What is Sunday Morning Without Bobby Jones Gospel?!
Written by: Kathy Curry
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!
Tags: awards, Bobby Jones, gospel, music, videos
August 10th, 2008 at 7:29 am
Inasmuch as I hate to admit it, I have not entertained the thought of watching the “Bobby Jones Gospel Hour”. I don’t watch a lot of TV. Your article is well written. I can see you put a lot of heart and soul in this piece, you got my attention. I’ll check him out and comment on my experience at another time.
Thanks for sharing.
August 10th, 2008 at 8:14 am
Yeah i gonna miss him all right. Nobody in gospel can twist and lisp with B.J. WHo else can hold their head lke he does? Or dangle their limp wrist with such sophistication? I stopped watching him years age, Got tried of watching him and his group of sissy boys prancing all over the place.
But your article was, as Carol said, “Well written.”
August 10th, 2008 at 10:56 am
maybe it’s just me, but i could stand to see him be a little bit more masculine. ok, that’s all i’m gonna say. pray my strength in the lord.
August 10th, 2008 at 12:11 pm
lol…..i’m glad the bible wasn’t written by politically correct christians…c’mon bro stay up and be a man. say what you really feel ain’t nobody gonna bobby.
August 10th, 2008 at 1:14 pm
I think you have overlapped two articles. I didn’t say Bobby Jones was going anywhere. i think he is a permanent fixture of our Sunday morning!
August 10th, 2008 at 1:42 pm
Hmmmmmmm, is someone inferring that the good pastor has effeminate traits.
August 10th, 2008 at 3:28 pm
Carol Ann I ain’t inferrin nuttin… I’m saying that negro is straight up………( well he ain’t straight nuttin)
You know he act funny just like I do. He make my GAYDAR alert go off everytime I see him.
August 10th, 2008 at 4:18 pm
I watch a little bit of his show this morning and the band that was performing was not all that, not at all. I’ll wait until I have seen a full show before casting my verdict. He was smiling a lot; I thought he was just happy and filled with the joy. I can see how some folks might take him to be different. Usually my gaydar alert works really well, but I can say for sure if I think he is, well you know….
August 10th, 2008 at 5:02 pm
The rumors about him are well known. Especially him and the little high yella tinker belll character in the choir who is always BEHIND (pun intended) B.J. (B.J….hmmmm….well I know I better not say it cause this is a family website…..)
August 10th, 2008 at 5:08 pm
Men who talk with a hissss and always lickin their lips make me nervous cause that ain’t man behaviour…
A real man will grap his family jewels every once and a while or scratch his behind. We grunt, snot, and blow our noses at the dinner table. We burp, cough and fart in public and even laugh about it. Not particular to pink shoes and them new long toe fairy looking shoes that curl up in the front. My grand kid is over and I been fartin and blaming it on her….
(I know Tom, I’m ignorant….didn’t want to disappoint you)
August 10th, 2008 at 5:53 pm
There’s a good article on Black on Black Hate on this site. Your “yella” remark reminded me of it. You should read it and the comments that follows…
August 10th, 2008 at 5:56 pm
You like to mix things up a bit…it’s all good. Every good site/story needs an antagonistic personality.
Play nice!
August 10th, 2008 at 7:21 pm
Ok…i will > at least you understand me..BTW are you married??
I ok ‘cept when I eat ice cream. i was @ cold stone yesterday and I can’t hardle even stand myself…..
You see where issac Hayes died?
August 10th, 2008 at 7:58 pm
BTW? Yes, I’m married, been married for 17 years and have 3 wonderful children to show for it: 24 years old girl, 16 years girl, and 14 years old boy…I’ll have empty net syndrome pretty soon, then I plan to travel the world…
There are some good over the counter products that can help you with that gas problem…
Yes I hear about Issac Hayes, which is really sad. What is this, drop dead month?
August 10th, 2008 at 8:22 pm
NOTHING CAN STOP THE ‘BROWN AERIAL RAGE” My neighbors are all masked up, The dog has ran away. I last saw 3 mice packing their bags and headed for the Johnson’s.
Some guy from the EPA called and said they are teaming up with the local hazmat team and sending a toxic waste team to “eradicate” me??? ‘IT’S THE BIG ONE CAROL!!
Too bad you married. I was gonna buy you an bag of popcorn and open the human internet conncet channel so you could share in on the fireworks going on over heah…WHEW!
Looks like everybody is dying. I guess that’s why I’m such a nut case. Might as well at least have something amusing…..Being saved sure ain’t a laugh a minute at times…
August 10th, 2008 at 8:24 pm
tell bobby lol
August 11th, 2008 at 5:01 am
[...] News » News What is Sunday Morning Without Bobby Jones Gospel?!2008-08-11 05:01:26Joy too sang on that warms my heart when I watch Bobby Jones is knowing, many, [...]
August 11th, 2008 at 6:58 am
You saved????
August 11th, 2008 at 9:44 am
I use to have yella fever. Got broke from that one. the hard way. Stuck up women….
I know about the yella fever…..
August 11th, 2008 at 9:48 am
Depneds on who you ask I guess Kathy…. You know you can be really amusing at times… Behind that cute little smile and them pearly white teeth I bet lies a woman that needs sum trainin……
August 11th, 2008 at 9:48 am
Oh and you>???
August 11th, 2008 at 9:54 am
You know you really have a way of bring out the man in me? Sometimes I feel like I wanna just….have this talk with you and see why you are so mean. I’m the sweetest guy in the world and you just treat me horrible. You’re always picking on me. Every since i came here you’ve been abusive and disrespectful….for no reason too.
And now you got your brother doing it also…. Ya’ll just some mean people I guess…
.(i could see it if i deserved it, but to abuse me like this is just so ungodly. i’m trying tnot to cry, but i’m just so torn up over here…..)
August 11th, 2008 at 10:09 am
your reverse psychology is obvious and annoying…
August 11th, 2008 at 11:28 am
I’m annoying? I was just going to compliment you on your beautiful eyes…….
August 11th, 2008 at 1:22 pm
Hellooooooo….. I just want to say I CAN’T STAND BOBBY JONES!!! He has done a wonderful thing in gospel-dom, hats off to him for that BUT….I’ve heard of his drug parties after the camera’s go off and all of the stuff that goes on during those parties. I too have noticed the man who is ALWAYS standing behind him. I think he’s like James Cleveland, has the wife for a cover-up. Who is his wife, why ain’t we never seen her (I know that is some messed up english), and did she have kids with BJ, and if she did where are they, who is his mother/father/sister/brother? Why is everyone ashamed to be associated with him. AND WHO TOLD HIM HE COULD SING?? Can he sing one song without saying, “ae ae ae”. He’s real close to being the black Liberace of gospel. OMG!
August 11th, 2008 at 4:13 pm
I guess I never dreamed I was writing this article as a controversial piece. I was just trying to showcase someone in the gospel arena. I thought after 28 years of being in homes all over the world, there would be some Bobby Jones fans out there willing to put in “a good word” for him. Calling Bobby Jones fans, If you are out there, give a shout out!
August 11th, 2008 at 4:17 pm
Kathy, you hurt his feeling…:o( Poor guy just trying to be nice to you, play nice:o)
August 11th, 2008 at 4:35 pm
Carol……………….
)
August 11th, 2008 at 5:57 pm
Give me a ^5! You’re on it!
He need to be kneeling down in prayer instead of………..
August 11th, 2008 at 5:58 pm
Having you considered inviting some people from on of the gay websites?
August 11th, 2008 at 5:59 pm
one
August 11th, 2008 at 6:47 pm
Tom we should be able to go back and edit our comments. I hate to interrupt the flow when I’m flowin baby……Can you dig that?
August 11th, 2008 at 7:46 pm
You are too cute for words………..:o)
August 11th, 2008 at 7:49 pm
Now that just nasty…
August 11th, 2008 at 9:21 pm
He is what he is and he do what he do Carol. I agree he is nasty. Once that front door closes whatever happens between a man and woman is off the record, but i can’t get into his game. I’ve always called him “The Little Richard of Gospel.”
“Somebody go run with that one…You might even get paid for stealing my original ideas..” Little Richard
August 11th, 2008 at 9:24 pm
Here ! Have an …………………………………………………………………………………..:O on me Kathy.
August 12th, 2008 at 3:43 pm
Maybe everyone can contribute and get me on my own gospel show…..
August 13th, 2008 at 6:41 am
Since we are on the subject of freaks anybody wanna guess why Mark Spitz wasn’t invited to the olympics?
August 13th, 2008 at 11:22 am
Dr. Bobby Joins and the MGAG are looking for you! (MGAG..or is it fag?)
Anyway you can decide for yourself…
http://us.mc374.mail.yahoo.com/mc/showMessage?fid=Inbox&sort=date&order=down&startMid=0&.rand=658696821&da=0&midIndex=0&mid=1_219759_AIxbv9EAABt2SKLc7QqYKgd5JWk&f=1&nextMid=1_219101_AIhbv9EAAPRbSKLGhwptfRUkXL0
December 13th, 2008 at 7:07 am
Any Christian with some discernment can CLEARLY SEE: BOBBY BOO-SHE’ JONES IS A FLAMBOUYANT HOMOSEXUAL. I HATE BET because that mess of a station promotes every lascivious sin that is killing Black people. PURE FOOLISHNESS. He needs to get somewhere, get the Demon cast out, get saved, baptized, filled with The Holy Ghost, and Sit Down! He is a disgrace to Christ and Christians everywhere (especially Black Men of God). One of his “superstar” friends better get him before Christ does!
March 26th, 2010 at 10:20 am
Brief news of Tiger Woods
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