When the audience hears nationally known gospel singer Ricky Dillard perform “Amazing,” at Genesee Theatre Feb. 11 they’ll get inspired not only by the music but also the message of outreach, JoHaan Cotton Wilson said.
As coordinator of campus operations for the Lake Shore campus of the College of Lake County, Wilson has organized A Salute to Gospel for roughly three decades.
She’s seen it grow from an audience of several hundred at its beginnings to 1,800 when it was at the Genesee Theatre two years ago.
A Salute to Gospel Music was held at Waukegan High School last year because it had to be rescheduled in May.
“But this year, we’re returning to Genesee, where we started performing about 15 years ago. We’re very excited about that,” Wilson said.
“For 33 years, we’ve had nothing but the industry’s best,” she said. “I try to feature national and local groups every year.”
This year, Glenn Johnson & The Voices of Innerpeace, a choir with members from the Lake County area, will also perform, as will the College of Lake County Gospel Choir.
“It’s so much more than just a concert – it’s a vehicle of outreach,” Wilson said. “We use the platform of a concert because we’re trying to reach the African-American community. We know the black churches are the cornerstone of the community, and gospel music has always been celebrated in that venue.
“When this program began, a lot of kids were into choir and singing. We formed the gospel choir, now a regular class at CLC,” she said.
“It’s always been a platform for us to showcase the college’s programs and services. Plus it offers student musicians and vocalists an opportunity to perform on a professional stage, and in most cases with a national artist, she said.
“Ricky Dillard agreed to do at least one song with CLC’s gospel choir,” she said. “I’ve always enjoyed his music. He’s very animated, very spirited and his group is just phenomenal. Chicago has been known as the root of gospel music. A lot of gospel greats have come out of the area.”
Dillard is best known as the founder and leader of The New Generation Chorale of Chicago, now called New G. He’s received Grammy award nominations for three albums including, “Amazing.”
Glenn Johnson & The Voices of Innerpeace will perform songs from “Greatness,” their latest CD. In addition, the First Baptist Church of Lake Forest Choir will perform and their pastor, the Rev. Todd E. Fletcher, will receive the 2017 Harambee Award of Excellence.
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Wilson said she’s introducing a new award, Ambassador of the Year, which will be given to the organization that brings out the most people.
“That’s our way of getting community out to what we feel is a fantastic program. My vision is seeing church families coming out together, small business families and other groups to worship and enjoy the program together.”
Sheryl DeVore is a freelance reporter for the News-Sun.
Salute to Gospel Music
When: 7 p.m., Feb. 11
Where: Genesee Theatre, 203 N. Genesee St., Waukegan
Tickets: $19 -$33, depending on age, group size
Information: 847-543-2300; www.geneseetheatre.com