Little Rock Baptist Church: Evening With The Stars
Subjects: Music
Description: A program for Little Rock Baptist Church's Evening with the Stars featuring gospel singer impersonations. Included are biographies of all of the participants and various ads from community businesses.
Date: September 12, 1993
Format: Image/jpg
Original Format: Church Program
Language: English
Rights Management: Little Rock Baptist Church
Contributing Institution: Array
Relation: Little Rock Baptist Church
Contributor: Icee Griffin
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Transcript: (Page 3)
HARVEST & HOMECOMING PRODUCTIONS, INC. p resents “EVENING WITH THE STARS” featuring “Little Rock’s Finest”
Directed by: Cheryl Merchant
Chairperson: Daisy Pillow
Co-Chairpersons: D. Shannon; M Lindley; A. McGhee; A. Flow; Q. Landrum; B. Early
(Page 4)
Dear Member:
Please accept my warmest thanks for the “Pack The Pew”, Jubilee Annual Day and Family Day Celebrations. What a wonderful and memorable Saturday and Sunday that was prepared by the Church Committee, I thank you with all my heart. I thank God everyday for each and every one of you, 10 times 365 days it is a privilege to be your pastor. I, again thank you, and the Committee for a successful time.
Sincerely,
Your Pastor,
Rev. Jim Holley, Ph.D.
(Page 5)
AN EVENING WITH THE STARS
Featuring
LITTLE ROCK’S FINEST GOSPEL IMPERSONATORS
PROGRAMME
Marian Anderson by Carlotta Crumpton
Mahalia Jackson by Saretta Carter
Vicki Winans by Barbara Murray
Shirley Caesar by Queen Daniely
Vanessa Bell Armstrong by La'Jimmease Murray
The Williams Brothers by Roy Larkins; Willie Matthews; Carl Puny; Reginald Rowels
Tessie Hill by Pamela Butler
Aretha Franklin by Evelyn Carter
Rev. Al Green by Harold D. Jones
FINALE…
*Little Rock c Finest Gospel Impersonators*
(Page 6)
PAMELA BUTLER
On July 4th, while America was celebrating her birth, Mr. & Mrs. Hill were celebrating the birth of their daughter, Pamela.
Pamela has been a member of Little Rock since birth, and she has served dutifully. She is the 1991 recipient of the Cecile Easton Award, and is currently the President of the Victory and Praise Young Adult Choir. Pamela’s powerful Alto voice penetrates the very souls of her audiences, leaving spiritually exhausted after her intense performance.
Pamela has been employed by Michigan Bell Telephone’s Treasury Department for fifteen years. She is the proud wife of Russell Butler. Pamela considers herself to be a family person who loves people, but most of all, she loves the Lord.
EVELYN CARTER
Evelyn was born and raised in Detroit, She started singing at the age of four at the Sweet Home Baptist Church. Later, she became a member of New Grace Baptist Church, studying music under Dr. George West. At the age of fifteen, she became a member of Little Rock Baptist Church. She is a Mezzo-Soprano who electrifies the music she sings, bringing many audiences to their feet with her God-given gift. Evelyn is a little package with a lot of power. She has traveled many places with her church. Her idol, is Tramaine Hawkins.
Evelyn is the mother of one son, and is employed by the Blue Eagle Cab Company as a Computer Operator. Certainly this young woman’s future shines bright with her illuminating talents.
(Page 7)
SARETTA CARTER
Saretta hails from the city of Detroit, where she was born and raised. She has been dazzling audiences with her magnetic charm, and soulful vocal style since the age of five. Her mother, the late Eleanor Brown recognized her vocal talents and began to teach Saretta how to control her voice. Later, Saretta began studying with Dr. Joseph T. Agee, the late Mm. Thomas Whitfield, the late Lucylle Lemon and her Gospel Chorus, and the late Rev. James Cleveland.
Involved in many Fine Arts activities, including the Gospel Music Workshop, her rich dramatic soprano voice has been a blessing at the ‘The Rock” Employed by the Blue Eagle Cab Company, she has a very devoted husband, Joe L. Carter, is the mother of two children, and has two beautiful granddaughters.
Saretta is immersed in music and in spreading God’s word. She is thrilled about today’s opportunity to emulate her idol, Mahalia Jackson.
CARLOTTA CRUMPTON
Carlotta, affectionately called Connie, joined the Little Rock Baptist Church and was baptized in 1952. Since that time she has served as church Announcing Clerk for several years. Presently, Connie is a member of the Adult Choir. Connie’s beautiful, melodic, Soprano voice soothes and comforts her audiences with sweet singing that mesmerizes them as she ministers to them in song. Her prayer is that through music she has touched someone. Her motto is “Only What You Do For Christ Will Last”.
Connie holds and Associates Degree is Secretarial Science, and is employed by the General Motors Corporation. She is the mother of two daughters, and the proud grandmother of Ashleigh and Justin.
(Page 8)
QUEEN ESTHER DANIELY
Queen was born in Montgomery, Alabama, and raised in Detroit. She began singing at the age of 4, with her two sisters forming a gospel trio named the Green Sisters. She accepted Christ as her personal Savior, and joined the First Baptist Church of Southwest Detroit, under the pastorate of Rev. Nathaniel Jackson.
In time, God led Queen to join the Little Rock Baptist church, under the pastorate of Rev. Dr. Jim Holley. Here at the Rock Queen has passionately proclaimed her salvation by using her rich, melodious, alto voice in the Adult and Mass Choirs.
She has traveled extensively across the U.S.A., as she sends up her timber by proclaiming the Gospel in song. Some of her numerous affiliates have been the Gospel Workshop of America, and the National Missionary Baptist Convention Choir.
Queen is a dedicated wife, step-mother and grandmother, who knows who she is and Whose she is.
HAROLD D. JONES, SR.
Harold was born May 5, 1958, in Detroit, Michigan, where he graduated from Western International Senior High School in 1976. He also attended Boyce Jr. College in Pittsburgh, PA.
Harold didn’t take his aspirations to sing seriously until October, 1984 when he joined the Angelic Voices of the Rock. In 1985, Harold first experienced choir directoring with the Jubilee Chorus, then under the leadership of his aunt, the late Tecora Wilson. When visiting a choir rehearsal Ms. Merchant was directing, he asked, “Can I try it?” She said, “Of course!” The rest is history.
Presently, Harold is the Director of the Victory and Praise Young Adult Choir, The Youth For Christ Singers and the Voices of The Rock Male Chorus, respectively. He is the husband of Kirsten, and the proud father of Harold D., II and Kanika. Harold has always admired Rev. Al Green, and is honored to have been chosen to impersonate him.
(Page 9)
ROY LARKINS
Roy has been singing with the Voices of The Rock Male Chorus for eight years. He has a mild mannered approach that makes his friends adore him.
Roy is the carpenters carpenter. He has done several jobs for the music department, including a walk-in closet located in the choir room, and an elevated drum stand behind the sanctuary’s choir stand. He also built props for the 1992 play, “Jimmy, This is Jesus”, during the Pastor’s 20th Anniversary celebration.
Roy is married, and resides in Detroit, MI.
WILLIE MATTHEWS
Willie Matthews, commonly referred to as Deac, was born and raised in Meridian, MS. In 1972 he joined Little Rock and has been one of the pillars that hold the Rock family together.
Deac comes from a family of singers better known as The Matthews Family Choir. Besides his family choir, Deac has sang with many groups and choirs, including the Mandela Mass Choir, and the National Missionary Baptist Mass choir. Presently, Deac is a member of the Adult choir and Voices of the Rock Male Chorus, respectively. He is also Chairman of the Deacon Board.
He is best known for his personal cliché, “O come on saints “and his dynamic rendition of the old metered version of Guide Me O Thou, Great Jehovah.
Deac is married and retired from General Motors Corporation.
(Page 10)
BARBARA MURRAY
Barbara received her high school diploma from the Amanda Elzy School of Greenwood, MS., and was awarded a four year scholarship in VocalMusic to Mississippi Valley State University of Itta Bena, MS., where she earned a Bachelor of Science Degree in Business Administration, majoring in Accounting.
As a soloist of Mississippi Valley State University concert Choir, Barbara toured many of the Northern states as well as Brazil. One of her most memorable works performed is Handel’s Messiah.
Barbara is the proud wife of Edward R. Murray, a localmusician,
and they have two talented daughters, La’Jimmease and Ja ‘Shawnai.
Barbara is employed by the 3M Corporation of South field, Ml
LA ‘JIMMEASE MURRAY
La ‘Jimmease is the firstborn of Edward and Barbara, and the big sister of Ja’Shawnai. She has been singing since early childhood. Her remarkable ability to run chords, and change registers without detection, has won her notoriety throughout Michigan and the U.S.
Presently, La’Jimmease sings with recording artist “Adoration -N- Prayze, “Ron Winan’s Choir”, and she does background vocals for recording artist “Yolanda Adams.” She is a student at Oakland Community College, majoring in Physical Therapy, and she is employed by the Ford Motor Company.
La ‘Jimmease ‘s words of encouragement to all young people are “Don’t stop praising the name of Jesus, for Jesus is the Light of the world, and through Him, your light will shine in all your endeavors.
(Page 11)
CARL PURR V
Carl, a graduate of Detroit’s Pershing High School, began his singing career at the age of six, and he has been singing every since.
Known for his swooning first tenor vocal effects, each performance leaves the audience captivated.
Carl was a member of the Angelic Voices and has been a member of the Voices of the Rock Male Chorus since 1986.
His musical accomplishments include singing lead and background vocals for a local R& B group for the past six years. His music credits includes two albums, five 12 inch singles, and
various 45’s.
Carl is single and aspires to become a gospel recording artist.
REGINALD CARLOS ROWELS, SR.
Reginald was born in Detroit and began singing early in life. As he grew older, he began singing in the church choir, the school glee club and performed in many talent shows around the city.
Reginald became a member of the Rock family on August 31, 1986.
Presently, he is a member of the Adult Choir and the Voices of The Rock Male Chorus, respectively.
He is married to the beautiful Joanne Rowels and is the proud father of Reginald Jr. and Angel. This past August he became the proud grandfather of a baby girl.
Reginald says singing for the Lord gives him a more powerful joy in his heart.
HARVEST & HOMECOMING PRODUCTIONS, INC. p resents “EVENING WITH THE STARS” featuring “Little Rock’s Finest”
Directed by: Cheryl Merchant
Chairperson: Daisy Pillow
Co-Chairpersons: D. Shannon; M Lindley; A. McGhee; A. Flow; Q. Landrum; B. Early
(Page 4)
Dear Member:
Please accept my warmest thanks for the “Pack The Pew”, Jubilee Annual Day and Family Day Celebrations. What a wonderful and memorable Saturday and Sunday that was prepared by the Church Committee, I thank you with all my heart. I thank God everyday for each and every one of you, 10 times 365 days it is a privilege to be your pastor. I, again thank you, and the Committee for a successful time.
Sincerely,
Your Pastor,
Rev. Jim Holley, Ph.D.
(Page 5)
AN EVENING WITH THE STARS
Featuring
LITTLE ROCK’S FINEST GOSPEL IMPERSONATORS
PROGRAMME
Marian Anderson by Carlotta Crumpton
Mahalia Jackson by Saretta Carter
Vicki Winans by Barbara Murray
Shirley Caesar by Queen Daniely
Vanessa Bell Armstrong by La'Jimmease Murray
The Williams Brothers by Roy Larkins; Willie Matthews; Carl Puny; Reginald Rowels
Tessie Hill by Pamela Butler
Aretha Franklin by Evelyn Carter
Rev. Al Green by Harold D. Jones
FINALE…
*Little Rock c Finest Gospel Impersonators*
(Page 6)
PAMELA BUTLER
On July 4th, while America was celebrating her birth, Mr. & Mrs. Hill were celebrating the birth of their daughter, Pamela.
Pamela has been a member of Little Rock since birth, and she has served dutifully. She is the 1991 recipient of the Cecile Easton Award, and is currently the President of the Victory and Praise Young Adult Choir. Pamela’s powerful Alto voice penetrates the very souls of her audiences, leaving spiritually exhausted after her intense performance.
Pamela has been employed by Michigan Bell Telephone’s Treasury Department for fifteen years. She is the proud wife of Russell Butler. Pamela considers herself to be a family person who loves people, but most of all, she loves the Lord.
EVELYN CARTER
Evelyn was born and raised in Detroit, She started singing at the age of four at the Sweet Home Baptist Church. Later, she became a member of New Grace Baptist Church, studying music under Dr. George West. At the age of fifteen, she became a member of Little Rock Baptist Church. She is a Mezzo-Soprano who electrifies the music she sings, bringing many audiences to their feet with her God-given gift. Evelyn is a little package with a lot of power. She has traveled many places with her church. Her idol, is Tramaine Hawkins.
Evelyn is the mother of one son, and is employed by the Blue Eagle Cab Company as a Computer Operator. Certainly this young woman’s future shines bright with her illuminating talents.
(Page 7)
SARETTA CARTER
Saretta hails from the city of Detroit, where she was born and raised. She has been dazzling audiences with her magnetic charm, and soulful vocal style since the age of five. Her mother, the late Eleanor Brown recognized her vocal talents and began to teach Saretta how to control her voice. Later, Saretta began studying with Dr. Joseph T. Agee, the late Mm. Thomas Whitfield, the late Lucylle Lemon and her Gospel Chorus, and the late Rev. James Cleveland.
Involved in many Fine Arts activities, including the Gospel Music Workshop, her rich dramatic soprano voice has been a blessing at the ‘The Rock” Employed by the Blue Eagle Cab Company, she has a very devoted husband, Joe L. Carter, is the mother of two children, and has two beautiful granddaughters.
Saretta is immersed in music and in spreading God’s word. She is thrilled about today’s opportunity to emulate her idol, Mahalia Jackson.
CARLOTTA CRUMPTON
Carlotta, affectionately called Connie, joined the Little Rock Baptist Church and was baptized in 1952. Since that time she has served as church Announcing Clerk for several years. Presently, Connie is a member of the Adult Choir. Connie’s beautiful, melodic, Soprano voice soothes and comforts her audiences with sweet singing that mesmerizes them as she ministers to them in song. Her prayer is that through music she has touched someone. Her motto is “Only What You Do For Christ Will Last”.
Connie holds and Associates Degree is Secretarial Science, and is employed by the General Motors Corporation. She is the mother of two daughters, and the proud grandmother of Ashleigh and Justin.
(Page 8)
QUEEN ESTHER DANIELY
Queen was born in Montgomery, Alabama, and raised in Detroit. She began singing at the age of 4, with her two sisters forming a gospel trio named the Green Sisters. She accepted Christ as her personal Savior, and joined the First Baptist Church of Southwest Detroit, under the pastorate of Rev. Nathaniel Jackson.
In time, God led Queen to join the Little Rock Baptist church, under the pastorate of Rev. Dr. Jim Holley. Here at the Rock Queen has passionately proclaimed her salvation by using her rich, melodious, alto voice in the Adult and Mass Choirs.
She has traveled extensively across the U.S.A., as she sends up her timber by proclaiming the Gospel in song. Some of her numerous affiliates have been the Gospel Workshop of America, and the National Missionary Baptist Convention Choir.
Queen is a dedicated wife, step-mother and grandmother, who knows who she is and Whose she is.
HAROLD D. JONES, SR.
Harold was born May 5, 1958, in Detroit, Michigan, where he graduated from Western International Senior High School in 1976. He also attended Boyce Jr. College in Pittsburgh, PA.
Harold didn’t take his aspirations to sing seriously until October, 1984 when he joined the Angelic Voices of the Rock. In 1985, Harold first experienced choir directoring with the Jubilee Chorus, then under the leadership of his aunt, the late Tecora Wilson. When visiting a choir rehearsal Ms. Merchant was directing, he asked, “Can I try it?” She said, “Of course!” The rest is history.
Presently, Harold is the Director of the Victory and Praise Young Adult Choir, The Youth For Christ Singers and the Voices of The Rock Male Chorus, respectively. He is the husband of Kirsten, and the proud father of Harold D., II and Kanika. Harold has always admired Rev. Al Green, and is honored to have been chosen to impersonate him.
(Page 9)
ROY LARKINS
Roy has been singing with the Voices of The Rock Male Chorus for eight years. He has a mild mannered approach that makes his friends adore him.
Roy is the carpenters carpenter. He has done several jobs for the music department, including a walk-in closet located in the choir room, and an elevated drum stand behind the sanctuary’s choir stand. He also built props for the 1992 play, “Jimmy, This is Jesus”, during the Pastor’s 20th Anniversary celebration.
Roy is married, and resides in Detroit, MI.
WILLIE MATTHEWS
Willie Matthews, commonly referred to as Deac, was born and raised in Meridian, MS. In 1972 he joined Little Rock and has been one of the pillars that hold the Rock family together.
Deac comes from a family of singers better known as The Matthews Family Choir. Besides his family choir, Deac has sang with many groups and choirs, including the Mandela Mass Choir, and the National Missionary Baptist Mass choir. Presently, Deac is a member of the Adult choir and Voices of the Rock Male Chorus, respectively. He is also Chairman of the Deacon Board.
He is best known for his personal cliché, “O come on saints “and his dynamic rendition of the old metered version of Guide Me O Thou, Great Jehovah.
Deac is married and retired from General Motors Corporation.
(Page 10)
BARBARA MURRAY
Barbara received her high school diploma from the Amanda Elzy School of Greenwood, MS., and was awarded a four year scholarship in VocalMusic to Mississippi Valley State University of Itta Bena, MS., where she earned a Bachelor of Science Degree in Business Administration, majoring in Accounting.
As a soloist of Mississippi Valley State University concert Choir, Barbara toured many of the Northern states as well as Brazil. One of her most memorable works performed is Handel’s Messiah.
Barbara is the proud wife of Edward R. Murray, a localmusician,
and they have two talented daughters, La’Jimmease and Ja ‘Shawnai.
Barbara is employed by the 3M Corporation of South field, Ml
LA ‘JIMMEASE MURRAY
La ‘Jimmease is the firstborn of Edward and Barbara, and the big sister of Ja’Shawnai. She has been singing since early childhood. Her remarkable ability to run chords, and change registers without detection, has won her notoriety throughout Michigan and the U.S.
Presently, La’Jimmease sings with recording artist “Adoration -N- Prayze, “Ron Winan’s Choir”, and she does background vocals for recording artist “Yolanda Adams.” She is a student at Oakland Community College, majoring in Physical Therapy, and she is employed by the Ford Motor Company.
La ‘Jimmease ‘s words of encouragement to all young people are “Don’t stop praising the name of Jesus, for Jesus is the Light of the world, and through Him, your light will shine in all your endeavors.
(Page 11)
CARL PURR V
Carl, a graduate of Detroit’s Pershing High School, began his singing career at the age of six, and he has been singing every since.
Known for his swooning first tenor vocal effects, each performance leaves the audience captivated.
Carl was a member of the Angelic Voices and has been a member of the Voices of the Rock Male Chorus since 1986.
His musical accomplishments include singing lead and background vocals for a local R& B group for the past six years. His music credits includes two albums, five 12 inch singles, and
various 45’s.
Carl is single and aspires to become a gospel recording artist.
REGINALD CARLOS ROWELS, SR.
Reginald was born in Detroit and began singing early in life. As he grew older, he began singing in the church choir, the school glee club and performed in many talent shows around the city.
Reginald became a member of the Rock family on August 31, 1986.
Presently, he is a member of the Adult Choir and the Voices of The Rock Male Chorus, respectively.
He is married to the beautiful Joanne Rowels and is the proud father of Reginald Jr. and Angel. This past August he became the proud grandfather of a baby girl.
Reginald says singing for the Lord gives him a more powerful joy in his heart.
