Legendary gospel group, The Cooling Waters, along with Bishop Washington Williams, "Mother" Rachael Mackey, and the late Dr. Myles Munroe will be honored with Lifetime Achievement awards during the "50th Anniversary Bahamian Gospel Honors" which will also honor 50 gospel artists during The Bahamas' golden jubilee year.
In determining who will receive Lifetime awards, Kevin "Minister K" Harris, the brainchild behind the "50th Anniversary Bahamian Gospel Honors", said he and his team looked at the scope of work musically and the ministry from the individuals and group, and the impact of the artists.
Bishop Washington Williams is receiving two honors - as a solo act, and with The Cooling Waters as a founding member.
The Cooling Waters has produced some of the most timeless gospel classics including "The Lord Will Make Away Somehow" and "God Can".
Harris said "Mother" Rachael Mackey, the woman credited as being the "mother" of Bahamian gospel music, will be honored for her years of dedication and contribution toward the advancement and building of the Bahamian gospel music industry.
Along with her group the Andros Mighty Cloud of Joy, "Mother" Mackey produced a number of classic songs including "Old Time Religion" and "Give it to Jesus".
Munroe was a founding member of the legendary gospel group The Visionaries which released a number of recordings – "Brand New World" and "Living with Jesus on the Other Side". He also provided the opportunity for a number of gospel artists to travel and minister with him at international conferences, reaching international audiences around the world through his ministry and influence.
Harris, a gospel promoter, said the honors is expected to serve as a complement to The Bahamas' 50th anniversary celebrations. It is intended to recognize and honor the contributions of local gospel recording artists who have made contributions in the advancement and development of the country through music and ministry.
"As a former songwriter and recording artist, I recognize as we celebrate independence, gospel recording artists have played a role in developing the country over these 50 years, and when I saw the events to commemorate, myself, along with a team, decided we would do an event to do just that – to honor the history of gospel music in this country," he said.
With acts like the decades-old Region Bells, down to artists who made their debuts a mere two to three years ago, Harris said the event will make for an amazing cross-generational affair.
"The team decided to recognize artists that cover the period 1973 to 2023, a blend of artists across generations. You're going to have 50-plus years of gospel artists in one room together, and some of the artists have sometimes not met each other."
Also to be honored during the ceremony at the Myles E. Munroe Diplomat Center, will be 50 of the nation's gospel recording artists.
Harris said the list of artists selected to be honored represents a blend between gospel legends and newcomers, but all have made contributions in their own right.
Adrian Edgecombe, Alia Coley, Allison Mason-Rolle, Ayanna Cartwright, Barak, Bishop Lawrence Rolle, Chris Fox, Christopher Roberts, Denczil Rolle & Friends, DJ Counsellor, Edison Sumner & Voices of Praise, Hubert McIntosh, Jill Cleare, Kenyatta Taylor, Landlord, Lenora Taylor, Najie Dunn, Nu Generation, Oslien Jadorte, Ricardo Clarke, Richa Sands, Shaback, Sweet Revival, System 3, Tamika Taylor, Tabernacle Concert Choir (TCC), Terrance Forbes, The Curry Sisters, The Dynamic Gospel Flames, The Gospel Elevations, The Gospel Impressions, The Love Singers, The New Inspirational Sons of Joy, The Original Redemption Gospel Singers, The Region Bells, The Visionaries, and Touched are among the acts to be honored.
Brenda Lee Petty, Jackie Taylor-Smith, Oslien Jadorte, The Rahming Brothers, The Pratt Brothers and gospel legend Reverend Harrington "Zippy" Frazier and the Sons & Daughters of Andros, along with Cara T. Newton, Kelda "Timeless" Sweeting, Decision, Monty G, Vanessa Rolle as well as legendary artists Rev. Rudy Roberts and Pastor Simeon Outten.
"As the country was preparing to host a variety of events to commemorate our 50th independence as a nation, the idea came to me that we needed to create and produce an event that would celebrate and award gospel recording artists for their invaluable contribution to the country in the area of music and ministry," said Harris, the event's founder and producer. "After speaking with some of the key organizers of this year's list of independence events, I recognized that there was an opportunity to include in the number of national events, an awards show to highlight the achievements of Bahamian gospel recording artists."
He said the artists they considered to be honored were submitted by local gospel industry stakeholders. The names submitted for consideration were reduced to 50 to receive.
Harris said the committee also sought to ensure that the final list of 50 included artists representing the Family Islands.
"We strongly felt that we could not have a national gospel award event and not recognize the contributions of some of our most talented gospel artists from some of our Family Islands."
Awards of Merit will be meted out to Dr. Ann Higgins, liturgical dance minister, for her contribution to the art form; Lynn Terez Davis-Nixon, actress and playwright, for her contribution in the areas of the arts including drama which served as the platform for her personality Dynamite Daisy to shine.
The late Dr. Mark Anthony Bethel, who Harris said is considered the pioneer of praise and worship in The Bahamas, will receive the Award of Distinction posthumously for his invaluable contribution to the advancement of music and ministry.
Artists also receiving posthumous honors will be Kevan McKenzie, the man credited as a pioneer in the arena of Bahamian gospel music that incorporated indigenous Bahamian sounds such as rake 'n' scape and Junkanoo; and hip-hop recording artists Japheth "Lyrically Blessed" Ferguson and Lavard "Manifest" Parks.
Emerging Artist Awards will be presented to up-and-coming gospel songwriters and recording artists Davian Chase, Kenya Ferguson, Colyn Kristopher, Mr J, Adrianna Munnings and E Man. The award acknowledges the importance of encouraging and mentoring the future of the Bahamian gospel music industry.
Tickets for the 50th Anniversary Bahamian Gospel Honors are $25 and available at Logos Bookstore in the Harbour Bay Shopping Plaza, All Seasons (formerly The Bible Book & Gift Center) located in the Palmdale Shopping Plaza and the Oasis Book & Gift Center located at the Diplomat Center.
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