Smokie Norful - No One Else

Father's Day Songs

Every year around Father's Day, I start thinking about what a great Dad I was blessed to have and about how few songs there are that celebrate the good fathers that are around.

So, last year Gospelflava.com (www.gospelflava.com) and I created a list
of songs about fathers.

Songs about Fathers
Compiled by Dr. Deborah Smith Pollard and GospelFlava.com

Positive and/or Funny Songs about Fathers

“Memories (When Will I See You Again)" - Canton Spirituals
"The Living Years" - London Community Gospel Choir
“Darnell's Tribute” - The Williams Family Singers
“Just Like You” - Anthony Evans
“Thanks For Staying” - Da'Dra Crawford-Greathouse (from Bishop Jakes’ CD
He-Motions)
"I'm A Daddy” - Derrick Hall & Co.
"Tribute To Dad” - Luther Barnes
"Daddy Come Home” - Jackson Southernaires
"Grandpa's Hands” - Gene Harris
"Father I'm Coming Home” - Canton Spirituals
"Let Me Be The Man My Daddy Was” - Chi-lites (non gospel)
"Dance With My Father” - Luther Vandross (non gospel)
"Color Him Father” - The Winstons (non gospel)
“There Is a King in You” Donald Lawrence and Company
"Daddy Can't Sing” - Vickie Winans
“This Is Your Grand Diddy”—Mr. Brown (from the play and movie Meet the Browns)


Other Songs about Fathers (Deadbeats, Absentee)

“Interlude”—Fred Hammond (on Kirk Franklin’s CD Hero)
“Still My Father” - Bryan Wilson

Did we miss any good ones? Let us know! Leave the name of the song under comments, please!

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?