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 Recap Gospelflava.com joined in support of the Super Bowl Gospel Celebration, in association with the NFL Concert Series. This year's show welcomed the world renowned Patti LaBelle and featured Gospel's own Donnie McClurkin, John P. Kee, Yolanda Adams, Dorinda Clark-Cole and Mary Mary. With NFL players including LaVar Arrington, Bryan Scott, Cris Carter, Quincy Carter and Marcus Price in attendance, and with a packed house of over 6000 people, the Super Bowl  weekend kicked of with gusto, and Gospel, on Friday, January 30, 2004 at the Reliant Arena in Houston, Texas.Yes indeed, Houston has been a place of sheer excitement and the "happening" city of 2004. They had the Stellar Awards, the Superbowl and yes, the Superbowl Gospel Celebration. It was great to see people with the different style of dress. There were many with their Sunday best —and others with their football jerseys. Many were greatly anticipating the performances of heavy hitters, Yolanda Adams, Pastor Donnie McClurkin, Mary Mary, Pastor John P. Kee and New Life Community Choir, Patti Labelle and Kim Burrell. Hosts for the evening were Dallas Cowboys' Quincy Carter and future Hall of Famer, Cris Carter. Their co-host was Ms. Yolanda Adams. The phenomenal Percy Bady served as band director for the event. Kim Burrell started things off with a bang, delivering a Latin version of "Victory". The band was killing, Kim was riffin' and the place was jumping. Then she and her slew of background singers did the "Lord's Prayer" in a way that only Kim Burrell can interpret it. It was sheer beauty.  Then came the lovely Dorinda Clark Cole. With her crew of background singers, she had the blue jean theme going on. The background singers (which included Kierra Sheard), had white shirts and blue jean pants or skirts. But back to the singing...Dorinda came in on "You Can't Hurry God" and immediately took the place to church. She then gave Kierra the mic and she promptly riffed and did the trademark Clark "growl". Dorinda then begin to minister to the crowd about grace of God, which was a great transition to her tear-jerking hit "I'm Still Here". There were many crying and worshipping the Lord. Dorinda then ended her set with a fabulous rendition of her mega-smash "I'm Coming Out", wowing the crowd with some nice choreography. This song could have gone on for another ten minutes. It was just that good! Pastor John P. Kee and New Life Community Choir gave us a few selections. It was fitting that Kee was invited, since the Carolina Panthers were in the Superbowl this year. He sang the jumpin' "Down At the Cross" and then testified of how his life was spared when his car recently went sliding on ice. That prompted things to break into a praise session, as New Life sang a small portion of "If God Has Been So Good To You". Pastor Kee invited new character/mascot Rufus to speak to the crowd. Picture this guy with a huge head and glasses belting out "There Is Not A Friend". He did it. They closed out with "In This House", as John invited Houstonian Zacardi Cortez to adlib (watch out for Zarcardi —he's still in his teens.) After the intermission, Yolanda Adams and Cris Carter took to the stage, with Carter requesting to hear something from Yolanda (whom he confessed was one of his favorite singers). So Yolanda delighted with the inspirational "Still I Rise", written by Percy Bady. Mary Mary did their thing with the thumping "Ordinary People". They then took the place back with their remake of the Hawkins classic, "Thank You", with many in the crowd singing right along. They then closed their set with the new song "Dance, Dance, Dance". The Marys danced and praised and the crowd were with them every step of the way.  Yolanda then came and exhorted the crowd about the importance of "Praise". Everyone was at the edge of their seats as Yolanda introduced Pastor Donnie McClurkin, who proceeded to minister powerfully.McClurkin turned the place into a praise party, as on "Hail Jesus" he encouraged everyone to get in the aisles and dance. The place went wild. Donnie danced. Everyone danced. Donnie then went into a segment of worship songs which he sung in Dutch, Afrikaan, Russian and Spanish. He then sang his monster-hit "We Fall Down", but cut the song short and led many into a prayer to accept salvation. Patti Labelle closed the night with a bang! Backed by the fabulous Voices of Harvest, Patti belted out the lovely "When You've Been Blessed", before rocking the house with the Timothy Wright classic "Who's On the Lord's Side". Patti's voice is still as strong as ever, and she has the energy of a 37 year old, even though she's 59! The Voices of Harvest showed that they back up any singer. Great job. The night ended with Patti, Kim, Donnie, Mary Mary and even the football players singing Patti's "You Are My Friend" and Donnie's "Stand". What way to end a phenomenal concert. Kudos to Melanie Few, concert founder and manager, and owner of Results Inc., an Atlanta-based marketing and entertainment agency. Kudos to the NFL and to the Gospel music industry! Check out more photos from the Superbowl Gospel Celebration 2004 below (photo credit: James Wright).         
Dwayne Lacy— All content in GospelFlava © copyright 1997 - 2004. No
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