I confess. I’m a big fan of contemporary black gospel. Myrna and I attended a black Baptist church in Jersey City for a while, as much for the music as for the religion. The choir and the band were hot. Last night, I watched a gospel show on BET TV, and discovered Kierra Sheard. She’s big in every way you can imagine, including physically.
I love the way black church musicians just let it all hang out. The Catholic Church, where I have spent most of my life, is so reserved. Not so with the black Baptists and Pentacostals. They shout, dance and testify. Services provide a kind of ecstatic release.
Kierra’s family has been in the church and gospel biz for generations. Her father is pastor of a huge Church of God in Christ franchise in Detroit. BET also ran a documentary on the family last night. I didn’t watch the whole thing, but if you are interested in black gospel I’d suggest checking the show out.
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