Bobby McDougle, the guitarist for gospel quartets such as the Pilgrim Jubilees, passed away on March 26, 2020. Known as “Thumper,” McDougle was born on April 26, 1944, in Valdosta, Georgia. His influence in music came from his father, Mr. Ananias McDougle, also a musician. Following in his father’s footsteps, McDougle began playing guitar for his sister’s group as well as for other groups and churches in the area. At age fourteen, and with the permission of his mother, McDougle joined Tommy Ellison and the Five Singing Stars. He remained with the group for two years. At the age of ...

By Bob Marovich With its infectious aisle-walking vigor, “Nobody Like the Lord” couldn’t be more Chicago if the CD cover had a photo of the Picasso on it. It’s the debut single by Cynthia Eubanks, a Chicago artist who has wanted to sing gospel music ever since she was a young girl, participating in regular family singalongs. “My Uncle Eugene and Aunt Wilma would start off singing doo wop songs from the 1950s and 1960s,” Eubanks told the Journal of Gospel Music, “then they would sing gospel songs and it would turn into a mini gospel concert. Being one of ...

The Journal of Gospel Music learned that Apostle Richard D. Henton, Pastor of the Monument of Faith Evangelistic Church, has transitioned from labor to reward today, October 22, 2015. Among the Chicago gospel singers who were faithful congregants of Monument of Faith were Delores “Honey” Sykes and Claude Timmons. Here is a brief bio from Apostle Henton’s website: Called into the ministry in 1948 on December 14th, Apostle Richard D. Henton has become one of the most prolific speakers of our day. He has been in ministry for sixty-six (66) years and has been a pastor for fifty (50) of those ...