Aretha Franklin Leads 2007 Church Revival in Detroit

New York, NY - Music legend Aretha Franklin, whose career began singing in the Detroit church of her father, Reverend C.L. Franklin at the age of 14 in the 1950s, will give back to those gospel roots as she leads a Revival for her hometown of Detroit for the third consecutive year. This year's event will take place at Detroit's Greater Emmanuel Institutional Church of God in Christ, beginning Thursday, June 14 through Saturday, June 16 at 7:00 p.m. nightly. The three-night celebration of faith will feature an impressive array of gospel vocalists and ministers - both local and national. Others joining Dr. Franklin, who will perform on two nights, with performances and sermons include GRAMMY®-winning recording artist Pastor Smokie Norful, Dr. Cissy Houston, Micah Stampley, Evangelist Dorothy Norwood, LaShun Pace and The Anointed Pace Sisters, Evangelist Ruby Terry, The Christianaires, Zie'l, the Little Rock Baptist Church Choir, Reverend Jim Holley of Detroit, Reverend Edgar Vann, Jr. of Detroit, and the Reverend Doctor Joseph Lowery, Co-founder and President Emeritus of the Southern Christian Leadership Conference (SCLC). The Greater Emmanuel Institutional Church of God in Christ is located at 19190 Schaefer Highway at Seventh Mile Road and the Reverend J. Drew Sheard is the senior pastor. The event is open to the public.

It's no surprise that Franklin would organize a "good 'ol church revival" for her hometown year after year, having grown up in Detroit's New Bethel Baptist -- the renowned church pastored by her father Reverend C.L. Franklin. In addition to releasing her own landmark gospel albums, Songs Of Faith: The Gospel Soul Of Aretha Franklin and One Lord, One Faith, One Baptism, the music legend enjoys and appreciates listening to others singing for the Lord. In previous years, Franklin has brought in great gospel talent for the Revivals including Detroit's own Karen Clark-Sheard, Beverly Crawford, Bishop Paul Morton of New Orleans, Candi Staton, Richard Smallwood, Daryl Coley, Lee Williams and the Spiritual QCs, BET's Dr. Bobby Jones and many others.

Commenting on the Revival Franklin states, "I am looking forward to Detroiters coming out to worship with these great artists and pastors, strengthening and reviving their spirits, restoring their faith and for those who have left coming back into the fold."