Benson Blake Photography » concert

JoyFest Concert 2011

Benson Blake Photography — Mon, 26 Sep 2011 15:03:54 +0000

This summer's annual JoyFest event was amazing! The Kings Dominion theme park near Richmond came alive in July, with music from some of the gospel industry's leading artists. Comedian Bone Hampton served as the emcee for the evening… humoring the crowd between performances. The concert started much earlier this year due to the extensive lineup. So it took a bit longer for the shade to cool down the outdoor venue. No one seemed to care, because the sold out crowd of 6,000+ barely left their seats throughout the evening.

The group 21:03 starting around 5:00. Canton Jones continued the show with the same energy. Marvin Sapp and Fred Hammond did their thing, each singing hits and classics from their repertoire. Kirk Franklin performed the last hour and 20 minutes of the show until 11pm with hits from his 15+ year career. Thankfully, the theme park kept their funnel cake line open after the concert. :o) That was a sweet finish to a spirit-filled evening.

How Sweet the Sound Finale

Benson Blake Photography — Thu, 18 Nov 2010 17:13:17 +0000

A sold out Verizon Center was host to the 2010 How Sweet the Sound Finale in Washington, DC. Music fans witnessed one of the most spirit-filled church choir competitions of the year. The participating choirs were regional finalists selected from a 14-city U.S. tour. Grammy Award-winning gospel artists Donald Lawrence and CeCe Winans hosted the event.

Marvin Sapp, Karen-Clark Sheard, and Fred Hammond served as judges for the evening, offering some honest and often hilarious feedback. The audience was treated to special performances by BeBe & CeCe Winans and each of the judges. All the choirs had a unique presentation style… some were very energetic with choreography, while others simply stood there and sang their hearts out. It was obvious that many hours were spent rehearsing for this one night. Big shout out to the bands that played live for each of the choirs. The behind the scenes production and stage management was amazing! Everything flowed seamlessly… the choir & band transitions, stage lighting, sound, and video production. Thanks to Verizon for making this a first class production.

The winning choir was "Voices of Destiny" from Compton, CA performing the song "My Time for God's Favor (Presence of the Lord Remix)". They won $25,000, a performance at the 2011 NFL Super Bowl Gospel Celebration in Dallas, and a performance at the 2011 Stellar Awards in Nashville. During post-show interviews, choir director and pastor Michael Fisher shared a powerful testimony about how far they've come and what this win means to the members of the choir and their community. All of the choir members are between 18 and 31, and most have never travelled outside of Compton, CA. After their first flight ever, a tour of the White House earlier in the day, and a finale win… there was hardly a dry eye in the choir. Congratulations!

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Videos:

Winner: "Voices of Destiny" of Greater Zion Church Family (Compton, CA)
Runner-Up: "GFC Chorale" of Greater First Church (East Chicago, IL)
V CAST People's Choice Award: "Greater Mount Calvary Men of Valor" of Greater Mount Calvary Holy Church (Washington, DC)

JoyFest Concert 2009

Benson Blake Photography — Tue, 04 Aug 2009 15:35:41 +0000

The 2009 JoyFest concert kicked off at the Kings Dominion theme park on Saturday July 18th. The Kingswood Amphitheater was rockin' with a sold out audience filling the seats and the lawn. Performers included Crystal Aikin, Martha Munizzi, Tye Tribbett, Marvin Sapp and Kirk Franklin. All I can say, is if you missed this show, you missed a treat! Premier Festivals really knows how to put on a star-studded show. The gospel radio announcers of DC and Virginia did a great job promoting the event as well. Thanks to the lighting crew who kept the stage well lit and the fog machine pumping after the sun went down. Here's a sample of images captured of most artists at the Joyfest event.

Earl’s Birthday Concert ’09

Benson Blake Photography — Fri, 13 Mar 2009 14:57:23 +0000

Last month, Earl Bynum celebrated his birthday in the form of a gospel music event.Â Â The concert was held at Mt. Lebanon (The Mount) in Chesapeake VA, where Earl is the minister of music.Â Ju Joyner, Sheliah Belle, and Brother Ray co-hosted throughout the evening.Â Gospel artists & groups included TaMyya J, Virginia Mass Choir, God’s Image, Naomi K. Thomas, Donald Ashley & Millennium, Antuan Barnes & Absolute Worship, As We Are, God’s Purpose, Vision, and Elevation… whew!Â BET’s Sunday Best Winner, Crystal Aikin, also blessed the audience with a couple of selections.Â Here are some moments from on and off the stage.

Inaugural We Are One Concert

Benson Blake Photography — Mon, 19 Jan 2009 03:57:35 +0000

On Sunday afternoon, the city of Washington DC hosted an opening ceremony on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial, to kick-off the 2009 Inaugural festivities. The star-studded event included performances by Beyonce, Mary J. Blige, Bono, Garth Brooks, Sheryl Crow, Renee Fleming, Herbie Hancock, John Legend, Shakira, Bruce Springsteen, will.i.am, and Stevie Wonder to name a few. Jamie Foxx, Martin Luther King III, Queen Latifah and Denzel Washington also made special appearances during the program. Barack Obama addressed the crowd with a speech near the end of the program. Here are some images I captured at the event. View the Gallery

Metro… The best way to get to the monuments.

The line

Overflow crowd viewing one of the many jumbotrons

Martin Luther King III speaking at the Lincoln Memorial

Mary J. Blige performing

Joe Biden speaking at the Lincoln Memorial

Picnic at the Pavilion ’08

Benson Blake Photography — Sun, 04 May 2008 17:30:38 +0000

On Saturday May 3rd, the nTelos Pavilion in Portsmouth VA was once again the venue for Star 94.1's annual "Picnic at the Pavilion" gospel concert. The concert lineup featured gospel artists Tye Tribbett & G.A., CeCe Winans, Norman Hutchins, Beverly Crawford, Maurette Brown-Clark, Euclid Gray, Spensha Baker, Isaiah D. Thomas, Jimmy Hicks, James Fortune & FIYA, Damon Little and Jessica Greene… whew! The show started at 3:30pm and didn't end until about 11pm. Big thanks to Ellen's Cuisines for catering the VIP party area, Distinguished Executive Transportation and other sponsors of this event. Also, thanks to Sheilah Belle for the write-up in the Belle Report. Here are some moments from the concert…

The VERY energetic… Tye Tribbett & G.A.

VA Mass at Calvary Church

Benson Blake Photography — Sat, 19 Apr 2008 13:08:58 +0000

Last weekend, The Virginia Mass Choir performed at Calvary Seventh Day Adventist Church in Newport News VA. This concert was well attended by members of the community, who joined together in worship. The evening started out with a performance by a saxophonist, ending with a selection by the VA Mass Choir. Here are some of the highlights…

Ms. Jane singing “Holy Ghost”

Pastor Kinlock

New Harmonies, Hopewell

Benson Blake Photography — Mon, 14 Apr 2008 20:17:21 +0000

On April 12th, The Virginia Mass Choir performed in Hopewell VA as part of the grand opening for a Smithsonian exhibit. The New Harmonies Roots music exhibit will be in Hopewell from April 12th to May 24, 2008, along with a variety of weekly lectures and concerts. The musical performances for the grand opening were held outdoors, next to the Appomattox Regional Library. Thanks to everyone in Hopewell and surrounding areas for your contribution to this event. Here are some images from the VA Mass Choir’s appearance.

Charleston to Roanoke

Benson Blake Photography — Fri, 21 Mar 2008 12:22:19 +0000

On March 15-16, I traveled with the Virginia Mass Choir to First Baptist Church in Charleston WV, then to Pilgrim Baptist Church in Roanoke VA. The choir's weekend tour went VERY well… everything from a smooth and uneventful bus ride through the mountains, to a series of uplifting performances. Thanks to Randy and our driver Reggie at Distinguished Executive Transportation for a great job transporting the choir. Thanks to both churches for your hospitality, and the meals that were prepared for the choir.

VA Mass Choir concert in Charleston, West Virginia

Praise dancers at First Baptist Church's Sunday morning service

Sunday morning service in Charleston

CeCe Cotton singing at Pilgrim Baptist Church in Roanoke VA

Pastor Dwight Steele playing the organ

Charmaine’s Bday Concert

Benson Blake Photography — Thu, 28 Feb 2008 19:37:20 +0000

On January 24th, I attended a birthday celebration for Charmaine Swimpson, one of gospel artist Kirk Franklin’s background singers. The standing room only concert was held at Mt. Lebanon Baptist Church in Suffolk VA. The Sunday evening began with Hollywood-style red carpet interviews by Rejoice 100.9′s Brotha Ray, co-host of the radio show “On Stage With Earl Bynum”. Performers included Patrick Riddick & D’vyne Worship, Coko Clemons (formerly of SWV), TaMyya J, 7 Sons of Soul, Michael M. Smith and many others. Here are a few moments from the evening.

Brotha Ray on the Red Carpet

Charmaine w/ parents and twin brother Marvin

Alex Holt & Free Worship

Michael M. Smith

TaMyya J

Coko Clemons & her mom, Lady Tiba

7 Sons of Soul

Patrick Riddick & D’vyne Worship

Texas Southern U. Concert

Benson Blake Photography — Mon, 18 Feb 2008 04:21:34 +0000

A week ago, I traveled to Houston TX to support a former choir director from my years at Tuskegee University. He’s now the director of the Texas Southern University Choir. On Sunday, their Black History Month Concert was successfully held at Houston’s Wheeler Avenue Baptist Church. Congratulations to the choir on one of their first big performances of the year! All of your rehearsals and hard work definitely paid off. Also, thanks to the A/V staff for video taping the concert (and for the chicken… lol).

Texas Southern University Choir in concert

Clyde Owen Jackson directing the TSU Choir

Wheeler Ave. Baptist Church, one of three standing room only Sunday services

Pastor Cosby preaching at Wheeler Avenue Baptist Church

Mt. Pilgrim Baptist Church

Benson Blake Photography — Wed, 28 Nov 2007 10:15:34 +0000

The Virginia Mass Choir closed out their engagements for 2007 with a “Gospel Explosion” concert on November 18th. The event was held in Williamsburg at Mt. Pilgrim Baptist Church and included performances by the Anointed Morton Singers, VA Mass Choir, Out of the Box Mime, and others.

Out of the Box Mime

The Anointed Morton Singers

VA Mass Choir – Director, Earl Bynum

Virginia Mass Choir

Rev. James Cleveland Tribute

Benson Blake Photography — Mon, 12 Nov 2007 07:18:07 +0000

On Sunday, October 28th, the Virginia Mass Choir hosted a tribute concert to the late Rev. James Cleveland. This event took place at the First Pentecostal United Holy Church in Norfolk and is being re-broadcast online at streamingfaith.com. Edna Tatum and Al “The Bishop” Hobbs were honored for their contributions to the Gospel music industry.

Edna Tatum

Ed Stephens (right) presenting award to Al “The Bishop” Hobbs

Al “The Bishop” Hobbs

Edna Tatum introducing “Peace Be Still”

Virginia Mass Choir

VA Gospel Announcers’ Guild Anniversary 2007

Benson Blake Photography — Sun, 16 Sep 2007 18:25:26 +0000

The Virginia Gospel Announcers' Guild (VA-GAG) celebrated its anniversary over the weekend in Sandston, Virginia. Friday and Saturday nights were jam packed with spirit-filled performances by groups like the Petersburg GMWA chapter choir and Richmond's own God's Image. Special appearances were made by Bruce Parham and a surprise performance by Byron Cage.

Byron Cage

Hope Askew

Coco McMillan

Destiny Baptist Church in West Virginia

Benson Blake Photography — Thu, 13 Sep 2007 00:51:57 +0000

The Virginia Mass Choir performed last weekend at Destiny Baptist Church in Martinsburg, West Virginia. This was part of their community day, which included several other choirs from their area.

GMWA Convention 2007

Benson Blake Photography — Tue, 21 Aug 2007 18:14:16 +0000

Last week was AMAZING! This was my first year attending the Gospel Music Workshop of America Convention… and will certainly not be the last. I was honored just to be in the same room with so many talented gospel artists, not to mention photograph them. I had the opportunity to photograph performances by The Caravans, Tramaine Hawkins, Craig Brothers and the VA Mass Choir to name a few.

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Georgia Mass Choir

The James Cleveland Singers

Traces

The Caravans