Donnie McClurkin, Mary Mary, CeCe Winans tapped for AMA's Gospel tribute to Aretha Franklin
Article By Porsha Stanfield // Gospel Music
The late Aretha Franklin’s roots run deep in Gospel music, which makes it fitting for Gospel singers to tribute her at The American Music Awards next month.
According to The Associated Press, Dick Clark Productions has tapped Mary Mary, Donnie McClurkin, CeCe Winans, Gladys Knight and Ledisi.
Musical director, Rickey Minor, will oversee the tributary segment recognizing the Queen of Soul and her iconic album, Amazing Grace, at the Oct. 9 event.
It will air live on ABC from the Microsoft Theater in Los Angeles.
Franklin died last month. She won six AMAs throughout her career and even hosted the show in 1976 and 1983.
Sabrina Owens, Franklin’s niece and the executor of her estate, says in a statement: “When I heard some of the initial ideas for the tribute, I knew without a doubt that this tribute will go down as one of the best in American music.”
Franklin’s stellar musical work, Amazing Grace, was released in 1972. It was was recorded live at New Temple Missionary Baptist Church in South Central Los Angeles and featured gospel legend James Cleveland, along with her own father.
It became one of of the best-selling gospel albums ever.
See the late Queen sing it like nobody else can.