L..E.G. Promotions Celebrates National Gospel Heritage Month

As legpromo.info posted on August 7th (see August posts) the month of September was officially designated "Gospel Heritage Month" by the United State Congress. Thanks to Senator Blanche L. Lincoln (D-Ark.), Senator Kay Bailey Hutchison (R-Texas), Senator Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.), Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee (D-Texas), Congresswoman Mary Bono Mack (R-Calif.), and The Recording Academy®, and television network Gospel Music Channel, the legislation was passed in June. The legislation passed will honor Gospel music for its valuable long-standing contribution to American culture.

The Recording Academy's CEO, Neil Portnow, offered this comment to legpromo.info

"It was an honor to announce that September 2008 has been declared Gospel Music Heritage Month at our GRAMMYs on the Hill event this past June in our nation's capital. A key mission of The Recording Academy is recognizing musical excellence, advocating for the well-being of music makers and ensuring music remains an indelible part of our culture. To have gospel music nationally recognized in the month of September pays great homage to this influential and inspirational genre. We look forward to this inaugural celebration, and to continuing this annual recognition for many more years to come."

Neil Portnow
President/CEO
The Recording Academy®

When you think of Gospel music pioneers there includes a list of artists that are like family to the Gospel music listener, while there are others that a newer generation only knows by the legacy they have left behind. Trailblazers such as Thomas Dorsey, Mahalia Jackson, Rev. James Cleveland, Shirley Caesar & The Caravans, The Mighty Clouds of Joy, and The Williams Brothers, were those who traveled across the U.S. singing Gospel when the genre wasn't popular or lucrative. These artist's legacy span the decades of American History that include the Vietnam War, the Civil Rights Movement, and into the 21st Century.

Thomas Dorsey is best known for his composition, "Take My Hand, Precious Lord", performed by Mahalia Jackson and was a favorite of the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr, and "Peace in the Valley", which was a hit for Red Foley in 1951 and has been performed by dozens of other artists, including Elvis Presley and Johnny Cash. Dorsey is also the founder of the popular National Convention of Gospel Choirs and Choruses. Also known as "the father of gospel music", Dorsey's album Precious Lord, New Recordings of the Great Songs of Thomas A. Dorsey was honored by the Library of Congress in 2002 when added to the U.S. National Recording Registry.

There are many other artists who have helped to shape the modern view of Gospel today such as The Winans, The Clark Sisters, Edwin Hawkins, Richard Smallwood, and John Pee Kee. These artist's songs have become classics in the listeners collection and helped promote and shape Gospel music during great changes in America. World composer, pianist, and arrangers Edwin Hawkins and Richard Smallwood are pioneers of urban contemporary gospel. Hawkins is best known for his arrangement of "Oh Happy Day" (1968-69), which has been included in the "Songs of the Century" list. And it's Richard Smallwood's anthem "Total Praise" that displayed his ability to blend Classical with Traditional Gospel- a mix of his alone.

It was The Winans call to social change with songs such as "Let My People Go" (1985), "Love Has No Color" (feat. Michael McDonald, 1987), and "It's Time" (1990) that helped to update the sound and style of traditional black gospel music (and vocal groups)- helping to usher in the new contemporary age. Alongside them were the Clark Sister's who are known for the distinctive and renowned unique vocal style. The group's 1980 live recording Is My Living In Vain soared to the top of the Billboard Charts and took the group's popularity to new heights. Others artist such as John P. Kee and New Life Community Choir transformed gospel during a the depressing time of drugs and gang violence in American cities.

As the Gospel Music Channel, Streaming Faith.com, and the United States of America take the time to celebrate Gospel Music's Heritage, it is important that Gospel Music fans do the same. By telling stories and pulling out dusty records, cassette tapes, and even 'old' CDs, listeners can pass the rich history of Gospel down to a new generation.


Links: StreamingFaith.com The Christian Post Gospel Music Channel

U.S. Congress Designates September 2008 "Gospel Heritage Month"

Pictured at the event at the Capitol (left to right): Gospel music advocate Carl Davis, Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee (D-Texas), Gospel Music Channel founder and president Charles Humbard, Congresswoman Mary Bono Mack (R-Calif.), president/CEO of The Recording Academy® Neil Portnow, and Gospel Music Channel senior director of music development Alvin Williams.

September 2008 will be an exciting month for Gospel/Christian music lovers. In addition to the new music projects to be released, the United States Congress has passed H. Cong. Res. 370 (House of Representatives) & S. Res.595 (Senate) designates September 2008 as Gospel Music Heritage Month. The legislation passed will honor Gospel music for its valuable long-standing contribution to American culture. In deed, the genre of Gospel is a thread in the blanket of American History. Hymns and Spiritual songs such as "Amazing Grace" have been recorded by major American musical icons and sung by congregations all over the country. Gospel artists, Rance Allen, Kurt Carr, and newcomer, Spensha Baker, were among the select few invited to appear before President Bush during his special "Salute to Gospel Music" at The White House.


Gospel Music Channel television network joined with Senator Blanche L. Lincoln (D-Ark.), Senator Kay Bailey Hutchison (R-Texas), Senator Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.), Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee (D-Texas), Congresswoman Mary Bono Mack (R-Calif.), and The Recording Academy® to launch the "Gospel Music Heritage Month" initiative. "Gospel Music is a cornerstone of the American musical tradition and has grown beyond its established audience to achieve pop-culture and historical relevance across the globe," said Lincoln. "My home state of Arkansas has a rich history in gospel music and I am proud to honor this tradition that has touched audiences around the world." The initiative was created by Gospel Music Channel, the country's first and only 24/7 television network devoted to all forms of Gospel/Christian music. The initiative was publicly unveiled at The Recording Academy's GRAMMY®s on the Hill event at the U.S. Capitol on June 18.

"This is the opportunity for the millions of gospel/Christian music fans to have
their own national month to honor and celebrate the rich heritage of their
music," said Charles Humbard, founder and president, Gospel Music Channel. "We thank Senators Lincoln, Hutchison and Leahy, and Representatives Jackson-Lee and Bono Mack, for their efforts and The Recording Academy for its partnership. We
look forward to celebrating 'Gospel Music Heritage Month' in September."

Gospel Music Channel (GMC) is the nation’s first and only 24/7 television network devoted to the uplifting, inspiring and diverse music that is Gospel/Christian music. Gospel Music Channel is the fastest-growing network in television today and can be seen in nearly 40 million homes on various cable systems around the country and on DIRECTV.

JOYFEST- Ohio Music Festival Pays Tribute to Rev. Timothy Wright

Curtis A. Perry III (left), owner of Joy 1520 Radio, and the Rev. Vince Watts Photo by: REPOSITORY BOB ROSSITER

What do the last two recent posts on this website have in common? JoyFest Music Festival, one of Northeast Ohio's largest urban celebrations! Joyfest is a CAP III Production supported by Joy1520AM - WINW. The gathering will include carnival rides, the very best in gospel music, a Rib BurnOff, and Sweet-Potato Pie & Pound Cake Contests...yummy! The Rib BurnOff will feature a $1,000 top prize. "So You Think You Got Talent?", a talent show for local youth will showcase tonight at 6:00 pm. Attendance to this amazing event is FREE and open to the public!


Concerts from national recording artists Vanessa Bell Armstrong (EMI Gospel) and Tye Tribbett & GA (Sony BMG Music) will occur Friday and Saturday evenings, respectively. Gospel Artist Rev. Timothy Wright was scheduled to minister on Sunday. After hearing the tragic news of the interestate collision that killed Rev. Wright's wife and grandson, and left him in critical condition, organizers were shocked. But, they have turned the tragedy into a gospel tribute for the Wrights. "It's still going to be a festive event," Curtis Perry told the Canton Repository. "People are going to come out because of the void. They'll want to be here for the tribute."

Proceeds from food concessions will benefit Saving Our Sons, a youth employment program, and a scholarship fund. CAP III Community Fund's purpose is "to promote the growth and development of inner-city youth by providing scholarships, youth activities, summer employment and technological enrichment."

This event is a great example of summer fun and fellowship. The festival is community centered and shows that there are positive things happening in Northeast Ohio. So, if you have no plans for the beautiful weekend, head to Canton to celebrate- and tell someone else about it.

JOYFEST Schedule of Events (July 10, 11,12, & 13th)

Thursday — 6 p.m., youth talent show, hosted by Sheryl "Dottie" Pressley

Friday — 8 p.m., Vanessa Bell Armstrong

Saturday — 8 p.m., Tye Tribbett & Greater Anointing

Sunday — Noon, musical tribute to the Rev. Timothy Wright and family;

drawing for flat-screen TV.

Welcome to the New L.E.G. Promotions Website

The screenshot to your right is the old web site for L.E.G. Promotions (www.legpromo.info).

To remain relevant and punctual with event news, I made the decision to convert the L.E.G. Promotions original web site into a blog style site. I hope that you will find the event information you are looking for as well as a few suprises every now and then. The new site includes some of the same elements as the old including:

New Music Releases: Every month you can view a list of new music releases from the Gospel/Contemporary Industry.

Links: These are sites that are similar the L.E.G. Promos' content

Promos: Through graphics or links on the page, you will be able to connect with projects that L.E.G. Promotions is directly involved with.

What you will not find:

U Should Know: Artists you should know will be featured throughout postings. So, stay on the lookout for up and coming local artist profiles and interviews.

Cleveland Events: General Cleveland Events ,such as fesitvals, will also be inlcuded in regular postings.

Christian Events in Greater Cleveland: If you visited the old legpromo.info you would find a schedule of Christian Events on the home page. These events will located in a speacial Classifieds link. So, be sure to visit the link when it is available. Also, feel free to post an event (at no charge) and pass the word on to your church, youth group, or other organization.

theshop: Merchandise will be made available through a link also.

During the next few posts, I will be defining what Promotion are about and the mission of L.E.G. Promotions .

In addition, I am preparing for a new Summer Series entitled Artist Connection. Because the word "promotions" is apart of the business name, I am contacted by new as well as established artists all the time. I am asked a variety of questions from, "how do you market yourself",to, "do you know of any events that I can be included in?" Some of these I have provided answers to, but some I have been unable to. This is why I am bringing the best of the best in the music and events industry to give advice and tips to you independent artists out there.

Thanks for taking out the time visit the new site and I hope that you will be back soon!

God Bless,

LaQuilia E. Graham

Founder