I watched with interest the Gospel shows referenced below. For the most part, I think that Professor Gates did an outstanding job in presenting a history of Gospel. I greatly appreciated the profile of Thomas A. Dorsey
and the personal tragedy behind his composition of the great gospel song "Take My Hand, Precious Lord".
I was particularly impressed with the profile of the great Gospel singer, Mahalia Jackson
and her inspirational relationship with Martin Luther King. As shown in the documentary, on more than one occasion it was Mahalia who spiritually lifted up Martin, most notably during Martin's speech at the March on Washington in 1963 when Martin began to meander. It was Mahalia who urged Martin to tell the audience about a dream that he had had. Martin heard Mahalia and seemed to shift gears. Martin began to tell the audience about the dream that he had, and his resulting speech became one of the greatest speeches in the history of the world.
I was particularly interested in the coverage of the Gospel music of my formative adult era, the late 1960s and 1970s. For the most part, the coverage of that time period was adequate but I noticed a few oversights. First, on the presentation of the Edwin Hawkins song "Oh Happy Day", I did not see credit being given to Richmond's own Dorothy Combs Morrison for her lead vocals on the song
Second, in profiling the Hawkins family, I did not see Tramaine Hawkins
nor did I hear one of my favorite gospel songs of all time, Tramaine's "Goin Up Yonder"
And finally, the program fully profiles the great Andrae Crouch
and the great globalization of Gospel music that he spearheaded. Many of Andrae's songs were presented in the documentary. However, for me, his most important song was not presented. I present it now because, in many ways, it has been the theme song for my life, and may be the theme song for millions more.
Everett "Skip" Jenkins
Fairfield, California
February 19, 2024
----- Forwarded Message -----
From: skipjen2865@aol.com <skipjen2865@aol.com>
To:
Sent: Friday, February 9, 2024 at 03:31:52 AM PST
Subject: Must See TV for February 2024: PBS: Gospel Live! and Gospel
Today is February 9, 2024. On my viewing calendar for today is Gospel Live! Presented by Henry Louis Gates, Jr.
and on my viewing calendar for February 12 and February 13 is Gospel
Gospel | PBS
As my local PBS station program guide reads:
"Dig Deep into the origin story of Black spirituality through song and sermon in the newest historical series from Henry Louis Gates, Jr.
"Musical styles come and go, but there's one sound that has been a constant source of strength, courage, and wisdom from the pulpit to the choir lofts on any given Sunday. Gospel music has become the dominant form of African American religious expression and provides a soundtrack of healing and uplift to those at the front lines of protest and change.
"Coming out of slavery, blending with the blues tradition, and soaring to new heights during the Great Migration, gospel music has defined and inspired generations. Thanks to artists like Mahalia Jackson and Kirk Franklin, these deeply meaningful songs have reached the present day, enjoying a new heyday from the last century to today."
For this February 2024, for this Black History Month, my Must See TV recommendation is to watch both Gospel Live! and Gospel.
Praise Be!
Peace,
Everett "Skip" Jenkins
----- Forwarded Message -----
From: skipjen2865@aol.com <skipjen2865@aol.com>
To: Everett Jenkins <skipjen2865@aol.com>
Sent: Thursday, December 21, 2023 at 02:14:57 AM PST
Subject: Must See TV for December 2023: PBS: Frontline: Netanyahu, America & the Road to War in Gaza
----- Forwarded Message -----
From: skipjen2865@aol.com <skipjen2865@aol.com>
To:
Sent: Friday, December 15, 2023 at 03:39:52 AM PST
Subject: Must See TV for December 2023: PBS: Frontline: Netanyahu, America & the Road to War in Gaza
For the Month of December 2023, the Must See TV program is the PBS Frontline program "Netanyahu, America & the Road to War in Gaza"
The program is set to air next week on your local PBS station and I would encourage you to watch. I know I will.
Also, I encourage everyone to learn about the Nakba
The Nakba began 75 years ago, and from the perspective of many, continues to this day.
Peace .... Please,
Everett "Skip" Jenkins
----- Forwarded Message -----
From: skipjen2865@aol.com <skipjen2865@aol.com>
To:
Sent: Wednesday, November 22, 2023 at 06:13:05 AM PST
Subject: Must See TV for November 2023: PBS: Frontline: Shattered Dreams of Peace: The Road From Oslo
For the Month of November 2023, the Must See TV program is the PBS Frontline program "Shattered Dreams of Peace: The Road From Oslo". The program is actually a review of events from 20 years ago. However, by watching the events from the past one can see the seeds for the garden of thorns being sewn. Today, the thorns are being reaped and, perhaps, even more thorn seeds are being sewn.
Thankfully, ten thousand years from now, our successors will look back on these times ... and not remember that these times existed at all.
That may be the ultimate blessing that God can bestow.
Peace,
Everett "Skip" Jenkins
----- Forwarded Message -----
From: skipjen2865@aol.com <skipjen2865@aol.com>
To:
Sent: Tuesday, October 17, 2023 at 04:46:30 AM PDT
Subject: Must See TV for October 2023: PBS: The American Buffalo: A Film by Ken Burns
For the Month of October 2023, the Must See TV program is The American Buffalo, a film by Ken Burns. The two-part, four-hour program is airing on PBS this week. Please catch it, if you can ... and please contemplate how the exploitative impulses that are chronicled in the program are still present today.
Peace,
Everett "Skip" Jenkins
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