Shirley Caesar
| Shirley Caesar | |
|---|---|
| Also known as | Pastor Shirley Caesar |
| Born |
October 13, 1938 Durham, North Carolina, U.S. |
| Genres | Gospel |
| Occupation(s) | Singer, pastor |
| Instruments | Vocals (Mezzo-Soprano) |
| Years active | 1951–present |
| Labels | Artemis Gospel, Light Records |
| Associated acts |
Albertina Walker James Cleveland The Caesar Singers The Caravans Inez Andrews Dorothy Norwood Patti LaBelle |
| Website | shirleycaesar |
Shirley Ann Caesar-Williams, known professionally as Shirley Caesar (born October 13, 1938), is an American, Gospel music singer, songwriter and recording artist whose career has spanned over six decades. A multi-award-winning artist, with eleven Grammy Awards and seven Dove Awards to her credit, she is known as the "First Lady of Gospel Music". In 2016, she went viral with her "beans greens potatoes tomatoes" song
Beginning recording at the age of 12 in 1951, Shirley Caesar has released over forty albums. She has participated in over 16 compilations and three gospel musicals, Mama I Want to Sing, Sing: Mama 2 and Born to sing: Mama 3. She is also the creator of the #unameit challenge, which occurred during one of her sermon. She opened her eponymous store and plans on using the profits to help others during the holiday season.
Caesar's credits also include a series of commercials for MCI Communications and numerous awards for her recordings. She has won or received 11 Grammy Awards, 14 Stellar Awards, 18 Doves, 1 RIAA gold certification, an Essence Award, McDonald's Golden Circle Lifetime Achievement Award, NAACP Lifetime Achievement Award, SESAC Lifetime Achievement Award, Rhapsody & Rhythm Award from the National Museum of African American Music, as well as induction into the Gospel Music Hall of Fame. According to Soundscan, she has sold 2.2 million albums since 1991. She has made several notable appearances, including the televised Live from Disney World Night of Joy, the Gospel According to VH1, a White House performance for George Bush, and a speech on the Evolution of Gospel Music to the US Treasury Department. In 2017, Caeser was honored with a Lifetime Achievement Award from The Recording Academy.
Caesar first began singing and performing for family and friends. She first recorded in 1951, at age 12. Her professional adult 'career' began in 1957 when she was 19, when she approached Albertina Walker about joining The Caravans, one of the most popular gospel groups at that time.
She sang with Albertina Walker, Cassietta George, Dorothy Norwood, Inez Andrews, Delores Washington and James Cleveland while in the Caravans. She recorded and performed with the Caravans from 1958 until 1966. Thereafter she began pursuing a solo career with two albums, entitled My Testimony and I'll Go, backed up by the Institutional Radio Choir. She made a name for herself in the gospel music circuit, making guest appearances on the Bobby Jones gospel show and other popular television shows. Caesar credits Albertina Walker as her mentor and "Queen of Gospel Music".
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