Wichita’s finest in Gospel Music will be honored this year at the 7th Annual Wichita Gospel Music Hall of Fame. The 2023 nine-member class is such a strong group, you kind of wonder what has taken so long to recognize them. Then you remember that Wichita has been blessed with an abundance of great Gospel talent.
This year’s honorees are:
Jo K Bradley is a songbird out of Tabernacle Bible Church who has been a praise and worship leader for years and sun with a number of local groups including Light and Reverence.
Gary Byers has been playing the bass and singing with Gospel groups around Wichita since he was a teenager. With a phenomenal voice, it seems Byers has played everywhere. He can still be counted on to contribute to the Gospel music community, including playing with groups and Gospel workshops.
Eugene Canidy is one of the singing Canidy family members. Eugene transitioned out of the Church of God in Christ and has been the face of Gospel music for St. Paul AME Church for decades. In addition, Eugene has sung with a number of Gospel groups even as far back as the 1970s Voices of the Ghetto Choir.
Chapter 3 is a group that’s been around for 30 years and they’ve pretty much sung all over the city. They’re still going strong to this day.
Janell Floyd & Marilyn Word are being honored as a team. Together, they are the brains and ongoing impetus behind the annual children’s choir that performs at the city’s annual King ecumenical celebration. They’ve kept it going for decades.
Clifford Littleton & Ambassadors for Christ were a super group out of Wichita that gave birth to the Group of Guys and a number of individuals who went on to solo careers, including Roberto Jackson. Littleton relocated outside of Wichita, but many of the original group members are still local and performing.
Don Lollis is being honored posthumously. He’s a legendary Gospel musician and choir director whose work is well known at Grant Chapel and for putting on workshops.
Dwight Rolfe is a legendary singer, but he’s also as much of a legend as a Gospel promoter. He’s brought numerous Gospel concerts and musicals to Wichita.
Honoree Ceremony
Returning after a couple years absence due to COVID, the award ceremony will be held Fri., Sept. 1, 7 p.m. at St. Andrew’s Missionary Baptist Church, 3901 E. 25th St., Wichita. The event is free, but there will be a freewill offering.
The Wichita Gospel Music Hall of Fame was started by Minister Cameo Profit, a talented Gospel performer in his own right. Christ-Centered Community Choir will open the awards ceremony.
“There will be singing and just loving each other up,” said Profit, who says he loves doing this program more than he loves putting on concerts. “I love concerts, too, but it’s a joy to honor and appreciate people.”
He recalled honoring legendary singer Billie Moses in her 90s, and tears just poured down her face. He said the moment was priceless to him.
“Oftentimes, you can feel forgotten or feel looked down upon or replaced. This program lets them know they will never be forgotten,” he said.
He hopes to eventually have a permanent location for the Hall of Fame.
The freewill offering will help him with that project and other ministry and project goals.
“I love God but it’s good to be appreciated too,” said Profit.
7th Annual Gospel Music Hall of Fame
Fri., Sept. 1, 7 p.m.
St. Andrew’s Missionary Baptist Church
3910 E. 25th Street, Wichita
Free & Open to the Public
Freewill offering.