ABOUT US

Our Mission

Choir Director

Choir Bio

Reviews

ADA Policy

Ashland (Wisconsin) Daily Press, October 7, 1998

Gospel music coming out of church, into the streets

By JULIE BUCKLES
Staff Writer

Gospel music isn't just for church anymore. It's in music stores; on the radio; and taking the main stage nationwide. "Gospel is coming out of the church and into the streets where it belongs," said Robert "Eddie" Robinson, Twin Cities Community Choir director.

Robinson will be singing and directing his award-winning choir beneath a heated tent at Gospelfest Sunday--the grand finale of Ashland's first-time Whistlestop Festival--featuring Saron Bell Choir, Chequamegon Area Choir as well as the Twin Cities Community Gospel Choir.

Robinson, the son of a Pentecostal preacher, said he finds people from all walks of life turned onto gospel--even those who rarely step inside a church.

According to a 1996 Gospel Music Association industry survey, it is the fastest-growing musical genre in America, ranking only behind rock, country, urban contemporary, pop, and rap.

"For years and years people felt it was music only for people who went to church," Robinson said. "(But) the message speaks to all of us. People who don't go to church need the same encouragement--love, life, and hope."

Robinson grew up singing in church with his mother in his north side Minneapolis neighborhood.

His musical inspiration comes from The Clark Sisters, Vanessa Bell Armstrong, Patti LaBelle, Aretha Franklin, and Luther Vandross--many of whom he's worked with at one time or another.

He has recorded two CD albums and performs regularly throughout the country. He says he could have chosen from many musical genres but gospel always calls him home.

"I have a conviction in my heart about the message of the music. I trust and believe in the message," he said. "I have a confidence in it and that's why I'm a gospel singer."

He took his music outside the church for the first time when the Minneapolis Community College faculty asked him to lead a new community choir. Some 35 people arrived at the first rehearsal. The second week 45 came and it just kept growing until he capped the choir at 100-plus singers.

Some had never sang in a choir before, others aren't religious--but all of them really want to sing. "The music has bound them together," Robinson said. "It's exciting to be able to do this together regardless of age, color or sexual preference, coming together and creating a positive voice."

Robinson will sing a few solos Sunday and his group will perform everything from jazz to traditional spirituals to urban contemporary. "We're going to have a good time," he said.

BACK TO REVIEWS