Pastor Shirley Caesar Profile
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“Gospel music is my life because it brings joy. It really helps people to cope with what they're going through. Though I sang these songs years ago, I think songs like, "He’s Never Left Me Alone", "He's Working It Out For You", "He's Bringing You Out", those kinds of songs, bring difference to the people.”
Ms. Caesar expounded on her love for Jesus and how that connects to her purpose for singing gospel music.
“Let me tell you about Who He is to me: He’s my life. I've never seen Him, yet I feel Him. I love Him. I’ve never seen Him, yet I love a Man that I've only seen through the printed pages of the Bible. I love Him so. He's my joy. He's my everything. Who is Jesus is to me? He's my Light in darkness. He’s my Shelter. I could go on and on and on, but you don't want a sermon.
“And so, consequently, my purpose, is to continue to do the will of my Father, who has anointed me to sing and to preach the gospel. Singing and preaching go together, like ham and eggs. So, that's what I believe. That's my legacy. I want to do it until I can't do it anymore.”
“Let me tell you about Who He is to me: He’s my life. I've never seen Him, yet I feel Him. I love Him. I’ve never seen Him, yet I love a Man that I've only seen through the printed pages of the Bible. I love Him so. He's my joy. He's my everything. Who is Jesus is to me? He's my Light in darkness. He’s my Shelter. I could go on and on and on, but you don't want a sermon.
“And so, consequently, my purpose, is to continue to do the will of my Father, who has anointed me to sing and to preach the gospel. Singing and preaching go together, like ham and eggs. So, that's what I believe. That's my legacy. I want to do it until I can't do it anymore.”
“Let me tell you about Who He is to me: He’s my life. I've never seen Him, yet I feel Him. I love Him. I’ve never seen Him, yet I love a Man that I've only seen through the printed pages of the Bible. I love Him so. He's my joy. He's my everything. Who is Jesus is to me? He's my Light in darkness. He’s my Shelter."
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“And so, consequently, my purpose, is to continue to do the will of my Father, who has anointed me to sing and to preach the gospel. Singing and preaching go together, like ham and eggs. So, that's what I believe. That's my legacy. I want to do it until I can't do it anymore.”
Pastor Caesar did not come by this gospel gravitas lightly, being no stranger to gospel music, connected through her family inheritance.
“Music is my life. I come from a very religious background. I come from a singing background – the Caesar side of my family, my dad’s side. My father was a great gospel and quartet singer. All of my brothers sang in quartets.
“My family had a group called The Caesar Sisters and my dad used to sing with my older brothers and sisters. They traveled and sang as a group. I think I remember singing my first song at four years old. That was a long time ago. And so, I received my singing gift as a chip off the old block.”
Having that music wellspring in her family paid off, the gospel legend getting her first debut as a gospel singer, when the Caravans came into town.
“Music is my life. I come from a very religious background. I come from a singing background – the Caesar side of my family, my dad’s side. My father was a great gospel and quartet singer. All of my brothers sang in quartets.
“My family had a group called The Caesar Sisters and my dad used to sing with my older brothers and sisters. They traveled and sang as a group. I think I remember singing my first song at four years old. That was a long time ago. And so, I received my singing gift as a chip off the old block.”
Having that music wellspring in her family paid off, the gospel legend getting her first debut as a gospel singer, when the Caravans came into town.
“From there, I remember singing with the Caravans. I remember years ago when the Caravans came from Chicago. They came to North Carolina. Albertina Walker and others in the group came through Raleigh. I remember, along with the Caravans, there were four other groups that were singing together at a concert in Raleigh: The Soul Stirrers, The Swanee Quintet, The Nightingales, and The Five Blind Boys. This was a tour of five groups traveling and singing together. I remember they sang that Sunday afternoon. I went to the concert.
“Dorothy Love Coates & The Original Gospel Harmonettes were also there. Somehow or another, I got in touch with Dorothy. At that time there were only three Caravan singers. And I told her, ‘Tell that lady, I can sing that missing part.’ I never heard anything from her that day. At that time in my life, I was out of school. I didn't have any money to go back to school.
“Dorothy Love Coates & The Original Gospel Harmonettes were also there. Somehow or another, I got in touch with Dorothy. At that time there were only three Caravan singers. And I told her, ‘Tell that lady, I can sing that missing part.’ I never heard anything from her that day. At that time in my life, I was out of school. I didn't have any money to go back to school.
“Sunday night they went from Raleigh, North Carolina to Kinston, North Carolina. That was the time I wrote the request: ‘Please call Shirley Caesar to sing a solo.’ And, so, the MC made the announcement. They called me during the intermission. She said, ‘We have a request from Shirley Caesar to sing a solo.’ I said, ‘That's me!’ I ran down the aisle and I ran up on the stage.
“I remember singing the lyrics:
Like a ship that's tossed and driven / battered by an angry sea
Those lyrics were from the song "The Lord Would Make a Way Somehow". I remembered that while I was singing that song, all of the singers that were in the back, started coming out and coming into the auditorium to hear this little girl. Albertina Walker said, ‘I want that little girl.’
“I remember singing the lyrics:
Like a ship that's tossed and driven / battered by an angry sea
Those lyrics were from the song "The Lord Would Make a Way Somehow". I remembered that while I was singing that song, all of the singers that were in the back, started coming out and coming into the auditorium to hear this little girl. Albertina Walker said, ‘I want that little girl.’
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“They were headed to Washington, DC. I sold my biology book. I sold it on a Tuesday, and I caught a bus and met them in Washington, DC on a Friday. They rehearsed with me that afternoon. That Friday night, they put me on stage and lady, the rest is history.”
When she embarked on her journey with the Caravans, a journey that would become her legacy as a stalwart of gospel music, she at first, encountered the unexpected.
“I do have to tell you, when I first joined the Caravans, I tell you, I heard some of the worst cursing I’ve ever heard in my life. I come from a sheltered life, the Church. My background is Pentecostal. I never heard profanity or any of those kinds of words.
“So, they would tell me, ‘Well, you know, you don't curse, but you sure know how to get them off your back.’ I'm telling you I heard some ugly words that you would not believe. God brought me through all of that.”
When she embarked on her journey with the Caravans, a journey that would become her legacy as a stalwart of gospel music, she at first, encountered the unexpected.
“I do have to tell you, when I first joined the Caravans, I tell you, I heard some of the worst cursing I’ve ever heard in my life. I come from a sheltered life, the Church. My background is Pentecostal. I never heard profanity or any of those kinds of words.
“So, they would tell me, ‘Well, you know, you don't curse, but you sure know how to get them off your back.’ I'm telling you I heard some ugly words that you would not believe. God brought me through all of that.”
"And so Ms. Caesar continued on in her journey, experiencing her own life’s joy and difficulties while shaping her own starry pathway.
“I’ll tell you about my joy – because the Lord has certainly smiled on me. I'll forever be grateful to my father. He didn't really live to hear me sing because he died way before my 10th birthday. But my joy was being able to use my singing ministry to take care of my mother, who was disabled. I took care of her from the time that I can remember, until we laid that empty house underneath the clay in 1986. And so that was my greatest joy.
“But my mom, she was there when I graduated from college. I can just go on and on and on talking about when I got my first Grammy, and I got my star on the Hollywood walk of fame … I'll tell you, there were so many wonderful things. I am so grateful to the Lord. So many wonderful things have happened in my life.
“One of my greatest sorrows was losing my mom and all of my family members. All of them, with the exception of me … all my siblings are gone. I buried my last sibling, which was my baby brother. That is my greatest sorrow."
“I’ll tell you about my joy – because the Lord has certainly smiled on me. I'll forever be grateful to my father. He didn't really live to hear me sing because he died way before my 10th birthday. But my joy was being able to use my singing ministry to take care of my mother, who was disabled. I took care of her from the time that I can remember, until we laid that empty house underneath the clay in 1986. And so that was my greatest joy.
“But my mom, she was there when I graduated from college. I can just go on and on and on talking about when I got my first Grammy, and I got my star on the Hollywood walk of fame … I'll tell you, there were so many wonderful things. I am so grateful to the Lord. So many wonderful things have happened in my life.
“One of my greatest sorrows was losing my mom and all of my family members. All of them, with the exception of me … all my siblings are gone. I buried my last sibling, which was my baby brother. That is my greatest sorrow."
Though expressing anguish, still reeling from the loss of her siblings, the steadfast songstress expressed gratitude for those around her who gave her comfort.
“There are those that have stood by me every step of the way. Through each loss, they stood by me and they helped me to come through that. They would let me cry it out. They didn't say, don’t cry or any of that, and the Lord brought me through it. That's the kind of God that He is.
“My wonderful friends and my nieces, nephews, and others, they helped me, while I was going through that bump in the road. It was like a bump. But to me, it was like a mountain that had stood strong there, in my way. God moved it and here I am.
“You know, I'm glad to still be here, even though, sometimes I feel like I'm all alone. But I have a lot of godchildren too. I have a lot of wonderful friends. So many wonderful things are happening in my life right now. I've got much to be grateful for.”
“There are those that have stood by me every step of the way. Through each loss, they stood by me and they helped me to come through that. They would let me cry it out. They didn't say, don’t cry or any of that, and the Lord brought me through it. That's the kind of God that He is.
“My wonderful friends and my nieces, nephews, and others, they helped me, while I was going through that bump in the road. It was like a bump. But to me, it was like a mountain that had stood strong there, in my way. God moved it and here I am.
“You know, I'm glad to still be here, even though, sometimes I feel like I'm all alone. But I have a lot of godchildren too. I have a lot of wonderful friends. So many wonderful things are happening in my life right now. I've got much to be grateful for.”
As she verbally walked out her journey, the spirited vocalist noted what she may have done differently in her life.
“I think that I would have had a baby, maybe. I think that I probably would have married in the early part of my life and had a baby now that I don't have children and my family members have gone. Out of all 12 of my siblings, I'm the only one that’s left. I wish … I wish …. I wish … that I would have had a baby. I would have changed that if I could.
“But I think that that part of my life, actually my whole life, has been in God's hands. I mean, the plan, His plans for my life, has been, what He had for my life. So even though I feel like I would have changed some stuff, I believe with all my heart, that God would not have even allowed that, because He knows my beginning from my ending.
“I can't see what's going to happen tomorrow. But God can see all of that. And so, because of that, I better let you know, as of right now, I might tell you out of my mouth that I would change it and have a baby, but I believe that all of this – and I have believed it my whole life – that all of this, has been the plan and the will of God for me.”
“I think that I would have had a baby, maybe. I think that I probably would have married in the early part of my life and had a baby now that I don't have children and my family members have gone. Out of all 12 of my siblings, I'm the only one that’s left. I wish … I wish …. I wish … that I would have had a baby. I would have changed that if I could.
“But I think that that part of my life, actually my whole life, has been in God's hands. I mean, the plan, His plans for my life, has been, what He had for my life. So even though I feel like I would have changed some stuff, I believe with all my heart, that God would not have even allowed that, because He knows my beginning from my ending.
“I can't see what's going to happen tomorrow. But God can see all of that. And so, because of that, I better let you know, as of right now, I might tell you out of my mouth that I would change it and have a baby, but I believe that all of this – and I have believed it my whole life – that all of this, has been the plan and the will of God for me.”
Having stuck with the plan, the Lady Legend spoke about the message she’s tried to convey as she’s ministered through her music.
“Let me first tell you, that what I've tried to do, the message that I've tried to get over to the people, is the love of God. He is a God of love. And I know that He's a God of war too; but when it comes to us, He is a God of love. We were His prime creation that He made. He made the sun, the moon, and all of that. But, when He got ready to make man, my God … They huddled around and He scooped up dirt and made man. And from man, here we are.
“So, one of the main things that I've tried to get over to the people, is that God is love and that He loves us. I know sometimes it just doesn't seem like it, but He loves us. The Word of God says: ‘Many are the afflictions of the righteous’. And even though He loves us, He never said that we would not run into bumps in the road, but that He would deliver us.
“Let me first tell you, that what I've tried to do, the message that I've tried to get over to the people, is the love of God. He is a God of love. And I know that He's a God of war too; but when it comes to us, He is a God of love. We were His prime creation that He made. He made the sun, the moon, and all of that. But, when He got ready to make man, my God … They huddled around and He scooped up dirt and made man. And from man, here we are.
“So, one of the main things that I've tried to get over to the people, is that God is love and that He loves us. I know sometimes it just doesn't seem like it, but He loves us. The Word of God says: ‘Many are the afflictions of the righteous’. And even though He loves us, He never said that we would not run into bumps in the road, but that He would deliver us.
“Secondly, I have tried to let people know that He gave His life for us, so that we would be saved, and that we would totally commit our hearts to Him. He’s just that kind of God. I've tried to get that message over to the people. For example, through words like – when you add it all up, the cost of real love, it’s no charge – I've tried to let people know that, when you love your mother and your father, God said, I'll stretch out your days and I'll let you live a long time.
“So, I believe that with all my heart that, a lot of this has come to fruition. Now, not everybody's saved that is going to be saved, but it is God's will that everybody will be saved. I've tried to just be a part of that, to try to pull people into the Kingdom and let them know that they are loved, and that they are special.”
Pastor Caesar reflected on what she learned over the years as she sang and dedicated her life to music and ministry.
“I've learned that, not all gospel singers, really long to live what they sing. In spite of that, God's got somebody out there that's real. God has some preachers and pastors out there that are real. They made up their mind that they're not going to sell out – and of course you're talking to one.”
“So, I believe that with all my heart that, a lot of this has come to fruition. Now, not everybody's saved that is going to be saved, but it is God's will that everybody will be saved. I've tried to just be a part of that, to try to pull people into the Kingdom and let them know that they are loved, and that they are special.”
Pastor Caesar reflected on what she learned over the years as she sang and dedicated her life to music and ministry.
“I've learned that, not all gospel singers, really long to live what they sing. In spite of that, God's got somebody out there that's real. God has some preachers and pastors out there that are real. They made up their mind that they're not going to sell out – and of course you're talking to one.”
Having made innovative and pioneering strides in gospel music and being one of the most sought-after gospel singers in both Christian and secular arenas, the multi-award-winning artist let it be known that even though she may have made some changes, she doesn’t plan on slowing down anytime soon.
“I think one of the things I think I'd like to do is more theater … I’d like to be a part of more sitcoms, even do some big screen. Of course, now I’m getting ready to pour my heart out about some of the things I'd like to do. I'd like to have my own fragrance. I'd like to have my own Christmas, Thanksgiving, and Mother's Day cards. I’d even like to have one for Easter. So, I'm hoping and praying that all of these things will come to fruition. I am just excited. I'm going to be a moving star. I didn’t say movie star. I said moving star. Thank God.
“I'm retiring from pastoring because that's too hard for me right now. I'll be the Senior Pastor at my church, Mount Calvary Word of Faith at 3100 Sanderford Road. I'll be there. I built it by the grace of God. I started the fire. So, I've got to stay there and keep warm by it.
“I think one of the things I think I'd like to do is more theater … I’d like to be a part of more sitcoms, even do some big screen. Of course, now I’m getting ready to pour my heart out about some of the things I'd like to do. I'd like to have my own fragrance. I'd like to have my own Christmas, Thanksgiving, and Mother's Day cards. I’d even like to have one for Easter. So, I'm hoping and praying that all of these things will come to fruition. I am just excited. I'm going to be a moving star. I didn’t say movie star. I said moving star. Thank God.
“I'm retiring from pastoring because that's too hard for me right now. I'll be the Senior Pastor at my church, Mount Calvary Word of Faith at 3100 Sanderford Road. I'll be there. I built it by the grace of God. I started the fire. So, I've got to stay there and keep warm by it.
"So, one of the main things that I've tried to get over to the people, is that God is love and that He loves us. I know sometimes it just doesn't seem like it, but He loves us. The Word of God says: ‘Many are the afflictions of the righteous’. And even though He loves us, He never said that we would not run into bumps in the road, but that He would deliver us."
“I had to keep telling our members, I'm not going anywhere. You know, I'm in the “beat” club. I'll be here when they come and be there when they go. This is my life. I'm going to still be preaching. I'm going to just continue to be in ministry. But I'm trying to shift some of this weight, get some younger pastors and all to help with the lifting. I still have my group. In fact, it's named after me: The Caesar Singers. I have a cousin that sings with me, and you know, it's just some wonderful things that’s happening right now.
“I have been pastoring … I have traveled and sang and rush back to church. Out of all of our services, I’ve made 99 percent of them, keeping them all together. Some people ask me how was I able to juggle all of that? I did it by the grace of God. And again, I also have a wonderful sort of team which really consist of friends, family members, and members of my church, that’s around me and helping me. So, to God be the glory.”
“I have been pastoring … I have traveled and sang and rush back to church. Out of all of our services, I’ve made 99 percent of them, keeping them all together. Some people ask me how was I able to juggle all of that? I did it by the grace of God. And again, I also have a wonderful sort of team which really consist of friends, family members, and members of my church, that’s around me and helping me. So, to God be the glory.”
“So, I believe that with all my heart that, a lot of this has come to fruition. Now, not everybody's saved that is going to be saved, but it is God's will that everybody will be saved. I've tried to just be a part of that, to try to pull people into the Kingdom and let them know that they are loved, and that they are special.”
Given that almost a century has passed since Pastor Shirley Caesar began lighting lives and filling hearts with her legendary voice in gospel music – as the young lady who ran down to that stage and poured her heart out before strangers who would become dear friends, to now, where she has become the close and distant friends of others as they fill their homes with her voice – it’s wondrous to know that she plans to continue as that moving star.
Here’s to many more years, of hearing that same voice, continue to imbue lives and hearts with her love for Jesus and gospel music, blessing the homes of young and elder alike, commingling her legacy with their own.
-Sources:
-Music Information & Discography:
Album | Year: My Testimony | 1968; The Best of Shirley Caesar with the Caravans | 1968; The Best of Shirley Caesar | 1972;The Lost Recordings of Shirley Caesar: The Invitation | 1974; Millennial Reign | 1974; Reverend James Cleveland*, Evangelist Shirley Caesar* - The King & Queen of Gospel | 1975; Reverend James Cleveland & Evangelist Shirley Caesar* The King & Queen of Gospel Vol. II | 1975; Go Take a Bath | 1976; First Lady | 1977; The Greatest Hits of Shirley Caesar Volume 1 | 1977; Shirley Caesar Sings Her Favorite Songs, Vol. 2 | 1978; Rejoice | 1980; Jesus I Love Calling Your Name | 1983; Sailin’ | 1984; Celebration | 1985; Christmasing | 1986; Her Very Best | 1987; Live in Chicago | 1988; Hold My Mule | 1989; He’s Working Out For You | 1991; I Remember Mama | 1992; Treasures | 1992; Seek Ye The Lord & The Soul of the Caravans | 1993; Throw Out the Lifeline | 1993; Old Apple Tree | 1993; Stand Still | 1993; Why Me Lord | 1993; He Touched Me | 1994; The King & Queen of Gospel, Vol. 2 | 1994; No Charge | 1995; Don’t Drive Your Mama Away | 1995; Shirley Caesar Live – He Will Come | 1995; A Miracle in Harlem | 1997; You Can Make It | 2000; Hymns | 2001; Shirley Caesar and Friends | 2003; A City Called Heaven | 2008; The Definitive Gospel Collection: Shirley Caesar | 2008; Platinum Gospel: Shirley Caesar | 2011; Shirley Caesar: The Ultimate Collection | 2011; Giving and Sharing – A Christmas Collection| 2011; Good God | 2013; Harvest Gospel Collection: Shirley Caesar | 2013; Gospel Music, Vol. 5 | 2014; Timeless Gospel Classics, Vol. 2 | 2014; Fill the House | 2016; Golden Gospel Classics | 2017; Vintage Gospel | 2019; Storm is Passing Over | 2021; Lord Have Mercy | 2021; At the Cross | 2021; Choose Ye This Day | 2021; I Believe | 2021; I’ll Go | 2021; My Testimony | 2021
Link (s):-Wakeelah’s Picks: (Personal note: Usually I have three picks, but hey, it’s Pastor Shirley Caesar, so … for this particular column, it’s going to be seven and that’s still not enough. There are so. many. more. I could choose from, her music is so anointed … so, with that being said, enjoy the picks!)
Song: “You’re Next In Line For A Miracle” | Album: A Miracle in Harlem | Year: 1997
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J8R8mDUs7dg
Song: “Worship Him” | Album: I Remember Mama | Year: 1992
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U25kp4YK3Po
Song: “O For A Thousand Tongues To Sing” | Album: He’s Working It Out For You | Year: 1991
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hzkj8D2tp98
Song: “He’s Working It Out” | Album: He’s Working It Out For You | Year: 1991
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oRj8HNvt4vY
Song: “No Charge” | Album: Shirley Caesar: Her Very Best | Year: 1987
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pxr6g6wc8c4
Song: “Jesus, I Love Calling Your Name” | Album: I Jesus, I Love Calling Your Name | Year: 1983
https://youtu.be/Cbsyfs0gvYk
Song: “Satan, You’re a Liar” | Album: Rejoice | Year: 1980
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7cCRixfPtdw
- “He Touched Me - Shirley Caesar: Songs, Reviews, Credits.” AllMusic, 31 Dec. 1969, www.allmusic.com/album/he-touched-me-mw0000884482.
- “The Ultimate Collection - Shirley Caesar: Songs, Reviews, Credits.” AllMusic, 11 Jan. 2011, www.allmusic.com/album/the-ultimate-collection-mw0002082610.
- “Shirley Caesar: Album Discography.” AllMusic, www.allmusic.com/artist/shirley-caesar-mn0000032071/discography/all#google_vignette.
- “Shirley Caesar.” Discogs, www.discogs.com/artist/38202-Shirley-Caesar?limit=250&page=1.
- “Harvest Gospel.” Charlotte Mecklenburg Library, cmlibrary.bibliocommons.com/v2/record/S106C2587916/.
- “Shirley Caesar – Harvest Collection (2013, CD).” Discogs, 1 Jan. 1970, www.discogs.com/Shirley-Caesar-Harvest-Collection/release/5468018.
-Music Information & Discography:
Album | Year: My Testimony | 1968; The Best of Shirley Caesar with the Caravans | 1968; The Best of Shirley Caesar | 1972;The Lost Recordings of Shirley Caesar: The Invitation | 1974; Millennial Reign | 1974; Reverend James Cleveland*, Evangelist Shirley Caesar* - The King & Queen of Gospel | 1975; Reverend James Cleveland & Evangelist Shirley Caesar* The King & Queen of Gospel Vol. II | 1975; Go Take a Bath | 1976; First Lady | 1977; The Greatest Hits of Shirley Caesar Volume 1 | 1977; Shirley Caesar Sings Her Favorite Songs, Vol. 2 | 1978; Rejoice | 1980; Jesus I Love Calling Your Name | 1983; Sailin’ | 1984; Celebration | 1985; Christmasing | 1986; Her Very Best | 1987; Live in Chicago | 1988; Hold My Mule | 1989; He’s Working Out For You | 1991; I Remember Mama | 1992; Treasures | 1992; Seek Ye The Lord & The Soul of the Caravans | 1993; Throw Out the Lifeline | 1993; Old Apple Tree | 1993; Stand Still | 1993; Why Me Lord | 1993; He Touched Me | 1994; The King & Queen of Gospel, Vol. 2 | 1994; No Charge | 1995; Don’t Drive Your Mama Away | 1995; Shirley Caesar Live – He Will Come | 1995; A Miracle in Harlem | 1997; You Can Make It | 2000; Hymns | 2001; Shirley Caesar and Friends | 2003; A City Called Heaven | 2008; The Definitive Gospel Collection: Shirley Caesar | 2008; Platinum Gospel: Shirley Caesar | 2011; Shirley Caesar: The Ultimate Collection | 2011; Giving and Sharing – A Christmas Collection| 2011; Good God | 2013; Harvest Gospel Collection: Shirley Caesar | 2013; Gospel Music, Vol. 5 | 2014; Timeless Gospel Classics, Vol. 2 | 2014; Fill the House | 2016; Golden Gospel Classics | 2017; Vintage Gospel | 2019; Storm is Passing Over | 2021; Lord Have Mercy | 2021; At the Cross | 2021; Choose Ye This Day | 2021; I Believe | 2021; I’ll Go | 2021; My Testimony | 2021
Link (s):-Wakeelah’s Picks: (Personal note: Usually I have three picks, but hey, it’s Pastor Shirley Caesar, so … for this particular column, it’s going to be seven and that’s still not enough. There are so. many. more. I could choose from, her music is so anointed … so, with that being said, enjoy the picks!)
Song: “You’re Next In Line For A Miracle” | Album: A Miracle in Harlem | Year: 1997
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J8R8mDUs7dg
Song: “Worship Him” | Album: I Remember Mama | Year: 1992
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U25kp4YK3Po
Song: “O For A Thousand Tongues To Sing” | Album: He’s Working It Out For You | Year: 1991
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hzkj8D2tp98
Song: “He’s Working It Out” | Album: He’s Working It Out For You | Year: 1991
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oRj8HNvt4vY
Song: “No Charge” | Album: Shirley Caesar: Her Very Best | Year: 1987
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pxr6g6wc8c4
Song: “Jesus, I Love Calling Your Name” | Album: I Jesus, I Love Calling Your Name | Year: 1983
https://youtu.be/Cbsyfs0gvYk
Song: “Satan, You’re a Liar” | Album: Rejoice | Year: 1980
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7cCRixfPtdw
Wakeelah Cocroft-Aldridge is a Freelance Writer residing in Chicago, IL with her husband. Her writing includes academic writing and creative writing such as fiction, non-fiction, and poetry. Wakeelah likes to laugh and cry about the sweet somethings of life, and find out about the unique stories of others. She loves comedy, animation, extended metaphors, quiet times, and she is an avid listener of gospel music. Oh … and she likes Peppermint Stick ice cream!
Wakeelah has joined us as a Columnist, forming Purposeful Gospel Profiles, a periodic column. She hopes, as she interviews each Gospel Artist, to portray their purpose for singing gospel music and what it means to those who provide a musical narrative for the Good News of Jesus Christ.
Wakeelah has joined us as a Columnist, forming Purposeful Gospel Profiles, a periodic column. She hopes, as she interviews each Gospel Artist, to portray their purpose for singing gospel music and what it means to those who provide a musical narrative for the Good News of Jesus Christ.
“Purpose is the essential element of you. It is the reason you are on the planet at this particular time in history.
Your very existence is wrapped up in the things you are here to fulfill. Press on with purpose.” – Chadwick Boseman
Your very existence is wrapped up in the things you are here to fulfill. Press on with purpose.” – Chadwick Boseman
Disclaimer: All claims or statements in Purposeful Gospel Profiles column were deemed truthful to the best knowledge of the Columnist at the time of publication. All views or opinions by persons featured in the column do not necessarily reflect the views or opinions of the Columnist or Voice of One CNC Online Magazine. The Columnist reserves the right to make any changes to the column at any time.