We love it! R&B singer Jennifer Hudson tributes veteran gospel singer Kim McFarland
Article By Rebecca Johnson // EEW Magazine // Gospel News
GRAMMY® Award-winning R&B songstress Jennifer Hudson may be a huge mainstream star these days, but that doesn’t mean she has forgotten her gospel roots.
The former “The Voice” judge fanned out over veteran gospel singer, Kim McFarland—well known by avid gospel fans—even going so far as to tribute the “For The Good of Them” songstress on Instagram.
Hudson, who recently met McFarland during McDonalds’s 13th annual Inspiration Celebration Gospel Tour—a free, nationwide concert series featuring music from artists who are shaping the sound of contemporary gospel—wrote, “Omg guys ! When I tell you growing up in church, I sang [Kim McFarland’s] songs from ‘Ask In My Name’ to ‘I Tried Him [And I Know Him].’ Fun fact ‘Ask In My name” was one of my first solos in church!”
Photo Credit: JHUD Instagram
The gospel tour, which features Donald Lawrence, Keke Wyatt, Kierra Sheard, Sir the Baptist, Tye Tribbett, DJ Standout and host, Lonnie Hunter, gave Hudson the chance to chat one-on-one with McFarland, whom she calls one of her “major musical influences growing up singing in the church.”
Hudson, who showed various photos and video footage of the evening in which she beamed, added, “And after all of these years, I finally actually got to meet her tonight!”
We love seeing Hudson confer honor upon one of gospel music’s luminaries whose career spans decades and is celebrated for her work with the Soul Children of Chicago, Walter Whitman, the Thompson Community Singers, and Donald Lawrence.
McFarland, who began singing at age 3, was taught her much-admired vocal technique by her father, the Rev. T.H. McFarland, Sr.
Need a refresher on McFarland’s vocals? Press play below.