Shirley Caesar

Shirley Caesar did not come by her crown as the "First Lady of Gospel" lightly. She earned it...every step of the way. Long recognized as one of Gospel's truly great and historic figures, Pastor Caesar is one of but a handful of artists qualified to share the legacy of such legendary talents as Mahalia Jackson and the revered forbearers of Gospel music.

With the release of her new album, A Miracle In Harlem, and her autobiography, The Lady, The Melody, and The Word, set for publication in August '97, Shirley's sense of herself and her purpose has never been clearer or communicated with more authority. As she continues to bring the roots of traditional Gospel alive to contemporary audiences, it's easy to understand why the Washington Post called Shirley Caesar " One of the greatest singers of our time", adding, "she can twist, compress and enhance a lyric a dozen ways without abandoning her central message of affirmation." Whitney Houston, a Caesar fan since she was a little girl, says "if you want anymore to sing gospel on a record, you've go to have Shirley because she knows how to deliver. She's anointed with a power and force that runs through her."

Shirley Caesar has flourished for over four decades. And with each successive year, the accolades and accomplishments continue to pour in. A 16 time Grammy Award nominee, Pastor Caesar has compiled more nominations than any Gospel artist in Grammy history - and won more than any female Gospel artist - winning her ninth Grammy Award this year for the Shirley Caesar Outreach Convention Choir Album, Just A Word. Pastor Caesar was also a featured artist on the Grammys in 1996, performing to an international audience of over one billion people. Bringing the audience immediately to its feet, Pastor Caesar was backed by superstar protégés Whitney Houston, Cece Winans and Hezekiah Walker, representing just a handful of countless admirers throughout both the industry and the world who acknowledge and celebrate Pastor Caesar's defining on modern Gospel music.