IN RETROSPECT: Fifteen years later, is Sharon Jackson’s Make His Praise Glorious album the gospel music industry’s best kept secret?
Andre Johnson 
EDITOR’S NOTE: In honor of the latest developments surrounding Atlanta-area gospel recording artist Sharon Jackson, Making Headline News’ editorial staff deemed it essential to dedicate this story in the memory of her mother, the late Evangelist Lottie Lee Jackson, who passed away in October 2012.
Therefore, encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing. (1 Thessalonians 5:11 NIV)
RUN IT BACK
DALLAS — Even to this day, Sharon Jackson still fields questions regarding arguably her grandest music project to date.
And rightfully so.
“I’d always wanted to record a project,” Jackson, during a recent interview with Making Headline News, said, recalling the memorable developments that had ultimately given way to the production of her featured gospel music project. “I knew what God had called me to do.”
Indeed, He did.
A little more than 15 years removed from witnessing the ceremonious release of her debut album, Jackson’s Make His Praise Glorious, by all accounts, is still having a substantial impact on the Body of Christ.
So much, in fact, that such an intriguingly upward trend begs the question: Is Make His Praise Glorious the gospel music industry’s best kept secret?
BUY JACKSON’S MUSIC: https://www.sharonjackson.org/
Depending on whom you ask, many sense that Jackson’s highly-anticipated album’s best and brightest days are well ahead of it.
Recorded live at Faith Temple Ministries Church of God In Christ in September 2004 — the church Jackson’s father, Bishop Andrew Jackson, Sr. founded in 1969 — Jackson’s 12-hit Make His Praise Glorious album was officially released in February 2005 and can purchased via iTunes, Amazon, and CD Baby, among other digital platforms.
For what it’s worth, the project had subsequently created a fervent buzz throughout the Mid-South.
“Sales actually went quite well but, basically, only in the Memphis, Mid-South area,” Jackson, the Minister of Music at Greater Community Church of God In Christ in Marietta, Georgia, told MHN. “It received radio play in Memphis, but not much outside of that market. In those days, you really needed to have a huge marketing and promotions budget. It’s very different today when you can do a lot of promotion and marketing on social media and over digital outlets.”
When asked about a possible re-launch of Make His Praise Glorious, Jackson didn’t shy away from the notion such an alluring concept could eventually become a full-fledged reality.
“It would be great to re-release this project because, I believe the songs and music are still relevant and continues to minister to the spirit and soul,” Jackson said. “The anointing definitely rests upon this project.”
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As Jackson explained, Pastor Olivia Johnson of Chicago’s Generational Blessings Family Worship Center were amongst those who discovered the “anointing” surrounding an album that more than a decade-and-a-half removed from its debut, is still having a considerable impact on the gospel music industry.
According to Jackson, Johnson — whom she suitably refers to as a her longtime “god sister” — was the first to sow a monetary seed into her music project — $2,000 to be exact.
“I just wasn’t sure how to go about getting it done,” said Jackson, explaining her how her competitive drive fueled her desire to assemble her debut album. “The Lord laid it on the heart of (Pastor Johnson) to plant a $2,000 seed into my project.”
Consequently, Jackson’s eldest sister, Barbara Jackson Sago, stepped in and offered her valiant support.
“She was very instrumental in bringing about this recording,” Jackson said of her sister’s immeasurable endorsement of her album. “I told her about the seed money, and she, in return, started the wheels to moving and putting the project in motion. She also basically covered the remaining cost of the project aside from the seed money planted by Pastor Johnson. We set a date for the recording to close out our Worship Symposium, and the rest is history.”
Much to her delight, Jackson’s live recording to Make His Praise Glorious unfolded before a standing-room-only crowd in a Faith Temple sanctuary that accommodates approximately 750 individuals.
While sales upon the much-anticipated release of her album have been favorable for the most part, Jackson seems very much open to re-igniting a buzz surrounding her featured music project.
Much sooner than later, to put it more precisely.
Interestingly enough, Jackson has been afforded the golden opportunity to perform globally as a result of this compelling project, most notably during COGIC International Conventions and in Tanzania East Africa.
MAKE HIS PRAISE GLORIOUS
(The Album)
*Denotes Reprise
“I love the authenticity of the worship,” Jackson of her debut album. “Every song, with the exception of one, was written by me out of my personal relationship with God and my worship of Him. Each song is representative of my revelation of God and my response to His character.
“My greatest inspiration came from God, but my family has been a great inspiration to do this project,” Jackson, a Memphis Central and University of Memphis graduate, continued. “My mom, the late Lady Lottie Lee Jackson, my dad, Bishop Andrew Jackson, all of my siblings, my then-husband, the late Elder Juan Anthony Jackson, and even my daughters, Brittany and Sophia, who were very young at the time. My oldest daughter, Brittany, is credited for assisting me in writing the bridge on the last song on the project. She was only about five or six years old at the time.”
AND IT CAME TO PASS
Having been “singing for as long as I can remember,” Jackson acknowledged, the longtime praise and worship leader hinted that a sophomore gospel music project could be on the horizon, although a timetable has yet to be announced.
“It is my prayer and desire to record another project,” Jackson said. “I am actually working on some things right now and praying for God to once again send the necessary funds to complete the project so that it is done well, in excellence, and brings praise to His Name. I want my offering to be pleasing and acceptable to Him.”
Given her unparalleled gospel music recording resume, Jackson has been nothing short of remarkable.
Now about the potential rebirth of this inaugural album…
LISTEN TO SHARON JACKSON
For more information about Atlanta-area gospel music recording artist Sharon Jackson, connect with her via the following platforms: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SharonJacksonMinistries or https://www.facebook.com/GloriousPraise/; YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/SharonJacksonMinistries. Send email to: [email protected].
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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.
Andre Johnson is the award-winning Founder and Publisher for Making Headline News. A 2000 graduate of the University of Memphis School of Journalism and a former staff reporter of sports for the Memphis Commercial Appeal newspaper, Johnson covers the NBA Southwest Division from Dallas, Texas. To reach Johnson, send email to [email protected] or to [email protected]. Also, follow him on Twitter @AJ_Journalist or Instagram at @makingheadlinenews.
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