For more than eighty years, gospel music has been celebrated in Chicago. Thomas A. Dorsey, a legend to gospel music, published one of the first songs and has given gospel music its identity that it has today. Gospel music has played a major role in the Black community in Chicago and many other cities around the world. This music has proven to provide a release from the societal and financial stresses of daily living.
The 25th Annual Gospel Music Festival was a two day event which included local talents and legendary performers like Donnie McClurkin and Kirk Franklin. As the performers showcased their talents on stage, the crowds grew by the thousands anticipating the five time Grammy award-winner Kirk Franklin and American Idol winner Fantasia Barrino.
One of the local choirs from Chicago, The Voices of Acme Missionary Church Choir, was recently named the best church choir in the United States in the Verizon Wireless ‘ How Sweet the Sound Tour Competition’. Although the choir comes from a small congregation, they are known for their strong voices and heartfelt melodies. The song that won the competition was ‘It’s So Sweet to Trust in Jesus.’ Ray Bady, one of the hosts of the festival asked all the performers the same question: What does gospel music mean to you? Janet Sutton, Voices of Acme’s music director replied “We can spread the gospel through song.”
Another local performer known to Chicagoans was Fred Nelson, he presented “An Evening of Gospel Elegance” which featured Rodrick Dixon, who is a star in opera, contemporary, oratorio, concert/recital, musical theater and television, The Divine Divas, and the 225-member Gospel Music According to Chicago Mass Choir. Fred Nelson, III was asked the question: What does gospel music mean to you? His response was: The voice of God.
Jonathan Nelson, the award-winning singer/songwriter performed at the Gospel Fest with the group he co-founded, Purpose. Purpose, is well known for their spirited, cutting-edge interpretation of gospel music. The group debut album, Right Now Praise, has dominated the Gospel Billboard Music Charts and has earned three awards at the 2009 Stellar Awards including “Group of the Year.” Nelson replies to the question: What does gospel music mean to you? The Gospel is the good news of Jesus Christ, representative of the hope that we have a place to go after earth.
Two of the many quartet groups of gospel appeared at the festival which included Doc McKenzie and the Hi-Lites and Lee Williams and the Spiritual QC’s. Doc McKenzie and the Hi-Lites have been together since 1965; they have launched over 12 albums, nominated for two Stellar Awards, and have won other awards throughout their career.
Also, Lee Williams and the Spiritual QC’s have been singing together for over 30 years, but were not recognized until the 90’s. They have performed over 200 dates a year and have won “Traditional Quartet of the Year” at the Gospel Music Excellence Awards and have been nominated for “Best Gospel Album: at the Soul Train Music Awards.
Stellar Award winner and Grammy Award and Dove Award Nominee, Donnie McClurkin rocked the stage at the Gospel Festival. He sang many of his hits such as That’s What I Believe, I’ll Trust You Lord, You Are My God and King, and Stand. One of the finalist on BET’s “Sunday’s Best 2009, Maurice Griffin, performed his rendition of “Stand” with Donnie McClurkin. He recently released an album, We All Are One (Live in Detroit).
Dr. Charles G. Hayes and the Cosmopolitan Church of Prayer Choir once small, but now has over 100 members. They have recorded 30 albums over the past 40 years and is still recording and is considered one of the world’s greatest Traditional Gospel Singing Choirs. The crowd engaged the audience with many of their more popular songs such as Redeemed, Running for my life, Jesus can work it out. Dr. Hayes response to the question: What does gospel music mean to you? “It’s all I know, I have been doing this since the second Sunday in August of 1947.”
American Idol winner, Fantasia Barrino wooed her young supporters when she invited about 40 kids to the stage to help her praise the Lord. She sang many traditional songs and shared the stage with her mother, Diane Barrino. She became a major success after her win on American Idol and with her debut album, Free Yourself which included the number one hit, I Believe. She has also been nominated for numerous awards that have included the Grammys, American Music Awards, Soul Train Awards, and many others. In addition to her music career, she has also appeared on Broadway in Oprah Winfrey’s, “The Color Purple”. She will appear in the Broadway musical this September in Chicago. She also plans to record a gospel album.
Kirk Franklin is one of gospel contemporary legends. He was the first gospel artist to sell over a million copies of his first album, Kirk Franklin and the Family. He has won several awards which includes five Grammy awards, an American Music Award, 34 Stellar Awards, 12 Dove Awards, 4 NAACP Awards, two BET Awards and a Soul Train Award. His genre of music ranges from spirited choral, jazz, rock and a little of R&B, but through it all still maintains his humbleness to his audiences. He performed many of his hits and engaged the audience throughout his performance. After he left the stage, the audience continued to chant his lyrics in the rain until there was no one left in the seats.
