2023 Gospel Music Historical Society's Award Show Winners
2023 Most Tenacious of the Year:
Spiritual Believers
2023 Odessa Still Award MC of the Year:
Brenda Abrams
2023 The Shields Brothers Award - Male Group of the Year:
Spiritual Believers
2023 The Elite Jewels Award - Female Group of the Year:
Munndora Singers
2023 Weeden Family Singers Award- Mixed Group of the Year:
Faith Hairston and The Chosen Vessels
2023 Choir of the Year:
Cleveland Chorale
2023 Jean Austin Award - Female Soloist of the Year:
Flo Davis
2023 Robert Hubbard Sr. Award - Male Soloist of the Year:
Willie McMillon
2023 Helen Turner Thompson Award – Musician of the Year:
Javert "Jaye" Haynes
2023 Best Harmony of the Year:
Humbly Submitted
2023 Denver Wilborn Award: Radio Host of the Year:
Brenda Abrams
2023 Producer of the Year:
Javert "Jaye" Haynes
2023 Sound Engineer of the Year:
Howard Dillard
2023 Arthur Turner Award: Promotor of the Year:
Evangelist Lois Swanson
2023 Robert Peacock Award: Most Professional of the Year:
Lucretia Bolden
2023 Bill Spivery Award - Song of the Year:
Spiritual Believers, “On the Right Road Now”
The Shields Brothers began their singing career in 1928 becoming Cleveland’s premiere gospel quartet for more than seventy years. The group members were Lee Crosby, Arthur Beasley, Arthur Turner, James Henderson and Claude Shields Sr. They paved the way for Black gospel quartet music as we know it today.
The Cleveland Coloured Quintet were electrifying singers, their style of singing not only lifted an audience, it raised the roof. Between 1912 and the 1950’s members of the group made a significant contribution to the history of the Alliance Church and had an international impact for Christ during their time.
Anyone wanting to hear the quintet during their popularity, would covet an orchestra seat for their appearance. They recorded with the prestigious Columbia recording company and would eventually go on to gain international recognition, traveling throughout Europe,
The WINGS OVER JORDAN CHOIR (WOJC) were a prominent African American choir during the late 1930s and early 1940s. They made broadcast history with the first independently produced national and international radio programs created by AFRICAN AMERICANS. The group made contributions to choral music and the improvement of race relations. The choir was founded in 1935 by the Rev. GLENN T. SETTLE, pastor of Gethsemane Baptist Church on E. 30th and Scovill Ave. in Cleveland Ohio. Rev. Settle believed in using Negro spirituals to spread Christianity. He promoted establishing a radio program to address the Negro community and introduce the non-Negro to the Negro experience. In 1937, the ensemble performed weekly on the “Negro Hour” over RADIO station WGAR, a CBS affiliate.
On 9 Jan. 1938 the group adopted the name Wings Over Jordan Choir and national broadcasting began. WOJC performed a decade long series of weekly, sometimes daily, programs for CBS and WGAR exclusively. WOJC was the first full-time professional black choir in America. At its height, the choir performed before sold-out, non-segregated audiences in over 40 states, 5 European countries, Canada, and Mexico. During WORLD WAR II, under USO sponsorship, WOJC toured Army camps in Europe. WOJC’s fame resulted in the publication of a songbook and record album, a movie contract, performances with major symphony orchestras, and an invitation to sing at the White House. The choir received numerous honors, including radio’s prestigious Peabody Award. It was instrumental in preserving authentic Negro spirituals and became the universal voice of American Negroes.
In 1936 Mrs. Etta Mae Hurd, Mrs. Johnnie Mae Feagen and Brother Leroy Gaynor formed “The Sunray Gospel Singers”. The group consisted of Mrs. Etta M. (Feagan) Hurd, Miss Thelma Coleman, Miss Josephine Knight and Beulah Smith. In 1937 Mr. Leroy Gaynor changed the name to The Elite Jewels. Under Mr. Gaynor’s direstion the group traveled to various cities across the state singing Gods praises. Shortly afterwards Mr. Arthur Turner became their manager and these talented, anointed women of God soon made fans across the country.
Currently the group is being led by Mrs. Willie Mae Reese and shows no sign of slowing down even as they near the century mark, celebrating 87 years of ministry in 2022. The Jewels have had their ups and downs, but the Good Lord has blessed them to have more ups than downs.
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GMHS Mission
The Gospel Music Historical Society is a public charitable foundation whose purpose is to educate, promote and preserve the rich heritage of gospel music. This is done through education, event programming, networking, and workshops. We use our resources to encourage and support the success of GMHS Gospel artist. We raise funds and make gifts and donations in support of the arts, education, literacy, health, welfare and organizations that further our purpose.
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