Calvin Earl facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Calvin Earl
Calvin Earl
Background information
Born	Gatesville, North Carolina, U.S.
Genres	Jazz, R & B, Folk and African American Spirituals
Occupation(s)	Singer, Guitarist, and Songwriter
Instruments	Vocals, Acoustic Guitar
Labels	Back to Basics Records

Calvin Earl is an American singer, musician, and storyteller. He is also a filmmaker who creates documentaries. He is especially known for his work on the history of African American Spirituals. These are special songs created by enslaved African Americans.

Calvin Earl cares deeply about keeping these spirituals alive. Because of this, he worked hard to get laws passed in the United States Congress in 2007. These laws were called H. Res. 120 and S. Res 69. They honored American slaves for their important contributions to the nation. They also recognized African American Spirituals as a special national treasure.

The laws even mentioned him as a "noted performer & educator of the African American Spirituals." Because he successfully helped pass these laws, people started calling him the "Ambassador of the African American Spirituals." He has recorded two albums of spirituals. One of them is called Gratitude. You can find his music at famous American historical places. These include Monticello, Mount Vernon, Jamestown, and the Jimmy Carter National Historic Site.

Early Life and Music

Calvin Earl was born in a small cabin on the Glen Lillie Farm in Gatesville, North Carolina. He started playing the guitar at age 7 at his church. He was a natural musician and soon began traveling. He performed at churches and schools in North Carolina and Virginia.

By age 9, many thought he was a musical genius. He often performed on local Christian radio stations. This helped him get noticed by the famous gospel singer Mahalia Jackson. As a child and teenager, he performed with her and many other gospel singers. These included The Blind Boys of Alabama, Shirley Caesar, and James Cleveland. The famous musician James Brown even wanted him to join his band as a guitarist. However, Calvin Earl's parents decided it was best for him to stay home.

Music Career

Calvin Earl and His Big Band Sound

From 1972 to 1974, Calvin Earl served in the military in the US Army Corps of Engineers. He was stationed in California during the Vietnam War. In 1973, he started an R & B band called "Elements of Peace." The band played at military clubs and other places in California. After his military service, the band broke up. Calvin Earl then went to community college.

Later, in 1991, he formed another band called "Calvin Earl and His Big Band Sound." That same year, he was invited to perform with The Blind Boys of Alabama. This happened at the annual Long Beach Blues Festival. In 1992, he gave his first solo performance in Ojai, California.

Calvin Earl also joined groups that use art to help communities. These included Community Works Theater To Go NYC and Urban Stages. He also worked with the New Jersey Council for the Humanities. In 1999, he launched his show "The Spirit Behind The Spirituals." He first performed it at the Children's Storefront School in Harlem.

Working for National Recognition

In 2006, Calvin Earl asked Senator Robert Menendez to help. He wanted the Senate to pass a law. This law would honor American slaves for their contributions to the nation. It would also recognize the African American Spiritual as a National Treasure.

Calvin Earl also convinced Congresswoman Rosa DeLauro to support a similar law in the House of Representatives. Other lawmakers like Congresswoman Carolyn Maloney and Congressman John Lewis also helped. He also got support from important scholars. These included Dr. Henry Louis Gates Jr. from Harvard University. Dr. Dorothy I. Height, a leader from the National Council of Negro Women, also helped.

Thanks to his efforts, the House passed H. Res 120 on February 7, 2007. The Senate passed S. Res 69 on February 17, 2007. These laws were a big step in honoring the history of African American Spirituals.

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  Calvin Earl with President Barack Obama

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  Calvin Earl with Senator Robert Menendez

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  Calvin Earl with Senator Elizabeth Dole

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  Calvin Earl with Congressman John Lewis

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  Calvin Earl with Congresswoman Rosa DeLauro

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  Calvin Earl with Dr. Dorothy I. Height

Awards and Recognition

Calvin Earl has received several honors for his work:

• 2006 – He received a Certificate of Appreciation from the United States Senate. This was for his "distinctive service to our nation."
• 2008 – President George W. Bush issued a Presidential Proclamation. This celebrated the "extraordinary talents and creativity of African-American singers, musicians and composers."
• 2000 – He received a Certificate of Appreciation from the Sisulu Children's Academy.
• 2003 – He received a Certificate of Appreciation from the Upward Bound Program at Salem State University.
• 2012 – He was given The Negro Spirituals Heritage Keeper Award. This was from the Friend of the Negro Spirituals in San Francisco.