Shirley Caesar facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Shirley Caesar |
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Caesar in 1997
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| Background information | |
| Birth name | Shirley Ann Caesar |
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| Born | October 13, 1938 Durham, North Carolina, U.S. |
| Genres |
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| Occupation(s) | Singer |
| Years active | 1951–present |
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Shirley Ann Caesar-Williams (born October 13, 1938), known as Shirley Caesar, is a famous American gospel singer. She started her music journey in 1951 when she was just 12 years old.
Over her long career, which has lasted more than 70 years, Shirley Caesar has been called "The First Lady of Gospel Music" and "The Queen of Gospel Music." She has won many important awards, including eleven Grammy Awards, fifteen Dove Awards, and fourteen Stellar Awards.
Shirley Caesar has released over 40 albums. She has also been part of many music collections and three gospel musicals. By 2009, she had sold more than 2.2 million albums, making her one of the top-selling gospel artists. She has performed at special events, including a show for President George Bush at the White House. In 2017, she received a special Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award for her amazing career. She also has a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame!
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Early Life and Family
Shirley Caesar was born in Durham, North Carolina. She was the tenth of 13 children in her family. Her father, Jim Caesar, was a well-known local gospel singer. He passed away when Shirley was only seven years old. Her mother, Hallie Caesar, had a disability. Shirley felt a special connection with her mother and cared for her until her mother's death in 1989.
Shirley's Music Journey
Shirley Caesar began singing for her family and friends when she was very young. People started inviting her to perform all over the Carolinas as "Baby Shirley Caesar." She could only sing on weekends because she was still in school during the week.
Her professional music career truly began in 1958 when she was 19. She joined The Caravans, which was a very popular gospel group at the time. The group's leader, Albertina Walker, wanted Shirley in the group after hearing her sing. Shirley decided to pause her education to join them.
While with The Caravans, Shirley recorded and performed with other talented singers. Her most famous songs with the group were "Sweeping Through the City" and "No Coward Soldier." After eight years, she left The Caravans to start her solo career.
Her first solo album was called I'll Go. It included popular songs like "Oh Peter, Don't Be Afraid." More hits followed, such as "Satan, We're Gonna Tear Your Kingdom Down" and "Don't Drive Your Mama Away." In 1971, she won her first Grammy Award for "Put Your Hand in the Hand of the Man." In 1975, her song "No Charge" became a huge hit and her first gold record.
Shirley wanted her music to reach even more people. In 1977, she signed with a different record label and released an album called First Lady. Even though some people thought the music sounded "too worldly," the title "First Lady of Gospel Music" stuck with her. She has been known by this title ever since.
She later signed with Word Records in 1980. With this label, she won many more Grammy Awards. She recorded some of her biggest hits, including "God's Got It All in Control" and "Hold My Mule." The song "Hold My Mule" later became very popular online as a funny video called "You Name It" around Thanksgiving.
Shirley Caesar has appeared on many TV shows, sharing her gospel music. She often says that Albertina Walker was her mentor and "Queen of Gospel Music." Between 1981 and 1995, she won several Dove Awards for her gospel albums and songs. She has performed with many famous artists like Patti LaBelle and Whitney Houston.
Shirley Caesar is also an actress. She has appeared in movies like Why Do Fools Fall in Love (1998) and Fighting Temptations (2003). She also acted in TV shows like The Good News and The Parkers.
In 2014, a Dutch music producer used a part of her 1972 song "Teach Me Master" to create a new song called "Teach Me." This song became popular in the UK. In 2016, her album Fill This House reached the top of the gospel music charts.
Awards and Special Recognitions
Shirley Caesar has received many important awards for her contributions to music and culture.
- In 1999, she received a National Heritage Fellowship. This is the highest honor in the United States for folk and traditional arts.
- She was welcomed into the Gospel Music Hall of Fame in 2000.
- In 2010, she was inducted into the North Carolina Music Hall of Fame.
- In 2015, she performed for President Barack Obama and Michelle Obama at the White House.
- In 2016, the National Museum of African American Music honored her with the Rhapsody & Rhythm Award.
- Also in June 2016, she received her own star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame for her amazing work in gospel music.
Continuing Her Education
After many years, Shirley Caesar achieved her dream of finishing her education. She first started studying business in college in 1956 but left two years later to focus on her music career. She returned to school and graduated with honors from Shaw University in 1984 with a degree in Business Administration. She also studied at Duke University and has received special honorary doctorates from several universities.
Shirley's Personal Life and Outreach
Shirley Caesar married Bishop Harold I. Williams in June 1983. They were co-pastors of the Mount Calvary Word of Faith Church in Raleigh, North Carolina, until his passing in 2014. Shirley does not have her own children, but she has two stepchildren from her husband.
Shirley is a member of the Delta Sigma Theta sorority. She says her mother greatly influenced her desire to help others. Shirley gives a large part of her concert earnings to her outreach ministries. These ministries provide food, clothing, shelter, toys for children, and financial help to people in need. She also has a store where profits help others during the holiday season.
Shirley continues to record music and perform concerts across the country. When asked what she still wants to achieve, she often says, "I would like to do more acting...."
Images for kids
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Caesar in 1997
