Chicago Gospel Fest – Great in ’08!

This year’s Chicago Gospel Fest features a strong program on all three days — Friday, May 30 through Sunday, June 1.

Some quick tidbits from your friendly neighborhood gospel historian…

Friday:
“Gospel’s Next Showcase,” hosted by Percy Bady, features the soloists on Bady’s hit single “Wonderful Life.”

Saturday:
Valencia Lacy is the soloist who knocked gospel lovers down like dominoes with her lead on Shekinah Glory Ministry’s “Yes.”

Bryant Jones is the son of two gospel legends: Rev. Billy Jones (Fellowship MB Church soloist) and Jeannette Robinson Jones (soloist with Helen Robinson Youth Chorus and also a Fellowship songster).

Darius Brooks and the Tommies Reunion — an historic gathering of former members of Chicago’s first community choir.

Marvin Sapp of Grand Rapids, MI — “Never Would Have Made It.” Need we say more?

Fred Nelson III is organist at the historic First Church of Deliverance, as was his father before him. First Deliverance, under its founder Rev. Clarence H. Cobbs, was the first church to adopt the Hammond organ at its services back in 1939. The tribute is to the late Dr. Robert Wooten, who founded the Wooten Chorale Ensemble in 1949 and was music director for Rev. Louis Boddie’s Greater Harvest Baptist Church Choir.

Sunday:
First, catch “Gospel Memories” on WLUW: 3:00 a.m. to 7:30 a.m. on WLUW 88.7 FM for classic gospel music that takes you back to the Old Landmark.

Inspirational Souls — yes, the same quartet that put out the great 7-inch records back in the day and has been included on Numero Group’s “Good God” compilation.

We’ve raved about Dexter Walker & Zion Movement but to truly experience them, you have to see them live.

Rev. Dr. Lucius Hall and Rev. Jerry Goodloe are First Church of Deliverance alumni. Rev. Issac Whittmon of Metropolitan Church is a powerful vocalist and an important figure in the Gospel Music Workshop of America/Gospel Announcers Guild.

Albertina Walker, Leanne Faine, Kim McFarland and Anita Wilson together?! Wow — hold on to your seats, ladies and gentlemen, and expect massive global climate changes immediately after these four powerfully-voiced gospel singers are finished.

Mighty Clouds of Joy, Soul Children, Rance Allen Group, and many others. Don’t miss this festival!

Friday, May 30 – Jay Pritzker Pavilion
6 p.m.: G3 (God Gets the Glory)
6:40 p.m.: Walt Whitman & The Soul Children of Chicago
7:20 p.m.: Percy Bady presents: “Gospel’s Next Showcase” featuring Aaron Sledge, Tasha Collins and Shari Addison
8:10 p.m.: Canton Jones
8:40 p.m.: The Rance Allen Group

Saturday, May 31 – Walgreens Day Stage
12:05 p.m.: Mark Hubbard & The Voices
12:35 p.m.: 1Sol featuring Sylvester Harper
1 p.m.: Valencia Lacy & The Unquenchable Worshippers
1:35 p.m.: Joyce Hurley
2:05 p.m.: Cliff Dubose & Divine
2:30 p.m.: Faith Howard
3 p.m.: New Orleans Exchange
3:30 p.m.: Bryant Jones & Chosen
4:05 p.m.: Journey Song

Saturday, May 31 – Jay Pritzker Pavilion
5 p.m.: Joshua’s Troop
5:45 p.m.: Darius Brooks & The Tommies Reunion
6:30 p.m.: Marvin Sapp
7:25 p.m.: Fred Nelson, III presents: “An Evening of Gospel Elegance” saluting Professor Robert E. Wooten, Sr. featuring The Wooten Chorale Ensemble, Pastor DeAndre Patterson and more
8:45 p.m.: The Mighty Clouds of Joy

Sunday June 1 – Walgreens Day Stage
noon: The Mighty Clouds of Joy
12:50 p.m.: The Men of Excellence
1:20 p.m.: The Nelson Larkin Group
1:50 p.m.: The Inspirational Souls
2:20 p.m.: The Stars of Heaven
2:45 p.m.: The Church Boyz
3:15 p.m.: The Douglas Singers
3:50 p.m.: The Selvy Singers of Arkansas

Sunday, June 1 – Jay Pritzker Pavilion
4:40 p.m.: Apostolic Church of God Children’s Choir
5 p.m.: Dexter Walker & The Zion Movement
5:35 p.m.: Rev. Dr. Lucius Hall presents: “A Touch of Chicago’s Gospel Pioneers/Legends” featuring Rev. Mitty Collier, Dorothy Gunn, Rev. Jerry Goodloe & Rev. Issac Whittmon
6:35 p.m.: Bishop Neal Roberson
7:05 p.m.: Lady Tramaine Hawkins
8 p.m.: Percy Gray presents: “A Tribute to the Queen of Gospel,” Dr. Albertina Walker featuring Leanne Faine, Kim McFarland and Anita Wilson
9 p.m.: The Clark Sisters