DUNCANVILLE, Texas — Credit good ole Shea for prompting his longtime friend to renew a notable holiday fundraising event for a worthy cause.
SEVEN IS ENOUGH — An internationally-acclaimed psalmist and accomplished gospel recording artist, Sharon Jackson will host An Intimate Christmas With Sharon Jackson And Friends, Featuring Derrick Jackson. The holiday concert will take place on December 17 at 6 p.m. at Faith Temple Ministries Church of God In Christ, ending a seven-year absence since Jackson last held it. Proceeds from the event will benefit Memphis’ Families Matter nonprofit organization.
After years of “putting off” a laudable Mid-South-area holiday fundraising concert, Atlanta-area gospel singer Sharon Jackson sensed the time has come to return to her old stomping ground to host An Intimate Christmas With Sharon Jackson And Friends, Featuring Derrick Jackson.
An internationally-acclaimed psalmist and accomplished gospel recording artist, Jackson’s holiday concert will take place on December 17 at 6 p.m. CST at Faith Temple Ministries Church of God In Christ, ending a seven-year absence since she last held it.
“I had been considering doing the concert again for the last two-to-three years, but just never made it happen. After Shea’s unexpectedly left us, I decided it was time to stop putting it off and just do it,” Jackson, during an interview this week with Making Headline News, said while alluding to the recent death of her close friend, Memphis gospel singing icon Shea Norman.
CREAM OF THE ORGAN CROP — Interestingly, Jackson said there will be what she describes as a “four-piece band” of whom many have dubbed arguably the finest musicians Memphis but, “first and foremost,” she emphasized, the featured highlight for this concert will be her brother Derrick Jackson, whom is widely regarded as a globally-acclaimed musician extraordinaire.
In years past, a portion of the proceeds generated during Jackson’s concert went to Porter Leaf, a Memphis-based orphanage and non-profit organization that serves children and families through its six programs service areas.
This time, however, the beneficiary of the monies compiled will be Families Matter, a Memphis-metropolitan-area nonprofit organization that is affiliated with approximately 80 area churches, whereby its staff customarily trains as well as provides support and an educational curriculum to its religious-based affiliates.
“(This) non-profit organization is very close to my heart,” said Jackson, explaining why Families Matter was selected as the beneficiary for her concert’s proceeds. “I am a firm believer in the family and strengthening the relationships within the family. I believe the family is the foundational of so many institutions in society. Strong families make strong communities, churches, schools, etc. Families Matter focuses on supporting marriages, families, mothers, fathers, and teens through a variety of programs and initiatives.”
While a slew of individuals were elated after learning through Jackson’s Facebook post late Sunday night of her plans to host the holiday concert in the coming weeks, this year’s event undoubtedly won’t be the same, given the disheartening absence of Norman, a native Memphian and one of the Mid-South’s most celebrated gospel recording artists.
Norman, whose actual name was Alen VonShea Norman, died on October 26 of complications from diabetes. He was 45.
Long before his untimely passing, Norman was a fixture during An Intimate Christmas With Sharon Jackson And Friends and, according Jackson, plans are in the works to commemorate his legacy during the event.
REMEMBERING SHEA — While a slew of individuals were elated after learning through Jackson’s Facebook post late Sunday night when she announced plans of having the holiday concert in the coming weeks, this year’s event undoubtedly won’t be the same, given the absence of Shea Norman, a native Memphian and one of the Mid-South’s most celebrated gospel recording artists. Norman died on October 26 of complications from diabetes. He was 45.
“Yes, I plan to do a very special tribute to my friend, Shea…although I’m not exactly sure what it will be at the moment,” Jackson said. “I will definitely miss him not being with me this year. Shea was one of a kind and will always be remembered and close to my heart.”
Interestingly, Jackson said there will be what she describes as a “four-piece band” of whom many have dubbed arguably the finest musicians in Memphis but, “first and foremost,” she emphasized, the featured highlight for this concert will be her brother, Derrick Jackson, whom is widely regarded as a globally-acclaimed musician extraordinaire.
SONGBIRD OF GEORGIA — Having relocated from Memphis to Atlanta in October 2011, Jackson is ecstatic that she will be returning to the Bluff City to host an admirable holiday fundraising event for the first time since December 2010.
Also, rejoining Sharon Jackson for her holiday fundraising concert will be Memphis-area Pastor, Bishop Sidney Malone of New Growth In Christ Christian Center, who’s widely known as “S Poitier,” local Christian radio personality Tabitha Adams, as well as an Intimate Christmas Concert debut by gospel recording artist Griffin Jackson of Dallas.
Having relocated from Memphis to Atlanta in October 2011, Jackson is ecstatic that she will be returning to the Bluff City to host an admirable holiday fundraising event for the first time since December 2010.
“(The purpose is) to have a nice, elegant, and intimate Christmas concert with some of my musically-talented friends that people can come to and enjoy while raising funds for a charitable organization,” said Jackson whom, in March 2004, recorded and released her gospel debut album, “Make His Praise Glorious.”
A native of Memphis, Jackson is the Minister of Music and Worship Arts at Greater Community COGIC in Marietta, Georgia, one of Atlanta’s largest suburbs with roughly 59,089 residents.
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Andre Johnson is the Founder and Publisher of Making Headline News. A 2000 graduate of the University of Memphis School of Journalism and a former reporter of sports for the Memphis Commercial Appeal newspaper, Johnson covers the NBA Southwest Division from Dallas, Texas. To reach Johnson, call him at 901-690-6587 or send email to [email protected] or [email protected]. Also, follow him on Twitter @AJ_Journalist.
Andre Johnson 
EDITOR’S NOTE: If you are an entrepreneur, business owner, producer, author, athlete, musician, barber, life coach, motivational speaker, cosmetologist, tax preparer, model, or pastor/minister who is seeking exposure and would like to share your story with an in-depth news feature, call Reporter Andre Johnson at 901-690-6587 or Facebook message him under “Andre T. Johnson” for details.
