Bobby Jones Gospel made history—every song, every praise, every Sunday night. After 35 years as the longest-running original cable show, the BET program will air its series finale tonight [Sunday, July 31].
Dr. Bobby Jones united ministries, and secular and nonsecular artists for an audience desiring spiritual healing. Popular showstoppers included BeBe and CeCe Winans, the Hawkins Family, Kirk Franklin, Anointed Pace Sisters, Mary Mary, the Hamilton Brothers, Yolanda Adams, Fantasia, Ledisi, Cissy Houston, Dionne Warwick and Patti Labelle. Minister Louis Farrakhan once played the violin, Jones recalled in a recap episode with BET. And Pastor Shirley Caesar shut down the stage at last season’s finale. The series also acted as big breaks for many new gospel singers. Choirs too made long journeys just to be heard on the iconic show.
BET announced Bobby Jones Gospel’s farewell season in April 2015. In celebration of the Grammy-award winning host and executive producer, touching words from former guests flooded the show’s social media. Jones reflected on the past 35 years in an interview with BET, as he prepped for the finale to come. The final episode will feature Kirk Franklin, Fred Hammond, Vickie Winans, Hezekiah Walker, Yolanda Adams and Chicago Mass Choir.
Catch the series finale of Bobby Jones Gospel tonight at 8 p.m. EST on BET.
