You have heard their work behind some of your favorite artists on your favorite albums and as the newest members of the Motown Gospel family, the time has come for them to put their own spin on some of your favorite worship songs. Though notoriety for the Jerard and Jovaun Woods has been found mostly in liner notes and in industry circles, their rendition of “What A Beautiful Name” spread like wildfire online and across social media pages. Their five song EP by the same name features more than arrangements of these songs, it’s a direct view into the genius that keeps these duo in high demand, year round. Also part of the project is “Oceans” which was elicited a social media challenge among musicians, capped off Quennel Gaskin on piano.
The duo, currently worship leaders at Bethesda Church in Ft. Worth are a husband and wife singing team who have quietly been making a name for themselves as go-to background singers. With over two decades of experience working with industry heavyweights like BeBe and CeCe Winans, Natalie Grant, Donnie McClurkin and Yolanda Adams, Jerard & Jovaun have started a popular Facebook series performing unique renditions of worship songs and hymns. Their cover of “What A Beautiful Name,” has become a viral sensation garnering over 1.66mm views!
Last year, the couple released “Higher Higher” which remains currently available for purchase on all digital music platforms.
The EP is set for a March 15th release, but each pre-order will receive a download of the album version and a more familiar, a capella version of “What A Beautiful Name”.
Israel Houghton has brought the world unforgettable music. His songs have bridged together demographics that were otherwise on the polar ends of the musical spectrum. He has not only bridged together a multiplicity of musical styles and tastes, his work and ministry has been awarded accordingly. After successful recordings in Africa and Asia, the gospel worship artist took a bit of a step back following a very public change in his private life.
He has experienced the grace he sings about and has undoubtedly experienced God in a whole new way…another level, if you will! We were able to catch up with him last year and he did mention new music, but not much about a new sound! His newest single “Reckless Love” is a bit of a departure from what you may expect from the stringed psalmist but the message is right on par with his immense catalog of hits! Read the full press release below and make sure you add the hot new single to your music collection when it drops on tomorrow!
THE SIX TIME GRAMMY® WINNING ARTIST GEARS UP FOR FORTHCOMING EP RELEASE IN THE SPRING
Six-time GRAMMY® winning artist ISRAEL HOUGHTON releases his new single tomorrow, March 9, titled “Reckless Love” on iTunes, Amazon and all digital retailers worldwide. “Reckless Love” is the first new song from Houghton’s forthcoming EP, due this Spring.
As the leader of ISRAEL AND NEW BREED, a critically acclaimed musical ensemble and ministry organization, the group has amassed two gold-selling albums titled LIVE FROM ANOTHER LEVEL, ALIVE IN SOUTH AFRICA and six GRAMMY® Awards; 15 Dove Awards; two Stellar Awards and one Soul Train Award.
The father of the cross cultural movement in gospel music Houghton is known for injecting contemporary gospel and worship with a blazing, youthful energy that has made him among the most influential tastemakers in his field. His canon of songs have become standards in houses of faith around the globe, tearing down the walls of racial divide in the church.
KARI JOBE AND TASHA COBBS LEONARD TO HOST THE 48TH ANNUAL GMA DOVEAWARDS
Bri (Briana Babineaux), Danny Gokey, Gaither Vocal Band, Ryan Stevenson and Travis Greene set to perform
GMA announces partnership with Lifeway’s Christian Standard Bible
The Gospel Music Association (GMA) announced that award-winning singer-songwriter Kari Jobe and Gospel powerhouse Tasha Cobbs Leonard will team up to host the 48th Annual GMA DoveAwards. Also joining theall-star lineup are performers Bri (Briana Babineaux), Danny Gokey, Gaither Vocal Band, Ryan Stevenson and Travis Greene.
They join previously announced performers CeCe Winans, Hillsong Worship, Matt Redman, MercyMe, Reba McEntire, Steven Malcolm and Zach Williams and presenters Anthony Brown, Chris Tomlin, David and Tamela Mann, for KING & Country and Matt Maher.
Theawards show will take place on October 17 at Lipscomb University’s Allen Arena in Nashville. Trinity Broadcasting Network (TBN) will exclusively air theawards show on October 22 at 8 p.m. CST. Purchase tickets here.
GMA also announced the addition of Lifeway’s Christian Standard Bible as a partner for this year’s awards show. “We share the belief with Christian musicians everywhere that the word of God has the power to change lives,” Lifeway Christian Resources VP Eric Geiger said. “That’s why the Christian Standard Bible is honored to partner with GMA in taking the Gospel of Jesus Christ to the world! Congratulations to GMA and all the nominees at this year’s DoveAwards! Sound the Remedy!”
The GMA DoveAwards celebrate the contributions of artists from every style of Christian/Gospel music. Top nominated artists include Zach Williams, Lauren Daigle, Chris Tomlin, Kirk Franklin and NEEDTOBREATHE. View the full list of nominees here. Nominees are determined by over 1,500 professional members, and winners are voted on by theentire GMA membership of nearly 2,500. For more information, visit www.doveawards.com.
About Lifeway’s Christian Standard Bible:
The Christian Standard Bible aims to draw readers into a deeper, more meaningful relationship with God. By translating Scripture into the clearest possible modern English, theCSB allows readers to experience God’s Word at its fullest. Developed by 100 scholars from 17 denominations, the Christian Standard Bible faithfully and accurately captures theBible’s original meaning without compromising readability. The CSB is a trustworthy text for both sermon preparation and serious study, translated straight from the biblical languages by scholars who love God’s Word. For more information, visit www.csbible.com.
About GMA:
Founded in 1964, the Gospel Music Association serves as the face and voice for the Gospel/Christian music community and is dedicated to exposing, promoting and celebrating the Gospel through music of all styles including Pop, Rock, Praise & Worship, Urban Gospel, R&B, Hip Hop, Southern Gospel, Bluegrass, Country, Latin and more. The GMA community includes agents, artists, church leaders, managers, promoters, radio personnel, record company executives, retailers, songwriters and other industry visionaries. The GMA produces the GMA DoveAwards and IMMERSE. For more on supporting the GMA or becoming a member, please visit www.gospelmusic.org.
About the Trinity Broadcasting Network:
Trinity Broadcasting Network is the world’s largest and most watched faith-and-family broadcaster, reaching over 175 nations across the earth with inspirational and entertaining programming 24 hours a day in 14 languages and on 30 global networks. As the world’s most influential non-profit religious broadcaster, TBN has led the way in expanding the impact of faith-based television across the earth through the creation of innovative content designed to reach every viewer demographic with the life-changing message of hope and grace. To find out more about the Trinity Broadcasting Family of Networks, visit us at tbn.org.
