Publication date: 25 July 2007
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There's a contradictory irony to the launch of the third series of
BEVERLEY'S GOSPEL NIGHTS on BBC Radio 2, starting this
month (first show was on yesterday):
BEVERLEY'S GOSPEL NIGHTS on BBC Radio 2, starting this
month (first show was on yesterday):
The official press release:
Conversely, comments from visitors to the popular
UnitedByONE website in response to the new series:
Conversely, comments from visitors to the popular
UnitedByONE website in response to the new series:
'...yes, you WILL hear 'God' and 'Jesus' mentioned
on BBC Radio 2 - do not adjust your radios!'
'...I think that having BEVERLEY KNIGHT being a
host of a Gospel show is offensive in itself as she's
not a practicing Christian!...'
on BBC Radio 2 - do not adjust your radios!'
'...I think that having BEVERLEY KNIGHT being a
host of a Gospel show is offensive in itself as she's
not a practicing Christian!...'
Obviously the shades of the argument are much more subtle (albeit no less passionately felt) than that. Get a fuller picture by checking out the UB1 forum. Direct links at the end of this piece. It's a great site.
HISTORY REPEATS...?
When I wrote about the launch of series 2 last year, the overall thrust of my argument was that the UK gospel music industry needed to respond to the challenge of not having any personalities with a sufficiently high enough profile to anchor a show on what is probably the nation's most listened-to radio station...
In my view, the argument about having having a personality that is 'publicly Christian' fronting a gospel show is a perfectly valid one, but at the end of the day the BBC is a mainstream broadcaster. It isn't PREMIER RADIO, so its fundamental guiding principles are always (at best) going to be exploratory, and never likely to be near as 'evangelical' (in the widest sense of the word) as many of us would have liked.
For the BBC, the question of casting a 'non-Christian' in a lead role on a flagship show simply won't be as much of an issue. They did the same thing with RAGEH OMAAR's series exploring the miracles of Jesus Christ (which interestingly enough turned out to be nowhere near as myopic as it had the potential to be...). For the record, RAGEH is reported to be a muslim...
In my view, the argument about having having a personality that is 'publicly Christian' fronting a gospel show is a perfectly valid one, but at the end of the day the BBC is a mainstream broadcaster. It isn't PREMIER RADIO, so its fundamental guiding principles are always (at best) going to be exploratory, and never likely to be near as 'evangelical' (in the widest sense of the word) as many of us would have liked.
For the BBC, the question of casting a 'non-Christian' in a lead role on a flagship show simply won't be as much of an issue. They did the same thing with RAGEH OMAAR's series exploring the miracles of Jesus Christ (which interestingly enough turned out to be nowhere near as myopic as it had the potential to be...). For the record, RAGEH is reported to be a muslim...
It's a year since the second series, and while there are many perfectly
competent prime candidates the industry could offer the Beeb for
series 3 (MUYIWA, left, comes to mind), I'm guessing none of them
would get past whoever would have to make the ultimate editiorial
decision at BBC Radio 2.
For my money, our time will soon come. But that time ain't now...
Anyway, I've lined up an interview with BERNARD ACHAMPONG, producer of this series, so
it will be interesting to get his take on this affair.
In the meantime, here's a question for us: is history repeating itself simply because we haven't made the necessary inroads into the mainstream? Broadcasters like the BBC don't
even have us (and our personalities) on their radar, talk less of taking one of 'our own' to front a radio show on 'our' genre...?
I've got loads of theories, but no definitive answers. You might be the same.
competent prime candidates the industry could offer the Beeb for
series 3 (MUYIWA, left, comes to mind), I'm guessing none of them
would get past whoever would have to make the ultimate editiorial
decision at BBC Radio 2.
For my money, our time will soon come. But that time ain't now...
Anyway, I've lined up an interview with BERNARD ACHAMPONG, producer of this series, so
it will be interesting to get his take on this affair.
In the meantime, here's a question for us: is history repeating itself simply because we haven't made the necessary inroads into the mainstream? Broadcasters like the BBC don't
even have us (and our personalities) on their radar, talk less of taking one of 'our own' to front a radio show on 'our' genre...?
I've got loads of theories, but no definitive answers. You might be the same.
So: on to BEVERLEY's show. The first one was on Tuesday, and -
arguments about propriety and qualifications of the presenter
aside - it was an excellent one!
One of the true veterans of the American scene, MAVIS STAPLES
talked about her new album (produced by the legendary RY
COODER), as well as some of the real issues that growing up in
segregated America brought. Her story was simply one of the
most dignified and Christian responses to real-life hard issues I've
heard in a while. Interestingly, next week's is with MUYIWA...
BEVERLEY's skills as a radio presenter are adequate, not hyper or slick (this is Radio 2 after all) and I'm guessing she'll probably agree with that. However, that's really not what
these shows are about. Her passion for the genre and the artform is clearly evident.
Her personal background (she studied theology, her mum is a Pentencostal and her dad is Anglican) means she has an insight into the Black Christian experience (even if you question her 'spiritual' qualifications) to balance out her 'secular' side...
arguments about propriety and qualifications of the presenter
aside - it was an excellent one!
One of the true veterans of the American scene, MAVIS STAPLES
talked about her new album (produced by the legendary RY
COODER), as well as some of the real issues that growing up in
segregated America brought. Her story was simply one of the
most dignified and Christian responses to real-life hard issues I've
heard in a while. Interestingly, next week's is with MUYIWA...
BEVERLEY's skills as a radio presenter are adequate, not hyper or slick (this is Radio 2 after all) and I'm guessing she'll probably agree with that. However, that's really not what
these shows are about. Her passion for the genre and the artform is clearly evident.
Her personal background (she studied theology, her mum is a Pentencostal and her dad is Anglican) means she has an insight into the Black Christian experience (even if you question her 'spiritual' qualifications) to balance out her 'secular' side...
BECAUSE SHE'S WORTH IT...?
This series over six weeks puts the focus back on Gospel as a lifestyle, not just a genre of music (the press release says). Each show is one hour long and features recordings, live performances and personal truths from British and international Gospel guests.
My favourite part about the show format has always been the strong UK dimension to the series, and once again this doesn't disappoint: MUYIWA, MARK BESWICK, FAY SIMPSON, RUBY TURNER and DJ FITZ all represent different facets and generations of UK Gospel history and its absolutely vibrant present.
Special exclusive performances (including the first ever full band set from FOUR KORNERZ on the BBC) are also on offer, and there will also be live sets from PRISCILLA JONES, NOEL ROBINSON and NU IMAGE, and LONDON COMMUNITY GOSPEL CHOIR.
My favourite part about the show format has always been the strong UK dimension to the series, and once again this doesn't disappoint: MUYIWA, MARK BESWICK, FAY SIMPSON, RUBY TURNER and DJ FITZ all represent different facets and generations of UK Gospel history and its absolutely vibrant present.
Special exclusive performances (including the first ever full band set from FOUR KORNERZ on the BBC) are also on offer, and there will also be live sets from PRISCILLA JONES, NOEL ROBINSON and NU IMAGE, and LONDON COMMUNITY GOSPEL CHOIR.
Unique to this series is a public call to determine the playlist for the final programme, so at least you could have a chance to get your favourite artist's music on the show. I'm going to be doing the same. You KNOW it's going to be a UK one.
And you have to listen to find out which one it is - that is if it gets chosen...
And you have to listen to find out which one it is - that is if it gets chosen...
LINKS/CREDITS
> Discussion on UnitedByONE
> Beverley's Gospel Nights - BBC Radio 2 website
> Request your tune
> Beverley's official website
> 'Miracles Of Jesus' BBC Programme
> Four Kornerz
> Muyiwa/Riversongz
> Mark Beswick/Power Praise
> Priscilla Jones
> Noel Robinson
> London Community Gospel Choir
> UK Gospel.com piece on series 2
> Beverley's Gospel Nights - BBC Radio 2 website
> Request your tune
> Beverley's official website
> 'Miracles Of Jesus' BBC Programme
> Four Kornerz
> Muyiwa/Riversongz
> Mark Beswick/Power Praise
> Priscilla Jones
> Noel Robinson
> London Community Gospel Choir
> UK Gospel.com piece on series 2
WORDS: Yinka Awojobi \ PICS: Muyiwa - Riversongz, Beverley Knight - Max Dodson
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