By Karu F. Daniels, AOL Black Voices
Tyler Perry will be honored during 'BET's Celebration of Gospel '07,' premiering Jan. 28.
Perry, creator of nationally renowned stage plays and blockbuster films 'Diary of A Mad Black Woman' and 'Madea's Family Reunion,' was chosen as an honoree for embodying the theme of this year's show: "Taking You Higher."
Producers set out to recognize his body of work and his successful approach to making gospel-themed urban theatre accessible to the masses.
During a special segment, the filmmaking phenomenon gets nods from the likes of Quincy Jones, Gabrielle Union, Lou Gossett, Jr., Blair Underwood, veteran Hollywood producer Reuben Cannon and rising star Keke Palmer.
Grammy Award winning gospel diva Yolanda Adams, who appears on the soundtrack to Perry's upcoming movie 'Daddy's Little Girls,' nearly brings down the house during a musical tribute to the man who went from "homelessness to Hollywood.
"It's really an amazing thing for me to be honored by BET at Celebration of Gospel because gospel music is our heritage and so much a part of what I'm about," said Perry during the festivities, which was taped at Los Angeles' Orpheum Theatre, two weeks ago. "So, to have BET honor me within a gospel celebration was an amazing thing. It was very moving and very personal to me, and I thank God for it."
Hosted once again by veteran comedian/actor and popular syndicated radio personality Steve Harvey, the annual praise-fest features spiritually uplifting performances by some of the biggest names in gospel and mainstream music.
Outside of the tributes to Tyler, and the late R&B crooner Gerald Levert, the musical collaborations are the true highlights of this year's 'Celebration.'
'American Idol' winner Fantasia Barrino, hip-hop soul diva in the making Lil Mo (looking better than EVER), gospel ingénue Kierra "Kiki" Sheard and former SWV frontwoman Coko brings a new meaning to the term "Sisters With Voices" with their impassioned rendition of "Endow Me," a Clark Sisters classic remake featured on Coko's debut gospel album.
The revered Pastor Shirley Caesar joins forces with gospel vocal giants Inez Andrews, Dorothy Norwood and Albertina Walker in a spirited reunion of The Caravans on their classic "Sweeping Through The City."
Harvey brings comedy relief into play during a pairing with Dr. Bobby Jones on the gospel staple "Give Me That Old Time Religion."
Other performers featured during the hand-clapping, foot-stomping two-hour showcase include Kirk Franklin, Smokie Norful, Prophetess Juanita Bynum, Fred Hammond, Kelly Price and original 'Dreamgirls' star Loretta Devine.
An added treat was seeing actors Derek Luke, Malinda Williams and Underwood recite selections from the celebrity-clad audio project 'The Bible Experience' throughout the show.
"Every year BET is proud to celebrate Black History Month with one of the foundations of the African-American experience, gospel music," said the basic cable network's President of Entertainment Reginald Hudlin. "From The Caravans to Tye Tribbett, the full range of our spiritual expression is represented."
Repeat airings of 'Celebration of Gospel '07' are scheduled for Jan. 30 at 8 p.m. ET/PT; Feb. 3 at 8 p.m. ET/PT and Feb. 7 at 9 p.m. ET/PT.
BV Extras:
- AOL Black Voices' star columnist Jawn Murray pays homage to gospel music sensations. Experience Truth.
Comments: (6)
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By: OABthe3 on 1/26/2007 11:43PM
Now for real this "Celebration of Gospel 07," is a must see -- these sisters & brothers are getting their Gospel Soul on to the max! I'm spiritually moved by such positive forces of praise and worship.
This hand-clapping, foot-stomping inspiritual music is good for the body, mind & spirit -- joy went sweeping through my heart in the name of a Higher Power.
Keep the gospel music coming because I want more & more of it. This is also what the world needs now is love through music with a positive message. www.oliverabranchiii.com
oabthe3.
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By: SPECIAL LADY on 1/27/2007 4:25PM
WHEN WE TALK ABOUT THE WORD OF GOD IT IS A BLESSING,IT SHOULD BE A BLESSING FOR ALL OF US NO MATTER WHAT.FOR EXAMPLE;WE WAKE UP EVERY DAY,WE ARE ABLE TO PUT ON OUR CLOTHES WITH NO STRUGGLE,WE ARE ABLE TO WALK OUT OUR DOORS EACH DAY TO TAKE CARE OF OUR DAILY THINGS WITH NO PAIN, WHILE OTHERS SUFFER, "WE ARE BLESSED" THIS GOSPEL FEST IS A WAY OF PEOPLE COMING TOGETHER TO SAY THANK YOU, FOR THE ONE'S GOD BROUGHT THERE WAY TO KEEP THERE FAITH ALIVE, AND THERE MINDS PRESSED ON JESUS. WE AS A PEOPLE NEED TO GIVE GOD ALL THE HONOR AND GLORY EACH DAY,AND BE HUMBLE ENOUGH TO SAY THANK YOU FATHER AS WELL.
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By: Pastor Sharon Porter on 1/29/2007 9:13AM
I THINK IS A BLESSING TO SEE THE PEOPLE OF GOD COMING TOGETHER TO CELEBRATE WHAT THE LORD HAS DONE IN THE LIVES OF HIS PEOPLE. I WAS GRATEFUL TO HEAR THE TESTIMONY OF WHAT THE LORD DID FOR BRO TYLER PERRY AND IT JUST SHOWS YOU WHAT THE LORD WILL DO IF YOU ONLY TRUST AND BELIEVE HE WILL TAKE YOU FROM THE PIT TO THE PALACE AS HE DID FOR JOSEPH IN THE BIBLE GOD STILL HIS DOING GREAT THINGS FOR HIS PEOPLE.
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By: Thelma Jones on 1/29/2007 7:47PM
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Congratulations Mr. Tyler Perry,
Mr. Tyler Perry, please take time out of your busy schedule and read my book, the name of my book is I THOUGHT I WAS HIS LADY, 50 million ladies all over the world can identify with my story, I THOUGHT I WAS HIS LADY, Mr. Perry I respect you as a great play writer, but my story will be among one of the greatest movie/play that has ever been written, I THOUGHT I WAS HIS LADY is a true story of my life, I unknowingly fell madly in love with a pimp who introduced me to a lifestyle of prostitution, I had no idea he was dating two other ladies and had a wife and operating a prostitution house, I THOUGHT I WAS HIS LADY, he tricked me for three years, Please contact me and let's do a movie, this movie will make millions of $$$$$$$ at the boxx offfice all over the world. I was recently interviewed by FOX News, AND NBC News, please call me (414 873-4183) My book was just released April 2006, by Authorhouse Publisher, The World is waitng for the movie,
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By: michelle on 1/31/2007 2:42PM
I thought that The COG was off the hook this year. I have watched it every year since it has been comming on, it's like a special event in my home. I loved every minute of it, but there were some parts that were my favorite. First of all, Steve Harvey is hilariously funny and real. That's why they keep him comming back every year. Secondly, those Caravans just made the hairs on my neck stand up! Then those FOUR GOSPEL DIVAS, just sent me over the top. I'm talking about Lil Mo, Kiki Sheard, Fantasia, and Coko. I thought I was going to have a coniption when they were singing. And then they had a nerve to sing a Clark Sister jam, I died for about 5 seconds, then came back to enjoy the rest of the song. And when Coko helped Fantasia off the stage, that's when the Heavens opened up!!! You can't sing up there with all of that "anointing" and not feel something!!! Fantasia was right beside "KIKI"!!!! She has a Dr. Mattie Moss Clark ANOINTING!!!!lol. But then my girl topped it off for me, Kelly Price, singing a Richard Smallwood jam. I went to heaven for a minute with her soul-stirring, heart felt rendition!! I am so proud of my fellow Christian brothers and sister till I don't know what to do. Programs like that need to be on TV all the time. You can't get that from no HOOD BOY!!!!!
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By: Anita B . Heyward on 2/22/2007 8:36PM
I LOVE THE DADDY'S GIRLS MOVIE. IT WAS GREAT. i HAVE A STORY THAT WOULD BE A GREAT INVESTMENT. EMAIL ME
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