NPR Says: "Twinkie Clark Sings the Way Coltrane Played!"

Twinkie Clark was the subject of a profile on National Public Radio on "Morning Edition," which is terrific for her and for gospel music.

Listen and/or read the transcript here: 

http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=129181797&sc=emaf

Move Over Betty White: Make Room for Gospel's Sizzling Shirley Caesar!

With all of the applause for 88 year-old Betty White and her recent success nailing her roles in a Snickers commercial and on “Saturday Night Live,” I’ve been thinking about which senior in gospel music is keeping it fresh.; At the top of the list is Pastor Shirley Caesar. No, she’s not in her 80’s, but allegedly born in 1938, she has to be our leading example of how to maintain a major presence in gospel music for more than a minute.

In fact, the woman who began her gospel music career as Little Shirley once told me, “This is not just a ministry; it’s a career.” So while you never have to worry about her singing lyrics that are anything other than straight up gospel, this legend who has one of the most distinctive voices in traditional gospel music (“No Charge,” “Hold My Mule,” “Jesus”) can absolutely hold her own on
a contemporary lyric as well.

Her duet partners have included Kirk Franklin (“Caught Up”); Tonex (“I Know the Truth”), and J. Moss who joins her on the song “Nobody,” found on her latest CD “City Called Heaven.” Word has it that she will be featured on the newest CD from Aretha Franklin.

She’s still sparkles on television shows, such as “The Mo’Nique Show" and “Celebration of Gospel,” has lent her voice to movie scores (“The Fighting Temptations”) and just does gospel music proud whenever she appears.

Pastor Caesar also keeps it moving by adopting contemporary hairstyles so that she never looks dated and by wearing tastefully-selected classic yet stylish clothes..

Currently, she has her own record label, Shubel, is running an on-line talent contest (“I Got Nexx!”)and, of course, can be found on Facebook, the social networking site through which 500,000 voted to have Betty White host “Saturday Night Live.”

Yes, Betty White is funny and fierce. But Pastor Shirley has my vote for gospel music’s sizzling hot icon!

TED WINN The Lifter Music Video

How did a Black kid who was abandoned by both parents, raised by a 64-year-old great aunt from the time he was 4 become a minister of the gospel and contemporary gospel's best-selling artist?And how did he become a strong husband and doting father without those early examples in his life?

Kirk Franklin says it has to do with finally understanding and following "The Blueprint," God's timeless guide for how believers should live out their faith. Without being preachy or talking in "churchese," as he calls it, Franklin delivers a book that is insightful, thoughtful and even funny, one that covers topics such as how to negotiate the single life, sexuality and men, sexuality and women, and how marriage can become stronger over time.

As for the humorous side, the description of the homemade "Jheri curl" his great aunt gave him is just one of the lighter moments sprinkled throughout the book that give it a nice, balanced touch.

Far more than an autobiography and more captivating that most "easy step plans," Franklin's "The Blueprint" incorporates personal anecdotes as well as observations on contemporary life and Christianity.

For example, in describing what the "non-sexies" are, he tells us that while Donnie McClurkin and Yolanda Adams, were off filming a cameo for the movie "The Gospel," he was at home doing Daddy duty.  Initial thoughts about not being included in the movie led to the final realization that he was exactly where he needed to be, taking care of his children.

We don't get awards for "the non-sexies," Franklin writes. That is, generally, no one is handing out awards for those who spend time with family or who take communion to the sick and shut-in, but it is that work that shows what we value and who we are when the cameras are not on us.

And those are the kinds of insights that make Franklin's "The Blueprint" a book worth checking out, one that just could encourage readers to stick more closely to God's "Blueprint" in their own lives.

Neechy Talks about Bootleg CD's in Gospel. What Do You Think?

Deborah Smith Pollard Receives Susan B. Anthony Award at U of M-Dearborn

Pollard receives Susan B. Anthony Award for contributions to gender equality

By Jennifer Thelen
UM-Dearborn

Deborah Smith Pollard, associate professor of English literature, has received the 32nd annual Susan B. Anthony Award from UM-Dearborn.
Presented by the campus’ Commission for Women, the award recognizes a member of the UM-Dearborn community who has made significant contributions to gender equality.

Pollard

Pollard received the award during a dinner ceremony on April 15 at Fairlane Center South. Patricia Ireland, an attorney, social activist, author and former president of the National Organization for Women, was the evening’s keynote speaker.
Pollard has been a role model of the Susan B. Anthony motto, “Failure is impossible,” according to those who nominated her for the award.
Her many academic, professional, scholarly and personal achievements include being a former director of UM-Dearborn’s African and African-American Studies Program, co-sponsoring campus events and teaching the course “Black Women in Literature, Film and Music” for the Women’s and Gender Studies program at UM-Dearborn.
The Library of Michigan In 2008 named her book, “When the Church is your Party,” one of 20 Michigan Notable Books. Pollard’s book is a collection of essays on topics in gospel music, both in Detroit and on the national level, including praise and worship, women gospel music announcers and “holy hip hop.”
In addition to her academic role at UM-Dearborn, Pollard is well known for her gospel music program on Detroit radio powerhouse WJLB-FM. In 2005 she was named Gospel Announcer of the Year in the annual Stellar Awards.  
Last month, Pollard received UM-Dearborn’s Distinguished Service Award at the campus’s annual Honor Scholars and Faculty Awards ceremony.

Muscle Tee Shirts, Tight Jeans and Cleavage: Has Gospel Really Gone Wild?

In a recent commentary in Jet magazine, free lance columnist Katti Gray wrote that there are so many gospel artists showing skin and wearing body-conscious clothing, it's as if gospel has "gone wild." I have been looking at this change of wardrobe, if you will, for more than a decade and have found individuals have very strong opinions on both sides.

In my book chapter entitled "Muscle Tee Shirts, Tight Jeans and Cleavage," Tracey Artis of "I Hear Music in the Air" music promotions and the annual conference of the same name had this to say when I interviewed her:

"There is a general trend to be “free style” rather than dressed for church. But if a Yolanda Adams is singing a ballad, I prefer to see her in a gown. When you begin to talk about the church, there is a standard wardrobe that is not offensive. I don’t want to see [female] artists in pantsuits. If you are before God’s people in church, remember I’m from the church; that’s my experience, so come before me with a dress or skirt on."

But with so many on stage, in the choir, and in the audience wearing less conservative clothing--pantsuits, jeans, thigh high skirts, belly shirts, and push up bras--there are clearly those who think differently from Ms. Artis.

Here is what Tina Campbell of Mary Mary said during an interview with National Public Radio (April 2009) about how some people see her and her sister Erica:

“Sometimes, people think we’re a little bit sexy. I don’t have a problem with that,” she says. “I would like to think that I’m sexy. I have a husband who I would like to think that every time he sees me. Truth be known, I’m a woman. I would love to be appealing to men. It is not my endeavor [to] entice, to cause anyone to lust.”

Believe it or not, this whole discussion of who is and what is sexy is not new to gospel. Mother Willie Mae Ford Smith, Sam Cooke, and even Mahalia Jackson had fans who found them appealing. And to paraphrase Steve Harvey, "If Christians aren't sexy, where are all of these little Christians coming from?"

So, how much is enough and how much is too little when it comes to attire? And can the gospel and sexy attire really go hand in hand? My Sunday morning radio neighbor, Pastor Marvin L. Winans, says no: "You can't sell sex and Jesus."

If gospel artists dress too conservatively, will their young audience members tune them out? If some see their clothing as too sexy, will they lose their core church following?

Or should we make this easy and tell all of the singers put on a church robe and call it a day? LOL!

What do YOU think?