19 February 2006
The Gospel Singer!
The fastest growing music segment is not rap; it's not R &B - the fastest growing musical genre not only in America, but in Central Europe and countries like, Poland (where it is blazing out of control totally!), Sweden, Norway and Denmark, Russia..., is the stirring, pulse-pounding, foot-stomping music that came out of the African-American church and changed American music forever.
As I write down my thoughts,I believe that it is a good time to be in Gospel music. A very good time indeed. In the early days of the 20th century gospel music industry, people chose careers in Gospel music either because they felt a Divine Calling to do it, or because they were afraid lightning would strike them dead if they dared to sing anything but Gospel music.
Surely no one went into a Gospel music career expecting to make a decent living out of it. Even the top Gospel artists of that day often worked day jobs to keep food on their tables. Only a few select artist such as Mahalia (Jackson) and the late Reverend James Cleveland who all had business acumen as well as performing talent, were able to maximize their money-making potential as artists. In addition, they all had side businesses to enhance their personal wealth.
It's a different day now. Music ministers at large churches can command a six-figure annual salary for coming in each Sunday morning and simply leading the church in worship and praise for a half hour before the pastor preaches. It's a new day for Gospel artists financially, but the roots of the music are based in faith and hope for a better world.
Mahalia with Elvis and jazz singer Barbara McNair
The word: "Gospel" is an elision of two Old English words meaning God and story. So the Gospel is a God-story, or as we've come to know it: The Good News about God. The word is believed to have first appear in print in 1874 with the publication of Philip Bass's book: "Gospel Songs". Of course , this translates as: "songs that tell God's story".
Philip Bass (1838-1876)
The Black Gospel music idiom grew out of the North American plantations and cotton fields where Negro slaves toiled from dawn to dusk from 1620 through the late 1800's. The harsh plight of the slave has been well-documented, so there's no need to revisit that story here.
However, it was that harsh reality that quickened the slave's faith in an afterlife that would reward them for this miserable life they lived on earth. The passion associated with Black Gospel was born under the glaring eye of the overseer. As French philosopher Voltaire once said: "If there were no God, man would have to invent Him." A belief in God and Heavenly reward were perhaps the only hope that kept many slaves going.
Libraries and bookstores are filled with scores of reference books on various aspects of pop music. There are plenty of books on jazz, classical and blues music. The dearth of books on Gospel music would cause one to think that there was no interest in Gospel music. Yet, according to a 2005 Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) study, Christian music accounted for 5.8 percent of all US consumer music sales.
By contrast, classical sales were 3 percent, jazz was 2.9 percent, and soundtracks were 1.4 percent of the sales market. In spite of these statistics, one would be hard-pressed to find any books on Gospel music in the past. If one found such a book, it would probably be Anthony Heibut's 1971 classic: "The Gospel Sound".
However books like this one focus on a few select gospel artists in scholarly detail. In upcoming books about Black Gospel, from 2006 and onwards, will feature over many gospel personalities, with more and more coming...
Crouch, Andrae
Andrae Crouch was one of a set of twins born to Mr. and Mrs. Benjamin Crouch in Los Angeles, California. Andrae's father was in the cleaning business and pastored a church, and it was there that Andrae began to sing and formed his first singing group... Educated in California, he studied at Valley Junior College for a career in teaching. It was during this time that he was called to the ministry and formed the "Disciples". Andrae has been awarded by the Gospel Music Association the "Dove Award" for the many Gold and platinum lps and cds in his long career in Black Gospel.
Part 2
Most Gospel artists would rather die before they'd allow a secular song to flow from their lips. There are those who won't sing them publicly, but will sing them privately for friends. There are others who will sing Gospel or pop with no qualms depending on the occasion. In spite of the Bibles' admonitions about fornication, there are artists (Christian), who sired children out of wedlock.
There are artists who have committed adultery. There are others who have openly gay lifestyle. There are others who were once gay but left that all behind to follow Jesus 100 percent. Some have struggled with alcohol and drugs. Others are known to have been rude, stingy, or petty at times. But these facts are not told for sensationalism. They are told to show that we are all human and that we are all striving toward some sense of destiny in our lives. Along the way, we encounter trials and tribulations, which either break us or make us.
The strife in a Gospel singers' life often comes from within his or her own community. The late great Gospel legend Sallie Martin knew Aretha Franklin when she was a child gospel prodigy and, like so many of her generation, was disappointed when Aretha began to sing pop music.
Martin once quipped of Franklin: You can't be on both sides of the fence at one time. You're here tonight in church and tomorrow night you're something else.
Many hardliners still feel that way about artists who sing both Sacred and secular music.
The Famous Sallie Martin Singers!
Sister Sallie Martin!
The Queen of Soul Miss Arthea!
Many of us think also that Gospel music is exclusive to us (Christians). But it is made to encourage and uplift those who know God and all the more, it is made for those who don't. Mahalia Jackson was not traditional in her time. They wouldn't let her play in church because she twisted her hips, had a band with drums and all that... They said because of her dancing and twisting, that she wasn't saved. (Odd since the Bible itself speaks of God's children praising Him not only with music, but also with dancing...
Mahalia!
Blues great B.B. King, who began his career with the Famous St. John's Gospel Singers in the 1940's, once said: If they found out we had a guitar, some churches would cancel our show. To some, the guitars made us look like a rebel group
. And today, still in some places, this is the case sadly.
The Famous St. John's Gospel Singers (with B. B. King) 1940
B. B. King
On January 21, 2006, The Grand Ole Opry hosted the 21st Annual Stellar Gospel Music Awards. Eight-time Stellar Award winner Vicki Winans co-hosted America’s most-respected gospel music awards show, along with past Stellar Award winners and contemporaries Donnie McClurkin and Israel Haughton.
Sister Vickie Winans
The nominees for the event were announced from award-winning gospel jazz recording artist pastor Dr. Ben Tankard.
The legendary Winans Family received the prestigious James Cleveland Award, which is given annually to someone who has made a major impact in the development and advancement of gospel music.
Fred Hammond received the TRAILBLAZER AWARD for his pioneering work in songwriting, outstanding performances and record sales success in the gospel music industry. The tribute to the Winans Family was a very special moment in the show as family and friends remember the late Ron Winans in song. Some of this year’s all-star line-up included Walter Hawkins, Kirk Franklin, J Moss, Mississippi Mass Choir, Dottie Peoples, Mary Mary and Father Charles Hayes, along with a host of gospel music luminaries.
Presenters at the 21st Annual Stellar Music Awards were, and include the legendary Andrae Crouch, Byron Cage, Albertina Walker, Michael W. Smith, The Soul Seekers....The televised ceremony was broadcast (in the USA only) on January 21, 2006 in Nashville. (Jan 5, 2006) From The Grand Ole Opry House.
Why, all of the sudden, is Gospel so hot? One reason, cited by almost everybody, is a need for more christianity. Within 9-11 years people around the word have felt a need for themes of encouragement, hope and salvation. Pastor Marvin Winans (of the famed Winans Gospel Family Dynasty), says that :God has something He wanted to say. When He opens the door, we have a responsibility to walk in
" . The moral fiber of many countries around the world seems to be really falling apart said another gospel artist. He went on to say that "Over the course of time, we have gotten away from those christian principles, and now many are coming back to what God would have it be."
Gospel music has come a long way since the days of slavery, and the road ahead is bright!
Christian-Charles de Plicque
Angel House International Missions Ministries r.f.
Karleby Finland
2006
www.deplicque.net
21st Annual Stellar Award WINNERS (2006)
The results for the 21st Annual Stellar
Artist of the Year
Donald Lawrence; I Speak Life; Verity
Song of the Year
Jonathan Nelson; "Healed"; Verity
CD of the Year
Donald Lawrence & Co.; I Speak Life; Verity
Choir of the Year
Dr. Charles G. Hayes & The Warriors; The Remix; ICEE Records
Producer of the Year
D'Lawrence; I Speak Life; Verity
Group Duo of the Year
Donald Lawrence & Co.; I Speak Life; Verity
New Artist of the Year
J. Moss; The J Moss Project; Gospo Centric
Male Vocalist of the Year
J. Moss; The J Moss Project; Gospo Centric
Female Vocalist of the Year
Dianne Williams; The Remix; ICEE Records
Contemporary Group/Duo of the Year
Donald Lawrence & Co.; I Speak Life; Verity
Traditional Group/Duo of the Year
RiZen; RiZen 2; ChezMusique / Artemis Gospel
Contemporary Male Vocalist of the Year
J. Moss; The J Moss Project; Gospo Centric
Smokie Norful; nothing without You; EMI Gospel
Traditional Male Vocalist of the Year
Walter Hawkins; A Song In My Heart ; Coda
Contemporary Female Vocalist of the Year
Kierra "Kiki" Sheard; I Owe You ; EMI Gospel
Traditional Female Vocalist of the Year
Dottie Peoples;Live in Memphis - "He Said It" ; AIR
Contemporary CD of the Year
Donald Lawrence & Co.; I Speak Life; Verity
Traditional CD of the Year
Walter Hawkins; A Song In My Heart ; Coda
Urban/ Inspirational Single / Performance of the Year (Artist; Song; Label)
Mary Mary ; "Heaven"; Sony Urban Music/ Columbia
Traditional Choir of the Year
Mark S. Hubbard & The Voices; Blessin’ Waitin’ On Me ; Utopia Records
Contemporary Choir of the Year
Sounds of Blackness; Unity; SLR
Instrumental CD of the Year
Kirk Whalum; The Gospel According to Jazz Chapter II ; Warner Records
Special Event CD of the Year
Martha Munizzi; When He Came ; Martha Munizzi Music
Rap/Hip Hop Gospel CD of the Year
Lil iRocc Williams; The Sequel ; Authority/Whitaker
Children's Performance of the Year
Lil iRocc Williams; The Sequel ; Authority/Whitaker
Quartet of the Year
The Soul Seekers; The Soul Seekers; Gospo Centric
Music Video of the Year (artist, song/CD title, label)
Dr. Charles G. Hayes & The Warriors; "The Remix" The Remix; ICEE Records
2006 Grammy Awards Nominees!!!!
The awards will be presented February 8, 2006 at the Staples Center in Los Angeles. The ceremonies will be broadcast live on CBS Television at 8 p.m. EST.
Best Gospel Performance
- Be Blessed - Yolanda Adams - Track from: Day By Day
- Looking For You - Kirk Franklin
- I Call You Faithful - Donnie McClurkin
- Lift Him Up - Hezekiah Walker & Love Fellowship Choir
- Pray - CeCe Winans - Track from: Purified
Best Gospel Song
- Again I Say Rejoice - Israel Houghton & Aaron Lindsey, songwriters (Israel & New Breed)
- Be Blessed - Yolanda Adams, James Harris III, Terry Lewis & James Q.
- Lift Him Up - Joeworn Martin, songwriter (Hezekiah Walker & Love Fellowship Choir) - Download Tracks
- We Must Praise - James Moss, songwriter (J Moss)
Best Traditional Soul Gospel Album
- I Know The Truth - Shirley Caesar
- Live From Houston ...The Rose Of Gospel - Dorinda Clark-Cole
- Psalms, Hymns & Spiritual Songs - Donnie McClurkin
- Say The Name - Martha Munizzi
- Singing The Old Time Way - Bishop G.E. Patterson & Congregation
- Be Exalted - Marvin Sapp - Download Tracks
Best Contemporary Soul Gospel Album
- Day By Day - Yolanda Adams
- Mary Mary - Mary Mary
- The J Moss Project - J Moss
- Dream - BeBe Winans
- Purified - CeCe Winans
Best Gospel Choir Or Chorus Album
I Speak Life - Donald Lawrence, choir director; Donald Lawrence & Company
Live At The Fellowship - John P Kee, choir director; VIP Mass Choir
One Church - Kurt Carr, choir director; The Choir Of Life (Japan), The Choir Of Life (USA) & The Kurt Carr Singers
One Voice - Gladys Knight, choir director; Saints Unified Voices
20/85 The Experience - Hezekiah Walker, choir director; The Love Fellowship Choir
Centric
Tracy Wallner, Michael Gomez; RiZen 2; ChezMusique / Artemis Gospel
Detchapat Arttasan; Mary Mary ; Sony Urban Music / Columbia.
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