•Sr. Lajuana D. Weathers who has served as a “Holistic Vocal Technique Clinician” which has allowed her the opportunity to work with various groups for over 60 years. She served as the first Minister of Music for the Salem Baptist Church of Chicago.

•Sr. Lajuana was the vocal coach for Pastor Dan Willis on his recording “A Man and His Music”. She was also a facilitator at the Lighthouse 2016 Conference along with Benny Hinn and Lanny Wolfe.

•As a member of the Gayden Sisters Trio, (best known for the song "Honestly, Honestly") they sang locally and were guests on the Mahalia Jackson Show; guests on the Today Show and the Arthur Godfrey Show in 1955.  This group is the oldest living sister trio.

•And the First Female to conduct a choir in Bethlehem Square in Jerusalem.

Sr. Price has worked with such groups as the Wooten Choral Ensemble, Doris Ward Workshop Chorale, Mark Hubbard, the Ecclesiastes Community Choir, Gospel Music Workshop of America Choir (GMAC), Chicago Mass Choir and many others.

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Lisa Collins a contributing columnist of Billboard Magazine writes her "In The Spirit" article covering the Gospel Music Workshop of America's Gospel Convention in 1993.  Her highlights not only share details about the convention she also discusses the Gospel Artists attending and participating as well as covers the FIRST Singsation Gospel Expo where prize awards for competition of $25,000 in scholarship money.  There was also a "Battle of Quartets" where the purses ranged from $2,000 to $5,000 in awards.

In this September 4, 1993 issue of Billboard there was a review and interview of the newly elected, Al Hobbs, Chairman of Gospel Music Workshop of America.  This on the 26th Anniversary of the workshop following the passing of founder Rev. James Cleveland.

The show rounds out with the Top 40 Gospel Albums ending the week of September 4, 1993; with the closing highlighting snippets of the Top 10.

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Mother Willie Mae Ford was one be pronounced “one of the most important gospel singers of the century” by The New York Times.  She influenced such singers as Mahalia Jackson and Brother Joe May.

Willie Mae, Mary, Emma, and Geneva— the Ford Sisters Quartet, a gospel group that performed around the Midwest throughout the early 1920s.

From 1936 until the late 1980s, she served as director of the convention’s Soloist Bureau, evaluating, coaching, and influencing a who’s who of gospel singers: Roberta Martin, Mahalia Jackson, Edna Gallmon Cooke, Martha Bass, Myrtle Scott, the O’Neal Twins, and Brother Joe May. 

Appeared at the 1972 Newport Jazz Festival singing Gospel which resurged her recording career at the age of 67.  

One of the featured women in Brian Lanker’s I Dream a World: Portraits of Black Women Who Changed America 1989.

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•Curtis Fondren has a hit song which has captured much accolades and awards: “With Thee I Wed” featuring Desmond Pringle and Felicia Coleman-Evans which peaked at #1 on the Billboard Nielsen BDS Internet Radio Gospel Chart.

•Curtis is a native of Chicago IL; a seasoned music professional and a master percussionist. He has furthered his musical career by performing in various genres with such singers as Tramaine Hawkins, Rev. James Cleveland, Vanessa Bell Armstrong and many others.

•For over three decades Curtis developed and perfected his musical craft while playing on various recordings.

•Today Curtis serves as an integral part of the musical dream team at the Christian Tabernacle Church Baptist, which was under the leadership of the late Pastor Macceo L. Woods

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•Apostle Dr. SheridaLovelace, the founder of S.L. Ministries and Passion for Worship International; based in Atlanta, GA. The author of “Sleeping Beauty ~ Dream Again.”

•Sherida is the present producer and host of “The Triumphant Show w/ SheridaLovelace” which broadcasts on local, national and international radio and Television platforms.

•She is a recent recipient of DOPE Women in Radio 2021 honored through the Spin Awards. She is the founder of HGM3 (His Global Movement Manifesting Manna) Gospel Dance & Corporate Creativity Broadcast. Sherida has been a featured guest on TV and Radio Stations throughout the country and internationally.

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•Veronica Evans is an Independent Artist recently breaking on the scene, she has been singing since high school during the time her father began his pastoral ministry on the westside of Chicago.  Several years ago she began writing songs the Lord has been giving her.  With the encouragement of her brother she went into the studio to record.  Veronica is a Gospel Music songwriter

•Known as VE & Covenant, in December of 2021, she released a Christmas EP "Immanuel" and has at least six (6) more singles to release soon.  You may find her releases on most streaming music outlets.

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•Dr. Lou Della Evans-Reid who has the National reputation as being one of the most outstanding Minister’s of Music this side of Heaven. Her unique style of directing is majestic and has enhanced worship services for over 70 years.

•Lou Della Evans-Reid was the first pianist at the highly notable Fellowship Missionary Baptist Church of Chicago where the founding Pastor was the late Rev. Clay Evans. And in 1963 was appointed Minister of Music of Fellowship which was a rarity during that time.

•She is known world-wide for her moving renditions of hymn arrangements and has served abroad demonstrating and teaching her gifted techniques. Mama Lou is celebrated for arranging such notable songs as “Bringing in The Sheaves” and “New Name In Glory” both have been featured in musical recordings.

•At age 91 Dr. Lou Della Evans-Reid continues to be actively involved with choirs, especially her own choir “The Lou Della Evans-Reid Traditional Gospel Choir.

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•L. Stanley Davis a noted clinician, historian and specialist in Black Sacred Music with an emphasis in gospel and Black sacred music history & performance. He has taught at both DePaul and Loyola Universities in Chicago.

•L. Stanley’s achievements reflect his lifelong love, passion, dedication and commitment to music. He has served as presenters at workshops, conferences and annual conventions across the country. He also co-founded Gospel Arts Workshop dedicated to the preservation, production and promotion of the gospel music art form.

•In 1987 he became a member of a select group of singers and musicians “The Voices of Resurrection” who introduced the gospel sound to Australia for the very first time.

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•L. Stanley Davis a noted clinician, historian and specialist in Black Sacred Music with an emphasis in gospel and Black sacred music history & performance. He has taught at both DePaul and Loyola Universities in Chicago.

•L. Stanley’s achievements reflect his lifelong love, passion, dedication and commitment to music. He has served as presenters at workshops, conferences and annual conventions across the country. He also co-founded Gospel Arts Workshop dedicated to the preservation, production and promotion of the gospel music art form.

•In 1987 he became a member of a select group of singers and musicians “The Voices of Resurrection” who introduced the gospel sound to Australia for the very first time.

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Charles G. Hayes was ordained in the Ministry at the age of 19 years old in1957. Then two years later he organized /founded Cosmopolitan Church of Prayer on April 28, 1959. During the growth of his church ministry he also developed one of the top rated Church Choirs to ever hit the charts. Cosmopolitan Church of Prayer Choir” became known affectionately known as “The Warriors”.  

Dr. Charles G. Hayes and Cosmopolitan Church of Prayer Choir has recorded over 30 albums and five single 45’s throughout the past 50 YEARS. Out of the thirty plus albums, two went “GOLD” (over 50,000 copies sold), and others made the No. 1 spot on the charts around the world. 

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