A BIT OF AMERICANA IN GOSPEL MUSIC

“Gospel music is a part of Americana that’s most in danger of being lost,” says the RevC. Gordon, chairman of the American Gospel Arts Fund.

“It’s true American heritage, born when the African and European cultures were fused together under pressure, much as a diamond comes forth from coal. . . . Gospel music is neither African nor European, but it is completely American.

“The problem today is that we run the risk of forgetting the platform contemporary gospel was built on.”

In an effort to promote public awareness of gospel’s history and recognize its artists, Gordon’s organization is mounting what he believes is “the largest gospel music event that has ever hit Los Angeles.”

The Mahalia Jackson Gospel Music Festival will run Friday through Monday at MacArthur Park. The artists scheduled to appear at six separate concerts include the Mighty Clouds of Joy, Candi Staton, Nicholas, Mother DeBarge and her children, the O’Neal Twins, D. J. Rogers and several church choirs.

Gordon says that the free event is the first nationwide attempt to maintain the gospel heritage. His nonprofit organization, which he started in 1984, is linked with other groups also dedicated to the preservation of gospel music and its artifacts, many of which date back to the 1700s.

Gordon believes the public owes much to gospel, because the style “has spawned popular music as we know it today.” He pointed to Aretha Franklin, Gladys Knight, Al Green, Whitney Houston, Dionne Warwick and Ray Charles as popular singers with strong gospel influences.

Although gospel has changed with the times, Gordon said the messages remain the same.

“It has always been associated with the church because it is a form of worship,” he said. “Gospel music, first and foremost, has to be a ministry--if it wasn’t, it could not have survived.”

In addition to contemporary and traditional gospel artists, community choirs and surprise appearances from major performers, the festival will feature booths selling arts and crafts, international foods, books and other items.

An award presentation will take place Friday honoring the top-selling gospel group Nicholas for the song “Just Say No,” which will be used in a campaign against drugs.

Phil Nicholas, lead singer of the group, said he’s looking forward to the festival. “Any time we can promote gospel music it’s exciting to us. Gospel is our love.”

Another award will be given to the Ladies of Song, who sang backup for Mahalia Jackson in the late 1950s.

The American Gospel Arts Fund will be covering the costs of the instruments, security, lighting and transportation costs of the performers from around the country.

Gordon said he received “amazing” support, especially from the artists.

“All the groups are participating because they recognize the importance of what we’re doing,” Gordon said, adding that some of the musicians, including the Mighty Clouds of Joy and Candi Staton, are interrupting their concert tours for the occasion.

Gordon hopes that the festival will become an annual Labor Day tradition. “We have the commitment from the artists, certainly the American Gospel Arts Fund is committed, and now we’re looking for commitment from the community,” he said.

“Part of the excitement is that we can work in conjunction with the community to make the Los Angeles area the threshold of the gospel music industry. We’re not doing this in an effort to make money, but in an effort to highlight this particular music art form.”