What, and I mean what, would our Sundays be without Bobby Jones Gospel? It doesn’t matter where you are, or who you are, if you have ever turned on your TV on Sundays, you gotta know Dr. Bobby Jones! There are times when I turn on my TV on Sundays with every intention of not watching Dr. Bobby Jones, and lo and behold, I get stuck there! There is something about the way he talks that makes you keep listening, and there is always the chance he will be showcasing somebody really good this Sunday. Bobby Jones Gospel is the first and only nationally syndicated black gospel television show; and Video Gospel, which debuted in 1989, is the only national television outlet gospel artists have to show their videos. But who is Dr. Bobby Jones and how did he make his way to our TV every Sunday?

Dr. Jones was born in Henry County, Tenn., and always dreamt of a career in music. He excelled academically throughout school, graduating from high school at 15 and Tennessee State University at 19 with a bachelor’s degree in elementary education. Jones continued his education by pursuing a master’s degree at Tennessee State and a doctorate from Vanderbilt. While pursuing his master’s, Jones taught elementary school in the Missouri and Tennessee education systems.

In his teaching days, Jones helped develop the idea for a Black Expo in Nashville, Tenn. (Black Expo is a fair held in cities across the country which focuses on the contributions African Americans have made to their communities.) During the effort, Jones introduced the pilot for what is now Bobby Jones Gospel to WSMV-TV in Nashville. WSMV-TV picked up the show that Jones created, produced and hosted. It ran in Nashville from 1976 until it was picked up by BET for national syndication in 1980.

During this period, Jones also created, produced and hosted Bobby Jones World, a magazine-style show that incorporated gospel music with world-renowned authors, entertainers and national leaders. Bobby Jones World ran from 1978-1984. Jones has extended his talents into the television and movie arena. In 1982, Jones made his television movie debut in NBC’s Sisters, Sisters starring Diahann Carroll, Paul Winfield and Irene Cara. In 1980 he wrote and performed in Make A Joyful Noise, a black gospel opera which aired on PBS; and in 1983, he was a guest on country music star Ronnie Milsap’s television special, In Celebration.

In 1980, Jones received The Gabriel Award and an International Film Festival Award for writing and performing Make A Joyful Noise. He and his group, New Life, were nominated for a Grammy Award in 1982 for “Best Performance by a Black Contemporary Gospel Group” for the album Soul Set Free. In 1984, he received the Gospel Music Association’s (GMA) Dove Award for Black Contemporary Album of the Year, a Grammy Award for “Best Vocal Duo for a Soul/Gospel Performance” for the single, I’m So Glad I’m Standing Here Today performed with country music star Barbara Mandrell, and an NAACP Image Award. In 1990 he received the GMA’s Commonwealth Award for Outstanding Contribution to Gospel Music. In 1994, Jones was nominated for the CableACE Award. He resides in Nashville, Tenn. http://www.bobbyjonesgospel.com/About.asp

One thing that warms my heart when I watch Bobby Jones is knowing, many, many years ago, when I was a member of the Indiana State Mass Choir, I too sang on that very stage and experienced the joy of being part of Bobby Jones Gospel. Whether you like him or not, we gotta give props where props are due! I must admit, Dr. Jones has kept us entertained on Sundays for the last 28 years he has been in our homes. I can sit here and visualize the countless Sunday mornings I have gotten dressed to Bobby Jones Gospel. And how many times have I been running late for church because, when I should have been putting on my pantyhose, I was standing there watching Shirley Caesar singing and walking across that stage, or Fred Hammond saying “put your hands together one time!” all courtesy of Bobby Jones Gospel! Wouldn’t you agree, he is a staple of our Sunday morning viewing pleasure?

Hey, what time is it right now wherever you are reading this? If it is not too late, hurry, go turn on your television and enjoy the incomparable, Dr. Bobby Jones!

My husband finally told me that he got stopped by the MP (military police) on post the other day. Being in the military as long as he has, typically he doesn’t break the law, especially on post. He doesn’t speed. He usually comes to a complete stop. He doesn’t make illegal turns. I just couldn’t imagine what they could have stopped him for. I’m sitting there in anticipation as he runs down the details of where he was. He gives very explicit, detailed explanations, it took a minute, but finally he got to it; he was stopped for playing gospel music too loud. lol. I was just floored! In my many years, I have never seen a car get pulled over, with the flashing lights and sirens, for playing loud music! And gospel to boot!

I know it happens; I have just never been witness to it. I guess my shock was because it was gospel. When they stopped him, he was bouncing around and as he called it, “getting his praise on”. I wonder if their real concern was not how loud the music was playing but how rowdy he appeared while driving. He probably did look a little crazy. But it was gospel music! Music that is spreading the good news! Truthfully, there are times when getting my praise on in the car and bouncing around like I ain’t got a lick of sense, is the difference between my sanity and breaking down in tears! Sometimes I just need that time to change the course of my day and my mind-set. So it just makes me wonder, how could he possibly get stopped for playing Kirk Franklin’s Hero?

I stopped and thought about it. I guess loud music is loud music. It can be distracting and annoying regardless of the genre. This is one of those things that made me really think. Maybe deep down, I thought he should be entitled because of the type of music it was. This is one of those things where we as Christians, well let me speak for me, I sometime get on my high horse and think I will receive special treatment because I am living a life “better than the average person”. Not so and how dare I think so! My husband got pulled over for loud, Christian, gospel, foot stomping, church music as if it were hard rock, profanity filled rap, heavy metal, etc.! At 51 years old, he was no better than the energy filled teen, driving down the street with the bass so loud; you can feel it beating in your chest. At that moment he was just another violator! lol. My husband a lightweight, short-lived criminal!

I guess there is no real point to my story except: apparently the police either have nothing better to do than to stop someone just because, or they are very diligent in keeping the noise pollution down, even if I don’t consider it pollution! Loud music is just that, loud music!

What do you think about getting pulled over for playing gospel music? Holla back but not too loud…

Those who know me – really know me – should have known this was coming.  If I’m ever going to write something about a music artist that I like, someone that can really move me, it has got to be about Fred Hammond.  I will make every attempt to remain calm and hide my excitement, but if you are one of Fred Hammond’s fans you know that he is quite simply the truth!

Many people who’ve followed Fred (just saying Fred is enough for his fans) over the years may think the beginning of his career started in 1985 with the gospel group Commissioned.  What many may not know is Fred is one of the best bass guitar players in gospel (my opinion although I know there is always someone better) and his career actually began as a bass player for the legendary Winans.  Fortunately, his destiny was to become more.

Fred was an original member of Commissioned and participated on 10 of the group’s 12 albums.  During this time, (I think) history was made in addition to spreading the gospel through song.  Classics like “Running Back to You” (Fred sang lead), “Love isn’t Love”, “Victory” and “‘Tis So Sweet” may not have the newest studio wizardry, but they still minister to the heart like they did the day they were released.  Commissioned has been nominated for 6 Stellar and 4 Grammy awards including two nominations for the reunion album released in 2002.  To sum it up, Commissioned was bad (bad meaning good)!  A new Commissioned album wouldn’t hurt my feelings one bit, but I’m sure that is easier said than done.

Fred’s first solo album was “I Am Persuaded” released in 1991, the same year Commissioned released the “Number 7″ album.  The rest, as they say, is history – history that is still being written.

For me, Fred has a knack for making three kinds of songs.  First he makes songs that are just great songs to listen to whenever.  Songs that come to mind are “L.O.U.D. L.O.U.D.” (Free To Worship),  “We’re Blessed” (Inner Court) and “When The Spirit Of The Lord” (The Spirit Of David).  Those songs just make you nod your head and sing along.

The second type of song I like from Fred are the remakes.  Yes, you know what I’m talking about!  Fred does a great job making the old classics new again with songs like “Jesus Is All” (Pages Of Life Chapter 1), “Jesus Be A Fence” (somebody help me with the album name) and “This Is The Day” (Free To Worship).  There is nothing wrong with wrapping an old, still relevant, message in a new package and Fred knows how to do it and make it work.

The third type of song Fred is genius at making is that song you lean on when you need stability.  When your boss has you upset before you even get to work and things are a little rough on the home front you need something to go along with your daily scripture reading.  When the bills are getting a little heavy and the school just called to tell you your child is at it again a good song to go along with fasting and praying is a necessity.  If none of those things have ever happened to you, and you seem to be leading a charmed life, you may still need a nudge in the right direction from time to time.  Fred makes those songs.  You may have your own favorites because this is a personal thing, but I will just name a few that come to mind.  “No Weapon” (The Spirit Of David) is a song that I used as a tool at one point years ago.  I can almost remember the exact spot on my drive to work where I would start this song!  “I Will Find A Way” (Something Bout Love) is a song that is saying through whatever, I will find a way to lift up my hands, I will find a way to worship…I will find a way to give you praise, I will find a way to love you more.  Powerful.  Your mileage may vary, but songs like these can help you make it through.

I would like to note something interesting about the album, The Spirit of David – I think my sister Karen told me this years ago.  Somebody correct me if I’m wrong, but I think every one of the songs on that album is based on a scripture.  When I first thought about it that wouldn’t be so difficult, but there is more to it than just putting the Lord’s prayer to music (I’m not criticizing that or saying it was easy).  It would be pretty hard to write an album full of songs based on scriptures when many artists write (relevant) songs based on what they are going through or what is going on around them.  This just goes to show what kind of song writer Fred is.

I think it is noteworthy to say that Fred hasn’t become as popular as other gospel artists although he is respected by the industry – he has won 6 Dove awards, 4 Stellar awards and one Grammy.  With Fred is it more about the message than the performance and when I say that I’m not taking anything away from artists.  He just may not do as well on an awards show as some, but his body of work speaks for itself.

In conclusion, we are due!  Free To Worship, the album, came out in 2006 so it would seem like it is about time for Fred to come out with a new album.  He does have a website called fHAMMOND Family Entertainment which includes video footage of something called the Warehouse among other things.  I thought this was something free at first, but it asked me for credit card information when I tried to create an account, but it didn’t tell me how much it would cost me.  Hmmmmm, I’ll wait on that one.  If anyone out there knows how much this costs, leave a comment and let us know.  Until a new project is released, we have more than enough music from Fred to make it through.

NOTABLE QUOTE –
“ If I could Hear Christ praying for me in the next room, I would not fear a million enemies. Yet distance makes no difference. He is praying for me”…Robert Murray McCheyne

As I sit here in my truck in Columbus, GA and wait for my husband, I have the radio tuned to 100.7, a continuous gospel station. They are playing Marvin Sapp singing, Never Would Have Made It. I didn’t have to tell you that, did I? EVERYday if I am in the truck for more than 30 mins, I will invariably hear this song. I love the song. But one station playing the same song two to three times a day??? Is that fair to all the other artists longing to hear their song played just once a week?

Why is it that Pastor Marvin Sapp gets so much play and air time? What is it about Pastor Marvin Sapp that offers him the privilege of singing on the much publicized award shows? And why did the audience respond to him more than all the other guests? Well, as much as I love him, I can’t say it is because he is the best singer. Let’s be honest, the song begins with him literally screaming: Never Would Have Made It. But guess what? I have walked through my house screaming the same thing! I believe the reason this particular song is what it is, is because Pastor Sapp speaks for us all!

Life is soooooo hard. Relationships are hard. Jobs are hard. Finances are lean. People are losing homes. Friends and loved ones are dying. Life is rough and every truthful Christian must admit to hard times, at least every now and then.

And honestly, there are times when, by no fault of our own, the hard times definitely outweigh the good times. And just when you think it can’t get worse, it does! The question of how you are going to make it through becomes ongoing. There seems to be no way out. Instead of having a breather between crises, they just keep coming. Back to back issues, one right after another. It’s painful and exhausting.

Then one day, without notice, you realize, the struggle is over! The pain has subsided. The issue glaring you in the face has faded into the background. You can breath. Funny thing, you did nothing to lessen the problem. You just gritted your teeth, held on, and went through it. There is no logical explanation as to how you made it through it. But you did and now you feel great! You feel stronger. You feel wiser. You feel better… so much better. When you look back you have to realize the only one that could have brought you through it was God. Ding, ding, ding! The reality is, you never would have made it without Him. Pastor Sapp knew that and sings to the very core of humanity and Christianity when he declares; he never would have made it without God.

Might I admit, every time I get in my truck and tune in to 100.7, continuous gospel, I not only look forward to hearing Pastor Sapp serenade me, I feel like my day is incomplete without it. I am sorry for all the other artists who don’t’ get their fair share of air time but right now, this day, this time, in this world, we need to hear somebody speak for us all and tell our sweet Lord, we Never Would Have Made It Without Him!