[Congressional Record Volume 147, Number 91 (Wednesday, June 27, 2001)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1229]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




HONORING DR. BOBBY JONES OF NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE FOR TWENTY-FIVE YEARS 
                OF SERVICE TO THE GOSPEL MUSIC INDUSTRY

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. BOB CLEMENT

                              of tennessee

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, June 27, 2001

  Mr. CLEMENT. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Dr. Bobby Jones of 
Nashville, Tennessee. For more than twenty-five years, he has promoted 
and performed gospel music during his ``Bobby Jones Gospel'' shows 
worldwide. In fact, I have known him for a number of years and consider 
him to be a personal friend.
  Bobby Jones is truly a pioneer in taking gospel music to a wider 
audience via television programming beginning with his local television 
show on WSMV-Channel 4 in Nashville, and over the past twenty years as 
a personality on Black Entertainment Television (BET). His programs 
have inspired, informed, and entertained a generation of Americans. In 
fact, ``Bobby Jones Gospel'' is credited with being the first and only 
nationally syndicated black gospel television show.
  Jones has also introduced a wealth of new musical talent to the world 
through his television shows. Artists such as Yolanda Adams, Kirk 
Franklin, and Hezekiah Walker first came to the attention of the public 
after being showcased on ``Bobby Jones Gospel.'' Additionally, his 
video program on BET, is the only national black gospel video program 
to date. He also hosts a weekly syndicated gospel countdown show heard 
on radio stations across the nation.
  Bobby Jones has always aspired to great things. The Henry County, 
Tennessee, native dreamed of a musical career at an early age, which 
drove him to graduate from high school at the age of 15 and to earn a 
bachelor's degree from Tennessee State University (TSU) at the age of 
19. An education major, he went on to earn a master's degree from TSU, 
and doctorate from Vanderbilt University. Upon graduation, Jones 
successfully taught in both the Tennessee and Missouri school systems.
  He is also credited with forming the now familiar ``Black Expo,''--
fair like events, which take place across then nation and celebrate the 
many contributions of African Americans to the community in which they 
take place.
  Bobby Jones has been honored numerous times by his peers. In 1980, he 
received The Gabriel Award and an International Film Festival Award for 
writing and performing Make A Joyful Noise. In 1982, he was nominated 
for a Grammy Award, along with his group, New Life. The Gospel Music 
Association (GMA) honored him in 1984, with a Dove Award for Black 
Contemporary Album of the Year. That same year he picked up a Grammy 
Award for ``Best Vocal Duo for a Soul/Gospel Performance'' for the 
single he recorded with Barbara Mandrell, ``I'm So Glad I'm Standing 
Here Today.'' He also won an NAACP Image Award in 1984. The GMA honored 
him with the ``Commonwealth Award for Outstanding Contribution to 
Gospel Music'' in 1990. In 1994, Jones was nominated for a Cable ACE 
Award.
  His autobiography, ``My 25 Years in Gospel Music: Make a Joyful 
Noise'' was recently released by Double Day Books. Another recent 
venture is his new television program ``Bobby Jones Presents . . .'' 
for the Word Network. This show contains classic performances from 
``Bobby Jones Gospel.''
  Jones is to be commended and honored for twenty-five years of 
outstanding service to the gospel music industry. He is a beloved 
figure who no doubt will continue to enlighten audiences for many years 
to come.

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