I can count on one hand the number of video tributes I’ve written at GospelPundit.com after an artist has passed.  In fact, only Bishop Walter Hawkins and Rev. Timothy Wright come to mind.

But when I heard that gospel pioneer Delois Barrett Campbell, of the Barrett Sisters, passed to Heaven at the age of 85 yesterday, I knew that I would need to do some kind of special feature.

Having grown up in Chicago, I’d always known of the Barrett Sisters and was familiar with their music. I enjoyed Rodessa Barrett Porter’s energy, was put at ease by Billie Barrett Greenbey’s smile and smooth tone and, of course, was blown away by the sheer power of Delois Barrett Campbell’s voice and presence.

Over the years, I came to appreciate Delois’ kind and genuine demeanor off-stage as well.  I can recall seeing in Chicago several times.  On one occasion, when I was a teenager, I saw her backstage at a gospel event after she had performed. She was heading home, clearly exhausted. As fans passed her in the hallway and waved, however, her eyes lit up and and her smile beamed, as if to say “I’ve still got enough energy for YOU.”

I’ve always been proud of Delois Barrett Campbell, which is funny considering that I’m much younger and wasn’t even alive for much of her battle to be all that she became in gospel music. But I’ve admired her presence, her tenacity, her ministry.

My favorite glimpse into her life came through a scene in the incredible documentary, Say Amen Somebody (if you enjoy gospel music, you MUST see this film… own it, even!). Delois is in the kitchen, preparing breakfast for her husband, who is the pastor of their local church. While talking about her upcoming European tour, he makes a comment that would had to have stung a bit, urging her to come off the road with her sisters and handle music for their local assembly. Full of grace and humility, but certain of her calling, she reminds him that traveling the world to minister the gospel through music has always been her dream– and that it’s happening.  It’s a compelling moment!

She will be missed on Earth, but I’ll be glad to see her in Heaven. Let’s pray for her family during this time, as we thank God for her.

Below are some of my favorite performances by Delois Barrett Campbell with the Barrett Sisters.

Check them out and enjoy the incredible gift that God gave us in the incomparable Delois Barrett Campbell…

Barrett Sisters – “No Ways Tired” from Say Amen Somebody documentary

Barrett Sisters – “He Brought Us” from Say Amen Somebody documentary

Barrett Sisters – “I’ll Fly Away” from Going Home To Gospel w/ Patti LaBelle on PBS

God bless!

Today’s the last day of September, which means it’s the last day of Gospel Music Heritage Month.  I wanted to make sure I talked about one of my FAVORITE pioneering gospel groups ever– The Barrett Sisters.

Growing up in Chicago, I didn’t know of anyone who hadn’t heard of ‘em, but I’ve come to learn that folks across the nation don’t necessarily know about Delois, Billie and Rodessa.  So, this will be a refresher for some and an introduction for others… gather ’round, folks.

The Barrett Sisters are a trio of… sisters… who are natives of Chicago.  Growing up in the 1930′s, the sisters saw the passing of four of their siblings to tuberculosis, but their lives were spared from the illness.

While in high school, Delois (the eldest sister) began singing with the famed Roberta Martin Singers.  She traveled the world with the group for 18 years before returning home to Chicago and linking up with her younger sisters– Billie and Rodessa– to sing.  They formed The Barrett Sisters in 1962 and recorded their first album a year later for Savoy Records.  Today, they are known for their soaring voices and tight harmonies, which have helped to pioneer the sound of female gospel groups.

The Barrett Sisters have been featured on several television programs– including mainstream shows such as The Tonight Show with Johnny Carson and The Oprah Winfrey Show.  They were also featured in the great gospel documentary, Say Amen, Somebody.  The group was awarded the Bobby Jones Legend award at the 23rd Annual Stellar Awards.

Though the sisters, now in their late 70′s and early 80′s, do not perform much anymore, they’re still active in their local church bodies.  Delois has been in a wheelchair for some time now, battling arthritis and other health issues.  Pray for all three of ‘em, okay?

I’m embedding TWO videos of them.  The first is a performance from the Say Amen, Somebody documentary (one of my faves), featuring the Barrett Sisters singing “No Ways Tired.”

The next is a video I’ve embedded on this site before.  It’s from a PBS special hosted by Patti LaBelle called Going Home To Gospel (which I STILL have on VHS!).  They’re singing “I’m Going To Fly Away”:

Whatd’ya think about THAT?!

I don’t know how many people outside of Chicago were aware of the PBS special Going Home To Gospel, hosted by Patti LaBelle, back in 1991 or so.  It was taped at Chicago’s historic Quinn Chapel and remains one of my favorite television concert specials EVER.

It featured music from Patti LaBelle, Albertina Walker, Ricky Dillard & New G, The Barrett Sisters, DeLeon (back when she was a teenager), Edwin Hawkins, The Mighty Clouds of Joy, Calvin Bridges (where’s HE these days?), and many more.

One of my absolute favorite performances from the show was Patti LaBelle’s rendition of “He Cares” by Milton Brunson & The Thompson Community Singers.  PLEASE watch it here:

CRAAAAAAAAAAAAZY, right?!

In honor of Black History Month, Gospel Music Channel has a truckload of programming lined up for the month of February.  I wanna highlight:

Say Amen Somebody – February 8th

I’m sure I’ve mentioned this incredible documentary before.  It’s one of the greatest.  Good music, good stories… don’t miss it.

I used to own it on VHS before my VCR ate the tape.  But then, God blessed me with the DVD! It features Thomas A. Dorsey, Willie Mae Ford Smith, the Barrett Sisters…  Learn this gospel music HISTORY.

BMI Trailblazers Awards – February 22nd at 8pm ET

It went down a couple of weeks ago at the Stellar Awards weekend, honoring Twinkie Clark, Donald Lawrence and CeCe Winans, featuring performances from Karen Clark Sheard, Kim Burrell, Lalah Hathaway… a BUNCH of other folks…  remember?  I KEEP talking to industry people who are saying it featured some of the best performances they have EVER seen.  You don’t wanna miss it.  They’re also gonna show the shows from 2007 (on February 1st) and 2008 (on February 8th), so set your DVRs now.

They’re also gonna re-air a bunch of Front Row Live performances and more episodes of Bobby Jones Next Generation.

Just go to their website, http://www.gospelmusicchannel.com/blackhistorymonth, for details!

You’ll NEVER find a group like the Barrett Sisters.  Being from Chicago, I’ve always known of ‘em.  Come to find out, other folks didn’t.  What in the…

So, if you wanna know about them, I suggest that you buy the gospel music documentary, Say Amen Somebody.  Phenomenal, must-see film if you love gospel music.  Maybe I’ll blog about it…

In the meantime, enjoy these Goodies of the Barrett Sisters KILLING “I’m Going To Fly Away,” on an ooooooooooold PBS special called Going Home to Gospel, hosted by Patti LaBelle and recorded in Chicago some 20 years ago (I’ve still got it on VHS, but it’s rather dusty!  Trivia tidbit: it also featured Ricky Dillard & New G, DeLeon, Edwin Hawkins, Albertina Walker, Calvin Bridges, The Mighty Clouds of Joy and others).