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Total Praise, Eternal Impact: Remembering Gospel Legend Richard Smallwood

By
Sarah Hearn
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Some moments are etched into collective memory. On December 20, 2025, an otherwise ordinary day was disrupted when an unexpected post appeared across Facebook feeds, triggering shock and deep sadness: “We are saddened to announce the passing of world-renowned artist, songwriter, and musician Richard Smallwood.”

Sixteen words. Words that would change the trajectory of conversations in the ensuing days and weeks. To those who knew him, loved his music, or were encouraged to go on because of the words he penned, those sixteen words cut deeply. The voice and the pen that touched so many lives had fallen silent.

Songs That Transcend Time. There are certain artists whose music does more than just inspire. It ministers, instructs, and guides listeners toward God. Richard Smallwood had the uncanny ability to weave scripture into music seamlessly. His was a sound shaped by classical training, punctuated by choral brilliance, and all underpinned by his uncompromising biblical astuteness. His compositions proved that musical excellence and spiritual depth are not polar opposites but instead are complementary in every way.

From the opening notes of “Total Praise,” listeners are ushered into a sacred space rooted in God’s Word. The song is anchored in Psalm 121:1–2:
Lord, I will lift
Mine eyes to the hills
Knowing my help
Is coming from You

Richard allowed Scripture to speak for itself, carried on rich harmonies, and restrained majesty. The result is timeless. “I Love the Lord” is another example as it draws directly from Psalm 116:1: “I love the Lord, because he hath heard my voice and my supplications.” The song unfolds like a testimony wrapped in melody, giving voice to gratitude, deliverance, and unwavering faith. This song found another audience when Whitney Houston sang it as part of the movie, The Preacher’s Wife. “Trust Me” echoes the wisdom of Proverbs 3:5–6, reminding believers to rely entirely on God rather than human understanding. Countless others have become staples of the gospel tradition, leaving a spiritual imprint in their lyrics. And of course, ‘Psalm 8,” which extols God’s excellence. Those who came for a concert were met with a musical immersion in the Word.

A True Native Son. Richard was always seen as the DMV’s very own, although born in Atlanta, Georgia, Richard Smallwood loved the DMV, and it was there that the music that would last through the ages was born. Moving here at an early age, he emerged as a prodigy at Union Temple Baptist Church, attended Howard University, and once taught at the University of Maryland. Yes, he surely earned his DMV creds and was swiftly adopted as a native son. For anyone skeptical of the DMV’s claim to this musical gift, they need only look at how believers were grafted into the vine. Richard was grafted into the DMV. It’s real, tangible, authentic, and irrevocable.

In an industry where appreciation is often delayed until memorial services and retrospectives, Richard Smallwood got his flowers while he was still here to enjoy them. Over the past two years, many intentionally took the time to honor this gift to the world, and most importantly, God’s kingdom.
Among the most memorable of these moments was his phenomenal 75th birthday celebration, orchestrated by Jared Sawyers. Several artists, many from the DMV, sang his timeless songs, creating an atmosphere of joy, reverence, and love for the maestro.

The celebration affirmed what many already knew: Richard Smallwood’s music will never be confined to time or space. It will continue to speak with clarity, authority, and anointing to every generation. Other noteworthy celebrations included 2024’s “A Gospel Symphony Celebration” at The Kennedy Center and 2025’s special holiday tribute by the Bowie State Gospel Choir, under the direction of Professor LaToya Wrenn.

Beyond his musical legacy, Richard Smallwood’s life reflected a deep and abiding love for family and friends, particularly his devotion to his mother. That love found lasting expression through the creation of the Mabel R. Smallwood Foundation, established in her honor. The foundation stands as a living memorial, dedicated to empowering young people through education, the arts, and character development. In this act, he exemplified the biblical principle of honoring one’s parents, transforming private affection into public good.

One could also say that being so connected to the scriptures led Richard to sometimes operate prophetically. For example, he told gospel industry insider Jerome Bell that he was destined to become a pastor. Years later, that prophetic word became reality and Pastor Jerome Bell now leads Grace Memorial Baptist Church in Washington, D.C.

Richard Smallwood’s influence cannot be measured solely by awards, recordings, or standing ovations. It is measured in prayers whispered through tears, in Scriptures remembered through song. It’s also measured by the lives strengthened by music that tells the truth about God’s faithfulness. His music continues to remind us that praise is heartfelt and that faith, when set to music, can endure for generations. The world is richer because Richard Smallwood passed this way.

“I have lived such a very blessed life. I am so thankful to God,” he says. “What a journey this has been. This is not about making money. It’s about winning souls and encouraging people through Christ. He takes care of it all.”-Richard Smallwood in 2015 Washington Post interview with Keith Alexander.

Richard Smallwood’s Celebration of Life will take place on Saturday, January 24, at 2 p.m. at First Baptist Church of Glenarden. Doors will open at 9:30 a.m. The services will be livestreamed at https://fbcglenarden.org/funeralviewing

‘Just Like Selma’ Recalls the Efforts of MLK and Other Civil Rights Pioneers

By
Sarah Hearn
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Just Like Selma is a powerful new social-justice hymn composed by award-winning producer Nolan Williams, Jr., featuring Grammy®-nominated Gospel artists Zacardi Cortez and Beverly Crawford, alongside the 130-voice Wheeler Avenue Baptist Church Mass Choir. Inspired by the words of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., the a cappella hymn evokes the spirit and sound of traditional civil rights anthems while speaking directly to the urgent moral challenges of today.

Just Like Selma is inspired by the daring of the Honorable John Lewis, SNCC co-founder Diane Nash, activist Amelia Boynton Robinson, who lived to be 110 years old, and the thousands of patriots who marched from Selma to Montgomery 61 years ago to advocate for voting rights, fair wages, education, and justice in America. “The struggle for voting rights that defined Selma sixty years ago is not ancient history—it’s a present reality,” Williams adds. “As new generations face renewed battles over democracy, access, and equality, Just Like Selma reminds us that the courage and strategy of those who marched across the Edmund Pettus Bridge remain urgently relevant. We stand at a crossroads once again, and the time to unite and act is now.”

Just Like Selma (NEWorks Productions /Red Alliance) will be released to all digital music platforms on February 1, 2026, creating the gateway for the official launch of Black History Month. This year marks the centennial of Black History Month, launched by Dr. Carter G. Woodson in 1926 to instill self-affirmation among people of color and celebrate their achievements across a variety of fields. The Just Like Selma hymn centers on core American values and calls on communities to remember, reflect, and act. More than 80 churches, chapels, choirs, and organizations—spanning 14 denominations and representing over half of the United States — have joined the ‘Just Like Selma’ Hymn-sing Project.

Participants include prominent black churches, historically black colleges and universities, and cultural organizations. Notably, the Progressive National Baptist Convention—the 2.5-million-member denomination that gave birth to Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.’s activism —has officially adopted the project. Just Like Selma is part of the broader Freedom Advances campaign — a movement the Williams-led NEWorks Productionslaunched in 2024 to inspire voter participation, civic engagement, and preserving the legacy of leaders such as Dr. King and Fannie Lou Hamer through faith-based activism. Listen. Sing. Share. Join the movement.

NEWorks Productions is a leading producer of inspirational arts projects ranging from film projects and theatrical productions to concert programming and educational initiatives. Since its founding in 2003, the Washington, DC-based firm has successfully produced multidisciplinary civic projects, including I Have a Right To Vote, Liberty: Unplugged, and West Side/South Side.

An award-winning producer, multi-hyphenate creative, inaugural Kennedy Center Social Practice Resident (2019-24), and founding CEO of NEWorks Productions, Nolan Williams, Jr. has dedicated his career to illuminating civil rights, social justice, and cultural identity through the arts. From 2004-2025, he music produced Let Freedom Ring, an annual MLK celebration hosted by the Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C. that featured guest artists such as Aretha Franklin, Leslie Odom Jr., Chaka Khan, Patti LaBelle, Smokey Robinson, Natalie Cole, among others. Williams is the editor of the African American Heritage Hymnal (GIA Publications), which has sold over half a million copies worldwide. Last year, Williams’s film short “Rise Up & Fight” earned him the 2025 Cannes Film Awards prize for “Best Director, Animated Music Video.”

TRIP LEE LAUNCHES BRAG WORSHIP  with DEBUT OF HIS FIRST-EVER WORSHIP EP

By
Sarah Hearn
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Reach Records artist, pastor, author, and Christian Hip Hop pioneer Trip Lee is entering a new creative season with the launch of BRAG Worship, a worship collective born from his long-standing BRAG movement, alongside the announcement of his first-ever worship EP, For Your Glory, arriving February 13.

BRAG Worship is the newest expansion of BRAG, a vision that has shaped Trip Lee’s life and ministry for more than a decade. Rooted in Jeremiah 9:23–24, BRAG Worship calls Believers back to the kind of boasting Scripture celebrates, not in human wisdom, strength, or success, but in truly knowing the Lord who delights in kindness, justice, and righteousness.

BRAG has been a recurring theme in the rapper’s music for many years; it’s a declaration rooted in the belief that every believer is “built to brag” on God. The concept grew into a movement and ministry space designed to help people anchor their confidence, identity, and celebration firmly in Jesus, standing in contrast to a culture shaped by self-exaltation.

The launch of BRAG Worship marks the natural evolution of that vision. Created as a space for cultural expression to meet congregational worship, BRAG Worship exists to broaden what worship can sound like while remaining centered on the greatness of God. It is not intended to stand apart from modern worship, but to stand alongside it, inviting the Church into something distinctive, diverse, and communal.

“I’m not a worship leader, but I am a worshipper,” Trip says. “This music, this collective, it’s for us. This is my expression of it.”

For Your Glory blends Trip’s pastoral heart, deep connection to the Church, and lyrical conviction with a worship-forward sound created for both corporate and personal worship. Offering an early glimpse into the project, Trip and Reach Records hosted an intimate BRAG Worship listening event on December 9, welcoming fans and local worship leaders to experience the music for the first time alongside special guests Madison Ryann Ward and Jonathan Traylor. Watch a clip of the experience here.

With nearly two decades of impact across Christian music, including eight acclaimed albums, bestselling books, and years of pastoral ministry, Trip Lee views worship as a vital discipleship tool.

“Singing truth together does something sermons can’t,” he shares. “Worship puts truth and hope into people’s hearts.”

Despite navigating chronic illness since college, Trip has remained steadfast in his calling to serve the Church. With the launch of BRAG Worship and the release of For Your Glory, he invites believers everywhere to sing, rejoice, and boldly boast in the greatness of God, together.

Trip is a Dove Award and Stellar Award–winning artist whose career has shaped Christian Hip Hop for nearly two decades. After many assumed he had stepped away from music, he reignited his momentum in 2023 with a monthly series of singles leading to his surprise album The Epilogue. With over 489k monthly Spotify listeners and media coverage from outlets such as BET, Vibe, XXL Magazine, and Apple Music 1 with Ebro, Trip’s music has also earned placements in major projects, including Peacock’s Shooting Stars, Tyler Perry’s Bruh, and Netflix’s Rhythm and Flow. His chart-topping album Rise debuted at #2 on the Billboard Rap Chart and #16 on the Billboard 200. In early 2026, Trip will expand his creative reach with BRAG Worship, his first expansion under the BRAG umbrella, and the debut of a new worship EP, a cultural expression through worship.

Beyond music, Trip is known for his pastoral leadership and theological depth, having faithfully served congregations at Cornerstone Church in Atlanta and Concord Church in Dallas. Trip is also the author of two books, The Good Life and Rise, both designed to point readers toward the abundant life found in Christ and to equip a new generation to boldly step into their God-given purpose.

Songwriter and Musician Tony Barnshaw Dickerson Encourages Freedom From Conflict With New Single “No Battles

By
Sarah Hearn
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Most of us have experienced a time when we wanted to take revenge on someone, prove our point, or defend an action or stance that may have been taken against us.  Romans 12:17 tells us: Repay no one evil for evil, but give thought to do what is honorable in the sight of all.  With that scripture in mind, Tony Barnshaw Dickerson encourages us to let God fight our battles with his new single, “No Battles.”

Tony has released his “No Battles” single as an EP, featuring multiple versions and an instrumental track.  Available now on all digital music outlets, “No Battles” features vocalist Carla Marie Barnes and boasts a soul-infused throw-back groove.  The single is written by Tony and showcases his dynamic musicality for arranging and producing Gospel music blended with traditional and R&B vibes. 

“No Battles is the kind of song that just feels good and right, lyrically and musically,” Tony states.  “It’ll have you singing along, dancing, and experiencing never-ending victories.”

He continues, “And, I have to admit that sometimes I want revenge and take matters into my own hands. I didn’t want to be embarrassed or appear weak, so I struggled to relinquish my pride, my power, and my control. But I’ve matured, and now I realize that with that mindset, I was only getting in God’s way.  With this song, I want to let you in on what works when you get out of God’s way.” 

“No Battles” was first introduced on Tony’s THE REVIVAL EP.   In addition to releasing on digital music platforms, Tony has made a special limited vinyl edition of THE REVIVAL available for order now here.

Tony Barnshaw Dickerson is a music educator, songwriter, and noted musician, and the frontman for his Essential Band, which has a distinctive style of ingeniously blending traditional and contemporary elements.   Take a deep dive into Tony Barnshaw’s artistry and visit TonyBDickersonMusic.com.

‘HOLD ON’ By C’Tyre Features Stellar Award-nominated Montrae Tisdale and The Friends Chorale

By
Sarah Hearn
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Montrae Tisdale is the founder and leader of the rising musical dynasty called The Friends Chorale – an Oklahoma City-based group of friends who come together in unity to transform a nation through the power of songs.  Montrae Tisdale is one of Gospel music’s rising choir masters and media personalities who, with his choir, garnered their first Stellar Award nomination for 2025 New Artist Of The Year for their album THE FAITH JOURNEY (Live).  

Montrae and his league of singers have collaborated with another rising star of Gospel, Compassion Anderson. Compassion, also known by his stage name C’Tyre, is a multi-talented musician, singer, songwriter, producer, and national recording artist who, through his fiery, high-energy performances, has earned the title of the “Prince of Bump.”  C’Tyre is one of The Friends Chorale’s lead singers, whose powerful vocals, coupled with Montrae Tisdale and The Friends Chorale’s dynamic delivery, have yielded the Gospel radio hit “HOLD ON.”

“Hold On” is playing on Gospel radio stations nationwide and is available now on all digital music outlets.  C’Tyre wrote the song, while it is released on Montrae’s independent label, Tisdale Nation Entertainment.  Their song of encouragement is based on Psalm 30:5 “For His anger endureth but a moment, and in His favor is life; weeping may endure for a night, but joy cometh in the morning.”

“Even when you think you can’t hold on, hang on. Help is on the way. You can make it,” Montrae reassures.

C’Tyre and Montrae’s collaborative efforts and welding of talents are laying the foundations for this young and gifted group of creatives to have rewarding careers in Gospel music.  

As the leader of The Friends Chorale, Montrae has made waves in the industry, landing multiple Billboard-charting records and collaborating with Gospel greats Bishop Larry Trotter, Kim Burrell, Hezekiah Walker, and John P. Kee.  In addition to being a recording artist, Montrae is the radio personality of the #1-ranked syndicated radio show in Oklahoma, The Montrae Tisdale Show, on POWER 103.5 FM, owned by Perry Publishing and Broadcasting.  

C’Tyre is a winner of the Texas Gospel Music Excellence Award for New Artist of the Year and recently delivered a rousing performance of “Hold On” in Stockholm, Sweden, at the Donald Lawrence presents Edwin Hawkins Music & Arts Global Conference.

With a passion for ministry and an undeniable impact in Gospel music, C’Tyre and Montrae Tisdale continue to inspire through their anointed music and unwavering faith. Visit montraetisdaleofficial.com to learn more about this powerful music ministry.

Worship Leader Jonathan Nelson Inks Recording Deal with Tyscot Records

By
Sarah Hearn
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One of gospel music’s most prominent praise and worship leaders, Jonathan Nelson, has inked a recording contract with Tyscot Records’ Tyscot Worship imprint as the world’s oldest-operating African American-owned gospel label prepares to celebrate its 50th anniversary. The Stellar Award-winning / Dove Award-nominated singer-songwriter-choirmaster is known for his sing-along gospel hits such as “My Name is Victory” and “I Believe (Island Medley).” Nelson is applying the finishing touches to his first album of entirely new material since 2018’s Declarations project and prepping a radio single to impact gospel radio airwaves by spring 2026.

“I’m truly thrilled to announce this new partnership with Tyscot!” Nelson adds. “Bryant [Scott] and his team are well respected in this business. So, it’s a privilege to join forces in this next chapter. I’m excited as we begin to mark new territory, unlock new sounds, create new melodies, and work diligently to take this new sound to the world. I pray that God will continue to bless the work of our hands together. Get ready! New music is on the way! It’s all gas and no brakes. Are y’all ready?? Let’s goooooooo!”

“Jonathan and I started this conversation years ago while riding in a van on a Caribbean island,” says Tyscot Records President, Bryant Scott. “We didn’t force it, and it always amazes me how God brings things to fruition in His timing. I am honored to have Tyscot Worship partner with Jonathan Nelson Enterprises to produce music that glorifies God and edifies the Church.”

ABOUT JONATHAN NELSON. With over 227 million digital streams under his musical belt, Jonathan Nelson has been one of the gospel market’s leading praise and worship recording artists for nearly two decades. Nelson (twin brother of singer Jason Nelson) is the son of a retired Baltimore, Maryland, pastor and his late wife. After graduating from the Baltimore School for the Arts, Nelson formed the ensemble, Purpose. They backed a few established gospel artists when they performed in the Maryland area. Their custom-made album, Live in Baltimore: Everything You Are, featured a track Nelson wrote entitled “Healed.” Grammy® Award-winning gospel star Donald Lawrence heard it and had his group, Donald Lawrence & Co., record it for their 2004 Speak Life album. It became a Top Ten gospel radio smash, and soon other gospel stars such as Rudolph McKissick, Jr. (“The Right Place”) and Troy Sneed’s Youth for Christ choir (“The Struggle is Over”) would record songs Nelson had written and turn them into Top Ten hits. In 2006, Queen of Soul Aretha Franklin presented him with the Stellar Gospel Music Award for Song of the Year for writing “Healed.” Then, in 2008, Nelson released his debut album, Right Now Praise, which featured the Billboard Top Ten hit, “My Name is Victory.” In the years since, he’s written an armful of contemporary church standards, including “Expect the Great,” “Anything Can Happen,” “I Believe (Island Medley),” “Finish Strong,” and “Baba Oh.” Nelson is currently the Director of Worship and Arts at New Birth Missionary Baptist Church in Atlanta, GA. He and his wife, Christina, have two adult children, J. Andrew and Julianna, and a granddaughter, Amaiah Jazmin.

Joseph Anthony Releases ‘GRATEFUL’ Official Music Video and Radio Single

By
Sarah Hearn
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Joseph Anthony, IV is a Gospel recording artist, worship leader, and communicator who emanates soulful sincerity and spiritual depth. Academically grounded with degrees in Biology and Public Health, Joseph brings a thoughtful, relatable clarity to both his music and message.

Joseph creates music and moments that invite listeners into honest, hope-rooted worship. His latest single, “Grateful,” is a declaration of remembrance, resilience, and appreciation. “Grateful” reflects an intensely personal yet universal truth: gratitude is found not only in triumph but also in survival, reflection, and the quiet grace of God’s consistency.

Joseph delivers lush melodies and heartfelt lyrics, creating a worship moment that feels intimate and timeless. Anchored in warmth and reverence, “Grateful” invites listeners to pause, reflect, and rediscover thankfulness in every season.

“Gratitude is the seed you sow to get more out of God,” Joseph explains. “When I wrote this song, I looked back over my life and considered all of the hills and valleys that I’ve experienced, and wrote this song from a place of extreme gratitude to our extremely good Father. I invite listeners to come on this faithful journey with me, and as we thank God for all that He’s done.”

Joseph’s life journey has not been without adversity. Having faced and overcome significant health challenges, he carries a living testimony of humility, perseverance, and faith. His period of recovery deepened his gratitude, reshaped his perspective, and strengthened his conviction that worship is not just an expression, but a weapon and a witness. Every message he preaches and every note he sings comes from a place of tested faith and thanksgiving.

“Grateful” is written by Joseph and Anthony Brown, Jr. The single is available now on all digital music outlets and is being heard on radio stations across the country. Joseph also released the official music video on his YouTube channel, which is the live performance of his compelling song. Watch “Grateful” Official Music Video Here.

Celebration of Life Services for Gospel Legend Richard Smallwood Announced

By
Sarah Hearn
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The celebration of life services for Gospel music legend Richard Smallwood has been announced. The legendary gospel singer died on Tuesday, December 30 at age 77.

The celebration will take place on Saturday, January 24, 2026, at noon at the First Baptist Church of Glenarden International. Doors will open at 9:30 a.m. First Baptist Church of Glenarden International is located at 600 Watkins Park Dr., Upper Marlboro, MD 20744, where Pastor John K. Jenkins, Senior, is the lead pastor. Additional information regarding hotel accommodations and donations will be forthcoming.

Candi Staton: 85 Year-old Soul Music Legend Earns Grammy Nod for Gospel Project

By
Sarah Hearn
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Soul Music legend Candi Staton, 85, has earned her first Grammy® Award nomination in 40 years for her 32nd album, Back to My Roots (Beracah Records / New Day / The Orchard), which was released on Valentine’s Day this year. The twelve-track Americana soul set of spiritual and inspirational tunes features Staton-penned originals alongside covers of The Rolling Stones’ 1972 cut “Shine A Light” and the retro soul singer Aaron Frazer’s “My God Has a Telephone,” a duet with STAX Records legend, William Bell. The album earned a nod as Best Roots Gospel Album of the Year alongside offerings from The Isaacs, the Gaither Vocal Band, Karen Peck & New River, and the Brooklyn Tabernacle Choir. The 68th annual Grammy® Awards ceremony takes place on Sunday, February 1, 2026, at the Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles, CA. It will broadcast live on the CBS Television Network with streaming on Paramount+.

“I’m so surprised,” says Staton. “I know it’s a cliché, but it’s always nice just to be nominated. I was nominated before and a couple of times I was always up against Aretha Franklin who I love but I had no chance of winning against her. She just dominated in that era. I’m proud of this album, and at this stage of my life, I hope I can finally bring one home before I leave this earth.” One of London, England’s most popular music periodicals MOJO has ranked Back to My Roots at No. 2 on its end of the year Top Ten Soul albums list that includes stellar projects by soulful luminaries such as Mavis Staples, Leon Bridges, and Joy Crookes. It also ranked at No. 27 on the NACC (North American College & Community Radio Chart) Top 50 R&B/Soul records of 2025. Streaming Link: https://ffm.to/cs_igr

The track “I Missed the Target Again” (featuring Harry Connick Jr.’s longtime guitarist Jonathan DuBose Jr. ) – about her recent divorce – has earned airplay on SiriusXM’s Bluesville and other blues stations. Staton’s older sister, Maggie Staton Peebles (who, alongside Staton, was a member of the Jewel Gospel Trio in the 1950s), is featured on the traditional cut “It’s Gonna Rain” and the 1939 gem “There Will Be Peace in the Valley” that Elvis Presley popularized in the 1950s. Staton and her British band, PUSH, went into a London studio to record a Muscle Shoals-styled rendition of The Rolling Stones’ 1972 gem, “Shine A Light.”

The moody “1963” is Staton’s harrowing, first-hand memory of the September 15, 1963, Birmingham Church bombing. “Reach Down and Touch Heaven” finds Staton playing piano on the haunting plea for divine intervention in a weary world. There’s a 1960s R&B throwback to the Motown-styled “Love Breakthrough” and Aaron Frazer & the Flying Stars of Brooklyn’s 2017 southern soul stomp “My God Has a Telephone” that pairs Staton with STAX Records legend, William Bell. The album closes with the wistful, “In God’s Hands We Rest Untroubled,” originally recorded by the late country star, Lari White, who died in 2017 at the age of 52. “Lari sent me that song to consider at least ten years ago, and I always loved it,” Staton says. “The record label didn’t want it on the album or something, so I just held it.”

“These songs represent my roots,” Staton adds as she reflects on her many trials and triumphs. “Even the new songs on some level represent something I’ve experienced and that’s what real soul music is about.”Back to My Roots was produced by Staton with her second eldest son, Marcus Williams, a professional drummer who has toured with the likes of Peabo Bryson, Isaac Hayes, and Tyler Perry. They brought in Mark Nevers of Lambchop fame, who produced three of Staton’s prior Americana albums for Honest Jon’s and Thirty Tigers, to sweeten certain tracks. “Some of the first songs I ever heard were songs like Peace in the Valley’ andIt’s Gonna Rain,’” says Staton. “The new songs or cover songs are tracks that remind me of that era when I was growing up as a child and evolving as a young woman. That’s why I named the album Back to My Roots because I’m going back to the roots that made me who I am.”

  1. I Missed the Target Again (Candi Staton)
  2. It’s Gonna Rain (PD/ Candi Staton arranger)
  3. Hang on in There (Candi Staton)
  4. Shine A Light (Mick Jagger, Keith Richards)
  5. Lord Will Make a Way Somehow (Thomas Dorsey)
  6. God’s Gonna Use Me Anyway (Candi Staton)
  7. There Will Be Peace in the Valley (Thomas Dorsey)
  8. 1963 (Candi Staton)
  9. Reach Down and Touch Heaven for Me (Candi Staton)
  10. Love Breakthrough (Candi Staton)
  11. My God Has a Telephone (Aaron Frazer, Micah Blaichman, Wyndham Baird) Ft. William Bell
  12. In God’s Hands We Rest Untroubled (Lari White, Jimmy Stewart, Marion Cannon)

Candi Staton is a 5x Grammy® Award-nominated singer-songwriter who began her professional career as a member of the Jewel Gospel Trio, the first gospel group with a full band. They recorded for Nashboro Records and toured with 1950s gospel legends such as Mahalia Jackson, Sam Cooke, and The Staple Singers. By the late 1960s, Staton had launched her solo R&B career with Rick Hall’s FAME Records, where she scored over a dozen southern soul-styled Billboard R&B chart hits such as “I’m Just a Prisoner (Of Your Good Lovin’).” Her covers of country songs “In the Ghetto” and “Stand by Your Man” earned her Grammy® Award nominations. She closed the 1970s with Warner Brothers Records, where she scored dance hits such as “Nights on Broadway,” “Victim,” and her platinum-signature hit “Young Hearts Run Free,” which reached No. 1 on the US R&B charts and No. 2 in the UK.

In the 1980s, Staton left R&B and began a gospel career that brought more Grammy® award nominations and a string of hit albums. In the early millennium, a series of compilations celebrating her FAME Recordings revived her secular career. She began to make a series of Americana-styled albums that celebrated her southern soul roots, such as the critically acclaimed His Hands (2006) and Who’s Hurting Now? (2008). (2009), Life Happens (2014), and Unstoppable (2018). Life Happens featured a brilliant Staton collaboration with Jason Isbell, John Paul White (of The Civil Wars), and The Swampers on “I Ain’t Easy to Love.” It earned them an unforgettable performance on The Late Show with David Letterman. At the same time, she’s maintained a side career in the dance community, with songs such as “Love Sweet Sound,” “You Got the Love,” and “Hallelujah Anyway” becoming major club classics. “You Got the Love” has sold and streamed millions, with various remixes hitting the UK Pop chart Top Ten in 1991, 1997, and 2006. The song has been covered with great success by Florence & The Machine, Joss Stone, Becky Hill, and Pete Tong, among others. It’s been featured in commercials for Mercedes-Benz, Charlotte Tilbury, and the TV series “Sex and the City.” Within the last year, Staton has enjoyed millions of streams for new dance cuts with CHANEY (“Lose My Number”), Kelly G (“Power of One”), and Benji LaVida’s viral House remake of “Young Hearts Run Free.”In 2025, Staton received the Americana Music Association UK’s highest honor, the International Lifetime Achievement Award. Recently, Staton attended the opening of the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum’s Muscle Shoals: Low Rhythm Rising exhibit that features one of her stage costumes from a 1976 appearance on the TV show, Rock Concert.

BeBe Winans Surprises Fans with Video Release of Forthcoming Single, ‘All to Thee”

By
Sarah Hearn
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Gospel legend BeBe Winans surprises fans with a breathtaking new video for his forthcoming single, “All To Thee,” premiering today, New Year’s Eve, December 31, 2025. The single will be officially released in January 2026, offering audiences an early glimpse into BeBe’s latest heartfelt and spiritually rich work.

CLICK TO WATCH!

Written by BeBe Winans and Wren T. Brown, and produced by BeBe Winans alongside Jeff Balding, “All To Thee” is a deeply moving expression of worship and devotion that reflects BeBe’s signature ability to blend powerful storytelling with soul-stirring melodies.

“This song is a personal offering,” says BeBe Winans. “All To Thee is about surrender, gratitude, and trusting God with every part of your life. I wanted the music and visuals to feel honest, reverent, and full of hope as we step into a new year.”

A six-time Grammy Award winner and the youngest male member of Detroit’s legendary Winans family, BeBe Winans is widely celebrated for helping pioneer gospel and Christian crossover music.

Alongside his sister CeCe Winans, he helped bring gospel into the mainstream, creating timeless music that continues to resonate with audiences worldwide.

Beyond music, BeBe is an accomplished actor, author, and Broadway-bound musical creator, with notable credits including Denzel Washington’s The Manchurian Candidate, Broadway’s The Color Purple, and the critically acclaimed musical Born For This.

He also hosts the Heart & Soul Radio Show on SiriusXM Channel 68 and starred in Bounce TV’s 2024 series Mind Your Business.

The “All To Thee” video delivers a visually stunning and spiritually uplifting experience, marking a powerful moment in BeBe Winans’ artistic journey and serving as a meaningful way to usher in the New Year.

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