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!

Last night, gospel sister duo Mary Mary won the BET Award for Best Gospel Artist.  Congrats, ladies!

They were presented the award immediately following their participation (along with Donnie McClurkin and Deitrick Haddon) in a gospel tribute performance to the late Bishop Walter Hawkins and Malaco Records, whose headquarters were recently damaged in the southeastern tornado disaster.  They sang “Thank You” and received a standing ovation from the crowd.

Other performances by gospel artists last night included Shirley Caesar’s performance of “You Are My Friend” in tribute to Patti LaBelle and Mali Music’s spotlight performance on the Music Matters stage.

Kudos to BET for giving gospel so many looks last night– that’s not something that happens every year.  Thank ya kindly!

Few people can nail a live performance like Yolanda Adams can.  She stands tall and regal, all glammed up, with a voice that just won’t quit.  If I were a betting man, my money would typically be on Yolanda when it comes to near-flawless live performances.

This particular performance is from a tribute to Patti LaBelle.  In fact, I remember posting something about it when it happened and, because she also did a duet with Brian McKnight, folks glossed over how dope this performance was, opting instead to go at each other about whether she should’ve or shouldn’t have, whether it’s right or wrong, whether Yolanda’s a sinner or a saint.

I don’t wanna go that route this time– let’s just focus on the performance, cuz it’s great and worth a watch.

Whatd’ya think???

This performance is from one of my favorite old school televised gospel shows, Going Home To Gospel, which was hosted by Patti LaBelle and aired on PBS.  I think I’ve posted some Goodies from there before.

Anyway, this song… I just love it.  From the classic style of the song to the just-right solo from Calvin Bridges… (and yes, that’s Ricky Dillard directing the choirs).  LOVE IT!

Whatcha thinkin’???

You know how, from time to time, you’ll be on YouTube, just searching through stuff, and you find a rare gem that you either never knew of, or completely forgot about?  Then, you get so excited that you run to your gospel music blog to post it for the masses to enjoy???

That’s what I just did.

Here’s the incomparable Patti LaBelle and Daryl Coley singing Michael Jackson’s “Will You Be There” BACK IN THE DAY.  And peep MJ in the audience… I miss him (and I’m SO mad at Dr. Conrad Murray right now!!!).

Enjoy:

Speak your mind, people!

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?!

Ok, folks… after the Central Park Summer Stage concert (click here to read my recap from yesterday), we grabbed some grub and rushed to the Prudential Center in Newark, NJ for the annual McDonald’s GospelFest.

The GospelFest used to be in NYC, at the Theater at Madison Square Garden, but they moved it to Jersey a coupla years ago and I hadn’t been since then… going all outta state and what not.

But, I was thrilled to be in attendance this year!  Performers included J Moss, CeCe Winans, Regina Belle, Cissy Houston, Vickie Winans, Hezekiah Walker, Donnie McClurkin and Patti LaBelle.  WOWWWWWWWWW.

J Moss tore that stage APART.  He’s not playing, folks!  CeCe Winans was also incredible and she brought her brother, BeBe, out to sing their new single, “Close To You.”  I’m growing increasingly excited for the reunion album and tour!

Regina Belle ministered like you wouldn’t believe!  Remember how I posted something months ago about her being sidelined due to a sudden illness?  Well, she testified about that trial– what should’ve been one 2-hour surgery ended up being an 8-hour surgery, followed by FIVE more surgeries.  She was told she would be deaf in one ear, but she’s healed and in business!  She sounded great.

Hezekiah Walker & LFC also gave a rousing performance (as always), with Donnie McClurkin joining the tenor section, just for kicks.  Up next was Donnie’s set, full of energy, classic songs, GREAT singing and some of my favorite background singers on Earth.  I was backstage by the time Vickie Winans went up, but I could HEAR her loud and clear– she never disappoints on the vocals.

Behind the scenes, even more folks were milling around– Melinda Watts, Jason Nelson, Jerard Woods, Andrea Mellini…

At a certain point, the security backstage got SOOO tight, you’d have though President Obama was coming through. You know how sometimes folks take their jobs a bit too seriously?  Yeah… shout-out to the security team for being super duper EXTRA with your little walkie-talkies.

Turns out it wasn’t the Prez… it was Patti LaBelle.  Close enough, if you ask me! She closed out the show in grand fashion, looking and sounding SPECTACULAR at age 65.

All in all, a GREAT time.  Met some new folks and re-connected with old ones… I’m grateful.  You can check out some GREAT performance pictures at the website of The Star Ledger, a local NJ paper.  My own backstage pics follow:

And, of course, I didn’t forget to get a quick word on video from Melinda Watts:

Whatd’ya think???

Hey friends.

It’s Friday and not a moment to soon!  I’m excited for this weekend cuz some of the biggest names in gospel are descending upon NYC.  Every summer, there’s a big gospel concert in Central Park.  This year, it is expected to feature Smokie Norful, Tye Tribbett & GA and Ruben Studdard.  Think I’m goin’ to that.

THEN, right across the water in Jersey, the annual McDonald’s GospelFest is taking place with Donnie McClurkin, Patti LaBelle, CeCe Winans, J Moss, Vickie Winans, Hezekiah Walker and MORE! Think I’m goin’ to that, too.

Recaps on Monday, for sure… prolly some up-to-the-minute Twitter messages, too, so you’ll wanna follow me.  And, stay tuned, cuz I think a special friend of the site is gonna be in NYC– maybe we can get something exclusive for the GospelPundit readers…

AAAAND, that’s about it.

OH, as promised– another exclusive single premieres NEXT Friday, the 19th… you’ll LOVE it.  I’ve been worshipping to it like crazy since I got it.  Clues comin’ next week.

Y’all good?  Love and appreciate ya.  ‘Til next week…

So yeeeaaahhhh… Here’s the thing: I watched episodes of Clash Of The Choirs when it first aired on NBC over a year ago, cuz… well, Patti LaBelle was on it.  And all things “Patti” generally get watched.  It was something entertaining that required minimal commitment from me, which is always great.

I remember watching it on NBC and thinking “oh, right… this is what the world wants from a ‘choir’… something out of the movie Sister Act, where a group of people sing popular secular songs in harmony, and with cute choreography.”

So, when I heard that Gospel Music Channel was going to begin re-airing the series last week, I was surprised that they’d be co-signing on that. Now, to be fair, a lot of the songs are INSPIRING, but so is Extreme Makeover: Home Edition… ya got that in the line-up???

My point:  FINE that GMC wants to air it, cuz I’m sure someone will be encouraged and inspired, which I’m not against.  And no, they didn’t have to be singing Timothy Wright’s “Jesus, Jesus, Jesus” for me to think it’s legit.  But please don’t take it as a “given” that, since it’s a CHOIR competition, it must be a good fit for Gospel Music Channel programming.

If you wanted to feature a choir competition, you SHOULD’VE gotten the rights to that How Sweet The Sound documentary that just aired on BET last weekend.  Cuz THAT was good.

Anyway, if you haven’t seen the show, watch this clip and lemme know your first reactions.

Folks, a new artist I want you to check out: James Murphy.

Not only is James the lead vocalist for Jeff Majors right now, his musical resume includes work with a who’s-who list of the top artists in the industry, including Donald Lawrence, Patti LaBelle, J Moss, Kelly Price, on and on and on.  If he’s not on stage, you might catch him hosting a radio show.  Geeeeeez!

I’ve been rockin’ to his single, “Follow Thee,” for MONTHS now and I just added it to the PunditPlayer.  It’s produced by Fontez Camp Productions (think Jessica Greene) and it’s one of those feel-good summertime songs to me.  His full album, So Crazy, No Boundaries, will be released later this year.

You can check him out on MySpace at http://www.myspace.com/jamesmurphymusic4u.  Also, do yourself a favor and follow him on Twitter at http://www.twitter.com/jamesmurphy.  He is one of the most HILARIOUSLY RANDOM people you’ll find.  He has tons to say and the overwhelming majority of it will make you cry from laughing.

In the meantime, listen to his single ”Follow Thee” on the PunditPlayer (click the launch button at the top-right of the page) and lemme know what you think!