Photo provided by: Dr. Prince E. Yelder

The celebration will continue later that day with Dr. Prince Yelder’s Honors Celebration at 5 p.m. at New Hope Baptist Church. The event will be hosted by Pastor Cookie Bailey and Bishop Lawrence Jackson and will feature the Birmingham Community Mass Choir, Disciples for Christ, E. Tony Gaines & Victory, Gadsden City Community Choir, Praise & Adoration Reunion and others.

Yelder previously served New Hope for 15 years, helping lead the church’s music ministry through a season of recordings (“Praise Into Worship”, “Live from Alabama: Hymns and Church Songs.”) and national recognition (Best Church Choir in America).

New Hope Baptist Church, West End is located at 1740 Cleburn Avenue SW in Birmingham, where Dr. Gregory L. Clarke serves as pastor.

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Over the years, E. Tony Gaines & Victory has built a discography that includes songs such as “He’s Alright” and other releases that have helped establish the group as a mainstay in the gospel music community.

“XII Gates” marks the latest chapter in the group’s ongoing musical and ministry journey and is available now for download online.

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The single was composed by Akeem R. Lee, who also serves as choir director and executive producer. Production and arrangement were handled by Daniel M. Ford. Lead vocals on the song are provided by Mason Webb and Aarion Pace-Rhodes, whose performances anchor the recording while maintaining the choir’s collective sound.

The choir has received national recognition as semi-finalists on America’s Got Talent and has shared the stage with gospel artists including Tamela and David Mann, Marvin Winans, and Maurette Brown Clark. Their work continues to impact audiences through music and community engagement. Purchase their CD single or stream on www.bhamyyafc.org.

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The Birmingham edition will take place on Friday, February 27, 2026, from 6:00 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. at The Guiding Light Church, located at 1800 John Rogers Drive in Birmingham, Alabama. The event will also be available virtually, expanding access beyond those attending in person. Tickets are available online.

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In a post shared online, Henry said she made a conscious decision this year to confront her fears and record several cover versions of her favorite worship songs for the Christmas season. She noted that the recordings were created with the intention of worshiping alongside her family and supporters during the holiday.

Henry stated that the worship experience will premiere on Christmas Eve at 5 p.m. CST and will be available across her social media channels. Viewers will be able to watch and worship with her via Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube.

Sharing her motivation for the project, Henry wrote that God’s grace “is perfect,” expressing gratitude and anticipation as she prepares to worship with her audience during the Christmas holiday.

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A Jefferson County native, Sankey was widely known for a commanding vocal presence that required little accompaniment. In a 2007 review published by the Journal of Gospel Music, writer Bob Marovich described Sankey’s voice as “so large it can hardly be contained within the borders of her home state of Alabama,” noting that she recalled singers such as Dorothy Love Coates and Ernestine Washington, artists known for their ability to move congregations without heavy instrumentation.

Sankey received the Dorothy Love Coates Life Achievement Award at the 2006 American Gospel Quartet Convention. Her 2007 album My Best to You, released through Meltone Entertainment Group, featured traditional selections including “I Don’t Know Why,” “He Touched Me,” and “I Need Thee.” In the same Journal of Gospel Music review, Marovich wrote that Sankey “sells it by squeezing every ounce of meaning out of it,” adding, “The gospel world needs more singers like her.”

Family members reflected on Sankey’s life and legacy in a recent interview with WIAT. Her son, William Sankey Jr., recalled early childhood memories of hearing his mother sing in church. “Anybody else could sing, but the minute she would sing I would cry,” he said, describing the emotional connection he felt to her voice. William Sankey Jr. also stated that “I Don’t Know Why” was her most recognized song, calling it her “number one song for 30–40 years,” and noting that it continues to be played today.

Sankey’s granddaughter, Jacquis Speight, also spoke with WIAT about her grandmother’s influence. “I don’t think I understood how famous she was because that was my grandma,” Speight said. She added that Sankey maintained high musical standards, stating, “If you weren’t singing it right or you weren’t playing it right she’ll let you know.” Speight credited her grandmother’s dedication to gospel music with inspiring multiple generations of the family, saying, “We stand on her shoulders, and she built a mighty empire.”

Born in Birmingham, Sankey lived her life singing gospel music and performing songs such as “I Don’t Know Why” and “The Lord Will Make a Way Somehow.” According to WIAT, those recordings contributed to her induction into the Gospel Sounds Music Awards Hall of Fame in 2026. Dr. Robert Barnes, CEO of the Gospel Sounds Music Awards, told the station, “Katie Sankey’s name rang to the top. She is an icon here in the state of Alabama, as well as around the country.”

A tribute honoring Sankey is scheduled to take place at the Gospel Sounds Music Awards in August 2026. “When she sang, you moved,” Barnes said in the WIAT interview. “If you didn’t move, you probably needed to check your light bulb.”

Recorded Albums

According to Discogs, Katie Sankey’s recorded catalog includes the following albums:

• God Made Me (1979), recorded with the W.J. Sankey Gospel Chorus and released on Prestige Productions Records
• I Don’t Know Why (1987), recorded with the W.J. Sankey Family and released on Gold Key Entertainment Corp.
• He Is My Joy (1993), released in cassette format on Chris Records
• My Best to You (2007), released on Meltone Entertainment Group
• Pressing My Way, recorded with the W.J. Sankey Family and released on Gold Key Entertainment Corp.

Funeral services for Katie Sankey will be held Saturday, December 27, at 12 p.m. at More Than Conquerors Church. A public viewing will take place Friday, December 26, at Arrington Funeral Home.

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Birmingham’s own Rayshun Walker is preparing for a landmark moment in his career with a live recording alongside Thee Ensemble. The special event, titled 911, will be held on Saturday, September 13, 2025, from 12:00 to 2:00 PM in Birmingham, Alabama.

911 promises to blend timeless gospel tradition with a fresh, contemporary sound. RSVP today at ellacard.com to reserve your spot at this historic recording.

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Gospel Fest marks its 40th Anniversary with a week of powerful worship, teaching, and music, reflecting on the past while preparing the next generation of levites. The live recording featured a 1,000-voice choir on September 15, 1985, at Fair Park Arena in Birmingham, AL.

The Worship and Arts Symposium will be held September 10–13, 2025, at Tabernacle Baptist Church. The event culminates with a Concert Celebration on September 14 at 5 PM at New Hope Baptist Church.

The symposium features classes in audio, recording and streaming worship, spirituality and discipline, and vocal training and performance. The New Music Seminar will spotlight influential voices including Bishop L. Spencer Smith, Marvin F. Pullom, Min. Adrienne Evans, Dr. Charles Diggins, and Dr. Daniel Cason.

Coordinated by Min. E. Tony Gaines and Dr. Prince Yelder with Dr. Valerie R. Harris as facilitator, the event also honors gospel legends who paved the way. All sessions and concerts are free and open to the public.

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Pastor Mike Jr.’s awards included:

• Artist of the Year
• Male Artist of the Year
• Album of the Year (I Got Away EP)
• Song of the Year (“Amen”)
• Producer of the Year (I Got Away EP)
• Contemporary Male Artist of the Year
• Contemporary Album of the Year (I Got Away EP)
• Recorded Music Packaging of the Year (I Got Away EP)
• Praise & Worship Song of the Year (“I Got Away”)

This marks his fourth Artist of the Year win, surpassing legends like Kirk Franklin and Marvin Sapp. Pastor Mike Jr.’s dominance at the Stellars signals not just personal success but also Birmingham’s powerful and growing impact on gospel music worldwide.

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