospel Four just recently recorded their new project on the For Life Miracle Records label. Special guest artists included: Lee Williams & The Spiritual QC’s, Evelyn Turnentine-Agee, The EverReadys, Bishop Nathaniel Bond & The Ensemble, Greg Kelly & Foundation, Kim McFarland, and The Mighty Travelers. Get ready for this project to be released early 2007 because George and the group have got somethin’ for ya. For Life Miracle Records’ recording artist Greg Kelly and Foundation’s new record entitled Keeping The Faith is in stores and is filled with some great traditional music. This CD features many great tunes that continue the elevation of good quartet music. Be on the look out for Darrell McFadden and the Disciples along with some of their friends (Rev. Howard “Slim” Hunt and the Supreme Angels, Doc McKenzie and The Hi-Lites, Darrell McFadden, Jr and the Junior Disciples), since they may be coming to a city near you. Plans are being made for the 2007 American Gospel Quartet Convention to be held in Birmingham, AL, January 16-20, 2007. This convention under the dynamic leadership of Dr. & Mrs. George Stewart will be held at the East Birmingham Church of God In Christ. The Nominations for the 22nd Annual Stellar Awards were announced on October 17, and we congratulate the following quartet artists on their nomination. Group / Duo of the Year
Let’s pray for our nation and our troops! Don’t forget to VOTE. GOSPELflava.com recognizes the importance and impact that this genre of music is making in our lives and are happy to announce the launching of this column dedicated to quartets. It's Shouts and Drives. If you wish to contact us about a new quartet project, email us here. Check out this column's archives here: Column Archives
October 27, 2006 |
              |