Memphis, TN: Gospel music’s greatest living organist who was mentored by the late Fifth Beatle – Billy Preston, Moses Tyson Jr., fresh off his first appearance on Trinity Broadcasting Network’s “Praise The Lord” with Clifton Davis, has announced the October 4th release of his latest production, “The Gospel Music Celebration PT. 2: Tribute To Bishop G.E. Patterson 2” (Tymo Gospel Music). The exhilarating live musical celebration of the life of the beloved leader of the Church of God in Christ (COGIC) denomination, G.E. Patterson, who died of cancer in 2007, was recorded at Patterson’s Memphis-based Temple of Deliverance COGIC church. The set also features the last live recordings by two giants of the gospel world, Walter Hawkins and Rev. Timothy Wright.
Grammy winner Walter Hawkins, who is best known for a string of Hawkins Family gospel hits such as “Goin’ Up Yonder” and “Be Grateful” in the 1970s, died of pancreatic cancer in 2010. He revives one of his signature tunes “I Love You, Lord” with Stefanie Bolton on a nearly 15 minute opus of traditional gospel singing and dynamic rejoicing featuring The Gospel Celebration Choir providing earthy back-up up accompaniment.
Nicknamed Brooklyn’s godfather of gospel, Rev. Timothy Wright, is well known for his choir oriented songs such as “Who’s On The Lord’s Side” and “Jesus Jesus Jesus” that became a massive hit a year before his death in 2009 following a 2008 car accident that also instantly killed his wife and grandson. He and Michelle Prather deliver the project’s first radio single, the up tempo song of praise, “Magnify Him.”
The eleven track set also features Hawkins’ brother, Edwin Hawkins of “Oh Happy Day” fame, on the warm ballad “Kings and Kingdoms” and stars of the COGOC denomination such as Ruby Terry and Gwen Turner trading vocal licks on the fast moving double time praise track “Thank God For Saving Me”, Bishop Albert Jamison’s sandpaper testifying on the hand clapper “Jesus, I’ll Never Forget” and rugged voiced Rev. Andrew Cheairs on a rousing “Tell Somebody.” There are also performances from seasoned artists such as Shontelle Norman, Stefanie Bolton and Patricia Jackson. The set closes with Marvin Winans of the Grammy Award winning Winans contemporary quartet, leading all of the aforementioned artists plus Beverly Crawford, Dottie Peoples and Bishop Darrell Hines as a celebrity choir on a majestically moving rendition of “I Feel Like Going On” reprise that sums up the theme of the evening. Tyson is in the background lending his organ skills throughout the dazzling celebration of traditional black gospel church music.
The Hammond B3 has spiced up some of the greatest pop records of all time, from
Spooner Oldham’s spooky fingering on Percy Sledge’s “When A Man Loves A Woman” to Billy Preston’s psychedelic pounding on “Will It Go Round In Circles?” Although, the Vallejo, CA native is self-taught Tyson began his career playing on a sessions with his cousin, funk legend Sly Stone in the 1970s, he’s distinguished himself as gospel music’s leading organist over the last three decades. He began his career under the management of Suzanne de Passe, who brought the Jackson 5 to Motown, and recorded two albums for Liberty/EMI Records on a roster alongside Kenny Rogers and Sheena Easton. Before moving into film soundtrack work at Curb Records.
Tyson returned to his roots in the `90s and has been home ever since keeping traditional gospel music and the church organ alive. Through his two record labels, World Class Gospel and Tymo Gospel Music, Tyson has released albums of organ music on himself and a dozen albums on other recording artists. His fans range from former President Bill Clinton and Rev. Jesse Jackson to everyday church folks. Now, the iconic Hammond brand has enlisted Tyson as its spokesman for its new line of products targeted to the church audience such as the new Hammond Mini-B organ. His latest solo CD, “Music Remastered & Sacred Organ ” (Tymo Gospel Music) has earned three Stellar Award nominations in the categories of Traditional Male Vocalist of the Year, Instrumental Gospel CD of the Year and Special Event CD of the Year. Fans can vote for Tyson by logging onto www.thestellarawards.com and casting their votes. Tyson also makes his first ever BET appearance on the cable network’s “Bobby Jones Gospel” program on Sunday, November 7, 2011 @ 9 a.m. EST. Visit www.mosestysonjr.com for more information on Tyson and his upcoming activities. Tyson, his wife and two daughters, all reside in Memphis where he runs World Class Gospel and Tymo Gospel Music.
