Saturday, November 12, 2011
"Spread the Word! The Evolution of Gospel From Chicago to the World"
"Spread the Word! The Evolution of Gospel From Chicago to the World" looks at the history of gospel music and its Chicago origins. Mahalia Jackson's Grammy award, song sheets from Thomas Dorsey and other memorabilia give visitors a look at some of gospel music's legends (Albertina Walker, the Staple Singers, James Cleveland and the Rev. Milton Brunson and the Thompson Community Singers) and contemporary artists (Joshua's Troops and Darius Brooks). Through May 20 at DuSable Museum of African American History, 740 E. 56th Place; 773-947-0600, dusablemuseum.org
Monday, November 7, 2011
?Church Before Church? ? Jubilee Showcase DVD
From 1963 to 1984, Chicago’s Jubilee Showcase introduced America to new gospel acts, helping bridge the divide between white American and black culture. A marvelous DVD highlighting the Showcase’s cultural impact is now available, featuring background interviews with artists, producers, and notable Chicago citizens (like Congressman Danny Davis), a profile on founder and host Sid Ordower, and four full-length episodes featuring dynamic performances.
For more information, check out the official website of Jubilee Showcase. This is really a terrific piece of music history!
http://ping.fm/OuXor
For more information, check out the official website of Jubilee Showcase. This is really a terrific piece of music history!
http://ping.fm/OuXor
Friday, November 4, 2011
?Jubilee Showcase? Revisited
Soul Train has a reputation for being Chicago’s groundbreaking showcase for African-American musicians.
But six years before Don Cornelius launched that great show on WCIU-TV, there was “Jubilee Showcase.”
It presented the nation’s top gospel, spiritual, and jubilee musicians on WLS-TV Channel 7 every Sunday at 7 a.m. from 1963 to 1984. It was one of the only places where viewers could see black musicians and a black audience on a show aimed at black people – and certainly the only one featuring inspirational music.
“Jubilee Show-case” was the brainchild of host Sid Ordower, a white civil-rights activist, broadcaster, and World War II hero who helped found Operation Push (a 1969 guest on the show was the Rev. Jesse Jackson), and was instrumental in helping Harold Washington get elected mayor. Ordower, who hosted the show, described gospel as “that fine American music.”
“When we started out, gospel was not as big as it is today,” he told the Chicago Tribune’s Howard Reich in 1992. “We had to find the audience and build it, so we gradually won over their confidence. Because back then, most people didn’t even know what gospel music was. So we were trying to play to a general audience and to win their confidence, which I think we did.”
Performers range from Otis Clay to Martha Bass to Clefs Of Faith to the Operation Push Chorus to Thomas Dorsey. Some of them – including Andrae Crouch, Inez Andrews, Jessy Dixon, and The Soul Stirrers – appear on a riveting new DVD of show, produced by Ordower’s son, Steven (who’s also working on a related documentary).
Watching artists like The Staple Singers, who perform with the accompaniment of just Pop’s twangy guitar and handclaps, it’s easy to make the connection with Delta blues and early rock ‘n’ roll.
The music is, in a word, amazing – even to this old punk rocker.
Not to mention inspiring.
To purchase the Classic Moments From Jubilee Showcase call (877) 459-7904 or visit jubileeshowcase.com – which also has videos and background info, and details about an upcoming documentary.
GO JOHNNY GO!: We were thrilled to accidentally run across Jonathon Brandmeier’s new show, “Brandmeier,” on WMAQ-TV’s “Chicago NonStop” (digital channel 5.2, or Channel 52 on my TV).
It’s about time he’s back on the air – even if it’s just a weekly half-hour sub-channel TV show.
(Brandmeier was unceremoniously dumped by WLUP-FM (97.9) in November 2009, and has been on the loose ever since.)
During the first “Brandmeier” TV show, he interviewed a champion air guitarist; the Wisconsin man who got a $166 ticket for giving the finger to Governor Scott Walker and driving back and forth in front of his house; and Californian Chuck Testa, whose deadpan taxidermy ads are a hit on YouTube. Johnny B. also riffed on the involuntary manslaughter trial of Michael Jackson’s doctor, Conrad Murray.
The show is in the midst of a 10-week run.
Brandmeier says on his website, “It’s a work in progress for all involved, but I’m thrilled to have the opportunity.”
Here’s hoping he’ll loosen up and add a bit of the heartfelt venom he displayed in his scathing 2010 video, “Johnny B- The Unemployed Radio Mo Fo” – which you can still view at johnnybontv.com.
ODDS N SODS: We’re disappointed but not surprised by the mainstream media’s coverage (or lack thereof) of the Occupy Wall Street movement against corporate abuse of the American political system. After all, the media is owned or financed by the very banks and corporations that are being protested. The local press has also largely ignored Occupy Chicago, located between the Federal Reserve Bank and the Bank Of America building on LaSalle Street. At press time, the only ones that had noticed were The DePaulia, Huffington Post, In These Times, and NBC-TV Channel 5. But, as one sign at Occupy Wall Street proclaimed, “The People Are Too Big To Fail” . . . Another nail was hammered into Radio Arte’s coffin when program director Carlos Mendez was forced out of the low-power Pilsen-based nonprofit station, where he also served as engineer and on-air host. WRTE-FM (90.5) was put up for sale by the Mexican Fine Arts Center Museum earlier this year, but as of presstime there were no takers . . . Muckraking not dead! We loved Jim DeRogatis‘ story about the story behind the mess that Lollapalooza left behind in Grant Park. It’s on his Chicago Public Media “Pop N Stuff” blog on www.wbez.org. It’s right up there with Mick Dumke and Kevin Warwick’s excellent Chicago Reader story, “Basketball Controversies,” in which they examined race and class through the lens of public basketball courts. If only this type of reporting were in the 99 percent – and not the 1 percent – of what usually appears in the media.
– Cara Jepsen
But six years before Don Cornelius launched that great show on WCIU-TV, there was “Jubilee Showcase.”
It presented the nation’s top gospel, spiritual, and jubilee musicians on WLS-TV Channel 7 every Sunday at 7 a.m. from 1963 to 1984. It was one of the only places where viewers could see black musicians and a black audience on a show aimed at black people – and certainly the only one featuring inspirational music.
“Jubilee Show-case” was the brainchild of host Sid Ordower, a white civil-rights activist, broadcaster, and World War II hero who helped found Operation Push (a 1969 guest on the show was the Rev. Jesse Jackson), and was instrumental in helping Harold Washington get elected mayor. Ordower, who hosted the show, described gospel as “that fine American music.”
“When we started out, gospel was not as big as it is today,” he told the Chicago Tribune’s Howard Reich in 1992. “We had to find the audience and build it, so we gradually won over their confidence. Because back then, most people didn’t even know what gospel music was. So we were trying to play to a general audience and to win their confidence, which I think we did.”
Performers range from Otis Clay to Martha Bass to Clefs Of Faith to the Operation Push Chorus to Thomas Dorsey. Some of them – including Andrae Crouch, Inez Andrews, Jessy Dixon, and The Soul Stirrers – appear on a riveting new DVD of show, produced by Ordower’s son, Steven (who’s also working on a related documentary).
Watching artists like The Staple Singers, who perform with the accompaniment of just Pop’s twangy guitar and handclaps, it’s easy to make the connection with Delta blues and early rock ‘n’ roll.
The music is, in a word, amazing – even to this old punk rocker.
Not to mention inspiring.
To purchase the Classic Moments From Jubilee Showcase call (877) 459-7904 or visit jubileeshowcase.com – which also has videos and background info, and details about an upcoming documentary.
GO JOHNNY GO!: We were thrilled to accidentally run across Jonathon Brandmeier’s new show, “Brandmeier,” on WMAQ-TV’s “Chicago NonStop” (digital channel 5.2, or Channel 52 on my TV).
It’s about time he’s back on the air – even if it’s just a weekly half-hour sub-channel TV show.
(Brandmeier was unceremoniously dumped by WLUP-FM (97.9) in November 2009, and has been on the loose ever since.)
During the first “Brandmeier” TV show, he interviewed a champion air guitarist; the Wisconsin man who got a $166 ticket for giving the finger to Governor Scott Walker and driving back and forth in front of his house; and Californian Chuck Testa, whose deadpan taxidermy ads are a hit on YouTube. Johnny B. also riffed on the involuntary manslaughter trial of Michael Jackson’s doctor, Conrad Murray.
The show is in the midst of a 10-week run.
Brandmeier says on his website, “It’s a work in progress for all involved, but I’m thrilled to have the opportunity.”
Here’s hoping he’ll loosen up and add a bit of the heartfelt venom he displayed in his scathing 2010 video, “Johnny B- The Unemployed Radio Mo Fo” – which you can still view at johnnybontv.com.
ODDS N SODS: We’re disappointed but not surprised by the mainstream media’s coverage (or lack thereof) of the Occupy Wall Street movement against corporate abuse of the American political system. After all, the media is owned or financed by the very banks and corporations that are being protested. The local press has also largely ignored Occupy Chicago, located between the Federal Reserve Bank and the Bank Of America building on LaSalle Street. At press time, the only ones that had noticed were The DePaulia, Huffington Post, In These Times, and NBC-TV Channel 5. But, as one sign at Occupy Wall Street proclaimed, “The People Are Too Big To Fail” . . . Another nail was hammered into Radio Arte’s coffin when program director Carlos Mendez was forced out of the low-power Pilsen-based nonprofit station, where he also served as engineer and on-air host. WRTE-FM (90.5) was put up for sale by the Mexican Fine Arts Center Museum earlier this year, but as of presstime there were no takers . . . Muckraking not dead! We loved Jim DeRogatis‘ story about the story behind the mess that Lollapalooza left behind in Grant Park. It’s on his Chicago Public Media “Pop N Stuff” blog on www.wbez.org. It’s right up there with Mick Dumke and Kevin Warwick’s excellent Chicago Reader story, “Basketball Controversies,” in which they examined race and class through the lens of public basketball courts. If only this type of reporting were in the 99 percent – and not the 1 percent – of what usually appears in the media.
– Cara Jepsen
Wednesday, October 19, 2011
New Releases this week
Lots of great music coming gospel lovers way this week. Music from a member of Clark musical dynasty, the release of a highly anticipated album, the return of a gifted tenor and more.
Kierra Sheard: Free. The album produced by brother J. Drew Sheard has wonderful song songs and a high energy style. James Fortune and Mali Music also appear on the album. The single “You Are’ has gotten positive reviews.
Casting Crowns: Come to the Well. This highly anticipated release already has a hit with “Courageous,” from the movie of the same name. The album is one of the most requested pre-orders on iTunes and their current album Until the Whole World Hears has been on the Billboard Christian charts for 99 weeks. This album is certain to have longevity as well.
Micah Stampley: One Voice. One of the most dynamic and recognizable voices releases his first full-length studio album in two years. The album contains various styles that are sure to reach a broad audience. Songs include "Hosanna", "Shout" and "Overcome."
Continue reading on Examiner.com Gospel Music Tuesday: Kierra Sheard, Micah Stampley, Casting Crowns and more - Washington DC gospel music | Examiner.com http://ping.fm/N61j9
Kierra Sheard: Free. The album produced by brother J. Drew Sheard has wonderful song songs and a high energy style. James Fortune and Mali Music also appear on the album. The single “You Are’ has gotten positive reviews.
Casting Crowns: Come to the Well. This highly anticipated release already has a hit with “Courageous,” from the movie of the same name. The album is one of the most requested pre-orders on iTunes and their current album Until the Whole World Hears has been on the Billboard Christian charts for 99 weeks. This album is certain to have longevity as well.
Micah Stampley: One Voice. One of the most dynamic and recognizable voices releases his first full-length studio album in two years. The album contains various styles that are sure to reach a broad audience. Songs include "Hosanna", "Shout" and "Overcome."
Continue reading on Examiner.com Gospel Music Tuesday: Kierra Sheard, Micah Stampley, Casting Crowns and more - Washington DC gospel music | Examiner.com http://ping.fm/N61j9
Thursday, October 13, 2011
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