Natalie Cole weds bishop Kenneth Dupree in Nashville

Jet, Nov 5, 2001

Grammy Award-winning vocalist Natalie Cole can sing her classic love tunes with new meaning these days. That's because the hit-making singer recently wed the Bishop Kenneth H. Dupree at Victory Baptist Church in Nashville.

The Hon. Bishop Andrew Turner and Dr. Wanda A. Turner officiated the ceremony at the church. Dupree is its senior pastor.

The bride's son, Robert "Robbie" A. Yancey, escorted his glowing mother down the aisle. Jeremy H. Dupree, the groom's son, served as the ring bearer.

The groom sang a heartfelt tune to his lovely bride. Mark Kibble of the Grammy Award-winning gospel group Take Six performed a rendition of The Lord's Prayer

"The ceremony was very low-key and simple, very spiritual and sacred," wedding coordinator Jayne Bubis said.

Guests included "The View" co-host Star Jones, legendary singer Dionne Warwick, gospel musician Bobby Jones, casting pioneer Reuben Cannon, songwriting greats David Foster and Denise Rich and actress Jennifer O'Neill.

After the ceremony, the wedding party enjoyed a private dinner at the Loews Vanderbilt Plaza.

This is Cole's third marriage. She was married to the late pastor and songwriter Marvin Yancey and later to hit-making producer Andre Fischer. This is Dupree's second marriage.

Reportedly the couple met in 1999 after they were introduced by a mutual friend, legendary music producer David Foster, in Los Angeles while on the same program at a concert.

Bishop Dupree, the former pastor of Fairfield Baptist Church, has pastored the Victory Church since 1989.

The celebrated bride is noted for a musical career that has spanned more than two decades. Last year was especially busy for the versatile performer. She released Natalie Cole: Greatest Hits Volume 1, a greatest hits compilation that featured such classic songs as I've Got Love On My Mind, Unforgettable, This Will Be, Inseparable, Miss You Like Crazy and Angel On My Shoulder; an autobiography, Angel On My Shoulder, which she co-authored, and a TV movie, The Natalie Cole Story (JET, Nov. 6, 2000).