[cheers and applause] [woman VO] ♪I get joy when I think about...♪ [Henry VO] Tonight, the best and brightest artists in R&B and gospel take the stage for one memorable evening, in reverence to one of the most influential musical genres in American history.

Gospel is my foundation.

Gospel is a celebration of faith.

[Henry VO] We're honoring the legacy of praise and worship through song.

Well, since we're celebrating church and celebrating Jesus, give God a hand of praise!

[Henry VO] This is Gospel Live!, presented by yours truly, Henry Louis Gates, Jr. [applause] [Presenter] Ladies and gentlemen, please welcome Erica Campbell.

♪smooth soulful instrumental intro♪ ♪vocalizing♪ ♪I love the♪ ♪The Lord♪ ♪He heard my♪ ♪Cry♪ ♪And pitied♪ ♪Every♪ ♪Groan♪ ♪Long as I♪ ♪I live♪ ♪While troubles♪ ♪Rise♪ ♪I'll hasten to♪ ♪To♪ ♪His throne♪ ♪Oh♪ ♪I love the Lord♪ ♪(I love the Lord)♪ ♪I sure do♪ ♪I really do love the Lord♪ ♪For He heard♪ ♪(He heard my cry)♪ ♪He heard my cry♪ ♪And♪ ♪(And pitied)♪ ♪And He pitied every♪ ♪(Every)♪ ♪Every♪ ♪(Every groan)♪ ♪Every groan♪ ♪Long as I live, yeah♪ ♪(Long as I live)♪ ♪For the rest of my life♪ ♪While troubles rise♪ ♪(While troubles)♪ ♪Troubles♪ ♪(Rise)♪ ♪Troubles rise♪ ♪(I'll hasten to)♪ ♪vocalizing♪ ♪To♪ ♪To♪ ♪To♪ ♪I'll hasten to His throne♪ ♪(His throne)♪ ♪Oh, whoa♪ ♪(I'll hasten to)♪ ♪Yes, I will♪ ♪(His throne)♪ ♪Yes, I will♪ ♪I'm gonna run♪ ♪(I'll hasten to)♪ ♪Yes, run♪ ♪I'll run to Him♪ ♪(His throne)♪ ♪To His throne♪ ♪I♪ ♪(I'll hasten to) ♪Yes, I will♪ ♪(His throne)♪ ♪I'll hasten to♪ ♪I'm runnin' and I'm runnin' and I'm runnin'♪ ♪(I'll hasten to)♪ ♪Yeah♪ ♪(His throne)♪ ♪His throne♪ ♪(I'll hasten to)♪ ♪Yes, I will♪ ♪Yes, I will♪ ♪(His throne)♪ ♪His throne♪ [cheers and applause] Good evening, everybody!

[audience] Good evening!

Let the church say "Amen."

[audience] Amen!

Welcome to Gospel Live!

My name is Henry Louis Gates, Jr. [chuckles] [cheers and applause] And it gives me an enormous amount of pleasure to be co-hosting our concert tonight, here at the magnificent Oasis Church in Los Angeles, California.

[cheers and applause] Now, everybody in here knows that gospel music has been at the heart of the Black experience for over 100 years, and it's influenced every form of Black music, from the blues and jazz to R&B and soul, and, yes, even hip-hop.

[audience] Yeah!

Tonight, we're celebrating the great tradition of Black gospel music, and the brilliant women and men who created it -- past, present, and future.

Let's welcome Erica back to the stage.

Give it up for Erica Campbell!

[cheers and applause] Erica, that was the most amazing rendition of Richard Smallwood and Isaac Watts' classic gospel song "I Love the Lord," wasn't it, ladies and gentlemen?

-[cheers and applause] -[Erica] Thank you, thank you.

Thank you so very much.

I'm so excited to be co-hosting with you tonight.

You know, I'm super proud to be a gospel artist.

I've seen how the music has planted seeds of unity across the world.

It brings people together, and it has the power to transcend cultural backgrounds and religious beliefs.

-[cheers and applause] -[chuckles] Amen.

Now, I heard through the grapevine... that you like to be called "Skip."

Uh-huh.

But I can't just come straight out and just address you as "Skip;" I was raised a little different.

-[Henry chuckles] -So... how about, like, "Mr.

Skip" or "Mr. Gates" or...?

Anybody who sings as beautiful as that could call me whatever she wants!

[laughs] [applause] -[Erica] Okay, "Mr.

Skip" it is!

-Okay, that's great.

[both laugh] Well, listen, Mr.

Skip, we're all here because of the new -documentary series... -Mm-hm.

About the history of gospel music.

So, why gospel?

Well, the great Black scholar W.E.B.

Du Bois famously said that the Black church is composed of three elements: the preacher, the music, -and the frenzy... -[audience laughter] And of these three elements, one sound has remained a constant source of strength, of courage, of inspiration, of wisdom... and that is gospel.

-[Erica] It's absolutely true!

-[applause] So, are we ready to get it started?

[cheers and applause] I said are we ready to get it started?

-[audience] Yeah!

-[cheers and applause] The gospel sound has come a long way.

The sound was born in Chicago between the 1920s and the '40s.

That's when the father of gospel music, Thomas Dorsey, and The Honorable Sallie Martin grounded the genre in traditional hymns and spirituals.

Then, we got classics like "How I Got Over," composed by gospel singer Clara Ward, which became a church favorite, and sounded a little something like this.

♪How I got over♪ ♪(How I got over)♪ ♪How I got over♪ ♪(How I got over)♪ ♪You know my soul looks back and wonder♪ ♪How I got over♪ Y'all remember that?

[cheers and applause] Then, Sam Cooke & The Soul Stirrers, who took the music in a different direction.

This bridge of gospel and R&B created the lane for future artists to shine, including this singer-songwriter, who got his start as a minister of music in Savannah, Georgia.

Let's welcome... Mali Music.

[cheers and applause] ♪Wonderful♪ ♪God is so♪ ♪Wonderful♪ ♪He's so wonderful♪ ♪The Lord is my shepherd♪ ♪He's my guide♪ ♪Whatever I need♪ ♪The Lord will provide♪ ♪And praise the Lord's name♪ ♪I know He's so wonderful♪ ♪Oh, He's wonderful♪ ♪I really believe♪ ♪The Lord is wonderful♪ ♪Yes, He is♪ ♪Whoa, He's wonderful♪ ♪I know the Lord♪ ♪He's so wonderful♪ ♪Yes, He is♪ ♪Ooh♪ ♪If you never tried God♪ ♪Try the Lord one day♪ ♪And see when my God come down and make a way♪ ♪And whoa, I can't help but love God♪ ♪He's so wonderful♪ ♪Whoa, wonderful♪ ♪I know♪ ♪The Lord is wonderful♪ ♪Yes, He is♪ ♪Whoa, I know♪ ♪The Lord is wonderful♪ ♪Oh, I tell it everywhere I go♪ ♪You gotta excuse me♪ ♪Ohh♪ ♪If you never tried God♪ Hah!

♪Try my Lord today♪ ♪And tell me my Father won't come down and make a way♪ ♪And praise the Lord's name, y'all♪ ♪'Cause He's so wonderful♪ ♪And has no limits, and it's true♪ ♪Whoa!♪ ♪Praise God♪ ♪He's so wonderful♪ [cheers and applause] Gospel music has influenced generations of performers, and the greats of the past are more than just inspiration, they're considered royalty.

When I think of gospel royalty, I think of Mahalia Jackson, The Clark Sisters... Aretha Franklin, to me.

She could do some gospel, man.

Dr. Shirley Caesar.

It was that first song for me.

It was... [singing] ♪Jesus♪ ♪Jesus♪ ♪Oh, sweet Jesus♪ ♪How I love♪ ♪Calling your name♪ They are legends not just because their music is still here, but because of what they had to endure to get this good news -- this encouraging message -- to the world.

We hold them so dearly, we think of them with such reverence and love, because, you know, they've gotten us through a lot of tough times.

As a young girl, the greats were in my household.

My mom played the piano in church, and my dad directed the choir.

To me, they were rockstars, and once I watched the people be moved by the power of God, I knew that gospel music was my calling as well.

Later, I found voices that rooted me in the genre -- singers like Mahalia Jackson and Sister Rosetta Tharpe.

They brought in blues and rock 'n' roll, using their music to lift communities through periods of segregation and revival.

Now, this next singer is anointed with her own gospel revival.

Earlier this year, she released her first gospel album, The Invitation: A Conversation with God.

After selling millions of records with the girl group Xscape, please welcome... LaTocha!

[cheers and applause] ♪Ooh♪ ♪smooth uplifting instrumental intro♪ ♪Oh, Lord♪ ♪How excellent♪ ♪How excellent♪ ♪How excellent♪ ♪(How excellent)♪ ♪How excellent♪ ♪Is♪ ♪(Is)♪ ♪(Thy name)♪ ♪Thy name♪ ♪(In all the Earth)♪ ♪In all the Earth♪ ♪(Every knee shall bow)♪ ♪In all the Earth♪ ♪(And every tongue)♪ ♪In all the Earth♪ ♪Thank you, Jesus♪ ♪(Jesus)♪ ♪(Excellent, excellent)♪ ♪I know He is♪ ♪(Excellent)♪ ♪He's excellent♪ ♪(Jesus)♪ ♪He's so♪ ♪(Excellent)♪ ♪Excellent♪ ♪(Excellent)♪ ♪Stayed right by me♪ ♪(Excellent)♪ ♪When they rejected me♪ ♪(Jesus)♪ ♪Jesus is so♪ ♪(Excellent)♪ ♪I know He is♪ ♪(Is)♪ ♪Thy name♪ ♪(Thy name)♪ How many people know you can run to Jesus?

♪(Ahh)♪ ♪As I stand here contemplating♪ ♪On the right thing to decide♪ ♪Will I take the wrong direction?♪ ♪All my life, where will I go?♪ ♪What lies ahead of me?♪ ♪I have strong determination♪ ♪And I'm not afraid of change♪ ♪I have yet to find that someone♪ ♪Who would care to satisfy me♪ ♪To stay right by me, oh♪ ♪(Who can I run to)♪ ♪Who can I run to♪ ♪(To fill this empty life?

)♪ ♪I need to know♪ ♪(Who can I run to?

)♪ ♪I need♪ ♪(I need the Lord)♪ ♪I need the Lord♪ ♪I need the Lord♪ ♪(Who can I run to)♪ ♪Who can I run to♪ ♪(To fill this empty life with laughter?

)♪ ♪To fill this empty life?♪ ♪(Who can I run to?

)♪ ♪Who can I run to?♪ ♪(I need the Lord)♪ ♪Ahh♪ ♪I need the Lord♪ ♪(I need the Lord)♪ ♪Do you need Him?♪ ♪We all need Him♪ ♪Everybody needs, yeah♪ ♪(I need the Lord)♪ ♪I need Him♪ ♪Every day, every hour♪ ♪We all need Jesus♪ ♪(I need the Lord)♪ ♪Ohh♪ ♪I need♪ ♪Oh, oh, oh, yeah♪ ♪Ho, ho, ho, ho♪ ♪Thank you, Jesus♪ [cheers and applause] Yes!

The power of voice is so underrated.

You know, one of my dad's favorite voices was Rance Allen.

He was a vocal powerhouse, and I just loved hearing his voice on our old-school record player at home -- -which was also furniture.

-[laughter] He infused jazz, rock, and blues into his music, making him another one of the innovators of gospel.

To celebrate him, let's welcome an R&B artist whose soulful voice was cultivated in the Shiloh Baptist Church choir in Charlotte, North Carolina.

Join me in welcoming Anthony Hamilton & The Ton3s!

[cheers and applause] ♪Yeah♪ ♪bluesy soulful instrumental intro♪ ♪Whoa♪ ♪Mm-hm♪ ♪(Shoop)♪ ♪(Something about the name Jesus)♪ ♪Something about the name♪ ♪(Something about the name Jesus)♪ ♪It is the sweetest name I know♪ ♪(It is the sweetest name)♪ ♪Yeah♪ ♪(I know)♪ ♪Oh, how♪ ♪(Oh, how I love the name Jesus)♪ ♪Sounds so good to me, yeah♪ ♪(Oh, how I love the name Jesus)♪ ♪I love it♪ ♪(It is the sweetest name)♪ ♪(I know)♪ ♪Some people think I'm crazy but♪ ♪I can't explain it, no♪ ♪Oh, the power that I feel♪ -♪When I call your name♪ -♪When I call your name♪ ♪Said it's just like fire, oh♪ ♪Shut up in my bones♪ ♪(Yes, it is)♪ ♪Yes, the Holy Ghost is moving, yeah♪ ♪And it just won't leave me alone♪ ♪Oh, oh, oh, whoa♪ ♪(See, there's something about the name Jesus)♪ ♪Something about the sweet name Jesus♪ ♪(Something about the name Jesus)♪ ♪It is the sweetest name I know♪ ♪(It is the sweetest name)♪ ♪(I know)♪ ♪Oh, how I love the name♪ ♪(Oh, how I love the name Jesus)♪ ♪Sounds so sweet to me, yeah♪ ♪(Oh, how I love the name Jesus)♪ ♪I love it, I love it, I love it♪ ♪(It is the sweetest name)♪ ♪(I know)♪ ♪I know♪ ♪(I know)♪ ♪I know♪ ♪(I know)♪ ♪Oh, I know♪ ♪(It is the sweetest)♪ ♪Sweetest name♪ ♪(Sweetest name)♪ ♪Sweetest name♪ ♪(I know)♪ ♪Oh, oh♪ ♪(Oh, oh, oh)♪ ♪Oh, ho, ho♪ ♪(Oh, oh, oh)♪ ♪I love it, I love it, I love it♪ ♪(It is the sweetest name)♪ ♪Sweetest name I know♪ ♪(I know)♪ ♪Oh, I love His name, I love it♪ ♪(Oh, oh, oh)♪ ♪Sounds so sweet to me, yeah♪ ♪(Oh, oh, oh)♪ ♪It is the sweetest name I♪ ♪(It is the sweetest name)♪ ♪(I know)♪ ♪Oh, oh♪ ♪(Oh, oh, oh)♪ ♪Oh, whoa, oh♪ ♪(Oh, oh, oh)♪ ♪It is the sweetest name I♪ ♪(It is the sweetest name)♪ ♪I know♪ ♪(I know)♪ [cheers and applause] "There's Something About the Name Jesus."

That song just stirs the joy of the Lord in the room, and if you can feel it, let me hear you make some noise!

-[cheers and applause] -Yes, sir!

Well, as the First Lady of the California Worship Center, we don't play when it comes to giving God praise.

The spirit and presence of God must be felt.

From the music of yesterday to the swag of today, church culture looks a little different wherever we go.

Depending on your church, Sunday morning may look like a cool, crisp suit with gator shoes, or... it may look like leather jeans and a fitted cap.

[laughter] And I see a few people in the crowd making some fashion statements on tonight.

I know that's right!

Look at your neighbor and say, "You look good!"

-[audience] You look good!

-[Erica laughs] Somebody said, "I do!"

[laughter] But it doesn't matter whether you get your ministry from the Church of God in Christ, the Baptist Chuch, the Pentacostal Church, AME or CME, the Black church experience is just like no other.

[applause] Black churches share the... [singing] ♪joy of the good news♪ in unique -- and often memorable -- ways.

Let the church say "Amen."

Black churches be like, "God is good!"

[high voice] "All the time!"

[regular voice] "And all the time?"

[high voice] "God is good!"

Black churches be like... [singing] ♪Hallelujah!♪ Black churches be lit!

"Praise the Lord, everybody!

I said praise the Lord, everybody!"

And you better say [chuckling] "Praise the Lord."

Black churches be smellin' like food!

'Cause you're gonna get a good piece of chicken after service -- chicken, cake, and punch!

Black churches be loud!

[laughs] ♪Yes!♪ The service is not happenin' if the music ain't right.

Growing up, I absolutely loved The Clark Sisters.

I remember learning about Jacky, Denise, Dorinda, Karen, and Twinkie and just feeling seen.

But coming out of Detroit, The Clark Sisters really changed the identity of gospel music.

I remember going to the Church of God in Christ Convocation and seeing them sing, and I watched how some people supported them and others not so much.

But when I tell you it did not matter one bit because they sang the paint off the walls.

[laughter] It was their ambition that influenced everyone, from Xscape to Destiny's Child, and yes, even Mary Mary.

Here to pay tribute to the legendary Clark Sisters is a singer who got her start in her grandfather's church in Oakland, California.

Please welcome the talented... Lena Byrd Miles!

[cheers and applause] ♪smooth R&B instrumental intro♪ ♪He brought me though hard trials♪ ♪He brought me through tribulations♪ ♪Never let a day go by and not realize♪ ♪Mmm♪ ♪Had not been for the Lord who was on my side♪ ♪Back was against the wall♪ ♪Looked out for me♪ ♪He heard my cry♪ ♪And rescued me♪ ♪Never let a day go by and not realize♪ ♪That we are blessed♪ ♪Don't take it for granted♪ ♪That we are here♪ ♪Today♪ ♪Just know that you are blessed and♪ ♪Highly favored♪ ♪Favored♪ ♪Just know♪ ♪That we are blessed and highly favored♪ ♪As I look♪ ♪(As I look back through the years)♪ ♪It's amazing that God kept all of us♪ ♪What the devil♪ ♪(What the devil)♪ ♪Meant for evil♪ ♪(Meant for evil)♪ ♪Our big God♪ ♪He turned it around, turned it around♪ ♪(Turned it around for good)♪ ♪(I know)♪ ♪I know♪ ♪(That I am blessed)♪ ♪That I'm blessed♪ ♪(And highly favored)♪ ♪Favored, favored, favored♪ ♪(Just know)♪ ♪Just know that♪ ♪(That you're blessed and)♪ ♪You're blessed and♪ ♪(Highly favored)♪ ♪Favored♪ Y'all know this one?!

It's about the sunshine!

Come on and sing it with us!

♪(You made my day)♪ ♪You♪ ♪(You came my way)♪ ♪Yes, you did♪ ♪Yes, you did♪ ♪Yes, you did, you♪ ♪(You heard me)♪ ♪You heard me every time I pray♪ ♪Oh, and you gave me peace, yeah♪ ♪(You gave me peace)♪ ♪You gave me praise, yeah♪ ♪(You gave me praise)♪ ♪You're the one who keeps a smile on my pretty face, yeah♪ ♪(You put a smile upon my face)♪ ♪And you brought the sunshine♪ ♪(You brought the sunshine)♪ ♪In my life♪ ♪(Threw out the lifeline)♪ ♪And you threw out the lifeline♪ ♪(You brought the sunshine)♪ ♪Changed my life♪ ♪(Threw out the lifeline)♪ ♪Since I♪ ♪(Since that I have found Christ)♪ ♪He has made such a change in my♪ ♪(Life)♪ ♪Hey, yeah♪ ♪(Jesus is the answer)♪ ♪Oh, Jesus is the answer♪ ♪(Breaks every feather)♪ ♪He breaks every feather♪ ♪(It really doesn't matter)♪ ♪There's nothing impossible♪ ♪Nothing infallible♪ ♪Nothing too hard for my God to work out♪ ♪(No matter what the problem)♪ ♪No matter what your problem♪ ♪(God can always solve 'em)♪ ♪God can always solve 'em♪ ♪(Cast your cares upon Him)♪ ♪Try him today, He will brighten up your way♪ ♪He'll come your way and He'll hear you♪ ♪When you, when you, when you, when you pray♪ ♪I know He will, yeah♪ ♪(You brought the sunshine)♪ ♪In my life, yeah♪ ♪(Threw out the lifeline)♪ ♪And you threw out the lifeline♪ ♪(You brought the sunshine)♪ ♪Changed my life, yeah♪ ♪(Threw out the lifeline)♪ ♪Oh♪ ♪(Since that I have found Christ)♪ ♪There has♪ ♪(There has been such a change)♪ ♪(In my life)♪ ♪Yeah♪ ♪Can I hear you say it?♪ ♪I♪ ♪(I'm witness)♪ ♪Can I get a witness?♪ ♪(That Jesus)♪ ♪Anybody know Jesus?♪ ♪Won't He, won't He, won't He open doors?♪ ♪(He'll make a difference in your life)♪ ♪Yeah♪ ♪(I'm a witness)♪ ♪Can I get a witness?♪ ♪(That Jesus)♪ ♪Anybody know, know, know, know♪ ♪Know Jesus?♪ ♪(Will make a difference in your life)♪ ♪Hey, amazing grace♪ ♪How sweet the sound♪ ♪(That saved a wretch like me)♪ ♪Ohh♪ ♪(Ohh)♪ ♪Ohh♪ ♪You made♪ ♪(You made)♪ ♪You do, do♪ ♪(You made my day)♪ ♪Hey, you brought the sunshine♪ ♪(You came)♪ ♪When you came♪ ♪(You came my way)♪ ♪Oh, you brought the sunshine♪ ♪(You made)♪ ♪You, you, you, you, you♪ ♪You did♪ ♪(You made my day)♪ ♪Hey♪ ♪And I'm so glad you do it every day♪ ♪(You came)♪ ♪Every way♪ ♪When you come my way♪ ♪You brought the sunshine♪ ♪You♪ ♪You do it all the time♪ [cheers and applause] ♪upbeat percussive instrumentals♪ [cheers and applause] Now, did y'all see what's just happened in the room?

Oh, my gosh!

Give it up for our musical director Zo Harris and The Michael Mathis Tribute Band!

[cheers and applause] That was "You Brought the Sunshine," which was inspired by Stevie Wonder's "Master Blaster," and that is a perfect example of how gospel and R&B music blend together.

Matter of fact, I see someone who knows a little thing or two about gospel and R&B, plus he's the pastor of the California Worship Center.

-It's my... -[cheers and applause] my very handsome husband.

-Hey, baby.

-Hey, baby.

I mean "Hey, Pastor."

I mean... Hey, baby.

Hey, baby.

-[Erica] I mean... -[laughter] "Hi, Warryn."

Oh, you guys are here?

Oh, you're here?

-Oh, excuse me.

-[laughter] Um... Now, we can take a look at the influence of preachers in the Black church.

Let's hear what leadership means for spreading the gospel.

It takes a lot to lead people, because leadership means service.

[LaTocha VO] Going to church, it was family.

Even with our pastor, he would go in the community, and for people that didn't have food and didn't have transportation back and forth to church, they would do that.

There's some pastors that holler, scream, yell, and then there's some that teach and speak softly.

You never knew which Sunday you was gonna get what.

Preachers often address real-time events as they unfold, but gospel singer Andraé Crouch set out to do it in his music.

After the turbulent Civil Rights Movement of the 1960s, people were hungry for change.

Andraé exposed gospel to a younger, cooler audience, making Jesus music popular in Black and white households.

Then, between the 1970s and '80s, compositions like "Soon and Very Soon" brought gospel to the world stage.

Today, many artists continue his work.

Please welcome the talented singer and pianist from Bakersfield, California... Sheléa!

[cheers and applause] We're gonna go way back on this one.

I'm thinking about Grandma right now.

♪soulful organ intro♪ ♪How♪ ♪Can I say thanks♪ ♪For the things♪ ♪You have done♪ ♪For me?♪ ♪Oh, things♪ ♪So undeserved♪ ♪Yet You gave♪ ♪To prove Your love for me♪ ♪The voices♪ ♪Of a million angels♪ ♪Cannot express♪ ♪My gratitude♪ ♪All that I am♪ ♪And all♪ ♪All that I'll ever be♪ ♪I, I give it all♪ ♪To♪ ♪To Thee♪ ♪Oh♪ ♪To God♪ ♪Be♪ ♪The glory♪ ♪To God♪ ♪Be the glory♪ ♪To God♪ ♪Be the glory♪ Hallelujah.

♪For the things♪ ♪He has♪ ♪Done♪ ♪With♪ ♪With His blood♪ ♪He has saved me♪ ♪And with His power♪ ♪He has raised me♪ ♪To God♪ ♪Be the glory♪ ♪For the things♪ ♪He has done♪ ♪Just let me live♪ ♪My life♪ ♪And let♪ ♪Let it be pleasing, Lord♪ ♪Let it be pleasing♪ ♪To Thee♪ ♪But if I gain♪ ♪Any praise♪ ♪Let it go to♪ ♪Cal, Calvary♪ ♪Oh♪ ♪Oh, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah♪ ♪Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah♪ ♪With His blood♪ Oh, hallelujah!

♪He has saved me♪ ♪And through His power♪ ♪He has raised me♪ ♪Oh♪ ♪To God♪ ♪Be the glory♪ Oh, hallelujah!

♪For♪ ♪The things♪ Thank you!

♪For♪ ♪The♪ ♪For the things♪ ♪Oh, when I look back over my life♪ ♪And I think things over♪ ♪For the things♪ ♪He♪ ♪Has♪ ♪Done♪ [cheers and applause] Yes!

One more time for Sheléa!

Woo!

[cheers and applause] Listen...

The early decades produced women vocalists who could move the culture forward, and later, they would inspire the Queen of Soul, Aretha Franklin.

Aretha transformed the traditional church hymns into heart-filled soul ballads, like the classic "Precious Lord, Take My Hand," a hymn created for us, by us.

A staple in gospel's catalogue, this song carried us through moments of despair, and today, still gives us a place of refuge.

Decades later, it would be repurposed by an R&B artist with roots in Springfield, Ohio's, Pentecostal church.

Please give a warm welcome to the extraordinary... John Legend!

[cheers and applause] Good evening, everybody!

[cheers and applause] I wouldn't be here without gospel music.

I wouldn't be here without my grandmother, Elmira Lloyd.

She was the daughter of Bishop Ralph Bass, the wife of Suffragan Bishop Raymond Lloyd, and the organist of our church, El Bethel Temple.

I learned to play gospel music from her, and I wouldn't be the artist I am without her inspiration, without all the love and music and legacy that she poured into me.

She's no longer with us, but I believe she's looking down... and I wanna dedicate this song to her.

♪soulful piano♪ ♪Precious Lord♪ ♪Take my hand♪ ♪Lead me on♪ ♪Let me stand♪ ♪I am tired♪ ♪I am weak♪ ♪I am worn♪ ♪Through the storm♪ ♪Through the night♪ ♪Lead me on♪ ♪To the light♪ ♪Take my hand♪ ♪Precious Lord♪ ♪Lead me on♪ ♪When my way♪ ♪Grows drear♪ ♪Precious Lord♪ ♪Linger near♪ ♪When my life♪ ♪Is al...♪ ♪Almost gone♪ ♪Oh♪ ♪Hear my cry♪ ♪Hear my call♪ ♪Hold my hand♪ ♪Lest I fall♪ ♪Take my hand♪ ♪Precious Lord♪ ♪Lead me on♪ ♪Oh♪ ♪(Through the storm)♪ ♪Through the storm♪ ♪(Through the night)♪ ♪Yeah♪ ♪Lead me on♪ ♪(Lead me on)♪ ♪(To the light)♪ ♪Yeah♪ ♪(Take my hand)♪ ♪Hey, precious Lord♪ ♪(Through the storm)♪ ♪Take my hand♪ ♪(Take my hand)♪ ♪(Precious Lord)♪ ♪Whoa, won't you take my hand?♪ ♪(Take my hand)♪ ♪Yeah♪ ♪Precious Lord♪ ♪Lead♪ ♪Lead♪ ♪Me on♪ [cheers and applause] Thank you.

God bless you.

[cheers and applause] [Erica] Yes!

As we go through this night of music, I wanna remind everyone that tonight's special is a complement to Henry Louis Gates, Jr.'s gospel documentary, which traces the timeline of the evolution of gospel, like the 1990s, an era that marked a distinct separation of hip-hop and gospel, until one man changed all of that: Kirk Franklin.

[applause] The music video "Stomp" revolutionized gospel sound, and his success has opened the door for the next generation of gospel artists like our next performer.

Coming out of Austin, Texas, he's a celebrated recording artist with a gift for song that has translated into over one billion global streams.

He's here to put a modern spin on a legendary classic.

Please welcome my friend Tauren Wells!

[cheers and applause] ♪upbeat funky instrumental intro♪ ♪People♪ ♪Keep on learnin'♪ Whoo!

♪Soldiers♪ ♪Keep on warin'♪ ♪World♪ ♪Keep on turnin'♪ ♪'Cause it won't be too long♪ ♪Powers♪ ♪Keep on lyin'♪ ♪While people♪ ♪They keep on dyin'♪ ♪Yeah♪ ♪World♪ ♪Keep on turnin'♪ ♪'Cause it won't be too long♪ Whoo!

♪Ooh, yeah♪ ♪Yeah♪ ♪Lovers♪ ♪Keep on lovin'♪ ♪Oh!♪ ♪While believers♪ ♪Keep on believin'♪ ♪And sleepers♪ ♪Just stop sleepin'♪ ♪'Cause it won't be too long♪ ♪No, no, no, no, no♪ ♪Yeah♪ ♪Now, I'm so glad that I've been born again♪ ♪'Cause He saved my soul from a world full of sin♪ ♪Now, I'm not perfect but I've been forgiven♪ ♪Gonna keep on tryin'♪ ♪'Til I reach the higher ground♪ ♪Yeah♪ Whoo!

♪'Til I reach the higher ground♪ ♪Whoa♪ ♪Oh♪ Come on, help me sing!

♪Don't stop reachin'♪ ♪Don't stop reachin' for it♪ ♪Don't stop reachin'♪ ♪For higher ground♪ ♪Don't stop reachin'♪ ♪Don't stop reachin' for it♪ ♪Don't stop reachin'♪ ♪Yes, I'm goin'♪ ♪Yes, I'm goin'♪ ♪Yes, I'm goin'♪ ♪Goin' on to higher ground♪ ♪Yeah♪ [cheers and applause] [Henry] Truly, tonight has been phenomenal!

Co-hosting this special has been a great personal honor for me, both because I love the church, and because I love the music that makes the church sing!

And it's been amazing to see gospel continue to expand from generation to generation.

Just in the last 20 years, we've seen gospel reach new heights.

From Yolanda Adams performing at Wrestlemania to my sister and I performing at the Super Bowl, gospel is everywhere.

[chuckles] Amen to that!

[both laugh] Let's thank all the incredible artists and musicians who've shared their gifts of song with us this evening, ladies and gentlemen, and to everyone who helped to make this night so very special!

[cheers and applause] And last but not least, I wanna thank the great... Erica Campbell... [cheers and applause] for hosting this special with me.

Thank you so much.

Oh, it has been an amazing night, and we couldn't have done it without our fantastic musicians, Zo Harris and The Michael Mathis Tribute Band!

Just fabulous!

[cheers and applause] So now, let's have a congregational moment, where we can all sing together.

-Can we do that?

-Let's do it!

To take us out in praise, ladies and gentlemen, let's stand on our feet and welcome Lena Byrd Miles back to the stage to take us home!

Come on, everybody!

Let's get up!

Let's get up and give God some praise together!

Are you ready?!

Come on and help us!

♪Ooh♪ ♪Yeah♪ Put 'em together, come on!

♪I get joy when I think about♪ ♪(What He's done for me)♪ ♪I get joy when I think about♪ ♪(What He's done for me)♪ ♪Well, you don't know like I know♪ ♪(What He's done for me)♪ ♪Oh, you don't know like I know♪ ♪(What He's done for me)♪ ♪Have you tried Jesus?♪ ♪(He's all right)♪ ♪Have you tried Jesus?♪ ♪(He's all right)♪ ♪Have you tried Jesus?♪ ♪(He's all right)♪ ♪Have you tried Jesus?♪ ♪(Oh, He's all right)♪ ♪I'm a soldier♪ ♪(In the army of the Lord)♪ ♪I'm a soldier♪ ♪(In the army)♪ ♪And I believe I'll die♪ ♪(In the army of the Lord)♪ ♪I believe I'll die♪ ♪(In the army)♪ ♪Now, put those hands together♪ ♪If you love Him, if you love Him♪ ♪Yeah, if you love Him, if you love Him♪ We gonna do our war cry right here in just a second!

♪Oh, oh, oh, oh♪ ♪Oh, oh♪ Now, you sing.

♪Oh♪ ♪Put those hands together♪ ♪Put those hands together♪ Let me hear you try it now!

♪(Oh, oh, oh, oh)♪ ♪(Oh, oh, oh)♪ ♪Oh, oh♪ ♪(Oh, oh, oh, oh)♪ ♪Everybody, put those hands together♪ ♪Everybody, put those hands together♪ ♪Everybody, put those hands together♪ And this is another point I want you to say.

Say... ♪I'm a soldier in the army♪ ♪I'm a soldier in the army♪ Let me hear it.

♪I'm a soldier in the army♪ ♪I'm a soldier in the army♪ ♪I am, I'm a solider in the army♪ ♪I'm a soldier in the army♪ ♪I am a soldier♪ ♪(I'm a soldier in the army)♪ ♪I am a soldier♪ ♪(I'm a soldier in the army)♪ ♪I'm a soldier♪ ♪(I'm a solider in the army)♪ ♪I'm a soldier♪ ♪(I'm a solider in the army)♪ ♪I'm a soldier♪ ♪(I'm a solider in the army)♪ ♪I am a soldier♪ ♪(I'm a soldier in the army)♪ ♪I'm a solider♪ ♪(I'm a soldier in the army)♪ ♪(I'm a soldier in the army)♪ ♪(I'm a soldier in the army)♪ ♪(I'm a soldier in the army)♪ ♪(I'm a soldier in the army)♪ ♪(I'm a soldier in the army)♪ ♪(I'm a soldier in the army)♪ ♪Oh, I♪ ♪I am a soldier in the army♪ ♪I believe I'll die♪ ♪(I'm a soldier in the army)♪ ♪I believe I'll die♪ ♪(I'm a soldier in the army)♪ ♪I'm runnin' for my life♪ ♪(I'm a soldier in the army)♪ ♪Ahh, soldier♪ ♪(I'm a soldier in the army)♪ ♪Ahh, soldier♪ ♪(I'm a soldier in the army)♪ ♪Sol, soldier♪ ♪(I'm a soldier in the army)♪ ♪I am, I am♪ ♪(I'm a soldier in the army)♪ ♪I am, I am♪ ♪(I'm a soldier in the army)♪ ♪I am, I am♪ ♪(I'm a soldier in the army)♪ ♪Sol, soldier♪ ♪(I'm a soldier in the army)♪ ♪Sol, soldier♪ ♪(I'm a soldier in the army)♪ ♪I'm fighting for my life♪ ♪I'm runnin' for my life♪ ♪I am, I am♪ ♪(I'm a soldier in the army)♪ ♪I am, yes, I'm a soldier♪ ♪(I'm a soldier in the army)♪ ♪♪♪ ♪Everybody, put those hands together♪ We war cry one last time!

♪(Oh, oh, oh, oh)♪ ♪Oh♪ ♪(Oh, oh, oh)♪ -♪Oh, oh, oh, oh♪ -[cheers and applause] Where my soldiers at?!

Where my soldiers at?!

Are you a soldier?!

♪I am♪ ♪I am♪ A soldier!

In the army!

♪I believe I'll die♪ ♪Believe I'll die♪ ♪A soldier♪ ♪♪♪ [cheers and applause]