Gospel Music Hall Of Fame Inducts Three New Black Members

Jet, Nov 20, 2000

The Gospel Music Association (GMA) recently inducted eight music superstars into its Gospel Music Hall of Fame in Nashville, TN, including Shirley Caesar, the Fisk Jubilee Singers and the Edwin Hawkins Singers.

The inductees were honored at the annual Hall of Fame Banquet in Franklin, TN.

Caesar was inducted in the performing category. She began singing gospel at the age of 12. Since then, she has recorded 35 albums and received numerous Grammy, Stellar and Dove Awards. Caesar also founded the Shirley Caesar Ministries to help the poor in her hometown of Durham, NC.

The Edwin Hawkins Singers, whose gospel classic Oh Happy Day turned into a huge secular radio hit in the 1960s, was also inducted, but the group did not attend. Original member Lillie Knauls accepted for the group.

After recording this song on its first album, The Edwin Hawkins Singers received the opportunity to tour the U.S. and Europe extensively. Today, Hawkins heads the Edwin Hawkins Music and Arts Seminar, which assists young artists in their gospel music careers.

The Fisk Jubilee Singers was inducted into the Hall as a group. The internationally acclaimed group of musicians who represent Fisk University in Nashville has traveled around the world since 1871 with its unique gospel music.

Other inductees to the Hall of Fame this year were The Oak Ridge Boys, Petra, the Kingsmen Quartet, Roger Breland & Truth and Robert R. "Bob" Mac Kenzie.

Established in 1971, the Gospel Music Association Gospel Music Hall of Fame has inducted 114 members since its inception. Its distinguished membership includes the late Mahalia Jackson, Andrae Crouch and the late Thomas Dorsey.

Selection into the Hall of Fame is made by approximately 300 members of its electorate, who each have at least 10 years in the gospel music field.