A mix of legendary and contemporary gospel artists rocked the 50th Anniversary Bahamian Gospel Honors.

Multi-talented female vocalist Cara T. Newton not only brought the audience to its feet, but impressed Lifetime Achievement Award recipient "Mother" Rachel Mackey whom she paid tribute to with her performance of "Old Time Religion".

Mackey, who watched the show which was held at the Myles E Munroe Diplomat Center from her home, sent Newton a voice note afterwards to tell her how moved she was by the performance. And that Newton reminded her of herself when she started in gospel music over 50 years ago.

Arguably, the most touching moment of the evening was the performance of "Jesus What a Wonder You Are" which was dedicated to the late Vanessa Clarke, an award-winning gospel recording artist and journalist who died on Friday, July 14, mere days ahead of the show that was held on Sunday, July 16.

Vanessa was a longstanding member of the gospel music community, having ministered at hundreds of churches and events throughout the country and released a number of gospel singles and albums over the years. She also won local and international gospel music awards.

Images of Vanessa with her husband Volare and children V'ajha and V'lori, family and friends, were displayed on the video wall as the song which was written by Richa Sands and made popular by American gospel singer and pastor Juanita Bynum was performed by Edison Sumner & Voices led by Ayanna Cartwright and Alia Coley, and with a special liturgical dance by Dr. Ann Higgins.

Also featured were performances by Orlando "Landlord" Miller, Kenyatta Taylor, Christopher Roberts, Puzzle and Oslien Jadorte.

Awards were distributed to 50 gospel recording artists to commemorate the 50th anniversary of The Bahamas' independence.

Multiple award-winning ensemble Shaback kicked off the event with a performance of their hit single "Island Praise" followed by the Tabernacle Concert Choir (TCC) and a combination set featuring DJ Counsellor and gospel hip-hop recording artist E MAN.

Memorable performances also came from some of the country's legendary gospel groups including the Sons and Daughters of Andros and its leader and founder, Reverend Harrington "Zippy" Frazier, 79, who demonstrated that age is truly nothing but a number and that there was still fire in his soul as well as in his bones.

Frazier and his children had the crowd on its feet swaying to the pulsating rhythm and refrain of their national classic "Sit Down Servant".

The event also saw the reunion performances from two of the most notable gospel groups, Sweet Revival and The Gospel Impressions, both of whom had not performed together at a gospel concert in a number of years.

Known by many in the gospel music circle as Honey Sweet Revival, the group gave a foot-stomping delivery of their hit "I'm Singing for Jesus". They were then joined on stage by gospel newcomer Davian Chase for a rendition of the classic "At the Meeting", made famous by Sweet Revival 30-plus years ago with the late Jerry Gould on lead and introduced to a new generation with a modern twist by Chase.

The legendary Cooling Waters featuring founding member Bishop Washington Williams also delivered a timeless performance. The group took the audience on a trip down memory lane with a medley of their greatest hits – "The Lord Will Make a Way", "God Can", and "Waiting Down Here at The River".

Pastor Simeon Outten ran through a string of his hit singles and concert favorites including "Higher Ground" and "Give Me Some of that Holy Ghost".

Bishop Lawrence Rolle brought the house down with the evening's closing performance of "It is Well".

The Pratt Brothers out of Andros, accompanied by some of their grandnephews and grandnieces on the goat skin drums, offered up a taste of indigenous Bahamian gospel with the single "Swing Away".

Eleuthera native and soloist Brendalee Petty performed the hymn"Grace Grace" and Jackie Taylor Smith delivered the church classic "Uncloudy Day" during the in memoriam segment of the production.

The post Gospel artists rock 50th Anniversary Bahamian Gospel Honors show appeared first on The Nassau Guardian.

The post Gospel artists rock 50th Anniversary Bahamian Gospel Honors show appeared first on The Nassau Guardian.

Click here to read more at The Nassau Guardian