Gospel Legends Bring Birthday Greetings to Geraldine Gay Hambric

Last Sunday afternoon, March 15, 2009, some of Chicago’s gospel legends pressed their way to Chicago’s Prayer Center Church of God in Christ, where Rev. Donald “Preacher” Gay is pastor, for a birthday celebration in honor of gospel piano virtuoso Geraldine Gay Hambric.

Geraldine, recovering from a serious bout with ill health, was part of the hit-making gospel group, the Gay Sisters, with Mildred and Evelyn Gay. Their 1951 smash hit “God Will Take Care of You” (Savoy) helped make the Gay Sisters as popular in their day as Mary Mary, Trin-i-tee 5:7 and the Clark Sisters are today. Other members of the Gay Family have each in their own way left an indelible impression on gospel music history.

The program was part birthday tribute and part celebration for Geraldine’s release from Alden Wentworth where she was recuperating.

Among the gospel artists who paid tribute to Geraldine in testimony and song Sunday afternoon included Lorenza Brown Porter (Argo Singers), Bertha Melson (Lux Singers, right), Betty Starks, Eugene Smith (Roberta Martin Singers, below right), gospel superstar Jessy Dixon, and several generations of the Gay Family, including Elder Gregory Gay, Donna Gay, Min. Donald Hambric on guitar and Rev. Donald “Preacher” Gay (below, left), who performed and recorded with his sisters for several Chicago-based labels. Nathaniel Marshall served as master of ceremonies, with Pastor Marilyn Domingo assisting. Other friends conveying birthday greetings included Aaron Cohen of Downbeat Magazine and Steven Dolins of The Sirens Records. Geraldine has recorded two CDs for The Sirens, the most recent, Soulful Sounds, with her brother Donald, whose “Sing On My Singer” concluded the program.

Despite her fragile health, Geraldine was in great spirits and played nimbly on a white grand piano during the second half of the program and shared fond stories about those in attendance, including her advice to Jessy Dixon early in his career to dress for success.

Many more birthdays to Geraldine Gay Hambric!