Hammond ’ s influence , saying ,
“ I am honored to have this opportunity to speak on our big , big , brother , uncle Fred Hammond , who I got the opportunity to work with and his group , United Tenors , which was a really big deal to me . One , because I was already a huge fan . In fact , I always say his music was a part of my spiritual formation , but also because getting that opportunity , to make a long story short , was like a bridge over troubled water .
I got a chance to get up close and work with Fred . And what I saw was that he was always extending those bridges to people . The opportunity for people to come in and bring their very best gifts to bear , in the interest of furthering the ministry and helping people with this music .”
Tye Tribett ’ s spoke about Hezekiah Walker , saying ;
“ I don ’ t think you ’ re gonna be able to mention gospel music in my generation or any generation following without mentioning Hezekiah Walker .
His impact was unprecedented . He captivated me . Being from New York , up-north churches ’ energy is different . Up-north and northeast churches , it ’ s just different . So I connected with that immediately when I heard him , like , oh , that sound , I ’ m familiar with that sound , and that sound is mainstream now . Other ears were hearing the sound I would hear at my church or at my conferences .
So when I first heard Hezekiah Walker , oh my gosh , the song “ Won ’ t He Make You Clean ”! And all the music ! The sound was different than James Cleveland and what I had heard before , or the Caravans , or even the Hawkins . It was different than that . It was a big choir sound , dope band . You just couldn ’ t match that energy back in the day .
And of course that all resonated with me cause I have a whole lot of energy . And ultimately it showed me that I could fit in this industry , because of the impact and the contributions of Bishop Hezekiah Walker to the gospel music industry .”
FUTURE As we close out this celebration of gospel ’ s past and present , let ’ s look at what ’ s to come for the gospel genre in the future and who will continue to carry on this legacy . There ’ s Melvin Crisbell III , there ’ s Doe Jones , there ’ s Tasha Cobbs Leonard , and Maverick City , we love them . There ’ s Travis Green , Todd Delaney , Jonathan Traylor , Jonathan McReynolds , and JJ Hairston , just to name a few .
I want say this , I am honored to be associated with such a rich history . African Americans who refused to be defeated , a brilliant group of people who , despite fear and oppression , managed to sing songs of freedom , songs of hope , and songs of joy . Listen , there ’ s just something about gospel music that makes us trust deeper in what we believe .
Chris Baker Brand manager of MultiTracks Gospel
MultiTracks . com .
Chris Baker . Click image to watch “ History of Gospel | Future ( pt . 5 )”
18 February 2023
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