Where would Gospel Music be without these "ICONS"

tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6406035242389738288.post-14180417897249510022009-04-27T10:39:00.000-07:002009-05-02T06:43:02.549-07:00Where would Gospel Music be without these "ICONS"<a href="http://www.blogger.com/"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 200px; FLOAT: right; CURSOR: hand" border="0" alt="" src="http://c2.ac-images.myspacecdn.com/images01/60/m_9e61d93f6f52e666045b47f4960d4b05.jpg" /></a> <a href="http://www.blogger.com/"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 200px; FLOAT: right; CURSOR: hand" border="0" alt="" src="http://afgen.com/gospel18.jpg" /></a> “THE GODFATHER OF GOSPEL MUSIC" June 17, 1947~ April 24, 2009". REVEREND Timothy Wright, was no stranger to gospel music- in fact; he had become an anchor for gospel choirs across the country. His music is considered "Sunday Morning Ready" with a diverse array of traditional and contemporary gospel music. He also was the pastor and founder of the Grace Tabernacle Christian Center in Brooklyn, N.Y. Rev. Wright first developed his talents at the St. John's Fire Baptized Holiness Church of God in Brooklyn, N.Y. In his spare time, he wrote poetry and began to play the piano at age 12. This would soon lead to him composing for the church's choir. A pivotal moment is his budding career came in 1969 when he began playing the piano for the late Bishop F.D. Washington at the Washington Temple C.O.G.I.C. in Brooklyn, N.Y.. Through that association, he was selected as organist for the Rev. Isaac Douglas and the N.Y. community choir. With the exception of one, all the selections on Douglas' classic best-selling 1971 album, "Lets Go Higher", were written by Rev. Wright . This album was a landmark recording in the early development of contemporary choir sound. In 1976, he founded the Timothy Wright Concert Choir. Some of the choir's award winning and best selling releases includes, Who's On The Lord's Side and Do You Know The Light. He has also recorded with choirs across the county. Of these recordings, his most memorable hits include: Troubles Don't Last Always, Master Can You Use Me and Yes I'm A Believer. In addition to this, he also recorded a Stellar Award winning project with Myrna Summers, entitled We're Gonna Make It. In fact, one of his projects, Come Thou Almighty King, which has garned national recognition, was recorded with a 500 voice choir, made up of New York's best gospel artists. Without question, Timothy Wright proved once again that he is considered the "Godfather" of gospel music. --- <a href="http://www.blogger.com/"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 200px; FLOAT: right; CURSOR: hand" border="0" alt="" src="http://www.google.com/images?q=tbn:GOykTJxIx9HmOM::www.detroitgospel.com/images/Photoalbum/twinkiebirthdayorgan.jpg" /></a> “Twinkie Clark" from the Stellar and Grammy Award nominess "The Clark Sisters". ELBERNITA 'TWINKIE' CLARK, a musical genius. The maestro. Gifted musician and anointed vocalist, a true worshipper. These are all accurate descriptions of Elbernita “Twinkie” Clark, the woman considered the heart and soul of the Clark Sisters. In many respects, she has been the creative force in shaping the vibrant sound that has become the Clark Sisters hallmark (more affectionately known as the ‘Clark Sound’). In the history of Gospel music, she has quickly become a legend in her own right. With the reverence of a vast array of audiences, critics and peers, she is considered by many Gospel aficionados to not only be Gospel music’s greatest, but also the undisputed “Queen of the B3 Hammond organ.” Twinkie received her formal musical training at the prestigious Howard University in Washington, D.C. and went on to faithfully work in the Lord’s vineyard, creating some of the most memorable hits available today for herself and her siblings. With Twinkie’s musical gifts accompanied by the vocal talents of her sisters, all made possible under the favor and anointing of God resting upon each of them, together they’ve acquired worldwide superior accolades including a gold record in 1981 with “You Brought the Sunshine,” their bonafide hit on the Gospel and R&B charts and their long-awaited induction into the International Gospel Music Hall of Fame in 1999. Most recently, The Clark Sisters received high honors at the 2007 Stellar Awards when they were presented with the coveted award for Most Notable Achievement. In addition to being the chief songwriter and producer on several albums with her sisters, Twinkie has produced solo albums for her mother, the equally legendary late Dr. Mattie Moss Clark, who she credits as her “greatest inspiration” and the start of her musical journey. Twinkie has also produced albums for several choirs and traveled the world abroad as an evangelist, workshop facilitator, music educator, singer and a powerful woman of God. She has had her compositions recorded and sampled by some of the Gospel greats and even secular artists such as Rev. James Cleveland, Jennifer Holliday, Al Green, James Moore, Donald Lawrence and the Tri-City Singers, Esther Smith, James Moss, Dave Hollister, Xscape, and Mary J. Blige. Amid her travels, networking and the lending of her songwriting and production expertise to others over the years, Twinkie found the time to record and release a catalog of successful solo albums: Praise Belongs To God, (1979), Ye Shall Receive Power, (1981), Comin’ Home (1982), Masterpiece (1996), and Live In Charlotte (2002). Twinkie's third album on Verity Records Home Once Again...Live in Detroit, released in 2004, proves yet again that she merits every accolade afforded to her. She is also the featured artist on a compilation disc of her own hits entitled Twinkie Clark: Praise & Worship, which hit stores in 2006. Twinkie’s musical prowess is evident in the delivery of her heartfelt lyrics blended with and based on scripture. “When we were younger, Twinkie would always have her bible and notes with her,” says Dorinda Clark Cole reflecting on the early years of singing with her sisters. “She would put it on the piano and say, “Follow me.” And it would be so amazing how she’d use the word of God and us to pull those songs together.” Often filling in for her sisters in many of their intricate vocal arrangements, Twinkie developed a broad range from soprano to low contralto and even bass. Her churchy “squalls”, improvisational skill and signature lead vocals appear to have set an unprecedented vocal standard for others to strive to achieve in the years to come. “I see myself as a vehicle, a vessel being used by God, having purpose, and yielding to God,” says Twinkie. She has understood the ministerial calling on her life from a very young age. Musically, she has been labeled a Gospel Legend, and it's a title of which feels worthy. Her mother also garnered the title for her career. Twinkie says she believes that she herself is a legend because her mother was a legend. “And I wanted to be just like her,” says Twinkie. “And also because of the experience and awards. Yes, I am a Gospel Legend.” Today, Twinkie continues to share her immense level of talent, her influential ministry and the word of God all over the world. by Terron Austin --- <a href="http://www.blogger.com/"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 200px; FLOAT: right; CURSOR: hand" border="0" alt="" src="http://www.theclarksisters.com/images/pose1.JPG" /></a> “Going to Heaven to Meet the King,” Dr. Mattie Juliet Moss Clark remains one of the most influential and important figures in the history and progression of gospel music as well as in the history of the Church of God in Christ. Her legacy has created and helped to shape some of the most successful gospel artists including Vanessa Bell Armstrong, Donald Vails, Commissioned, Esther Smith, Keith Pringle, Rev. Rance Allen, the late Rev. James Moore and her own daughters, The Clark Sisters. She taught that one should never try to sing, preach, teach, or reach without prayer and that Christ must always be the center of attraction and the center of one’s life. Born the seventh of nine children to Fred J. Moss and Mattie J. Walker in Selma, AL, she began playing the piano at age six. By 12, she became the musician at her mother’s services at the Church of Christ and Prayer. After high school, she attended Selma University and received training in classical music and choral singing. In addition, she continued to travel with her mother and play at her mission services. She moved to Detroit in 1947 to be with her sister Sybil Burke and became a member of Greater Love Tabernacle Church of God in Christ. There, under the leadership of Bishop W. Rimson, she was baptized in the Holy Ghost and subsequently became the Minister of Music. She served an historic tenure as Minister of Music for both Southwest Michigan Jurisdiction and Bailey Temple Church of God in Christ, under Bishop John Seth Bailey. Soon she was in demand to train choirs at churches throughout the brotherhood of COGIC. She married her first husband, Mr. Cullum and that union produced two children Leo and Jacqueline. Her next marriage was to Elder Elbert Clark and unto their union four daughters were born, Denise, Twinkie, Dorinda, and Karen. In 1958, she recorded “Going to Heaven to Meet the King,” with the Southwest Michigan State Choir, becoming the first person to commit the sounds of a choir to record. She was also the first person to separate vocal parts into soprano, alto and tenor. She received three gold albums with the Southwest Michigan State Choir, and went on to write and arrange hundreds of songs and record over 50 albums. She directed Cadillac Motor Company’s Christmas Choir for eleven years and also conducted community wide mass choirs for the prestigious NAACP Freedom Fund Dinners. In 1979, she founded the Clark Conservatory of Music in Detroit, which established itself as one of the most prestigious schools of its kind in the country. In 1981, Trinity College in Pennsylvania conferred upon her one of their highest honors, the degree of Doctor of Humanity. After the death of Bishop Bailey in 1985, she continued as State Minister of Music for Southwest Michigan Jurisdiction #1, attending Greater Mitchell Church of God in Christ, under Bishop J.H. Sheard. She was also one of the editors and contributors to the hymnal published by the Church of God In Christ entitled “Yes, Lord.” When the late Bishop J. O. Patterson appointed her the International President of The Music Department in 1968, she worked to instill within musicians and choirs a responsibility to Christ as well as capability for Christ. Throughout her efforts, young people especially received her and many were saved, and uplifted by her music and message. She completely revolutionized the music departments. She gave definition to the roll of State Minister of Music, traveled year-round to every state in the country conducting workshop, rehearsals and musicals to prepare choirs for service on the National Church level and organized the structure of the National Music Convention of the Church of God in Christ. Dr. Clark introduced the workshop and seminar concept to the convention, and along with her staff, structured classes for the convention and created “A Song Is Born,” the program where new talent was introduced before thousands. As her health declined, Dr. Clark never lost the fire and passion for her mission, and she learned to give all she had with whatever God gave her and believed He would do the rest. An accomplished musician, singer, arranger, composer, leader, director, teacher, and exemplary woman of God, Dr. Clark died on September 22, 1994. The legacy of Dr. Mattie Moss Clark is one that will stand as a testament to the anointing of God and his gifts, what she accomplished is matched by only a handful of anointed vessels, cementing her standing as the true “First Lady” of gospel music. --- <a href="http://www.blogger.com/"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 200px; FLOAT: right; CURSOR: hand" border="0" alt="" src="http://www.netministry.com/clientfiles/59610/BishopHawkinscopy.bmp" /></a> "Bishop Walter Hawkins" At the age of 19 this San Francisco Bay Area native hadn't considered a musical life. His recording debut actually came anonymously when he sang in the Ephesian Church of God in Christ youth choir, a Berkeley, California-based church. To raise money to attend a convention in Washington, DC, the choir, directed by Hawkins' older brother Edwin, recorded an album, Let Us Go Into The House Of The Lord in 1968 to sell locally. Astonishingly, a song from that album, "Oh Happy Day", became a pop hit the following year, selling over a million copies. In the next few years, the Edwin Hawkins Singers toured nationally and internationally before Walter set out on his own. <a href="http://www.blogger.com/"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 200px; FLOAT: right; CURSOR: hand" border="0" alt="" src="http://f5c.yahoofs.com/shopping/3067365/simg_t_oe8474303au9.jpg?rm_____DX6ycarnM" /></a> "The Caravans" Way back in 1952 when Mahalia Jackson was the reigning Queen of Gospel music and a new Queen was crowned in England, a future Queen was making history in Chicago. It was in that year and from within the inimitable incubator of 1952 Chicago Gospel music that Albertina Walker first organized and managed the legendary Caravans Gospel singing group. For more than half a century The Caravans have been an unwavering source of traditional Gospel music. With the founding of The Caravans in 1952, Albertina Walker soon became known as “Albertina Walker-The Star Maker.” Her unerring eye for extraordinary talent and her steadfast commitment to the Word led her to discover and launch the careers of such Gospel greats as Inez Andrews, Shirley Caesar, Cassietta George, Evangelist Dorothy Norwood, James Herndon, Josephine Howard, Delores Washington and the “King of Gospel” Reverend James Cleveland. Rev. Cleveland not only accompanied the Caravans on piano, but also narrated hymns, his relaxed monologues a stark contrast to the fervent group vocals behind him. <a href="http://www.blogger.com/"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; FLOAT: left; CURSOR: hand" border="0" alt="" src="http://cover6.cduniverse.com/MuzeAudioArt/480/487326.jpg" /></a> "The Davis Sisters" The Davis Sisters are some of the hardest singing women from the great days of Gospel's past! There was something special in their sound and overall artistry. Aretha Franklin said in her autobiography that Jackie Verdell would sing so hard at their concerts that you could acutally see spots of on her choir robe afterward and one listen to this compilation of some of their most intense, heartfelt performances, and you'll be a believer! Jackie possessed a monument of a voice that could completely shatter all of your senses, as is evident on classics like "Shine On Me", "I Believe I'll Go Back Home", and "I'm Tired"! Ruth Davis, the group founder,is arguably one of the best soloists in gospel music history! Her ferocious contralto wail is soaked in divinity, just listen to her and Jackie's call and response on songs like "Bye and Bye", "(Jesus) He's My Precious King", and her emotioanal testimony at the end of "Jesus Gave Me Water" providing one of the disc's obvious highlights! Their harmonies are airtight and angelic, far more artistic than many of their contemporaries and you will be more than uplifted at the end of listening to the Davis Sisters' praises! <a></a> Click on Bishop G.E. Patterson's photo to hear a word of faith from one of the Greatest preachers to ever deliver Gods word. Be healed, Be delivered, and Be set free! <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4rdlXJlGNDA"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 200px; FLOAT: right; CURSOR: hand" border="0" alt="" src="http://www.bbless.org/Bishop11.jpg" /></a> In Memoriam Bishop Gilbert Earl Patterson 1939 - 2007 Presiding Bishop, Church of God in Christ Pastor, Temple of Deliverance Church of God in Christ <a></a> Click on James Cleveland's photo to hear "Peace Be Still" <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QaxWy1xXgs4"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 200px; FLOAT: right; CURSOR: hand" border="0" alt="" src="http://www.jcchorus.com/images/James2.gif" /></a> Rev. James Cleveland 1932-1991 JAMES CLEVELAND was born in Chicago, Illinois on December 5, 1931 to Rosie Lee and Benjamin Cleveland during the height of the greatest depression. James’ grandmother attended Pilgrim Baptist Church, where she was a member of the choir. James had no choice but to attend these rehearsals with his grandmother and found himself sitting through these choir rehearsals – bored stiff!! Eventually James decided he would conquer the boredom through attempting to sing along with the choir. It was in one of these rehearsal that James’ singing was noticed and he was made choir mascot. The choir director, Thomas A. Dorsey wrote a song for him which launched the career of what was the be a long line of performances. Through Dorsey’s teaching and directing young James was influenced in a great way.<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/6406035242389738288-1418041789724951002?l=bynesgospelmusic.blogspot.com'/></div>Bynes Gospel Musicnoreply@blogger.com0