“I’ve been through so many storms in my life,” Lynette Hawkins Stephens wails in robust contralto tones at August’s Art & Soul Oakland festival. The 40-voice Love Center Choir answers her with “He’s brought me through,” each syllable enunciated with the precision Bishop Walter Hawkins’ hand movements dictate.
“The same thing He did for me,” she continues over the rhythm section’s loping waltz underpinning, the choir adding, “He’ll
do for you.”
“I love to call His name,” she sings reverently as “Special Gift,” a 1988 gospel music hit penned by Walter, moves into a vamp after its third chorus.
“Jesus,” Walter cries out in a high, ringing tenor, his pitch an octave higher than hers.
“He’s my refuge,” she injects.
“Jesus,” he responds, his voice growing progressively stronger as the brother-sister call-and-response continues.
The tempo picks up for “He’ll Bring You Out” from Walter’s 1984 album Love Alive III. As choir member Karen DeVone takes the helm, Walter bounces in place, his arms waving vigorously while directing.
Some of the hundreds of fans who’ve gathered for the afternoon-long gospel
concert get up to “shout” — a highly animated style of dancing marked by rapidly shuffling
feet and flapping arms that the faithful believe is inspired by the Holy Ghost — on a carpet that has been placed for that purpose on the asphalt between the stage and the seats.
“We’ve turned downtown Oakland into a sanctuary,” Walter says at the conclusion of the song. His older brother Edwin, who programmed the performances on the outdoor festival’s gospel stage, looks on with pride from the sidelines. Earlier, the brothers had opened the concert together, backed by a 100-voice choir.” Califoirnia Daily

Forty-one years ago, Walter was a pudgy teenager singing anonymously in Edwin’s Northern California State Youth Choir. The ensemble’s only album, ‘Let Us Go Into the House of the Lord’, was a vanity affair, hastily recorded at Ephesian Church of God in Christ in Berkeley — to help cover the expenses of a trip to a Church of God in Christ youth congress in Washington, D.C. Early the next year, one of the album’s tracks — “Oh Happy Day,” Edwin’s ultra-hip arrangement of an old hymn, fueled by a Latin-tinged soul groove and featuring lead singer Dorothy Morrison repeatedly interjecting “good God” into the lyrics in a manner inspired by James Brown — began getting airplay on KSAN, the hippie era’s hugely popular San Francisco progressive rock FM station.

(Bishop Hawkins speaking at his 60th birthday celebration last year)

The song soon crossed over to AM Top 40 radio, first locally, then nationally. By the end of 1969, “Oh Happy Day,” reissued by Buddah Records in New York and credited to “The Edwin Hawkins Singers,” was a Top 10 pop hit throughout the United States, England and other parts of the world. It would sell some seven million copies, permanently alter the direction of African-American gospel music, and vastly improve the fortunes of Edwin and his siblings Carol, Feddie, Daniel, Walter and Lynette, who had grown up in relative poverty in Campbell Village, a housing project deep in West Oakland.

(Singing one of Walter Hawkins greatest contributions to music, the masterpiece known as “Changed”, stars from every genre ignite a timeless moment of amazement at Oprah’s Legends Ball. Diane Sawyer coined this moment as “one of the most transcendently spiritual moments of her entire life”)

Bishop Walter Hawkins influenced a generation of gospel music lovers and singers alike. Today, the gospel music industry lost one of its most beloved icons, the great Walter Hawkins, who lost his battle with pancreatic cancer today.The news is soaring across social network sites with fans contributing their individual memories of Walter Hawkins by posting their favorite songs in videos as well as posts wishing the family the best.

(Walter and his brother Edwin Hawkins at the ‘08 Christian Music Hall of Fame Induction. At 14, Edwin landed his first paying job as a church pianist, at Mount Pilgrim Church of God in Christ in a former movie theater on San Pablo Avenue near 27th Street. “I used to catch the bus and go there,” he recalls. Walter, who is six years Edwin’s junior, began getting paid as a pianist at 10. He started at East Oakland Church of God in Christ, and then moved to Unity Baptist Church, where the pastor was a barber.“Part of my compensation was I got my hair cut for free on Saturday,” Walter remembers. “And I think probably got about $5.”)

There is no news posted from an official news source (CNN, MSNBC) yet, but calls have been placed to Love Center Church and church members have confirmed that Bishop Hawkins passed this life. We expect to have an official statement soon. Until then, fans should keep the family and church family in their prayers.

♫OCT MUSIC SAMPLER:  TRIP LEE “BETEWNN TWO WORLDS”♫

Gospel rapper Trip Lee recently took the leading spot on the Billboard gospel charts, moving Marvin Sapp out of the number one spot after weeks on top. Trip Lee’s new album “Between Two Worlds” took the #1 spot on the Gospel and Christian Album charts this week! Crossing over has also helped Trip Lee land #10 on the Rap albums chart.

It’s rare that a gospel album see’s such notoriety on the Billboard Rap charts but with the sophistication and intelligence Trip brings to the table it’s not surprising. William Lee Barefield III better known as “Trip Lee” is a Christian rapper who hails from Dallas. Having been a part of 116 Clique, Lee is no stranger when it comes to ministering through gospel music. His debut album “If They Only Knew” was released in 2006. The success of “If They Only Knew” gave Lee a name in gospel music. He soon released his sophomore album, “20/20″ in 2008 which sold on the itunes music store. The hard work put into this album landed Lee a spot on the Billboard Charts.

On June 22^nd TRIP released “Between Two Worlds” which is currently selling big and quenching the thirst of rap lover everywhere. Gospel rap has certainly evolved over the year. With its evolution it has proven to be a wonderful way to deliver the Gospel of Christ to younger generations.

B.L.A.C. Magazine, an arts, culture and lifestyle magazine that highlights the African American Family recently featured one of Gospel’s brightest stars. In a very stunning red and black ensemble Kierra Sheard appeared as the June cover model for the Detroit based magazine. Sheard ,the daughter of gospel singer Karen Clark Sheard member of the well-known Clark Dynasty and granddaughter of legendary gospel choral director Mattie Moss Clark talked life as a legacy and her rich musical heritage in this issue.

(B.L.A.C. Magazine editorial spread featuring Kierra Sheard)

Magazine covers and editorial spreads aren’t just a silver spoon menu item for Sheard. But rather a testament to how her work ethic, sincere heart for serving God, and progressive sound have found its own place in the industry of Gospel. For the past six years Miss Sheard has been giving fans not just good material but thought provoking lyrics that Christians can move to. Her 2004debut album “I Owe You”which gained instant public attention featured great collaborations with her cousin J Moss, Tonex, and Mary Mary who she has often called her big sisters good for “giving great advice”.

(Kierra “KiKi” Sheard ‘Best Of… ’ a CD released Sep 16 of 09’ on TOSHIBA Music Label. It includes 3 new tracks ‘Teach Me’, ‘Sing to the Lord’ and ‘Jesus Is Waiting’ and only available by import from United Kingdom…its cost you ask???UK£ 48.67 = $73.00 U.S. dollars)

While her US success is indeed significant, it’s her jaw dropping international career that commands praise.In 2005 she released a remix album “Just Until” with the initial purpose whetting her fan’s appetites for more music until her next project — hence the name — the project peaked at No. 10 on the Billboard Gospel chart. Even More surprising, the album became a monster hit in Japan were less than 1% of the entire population believes in Christ.Fans in the UK pay top dollar or shall we say Euro for Sheard’s music. This has created the demand for mixtapes and ‘Best Of… ’ compilations typical US Gospel consumers would scorn a artist with only two albums for.

(Here in a very rare video we find Kierra leading ‘Bring You Out’ a couple Sunday’s ago at her home church Greater Emmanuel Institutional Church of God in Christ where she serves as the Choir Director and Youth Leader among other things)

Optimizing her versatility and taking another path to success she recently played a role in “Preacher’s Kid”, which was released on DVD and Blue Ray on May 4^th, working alongside Letoya Luckett and Clifton Powell. It is no wonder whySheard is often distinguished as the next generation of gospel greats. Our eyes and ears are still wide open for more on MaMajik, Kiki’s edgy new clothing line which released promo photos back in. We’re sure all the fashionista are cracking at the seams to get their hands on that.

(The legendary Mighty Clouds of Joy, live at the Music Hall in Houston, TX singing ‘It’s Another Day’s Journey’ I’m Glad About It” (1967) with Ermant Franklin Jr. on lead. Listen and see video below.)

Here’s an oldie but goodie. The Mighty Clouds of Joy performing “Walk Around Heaven.” Growing up I would wake up to this almost every Sunday morning while my grandmother would sit in her chair nodding her head (aww the good ole days). Known as “The Temptations of Gospel” the Mighty Clouds of Joy have been in the recording industry since the late 1960’s.

This legendary performance at Montreux Jazz Festival in 1981 was one that truly showcased the talent within the group with Hampton Carlton on the organ and Paul Beasley being the soloist.

The original members included Paul Beasley, Elmeo Franklin, Dwight Gordon, Johnny Martin, Michael Cook (who died in 2008), Ermant Franklin, Leon Polk and Hampton Carlton. Together these guys have released a total of 17 CD’s with their latest CD “At the Revival” having been released in the earlier part of 2010.

As you watch this clip just sit back and think about the good ole days when you would go to your grandma’s house and listen to gospel legends from dusk to dawn. Enjoy

♫OCT MUSIC SAMPLER:  DR.Juanita Bynum “The Diary Of Juanita Bynum: Soul Cry (Oh, Oh, Oh)”The ep ♫

(All New Promotional Photos and Website Face-Lift)

It’s not just new promo pictures and a website face-lift that Dr. Bynum is ready to release. In a very candid interview with BET.com’s Torrence Glenn (featured below) she remains true to who we know her to be… transparent. Her captivating transparencies come all in perfect timing. Those of you that have been dying to hear ( sorry D Lawrence) the initial release “The Diary Of Juanita Bynum: Soul Cry (Oh, Oh, Oh) birthed from her new label and management deal with Matthew Knowles‘ Music World Gospel run to the stores… as of today June 22, 2010,the wait is over. The EP version of her single  “Soul Cry Oh Oh Oh” was released this morning and is already sold out at walmart.com . We cant wait to see the on pour of adoring fan on July 27 when the full length Audio CD is available.

In the interview she explains  that she has evolved musically and while previous offerings showcased her as a Levitical “Worshiper”, “The Diary Of Juanita “ will give you a deep look into her soul. Either way it sounds like she’ll lead us into that tear jerking, snot flinging, carpet eating, pour out your soul and get free before Jesus place once again. If you love him you’ll say Hallelujah, thank you Jesus, Amen!

Also make sure you check out this week-long series of interviews exclusively presented by AOL Blackvoices.com In honor of Black Music Month celebration. The six videos are packed with candid reflections and     heart-felt performances from the one the only Juanita Bynum.

(Pics from Live Performance of “The Diary Of Juanita Bynum: Soul Cry (Oh, Oh, Oh)