By Sheilah Belle
It was 35 years ago when Dr. Bobby Jones was introduced to the world of Gospel through the premiere of “Bobby Jones Gospel” on Black Entertainment Television in 1980.
Since that initial partnership which helped established BET to get off the ground, “Bobby Jones Gospel” has become the longest continuously running original series on cable television as well as all other networks. Dr. Jones served as the host and executive producer.
In 1986, Jones also produced the show “Video Gospel” which premiered on BET. As if that wasn’t enough Dr. Jones went on to produce and host a number of shows, including The Word Television Network’s, “Bobby Jones Gospel Classics”, “Bobby Jones Presents”, “The BET Gospel Network’s”, “Let’s Talk Gospel”, “The Gospel Channel’s “Gospel Vignettes” and Bobby Jones Next Generation.
Dr. Jones also hosted “The Bobby Jones Radio Show” and “The Bobby Jones Gospel Countdown,” which has aired on the Sheridan Gospel Radio Network.
Dr. Jones has toured with the Musical Group, New Life over seas, along with the Nashville Super Choirand for twenty-four years he hosted “The Dr. Bobby Jones International Gospel Industry Retreat.” Most recently, Dr. Jones has opened his own production Studio in Nashville and is an instructor at Nova Southeastern University.
However 35 years is a long time to constantly stay busy producing shows, cutting tape, on stage, in front of cameras or behind the microphone when you are about to turn 78 years old. So now after fulfilling God’s commission, Dr. Bobby Jones is stepping away from the BET Sunday Morning Gospel platform to retire. He even organized an exit strategy that would dictate his final taped shows for BET and his special guests including Kirk Franklin, Vickie Winans, LeAndria Johnson, Dottie Peoples, Dorothy Norwood, Melvin Williams, Earnest Pugh, Rance Allen, Minister Earl Bynum, Bishop Hezekiah Walker, Richard Smallwood and a long list of others.
As apart of this weekend of closure it was on Sunday afternoon when the final curtain was drawn and the last show was taped for “Bobby Jones Jones,” with Kirk Franklin co-hosting.
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source: TheGospelGuru/Sheilah Belle
