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A handsomely dressed Dr. Bobby Jones is greeted with thunderous applause as he glides onto the stage to host the show that made him famous, BET's "Bobby Jones Gospel."
A handsomely dressed Dr. Bobby Jones is greeted with thunderous applause as he glides onto the stage to host the show that made him famous, BET's "Bobby Jones Gospel."
Just before the recording begins, he's telling an attentive audience about his latest developments. When he mentioned his current CD someone inquired about its cost and whether he had any to sell. He commanded an assistant to quickly obtain some CDs.
"I can't give those things away!" Jones says laughing, genuinely amazed that a few audience members actually wanted to buy his music.
Funny thing is, the spry 70-year-old beloved legend is one of the most influential gospel artists in the business, but is acknowledged more for being a powerful voice in the gospel world, than as a vocalist.
Jovial and charming, Grammy and Dove Award winning Jones has dominated Sunday morning programming on the Network and given gospel artists known and unknown access to millions of viewers since 1980. Two managers confirmed that their artists were not compensated for their appearances, but are honored to have a coveted spot on the show that captivates a huge audience. (For the record, BET does roll out the "black carpet" for their guests including such luxuries as hair and make-up artists--barbers for gentlemen--and an over-stuffed gift bag that included a DVD player this year.)
Dr. Jones' name is even a magnet for R&B singers.
Fantasia Barrino wanted to give God the glory for healing her throat of a tumor, so one of her first stops after her vocals were restored was "Bobby Jones Gospel."
Doctors told the former star of Broadway's "The Color Purple" that she may never sing again. They couldn't have been more wrong. She told the veteran host her testimony and provided evidence of the doctor's failed prognosis by giving Beverly Crawford's "He's Done Enough" the Fantasia treatment. Her mother joined her on the song of gratitude and together, according to show attendees, they delivered one of the most spirit-filled performances on the new season of Bobby Jones Gospel.
Indeed, Studio B where the show is taped at the network's Washington, DC headquarters felt a lot like a church rather than merely a platform for entertainment.
The pay-off of having a host who does not attempt to stifle that supernatural energy is good television. The show's Supervising Producer Tia Smith likes it that way.
"This is ministry for me," Smith says, adding there is nothing like capturing people being moved by God's presence.
The live taping for the entire Fall season was filmed in August over two weekends with three, two-hour shows daily, back-to-back. Those sporadic, unscripted moments, best described as "praise breaks" can contribute to long, tiresome days for the crew. Smith admits that sometimes when the Spirit is stirred it reaches the broadacast truck where she works and the crew goes with the flow.
There were many opportunities during the performances to catch manifestations of the spirit moving--hands raised, tears dropping, verbal expressions of worship and occasionally dancing in the aisles.
The powers that be at BET recognize the cultural relevance of faith for many of their viewers and preserve the authenticity of the show.
Many of the same viewers filled the seats at Studio B, becoming a part of the production and the BET team worked hard to keep them engaged. A light hearted Dr. Jones builds rapport with them and tells stories about himself and guests on the show during interludes. In between the host's wardrobe changes, Wayne Holla Walla, a DC-area gospel personality rewards participants in his various give-aways and preps the audience to comply with enthusiasm when the Director, Tony McQuin says "applause, applause, applause." For those needing to re-fuel, a hot plate dinner of chicken wings, potato salad and a dinner roll was sold in the hallway. In the end, it was the audience being receptive to the order of business and being responsive to the messages the artists delivered that set the tone for the show; they were vessel willing to be ministered to.
Being behind the scenes watching the production unfold has revealed the essence of its success: God is the Executive Producer.
With a final thanks from Dr. Jones, prayer and benediction, for the 28th year it's a wrap.
Season 28 extends the "Bobby Jones Gospel" title as the longest running program on cable television. Along with Dr. Jones' Nashville Super Choir celebrity co-hosts-- including Vickie Winans, Richard Smallwood and Byron Cage, plus star-studded performances from an array of over 2 dozens of artists like Kirk Franklin, Mary Mary, Pastor Shirley Caesar, Tye Tribbett & G.A., William Murphy, Damita Haddon and Stephanie Mills -- illuminate the theme PURPOSE, POWER AND PRAISE. The season premiere aired on October 5, 2008.