Happy Birthday to Inez Andrews!

The Golden Era Gospel Blog is wishing gospel pioneer Inez Andrews a happy and blessed 82nd birthday!

Peacock Records Historical Marker Dedication in Houston, Saturday, April 16

At noon on Saturday, April 16, 2011, the Harris County Historical Commission will dedicate a Texas State Historical Marker for the Peacock Record Label at 4120 Lyons Ave. at Benson Street. For more information, contact James Ford at (713) 301-9721, drroffe@sbcglobal.net

Pilgrim Baptist Church Rebuild set for 2012 Finish

Thanks to Bob Marovich of the Black Gospel Blog for posting this.
From the Associated Press

CHICAGO — The on-again, off-again reconstruction of a landmark Chicago church known as the birthplace of gospel music is on again.

Church leaders have announced work to rebuild the fire-ravaged Pilgrim Baptist Church will begin in earnest this summer.

A 2006 fire ignited by workers repairing the roof devastated the 120-year-old structure designed by famed architects Dankmar Adler and Louis Sullivan.

Officials announced a $37 million rebuilding plan in 2008, but nothing came of it. Pastor Tyrone Jordan says a first construction phase set for a 2012 finish will "prove to the world" the church will rebuild.

The four-phase project is expected to cost at least $30 million.

Mahalia Jackson, Sallie Martin, the Rev. James Cleveland, and the Staples Singers are among those who have sung at the church.

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