Leader in Gospel music Willie McClendon
A free Birthday Praise Celebration 2006 with Sister Willie McClendon
is set for Sunday, April 9, at 5 p.m. at the New Hope Baptist Church,
3777 Wilcox Blvd.
Special guest include: Minister Anthony Taylor and Praise, the Third
Generation Gospel Singers, Jeanel Johnson, Kim Ruff, New United
Church Choir, OBC Mass Choir, Spiritual Highlights, Gospel Tymes,
Minister Marcellous Barnes and Free Spirit, Rev. J.W. Cole, Unity
Praise Ensemble and many more.
The birthday celebration, of course, will include Willie McClendon, a
Chattanooga native recognized for helping to guide and lead the
course of gospel music in the region.
A member of the Gospel Music Workshop of America, Ms. McClendon is the
financial secretary for the Gospel Announcers Guild.
She has been blessed with friends throughout the gospel music industry. In 1999, Ms. McClendon was honored by the guild with the "Delores Poindexter
Award," which recognizes excellence in the presentation of gospel
music.
In 2004, the GMWA Gospel Announcers Guild presented her with the "Deacon Willie McKinstry Award," recognizing excellence in leadership and outstanding endurance. This particular honor also acknowledges leaders who establish the beat, pace, and rhythm others follow.
Ms. McClendon believes gospel music is therapeutic and enjoys sharing music, a sense that began early in her childhood. Growing up with
grandparents who sang shape note songs, Ms. McClendon grew up in a
home filled with music. Traveling with her grandparents as part of
the Volunteer Vocal Singers, Ms. McClendon learned the old style of
singing notes and grew up singing this music at churches throughout
the South.
After Ms. McClendon's grandfather joined a yearly singing convention
gathering known as the North Meets South Singing, she began to hear a
different style of music in her travel than what she was hearing at
home and was inspired to talk with local radio about their selection
of gospel music.
In 1983, Ms. McClendon scheduled a meeting with WJTT manager, Johnny
Eagle to see if she could help select gospel music for the station,
though she had no radio experience. She soon had her own weekly show
called Sunday Inspiration at Power 94 and became Gospel Programmer
for the station. She led Sunday Inspiration for more than 22 years.
Now, she hosts Morning Inspirations on WNOO. Ms. McClendon continues to promote gospel music. She manages her own music store, ACC Enterprises, off Brainerd Road, selling only gospel music while managing the careers of such noted gospel artists as Veteran
Slack Ruffin and Glenda Bailey.
She serves as one of the coordinators
for Pastor Donnie McClurkin's "Back To Holiness Conference," and serves as road manager for Angela Spivey. Ms. McClendon writes a column for
Gospelflava.com and is active in her church, Wesley Chapel Christian
Community Church.
Doors open at 4 p.m. Admission is free. A love offering will be
taken. For more information, call 622-9867.