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RCA/LEGACY RECORDS RELEASES ELVIS PRESLEY – WHERE NO ONE STANDS ALONE – ON FRIDAY, AUGUST 10

Elvis Presley – Where No One Stands Alone

Groundbreaking New Elvis Album Features 14 Original Performances Of Gospel Songs With Newly-Recorded Instrumentation And Backing Vocals Featuring Legendary Presley Alumnae, Including Darlene Love, Cissy Houston, The Imperials and The Stamps;

30 July 2018 – NY, NY / Nashville, TN – RCA/Legacy Recordings, a division of Sony Music Entertainment, will release Elvis Presley – Where No One Stands Alone, a new Elvis album celebrating the artist’s everlasting love of gospel music, on Friday, August 10.

Produced by Joel Weinshanker, Lisa Marie Presley and Andy Childs, Elvis Presley – Where No One Stands Alone introduces newly-recorded instrumentation and backing vocal contributions from music legends who’d performed on-stage and/or in-the-studio with Elvis. It also includes a reimagined duet with Elvis and his daughter, Lisa Marie Presley, on the album’s title track and spiritual touchstone.

“It was a very powerful and moving experience to sing with my father,” wrote Lisa Marie in her notes for the album. “The lyrics speak to me and touch my soul. I’m certain that the lyrics spoke to my father in much the same way.”

Background vocalists on the album include: Darlene Love (who first sang with Elvis on his 1968 NBC television special); Dr. Cissy Houston (who, with The Sweet Inspirations, sang with Elvis on-stage beginning in 1969); Terry Blackwood, Armond Morales and Jim Murray (members of The Imperials, who sang on Elvis’ How Great Thou Art – with the title song winning the 1967 Grammy®for Best Sacred Performance); and Donnie Sumner, Bill Baize, Ed Hill and Larry Strickland (members of Presley’s longtime backup group, The Stamps).

Elvis Presley – Where No One Stands Alone provides new musical perspectives on 14 of the singer’s favorite pieces of gospel music, from the reverential to the celebratory, with song selections including Presley’s beloved enduring gospel classics (the 1965 Top 5 smash “Crying In The Chapel,” “How Great Thou Art,” “You’ll Never Walk Alone”), praise-filled gospel-rockers (Jerry Lieber and Mike Stoller’s “Saved”) and traditional hymns and spirituals (“So High,” “Stand By Me,” “In The Garden,” “Amazing Grace”).

Prior to its release, the album is already highly anticipated with the media. Just last week, “Saved,” which features Darlene Love on backing vocals, exclusively premiered with Parade.com. 

Elvis Presley once said, “Since I was two years old, all I knew was gospel music. It became such a part of my life, it was as natural as dancing. A way to escape my problems, and my way of release.” It was Elvis’ explosive mix of styles–blues, bluegrass, country, swing, pop–that generated his iconic world-changing rock n’ roll, but it was the hymns, spirituals and church music of his childhood, the deep-seated gospel roots that sustained Elvis and his musical vision throughout his life.

Friends and family would often recall hearing Elvis sing gospel tunes at home and to warm up before concerts. “We do two shows a night for five weeks,” Presley said in an interview featured in the documentary Elvis On Tour, recorded during one of his residencies at the International Hotel in Las Vegas. “A lotta times we’ll go upstairs and sing until daylight—gospel songs. We grew up with it…It more or less puts your mind at ease. It does mine.”

“This was his favorite genre – no question about it,” says Lisa Marie in her album notes. “He seemed to be at his most passionate, and at peace while singing gospel. He would truly come alive – whether he was singing just for himself and me at home, or on stage in front of thousands of fans.”

Lisa Marie Presley will participate–along with Joel Weinshanker, Andy Childs (album co-producers) and John Jackson (Senior Vice President, A&R, Legacy Recordings/Sony Music Entertainment)–at a special “Where No One Stands Alone” event to be held at the Graceland Soundstage (1pm, Saturday, August 11) as part of Elvis Week 2018. Tickets for this event may be purchased individually through Graceland Reservations by calling 800-238-2000 or 901-332-3322 or online at ElvisWeek.com.

Elvis Presley – Where No One Stands Alone will be available in digital, CD and 12″ vinyl album configurations. The album is now available for pre-order. 

Shop.Graceland.com will have exclusive, limited edition versions of the album on blue 12” vinyl and cassette configurations. Fans purchasing the CD, exclusive blue vinyl, and cassette together from Shop.Graceland.com will receive a limited edition lithograph signed by Lisa Marie Presley. Pre-order and more details can be found here

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Joe Moscheo of The Imperials passes away

Joe Moscheo

Joe Moscheo passed away Monday, January 11, at the age of 79. Moscheo is known for being a part of Elvis Presley’s Imperials, joining them in 1965, after having create the ground-breaking sound of The Prophets, and before that, The Harmoneers. He was also a part of history with Jake Hess and The Imperials, along with Jim Murray, Armond Morales, Terry Blackwood and Roger Wiles. The Imperials recorded with Elvis beginning in 1966 and then toured with him from 1969 until 1972. Moscheo left the group in 1975.

Imperials

Moscheo was a musician, songwriter and manager, as well as producing several Elvis recordings, and worked with many well-known artists like The Judds, Pat Boone, Bebe and Cece Winans, and Michael English. He rose high in the music industry, working for BMI and NARAS and others. He also wrote a book entitled, “Th

Joe Moscheo was inducted into the Gospel Music Association Hall of Fame in 2007. He was a past president and permanent board member of the GMA.

Elvis’ Imperials

More recently, Moscheo continued to tour with Elvis’ Imperials until his official retirement in 2014.

Some time ago, Moscheo was diagnosed with a neurological disease that ended up taking not only his mobility but also his life. Friends set up a fund to help cover medical expenses.

Joe Moscheo

SGN Scoops expresses their sympathy and prayers to Joe Moscheo’s family and friends.

Happy Birthday Elvis!

Elvis and JD Sumner

Elvis Aaron Presley (January 8, 1935 − August 16, 1977) was an American singer, musician and actor.

Gospel Music was near and dear to Elvis’ heart. J. D.  Summer was one of his close friends and they often performed together.

Here is a video of them singing “Nearer my God to Thee.”

Enjoy:

More about Elvis HERE

Jim Murray of the Imperials

By Philip Foster

I doubt there are many people in Gospel music who will not recognize the name Jim Murray.   Every once in a while, it seems that someone will come along in Gospel Music who stands out from all the rest. Such a person, in my opinion, is Jim Murray.

I have wanted to interview Jim for some time now, but the opportunity never presented itself. Recently, I had the good fortune of connecting with Jim and asked if he would be willing to have an interview. To my great surprise and pleasure, he agreed.

The first time I heard Jim was while attending a Gospel concert at PCVS School in Peterborough, Ontario. The mighty Imperials were in the city playing at the high school. The Imperials were the crème de la crème back in the day. I have mentioned before, that in these early years, groups like the Imperials, the Blackwood Brothers, the Speer family, the Cathedrals and so many more, were a major influence on this young Christian man. I was literally mesmerized listening to the Imperials, but especially a young tenor named Jim Murray.   Jim was hitting what seemed like impossible notes and doing it with such ease and a gentle power, with songs such as “Even The Praise Comes From You,” or “Behold The Man,” or “I’ll Meet You in the Morning.” I didn’t know much about four-part harmony in those days and didn’t know a tenor from a baritone, but I did know what was good!

Every time I came out of these concerts, I knew beyond a doubt what I wanted to do with my life. I wanted to be involved in some capacity with Southern Gospel Music. Never in a million years did I ever once think that I would be talking to men like Jim Murray and having the pleasure of conducting an interview with him. What a gracious and gentle man of God.

Jim was born in March of 1944. His hometown is Lansing, Michigan and he now resides in Mt. Juliet, Tennessee, where he is the Minister of Music and Senior Adults. (what church??) I asked Jim how old he was when he first started to sing. “I remember singing in the little children’s choir in Lansing, Michigan. I would have been about five years old. My first solo singing engagement was for our Sunday School program when I was about six or seven years old. I can’t remember the song, but I’m sure it was a short solo.”

Murray shares that his parents were very supportive of his career. “Even though I never got a degree from university, I have gathered some wisdom from my 50-plus years on the road. “They came to concerts as long as they could and were always there to encourage me in my efforts for the Lord, through music.” I asked Jim if he took vocal training.   “Yes, I studied voice for two years at Michigan State University with Dr. Gene Greenwell who at one time had been with the Metropolitan Opera Company.” Dr. Greenwell gave Jim what he says was the best advice he’s ever received. “Dr. Greenwell told me, “If you don’t take care of your voice, no one else will.”

“Even though I’ve had three throat surgeries on my vocal chords, I have been able to sing with God’s help,” says Murray. “I’m not as high as I once was, but as I have always said, it’s not how high you sing, but how well you sing up high. Most people don’t know if you are singing a high C or a high D. They just know if it sounds good or not!”

Murray had already gained much experience by the time he joined the Imperials. “The first group I sang with was a gospel group called the Melodaires. We were in high school together and that’s when I was introduced to Southern Gospel Music. After that, I sang with the Orrell Quartet out of Detroit Michigan. Then in 1964, I got married and moved to Dallas, Texas, where I sang with the Stamps trio. From there I moved to Arlington, Texas, and sang for a short while with Bob Wills and the Inspirations. It was in 1966, that I joined Jake Hess and the Imperials. I sang with the Imperials for 20 years from 1966 to 1986.”

Jim Murray and Family

While he was with the Imperials, Jim would back up such singers as Jimmy Dean, Elvis, Pat Boone and Carol Channing. During that 20-year span, Jim was part of over 50 albums, five Grammys and 15 Dove Awards. Eventually, the Imperials started to drift from their trademark four-part harmony, into a more aggressive pop style and Jim decided to move on to other things. In 1998, the Imperials were inducted into the Gospel Music Association’s Gospel Music Hall of fame. (1)

I asked Jim if he enjoyed any other genre of music. “Yes, my father was a real jazz, big band buff and so I was raised on Stan Kenton, Glen Miller, the Dorsey Brothers, Dave Brubeck along with the Ray Coniff singers and so many more I can’t name here.” Other family members were also blessed with vocal talent. “My mother was a very good alto singer. My older son Brent sings very well and my wife Loretta had a very nice alto voice; in fact, we did an album together several years ago and traveled and sang together for over 12 years.”

When asked if he had a favorite singer or group, he answered, “Over the years there have been, so many groups that have been so spectacular in our industry. I really enjoyed the Blackwood Brothers and the Statesmen back in the day. Now I enjoy the Booth Brothers, of course the Gaither Vocal Band and Legacy Five along with the Mark Trammell Quartet and Ernie Haase and Signature Sound and……as you can see, I have a lot of favorites.”

Of course, Jim sang with the Gaither Vocal Band and is on the Gaither Vocal Band Reunion DVD. My final question to Jim was, “What do you want people to remember about you?”He replied, “I hope they look beyond the gift that God has given me and remember that I loved my family and that I wanted to be in the center of the Lord’s will for my life. My life verse is Psalm 27:1. “The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? The Lord is the strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?” (KJV)

Since my initial conversation with Jim and his willingness to do this interview, I learned the tragic news that his beautiful wife Loretta had passed away and was promoted to Heaven. Quite honestly, I didn’t know what to do. Of course, I most certainly did not want to bother Jim during this sorrowful time. After a few weeks passed by, I nervously touched base with him again. I offered Jim my sincere condolences and he was very gracious, thanking me for my sensitivity and informed me that he still wanted to do the interview.

Jim and Loretta were married 50 years and had raised two sons, James Brent and Christopher Michael. Jim said to me, “I would love for you to pay tribute to Loretta as she was the one who was so supportive and encouraged me throughout the years.” He explained that Loretta had been ill, and expressed how empty he now feels with the sudden change that has been forced upon him. As we chatted on the phone, it was such a joy to know that beautiful Loretta is cheering Jim on and anxiously waiting for that glorious day, when all God’s children will be forever reunited!

As I write these articles and I know I have mentioned this before, the hardest thing for me is trying to sum up a career that spans well over 50 years, into a few paragraphs. It’s impossible to do. I would encourage the reader to contact Jim and thank him for all the years he has ministered and all the amazing songs he has recorded. Thank him by ordering some of his anointed music. You will be glad and blessed that you did! You can contact Jim at one of the numbers or email below.

(1) WIKIPEDIA in 1998, The Imperials were inducted into the Gospel Music Association‘s Gospel Music Hall of Fame. All five original members, Jake, Armond, Gary, Sherrill, and Henry; as well as Terry Blackwood, Sherman Andrus, Joe Moscheo, Jim Murray, and Russ Taff were there to accept the induction.

Even the praise comes from you     https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m9mJfY8Qomk

Behold the Man                                 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jIKrUPk4keo

I’ll Meet You in the Morning           https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cEiVahHmVeEhttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cEiVahHmVeE

Contact Jim Murray at: Minister of Music and Senior Adults, Victory Baptist Church, 1777 Tate Lane, Mt. Juliet, TN 37122

Email Jim Murray at: jimmurray@vbcmtj.org         mailto:jimmurray@vbcmtj.org

Questions? Comments? You can email Phil Foster at prossfoster@gmail.com

Written by Philip Foster, first published by SGM Radio in July 2014.

For more artist features on SGM Radio website, please visit http://www.sgmradio.com/

Palmetto State Ends, Glass Temple Begins

NASHVILLE, TN: Larry Strickland, owner of Palmetto State Quartet, one of the longest running male quartets still touring and recording announced today that he will be retiring along with plans to retire
the Palmetto State Quartet name. However, if you have been a fan of the group in the past few years,
you’ll be glad to know that the existing members (Jeremy Easley, David Staton and DaRon Maughon) will continue on under a new name. As of October 1, the group will be known as GLASS TEMPLE, with a new recording to be released later this year.

Since the formation of Palmetto State Quartet in the 1940’s, the group has been known for musical excellence, having had legendary names in gospel music come through its doors as members. In recent
years with Larry Strickland acquiring the group, the music and style of the group definitely changed. The group has toured with The Judds and been seen on television and tour with country music superstar,
Wynonna Judd. The group naturally evolved into a more commercial sound. Much of this change in
sound in the last couple of years was due to the singers that became Palmetto State Quartet. According
to Larry Strickland, “I just found the best singers out there and allowed them to be themselves. As
a result, I believe I have assembled the best group that gospel music has heard in a long time. I have
encouraged them to continue under a new name because it would be a shame for these guys to stop
because I’m retiring. I love and fully support these guys!”

According to group member, David Staton, “I have never met anyone who loves to sing and has a
passion for this music like Larry does. We are going to miss having him on the road, but if it’s at all
possible, you may just see Larry show up at some of our dates. Larry is one of the few true living legends in gospel music and we have been honored to stand next to him and sing. Touring with Elvis,
managing The Judds and Wynonna and taking gospel music to a world stage as he has done is more than
most will ever accomplish in a lifetime.”

Cards, congratulations and well wishes can be sent to Larry at P.O Box 1327, Franklin, TN 37065. If you’d like to schedule an event with Glass Temple, you can email david@songgardenmusicgroup.com or call
615-385-4166. Ext. 22