I liked it more than the Detroit one, but probably less than the Chicago one.  And that may all have to do with where I was born and where I currently live…  but I enjoyed it.

The New York program, hosted by Keith “Wonderboy” Johnson, included Pastor Donnie McClurkin, Rev. Timothy Wright, Pastor Hezekiah Walker, Natalie Wilson, JJ Hairston and the folks at Christian Cultural Center, Times Square Church, and The Brooklyn Tabernacle.

The artists shared stories about their humble beginnings– how Timothy Wright gathered dozens of singers for the New York Fellowship Mass Choir, how Hezekiah Walker formed his first choir, how Carol Cymbala started with only a handful of choir members before arriving at the 300+ voices currently in the Brooklyn Tabernacle Choir.  It was good.

I think I would’ve enjoyed seeing James Hall on the program.  And a little featurette or something on the Village Underground (or however else we could work Melonie Daniels into the mix).  But, all in all, I really liked it.

I dunno when it’ll be on again, but knowing the Gospel Music Channel, it’ll be very soon.  Cuz I’ll be darned if they don’t play that AARP concert every couple of days…

It was fine.

It definitely had everyone you’d want to see on a program about gospel music in Detroit– the Clark Sisters, Kierra Sheard, J Moss, PAJAM, 21:03, Vanessa Bell Armstrong, Fred Hammond, Mom & Pop Winans, and several others.  And many of them gave very gracious and informative interviews about their music ministry and the influence of the Detroit music scene– gospel and secular– on their craft.

But some of them… it just seemed like some folks wanted to take the opportunity to demand the respect that they feel they’re due.  Mind you, I’ve watched several other Hometown Gospel programs (Chicago, New Orleans, Atlanta) and no other city has exhibited so much self-promotion.  Sure, the artists in other cities said stuff like “Chicago has such a rich gospel music heritage, especially because of people like Thomas A. Dorsey, Mahalia Jackson, Albertina Walker and others.”  The Detroit theme was more like “so now, all of you at home can finally see that DETROIT is where it’s AT!”  It was a bit off-putting.

All in all, though, it was a must-see for any gospel music lover.  There is some really excellent (and OLD) video footage of Fred Hammond with Commissioned, and some clips of Vanessa Bell Armstrong.  Check out the Gospel Music Channel for info on future airdates and times.  And make sure you catch the other cities, too.

One final point, for everyone in the gospel music industry and beyond:  the last name of the legendary family is Winans, with an ‘s‘ already on it.  That means that ANY PLURALIZATION OF THAT NAME (i.e., referring to more than one member of the family) cannot be ‘Winans’… cuz that’s the name already.

No, it must be WINANSES.  Feels weird to say it, I know… but it really is the only way.  Ok?

Winanses.

I’m going home to watch Hometown Gospel in Detroit on The Gospel Music Channel.

It came on last night and we DVR’ed it, cuz we didn’t want to miss Desperate Housewives (you see where our priorities are!).  But, tonight’s the night.

I’ll let you know how it was.