Many people worldwide deeply love gospel music, and this music genre is a significant dimension of their spirituality. Gospel music television pioneer Dr. Bobby Jones has arguably impacted gospel music more than anyone.
He selflessly employed his show on Black Entertainment Television (BET), Bobby Jones Gospel, as a platform to supply new gospel music artists with national exposure and further propel the careers of established and prominent gospel music artists.
Gospel Music Television and Dr. Bobby Jones
Bobby Jones Gospel first aired on January 27, 1980, on BET, and the show was the network’s longest-running program. Every Sunday morning, it opened with gospel music television pioneer Dr. Bobby Jones leading a song with a choir, often the Nashville Super Choir.
Many of the most popular past and current gospel music artists and groups, including Kirk Franklin, Mary Mary, Yolanda Adams, Smokie Norful, Dorothy Norwood, and Albertina Walker, got their first national exposure on the show.
Although Patti Labelle is known more for secular music, she started as a gospel music singer. Bobby Jones Gospel gave Labelle her first opportunity to perform before a national audience.
Gospel Music Television’s Impact on the Music Genre
Dr. Bobby Jones has showcased sundry talent in the gospel music industry, including traditional and contemporary gospel music artists, gospel music rappers, praise dancers, and instrumentalists from diverse racial and geographical backgrounds.
When many artists’ local radio stations, television companies, and other forms of media would not allow them to market their prowess, Jones would warmly welcome them on his television program.
The gospel music television extraordinaire brought gospel music television to mainstream airwaves, mushrooming gospel music’s reach and influence. Bobby Jones Gospel was the first and only network-televised program to offer gospel music performed predominantly by Blacks. For this reason, many people contend Jones has the most impactful achievement in gospel music history.
Numerous secular independent artists often find it challenging to showcase their talent before substantial numbers of people. However, independent gospel music artists always had a reasonable chance of being given an opportunity to exhibit their talent before a national audience through Bobby Jones Gospel.
Honor the Legend and Legacy
We often wait until it’s too late to celebrate people and the things they accomplish. When they are dead, they cannot see and hear tributes. Give folks their metaphorical flowers while they are alive.
The gospel music television legend received a presidential commendation from former President George W. Bush for being one of the most successful figures in gospel music history.
Dr. Bobby Jones is a Grammy Award winner.
He also has impressive academic achievements. Jones graduated from high school at 15, earned an undergraduate degree in elementary education at Tennessee State University at 19, a master’s degree at Tennessee State University, and a doctoral degree at Vanderbilt University. You read that correctly: a doctoral degree from the prestigious Vanderbilt University.
He has a tremendous passion for ameliorating the educational experiences and outcomes of disadvantaged students and travels around the country advocating for closing the academic achievement gap between Blacks and Whites.
Dr. Bobby Jones, you are genuinely appreciated for your enduring and valuable contributions to gospel music, gospel music television, and people worldwide.
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