TWELVE-TIME GRAMMY WINNER PASTOR SHIRLEY CAESAR WILL BRING HER LIFE TO THE SCREEN
NEW FILM SERIES IN THE WORKS
1 November 2024 (London – New York): 5-0 Studios London and the “Queen of Gospel,” Pastor Shirley Caesar will tell her story in a new film series entitled BLESSINGS – My Life – His Glory.
5-0 Studios London’s Executive Producer Melanie Greene and Pastor Shirley Caesar have uniquely written Caesar’s life story and will set it to film. A limited series, BLESSINGS is the heartfelt story and glory of God’s “Blessings,” uniquely titled, and now in development.
BLESSINGS describes the Caesar family. It is October, the year is 1938, and the tenth child of Jim and Hallie Caesar is born: “Baby Shirley.” The proud parents now have their tenth child of thirteen children. The film will show the journey of Hallie and Big Jim Caesar’s family’s fruitful tree of “blessings.”
Over an incredible eight-decade career, pastor, humanitarian, author, actress, singer, and songwriter Shirley Caesar has become easily the most visible gospel artist in the world. Her catalogue includes global hits such as, “No Charge,” “I Remember Mama,” and “Hold My Mule,” which remained No. 1 on Billboard’s gospel chart for 52 weeks. Famously, her line, “You name it! I got beans, greens, potatoes, tomatoes,” went viral as an internet challenge and introduced Pastor Caesar to a whole new audience.
Born in Durham, North Carolina, Baby Shirley was the 10th of 13 children. Each child learned early the value of sharing and making the most out of so little (Caesar children: 5 boys and 8 girls). By the age of 10, Shirley Caesar had made a name for herself. The tiny singer in ponytails and bobby socks was known throughout the Carolinas and Virginia as “Baby Shirley.” Her foot-stomping style was in demand for church services and recitals. Shirley traveled the rough roads throughout the United States accompanied by the family pastor, neighbors, Mother Jones, and Mother Stella. Baby Shirley’s mother Hallie would have Aunt Ida or brother Cleo accompany the weekend appearances. Baby Shirley’s career moved up the music charts, allowing the needed wealth to take care of her mother and assist her siblings throughout her career.
BLESSINGS will further describe the Caesar family’s early struggles in the 1940s, the passing of her father, and the trials and tribulations the family went through during the early 1950s. The limited series will trace Caesar’s humble beginnings and family roots. It will allow her global audience a glimpse into her life of more than eight decades of music and the glory of God’s “blessings,” including Shirley Caesar’s calling to become a pastor and concert performer. Pairing the two is indeed a God-given journey.
Though the awards and the accolades continue to pour in, Pastor Shirley Caesar has to her credit twelve Grammys, fifteen Dove Awards, fourteen Stellar Awards, a Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award from The Recording Academy, Gospel Music Hall of Fame, and much more. She continues to embrace new challenges and opportunities. The Shirley Caesar franchise is expanding beyond measure. Coming soon: the limited film series, children’s animation, “Baby Shirley,” children’s storybooks, new instrument endorsement with Grover Pro Percussion/RBI Music, and more.
There is no doubt about it: “Baby Shirley” has come a long way. And she isn’t letting up.
“I’m going all the way Lord. I’m determined to go with Him all the way. Lord, I’m determined to never, never go astray,” says Pastor Caesar. “My story is my ‘BLESSINGS‘ – It’s ‘My Life – His Glory.'”
“This is a story for all families. Pastor Shirley Caesar is globally known and performs around the world yearly. BLESSINGS stands out as a monumental project that combines the strengths of our all-star cast and a powerful narrative of our story,” says Melanie Greene, Executive Producer.
5-0 Studios London and Pastor Shirley Caesar are about to embark on a captivating journey that promises to blend visual storytelling with musical excellence. The project shines as a testament to Pastor Shirley Caesar’s family’s enduring faith and legacy, aiming to resonate deeply with viewers around the world.
“BLESSINGS – My Life – His Glory”
Written by : Bob Marovich
Bob Marovich is a gospel music historian, author, and radio host. Founder of Journal of Gospel Music blog (formally The Black Gospel Blog) and producer of the Gospel Memories Radio Show.