GOSPEL BRINGS FIREWORKS TO JULY 4th AT ESSENCE: WATCH VIDEO
Caesar, Franklin and Morton honored at EMF By Mona Austin Church fans, devotion, an overflow room, spirit-lifting preaching and an all star gospel music line up: It’s Sunday Morning worship a la Essence Magazine's 16 th Annual Essence Music Festival All Star Gospel Salute (EMF) . Gospel music sometimes gets pushed to the sidelines of major events, but here it had headline status, adding sparks to the fest's Independence Day activities. After two days of empowerment and partying, thousands packed an exhibit hall in the New Orleans Convention Center to praise. The program had the feel of mega church with world class gospotainers in tow to pay tribute to the legendary Shirley Caesar , gospel music innovator Kirk Franklin and founder of the Full Gospel Baptist Church Fellowship , Bishop Paul S. Morton and his wife Deborah. Kirk Franklin’s words were filled with emotion as he accepted the honor with his wife, children and in-laws on the stage. ...