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Henry Green's Surprise Birthday Party
04/24/2008
Recently Blackberry Records and Frascogna Courtney surprised Henry Green on his 65th birthday by giving him a surprise luncheon. Many of Henry's associates from Blackberry, Terminal Recording and Frascogna Courtney were able to attend. Henry was unaware this was in store for him when he visited the law firm. See photos of the event at www.thewilliamsbrothers.com
On May 20th, Blackberry will have two new releases in the stores. The first Duets 2 featuring Doug and Melvin Williams is a follow-up to their very successful Duets 1 which stayed on Bilboard's gospel charts for over 100 weeks.
The second is Soulink Jazz featuring Randy Everett who had great success with his first album The Williams Brother Jazz.
LOOK FOR BOTH ALBUMS COMING SOON!
Blackberry Records Christmas Gifts
01/02/2008
BLACKBERRY RECORDS DONATES THE GIFT OF MUSIC
TO JAQUITH NURSING HOME RESIDENTS
WHITFIELD—Residents at Jaquith Nursing Home (JNH) will have the opportunity to experience the joy of music thanks to the generosity of Blackberry Records, a Jackson-based gospel record label. The company donated 11 gift baskets, each stuffed with 20 gospel music cassettes.
The donation, valued at approximately $2,195 according to Blackberry Marketing Director Carrie Parker, was part of an outreach effort by the label.
Parker made initial contact with the nursing home through Recreation Supervisor Holly Haralson, who then contacted Steve Walker, manager of the Mississippi State Hospital (MSH) Clothing/Donation Center, who facilitated the donation process.
"Ms. Parker's initial telephone call came to me, and I was happy to assist her with the proper channels for such a generous donation to our residents," said Haralson.
"Our residents will be pleased to have such an extensive gospel music collection at their fingertips. We are grateful to Blackberry Records for their thoughtful generosity," commented Marc Lewis, JNH director.
The donated cassettes were bundled in red and green baskets, shrink wrapped and topped with holiday ribbons and bows. They were hand-delivered to each recreation staff member at all 11 JNH buildings that afternoon for the residents to enjoy.
In 1991, gospel recording artists The Williams Brothers founded Blackberry Records in Jackson. The Canton Spirituals, the True Believers and Rev. Clay Evans are other artists recorded by Blackberry Records. According to the company, one of their primary missions is to spread a message of faith through education and ministry.
Founded in 1976, Jaquith Nursing Home is a 479-bed long-term care facility dedicated to serving individuals who are in need of nursing care in a safe and comfortable therapeutic environment. The nursing home is located on the 350-acre campus of Mississippi State Hospital at Whitfield.
The Williams Brothers Perform for Grammy Legacy Event
04/12/2007
On April 26th 2007, The Williams Brothers will be performing at an event called: "Mississippi-The Birthplace of America's Music......Celebrating a 50 year Grammy Legacy". The event is sponsored by music giant Peavey Amps, Governor Haley Barbour and the State of Mississippi, along with the Recording Academy. The event is to celebrate Mississippi's influence in the world of music and basically every genre heard today. The Brothers will headline the Gospel sounds, Grammy winner Marty Stuart spills country beats, legendary Jerry Lee Lewis blazes the piano, North Mississippi Allstars groove to bluegrass, and Swedish Pop Star, Carola, brings her Swedish sound to the U.S to show how Elvis has influenced her.
*Sales are not available to the public; and all artist honored at the show must have won or been nominated for a Grammy award.
Melvin Williams On A Media Blitz
03/03/2007
Melvin Williams starts his media blitz, promoting his 2 newly released albums: Crazy Like Love & Love Like Crazy. Please read about the two albums and check media dates below:
Crazy Like Love is a gospel album that combines different stylings of music including Traditional Gospel, Praise and Worship and Contemporary. Guest artist on the CD include: Fred Hammond, Walter Hawkins, Stan Jones, Lee Williams, Neal Roberson and classic pianist Dana Kristina-Joi. “Another Blessing” is the first single to release on the project and features a reunion duet (think mega-hit, “Cooling Water”) between Melvin Williams and Lee Williams.
Love Like Crazy is more urban and features Neo-Soul, Urban Contemporary, Rap, Jazz, Poetry in love songs about everyday life and relationships. Guest Artists include the late (great) Gerald Levert, Kirk Whalum, Irocc, Doug Williams and Smurff & Poetry July. Williams remakes classic love songs such as Curtis Mayfield & The Impressions’ “Keep On Pushing”, Stevie Wonder’s “Too Shy to Say”, and James Brown’s “I Don’t Want Nobody to Give Me Nothing.” Williams and Levert pair up for the smash single, “Why Aren’t You Loving Me?”
3/08/07- Walmart Instore, Charlotte NC
3/09/07- WPZS Radio, “One Praise Transformation Tour”, Charlotte SC
3/10.07- Walmart Instore, Greenville NC
3/11/07- Valley Brook Outreach Baptist Church, Greenville NC
3/11/07- Expo Center, Greenville NC
3/12/07- Listening Party, Columbia SC
3/14/07- GMWA Board Meeting, Brooklyn NY
3/15/07- GMWA Board Meeting, Brooklyn NY
3/16/07- Shine A Little Light Listening Party, Rock Mount NC
3/18/07- Rocky Mount NC
3/19/07- Chicago, IL
3/25/07- Jerusalem Temple Church, Philadelphia MS
3/27/07- Reggie Gay TV, Atlanta GA
3/29/07- Atlanta GA
4/17/07- Singsation TV Taping, Chicago IL
03-12-07
Below are recently added tour dates for The Williams Brothers
5/05/07- Robert Johnson Blues Festival, Hazelhurst MS
9/08/07- City of Compton Golf Course, Compton CA
11/23/07- South Mountain HS Auditorium, Phoenix, AZ
Melvin Williams Debuts 2 CD's on Billboard Charts Opening Week
02/20/2007
Melvin Williams Debuts 2 CD’s on Billboard Charts opening week:
Jackson, MS. February 15, 2007-
Apparently, many consumers had the same idea for Valentine’s Day; buy a “Love” CD. Blackberry Records, owned and operated by Melvin and Doug Williams of The Williams Brothers, has a history of making records and not just the vinyl kind, either. As the first independently owned gospel label in the state of Mississippi to gain national distribution, the Williams Brothers have been recognized and respected on every level in the music industry for outstanding performances, producing, songwriting, and for running an A-list record label.
Pioneering innovative marketing techniques for the business of gospel music is part of their exceptional reputation (think SoulLink Live, I, II, III, and soon, IV). Released just in time for the “Love” holiday, Valentine’s Day, Blackberry companion “Love” CD’s, Crazy Like Love, and Love Like Crazy, by Melvin Williams (and a host of legendary friends) will always stand as a record of note. Though the label is waiting for confirmation from Billboard, it appears that Blackberry is the first gospel label to release two recordings by the SAME artist in the SAME week and have them BOTH HIT THE CHARTS!!
While industry insiders know that getting on Billboard’s coveted gospel charts (or any chart, for that matter) is a feat in and of itself, for Melvin Williams to accomplish a top twenty and top forty release in the same week with two debut albums is definitely worth mentioning. Crazy Like Love debut #17; Love Like Crazy debut #32. About their unique marketing concept, Doug Williams, President of Blackberry Records, has this to say: “We strongly believed in our concept of releasing two projects Crazy Like Love & Love Like Crazy the same week from the start and we are appreciative that the consumer has shown their stamp of approval by going out and purchasing both releases. We are so excited.”
Crazy Like Love is a gospel album that combines different stylings of music including Traditional Gospel, Praise and Worship and Contemporary. Guest artist on the CD include: Fred Hammond, Walter Hawkins, Stan Jones, Lee Williams, Neal Roberson and classic pianist Dana Kristina-Joi. “Another Blessing” is the first single to release on the project and features a reunion duet (think mega-hit, “Cooling Water”) between Melvin Williams and Lee Williams.
Love Like Crazy is more urban and features Neo-Soul, Urban Contemporary, Rap, Jazz, Poetry in love songs about everyday life and relationships. Guest Artists include the late (great) Gerald Levert, Kirk Whalum, Irocc, Doug Williams and Smurff & Poetry July. Williams remakes classic love songs such as Curtis Mayfield & The Impressions’ “Keep On Pushing”, Stevie Wonder’s “Too Shy to Say”, and James Brown’s “I Don’t Want Nobody to Give Me Nothing.” Williams and Levert pair up for the smash single, “Why Aren’t You Loving Me?”
D.A. Johnson, Executive Director of the Gospel Divisions states, “The Williams Brothers have always been forwardthinking; unafraid to take a risk. Releasing 2 different albums from the same artist, the same week is definitely considered a risk and it is an honor to see our Malaco distributed label Blackberry Records achieve such a heroic feat.”
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