March 2: James Fortune & FIYA and Reverend Charles Jenkins & Fellowship Chicago headline CLC's 29th Annual Salute to Gospel Music program
The College of Lake County's 29th Annual Salute to Gospel Music program will be held on Saturday, March 2. Two of this year's most popular gospel music artists―James Fortune & FIYA and Reverend Charles Jenkins & Fellowship Chicago―will be the featured artists. This event will be held at 7 p.m. at the Genesee Theatre in Waukegan.
James Fortune & FIYA are from Sugar Land, Texas. His first song in 2004, “You Survived,” broke the gospel charts. He was recently nominated for two 2013 Grammy® Awards: Best Gospel Song for “Hold On” and for Best Gospel Album for “Identity.” James Fortune & FIYA (Free in Yahweh's Abundance) a Houston-based urban contemporary group that has taken the gospel music industry by storm. The group earned a 2009 Stellar Award nomination for contemporary choir of the year. The single “I Trust You,” from the Transformation Project, dominated Gospel radio for 22 weeks at the #1 spot. Their debut CD “You Survived” was immediately successful, and its single garnered Fortune a coveted ASCAP Writer's Award in 2006.
Also appearing will be the Reverend Charles Jenkins & Fellowship Chicago. Jenkins, a Grammy® Award-winning songwriter, wrote the #1 praise and worship anthem, “Awesome,” which was #1 on Billboard's Hot Gospel Songs chart for over 16 weeks. The single entered at #1 on Billboard's Hot Gospel Song chart, entered at #1 as the Best Selling Christian/Gospel Song on Amazon and is the third best-selling digital gospel song of 2012. In October 2012, Jenkins and Fellowship of Chicago received a stunning eight Stellar Gospel Music Award nominations for “The Best of Both Worlds” CD. The nominations include artist of the year, song of the year (awarded to songwriter), new artist of the year, CD of the year, choir of the year, traditional CD of the year, traditional choir of the year and recorded music package of the year.
The CLC Gospel Choir, under the direction of Dr. Charles Clency, will open the program. The 2013 Harambee Award of Excellence will be presented to the Reverend Henry Lee Jordan, Jr., pastor of Greater Faith Church Baptist, Waukegan.
Fundraising opportunities for local groups will be offered. For groups of 30 or more, tickets may be purchased at $4 off the general admission price of $19, and the group discount includes a private, pre-show reception. Each group or organization is entitled to reassign the price of tickets and keep all proceeds raised above the discounted price. For groups of 20 or more, tickets may be purchased at $3 off the general admission price of $19. For information on group tickets and discounts, call (847) 543-2112.
Regular priced tickets are $19 for general public; $17 for CLC students, staff, alumni, seniors, and children 12 and under. Tickets go on sale Dec. 17 at the CLC Lakeshore Campus, by phone at the James Lumber Center Box Office (847) 543-2300 or at www.geneseetheatre.com.