Throughout February, PBS has been honoring the music of the Black church, with Dr. Henry Louis Gates’ series “Gospel,” and a special concert, “GOSPEL Live!,” which premiered on Feb. 9 furthered the celebration.
Though “GOSPEL Live!” was filmed at Oasis Church in Los Angeles, the concert is going far beyond the West Coast, to churches nationwide, including the DMV.
“I am deeply grateful to Henry Louis Gates Jr., McGee Media, Done + Dusted, and Friends at Work for their partnership and collaboration,” said Kristen V. Carter, executive producer of GOSPEL Live!
On Feb. 15, Carter hosted a “GOSPEL Live!” screening as a stop on the Q&A Talkback Tour at Zion Church in Greenbelt, Maryland.
Zion Church Senior Pastor Keith Battle, who unable to attend, told The Informer that he was thrilled that his congregation was part of the “GOSPEL Live!” tour because they had the chance to “engage in the documentary’s examination of history, spirituality, and music.”
‘GOSPEL Live!’ Celebrates Legacy of Genre, Honors ‘Gospel Royalty‘
Gates and recording artist Erica Campbell host GOSPEL Live!, an event celebrating gospel luminaries and in tribute to the legacy of the musical genre.
The concert includes a tribute to Richard Smallwood and Andrae Crouch, John Legend singing “Precious Lord,” and Anthony Hamilton featuring The Hamiltones offered a musical tribute to Rance Allen. The celebration also honored the legendary group The Clark Sisters.
Carter said she was honored to be part of the PBS production during Black History Month.
“I want to celebrate the past, present and future of gospel,” she explained. “I want people to remember where we came from and where we are going.”
