Caesar, Shirley 1938–

Shirley Caesar 1938–

Gospel vocalist, evangelist

Satisfied with Her Life Choice

A Life Devoted to Ministry

Ministry Led to Public Office

Never Pursued Fame and Fortune

Selected discography

Sources

Often called the first lady of gospel music, award-winning Shirley Caesar has inspired many people for forty years. She and her singing group perform all over the country to packed audiences. Not only have many of her recordings been reissued, but they have been nominated for seventeen Grammy Awards, more than any gospel artist in history. Praising God through music, however, was not enough. Caesar went on to preach, eventually becoming the co-pastor of the Mt. Calvary Holy Church with her husband, Bishop Harold Ivory Williams.

Shirley began to sing in church at an early age, with her family, which was headed by gospel singer Big Jim Caesar. In 1950, tragedy struck the family when her father died of a fatal seizure. For years Caesar thought her father had died because he whipped her that day for breaking some street lights. She was twelve years old. That same year, Caesar began to take her singing seriously, especially since her mother, a semi-invalid, was left with 13 children to raise. Caesar started touring as a gospel soloist with evangelist Reverend Leroy Johnson. A year later, Caesar had made her first recording, the single, “I’d Rather Have Jesus.”

While attending a concert of Albertina Walker’s Caravans, the top female gospel singing group of its day, Caesar wrote a request on a slip of paper: “Please call Shirley Caesar to sing a solo.” Walker called her up on stage and when she finished, Caesar told Howard Reich in the Chicago Tribune, that Walker had remarked, “I want that woman in my group.” In 1958, after Walker’s invitation, Caesar interrupted her business education studies at North Carolina State College, sold her biology book for ten dollars, took a bus to Washington D.C., and joined the Caravans. Besides Walker, the group included Inez Andrews, a three-octave range contralto known as the “High Priestess of Gospel,” and ballad singer Sarah McKissick, and gospel great, Rev. James Cleveland.

Satisfied with Her Life Choice

The early years on the road with the Caravans were difficult for Caesar. Many restaurants in the sixties posted “Whites Only” signs. Eateries that would serve her singing group often put little care into the preparation of the food. Caesar will always remember a bout

At a Glance…

Born on October 13, 1938, in Durham, NC; daughter of “Big Jim” (tobacco factory worker, gospel singer) and Hallie Martin (homemaker) Caesar; married Bishop Harold Ivory Williams (a pastor), 1983. Education: North Carolina State College (now North Carolina Central University), 1956-58; Shaw University (Raleigh, NC), B.A., 1984, business administration.

Career: Began singing as “Baby Shirley;” joined Albertina Walker’s Caravans, 1958-66; evangelist, 1961-; formed Shirley Caesar Singers, 1966-; Durham City Council, 1987-1991; co-pastor, Mt. Calvary Holy Church in Winston-Salem, NC and Raleigh, NC; Shirley Caesar Outreach Ministries, Inc.

Selected awards: Nine Grammy Awards, including an award for “Put Your Hand in the Hand of the Man from Galilee”, 1972, best soul gospel performance, contemporary for Rejoice, 1981, and best single for “Martin”, 1985; Ebony Magazine Award for best female gospel singer, 1975; nine Dove Awards for Gospel; named annual spokeswoman for McDonald’s Salute to Gospel Music, 1987; Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Drum Major Award, 1987; ten Stellar Gospel Awards; two NAACP Image Awards; Pride of SESAC Award for lifetime achievement, 1997; 3 gold albums; inducted into the Gospel Music Hall of Fame.

Address: Office —Shirley Caesar Outreach Ministries, Inc., P.O. Box 3336, Durham, NC 27702.

with food poisoning that left her “Sick, sick, sick!” she told Mike Nappa of CCM Magazine.

Throughout her life’s work, Caesar has focused on gospel music, considered the fastest growing genre in the music industry in the 1990s. Gospel music enthusiasts often compare her to singer Mahalia Jackson, the “Grand Dame of Gospel.” Caesar herself has earned the moniker “Queen of Gospel.” Caesar, happy with that role, told Ebony, “America will never outgrow its need for gospel [music] because it will never outgrow its need for God.”

When Caesar was twelve, she heard the Lord’s voice calling her name and calling her to preach. Until 1961 Caesar just used her voice to sing, but with the recording of the single, “Hallelujah, It’s Done,” Caesar found that incorporating scripture and sermon into her songs was a natural style for her. Although this “song and sermonette” technique was created by Mother Willie Mae Ford Smith and Edna Gallmon Cooke, Caesar developed it with enthusiasm. In 1966, after eight years with the Caravans, Caesar left to organize her own group, the Caesar Singers. Recording executives often approached Caesar to “crossover” into rhythm and blues, but she adamantly refused throughout her career.

A 1997 CCM Magazine writer, Jamie Lee Rake, noted that Caesar’s voice is “an inventive, passionate, nimble instrument.” In 1998, Atlanta Journal and Constitution reporter Sonia Murray referred to Caesar’s voice as “a gale force instrument.” That voice has praised the Lord and blessed His people around the world with a traditional style of gospel music. Besides the comparison to Mahalia Jackson, Caesar has been likened to gospel singer Clara Ward and makes no apologies for sticking with gospel music throughout her career. Her style may be traditional but she keeps her music’s message up-to-date, passionate, and heartfelt. Her concerts attract listeners who rarely darken a church step.

A Life Devoted to Ministry

Not surprisingly, Caesar’s singing style also led her to work as an evangelist. In 1983, Caesar married Bishop Harold Ivory Williams and became co-pastor of Mt. Calvary Holy Church in Winston-Salem, North Carolina and later in Raleigh-Durham. After her elaborate wedding—there were 140 people in the wedding party—Caesar would pursue the education that was interrupted 25 years earlier. In 1985, Caesar obtained a degree in business management from Shaw University. The degree prompted her to immediately pursue a master of divinity degree at Duke University.

Caesar lives what she preaches. In 1990 she told Jet magazine, “Fifty percent of everything I earn on the road I put back into the community.” Shirley Caesar Outreach Ministries, Inc., which is in her hometown of Durham, North Carolina, serves those in need by providing food, clothing, and emergency funds. During its first year alone, more than 500 families received help. The ministry relies entirely on contributions and income donated by Caesar and Bishop Williams since they are unwilling to rely on public funding as other charities do.

The outreach ministry has greatly affected Caesar’s music. She tackles contemporary issues like drugs, cocaine babies, homeless people, AIDS, teenage mothers, broken marriages, and even cancer in the songs she has written. Many of her songs, for example, “Don’t Drive Your Mother Away,” focus on families. Caesar was close to her mother and family and wanted others to understand the value and need for that kind of bond. Caesar is grateful that her mother was an inspiration, an encourager, and a conscience. By using her gifted voice, Caesar never let her mother down.

Ministry Led to Public Office

In 1988, while Caesar was a member of the Durham City Council, she commented to Ebony magazine, “My main objective is to make sure we focus on the needy and not the greedy.” Many wondered how she managed to fit the twice-monthly council meetings into her busy life, but Caesar saw the council as an opportunity to continue what she had started with the Outreach Ministries. Fair housing, along with programs for the poor and the elderly were issues that concerned her and many on the council, especially since the 150,000 population of Durham had grown consistently in the eighties.

After her four year term, Caesar felt a stronger pull to serve as a pastor than as a council member, especially since Mt. Calvary Holy Church had grown from 15 to 600 members by the end of her term. In 1990, while on the council, Caesar was ordained as a pastor. Wanting only to serve with her husband, Pastor Caesar takes no money for her position. Serving the Lord takes precedence over her concerts even. The Caesar Singers often drive all night so Pastor Caesar can be in the pulpit on Sunday. Noted Howard Reich in the Chicago Tribune, Caesar wants to be a “real pastor who also happens to sing gospel.”

Never Pursued Fame and Fortune

Caesar has recorded more than 30 albums and gives more than 150 concerts a year. For many years she has also hosted an annual Crusade Convention. Judges in the music industry have recognized Caesar’s musical talent with numerous awards. As of 1998, she had earned nine Grammys, 15 Dove Awards, and ten Stellar Gospel Awards. Caesar has also received two NAACP Image Awards. Though Caesar has been inducted into the Gospel Music Hall of Fame, sung for President Jimmy Carter, and performed at the 1996 Olympics in Atlanta, fame and fortune were never important to her. What continues to be important to her is reaching needy people and bringing the hope offered by Christ into their lives.

Whatever means Caesar could use to reach people, she used. Caesar has done four Broadway shows, contributed to The Preacher’s Wife and Rosewood movie soundtracks, guest-starred on United Paramount Network’s television show, “Good News” (where she now has a recurring role), performed on The Arsenio Hall Show and Live With Regis and Kathie Lee, and even on a large home-shopping network. Singer Bob Dylan, when chosen as a Kennedy Center honoree, asked her to perform his song, “Gotta Serve Somebody.” In 1997 Caesar performed in the theatrical production, This Is My Song, which traces the history of gospel music. The play was set in the fictitious Mt. Zion Church of Faith with Caesar as the pastor, Cissy Houston as its music director, and Tramaine Hawkins as a special guest. USA Today reviewer Steve Jones called the performance of the three famous gospel singers more a “soul-stirring church service” than theater. As the story unfolded through song, the audience often joined with foot-stomping, singing, and working its way to the stage to shake Pastor Caesar’s hand. By whatever means, Caesar is determined to reach people.

In a 1987 interview with USA Today Caesar commented, “Gospel music teaches us to love, respect, to uphold. It may speak of hell, damnation, and fire, but it also speaks of the bright side, that the Lord is faithful, and he is loving, kind, and forgiving. You won’t find that in other songs, that no matter where you have fallen, the grace of God will pick you up. Gospel music will tell you that when you pray, God listens.” Many would say that Shirley Caesar’s powerful and message-filled singing points the way to God’s grace.

Selected discography

Albums

Rejoice, Myrrh Records, 1982.

Christmasing, 1992.

He’s Working It Out for You, Sony Music, 1992.

I Remember Mama, Sony Music, 1992.

Jesus, I Love Calling Your Name, Sony Music, 1992.

First Lady, 1993.

Her Very Best, Sony Music, 1993.

Live in Chicago, Sony Music, 1993.

Stand Still, Word Records, 1993.

Why Me Lord, 1993.

Gold, 1994.

He Will Come: Shirley; Caesar Live, Sony Music, 1995.

Best of Shirley Caesar & The Caravans, Malaco/Savoy Gospel, 1995.

Just a Word, Sony Music, 1996.

Sailin’, Sony Music, 1996.

Treasures, 1996.

Shirley Caesar Convention Choir, Word Records, 1996.

Miracle in Harlem, Sony/Word Records, 1997.

Shirley Caesar & The Caravans, Malaco/Savoy Gospel, 1997.

The Very Best of Shirley Caesar, Collectibles Records, 1998.

Shirley Caesar: The Lady, the Melody, and the Word, 1998.

Videos

Oh Happy Day, University of Missouri Agricultural Press, 1989.

Caesar: Live in Memphis, Cmvca Press, 1992.

Caesar: He Will Come, Cmvca Press, 1995.

Caesar: I Remember Mama, Cmvca Press, 1995.

Shirley Caesar in Concert, University of Missouri Agricultural Press, 1998.

Also author of The Lady, the Melody, and the Word: The Inspirational Story of the First Lady of Gospel Music, Thomas Nelson Publishing, 1998.

Sources

Books

Black Women in America: An Historical Encyclopedia, edited by Darlene Clark Hine, Elsa Barkley Brown, and Rosalyn Terborg-Penn, Indiana University Press, 1993.

In Black and White, Gale Research, 1980.

Notable Black American Women, Gale Research, 1992, pp. 151-152.

Periodicals

Atlanta Constitution, April 25, 1993, p. N; July 22, 1996, p. SS39; January 29, 1998, p. 4E.

Billboard, October 2, 1993, p. 57; August 3, 1996, pp. 48-50; March 29, 1997, p. 17; November 29, 1997, p. 10; January 10, 1998, pp. 14-15.

CCM Magazine, July 1997.

Chicago Tribune, January 17, 1992, p. 3.

Christian Herald, June 1981, p. 60; June 1983, p. 36.

Ebony, December 1988, pp. 66-70; March 1994, p. 20; April 1994, pp. 76-79; February 1996, p. 44; December 1996, pp. 36-37.

Entertainment Weekly, November 29, 1996, p. 88.

Essence, April 1985, p. 42.

Jet, March 19, 1981, p. 64; July 18, 1983, p. 13; March 25, 1985, p. 21; January 8, 1990, p. 53.

Los Angeles Times, October 13, 1997, p. F.

News, July 9, 1997.

People Weekly, November 9, 1987, pp. 85-86; January 13, 1997, p. 22.

USA Today, October 1, 1987, p. 11; March 21, 1997, p. D; January 12, 1998, p. D3.

Washington Post, February 22, 1998, p. G1.

Other

Additional information found on the Southern Folklife Collection Website, http://www.lib.unc.edu/mss/sfc/ncfolk.html.

—Eileen Daily