Who watched the first episode of the new season of Bobby Jones Gospel on BET yesterday? I thought it was pretty good and I’m optimistic for the other shows.
Dionne Warwick and Deitrick Haddon served as co-hosts for the show and both did a good job.
The show opened with Smokie Norful performing “No One Else,” which is one of my faves on his latest album. Dunno why Dr. Jones tried to play him about having a 23-year-old child in the interview, but Smokie recovered nicely. LOL
Vickie Winans was next, performing “Safe In His Arms” from one of her Live In Detroit projects. The song was great when the Tommies did it and I’ve always thought that she did a great remake, too.
Up next was JESSICA REEDY and… she’s just great. She performed a cool arrangement of “Available To You.” Her tone is still as sweet and mellow as we first heard it a year ago– I neeeeeed an album!
Smokie and Vickie each performed another tune before the end of the show, with Vickie’s nephew, Tim Bowman Jr., joining her to scat a lil’ bit. I appreciate him because he’s really scatting, not just bip-bip-boopin’ like so many gospel artists tend to do when they’re trying to be “jazzy.” LOL
Word has it that, after much waiting, we’re finally gonna get to see new episodes of Bobby Jones Gospel on BET, beginning THIS SUNDAY at 9am ET.
I hear that the first episode will feature performances from Vickie Winans with her nephew, Tim Bowman Jr., Sunday Best’sJessica Reedy and Smokie Norful.
I’m soooooooo tunin’ in. Most excited to see Jessica Reedy, but I’m also anxious to see what Vickie does… she’s a dynamic performer. Smokie will be icing on the cake.
I love great music. Even more, I love a great live performance. You’ve GOT TO be able to sing to pull it off and, if you can’t, it shows.
This year, a lot of great live performances were captured and broadcast across the nation. Then, folks uploaded ‘em to YouTube.
Here are my 5 FAVORITE televised performances of 2009, in order:
5. Donnie McClurkin & Karen Clark Sheard – “Wait On The Lord” at the 2009 Stellar Awards The first single from Donnie McClurkin’s anticipated project did not disappoint. Aside from being a soaring ballad with an encouraging message, it featured one of the greatest voices the gospel industry has ever heard– that of Karen Clark Sheard. The duo gave one of the most thrilling performances of this year’s Stellar Awards telecast, with Karen soaring into the rafters in a way that any music lover could appreciate (and die-hard KCS fans were simply drooling over).
4. Kirk Franklin, Myrna Summers, Milton Biggham – Tribute To Rev. Timothy Wright at the 2009 Stellar Awards
At the time, the late Rev. Timothy Wright’s health was on a roller coaster– good days followed by bad ones. Kirk Franklin produced a moving segment, blending some of his hits with classic songs from the incomparable “Godfather Of Gospel Music.” With featured appearances by Myrna Summers and Rev. Milton Biggham, Kirk’s set was an incredible tribute to an incredible man.
3. Fantasia & Diane Barrino - “He’s Done Enough” onBobby Jones Gospel
Everyone knows that Fantasia was ACTUALLY s’posed to have signed a gospel contract win she won American Idol. But 2009 finally brought a bunch of gospel performance opps for her and gospel consumers cannot get enough of her. In every case, her signature singin’ and squallin’ brought audiences to their feet and prompted one recurring question from gospel consumers – “when is FANTASIA gonna do a gospel album?!”
It kinda all began in the beginning of the year, when she was featured on BET’s Bobby Jones Gospel, with her mother, Diane Barrino. She ministered like a seasoned pro and gave a performance like only she can. Even more, she took the topic of her salvation off the table (though, it shouldn’t have been there to begin with) and demonstrated a real relationship with Jesus Christ.
2. Jessica Reedy – “Brighter Day” on BET’s Sunday Best
In my opinion, it was the most incredible performance of the entire season of BET’sSunday Best. Jessica stepped from possible underdog to frontrunner with one sweet, flawless, jazzy arrangement of Kirk Franklin’s “Brighter Day.” Channeling the style and finesse of Anita Baker, Jessica utterly floored the judges, Kirk Franklin and the viewing nation.
Though she’s not signed to a record deal yet, she promised ME she’d do her best to re-record THIS cut for her debut album.
1. Kim Burrell – “Bless Me (Prayer Of Jabez)” at the 2009 BMI Trailblazers Of Gospel Awards
Each year, one of the greatest events during Stellar Awards weekend is the BMI Trailblazers of Gospel Awards, at which gospel greats are honored with an award and tribute performances that are second to none. The most gifted vocalists and musicians in the industry participate and, often, attendees can only describe how good the show was by shaking their head in disbelief.
Enter Gospel Music Channel, which secured the rights to nationally broadcast the event for the first time. And what a year to do so– Kim Burrell performed “Bless Me (Prayer Of Jabez)” in tribute to honoree Donald Lawrence. The rest can only be stated by watching the video. LOL
Of course, I couldn’t pinpoint all of the great performances… there were too many. From Celebration Of Gospel, to the Stellar Awards, BMI Trailblazers Of Gospel Awards and Sunday Best, we saw some dynamic performances from some of the world’s most gifted musicians.
Dr. Bobby Jones recently donated his recordings, along with the rights to ALL of his performances and television appearances, to his alma mater, Tennessee State University (TSU), as a token of appreciation for the influence that the school had on his life.
The estimated worth of these rights is $6 million and includes his rights in the BET program, Bobby Jones Gospel, which is often dubbed the longest-running cable television program in history. The donation, which has been professionally appraised, is the largest in-kind that the school has ever received.
I’m actually quite speechless by it… that’s incredible. Kudos to Dr. Jones. BIG TIME.
Okay, music ministers of the gospel… who’s gonna step to THAT plate?
Folks, set your DVRs and VCRs now… the new season of BET’s hit program, Bobby Jones Gospel, premieres THIS SUNDAY, October 4th at 9am ET.
I hear that the first guests will be BeBe & CeCe Winans, Clarence Fountain, Sam Butler & The Boys (you HAVE TO click here to be reminded who they are… and make sure you read the comments, too… heehehehe) and new artist Ministree.
For real? It was close, but I didn’t really think it was gonna be…
Which TV network shows your favorite gospel programming?
BET – 50 votes (30%)
Gospel Music Channel – 48 votes (29%)
The Word Network – 45 votes (27%)
TBN – 17 votes (10%)
Other – 6 votes (4%)
I’m assuming that the votes for BET were cast on the strength of Bobby Jones Gospel and Sunday Best because you all have been rather vocal about your disinterest in some of their other shows.
I voted for Gospel Music Channel because I like the abundance of original programming that they feature (or used to, at least). What are your thoughts???
For those of you who voted “Other,” which networks do you have in mind???
Thanks, as always, for voting. Make sure you head over to the sidebar to vote in the newest poll, which asks…
Remember how I strongly urged you guys to subscribe to JJ Hairston & Youthful Praise’s YouTube channel, YP TV?
Well, here’s yet ANOTHER reason why you should… JJ persuaded Sunday Best favorite Jessica Reedy to sing a lil’ bit while they were backstage getting ready to tape Bobby Jones Gospel a few weeks ago. It’s a quick snippet, but it’s MORE than worth the listen!
AND, GospelFlava.com is offering a FREE DOWNLOAD of Youthful Praise’s single, “Resting On His Promise,” from their upcoming album of the same name, due in stores NEXT TUESDAY, September 1st! Click here.
Lots going on In The Twitterhood, as usual. A quick recap…
Antonio Neal (@antonioneal) has a new studio for those who want to record without a lot of cash. Email him at ansharforeverstudios@gmail.com for more info.
BeBe & CeCe Winans (@bebeandcece) taped an episode of Bobby Jones Gospel and are putting the finishing touches on their album this week!
Deitrick Haddon (@deitrickhaddon) wrote a movie that he’ll be filming in 2 weeks. He’s apparently in the studio now for the soundtrack.
Kim Burrell (@kimburrelllove) says to check her out on WLIB 1190 in New York from 10am to 2pm Monday through Friday. You can listen online at http://wlib.com/pages/3889969.php.
Mary Mary (@therealmarymary) is on tour with R&B singer Maxwell.
And last but not least, Donald Lawrence (@DonaldLawrence) gave public props to GospelPundit.com, saying ”I sooo appreciate the way u run your site. Professional and integral but still news! Kingdom-style!!!” WOW. Me so happy.
Word has it that BET will begin airing the new episodes of Bobby Jones Gospel, which were taped over the course of the past two weekends, on October 4, 2009. Check your local listings for airtimes.
If you recall from my earlier post, BET tapped a lil’ of everybody to tape episodes. In particular, I remember hearing great things about the performances from Fred Hammond, J Moss, Karen Clark-Sheard, Shirley Caesar, JJ Hairston & Youthful Praise, Jessica Reedy and several others.
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Dr. Bobby Jones recently donated his recordings, along with the rights to ALL of his performances and television appearances, to his alma mater, Tennessee State University (TSU), as a token of appreciation for the influence that the school had on his life.
Me so happy.
