Gospel Roundup May 11, 2020

Oakland Gospel Choir movie released this past Friday
A new gospel documentary was released Friday, May 8th on channel 9 at 8 PM, called “One Voice: The Story of the Oakland Gospel Choir,” directed by Spencer Wilkinson. The story focuses on how the choir, different in race, gender, socioeconomic background, and other normally divisive factors, took the challenge of reinterpreting and envisioning black gospel music classics under the mentorship of Terrance Kelly, son of a prominent Oakland jazz pianist. Another work honoring the interesting and under-told story of gospel music on the West Coast!
Music and film industry push for expanded COVID-19 relief for performers
Musicians and entertainers complain of bulky, overly complicated and restrictive policies in qualifying for relief, demanding that self-employed individuals be included in the money sent out under the CARES Act. The Act does not include many of the ways industry professionals make their money, and thus excludes them from federal aid. Congress has not responded to the push, but a petition has been signed by major music collectives, including the Gospel Music Association.
Little Richard, gospel, blues, and rock ‘n’ roll pioneer, dies at 87
The rock ‘n’ roll pioneer passed away today at the age of 87 due to bone cancer. His impact was anything but nominal, and artists as big as the Beatles, Bob Dylan, and James Brown all cited him as a major inspiration for their careers.
NSAI creates the WRITER Foundation: “We’re Ready In Time of Emergency Relief”
The National Songwriters Association International, based in Nashville, has officially launched a non-profit organization called the Writer Foundation, which stands for “We’re Ready In Time of Emergency Relief,” aiming to help struggling songwriters and musicians in need of relief during this challenging time. The foundation will give out $1,000 grants, the application for which goes live 12 PM (CDT) on May 13th, 2020, and they urge writers to submit immediately. More information can be found on their website at writerfoundation.org.
The Gospel Roots of Rock and Soul with CeCe Winans airs this month
The four-part radio documentary hosted by CeCe Winans in conjunction with NPR aired for the first time at 11 PM Saturday, May 9th, and will air weekly, ending on the 30th.
Pastor Marvin L. Winans beats coronavirus and returns to preaching
The pastor had been hospitalized twice but he is out and preaching the gospel like never before! A blessing to all of us. He assures viewers that he had never been gravely ill and had only suffered minor symptoms. The past of Perfecting Church will continue to host streams on FB!