COKO Receives her FIRST Grammy Nom as
a SOLO Gospel Act
Coko, who led SWV’s Top Ten platinum pop
hits such as “I’m So Into You” and “Weak”
during the 1990s, has received her first
Grammy nomination as a solo artist. The
singer’s latest CD “Grateful” (Light
Records) was nominated for a Grammy today as
Best Contemporary R&B Gospel CD of the Year.
“This is a true blessing indeed,” says Coko.
“This is my first nod as a soloist and I'm
truly excited and grateful!” The project
debuted at #5 on the Billboard gospel album
sales chart while her single “I Get Joy”
featuring Kirk Franklin hit the Top 40 on
both the Billboard Hot Gospel Songs and Hot
R&B Airplay singles charts.
“I am not only Godly proud of her
accomplishment musically,” says James
Robinson, Light Records’ A&R Director. “But
excited about her commitment to the genre of
Gospel Music long term. She's nothing short
of a phenomenal woman for what's she's
overcome in her life, and decided to tell
the world that she's " Grateful" about it.
That's her ministry. It would be great to
win this award, but honestly; I feel like we
won already. Coko's really just getting
warmed up.”
Among the many project highlights are Coko’s
remake of the Clark Sisters’ “Endow Me”
which features Fantasia, Faith Evans and
Li’l Mo. Her mother, Lady Tibba Gamble, who
once recorded with Light Records as a member
of the New York Community Choir, joins Coko
and Donald Lawrence on the festive, “Mighty
God.”
"We are very proud of Coko, she is a
remarkable talent and a pleasure to work
with,” says Light Records President, Phil
White. “Coko not only reached back to
celebrate the artistry of gospel artists who
have come before her, she also reached
forward with her own fresh style."
Coko, who has lent her signature soprano to
hit songs such as “Men In Black” (with Will
Smith) and her solo hit “Sunshine,” is not a
newcomer to the church. “I never left the
church,” she says. “I’ve always been active
in my church despite my profession in R&B
music. Church was more than a breeding
ground for me to sing, it’s where I nurture
my soul. It’s a lifestyle for me.”
Coko
began her career at 12 years old as a member
of the New York Community Choir. The singer
was a member of Hezekiah Walker’s Love
Fellowship Crusade Choir, and it was during
that period that she teamed up with
childhood friends Leanne “Lelee” Lyons and
Tamara “Taj” Johnson to form SWV. In the
past, she’s appeared on gospel projects by
The Lord’s Church Cathedral Choir, Youthful
Praise and Brent Jones & the T.P. Mobb.
November 13, 2007
COKO Receives her FIRST Stellar
Gospel Music Award Nomination
Light Records has earned five Stellar award
nominations in the upcoming 23rd Annual
Stellar Gospel Music Awards that will take
place at the Grand Ole Opry Saturday,
January 12, 2007 in Nashville, TN.
The Shreveport-based female quartet, Zie’l,
won a nomination as Best Contemporary Duo or
Group. Their latest CD “Genesis Live”
features the radio hits “Surely, God is
Able” and “Is My Living in Vain?”
Former lead singer for the R&B super group,
SWV, Coko, won her first Stellar nomination
as Best Contemporary Female Artist of the
Year for her debut gospel CD “Grateful”
which features her mega hit “I Get Joy” with
Kirk Franklin.
Bishop Paul S. Morton’s “Still Standing”
project pulled in four nominations. The CD
was recorded live at Morton’s original
Greater St. Stephen’s Church a year after
Hurricane Katrina destroyed the edifice that
housed his 20,000-member congregation. The
CD won nominations in the categories of
Traditional CD of the Year, Traditional Male
Vocalist of the Year and a Song of the Year
nomination for Kurt Carr, who composed the
title song. Visit
www.stellarawards.com for more info.
November 13, 2007
COKO on Bobby Jones Gospel
Check out COKO perform songs from her
GROUNDBREAKING Gospel debut "Grateful" on
BET's Bobby Jones Gospel.
"Midnite" w/ Brent Jones & TP MOB
"Mighty God" w/ Lady Tibba & Youthful
Praise
February 20, 2007
GMA DOVE Awards
COKO is nominated for 2 GMA Dove Awards! Check them out
below: Urban Recorded Song “I Get Joy;” Grateful; Coko
Shep Crawford, M. White, C. Stepney, P. Bailey; Light
Records
Urban Album; Grateful;Warryn Campbell, Tony
homer, Asaph Alexander Ward, “Big Mike” Clemons, Arthur
“Buddy” Strong, Donald Lawrence, Da Wax, Shep Crawford;
Light Records
If you missed
COKO's special "Valentine" message to her fans, check it
out below:
January 02, 2007 Be sure not to miss COKO on the VH1 Show: "Dreamgirls:
The Making & Breaking of Girl Groups". The show premiers
this Thursday, January 4, 2007 at 8PM EST. Additional
airdates can be found below.
Friday, January 5, 2007 - 1:00 AM EST
Sunday, January 7, 2007 - 12:30 PM EST
Tuesday, January 9, 2007 - 2:00 PM EST
This weekend, be sure to catch COKO on "BET Bobby
Jones Gospel Hour" Sunday morning:
Show: Bobby Jones
Gospel Hour
Date:
01/07/2006 | Network: BET
Who:
Judith Christie McAllister & COKO
If you missed COKO's special Holiday message to her
fans, check it out below:
November 10, 2006
COKO News Updates / Tour Dates Check out a review of "Grateful" in the latest issue
(December) of Upscale Magazine.
Also, check out another review of "Grateful" by
Christian Today. Click the link below:
Ann
McCrary and the Tabernacle Church Choir Will Tape
TBN’S
“PRAISE THE LORD”
Washington, D.C. --
Husband and wife Christian vocal duo, Dean & Mary
Brown, will host a special night of Christmas music
on TBN on Tuesday, December 12, 2006 @ 7:00 p.m. at
the Trinity Broadcasting Network’s Atlanta studios
located at 1550 Agape Way, Decatur, GA 30035. For
more information or driving directions, contact TBN
operator at 404-288-1156 or
www.tbn.org The TBN studio
comfortable seats 350-400 people and is inviting the
general public to come out and enjoy this free
concert.
Among the special artists on the program that
evening are Bryan Wilson and Ann McCrary, who will
perform songs from the “Bil Carpenter Presents an
Uncloudy Christmas” CD project. The project is an
outgrowth of Carpenter’s acclaimed book, “Uncloudy
Days: The Gospel Music Encyclopedia” (Backbeat
Books) and the Stellar award nominated CD soundtrack
that features the Blind Boys of Alabama, Bryan
Wilson, Ann McCrary and Mavis Staples’ Top 25 gospel
hit, “God is Not Sleeping.”
Wilson, a former child gospel star known for his
1994 rendition of “His Eye is on the Sparrow” with
the Mississippi Children’s Choir, will perform “The
Savior is Come” from the CD plus other holiday
favorites. McCrary, seen weekly on BET’s “Bobby
Jones Gospel” and a session singer with Solomon
Burke and Michael McDonald, will perform “Remember
Not to Forget Jesus” on the program along with some
of her other Christmas favorites. Others featured on
the CD include doo wop legend Pookie Hudson & the
Spaniels, soul music veteran Candi Staton and Bil
Carpenter, who contributes some spoken word holiday
music.
Also, appearing on the show will be SWV’s Coko, who
has a new gospel CD, “Grateful” in stores and Kim
Burrell, who is known for her jazzy style of gospel
music. The two-hour concert will air on the TBN
network later this month. Log on at
www.uncloudydays.com
November 10, 2006
Review "Grateful" to WIN BIG! -
PROMOTION OVER!! Here is your chance to WIN an autographed poster and
PERSONAL PHONE CALL from COKO. Simply, visit any of the
retail websites listed below and post an album review on
the latest project by COKO "Grateful". After posting
your review on the retail website - Send your reviews
to:
cokosplace@lightrecords.com. Make sure the subject
of your email is "COKO ALBUM REVIEW", all other
e-mail subjects will be disqualified. The contest will
end November 30, 2006. You will be notified via e-mail
by December 02, 2006 if you are a winner.
November 09, 2006
Coko Debuts At #5 On Billboard Gospel Chart
Coko,
who led SWV’s Top Ten pop hits such as “I’m So Into You”
and “Weak” during the 1990s, is back on the block with
her debut urban inspirational/gospel CD, Grateful (Light
Records). The project has debuted at #5 on the Billboard
gospel album sales chart while her single “I Get Joy” is
nestled in the Top 40 on the urban ac radio singles
chart.
Among the many project highlights are Coko’s remake of
the Clark Sisters’ “Endow Me” which features Fantasia,
Faith Evans and Li’l Mo. Her mother, Laddy Tibba Gamble,
who once recorded with Light Records as a member of the
New York Community Choir, joins Coko and Donald Lawrence
on the festive, “Mighty God.” Coko shows off her vocal
power and finesse on the stirring, “Hymn Medley.” The
Wal-Mart edition of the CD will include the bonus tunes,
“I Wish,” a soulful ballad, and Brent Jones & the T.P.
Mobb’s 2002 smash hit, “Midnight,” which featured Coko’s
soaring soprano vocals.
Coko, who has lent her signature soprano to hit songs
such as “Men In Black” (with Will Smith) and her solo
hit “Sunshine,” is not a newcomer to the church. “I
never left the church,” she says. “I’ve always been
active in my church despite my profession in R&B music.
Church was more than a breeding ground for me to sing,
it’s where I nurture my soul. It’s a lifestyle for me.”
Coko began her career at 12 years old as a member of the
New York Community Choir. The singer was a member of
Hezekiah Walker’s Love Fellowship Crusade Choir, and it
was during that period that she teamed up with childhood
friends Leanne “Lelee” Lyons and Tamara “Taj” Johnson to
form SWV. In the past, she’s appeared on gospel projects
by The Lord’s Church Cathedral Choir, Youthful Praise
and Brent Jones & the T.P. Mobb.
Light Records, is a privately held, Nashville-based
company owned by Sheridan Square Entertainment. The
label is currently home to a diverse group of Gospel
artists including Grammy Award-winner Shirley Caesar,
Bishop Paul S. Morton, RiZen, Youthful Praise, Zie’l and
Judith Christie McAllister.
Show: Bobby Jones
Gospel Hour