Published: July 02, 2009 02:29 pm      

Many reasons to celebrate black music

Thursday, July 2, 2009 — It’s the second day in July, and I’d like to take time to reflect on Black Music Month — which is designated for June — and what has become of it over the course of the last 30 years.

One might dare ask what it is, and more importantly, is there a real reason to celebrate it? If you ponder this question, consider stopping everything that you’re doing and continue to read.

It was June 7, 1979 when President Jimmy Carter decreed that June should be designated as the month to celebrate black music. This was done when famed songwriter Kenny Gamble and others urged him to do so, citing its important influence and the birthing of its many genres, originating in America.

After making his decree, Carter hosted a grand concert in the same month on the South Lawn at the White House, which included performances and or appearances by many, including rock ‘n’ roll legend Chuck Berry and gospel music icon Andrae Crouch, according to a public service announcement featuring Dyana Williams, Gamble’s ex-wife and veteran radio host, who attended the event, and strongly supports the cause.

Though Carter made recognition of black music and offered the suggestion of celebrating it, there was never a proclamation made, therefore, no official designation on an annual basis to celebrate the occasion. This changed in 1998 when Williams, Philadelphia Congressman Chaka Fattah and Don Cornileus of TV’s “Soul Train” fame pushed and successfully got both the House and the Senate to pass the African-American Music Bill in October 1998.

The bill made June the official month of celebration, and the U.S. Congress resolved and recognized “the importance of the contributions of African-American music to global culture and positive impact of African-American music on global commerce, and (called) on the people of the United States to take the opportunity to study, reflect on, and celebrate the majesty, vitality, and importance of African-American music.”

Lenny McAllister, a political commentator who has lent his services to CNN, FOX News, ABC News Now with Sam Donaldson and appears locally on FOX Charlotte’s morning broadcast “FOX News Rising,” feels that it important to keep Black Music Month going strong because it is “something to celebrate, not segregate.”

“It’s interesting that June 7 was the day that the initial celebration was held,” McAllister stated, being that the date is the same day in which noted musician Prince was born 51 years ago.

“Prince exemplifies what black entertainers and black musicians have contributed to the American music fiber.”

“If you look at his career, it touches rock, pop, jazz, soul, R&B, and spans over the courses of the 70s, 80s, 90s, and now the first decade of the 21st century,” McAllister continued.

Known for his involvement with the Republican party, McAllister, a resident of Davidson, is a part of the crew that makes up the Hip Hop Republican movement, which features a Web site with the commentary of his fellow crew members on a wide array of causes and issues.

“Hip Hop Republicanism is urbanism,” McAllister said.

“Basically, we’re young, urban Republicans between the ages of 18 and 45 that grew up though the hip hop generation that have different evaluations and definitions of race, gender and culture.”

“And using those definitions, combined with conservative principles, we bring about a new vision for America, and new policies and approaches to solve the urban issues that we see in our cities today,” McAllister concluded.

Black music can even be celebrated through the works and influence of local musicians, including the late Jeremiah Shepherd and Lou Donaldson.

Both natives of Badin, Shepherd, who passed away in 2005, was recognized for his exceptional self taught keyboard skills that began to make room for him in his high school years.

Little Richard, a famous singer and pianist in his own right, wanted Shepherd to play in his band, but his parents rejected his offer in favor of their son’s graduation from high school.

After attending Benedict College in South Carolina, Shepherd moved to Charlotte where he began playing for numerous groups and occasions, with his first major step being with a popular 50s group called The Delacardos, with whom he recorded “Hold Back The Tears,” in which he plays piano. That song was a Billboard Top 40 hit in 1961.

Shepherd went on to play for various artists that were touring throughout the country, and landed gigs playing in the bands that accompanied Marvin Gaye, James Brown, Sam & Dave, Solomon Burke and Jerry Butler.

Another of his acclaimed recordings was a gospel album by the legendary Dixie Hummingbirds.

Lou Donaldson, who still performs regularly worldwide at the ripe young age of 82, is one of a number of prominent jazz musicians with North Carolina roots who have made a significant impact on the world’s perspective of the genre.

The second of four children born to Lucy W., who was a first grade teacher and music director at West Badin School for years, and Rev. Louis A. Donaldson Sr., a Methodist minister and insurance man, Lou began playing clarinet around the age of 9 at his mother’s beckoning.

After fully grasping the knowledge of that instrument, he continued to expand his knowledge of music and picked up the alto saxophone, which would lead him to numerous recording sessions and performances with the likes of Thelonious Monk, Milt Jackson, Miles Davis, Horace Silver and Art Blakey, to name a few.

From gospel to Motown and everything in between, the influence of black music is synonymous with some of the best music of the world. A stronger appreciation of the subject by many would pay off in numerous ways and make ears happy.



Call Dexter Hinson at (704) 982-2121 ext. 21 or e-mail snaponline21@carolina.rr.com.