News
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April 24, 2008
52 WEEKS!!!
MAURETTE BROWN-CLARK REIGNS IN TOP TEN
Jackson, MS. April 24, 2008-One month in the top ten is an admirable accomplishment for any artist, but Maurette Brown-Clark (AIR Gospel, Malaco Music Group) has spent a year in the top ten, peaking at the #2 position on Billboard singles charts and Radio and Records, hitting #1 with Mediaguide, with more than one year in the #1 slot on the Mediaguide Independent Gospel Chart. Her first radio single “One God” (The Dream, AIR) with the Malaco family, has literally been a dream. Capturing two 2008 Stellar Awards, one for Praise and Worship Album of the Year, the other for Children’s Performance of the Year for her daughter Jada’s vocals, Brown-Clark is breaking records and winning big.
Brown-Clark’s touring schedule is keeping her busy. She can be seen with Byron Cage in various cities on his current tour. Throughout the winter she traveled from New Jersey to Delaware, North Carolina, Virginia, Texas, Florida, and Alabama, making appearance on a variety of Christian and gospel television programs.
Malaco takes pride in supporting legendary acts in gospel music and is sure that Brown-Clark is a legend in the making. With plans on the table for another CD sometime in the next year, Malaco stands poised and ready to make another hit record for this duly named ‘Princess of Gospel Music.’
“We have worked hard all year to make certain that Maurette is available to develop her ministry all over the country and are happy with her success. She is a true artist, kind friend, and loving mother. We are proud to represent her and look forward to what the future holds,” comments D.A. Johnson, Executive Director of Malaco’s Gospel division.
For updates on Brown-Clark’s touring schedule and future releases, please visit:
www.maurettebrownclark.com or go to www.malaco.com.
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Originally from Long Island, New York, Brown-Clark began her singing career with her family group, The Brown Singers. Throughout her formative years, she continued singing with choirs, groups, as well as studying classical piano. Her first CD, entitled How I Feel, was released in 1998 on Verity Records. This CD featured the radio friendly, "Breaking of Day." For this work, she received the Stellar Award for Best New Artist in 1999.
Her second CD, By His Grace, was released in 2002 on AIR Records, and featured her popular rendition of the praise and worship anthem, "I Just Want To Praise You." This CD received a Gospel Music Workshop of America Gospel Excellence Award and two Stellar Award nominations. Brown-Clark was also nominated for a Dove Award for her part in a remake of the Donnie McClurkin classic, "Stand", featuring Darryl Coley, Marvin Sapp and Helen Baylor.
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March 24, 2008
Contact: Malaco Records
Email: malaco@malaco.com
Phone: (601) 982-4522
SOUL STIRRER DILLARD CRUME RESTING EASY
Jackson, MS. March 24, 2008- On Friday, March 21, 2008, Gospel music lost another legend. Dillard Crume, producer, guitarist and lead singer of the legendary Soul Stirrers passed away after an extended illness.
Dillard was born in a small town in Missouri, but due to poor economicsin the south, the family of ten; eight boys and two girls, migrated to Chicago. Dillard and the other Crume brothers would later be introduced to Gospel music through their eldest brother A.C. Crume. Dillard quickly found out that this is what he wanted to do for the rest of his life and the brothers formed a group called the Crume Brothers.
Other major Gospel groups became interested in the Crume Brothers because of their musical ability. At the age of nineteen, Dillard was approached by the Blind Boys of Mississippi. He accepted their offer and became their guitarist and background vocalist.
After singing and playing with Blind Boys, Dillard became a member of the Highway QC’s. After singing with the Highway QC’s, Dillard temporarily left gospel music to sing R&B. One night while singing in a night club in California, Dillard was approached by a motion picture company to be a part of an upcoming film entitled “Blume In Love”, starring George Segal and Shelley Winters. Dillard and his brother Rufus wrote a song for the movie entitled I’m in Love With You. Dillard also appeared in the movie.
In the midst of all of the fame and fortune, Dillard felt a void in his life and returned to his roots, Gospel Music. Dillard began producing records for labels such as Specialty Records, Checker Records and Jewel Records. Whatever label the Soul Stirrers were on, Dillard would somehow land a job. In 1976, an opportunity became available for Dillard as one of the lead singers for The Soul Stirrers. He gladly took the job and remained there until his death. While with The Soul Stirrers, Dillard wrote such hit songs as “Resting Easy”, “Meeting Over Yonder” and “If You Love Jesus, Raise Your Hands” just to name a few.
In February 2008, the Soul Stirrers were all reunited at the Malaco recording studio in Jackson, MS to record the upcoming release, A Soul Stirring Reunion on Malaco Records.
Darrell Luster, member of The Sensational Nightingales and producer of A Soul Stirring Reunion states, “Dillard was my childhood idol. I learned so much from him. He taught me the Nashville Number System and how to read and write music charts. We'd stay on the phone for hours talking about the business. He will definitely be missed by me.”
Dillard Crume will be greatly missed by his family, fans and friends, and by the Gospel Community who admired and cherished his life’s work.
Wake / Viewing
Tuesday, March 25, 2008 7:00 PM– 8:00 PM Whitaker’s Funeral Home 25 N. Kennedy St. Metter, Ga. 30439 Phone # 912-685-5158
Funeral
Wednesday, March 26, 2008 11:00 AM
Greater Bethel A.M.E. 119 Oak St. Reidsville, Ga. 30453
Funeral arrangements are being handled by Whitaker’s Funeral Home
25 N. Kennedy St. Metter, Ga. 30439
Please send cards and flowers to the funeral home.
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February 19, 2008
Contact: Jenny Rogers
Email: mediajenny@charter.net
True Believers “Break Through” In Stores February 26
Jackson, TN. February 19, 2008- True Believers, one of the most exciting and prominent young Quartet group's in the nation, is slated to release their second project with Malaco Records, Break Through. Break Through hits stores on February 26, 2008.
True Believers, well known for hit singles “Ooh Wee Another Blessing,” “Don’t Count Me Out,” and “I Don’t Need No Rock,” is looking for a “Break Through” with their current project of the same name.
Break Through contains ten new songs that ranges from hard hitting, hand clapping, dance music to anointed praise and worship, skillfully and beautifully sung.
"Their ability to transition seamlessy from different sytles of quartet music is one of the elements that separate True Believers from the rest on the quartet field, positioning them to reach the mainstream Gospel consumer and minister in the churches during their morning worship services without disturbing the flow," states D.A. Johnson, Executive Director of Malaco's Gospel Division.
The two song disc serviced to national gospel radio containst he following two cuts, “Here Comes Your Breakthrough” & the commanding anointed praise and worship song “He’s Working It Out.”
True Believers’ “Break Through” will be in stores on February 26, 2008.
For orders and more information, please visit: www.malaco.com or call 800-272-7936.
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February 13, 2008
Contact: Jenny Rogers
Email: mediajenny@charter.net
Euclid Gray’s “Unleashed” In Stores February 26, 2008
February 13, 2008 - Euclid Gray, formerly of the R. Kelly’s platinum R&B Public Announcement and known to millions as Rev. Henry Oliver in Tyler Perry’s hit play and DVD release Meet The Brown’s, made his debut Malaco release and transition into the Gospel arena with a fan favorite, Urban Inspirational release Father Guide Me in 2006. His accomplishments up to this point afforded Euclid instant face recognition with the Gospel and mainstream audiences; however his second Malaco release, Unleashed just may categorize all those accomplishments as simply humble beginnings.
Unleashed is the first of the '8 for $8' product line to be released from Malaco Records. Euclid Gray’s “Unleashed” contains eight high-powered tracks ranging from “Let Me Praise Him,” an up-tempo, swing out, big band flavor dance track to “Ain’t Goin’ Get Mine,” a funky rock track, to “You Must Go” a Dance Hall / Hip Hop Reggae track to a Euro House/ Dance remix of “Ghetto Gospel Man” House/ Dance taken from the “Father Guide Me” CD. “Unleashed” is clean, fun, inspiring music for the whole family to enjoy.
The title track and single “Let Me Praise Him” was test marketed in Buffalo, NY quickly becoming the most requested song on the BDS station, rising to the top of the station’s play list in a matter of a few weeks eventually knocking Kirk Franklin’s “Declaration” single out of the number one spot. Dwayne Cumberlander, Program Director, WUFO Buffalo states, "Clap your hands, stomp your feet, "Let Me Praise Him" is a refreshingly energetic song that listeners have been hungry for. More than just gospel radio will love this song! Our phone lines ring off the hook. “Let Me Praise Him” is audience favorite of all ages!”
Elroy R. C. Smith, Operations Manager for Radio One’s FM properties in Philadelphia, PA states, “Let Me Praise Him” by Euclid Gray is refreshing. The energy, the beat and the message brings a good feel to my radio station. This song is infectious and we at PRAISE 103.9 PHILLY were the first to bring this song to light in the Philadelphia metropolitan area!”
Euclid Gray’s “Unleashed” will be in stores on February 26, 2008!
Go to www.malaco.com or call 800-272-7936 to pre order you copy today!!!
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Contact: Jenny Rogers
Email: mediajenny@charter.net
MALACO SET TO RELEASE KEITH WONDERBOY JOHNSON PROJECT
Jackson, MS.
Keith "Wonderboy" Johnson has been singing professionally since the age of five as a member of the group founded by his father, The Spiritual Voices. A young man and master student of the Quartet genre, Johnson desires to use his success to bring quartet music to the forefront, both for legends, those in the making and for consumers as well.
"Keith "Wonderboy" Johnson Presents...The Rising Stars Of Quartet" Volume I" is the first of a series and features fourteen brand new songs; three performed by Keith "Wonderboy" Johnson himself. Other selections include some of the hottest groups on the quartet scene, including: Tim Rogers & The Fellas, Jewel & Converted, Brothers In Christ and Marble Twins & Company.
The project was presented to the public January 24, 2008, when The Malaco Music Group presented an exclusive musical showcase at the American Gospel Quartet Convention in Birmingham, AL. The showcase featured "Live" performances by Keith "Wonderboy" Johnson and his Rising Stars Of Quartet and met with a welcome and overwhelmingly positive response.
D.A. Johnson, Executive Director of Malaco Music Group's Gospel division states, "I humorously refer to Keith "Wonderboy" Johnson as the Michael Jackson of Quartet because he's been singing professionally since he was five. I've watch him from the beginning on the Quartet scene in
Keith "Wonderboy" Johnson Presents... The Rising Stars Of Quartet: Volume I will be in stores on
Keith "Wonderboy" Johnson appears as a courtesy of World Wide Gospel.
