(CelebrityAccess News Service) — Gospel recording artists Donnie McClurkin and CeCe Winans, Savoy Records Executive Director Rev. Milton Biggham, the late Anna Crockett Ford, Dr. Albert J. Lewis, Jr., Bill Moss & The Celestials, the O'Neal Twins and Joseph Niles are this year's inductees to the International Gospel Music Hall of Fame and Museum.
"We are delighted to have such an outstanding group voted into the Hall of Fame," said the International Gospel Music Hall of Fame and Museum founder David Gough. "For the first time, the inductee list extends beyond U.S. borders as it recognizes the achievements of renowned gospel singer Joseph Niles of Barbados. We received votes from gospel music fans in the United States, South Africa, Japan, Europe, Jamaica, Tobago, London and numerous other locations, which is what we envisioned when we added 'international' to our name last year. It's an affirmation that the reach of gospel music is truly global."
The induction and awards celebration for this year's top nominees will be held in Detroit on October 23.
Nominees to the International Gospel Music Hall of Fame and Museum must have been involved in gospel music activities for at least 25 years. Individuals, groups, choirs, quartets, broadcast personalities and promoters are represented among past years' inductees. Among nearly 100 previous inductees are Della Reese, The Dixie Hummingbirds, The Caravans, Dr. Bobby Jones and the Mississippi Mass Choir.
Founded in 1995 as a non-profit organization by DoRohn Entertainment's president and gospel artist David Gough, the International Gospel Music Hall of Fame and Museum preserves and celebrates the work of the world's legendary and influential gospel music artists and entertainers.
The museum, open for tours by appointment, is housed in the studios of DoRohn Entertainment. Its collections include recordings, documents, photographs and memorabilia. Archivists and music experts are also available to assist students and researchers. Plans are now underway to build a new facility for the Hall of Fame and Museum in Detroit. –Bob Grossweiner and Jane Cohen
