Delois Barrett Campbell hospitalized, said to be resting comfortably

The Golden Era Gospel Blog got a report from Ron Barrett that Delois Barrett Campbell, former member of the famed Roberta Martin Singers and the Barrett Sisters, was admitted to the hospital on Monday, March 28 in Chicago. According to Ron, as of Monday evening, Delois was still in the hospital, resting comfortably.

Delois is in our thoughts and prayers.

R.I.P., Loleatta Holloway

By: Joseph Middleton

Loleatta Holloway, former member of The Caravans and renowned disco artist, died on Monday, March 21 at the age of 64 after a brief illness. Holloway joined The Caravans in late 1966 to replace Shirley Caesar, who'd left the group to pursue a solo career. Holloway stayed with The Caravans until the early 1970s, when she began to pursue a solo career. Holloway's music became popular during the disco era, and she scored her biggest hit, "Love Sensation" in 1980. Holloway continued to have dance hits through the 2000s which charted in the UK, Australia and the Netherlands. Holloway rarely participated in reunions with The Caravans, but participated in the reunion of members at Albertina Walker's funeral in 2010 with Shirley Caesar, Dorothy Norwood, Inez Andrews, Gwenn Morgan, James Herndon and Delores Washington.

Memorial services for Holloway will be held in Chicago on Thursday, March 31 at Rainbow PUSH Coalition. 930 E. 50th St. Chicago, IL, 60615. The viewing will be from 1-6pm, and the memorial will be from 6-10pm.

Here's Holloway singing with The Caravans in 1969 on "Help is On The Way."

Golden Era Gospel with a side of Funk and Beans

I am pleased to announce that the Golden Era Gospel Blog has started a partnership with a new blog, "Funk & Beans: A Blog With Grand Delusions of Grandeur." Funk & Beans is a social commentary blog run by Jaime Puente, a classmate of mine from my undergrad studies at University of Houston-Downtown who's the "Beans" of the operation, and his friend, PhD student and Lone Star College System professor, Rhonda Ragsdale, on the "Funk" side. Funk & Beans presents social and cultural commentary on books, film, music and other media from all over the spectrum. Since they're covering a wide array of topics, I've been asked to be a guest blogger. So, keep an eye on Funk and Beans for some Golden Era goodness, and check out Funk & Beans for all that it offers.

R.I.P. Sherman Washington of the Zion Travelers

While the earthly roll of Golden Era Gospel singers gets smaller day by day, you can be assured that the Heavenly Choir is getting some prime talent day by day.

Sherman Washington, 86, passed on Monday, March 14th at his home in Boutte, LA. Washington was the last original member of the Zion Harmonizers and the coordinator of gospel music programming at the New Orleans Jazz Fest. Washington joined the Zion Harmonizers at the age of 15 in 1942, and became the group manager in 1948. In 1969, the Zion Harmonizers performed at the first New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival in Congo Square and shortly thereafter, Washington began coordinating gospel programming for the event, and helped establish the Gospel Tent at the festival in the early 1970s.

You can read more info at this link
http://www.wwltv.com/news/local/Sherman-Washington-longtime-Zion-Harmonizers-member--manager-dies-at-86-117937199.html

Photo credit:WWL TV

85th Birthday Musical Tribute to Delois Barrett Campbell

The 85th Birthday Musical Tribute for gospel legend Delois Barrett Campbell will be held Sunday, March 13, 2011 3pm at First Church of Deliverance in Chicago. 4315 S. Wabash Ave. Chicago, IL 60653.

Special guests will include the Barrett Sisters, Ron Barrett, Tina Bryant, the First Church of Deliverance Choir, the Chicago Mass Choir, plus more guests.