The annual celebration of Arkansas' gospel music legacy kicks off at 6 p.m. Sunday with a free performance at New St. Hurricane Missionary Baptist Church in Pine Bluff.
The evening will include various singers and groups, as well as a few songs from the new CD, A Celebration of Gospel Music in Arkansas. The church is at 3319 S. Ohio St.
September was designated as Gospel Music Heritage Month in the United States in 2008 and three years later, the state Legislature voted to also declare it as Arkansas Gospel Music Heritage Month in recognition of the state's affinity for gospel music.
The statewide effort to promote gospel music and encourage faith communities to join in a common love of music is led by Dedric Jones. Each year, several events are planned to celebrate all things gospel.
The first event in Pine Bluff will feature the Pine Hill Missionary Baptist Church Choir, Dedric Jones and Chosen Praise, Steven "Spud" Howard and the Arkansas Gospel Music Heritage Month Southeast Arkansas Mass Choir. Others slated to perform include the New St. Hurricane Missionary Baptist Choir, Old St. James Combined Dance Team, Renewed Generation, Lindsey Collins and the Central District Youth Choir.
A highlight will be the release of the CD, which was recorded during the finale of last year's gospel music month celebration.
Spokesman and gospel music artist Kevin Riley said the 15-track album features Arkansas artists performing a variety of gospel styles, including traditional hymns, praise and worship songs, original tunes and hip-hop.
The album will be available on iTunes, Amazon and other digital outlets beginning Sunday. Among other songs, the CD will feature favorites like "Tis So Sweet to Trust in Jesus" and "I Come to the Garden Alone." The first single to be promoted will be "Where Is Jesus," led by Charles Moore and performed by the Arkansas Gospel Music Heritage Month Choir. Ron Daniel's "Christ Always Wins" is included and Riley also performed a song for the project, "Jesus You Are."
Other events celebrating Arkansas Gospel Music Heritage Month include the free 2014 All-State Quartet Legends Concert at 7 p.m. Sept. 26. It will be at Antioch Full Gospel Baptist Church, 3824 Antioch Blvd., College Station.
"Arkansas is really big on quartet music ... so we'll be honoring some of the legendary quartet groups," Riley said.
Those to be honored are the Gatewood Brothers of Pine Bluff, the Selvy Singers of Earle and the Eternal Light Singers of Marianna with tributes from Sonja Bennett and Power, Golatt Links of Harmony, the Crutcher Family, Voices of Heaven, Lil' Show Boys and more. The evening will conclude with a late night artist showcase.
The grand finale will be at 3 p.m. Sept. 27 at Summit Church, 6600 Crystal Hill Road, North Little Rock, during which five gospel legends will be honored, Riley said. They include former radio announcer the Rev. Ulysses Robinson Jr. and gospel recording artists Brian Cole, Odis H. Richmond Jr. and Anitta Smith, as well as Fran Kelley, president emeritus of the Arkansas Gospel Announcers Guild. Admission is free.
Performers will include St. Mark Baptist Church's Sanctuary Choir, the winners of Verizon's 2013 How Sweet the Sound competition, Bishop Kenneth Robinson and Chosen, the Arkansas Gospel Music Heritage Month South Arkansas Mass Choir, Howard and more.
An afterparty will begin at 7 p.m. at Lindsey's Barbecue, 207 Curtis Sykes Drive, North Little Rock. Admission is $5. The party will feature performances by B.G. Whyte, Genesis, Preacha Man, Tina Daniel, Torry Dulaney and more. Ron Daniel will serve as host.
"People can keep up with the activities on Facebook and on Twitter and Instagram," Riley said. "During the month we are also asking musical groups, church choirs and praise teams to tag themselves and hash-tag their photos, videos and gospel music performances to us."
Riley, a gospel music lover, said he was thrilled when legislation was passed to honor Arkansas' gospel music history.
"What's really great is that music is the common denominator," he said. "We are all drawn to music and by us celebrating and recognizing a month as Gospel Music Heritage Month, it in a sense brings everybody together as one in unity, which is so important regardless of race, creed or denomination. We can all celebrate together."
More information is available at twitter.com/AGMHM, instagram.com/AGMHM and facebook.com/AGMHM.
Religion on 09/06/2014