BET Networks Says Farewell To “Bobby Jones Gospel”
This past Sunday the Grand Ballroom of the historic Mayflower Hotel, nicknamed the hotel of Presidents, was transformed into a church sanctuary as entertainment industry executives and music personalities testified about the life and ground-breaking television career of the Ambassador to Dominica, otherwise known as Dr. Bobby Jones, the founder and host of Black Entertainment Television’s (BET) “Bobby Jones Gospel,” the longest running program in cable television history.
The biggest names in gospel music from multi-platinum artist Kirk Franklin to eight-time Grammy Award nominated singer Vickie Winans, who served as mistress of ceremonies, crammed the luxurious ballroom to tell humorous anecdotes about Jones and how he gave gospel artists a national television platform while also serving as the cornerstone for the then fledgling BET cable network in 1980.
BET founder Robert Johnson sent a videotaped message about how Dr. Jones’ program was the network’s first show and was just what it needed when it was getting off the ground. Current CEO Debra Lee recalled first meeting Dr. Jones when she was BET’s general counsel and was charged with conferring with Dr. Jones’ on a new contract during intense negotiations. BET Networks’ President of Music Programming and Specials Stephen Hill was on hand and explained how Dr. Jones approached him several months ago to plan “an exit strategy” for the program. He also affirmed that the program was not cancelled and that Dr. Jones was not forced to retire. “I wanted to leave at the top of my game,” Dr. Jones told a studio audience between show tapings at BET during the weekend.
As guests dined on savory salmon, haricot vert and New York cheesecake with a passion fruit glaze, the room was serenaded by the likes of singer Isaac Carree, Season Two “Sunday Best” winner Y’Anna Crawley and Dr. Jones’ own Nashville Super Choir performing a medley of songs. Dr. Jones closed the evening with appreciative remarks that teetered between tears and laughter.
Over the course of the last three and a half decades, Dr. Jones has not only given household gospel names such as Yolanda Adams and Franklin their national TV debuts; but he has also hosted an assortment of mainstream celebrities ranging from country music legend Loretta Lynn to R&B Diva Patti LaBelle on the show. The show just taped it’s final season of shows over the last two weeks with big name performances by current gospel megastars such as Casey J, Pastor Charles Jenkins, Israel Houghton alongside legends such as Adams, Franklin and Fred Hammond. The new and final season of “Bobby Jones Gospel” premieres in October.
Chris Brown Says Devil has No Answer When God Speaks
In a Post via the Social Media on Instagram Chris Brown the award-winning singer blamed the devil for trying to ruin his life and also claims he’s heard God speak to him for the very first time.
Here is the Message By CHRIS
“When u tired of the fucking devil ruining your life and u hear God speak for the first time.
No one knows what I deal with on a day to day. The average man wouldn’t hesitate to blow his fucking brains out but that’s the cowards way out… Most won’t understand the genius and beauty in change and learning and the people who have devilish intentions will win in the short term. My soul will always be pure of heart.
What’s on the surface always looks like one big party but inside there is a little boy looking for help and guidance. People say “be a man”. Yeah, that’s right but it doesn’t take away any pain you really go through. I just wanna stay out the way and do music. Most importantly and great father.
Here @Triumphant we say to Chris …Serving God Pays and we Believe that seeking God first should be the ultimate goal of any living individual on Earth..
![R&B singer Chris Brown, left, appears in Los Angeles Superior Court with his attorney Mark Geragos, on Monday, March 17, 2014. Brown will spend another month in jail after a judge said Monday he was told the singer made troubling comments in rehab about being good at using guns and knives. The singer was arrested on Friday, March 14, 2014, after he was dismissed from a Malibu facility where he was receiving treatment for anger management, substance abuse and issues related to bipolar disorder. (AP Photo/Lucy Nicholson, Pool)](https://sp-ao.shortpixel.ai/client/to_auto,q_glossy,ret_img,w_350,h_210/https://www.triumphantradio.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/Chris-350x210.jpg)