Black Music Month Special
by Michael G. Reel
In spring of 2025, “Sounds From the Sanctuary” came to life in my creative spirit. Aware that Black Music Month was rapidly approaching, I wanted to produce a piece that focused solely on gospel music. With that in mind, I invited a couple of new friends and a long-time friend—each a dynamic worship leader in their own right—to help elevate “Sounds From the Sanctuary.”
Brittany Hickenbottom and Jennifer Rockett serve at Mt. Gaza Missionary Baptist Church in Compton. Rob Thrash is a member of the Praise and Worship Ministry of Faithful Central Bible Church in Inglewood, California. Their vocal instruments sound as if rosin was applied, much like a violinist applies it to their bow before striking the strings of their instrument.
Raised in a traditional Black Baptist Church where gospel music filled the sanctuary and our hearts, I realized gospel music has the power to shift the atmosphere, change attitudes, provide hope to the hopeless, and give strength to the weak. Through song selection and God-given talent, each of these singers will resonate with our viewing audience.
Black Music Month is a time when Black musicians from all genres of the American songbook are celebrated and honored. Black artists are credited with creating Jazz, Blues, Rock and Roll, and Gospel Music. Historians also acknowledge the significant contributions Black artists made to the country music genre. The banjo, a staple in country music, traces its roots back to West Africa. June was designated as Black Music Month in 1979 by President Jimmy Carter.
Accompanying the multi-talented vocalists were some of Southern California’s most sought-after musicians. Anthony Graham stepped in as music director and keyboardist. Traves McNeil joined us on drums, and Chris Black rounded out the trio on bass guitar. “Sounds From the Sanctuary” was the first time these musicians played together as a group, dubbed the Reel Urban News band.
Once the talent and musicians were booked, the next immediate challenge became identifying a church that would allow us to film in their sanctuary. Reverend Greg Morris, along with the officers and members of Athens Baptist Church in Los Angeles, welcomed us with open arms. Two of their long-time members sat in for the taping. What a blessing!
Rockett, Thrash, and Hickenbottom performed two songs each. Before singing the closing song together, they spoke exclusively with Michael Reel of Reel Urban News about the importance of Black Music Month.
“Black Music Month has been the soundtrack for so many lives,” said Rockett. “It’s important to keep this tradition and the songs alive while letting it be an inspiration throughout coming generations.”
“Sounds From the Sanctuary” was filmed on the weekend when the City of Los Angeles hosted the Black Entertainment Television awards show and just days before the nation observed Juneteenth.
Realizing that Black Music Month has gained increased notice in recent years, Thrash, a long-time educator, believes there is an opportunity for continued growth with concentrated effort.
“To elevate Black Music Month, we have to be very intentional about us singing the music that has carried us through,” expressed Thrash. “And at a time in our country where there is a deliberate effort to erase our culture through books being banned, through curriculum that cannot be taught, it is our responsibility to ‘Lift Every Voice and Sing,’ step into our heritage, and make our voices even louder. Black Music Month is the opportunity for us to do that.”
Bookending our brief conversation while focused on introducing gospel music to our youth, Brittany Hickenbottom encouraged us to remain inclusive. “Keep elevating because times are always changing, and we need to change with the times while sharing this music with everyone.”
Special appreciation to my long-time cinematographer, Reggie Simon of Simon Vision Media, Damion Lowe, chief digital photographer and producer, and Kevin Camargo, producer.
