Category: Passings

Edwin Hawkins of ‘Oh Happy Day’ fame passes at 74 [Arrangements Added]

Edwin Hawkins has diedBy Libra Boyd
Gospel Music Fever

Edwin Hawkins, hailed widely as the Father of Contemporary Gospel Music and arguably most recognized for arranging the quintessential version of “Oh Happy Day,” died today (January 15) at his home in Pleasanton, CA, after a bout with pancreatic cancer.  He was 74.

On January 11, the legend’s family requested prayer for him and stated that “all official updates [would] come from the official social media accounts of Edwin and his management team only.”  Still, today’s news of his death swiftly saturated social media through fans and other reliable sources.  Several media outlets hastened to share the news as well.  GMF delayed sharing the difficult news with its readers, out of respect to the family and management team in the immediate hours following the singer/songwriter/arranger’s transition.

In the official statement, the Hawkins family said,

It is with deep sadness that we announce the passing of Dr. Edwin Hawkins – a celebrated artist, innovator, and music icon.  Though he will be greatly missed the world over, the message of love, life, and encouragement that he incorporated into his music gives us all the same hope that we’ll join him in heaven and sing `Oh Happy Day.’


Hawkins was the leader of the Edwin Hawkins Singers and a member of the Hawkins Family, comprised of his siblings Walter, Carol, Feddie, Daniel, Lynette, and other relatives.  

In 1968, Hawkins and the Northern California State Youth Choir COGIC (a choir he started with the assistance of Betty Watson) released an album, Let Us Go Into the House of the Lord, hoping to sell a few hundred copies at area concerts.  The album included his arrangement of the 18th century hymn “Oh Happy Day.”  In 1969, Buddah Records re-issued “Oh Happy Day” as a single from the Edwin Hawkins Singers.  The song became an international hit (charting in the US and several countries in Europe), earned Hawkins his first of four Grammy Awards, and reportedly sold seven million copies.  Accordingly, “Oh Happy Day” sits on The Recording Industry Association of America and National Endowment of the Arts Songs of the Century list, right between John McCormick’s “The Star Bangled Banner” and Jerry Lee Lewis’s “Great Balls of Fire.”

In addition to an extensive and accomplished recording and performance career, Hawkins and his brother Bishop Walter Hawkins are the founders of the Edwin & Walter Hawkins Music and Arts Love Fellowship Conference, now entering its 39th year.  Bishop Hawkins passed in 2010, also of pancreatic cancer.

GMF joins countless others around the world in extending heartfelt condolences to the Hawkins family during this difficult and emotional time.

Celebration of Life services will take place February 6 and 7, at Harbor Light Church in Fremont, CA.  Services begin at 7 PM PT nightly and will stream live on Hawkins’ Facebook page (@Iamedwinhawkins).  Donnie McClurkin, Marvin Winans, BeBe Winans, Beverly Crawford, Anita Wilson, LaShun Pace, Ted Winn, Melonie Daniels-Walker, Chrystal Rucker, BSlade, Chrystal Rucker, Minister Carole King, Tibari, and Bishop Yvette Flunder are among the artists scheduled to perform.  Read more about the Celebration of Life services here. 

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that you make donations to Music & Arts, Inc. at www.paypal.com.  

 

R.I.P. Roy "June" Foster, Jr. of The Warrenton Echoes

Roy "June" Foster, Jr. has passed.
GMF extends heartfelt condolences to the family and friends of Roy “June” Foster, Jr., who passed away December 21, 2017, at the age of 79.
 
Foster was an original member of The Warrenton Echoes.  The group, according to North Carolina Folklife Institute, is “Warren County, North Carolina’s premier African American gospel quartet. Since the group’s inception in 1957, the Echoes have served as a training ground for North Carolina gospel talent….By the 1960s, the Warrenton Echoes refined their own unique style that featured traditional African American hymns in tight gospel quartet harmony.  Despite their far-reaching acclaim—the group regularly traveled the East Coast and played with groups like the Dixie Hummingbirds—the Warrenton Echoes remained a homegrown enterprise.”
 

Alongside Foster’s tenure with the Warrenton Echoes, the quartet veteran sang extensively as a soloist.  In 2014, he told The Henderson Dispatch’s David Irvine he’d probably performed over a thousand solos over the years.

Homegoing information for Foster is as follows:

Viewing
Friday, December 29, 2017
12 Noon – 7 PM
(Family present from 5 PM to 7 PM)
Davis-Royster Funeral Service, Inc.
926 S. Garnett Street
Henderson, NC  27536

Musical Celebration
Friday, December 29, 2017
7 PM
Greater New Hope Missionary Baptist Church
515 Raleigh Road
Oxford, NC  27565

Funeral
Saturday, December 30, 2017
11 AM
South Henderson Pentecostal Holiness Church
905 Americal Road
Henderson, NC  27536

Gospel music community mourns death of Pastor Shawn Jones [Arrangements]

Pastor Shawn Jones died suddenly while in concert with his group in Pensacola, FL.

The gospel community is still reeling from the unexpected passing of Shawn Jones.  The singer, preacher, and founding pastor of New Thing Empowerment Church passed Saturday night, November 18, while in concert with his group, Shawn Jones and The Believers, in Pensacola, FL.  He was 32.  

Since his transition, condolences have flooded social media, radio, and musical programs.  Many have described the soulful gospel singer as a rising star whose charisma and recordings of “Worthy Is He” with the Alabama Spirituals–of which he is a former member, and “I’m Depending on You” with his own group caused music enthusiasts around the country to take notice.

GMF joins others in extending heartfelt sympathy to Rev. Jones’ immediate and extended family, the New Thing Empowerment Church family of Auburn, AL, and The Believers. 

Homegoing information was posted on the “Shawn Jones Believers” Facebook page Tuesday evening.  Both services will stream live at www.shawnjoneslegacy.com.  Additional information for supporters and guests who plan to attend can be found there as well. 

Official Funeral Arrangements
“The Legacy Concert”
Monday, November 27, 2017
6 PM CT
Pilgrim Rest Baptist Church
Montgomery, AL

Homegoing Celebration
Tuesday, November 28, 2017
11 AM CT
Pilgrim Rest Baptist Church
Montgomery, AL

Photo | Facebook Profile of Shawn Jones

Arrangements announced for singer-songwriter-guitarist Wallace Hedgspeth

By Libra Boyd
Gospel Music Fever

Wallace Hedgspeth pictured with The Hedgspeth Brothers
Photo Credit | Mickey’s Creative Photography

GMF joins countless others in mourning the passing of singer, songwriter, and guitarist Wallace Hedgspeth (second from right).  Wallace, a native of Rougemont, NC, transitioned unexpectedly Friday, October 20, 2017.  He was 73 years old. 

Wallace held memberships in many groups and choirs over several decades, including The Gospel Supremes and Just Us Guys, with whom he ministered on the evening of his passing.  Additionally, he and his wife Arlene regularly delighted audiences with rousing duets.  Their cover of The Consolers’ “Little Wooden Church” was a crowd favorite.  Wallace also wrote for, sang, and recorded independent projects with The Hedgspeth Brothers (pictured)–an aptly named traditional quintet that consisted of his father and brothers–and The Bradleys, whose lineup includes his daughter Lisa H. Bradley and grandsons Tyrik and Quenci.

A talented and remarkably humble man has now joined the ever-enlarging heavenly choir.  During this difficult time, GMF extends heartfelt condolences and prayers to the entire Hedgspeth family and additional beloved family members and friends.

Service information has been announced as follows:

Visitation
Thursday, October 26, 2017
6-8 PM

Homegoing Celebration
Friday, October 27, 2017
1 PM

Both services will take place at Greater Cleggs Chapel Community MB Church, 2601 Surl-Mt. Tirzah Road, Timberlake, NC.

Services announced for Solomon Caesar, gospel singer and brother of Pastor Shirley Caesar

Service information has been announced for gospel singer Solomon Caesar, who passed September 12. Caesar was the last surviving sibling of Pastor Shirley Caesar.  GMF extends condolences to the Caesar family during this difficult time.  


R.I.P. Roger McKinney of the Spiritual QC's

Roger McKinney
 

A celebration of life service was held in Amory, MS on August 26, 2017, for Roger McKinney, gospel singer and longtime member of Lee Williams and the Spiritual QC’s. McKinney passed August 18.  He was 68 years old.  View the complete obituary here.


GMF extends heartfelt condolences to the McKinney family during its time of bereavement.

David L. Gough, International Gospel Music Hall of Fame and Museum founder, remembered

David L. Gough has died

Homegoing celebrations were held this past weekend (August 18-19) in Michigan for David L. Gough, 67, founder of the International Gospel Music Hall of Fame and Museum.  GMF extends condolences to the Gough family.

The following statement was released by IGMHFM Communications:

(Detroit, MI)  The world’s only International Gospel Music Hall of Fame and Museum (IGMHFM) was the brainchild of the late great David Lee Gough. He once said that “when God gave me the perfect vision for preserving and highlighting his amazing music (gospel), I knew then to form a serious committee who was just as dedicated and heartfelt about it as I was.” And that is exactly what he did… call together a handful of like minded, loyal believers and gospel music lovers to help him see the task through. As with anything great, it was no easy feat and even in his passing, the dream will live on. 

 
In addition to the IGMHFM, David was a musical genius who not only launched his own music and award winning gospel music label, DoRhon Records, inspired by his three awesome sons, Damon, D. DoRhon, and Devin Gough; he was responsible for launching and cultivating countless careers in music and beyond over the years. A man with a heart of gold who could be found slipping money and food to someone in need. He also noted that without God, his beautiful wife Carolyn Gough, and the love of his family and church, he was nothing. He traveled the world for business and some pleasure, did and accomplished some things that many dare to dream of. A staunch entrepreneur who worked tirelessly through many days and nights, infusing himself into both established and new ideas, David L. Gough didn’t know the meaning of the words “no” and “quit.” 
 
A quick cornucopia of his unique successes would include being the executive producer of the movie Pay the Price, overseeing all aspects of DoRhon Records and the artists within, being behind the scenes in many confidential ventures, and of course, [founding] the world’s only International Gospel Music Hall of Fame and Museum (IGMHFM). His voice has been silenced and the world is already on alert… but if anyone knew the David L. Gough that some of us were blessed to meet and to know, do understand that it’s not over by a long shot! 
 
The 67 year old icon is survived by his lovely wife Carolyn R. Gough; three sons and their wives, Damon (Michelle), D. DoRhon (Cherita), and Devin (Cortney); seven beautiful grandchildren (with one on the way); and a host of various loved ones, colleagues, and the vast world of gospel music. He will be missed but not forgotten and surely his legacy and a part of him will live on in the minds and hearts of many. He wouldn’t want strife or struggle, just for everyone to keep their eyes on God and to do whatever possible for one another and to share the love of gospel music worldwide. 

Passing: Charles Leslie, Triangle Area Gospel Promoter

Charles Leslie, gospel promoter, has died

GMF extends heartfelt condolences to the family and friends of Charles Leslie, 70, gospel enthusiast and promoter in the NC Triangle area.  Charles passed June 11, 2017.  He will certainly be missed by the gospel community, especially by all of us who had the opportunity to meet and work with him through the years.  


The obituary and service information are posted here: Charles Bernard Leslie of Durham, NC | 1947-2017 | Obituary

The Napper Singers' Constance Napper Daniels passes away

Constance Napper Daniels (right), a lead singer of the Napper Singers, has died.
Photo from Napper Singers Facebook page

Thanks to Pastor Scottie Torain for sharing the sad news that Constance Napper Daniels (right), a lead singer of the Napper Singers, has died (April 11, 2017).  She was 68 years old.

Journalist Audrey Williams of The Winston-Salem Chronicle authored a feature on the Nappers 33 years ago, in which Constance is described as “the stronghold” of the family group.  “Until I die,” Constance told Williams.  “Until I die they’ll be together.”

Indeed, the Napper Singers are a vibrant part of Winston-Salem, NC’s gospel music legacy.  The singing group was organized in 1958 by the Napper siblings’ parents, the late Dr. Warren Jake and Mary Mack Napper. Through the years, they released several recordings, including the albums We Are On The Lord’s Side (1984) and Do You Know Him? (2010).  Constance inscribed fervor and conviction into the songs she ministered, among them, “God is Real” and “It’s Gonna Rain.”

Please join GMF in lifting the Napper and Daniels families in prayer during this difficult time. 

The homegoing service takes place Monday, April 17, at Winston-Salem’s Emmanuel Baptist Church on 1075 Shalimar Drive. The wake begins at noon and the funeral begins at 1 PM.

William Bright of Dixie Hummingbirds remembered as pioneer, mentor

William Bright of the Dixie Hummingbirds has died

Funeral services were recently held in Philadelphia for William Bright, a longtime member of the Dixie Hummingbirds.  Bright died earlier this month (Feb. 4), on his way to a radio interview about the group. 

The quartet veteran was born in Greene County, NC, and grew up in Philadelphia.  His love of singing eventually married him to the Dixie Hummingbirds. 

Arlene Edmonds, correspondent to The Philadelphia Tribune reported on the homegoing service and Bright’s contributions to gospel music: Dixie Hummingbirds era ends with singer’s passing

GMF continues to lift the Bright family as well as The Birds in prayer.