I'd never spent time in church, and in any case I'd never heard of one like this. The sexual behavior of some male pastors, many of them also gospel singers, also has stoked rumors or led to scandal. Sweet Sensation, Two Hearts, Never Knew Love Like This Before, even her late 70s stuff. His final Grammy Award was issued posthumously after his passing in 1991, for his final album with SCC, Having Church, which features Cleveland's iconic rendition of Tramaine Hawkins' signature "What Shall I Do? Wooden helped lead the recent campaign that outlawed gay marriage in his state. Cleveland died in 1991, reportedly from heart failure. He continued to record with The Caravans until States closed down in 1957. Married to Gloria Jean (Berry) Cleveland on February 27, 1949. I Was Born This Way: A Gay Preacher's Journey Through Gospel by Carl Bean, Simon & Schuster, 2010. Known as the King of Gospel music, Cleveland was a driving force behind the creation of the modern gospel sound by incorporating traditional black gospel . Youth With HIV, $9 Mil Lawsuit Claims. Gospel Musician. But Garner said Thomas, who started more than 25 years ago as Clevelands church secretary, acted properly and in accordance with James Clevelands wishes. Cleveland is the first gospel artist to receive a star on Hollywoods Walk of Fame. Yet the presence of gays and lesbians in black churches is common. The song that brought Cleveland tremendous fame was his rendition of "Peace Be Still.". Excerpts from the film soundtrack was released on Savoy Records and became a top seller, with Cleveland having the majority feature on side two of the album. [1], Born in Chicago, he began singing as a boy soprano at Pilgrim Baptist Church, where Thomas A. Dorsey was minister of music and Roberta Martin was pianist for the choir. As a young teen Cleveland was a part of a missionary group, Soul Winners for Christ which was created by his teenage friend Jessie Jimerson Phillips. Cleveland, a pianist, singer, composer, arranger and producer, was widely regarded as the worlds foremost gospel musician. Girlfriends List, Da Seo Hye-lin (EXID) - Age, Height, Net Worth, Famil Singer, musician, composer, arranger, recording artist, performer, music minister, James Cleveland, Rev. Those who serve, you want their lifestyles to uphold the standards of the church. He said Tuesday that he had changed his name to Cleveland as a teen-ager. It was the root. In 1960, he formed the Cleveland Singers, featuring organist and accompanist Billy Preston. He could not perform at a tribute concert to him at the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion in October because of a tracheotomy. Additional info submitted by Zoeangel. Two years before he died from a respiratory disease, the singer battled with some health issues. The three-time Grammy winner was hospitalized Thursday at Brotman Medical Center with respiratory problems and died of heart failure, said his manager, Annette Thomas. He was the first gospel musician to earn a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. That prospect has sparked disputes among church members, some of whom dont want to move. Rev. When he was just starting out, James Cleveland played with them. James Cleveland, the gospel music legend still regarded as the "king" of the genre, a male member of Cleveland's choir sued his estate claiming that he. And the fact that they often hold leadership positions in their congregations is the worst kept secret in black America. He spent time at Mahalia Jackson's beauty shop and listened to her hum while she fixed hair. Marjorie was married to James Cleveland Suit on July 29, 1958, and they had three children. Andre Cleveland, described as Clevelands friend and godson, was allocated only $10,000. His funeral was held at Los Angeles' Shrine Auditorium, lasted four hours, was attended by over 4,000 people, and included at least two clothing changes for the deceased. After being nominated numerous times in previous years, James won his first Grammy Award with the Southern California Community Choir in 1975, for his 1974 album, In the Ghetto. After being called into ministry, he later founded the Cornerstone Institutional Baptist Church in Los Angeles, California. Cleveland had worked with Miss Franklin, Quincy Jones and Edwin Hawkins. Peter Scolari's Biography, Spouse, Net Worth. His ship went aground off the Banana Islands in 1730. You can help Wikipedia by expanding it. [18], 2019 Edits and Additional Historic Information by Miko Evans aka DJ Rev of Rev Productions (Atlanta, Georgia) / February 1113, 2019.mw-parser-output .refbegin{font-size:90%;margin-bottom:0.5em}.mw-parser-output .refbegin-hanging-indents>ul{margin-left:0}.mw-parser-output .refbegin-hanging-indents>ul>li{margin-left:0;padding-left:3.2em;text-indent:-3.2em}.mw-parser-output .refbegin-hanging-indents ul,.mw-parser-output .refbegin-hanging-indents ul li{list-style:none}@media(max-width:720px){.mw-parser-output .refbegin-hanging-indents>ul>li{padding-left:1.6em;text-indent:-1.6em}}.mw-parser-output .refbegin-columns{margin-top:0.3em}.mw-parser-output .refbegin-columns ul{margin-top:0}.mw-parser-output .refbegin-columns li{page-break-inside:avoid;break-inside:avoid-column}. [2] His father had been working as a trader for the Royal African Company. The style he pioneered large disciplined organizations who used complex arrangements and unusual time signatures to turn their massive vocal power to achieve the propulsive rhythms, intricate harmonies and individual virtuosity of the greatest groups of gospels Golden Age was still the wellspring for the mass choirs of that era. He later produced her Grammy-winning gospel album, Amazing Grace.. Please be sure to open and click your first newsletter so we can confirm your subscription. Cleveland died in 1991, reportedly from heart failure. Married Claude William Harvey (1872 - 1956). Family life. Devil in a Blue Dress (1995)as Soundtrack, Your email address will not be published. In 1968, Cleveland taught others how to achieve the modern gospel sound and preserve the industry's rich legacy through his annual workshop convention, The Gospel Music Workshop of America (GMWA), an organization that he co-founded with Albertina Walker and which now has over 150 chapters with 30,000 members. The last album Cleveland recorded with the GMWA was their 1990 release from the previous year's annual convention in New Orleans. December 7, 1881 in Elkhorn, Brown, Illinois he married Clarissa E. Jaques. . Dorsey had played with Ma Rainey and had a hit record, "It's Tight Like That." Also the mixed-race descendant of an English trader and African mother, Caulker and his family established a powerful political dynasty in Sierra Leone, becoming involved in mainland affairs.[1]. ", Ray Charles told Ritz the same. When I do, I celebrate their queer existence, and mine. As early as 1971, in his book The Gospel Sound, Anthony Heilbut wrote about the gospel church as a refuge for gays and lesbians. Her caption hinted that she was celebrating the women around her. What is Laurie Holden doing now? [3] The Caravans also became the launching pad for today's gospel legends. It also has led to tensions at the southwest Los Angeles church where Cleveland was pastor before he died--without a will--at age 59. Only then did I feel I'd found home. He strained his vocal cords as a teenager while part of a local gospel group; this was said to contribute to the distinctive, gravelly voice which became a hallmark of his later in his career. A small but growing number of churches, such as the Rev. Acknowledgment of Cleveland's gay life and death from AIDS was a noisy affront to a system of secrecy. Born Nov.. Within a year of his death, two men filed suit against Cleveland's estate. Married 18 March 1916 in Harrison Co., WV. She shared several throwback snaps of herself and the deceased, then backed it up with a heart-melting caption. This California farm kingdom holds a key, These are the 101 best restaurants in Los Angeles, New Bay Area maps show hidden flood risk from sea level rise and groundwater. He was 59. James William Flynn was the son of James and Serilda Jane Toney Flynn. Andre mentioned being born fatherless but insisted that the Reverend adopted him and became his role model. C. L. Franklin in Detroit, where he was choir director and taught the. He would also continue to appear and record with some of the greatest Gospel Choirs of that time. This claim was opposed by Lashone's mother who maintained that Andre was among the numerous needy children that James decided to shelter. [5][6], Cleveland died in 1991 in Culver City, California. The Rev. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Your email address will not be published. ", Within a few minutes after the upload was posted, people started to comment on the uniqueness of her dad's personality, while they joined in on the celebration. The Apostolic Tabernacle Mass Choir performs in Oakland, Calif., in 2010. "Revelations: A Gospel Singer Comes Out" by Kelefa Sanneh, New Yorker, February 8, 2010. Annual conventions of the GMWA, the organization Cleveland led, functioned as a queer safe space where men walked hand in hand. When I do, I celebrate their queer existence, and mine. He was born in Alabama on Jan. 13, 1833. Daughter of Elias Smith Cleveland (1829 - 1915) and Harriet Ursula Sumner Cleveland (1840 - 1875). From the 70s until 1990 Rev. Today GMWA has nearly 30,000 members in 150 chapters across America. I thought it was better than punk. This biography of a member of an African royal house is a stub. However, Wooden insists "we are not all homophobic." Additionally, Cleveland himself backed other acts, contributing to the recordings of well-known artists such as Aretha Franklin, Ray Charles, and Elton John. Later, he moved into the home of the Rev. For his pioneering accomplishments and contributions, he is regarded by many to be one of the greatest gospel singers to ever live.[2]. After a year or so of living under the same roof, it was . hide caption. He was awarded a Star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame for Recording at 6742 Hollywood Boulevard in Hollywood, California. The Fan Who Knew Too Much by Anthony Heilbut, Random House, 2012. [2] His best known recordings include "Lord, Help Me to Hold Out", "Peace Be Still", "I Don't Feel No Ways Tired", Where Is Your Faith", "The Love of God", "God Has Smiled on Me", and "You're the Best Thing That Ever Happened to Me.". At the center of the controversy is the James Cleveland Trust, set up to help fund the Cornerstone church and the Gospel Music Workshop of America. James Cleveland, Cleveland, James. As a child, he attended Pilgrim Baptist Church, where Thomas Dorsey was minister of music. By staying out of the studio for a while, she convinced States Records to allow him to record with her group. In 1991, the gospel world suffered a significant blow after the tragic news of James' passing. James may be gone, but his fans do not seem to have forgotten him. It was a system of don't ask, don't tell. In the last two years, Cleveland suffered various health problems. Relatives: Son of James Cleveland (1793-1881) and Elizabeth 'Betsey' (Parker) Cleveland (1796-1879); married, January 19, 1868, to Katherine M. 'Kate' Peters; third cousin twice removed of Ephraim Safford and Isaiah Kidder; fourth cousin once removed of Jonathan Usher, Chauncey Fitch Cleveland, Charles Stetson, James Safford, Luther Kidder and Isaiah Stetson (1812-1880). But that's where Wooden's self-described sense of fairness ends. He was known as King James and the Crown Prince of Gospel. All of this is making for an unholy ruckus over the estate of the man who at his peak recorded music with Aretha Franklin and earned a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. I Was Born This Way: A Gay Preacher's Journey Through Gospel by Carl Bean, Simon & Schuster, 2010. The attorney for the trust said Thomas--who held power of attorney for the gospel great--had discussed the trust with Cleveland before he slipped into a coma. Most polls show African-Americans evenly divided about gay marriage, but the vocal opposition, led by preachers, has gained more attention. For decades, black ministers addressed LGBT people in their sermons only occasionally. Bishop Yvette Flunder of Oakland, Calif., is openly gay and the founder of The Fellowship, an organization of black pastors and churches openly welcoming of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender members. I prayed earnestly to "get right." However, news of Andre Cleveland, who claimed to be his adopted son, rocked the tabloids after the death of the singer. hide caption. Franklin, father of soul legend Miss Franklin. Cleveland's condition became apparent before his death. In 1964 Rev. Respect: The Life of Aretha Franklin by David Ritz, Little, Brown & Company, 2014. 2011-11-12 23:29:03. So his community peen was working.He had.Shaun and had those 2 wives.Then he went left 2 little boys ewwwwww . The church choir's second album, My Expectations, was released in 1981 to moderate acclaim. "James Cleveland Infected L.A. Jim resided in Sturgis most of his life with the exception of the years he lived in Kalamazoo and Valparaiso, Indiana. "But a lot of these choirs or choir directors, or ministers of music, will not be open about their sexuality for fear of repercussion from their pastors and church members, but they allow the church to exploit their talent," says Johnson, also a Northwestern University professor whose expertise includes black studies and sexuality. Owens was married for nearly 48 years to Ruth Owens. Theyd ask me Boy, can you play such-and-such? And Id always say I could even if I never heard of it before in my life, Cleveland said. What did Grover Cleveland call his wife? Peace Be Still also stayed on the Billboard charts for at least fifteen years after its release. In Los Angeles Cleveland attained even greater popularity working with keyboardist Billy Preston and the Angelic Choir of Nutley, New Jersey; his recording of Peace Be Still (in 1963), an obscure 18th century madrigal, sold hundreds of thousands of copies thanks to Clevelands comforting growl and emotional command, his popularity grew to great acclaim, causing him once again to return to the road, this time with the newly organized James Cleveland Singers, Odessa McCastle,Georgia White,and Eugene Bryant, along with Billy Preston. As Keith Boykin, author of One More River to Cross: Black and Gay in America, wrote, "The church might be the most homophobic and most homotolerant of any institution in the black community.". It all happens under an unspoken "don't ask, don't tell" custom that allows gay people to be active in the church, though closeted, and churches to reap the benefits of their membership. Soul Winners for Christ also included a young Richard D. Henton and was headquartered at Chicago's Greater Harvest Baptist Church; Louis H. Boddie was pastor. Goldie Hawn & Kate Hudson Look like Twins Kate Says Mom Is Her 'Greatest Cheerleader' & They Talk Almost Every Day, Inside Christopher Meloni's Home Where He Works Out with Wife, Feels Happy & Bonds with Kids Whom He Always Wanted, Bouncer Blocks Old Lady at Rock Concert until Lead Singer Comes out for Her Story of the Day, Inside Billy Graham's $599K Home That His Daughter Was Forced to Sell to Save Her Kid from a Rare Disease, Steven Curtis Chapman Defied Wife's Wishes by Adopting Daughter Who Was Killed by His Son's Car 5 Years Later, Lynda Carter Does Not Know Who She Is & Cries 3 Times a Day after Death of Husband of 37 Years, shared an adorable black and white selfie, creating a community to help gospel artists. ", Johnson describes church choirs as a welcoming community within a community "where you meet other gay people, so it becomes a form of socializing. . By staying out of the studio for a while, she convinced States Records to allow him to record with her group. Cleveland as a(young boy)named Billy Preston played. Their 1972 collaboration, Amazing Grace, remains her best-selling album and recently became an acclaimed documentary. He debuted at Pilgrim Baptist as a boy soprano, and as a teen sang hard enough to damage his voice. James was born in 1793. In 2006, the National Black Justice Coalition held its first Black Church Summit in Atlanta, at which the Rev. I took encouragement from gospel music. Roberts liked the idea of capturing worship in song live on a recording where the listeners can feel and become of a part of the service. James was not only a gospel singer whose voice impacted the industry and his listeners, but he was also a preacher of the word. Living the Dream: A Tribute to Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. From Jump Street: The Story of Black Music, Varnette's World: A Study of a Young Artist. While many black pastors condemn gays and lesbians from the pulpit, the choir lofts behind them often are filled with gay singers and musicians. We all bought his records as children. Through the attorney, Donald Garner, Thomas denied any impropriety. James Cleveland Bio/Wiki, Net Worth, Married 2018 The Reverend Dr. James Edward Cleveland (December 5, 1931 - February 9, 1991) was a gospel singer, musician, and composer. James W. Sims, 1833-1891. "Without lesbians and gay men," he said, "there could be no gospel music. He was a well-respected Gospel musician, performer, producer, pioneering composer, choral director and founder of the Gospel Music Workshop of America, Inc. (GMWA). Residence at the time of war was Georgia. At the church, being queer was only one of my problems. In the 1950's, Cleveland relocated to Detroit, served as organist at C.L. This was true even as HIV/AIDS began claiming the lives of numerous African-American men in black churches, especially gospel singers in the early 1990s. This historic recording was also filmed by director Sydney Pollack for an intended documentary release, but due to a technical issue of not using a clapperboard to synchronize the audio with the video, the film was deemed unusable, and was left shelved for the next 47 years. A few days before that, Lashone celebrated her dad on Father's Day. AmoMama creates engaging, meaningful content for women. Franklin's New Bethel Baptist Church, lived on and off with the Franklins, and taught nine-year-old Aretha her first piano chords. James Cleveland wants to lay claim to a share of the fortune left behind when the Grammy-winning singer known as the King of Gospel died in February. "James Cleveland Infected L.A. Copyright 2023 Interactive One, LLC. I was still with the church when Cleveland died, but I was beginning to see my way out. Lashone's update always has one or two comments that refer to the incredibly skilled artist. With song that included "Precious Memories", "God will take care of you" and "Mary Don't You Weep". Before his death, he gained the respect of great artists like Aretha Franklin, Quincy Jones, and Edwin Hawkins, whom he worked with. He says his church also has continued to support gay members who have contracted HIV/AIDS, unlike some other churches that ostracize them a practice many people on both sides of the issue say has been common. By 1960, Cleveland was well known for his work with choirs, incorporating bits of blues, jazz, and soul, then re-arranging it, much like Dorsey had done with spirituals. He is survived by a daughter, LaShone, three sisters and a brother. Required fields are marked *. James Cleveland in an interview talking about the Gospel Music Workshop of America he founded. This is not limited to homosexuals or lesbians. He strained his vocal cords as a teenager while part of a local gospel group, leaving the distinctive gravelly voice that was his hallmark in his later years. [4], When Cleveland returned to Sierra Leone, the young man was initiated into the Poro society of men in the Banana Islands. By the time he died at age 59, he'd been the King of Gospel for thirty years. By 1870 several of the family members were in Henderson County, Texas. Father of Clifton and Rick Cleveland. Dennis W. Wiley, pastor of Covenant Baptist United Church of Christ. [1] For his trailblazing accomplishments, he is regarded by many as one of the greatest gospel singers who ever lived. Living the Dream: A Tribute to Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. From Jump Street: The Story of Black Music, Varnette's World: A Study of a Young Artist. Two live albums were recorded Vol.1 and Vol.2, one of which included the song How Great Thou Art which was an organ solo narrated by Rev. Martin hired him as a composer and arranger after the group disbanded. Last edited on 28 December 2021, at 06:20, Ben M. Cahoon, "Sierra Leone Traditional States", https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=King_James_Cleveland&oldid=1062397323, This page was last edited on 28 December 2021, at 06:20. Cleveland's condition became apparent before his death. The Caravans. Queerness was apparent for those with eyes to see, but kept quiet enough that it could be ignored. ", As Johnson puts it, "You can't throw a shoe back through history without hitting gay and lesbian women and even transgender singers. According to a partial copy of the private trust document, provided to The Times by Andre Clevelands attorney, LaShone, listed in the document as Clevelands daughter, is left $100,000. I was a homeless, sixteen-year old runaway when two Black women in long robes and headscarves offered me a place to stay. Cleveland subsequently went to work for Albertina Walker, popularly referred to as the Queen of Gospel[3] and the Caravans as a composer, arranger, pianist and occasional singer/narrator. After the trio disbanded, an associate of the group, Roberta Martin, hired him as a composer and arranger. "What's Done in the Dark" blog series by J. Matthew Cobb, HiFi Magazine, May 31, 2012. They often chose the former, convinced that their sexuality is a sin. As early as 1971, in his book The Gospel Sound, Anthony Heilbut wrote about the gospel church as a refuge for gays and lesbians. The Reverend Dr. James Cleveland (December 5, 1931 February 9, 1991) was a gospel singer, arranger, composer and, most significantly, the driving force behind the creation of the modern gospel sound, bringing the stylistic daring of hard gospel and jazz and pop music influences to arrangements for mass choirs. The Love Center Church in Oakland, Calif., founded by the late Bishop Walter Hawkins, one of gospel music's biggest stars in the 1970s and 1980s, made waves for welcoming black gays and lesbians. The deceased equally concerned himself with teaching music, composing, and playing the piano. In June, the singer's daughter shared an adorable black and white selfie of herself. Only then did I feel I'd found home. Cleveland was the eldest son of Dr. Mather Cleveland and Susan Everett (Colgate) Cleveland. "Inside the church, a lot of the music was created by gay men along with the preachers, we were the people who kept the church going. James Cleveland, Cleveland, James. [14], Also in October 1991, Jean Ervin, a member of the Cleveland-founded Cornerstone Institutional Baptist Church, claimed that she was the mother of Cleveland's only biological child, daughter LaShone Cleveland (b. In 1965, Cleveland added Clyde Brown and Charles Barnett to his group, which by then was traveling extensively throughout the United States and abroad into the late 1960s, performing in all major venues. By 2004, a number of high-profile black ministers emerged as outspoken opponents of same-sex marriage as part of their alignment with the conservative Christian movement, which helped re-elect President George W. Bush that year. As a child, he attended Pilgrim Baptist Church, where Thomas Dorsey was minister of music. Known as the King of Gospel music, Cleveland was a driving force behind the creation of the modern gospel sound by incorporating traditional black gospel, modern soul, pop . E. Patrick Johnson, who is openly gay, says modern gospel music is largely defined by the artistry of black gay men. In 1968, he formed the Gospel Music Workshop of America. [8][9][10][11] and meanwhile neither of the aforementioned controversial issues is widely wished to be brought up for discussion within the gospel music community. James Edward Cleveland net worth is $1.3 Million James Edward Cleveland Wiki: Salary, Married, Wedding, Spouse, Family The Reverend Dr. James Edward Cleveland (December 5, 1931 - February 9, 1991) was a gospel singer, musician, and composer. JENNIFER BOWLES February 9, 1991. Two years before he died from a respiratory disease, the singer battled with some health issues. They had the following children: Calvin Cleveland 1818-1907 Samuel Parker Cleveland 1820-1882 Rose Ann Cleveland 1821-1883 James Cleveland 1825- Fidelia Cleveland 1830-1907 John Cleveland 1831-1831 William Cleveland 1833- Sarah Parker Cleveland 1836-1900 Their marriage coincides with my favorite music from her. Gospel music superstar and megachurch pastor Donnie McClurkin shocked the non-gospel world years ago by revealing in a 2001 book that God "delivered" him from a gay "lifestyle" that he said was a result of being sexually abused as a boy. Jeremiah James Cleveland was born on August 12, 1757, in Culpeper, Culpeper co., Virginia, . I'd never spent time in church, and in any case I'd never heard of one like this. Some say pastors' hostility cuts hard against the history of how countless black churches have flourished. When gospel music star Tonex (Anthony Charles Williams II) came out in 2009, the gospel music world turned on him, and his record sales plummeted. Happy Father's Day Rev. The GMWA has produced, among others, John P. Kee. Required fields are marked *. 34-year old Andre McIsaac and 22-year old Christopher Harris had both lived with Cleveland, McIsaac as a "common law adopted son" and Harris as a foster son. I need it in E-Flat, and Id go right out there and start playing.. James Cleveland, 'King of Gospel', "The Legacy of Tuskegee: AIDS and African-Americans", "Cemetery and grave marker information for the Rev. Having more than 400 gospel songs to his name and more than ten of his albums being highly recognized, James became the first gospel singer to earn a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. James married Charlotte Jane Cleveland (born Bingham) on month day 1851, at age 29 at marriage place, District of Columbia. Wiki Bio, age, height, boyf Kara Del Toro - Age, Height, Measurements, Husband Who is Harry Main? Lawrence Roberts. "On the one hand, you're nurtured in the choir but you also have to sit through some of those fire and brimstone sermons about homosexuality being an abomination," says E. Patrick Johnson, an openly gay gospel singer and author of Sweet Tea: An Oral History of Black Gay Men of the South. James Cleveland was known by such titles as King James and the Crown Prince, he emerged as a giant of the post war Gospel music. ", Cleveland's outing after death revealed a paradox. Left with a gravelly tone and a limited range, Cleveland compensated by focusing on composition, arrangement, and piano. [1], James Cleveland was born to William Clevland, an Anglo-Scot, and Ndamba, a Kissi woman, on the Banana Islands off Sierra Leone. McClurkin, who has said being gay is a choice, was criticized by the gay community for setting back the LGBT goal of gaining acceptance. In 1959, he recorded a version of Ray Charles' hit "Hallelujah, I Love Her So" as a solo artist. Throughout this period he recorded with other groups, like The Gospel All-Stars and The Gospel Chimes, mixing pop ballad influences with traditional shouting. Before these albums were recorded, no other gospel artist had recorded using this type of live format. Fairly or not, African-Americans have become the public face of resistance to same-sex marriage, owing to their religious beliefs and the outspoken opposition of many black pastors. The live concert recording staple started with Reverend Lawrence Roberts, pastor of the First Baptist Church in Nutley, New Jersey, home of the famous Angelic Choir. "The Number That No Man Could Number" by Anthony Heilbut, Harper's, February 2017. James L. His succession as king, when the elder Cleveland died, was contested by Stephen Caulker. His funeral was held at Los Angeles' Shrine Auditorium, lasted four hours, was attended by over 4,000 people, and included at least two clothing changes for the deceased. The controversy was all the more notable because Long was a prominent supporter of Georgia's gay marriage ban, passed in 2004, and a proposed U.S. constitutional ban. [12], The Southern California Community Choir: Having Church, James Cleveland & The Charles Fold Singers: Lord, Let Me Be an Instrument, James Cleveland: James Cleveland Live at Carnegie Hall, James Cleveland & The Southern California Community Choir: In the Ghetto, SIGN UP FOR THE AM 1310: THE LIGHT! The GMWA has featured and produced the likes of Donald Vails, Issac Douglas, Myrna Summers, Sara Jordan Powell, Daryl Coley, John P. Kee, Kirk Franklin, Kurt Carr, Donald Lawrence, and Yolanda Adams.