EDITORIAL Remember when you turned Sweet 16 and thought you were all that and a bag of chips? Viewing from the other end of the age bracket seems so long ago so I am taking the opportunity to celebrate 16 again through the Anniversary of TCP Magazine. Our inaugural issue of TCP Magazine in 2004 featured Kim Person as one of our Raleigh’s Angels. I chose three gospel vocalists who I thought were extremely talented and could actually help each other rise to the top. As an independent artist, Kim has managed to garner two Stellar Nominations for 2020. We pay tribute to her and offer a stellar sendoff at our Anniversary Celebration. In addition, we congratulate our other North Carolinians who will either be honored or made the finalists on the Stellar Award Ballot. See page 15 for results. During 2019 we were blessed to have Sharon Edmond Ministries provide sponsorship through entertainment and gifts for TCP Magazine’s Female Pastors Fellowship. Ambassador Edmond has captured the vision and frees her calendar for our Fellowship dates. Pastor Brenda Timberlake has also agreed to be a Mentor for the pastors as needed. Check out pages 18-19 to see a list of Art performances held in the Triangle over the past three months along with a pictorial of places visited by our Social Media Strategist, Edith Berry. Follow Edith on her blog, “On the Road With TCP”. Gown designed by Robert Craig Designs
Over a 14-month period, I have personally lost five friends who contributed in some way to TCP. In this issue we say a final farewell.
Last but not least, I am pleased to announce that Jacquelin Thomas will be the new Editor of TCP Magazine. If you glance to your left, you will see her credentials which speak volumes. I am not going anywhere. I am still Publisher and this appointment will give me the opportunity to build on all the relationships that I have garnered over the past 16 years and boost TCP’s brand. Stay connected with us. If you are not on our email distribution list, pick up your phone and text TCP to 42828. More announcements are forthcoming. CONTENTS P5 Editorial P8 In Memory P10-11 Former Stellar Nominees & Winners P15 2020 Stellar Finalists & Winners P16-17 Kim Person P18-19 The ARTS December - February P22 Entertainment News P23 Evolution of the PK P27 Wedding Story
Peggy Tatum TCP Magazine 181-104 Wind Chime Court Raleigh, NC 27615 tcpmagazine@gmail.com www.tcpmagazineusa.com 919 796-4724 Contributing Writers Jacquelin Thomas Alecia Jones Edith Berry Berkley the Artist Denver Wright, WIZPRO Imagineering Photography: Rick Crank Photography Glen Parson Edith Berry TCP Sweet 16 Anniversary Issue - Page: 5
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FORMER NORTH CAROLINA STELLAR FINALISTS & WINNERS North Carolina has an abundance of talent related to gospel music. The following is not intended to be a complete list but a work in progress. Become a part of the TCP Team by providing any additional North Carolinians who were finalists or winners of a Stellar Award. Email info to tcpmagazine@gmail.com with the artist, producer or songwriter’s name and the category they were in so we can update and provide you with a more detailed list in the future.
Shirley Caesar John P. Kee Donald Lawrence The Light 103.9 Aaron Carter Antonio Santoro Becky White Bishop F. C. Barnes & Company Bobby Parker Cedric Thompson Cynthia Jones David D Bloom Derrick Adams Gerald Hinton KJ Scriven Luther Barnes & The Sunset Jubilaires Marvin Jefferys Men of Standard Michael E. Mathis Ray Braswell Reka Faison/The Christian Angels Ruth La’Ontra Shawn CoCo McMillan Slim and The Supreme Angels The Murrills The Sensational Nightingales Todd Galberth Trice Whitley, I-Am-Radio.com
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FORMER NORTH CAROLINA STELLAR FINALISTS & WINNERS
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Congratulations to North Carolina’s 2020 Stellar Award Winners & Finalists
The First Lady of Gospel, Pastor Shirley Caesar, is the recipient of the Ambassador Dr. Bobby Jones Legends Award!
Kim Person - 2 Nominations New Artist of the Year Contemporary Female Vocalist of the Year
Marcus Anderson Instrumental Album of the Year
The Light 103.9 Large Market Station of the Year
John P. Kee- 5 Nominations Choir of the Year, Traditional Choir of the Year, Traditional Male Vocalist of the Year, Traditional Album of the Year and Producer of the Year.
Donald Lawrence Presents the Tri-City Singers – 9 Nominations Artist of the Year, Song of the Year, Album of the Year, Choir of the Year, Producer of the Year, Contemporary Male Vocalist of the Year, Contemporary Album of the Year, Urban/Inspirational Single or Performance of the Year, and Contemporary Choir of the Year.
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KIM PERSON For decades Kim Person has been working and honing her craft in the music ministry. Raised in a small town in NC, her grandparents knew she was destined to make an impact in the gospel industry. From the tender age of two, they had her stand on a cement block to minister to crowds in song. She quickly became known as “the little girl with the big voice.” That cement block soon turned into stages across the country. What makes her music so great? Many say it is her humility and reverence for the calling God placed on her life. Sure, many are called but few like Kim have been chosen to be great enough to set the standard and make a difference in the Contemporary Gospel Music Industry. In winter of 1988, Kim performed in a local talent show during the Robeson County Regional Agriculture Fair—a memorable event that solidified what she would do with her life. Person, only 16 at the time, sang “Somewhere Over the Rainbow.” “The power went out at the fair during the talent show and I just kept singing,” Person said. “I knew this was what I wanted to do. I wanted to create music to bring healing, deliverance and joy to people all around the world.” Kim Person is no stranger to the stage. She is a 4-time Apollo Theater winner and a 2-time Female Vocalist of the Year for the North Carolina Gospel Announcers Guild (NCGAG); and a recipient of The Rhythm of Gospel Artist of the Year Award. Music is in her DNA, as she comes from the roots of a singing family, who has helped prepare her for all these special awards and accolades. Kim’s experiences have allowed her to grace platforms and be featured with trailblazers such as Donnie McClurkin, Bishop T.D. Jakes, Vickie Winans, Deitrick Haddon, and one of her favorite artists, Yolanda Adams, to name a few. She has toured extensively throughout the country building a network and fan base across the country. Kim has been featured on the Bobby Jones Gospel Show, The McDonald’s Gospel Superfest and appeared on the inaugural cover of TCP Magazine as one of “Raleigh’s Angels.” Kim turned heads with her debut album “You Are My Everything”, produced by Maurice Rogers. Her discography includes “Sincerely Yours” produced by Darnell “Showcase” Taylor, Edwin Mitchell, Cornelius Renfrow, “Speak Life”, produced by Cedric Thompson and “Just Believe”, produced by Sean Keys, but it is her current project, “The Journey”, that has generated the most buzz when it was released in January 2019 via KLP Enterprises, which is owned by Kim and her husband Talmadge Person. “The Journey”, was produced by Grammy Award Winning Producer- Cedric Thompson, Dove Award Winning Producer- Phillip Bryant and Stellar Award Nominated Producer- Sean Keys. It is available for streaming and download on all digital platforms.
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KIM PERSON - (concluded) Five albums later, Kim’s time has come with a recent nomination for two Stellar Awards, an elite awards ceremony by the same name, featuring performances by prominent gospel artists. This premiere event will celebrate its 35th year March 25-27, 2020 at The Orleans in Las Vegas, NV. On January 21, Central City Productions announced Kim’s nominations in the categories of New Artist of the Year and Contemporary Female Vocalist of the Year. “This indeed is a dream come true,” said Kim. “My family and I celebrated by running around the house screaming and shouting with tears of joy flowing. Just the nomination alone is a big win. For years, I’ve been told, while waiting on your dreams to come to pass, SERVE… because your time will surely come.” To be nominated for a Stellar Award, the artist’s information must be sent to SAGMA members meeting a list of criteria, including charting in the top 25 or at least four weeks on at least two of the Nielsen charts — Billboard, SoundScan and BDS — during the eligibility period. The voting process for narrowing down the final nominees consists of two separate ballots. The first round ballot includes eligible entries as determined by the nominating committee of SAGMA. Top entries for each category from the first ballot will move forward to the final ballot. During the final voting process, the general public, including fans, are the voting body for the second and final ballot to determine the Stellar Awards. “The Journey” peaked at No. 2 on the Gospel Album Sales chart and maintained a Top 25 position for 22 weeks, a Top 10 position for five weeks and made an appearance in the Top 25 on the all-genre Top Heatseekers Albums chart. Person landed a No. 48 position on Billboard’s 2019 Year-End Top Gospel Albums List. She was awarded The Shirley Caesar Music Outreach Award at the 2019 Lamplighter Awards, hosted by WNNL 103.9 The Light and the 2019 Songstress of the Year ACHI Magazine Award, a publication which honors extraordinary women who inspire others in their field of work. “The Journey” is more about life; it features the lead single, Fresh Wind which is lighting up the air ways nationally. “Recording this project pushed me out of my comfort zone and thrusted me to an even closer walk with God. I had to rebuild that which was broken, shine that which was tarnished, and solidify the real Kim Person. With every experience, it took me to get to this place, I can truly say it WAS worth it all! As my joy was not found in finishing BUT IN DOING IT!” Kim is a trailblazer, entrepreneur, praise and worship leader, songwriter with a love for God. Doors were closed in her face, but she created her own door and walked through it to create her destiny. Kim loves sports and spending time with family. “I especially love the family Sunday dinners, when the meal is over, it’s time to sing! It’s a known fact, I didn’t get here on my own. I’m extremely grateful for my squad. The love of my life, my husband Talmadge of 25 years, our co-daughters, Lillie and Tahmiyah, my smorgasbord list of family. They are my biggest cheerleaders.” She has this advice for the readers. “Remember it’s not a sprint; it’s a marathon. The race is given to the one that endures to the end. If you want it—you got to build it. I’m a witness! God rewards faithfulness and when He does; He does it well.” Call to Book Kim Person TODAY for your Next Event (919) 438-2988. Follow Kim on Social Media: Instragam: kimpersonsings Facebook: Kim Person Music twitter: kimpersonsings TCP Sweet 16 Anniversary Issue - Page: 17
The ARTS December - February Edith Berry, TCP Social Media Strategist, has been attending events across the Triangle and blogging via On The Road With TCP. Listed below are events attended and/or included in her blog. You can catch up and follow the blog at http://ontheroadwithtcp.wordpress.com.
Pure Life Theatre ~ Grand Opening Gala Black Nativity –Justice Theatre Project Motown Christmas – Cary Arts Center Kwanzaa Celebration – The Ujima Group (Dr. Maulana Karenga) Danny Clay and Epitome singers, songs of Luther Vandross Letters to My Child – Black Poetry Theatre Amazing Grace – Applause Youth Theatre, Cary Arts Center African American Theatre Preview – Raleigh Little Theatre Bourbon at the Border – North Raleigh Arts and Creative Theatre Martin Luther King Celebration – Progress Energy Center African American Cultural Celebration – NC Museum of History Book signing: The Day Mo Stood Up by Ajani Kambon – The Ace Center The United Arts Council – NC Museum of History The Historic Thousands on Jones Street HKonJ – NC NAACP Loving – Pure Life Theatre Dreamgirls – North Carolina Central University NRACT 2020-2021 Season Announcement Sweat – The Justice Theatre Project Celebration of Nina Simone by Lynnette Barber – Richard B. Harrison Library 25th Annual African American Celebration – The Ujima Group Ragtime Musical – NCSU Summer: The Donna Summer Musical – DPAC 2020 Winter/Spring Master Dance Series, Baba’s Rising Sons – Living Arts Collectives
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ENTERTAINMENT NEWS Alecia Jones, Washington DC Entertainment Contributor Strategic Music Partnerships, Inc. Launches the First Maryland Music Summit Maryland’s music scene is dynamic although its music artist community is suffering from lack of industry knowledge and skills to navigate this business arena successfully. Strategic Music Partnerships, Inc., a Maryland-based nonprofit dedicated to music education and policy, announces the first Official Maryland Music Summit to fill that void. This inaugural 1-day event is pioneered by Henry Harris, a 20-year music industry veteran. The Maryland Music Summit will take place on Saturday, May 2, 2020, from 8 a.m. until 4 p.m. at the Harborside Hotel, 6400 Oxon Hill Rd, Oxon Hill, Maryland 20745. The Maryland Music Summit is set to empower local artists and assist them in building successful careers. The event will also provide networking opportunities between artists, performance venues, promoters, television, radio, and social media service providers. The Music Summit will feature industry educators and facilitators conducting artist development classes. In addition, attendees will be given an overview of the Maryland State grant and its benefits to artists. There will also be live performances, food, and giveaways. What this won’t be is business as usual. Henry Harris states, “My team and I truly believe that education is power, and greatest when shared. We desire to make this Maryland Music SummitTM a clear-cut choice for artists to hone in on new insights and action strategies that will be shared. This will allow them to generate meaningful opportunities in an effort to propel their careers to new heights in the music industry.” Special Guest Speakers include Marc Clarke, Media Personality at WHUR 96.3FM, Dr. Brandi Baldwin who is the CEO of Millennial Ventures, Dana Parsons, the Grants, and Professional Development Director at the Maryland State Arts Commission, and Syndicated Radio Personality, Ms. Tracy Morgan, along with other industry professionals. MUSIC CONNECTION Magazine is an Official sponsor of the Maryland Music. Sharing the Official Media Sponsorship spotlight is Festivalnet. com, a leader in publishing a comprehensive database of festivals and events. It has been 10 years since Henry Harris, an award-winning expert in the music industry was President of the Stellar Awards Gospel Music Academy Advisory Board. During his tenure, he promoted favorable outcomes and inspired relationships between independent artists and the organization. In 2009, Harris formed Strategic Music Partnerships as a corporation. When the Stellar Awards Academy Advisory Board dissolved in 2010, Harris became more diligent about continuing his work to educate and advance the professional careers of independent music artists. As a subsidiary of Strategic Music Partnerships, he founded the Excellence in Music Awards, a merit-based program which focuses on equipping artists with the tools and resources necessary to succeed in the music industry. The Maryland Music Summit’s mission is to equip participants with the resources and networking opportunities to learn, network and collaborate with others in the music industry. Visit www.marylandmusicsummit.org to learn more. SOURCE: VALIDITY•MEDIA•GROUP, the official public relations agency for the Maryland Music Summit. www.validitymediagroup.com
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EVOLUTION OF THE PK - “O.K. GOD” BY BERKLEY THE ARTIST I I walked off the stage dripping wet and still pulsating from the crowd’s energy. Suddenly, a foreign thought surfaced. “It’s time to leave Los Angeles. Come home to New Orleans. I have work for you to do here.” God had spoken. Seven years of earnestly building a career in Hollywood suddenly came to a screeching halt. Just like that, a green room, had become my burning bush. I asked my band mate to pray with me for seven days on whether I should go home. By morning I had the answer. “O.K. God,” I muttered. I couldn’t say “YES” at that point. It wasn’t in me. “I’m going along with this because I know You know what’s best for me even though this is NOT what I want.” It was something my father taught me; to be honest with God. Growing up a pastor’s kid in the eighties had been difficult for me as a free-spirited, adventurous and deeply inquisitive artist. The fear of returning home and perceived as a failure or “The Prodigal Son” nauseated me. So, I had the nerve to ask God for a severance package. “God if I come home, I’m asking You for two things. One, make my transition easy and successful and two, please maintain my joy about making this choice.” Well, you know God. He specializes in epic endings and sketchy circumstances. First, I had to find a new place to live. That also meant I had to find work in a city I had not been grinding in for seven years. Almost immediately, a childhood friend randomly reached out to me. She was moving and wanted me to take over her lease. Excited, I said “Yes,” without inquiring about the rent or deposit. Upon meeting the homeowner, he kindly waived every single startup fee! “Just pay your rent on the first” he said. I accepted it with a “Yes!” I was cooking with gas now. I had a place to live but no income. Days later, I received a phone call while shopping in the mall. “Hi Berkley, are you living in New Orleans now or L.A.? I have a professor position available for this semester teaching Pop/Commercial music at Loyola University?” I almost shouted through every hanger and sale rack. I composed myself and responded “Why, yes! I’m available.” I looked in the mirror. Tears came to my eyes. God was right and His plan was beyond my intellect. Last fall, I began teaching in this innovative program highlighting working artists. I am encouraged to tour, record, act and create across the world while having a prestigious position, guaranteed income, flexibility to set my work hours, and access to my family. Recently, I sang in Seoul, Korea and Bangkok, Thailand during a weekend, then landed in New Orleans on Tuesday morning with time to blend my smoothie and teach a 10 a.m. class. Am I Indiana Jones or what? I’ve even successfully released my first solo album “Capricorn” without a label or messy contracts. My mother’s talks were right as they always are; “Commit your ways to the Lord. Trust Him and He will do it.” (Psalm 37:5) If you can’t say “Yes” right now, then just say “Ok.” The “Yes” is on the way. Berkley the Artist is a singer, songwriter and actor from New Orleans. He is also a professor of Pop-Commercial Music at Loyola University New Orleans. “Capricorn,” his latest album, is available on all digital music platforms.
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WEDDINGS Nequay Oliver and Kenneth Crespo Kenneth Crespo and Nequay Oliver’s beautiful wedding took place downtown Raleigh at Market Hall Parkview on September 28, 2019. The bride and groom selected a vintage glam theme because of their shared love of all things vintage, while appreciating the new. Much of the décor included elements that we both love and enjoy throughout the year: from the plum, cranberry and peach colors resembling fall and the beauty of nature to the scratch-off favors. The most important aspect of their wedding was being surrounded by family and friends. They are grateful to have such a strong support system. #fall4theCrespos
Norlishia Y. Pridgeon and Courtney J. Elliott According to Norlishia Y. Pridgeon, she met Courtney J. Elliott in 2015. She was working in ministry and content with life as a single woman until she crossed paths with Courtney. When he first asked her out, her response was, “Naw, I’m good.” Although she turned him down, Courtney was persistent. Eventually, she said yes. On August 17, 2019, Norlishia Y. Pridgeon and Courtney J. Elliott were joined together in Holy matrimony at Millennium Revival Center by Pastor M. LaMont Cooper.
Carol Taylor Murphy and Michael F. Murphy When Michael Murphy moved from Oregon to attend NCSU on an athletic scholarship, he never realized the east coast would eventually become his home. A fall wedding united him with his soulmate, Carol Taylor, a partnership anticipated to last an eternity. Their closest friends and family gathered at Salvation and Deliverance Ministries on October 19, 2019, where Apostles Glendale & Phoebe Daniels united them in Holy Matrimony. Mr. and Mrs. Murphy will reside in Raleigh.
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