As funny as some of this may sound, I promise I’m not joking.

Word has it that Clarence Fountain, frontman of the Blind Boys of Alabama, is leaving the group that he co-founded 60 years ago, citing “creative differences.”

According to GospelFlava.com, Fountain (age 79) is taking the band’s guitarist, Sam Butler, with him to form a NEW group– Clarence Fountain, Sam Butler & The Boys!

And what’s more– the new group’s debut album is APTLY titled Stepping Up & Stepping Out, and will be released on August 25th.

What the world?!

Word has it that Myron Butler & Levi are prepping for their third release, a live recording to be held on June 13th.  GospelFlava.com reports that the whole deal is taking place at Cornerstone Baptist Church in Arlington, TX.

I think it’ll be hot– literally and figuratively.  The group is undoubtedly dynamic and this, its first live recording, will prolly capture a great sound from them.

Anyone else lookin’ forward to it???

I CANNOT tell y’all how much fun I had this morning watching/listening to Rejoice Musical Soulfood 100.9 FM LIVE via streaming video online.

The show is based in the Virginia Beach area, co-hosted by one of the industry’s hardest workers, Gerard Bonner (you’ve prolly seen him on GospelFlava.com too) and he does a GREAT job.  Plus, there’s a chatroom component… a bunch of us we were in there fellowshippin’ all morning.  The chats were encouraging, engaging… you don’t wanna miss it.  I was INCREDIBLY blessed, for real folks.

Please check it out.  Gerard is on each morning, from 6am – 9am, at http://www.rejoice1009.com.  Hope to see some of y’all there!

Word has it that Pastor Marvin Winans & The Perfected Praise Choir are prepping for a live recording on March 29, 2009 at their Detroit, MI church.  GospelFlava.com reports that special guests include CeCe Winans, Bishop Paul S. Morton and Rodrick Dixon.

I’m glad about it!  I think folks reeaaaally slept on their last album, Friends.  It featured writing and guest vocals from the late, INCREDIBLY great Kayla Parker.  It also featured a KILLER reprise of with Vanessa Bell Armstrong and Karen Clark-Sheard.

I bet this new album will be good, too, especially cuz I’m an undercover church choir fanatic (ok, maybe not so “undercover”).

Word has it that Deitrick Haddon is now pastor of High Praise Cathedral of Faith in Detroit, MI.  GospelFlava.com reports that he began his new role yesterday.

Coolness.  I’m wholly unfamiliar with the church, but I think Deitrick is VERY relevant for a large youth/young adult following– could be really fun and impactful.

Anyone live in Detroit that can weigh in???

Word has it that Byron Cage is readying for his next live recording on March 13, 2009 in Detroit.  GospelFlava.com is reporting that special guests will include Marvin Winans, Marvin Sapp and Tye Tribbett, with production by Aaron Lindsey.

Didn’t he just do a live recording last week?

I’m not hating, I’m just saying… it seems like he records A LOT.  If all of my albums were charting, selling and winning awards like his tend to, I’d be recording all the time, too!

Guess who’s going to a taping of 106 & Park Generation Gospel???

I’ll tell you how it went next week, but you KNOW I’m gonna talk to someone about that youth choir when I get there.

And, uhh… as usual, watch some gospel programming over the weekend.  There won’t be as much as this past Sunday, but we’ll be talking about it anyway.

The Stellar Awards are airing in more cities this weekend.  The awesome folks at GospelFlava have graciously compiled a list of airdates: http://www.gospelflava.com/stellar/stellar2009airdates.pdf.

Oh, I almost forgot because I reeaaaally don’t follow sports, but…  SUPERBOWL! Yay!

That means that the Superbowl Gospel Celebration is happening TONIGHT in Tampa, FL.  Now in its 10th year, the concert will feature Donnie McClurkin, Marvin Sapp, Mary Mary, Hezekiah Walker… and the football players choir.  Okay, that’s not the name.  LOL!!!!!!!!!!!!

WHATEVER.  I’m fighting a cold and I’m giving this post all the energy I can muster!

Have a great weekend!