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.

Last month, Earl Bynum celebrated his birthday in the form of a gospel music event.   The concert was held at Mt. Lebanon (The Mount) in Chesapeake VA, where Earl is the minister of music.  Ju Joyner, Sheliah Belle, and Brother Ray co-hosted throughout the evening.  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!  BET’s Sunday Best Winner, Crystal Aikin, also blessed the audience with a couple of selections.  Here are some moments from on and off the stage.

Earlier this year, I photographed gospel artist Naomi K. Thomas for her debut CD project.  Her live CD is now available, and features some images from the session.  Portraits by Benson Blake Photography are also used throughout her new website www.naomikthomas.com. Naomi’s CD “Best Offering” is available online at CD Baby and iTunes.

www.naomikthomas.com

On Monday August 11th, I traveled to Nashville TN for gospel music’s annual GMWA Workshop Convention.  The 2008 convention featured a 5-day line up of evening gospel showcases and daytime classes.  For three of these days, I had the opportunity to photograph performances by artists like Trinitee 5:7, Kurt Carr, and Dorothy Norwood.  Here are some photo highlights from Monday through Wednesday night at the Gaylord Opryland hotel.

View the Gallery

The 2008 Hampton Ministers’ Conference and Choir Directors’/Orgainists’ Guild Workshop kicked off on Monday June 2nd on the campus of Hampton University. Preachers and church musicians from all over the country have gathered here to worship, network, and learn music and concepts that they can take back to their hometown churches. This year’s conference speaker is Bishop Charles E. Blake, presiding Bishop of Church of God in Christ Worldwide. Here are a few images from the choir soloist performance and Bishop Blake’s sermon. Enjoy!

Choir Director

For the Spring 2008 issue of gospel’s IAM Magazine, two of my photos from this year’s Stellar Awards are on the cover. There’s also a two-page spread inside (pages 34-35), featuring some of my images from backstage at the awards show in Nashville. Thanks to Val and Jerry for selecting my images to be published! You can check out this issue online here. For more info about IAM Magazine, visit their website at www.iammag.com.

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…

Spensha Baker

Jessica Greene

Jimmy Hicks

Euclid Gray

Maurette Brown-Clark

James Fortune & FIYA

Beverly Crawford

Damon Little

CeCe Winans

The VERY energetic… Tye Tribbett & G.A.

On April 19th, Milton Bingham directed the Petersburg GMWA Choir, during a performance at Tabernacle Baptist Church in Petersburg VA. Bingham conducted a workshop with the choir prior to the concert, where he taught them several of his songs. The VA Mass Choir also sang on the program, directed by Minister Earl Bynum. This was quite a treat for all who attended… and for everyone else, here are some photos from the event.

Ed Stephens introducing the VA Mass Choir

The Virginia Mass Choir

Milton Bingham directing the Petersburg GMWA Choir