Last Stand Of A Gospel Legend
The Southern Gospel Singers Close out 60 Years of Singing.
Story And Photos By Hamil R. Harris
It was 3 pm and the pews of the Scriptural Cathedral were filled with gospel quartets sporting colorful wardrobes and a steady stream of musicians arriving with guitars strapped to their backs.
The Southern Gospel Singers, after 60 years of making sweet sounds for Jesus, were retiring and on May 10, they hosted one final concert that featured musical groups with deep roots in the African American community.
“We have had many concerts, especially when we were at 9th and O Streets NW but the quartets have always stood out,” said Bishop Donnell Long, pastor of Scriptural Cathedral, which is now located in Landover, Md.
For years Bishop CL Long broadcast on 1340 WYCB, hosted concerts and sold dinners. While people listened on May 10th there was plenty of fried Crocker dinners for sale.
In the quartet world, success is measured in terms of the group’s appearance, rhythms and tight harmony and food is evaluated by the taste. In these musical programs the local groups perform first, followed by the out-of-town artist and the headline groups. That's when the music gets louder.
On May 10, those who performed were groups such as: Burning Bush, the Heavenly Suns, Kenny Davis, and Melody Aires, Deonte and New Direction as well as Sparky and the Tones of Joy, The Singing Angels, the McCormick from South Carolina, and finally the Southern Gospel Singers.
The Southern Gospel Singers were started by Cleophus “Cleve” Pointer, the group’s manager, in 1973. Pointer was a supervisor at the DC Water and Sewer Authority, which in 1996 became DC Water.
Pointer helped other members of the group obtain jobs at DC Water, and Shanks said several group members still work within the D.C. government.
When the Southern performed their hit “I Know What Prayer Can Do,” Gary Satcher gave his testimony about prayer. He said that during his career he has gone from making $3 a day to $90,000 a year.”
Rev. Robin Walker, Shanks, lead singer of the Singing Angels and Shank’s wife said she is proud that he got through the concert playing the drums. “He just had knee surgery six weeks ago.
Jonthan Shanks, said the group the members have other interests they want to pursue with their ministries. “We were singing every weekend across the country.”
“This the end of an era but it can be the beginning of so many other things,” Mrs Shanks said.
Jeffrey Hankins, Cleve Pointer’s grandson was six years old when he started in the group and now he is an adult, bass player, and lead singer.”I feel blessed and hopefully, this won’t be the last time.”
