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. |
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| Occupation(s) | Singer |
| Years active | 1951–present |
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Shirley Ann Caesar (born October 13, 1938), known as Shirley Caesar, is a famous American gospel singer. She is often called "The First Lady of Gospel Music" or "The Queen of Gospel Music." Her singing career started very early, in 1951, when she was just 12 years old.
Shirley Caesar has released more than 40 albums. She has won many important awards, including 11 Grammy Awards, 15 Dove Awards, and 14 Stellar Awards. 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
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 gospel singer in their area. Sadly, he passed away when Shirley was only seven years old.
Shirley's mother, Hallie Caesar, had a disability that affected her leg. Shirley had a very close bond with her mother. She took care of her until her mother passed away in 1989.
Career in music
Shirley Caesar started singing for her family and friends when she was very young. Soon, she was known as "Baby Shirley Caesar" and was invited to sing all over the Carolinas. She could only perform on weekends because she was still in school.
Her professional music journey began in 1958. At 19, she joined The Caravans, which was one of the most popular gospel groups at that time. The group's leader, Albertina Walker, was very impressed by Shirley's voice. Shirley decided to pause her education to join them.
Singing with The Caravans
While with The Caravans, Shirley sang with other talented artists like Albertina Walker and Inez Andrews. One of her biggest songs with the group was "Sweeping Through the City." After eight years, she decided to leave The Caravans. She was offered a chance to record her own music as a solo artist.
Solo career and hit songs
Shirley Caesar's first solo album was called I'll Go. It included popular songs like "Oh Peter, Don't Be Afraid." She continued to release hits 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 her song "Put Your Hand in the Hand of the Man." In 1975, her song "No Charge" became a huge hit and was her first "gold record." This means it sold over 500,000 copies!
Shirley wanted her music to reach even more people. She signed with a new record label in 1977. Her album First Lady had strong gospel messages. However, some people in the gospel community felt the music sounded "too worldly." Even so, the nickname "First Lady of Gospel Music" stuck with her.
She later signed with Word Records in 1980. With this label, she recorded some of her most famous songs. These include "God's Got It All in Control," "He's Working It Out for You," and "Jesus, I Love Calling Your Name."
One of her songs, "Hold My Mule," became very popular online as a funny video called "You Name It" around Thanksgiving time. Shirley Caesar has also appeared on many TV shows. She often says that Albertina Walker was her mentor and the "Queen of Gospel Music."
Acting and recent music
Shirley Caesar is also an actress. She has appeared in several movies, such as 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" in his song "Teach Me." This new song became a hit in the UK. In 2016, Shirley Caesar's album Fill This House reached the top of the gospel music charts again.
Awards and honors
Shirley Caesar has received many important awards for her contributions to gospel music.
- In 1999, she won a National Heritage Fellowship. This is a very high honor in the United States for traditional arts.
- She was added to the Gospel Music Hall of Fame in 2000.
- In 2010, she was inducted into the North Carolina Music Hall of Fame.
- She performed for President Barack Obama and Michelle Obama at the White House in 2015.
- In 2016, she received the Rhapsody & Rhythm Award from the National Museum of African American Music.
- Also in 2016, Shirley Caesar received her own star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame!
Education in later life
Shirley Caesar always wanted to finish her education. She first went to North Carolina State College in 1956 to study business. But she left two years later to focus on her music career.
Later, she went back to school and graduated with honors from Shaw University in 1984. She earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration. She also studied at Duke University and has received special honorary doctorates from several universities.
Personal life
Shirley Caesar married Bishop Harold I. Williams in 1983. They were co-pastors of the Mount Calvary Word of Faith Church in Raleigh, North Carolina. Bishop Williams passed away in 2014. Shirley does not have her own children, but she has two stepchildren from her husband.
Shirley Caesar is a member of the Delta Sigma Theta sorority. She says her mother taught her to be generous. Shirley uses a large part of the money from her concerts to help others through her outreach ministries.
Her outreach ministry helps people in need by providing food, clothing, shelter, toys for children, and money. She also has a store where the profits help people during the holidays. Shirley still records music and performs concerts across the country. She also continues to hold her annual outreach ministries conference.
When asked what she still wants to do, Shirley Caesar says she would like to do more acting.
Discography
Shirley Caesar has released many albums throughout her long career. Some of her popular albums include No Charge, First Lady, Jesus, I Love Calling Your Name, Sailin', Live in Chicago, I Remember Mama, He's Working it Out for You, Stand Still, A Miracle in Harlem, Hymns, You Can Make It, I Know the Truth, A City Called Heaven, Good God, and Fill This House.
She has also released many popular songs, including "No Charge," "Hold My Mule," "I Know the Truth (Lies)," "Sweeping Through the City," "Nobody," "Favor," "God Will Make a Way," and "It's Alright, It's Ok."
