Tag: Dr. Bobby Jones

‘Bobby Jones Gospel’ enters its final season, announces BET

By Libra Boyd
Gospel Music Fever

BET has reported that the upcoming 35th season of Bobby Jones Gospel will be its last. 

The flagship gospel program is the longest running original show in cable TV history and is hosted by its namesake, Dr. Bobby Jones.

It is said that all good things must come to an end, but Bobby Jones Gospel has been embedded in the routine of our Sunday mornings for three and a half decades.  Not seeing the legendary Dr. Jones, his “super choir cast,” and his suits will be a major adjustment–not to mention the famous as well as not-yet-famous gospel talents who leave smoke on the studio stage year after year.

GMF will follow the final season closely. Stay tuned in the coming months for my commentary on a series that has done what no other has been able to do for gospel music.

Take 6 to be inducted into Gospel Music Hall of Fame

Take 6 will soon take its place alongside other vocal groups like The Fisk Jubilee Singers and The Winans in one of gospel’s grand “halls.”  The a cappella sextet, along with Brown Bannister, Rich Mullins, and the Gaither Vocal Band, are the newest inductees into the Gospel Music Hall of Fame. 

Take 6’s contemporary brand of gospel, heavily laced with jazz and R&B, has netted them twelve Grammys, five Dove Awards, and one Soul Train Award. The group was formed (and named the Gentleman’s Estate Quartet) in 1980 at Alabama’s Oakwood College. Since becoming Take 6 in 1987, they have released 18 albums; the most recent is entitled One, on the Shanachie label.

The Gospel Music Association also announced that Dr. Bobby Jones is one of five GMA Honors recipients for 2014.

The induction and honors ceremony will take place April 29, 2014, at Lipscomb University’s Allen Arena in Nashville.

"Rejoice With Me" – Bobby Jones f. Faith Evans

“Rejoice With Me”
Bobby Jones f. Faith Evans (2013)
EchoPark JDI/Caroline/Capitol Records

Bobby Jones and Faith Evans

Dr. Bobby Jones is a legend, arguably not so much for his musicality as for his flagship show, Bobby Jones Gospel, the longest-running show on cable TV.  His legendary status may be attributed in part to the manner in which he advances gospel music as art by graciously extending his national platform to other talented acts across all subgenres of gospel and inspirational music.  

Through the years, Dr. Jones has been blessed to score many memorable collaborations (Dr. Maya Angelou, Donald Lawrence, Melvin Williams, Vanessa Bell Armstrong, Barbara Mandrell, et al.) for his projects; the latest of which, “Rejoice With Me,” features R&B diva Faith Evans.  NSC (formerly known as the Nashville Super Choir) joins in on the uptempo contempo radio-friendly tune.

Following a brief intro, Dr. Jones steps aside from the mic, allowing Evans to do her thing.  Characteristically, the soprano’s riffs and runs soar effortlessly as she exhorts, “Trust God to work it out / All you gotta do is shout!” 

Dr. Jones’ full-length project is expected to drop on March 25, 2014.

CBN News publishes revealing interview with Dr. Bobby Jones

This year, Dr. Bobby Jones celebrates 33 years as host of the flagship TV gospel showcase, Bobby Jones Gospel.  He also recently celebrated his 75th birthday.

CBN News interviewed the former educator turned gospel singer/TV host, during which he shared a never-before-revealed aspect of his past.

Read it here: Bobby Jones: Gospel Music Legend Reveals Painful Past