VOORHEES COLLEGE PRESS RELEASE Contact: Paula M. Little Assist. Dir. Media Relations & Marketing Voorhees College 151 Academic Circle Denmark, SC 29042 little@voorhees.edu 803-703-7060
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
JANUARY 20, 2006
First Annual Gospel Extravaganza
Voorhees College Radio Station WVCD Sponsors
Denmark, SC – The Voorhees College radio station WVCD will sponsor the Gospel Extravaganza in the Leonard E. Dawson Health & Human resources Center on Friday, February 10 at 6:00 p.m. Tickets are $18.00 in advance and $21.00 at the door. Group rates are available and vendor booths will be present. For information contact 803-703-7131 or 7125. Proceeds will benefit Mass Communications students by providing scholarships. Featured artists include Lee Williams & The QC’s, Slim & the Supreme Angels, Richard Jamison & the Morning Stars of Glory, The Mighty Gospel Saints and the Voorhees College Gospel Choir. Lee Williams & The QC’s (Web site biography) Lee was born in Tupelo, Mississippi-where he still lives today in a strong church going household where making music was a regular part of his life. Lee had an uncle in a quartet called the Gospel Stars that was popular in and around Tupelo when he was seven, Lee and his three older brothers formed their own group. The boys were talented becoming known as The Gospel Stars Juniors. It was that same uncle who formed the first Spiritual QC's which included Lee's brother Willie on guitar. When that act disbanded in 1964, Lee and Willie hung onto the name and assembled new personnel to round out the group. Lee and the QC's built a strong local and regional following, but chose to perform only on weekends and holidays , maintaining their family church and community lives in Tupelo. It wasn't until a self produced cassette of some of the group songs made it's way into the hands of a Memphis, TN. radio announcers in the early 90's that the QC's world begin to change. Almost as soon as ''Learned To Lean'' hit the streets and the airwaves, Lee & the QC's soared from a solid regional following in and around Mississippi and the Southeast United States to national renown almost overnight, still packing ever large venues across America. It was gospel music that played a major role in the birth of R&B soul and rock'n'roll, says Lee.'' They all borrowed from us, we've cranked it up considerably since the old days, but the heart of our sound has been consistent for years. As the pride of Tupelo is embraced across America and beyond, Lee says it's not hard for him and the Spiritual QC's to keep a healthy perspective on themselves and their music. People have shared so many testimonies with us about what these songs have done in their lives,'' Lee concludes.'' It's humbling and it really shows me that God's message can come in all kinds of packages. All I can say is I thank him for allowing us to help carry that message to the world.''
Voorhees College Gospel Choir The choir is under the direction of Mrs. Rosemary Smith-Griffin. The group has performed at numerous school, community and state events. Currently there are 39 members from the United States, the Caribbean, and other countries. They continue to grow musically and improve on their already outstanding performances. Voorhees College is a private, coeducational institution affiliated with the Episcopal Church. From its founding in 1897, Voorhees has evolved into a leading four-year liberal arts college fully accredited by the Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools. Voorhees is fully committed to its mission to meet the highest standards for educating the minds, hearts and spirits of young men and women. Additional information about Voorhees College can be found on the web at www.voorhees.edu. -30-