The Soul Stirrers on NPR

A Soul Stirring Reunion has been in the stores for a full month now. The gentleman are getting quite a lot of exposure!

As previously reported in July and September, it seems the nation is hungry for the Soul Stirrers in a major way.

Two days ago on October 29, Leroy Crume, Arthur Crume, Willie Rogers and Floyd Taylor went to the National Public Radio (NPR) studios for an interview to discuss the difference between religious and secular music.

You can listen to the interview and also watch the video of their radio appearance on the NPR blog.

What a legacy!

To purchase your copy of A Soul Stirring Reunion, go to Malaco dot com or call our Customer Service Department at 1-800-272-7936.

In related news, a video documentary is currently underway about The Soul Stirrers. So be sure to check back.

You'll hear about it here first!

Blues Marker for Bobby Rush

Mark your calendars for a very special occasion for one of Malaco's esteemed artists:

Bobby Rush is being awarded a Blues Marker from the state of Mississippi and the Mississippi Blues Commission, Tuesday, November 11 at 3:00 p.m.

The unveiling ceremony will take place at the corner of Valley and Metro Parkway/Lynch Street (former site of WOKJ/WJMI, across from Adams Corner and near JSU Campus).

COME OUT TO HELP CELEBRATE
BOBBY'S CAREER AND ACCOMPLISHMENTS!

November is a big month for Malaco: More History in the Making

The most important election of our times is less than a week away.

By the request of Ms. Dorothy Norwood, she would like to invite you to listen to her latest single “Victory Is Mine” (Obama Mix) from her “Fifty Years – It’s Been Worth It All” CD release that is due out at the beginning of 2009.

She is backed by 2009 Stellar Award Nominee Ricky Dillard & New G.

We think you will enjoy this power packed re-recording of one of the greatest congregational hymns in Gospel history.

Click here to listen to the Obama mix!

On the Southern Soul front, another Malaco release coming out November 4th is going to blast you out of your seat! Willie Clayton's new album, Soul and Blues is hitting the shelves on election day.

Soul and Blues contains eleven tracks of pure Soul, including two new tracks written by legendary songwriter, George Jackson ("Down Home Blues" and "Old Time Rock and Roll" fame) as well as Willie's version of the Hi Records hit "I Can't Stop The Rain," originally sung by Ann Peebles.

Don't let anyone get a copy before you do! Click here to preorder Willie's Soul and Blues.

Muscle Shoals Rhythm section inducted in hall of fame

Leighton native Percy Sledge sings his anthem “When A Man Loves A Woman”
from his knees as he is backed by Will McFarlane, Jimmy Johnson and David Hood
at the Musicians Hall of Fame inductions in Nashville, Tenn., on Tuesday.
Photo courtesy of Daniel Giles/TimesDaily.com

Inducted into the Musicians Hall of Fame in Nashville are
(from left, wearing medals): Spooner Oldham, David Hood, Jimmy Johnson,
Randy McCormack, Pete Carr, Will McFarlane, Clayton Ivey, Roger Hawkins and Barry Bekett.

Photo courtesy of Daniel Giles/TimesDaily.com

CONGRATULATIONS!!!
(click above for the full article)

The Village Voice

In a March 2008 post, we got a heads up an article being written about Cat Power's current release entitled Jukebox.

The San Francisco Weekly's writer, Andy Tenille, contacted songwriter George Jackson to get his thoughts about her cover of his 1972 hit "Aretha Sing One For Me."

Read more about what George's, as well as other legendary artists', feedback was after they listened to her version of their songs:

Cat Power Under the Covers: A Listening Party with Jukebox Muses

above photo by Kyle T. Webster courtesy of The Village Voice

Cast Your Vote November 4th!

November 4th is going to be a big day.

Not only is it election day for one of our country's most historical presidential races, but it is also the release date for the new Mississippi Mass Choir album.


The Mississippi Mass retrospective, entitled The First 20 Years, will be released as a CD with a DVD documentary and Historical Perspective book.

Jackson's newpaper, The Clarion Ledger, just published an article about the choir: Mass appeal: Choir, nearing 20th anniversary, attracts fans worldwide. Click on the link to read about the Mississippi Mass Choir's incredible story. (Mosie "Mama" Burks got to meet Stevie Wonder! How cool is that?)

November 4th will be in the history books for more than one reason. Go out and vote - and don't forget to pick up your copy of The First 20 Years.

If the Mississippi Mass has blessed your life with their ministry, then pass on the Good News.

Mississippi Mass Choir “The First Twenty Years” CD & Documentary

Mississippi Mass Choir

“The First Twenty Years”

CD / DVD Documentary & Concert Celebration

The Malaco Music Group is proud to announce that the world renowned Mississippi Mass Choir will be celebrating 20 years of ministering through songs with a commemorative CD , DVD documentary and Concert celebration.

The concert celebration to commemorate the groups two decades of excellence will take place on Friday, October 24th, 7:00PM, New Jerusalem Church, 5708 Old Canton Road, Jackson, Mississippi, Dwayne K. Pickett Sr., Pastor. Special guest will include Rev. Milton Biggham, Melvin and Doug Williams, Huey Williams and others.

Admission is free!!! Please prepare your hearts to provide a love offering.

The commemorative CD & DVD documentary entitled “The First Twenty Years” (Malaco Records) will be available at Wal-Mart and other fine retailers on Tuesday, November 4, 2008 or go to www.malaco.com for an exclusive online special.

The Mississippi Mass Choir was founded in May 1988 by the late Frank Williams, and co-founded by his friend David R. Curry Jr.

It was on October 29, 1988, only five months after their first rehearsal, the choir recorded its first album and video at Thalia Mara Hall in Jackson, MS. Success came quickly with their first three recordings reaching the number one position on the Billboard Top Forty Gospel Chart. Two recordings reached the number two position, with the subsequent recordings all reaching the top ten.

The group has won or been nominated for every major music award such as the prestigious Grammy, Stellar, Dove, Soul Train, NARM Best Sellers Award, Billboard Magazine Outstanding Achievement Award, as well as the Governor’s Award for Excellence in the Arts.

Many feared that the untimely death of Frank Williams on March 21, 1993 would also be the demise of the choir. However, thirteen years later and they are not only “Still Here” but still relevant. Frank was wise enough to build the choir around Christ and not himself. As a tribute to him, the choir always includes a song from his vast catalog, on each subsequent recording.

They have ministered within all but a hand full of states within America. Their international travels include Japan, Spain, Italy, Greece, and the Bahamas. They will again tour Spain for 16 days this December 2008.

It doesn’t matter if the concert is in Athens, GA or Athens, Greece, the choir’s main focus remains the same; lifting up the name of Jesus.

Proverb 18:16 says “A man’s gift makes room for him, and brings him before great men.”

The Mississippi Mass Choir has been privileged to perform before President Jimmy Carter, George H.W. Bush, Bill Clinton, and Pope John Paul II. They received a recent invitation to come to South Africa in August 2009 to participate in the “Hero Celebration” honoring the life and times of Nelson Mandela.

Peace & Truth!

D.A. Johnson