Happy New Year from Malaco Records!

The Malaco Music Group would like to extend warm wishes to everyone for a great New Year! With a new year, comes new beginnings. We want to make Malaco your source for all great Soul, R&B, Blues, Gospel, etc. However, to make that happen we need to hear from you. Please let us know what you would like to see from Malaco this year. No request is to big or to small for us to consider.

Please email us directly at malaco@malaco.com and let us know your thoughts. We want to hear from you!

New Album From Chuck Strong Hits Streets January 27, 2009

Chuck Strong has been one of the most consistent selling artists on the Southern Soul circuit for years. His first professional work came as a member of The Oasis Band based in his home town of Selma, Alabama. Later he sang with Bobby Moore & The Rhythm Aces followed by the launch of his solo career in 1986. He made his debut with the release of Love Don't Change Overnight and followed up with several more albums.

In 2002, Strong was signed to Waldoxy (a subsidiary of Malaco) and became a member of The Malaco Music family. Upon arrival, Strong had hits such as 3-N-A-Bed and the smash hit Rock That Man In The Boat. This single quickly gained attention throughout the South and helped build the solid fan base that he enjoys today.

His new CD "Faithful To A Married Woman" is packed with all new tracks and is sure to be in demand so be sure to pick your copy up!

For more information, including a track listing, visit www.malaco.com

Rogina Thomas Of The Mississippi Mass Choir Passes

The Mississippi Mass Choir Family regretfully announces the passing of our beloved singer - Rogina Thomas - on Saturday, December 27, 2008.

Her homegoing service will take place:

Saturday, January 3, 2009, 11:00AM
Greater Tree of Life M.B. Church
3102 Monticello Drive, Jackson, MS, 39212
Rev./Dr. F.L. Blount, Pastor.

Although her signature song was "He Can Fix What is Broke," Rogina also was lead singer on "He's Coming Back," By Grace," "You Brought Me," and "Wise Men Still Seek Him."

She leaves to cherish her precious memory, her loving husband Bobby Thomas, and daughters, Ronita Thomas and Bonitsha Thomas; and a host of family and friends.

Expressions of condolences can be forwarded to:

The Mississippi Mass Choir Ministries
PO Box 11279
Jackson, MS 39283

(All expressions will be forwarded to the Thomas Family)

Astronomers tells us that there are stars that burned out thousands of years ago, whose light can yet be seen in the celestial sky; Rogina Thomas was such a star.

THIS SUNDAY: Keith "Wonderboy" Johnson On BET

The Malaco Music Group invites you to watch BET’s Bobby Jones Gospel Hour this Sunday, December 28, 2008 to see Keith "Wonderboy" Johnson perform. As if that weren't enough, he's also going to introduce the hottest and most exciting female Quartet group in the country, Jewel & Converted, for their national television debut!

Keith Wonderboy Johnson will be performing exclusive new music, “I’m Ready” & “Making A Way” from his latest CD on Malaco Records, “Keith Wonderboy Johnson Presents…The Rising Stars Of Quartet Vol. 1.”

Be sure to check your local listings for exact times in your viewing area.

Jewel & Converted delivers a powerful, explosive performance of “Praise The Lord” also taken from “Keith Wonderboy Johnson Presents…The Rising Stars Of Quartet Vol. 1” CD.

Set your VCR’s, DVR’s & TIVO’s!!!

Be prepared to be wowed!!!

MALACO WISHES YOU A JOYOUS HOLIDAY SEASON AND A HAPPY NEW YEAR WITH ABUNDANT BLESSINGS OVERFLOWING!

Dooney "Da Priest" continues to make waves: MSNBC

The phenomenon that is Pull Your Pants Up! continues to burn strong across the country from the moment Dooney "Da Priest" signed at Malaco, to catching the attention of a President-Elect and hitting the chord of local lawmakers.

Click here to listen to Pull Your Pants Up!

MSNBC posted Billboard commentary on new releases such as the legendary Brian Wilson (Beach Boys), Ice Cube, Slipknot, Young Jeezy, Little Feat and Dooney "Da Priest"

Dooney ‘Da Priest,’ Pull Your Pants Up!

It’s difficult to know whether to address this as art, sociopolitical commentary, a frantic public health bulletin or the matrix of a moral and political maelstrom that has touched raw nerves across America. The fact is, it’s all of the above. And Duwayne “Da Priest” Brown (an ordained minister and staffer at T.D. Jakes’ Potter’s House) has without question stirred a fire in the furnace of “culture ways.”

Click here to read the full review on MSNBC.

Historic Song for Historic Times

As first announced in November, Gospel great and Malaco artist, Dorothy Norwood, released a brand new remix of her hit song "Victory Is Mine" in honor of then-Presidential candidate Barack Obama.

In light of that release, we want to share some exciting news with you!

Dorothy Norwood is scheduled to perform "Victory Is Mine" along with The Caravans at the official American Music Inaugural Ball in Washington, D.C., January 20, 2009 at the Wardman Park Marriot.

The star-studded event is being hosted by Dionne Warwick and Yolanda Adams.

"Victory Is Mine" (Obama Mix) is on her upcoming CD "Fifty Years - It's Been Worth It All."

This collector's item will be available online and in stores in February 2009. Don't miss out on your chance to own a piece of history.

Please visit the Malaco Music website in the coming month for more details.

Click on the link above
for lots of goodies
for the music fan in your life!
It's not too late to order for Christmas!

Mosley & Johnson: Newest honorees on the Mississippi Blues Trail

(photo courtesy of New Albany News Exchange)

As reported in the Northeast Mississippi Journal
and in New Albany News Exchange:

A Mississippi Blues Trail marker was unveiled near the Union County Heritage Museum honoring Sam Mosley and the late Bob Johnson of the Mosley and Johnson Band and local native Billy Ball, who founded Billy Ball and the Upsetters.

Perhaps the more familiar of the three are Sam Mosley and Bob Johnson. Growing up here, they began performing and working as both producers and songwriters over a 31-year partnership. That creative team was broken only by Johnson’s death Aug. 22, 1998, due to a heart attack he suffered while performing in Verona.

Mosley and Johnson became widely known in the 1980s with several albums of blues and southern soul for the Muscle Shoals Sound and Malaco labels. They continued, writing songs for artists such as Johnnie Taylor, Bobby “Blue” Bland, Little Milton and others.

The band’s fame spread internationally when they performed at the Montreux Jazz Festival.

Mosley first played with his brother’s band, Jamie and the Dynamics, at the small café operated by Bud Turner only about three blocks west of the Blues Trail marker. After Johnson’s death, his brothers Willie and Miles have continued to perform as the Mosley Johnson Band.

“It’s been a long journey,” Mosley told the approximately 150 people gathered for the unveiling. “But I am passionate about the blues, and I’ve got a lot more music left in me.”

“I didn’t begin by myself,” he said. “My friend Bob Johnson was responsible. He was the one talking every deal; I did the music.”

Johnson’s daughter, Penny, talked about her father on behalf of Johnson’s widow and other family members, calling Bob Johnson a visionary, thanking him for his ideas, hard work and accomplishments.

“He played the blues in juke joints,” she said, but also in the presence of some notables and added he “never stopped dreaming.”

The unveiling ceremony was accompanied by a reception in the museum allowing visitors to see the blues exhibit there and entertainment was provided by Terry “Harmonica Bean.”

UCDA Executive Director Stephen Surles welcomed everyone and museum director Jill Smith talked more about the honor and thanked those who helped.

Union County is expected to get a second Blues Trail marker sometime next year. It was also revealed Monday that research by the Mississippi Blues Trail staff has turned up information that New Albany was home to the Morganfield family in the 1800s, including Dave Morganfield. His grandson, McKinley Morganfield, is better known as bluesman Muddy Waters.

Museum director Smith is already working on a date for the first-ever performance here featuring both the Mosley Johnson Band and Billy Ball and the Upsetters. She said it would be ideal to have that coincide with the next Blues Trail marker unveiling.

WHAT EXCITING NEWS for Blues fans!

Sam Mosley attended Malaco's Blues Marker Ceremony in April of this year.

(photos courtesy of Kip Caven)

Click any of the following links to visit Malaco's Website to listen to clips of Mosley & Johnson and purchase a CD.

CONGRATULATIONS TO OUR FRIENDS!
THEY DESERVE THE HONOR!

1 Million Viewers Can't Be Wrong

OVER 1 MILLION VIEWERS WATCHED THE SOUL STIRRERS
ON BET & GOOD DAY ATLANTA

The Malaco Music Group is proud to announce that over 1 million viewers watched the two (2) airings of BET’s Bobby Jones Gospel this past Sunday, December 7, 2008 to see the historic reunion television debut performance from the Rock-N-Roll Hall Of Fame inductees, The Soul Stirrers, according to Nielsen’s BDS tabulations. (Arbitron tabulations TBA)

The Soul Stirrers performed “Stand By Me Father” & “Be With Me Jesus” from their latest CD “A Soul Stirring Reunion” to an unsolicited standing ovation. “The Making Of A Soul Stirring Reunion” A Historical Documentary will be released in 2009.

On Tuesday, December 9, 2008, The Legendary Soul Stirrers electrified the Atlanta metropolitan area with their performance and interview that aired on Fox’s Good Day Atlanta. Live outside the Atlanta metropolitan area, click to see Fox’s Good Day Atlanta performance / interview.

Click the link to listen to song clips from “A Soul Stirring Reunion” or purchase online.

THANK YOU FOR YOUR CONTINUED SUPPORT!

Soul Stirrers on BET

The Malaco Music Group invites you to watch BET’s Bobby Jones Gospel this Sunday, December 7, 2008 to see the historic reunion television debut performance from the Rock-N-Roll Hall Of Fame inductees’, The Soul Stirrers.

They will be performing “Stand By Me Father” & “Be With Me Jesus” from their latest CD “A Soul Stirring Reunion.”

(Check your local listings) Set your VCR’s, DVR’s & TIVO’s!!!

Be prepared to be moved!!!

Click the links to listen to song clips from “A Soul Stirring Reunion” or purchase online.