(Black PR Wire) HOUSTON, TX – September 14, 2017 – The Gospel Music Heritage Month Foundation (#GMHM2017) is proud to announce its ninth annual "Evolution of Gospel," which commemorates the month of September as Gospel Music Heritage Month (GMHM). The celebration will present inspirational and exhilarating music performances by some of Gospel music’s biggest stars and honor individuals who have made significant contributions to the rich legacy of Gospel music in America. The “Evolution of Gospel” will be held on Monday, September 18, 2017 at 7 p.m. EDT at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington, D.C. The event is free and open to the public. Interested persons can obtain tickets by calling 202.467.4600 or 800.444.1324.

This year’s Gospel Music Heritage Foundation Lifetime Achievement Award will be presented to Stellar Award winning gospel music master/composer/producer/vocalist Donnie McClurkin. Other honorees are: Tyscot Music + Entertainment Founder and CEO Bishop Leonard Scott and civil right leader and NAACP Chairman Emeritus Roslyn McCallister Brock.

The awards event will be hosted by Grammy® Award-winning gospel music singer and television host Dr. Bobby Jones The program will include musical tributes by some of the most anointed gospel vocalists and choirs, including, Ernest Pugh, Andrea McClurkin Mellinni, Allen Chapel A.M.E. Church Choir, Alfred Street Baptist Church Royal Priesthood Choir, Patrick Lundy & Ministers of Music, Geneva DeVaughn, Syretta Thompson, JJ Hairston and Youth for Praise. The event is produced by Ernest Walker of Walker Entertainment Group.

In 2008, Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee (D-TX) introduced historic resolution, H.J. Res. 90 which established September as Gospel Music Heritage Month across the nation. Advocates joining Congresswoman Lee in support of the recognition were gospel music advocate Carl Davis; UP TV Founder and President Charley Humbard, and entertainment executive Alvin Williams. With additional support from Senator Blanche Lincoln (D-AR), the bipartisan passage of the bill helped to usher in a new national focus to honor gospel music for its valuable and longstanding contributions to the culture of the United States. Subsequently Congresswoman Lee led the effort with Carl Davis to create the Gospel Music Heritage Month Foundation that celebrates gospel music annually and honors the music as a national treasure.

Congresswoman Lee said of the event, “I am excited as we prepare to celebrate the 9th Annual Gospel Music Heritage Month Celebration at the world-renowned Kennedy Center. The Gospel Music Heritage Month Celebration is the nation’s singular event of significance commemorating gospel music history. This year presents one of our best celebrations as we honor three of America's greatest advocates and beneficiaries of gospel music. Gospel music has a prominent place in the history of America and it has impacted the entire world for generations.”

Carl Davis, chairman of the Gospel Music Heritage Month Foundation stated, “This year we are proud to honor gospel icon, Donne McClurkin for his tremendous contribution to the gospel industry. We will also honor Bishop Leonard Scott, the founder and CEO of Tyscot Music + Entertainment for his contribution to the industry and Roslyn Brock for her service and commitment. The efficacy of these individuals has impacted the genre of gospel music with historical relevance and meaning. They have indelibly written on the consciousness of the human spirit the unyielding power of the gospel through song.”

The “Evolution of Gospel” is sponsored by Southwest Airlines and Walker Entertainment Group.

Previous distinguished honorees of the “Evolution of Gospel” acknowledged for their major contribution to the legacy of gospel music, include gospel icons and trailblazers: Edwin Hawkins, Bishop Hezekiah Walker, Rev. Shirley Caesar, Rev. Andraé Crouch (posthumously) and Richard Smallwood; Grammy® Award-winning gospel artists Kirk Franklin and Yolanda Adams; philanthropist and Kennedy Center Trustee Reginald Van Lee, civil rights pioneer Rev. Jesse Jackson; Senator Blanch Lincoln (D-AR); Chairperson and Founder of Radio One Cathy Hughes; President and Founder of UP TV Charley Humbard; Chairman and CEO of Central City Productions and producer of the Stellar Awards Don Jackson; Congressman G.K. Butterfield (D-NC) former Chair of the Congressional Black Caucus; Congressman John Lewis (D-GA), who was honored in conjunction with the Foundation’s salute to the 50th Anniversary of the March on Washington; and, CEO of Capital Christian Music Group Bill Hearn.

Follow the Foundation and honorees at:

http://gospelmusicheritage.org

GMHM2017

Donnie McClurkin on Twitter @Donnieradio

Bishop Leonard Scott on Twitter @bishoplscott

Roslyn Brock on Twitter @roslynbrock‏

Ernest Pugh on Twitter @earnestpugh‏

Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee on Twitter @JacksonLeeTX18

Gospel Music Advocate Carl Davis on Twitter @Carlddavis