It might not be appropriate to refer to them as the best of praise and worship. But few gospel artists stir souls across multiple cultural and economic lines like Yolanda Adams. Couple her with the legendary Shirley Caesar, the matriarch of gospel music, and you've got a concert appropriately billed as "A Mother's Day to Remember."
Adams is the face of contemporary gospel, having won multiple Grammy, Dove, and NAACP Image Awards. She's actually been around since 1987. Before finding mainstream fame with 1999's Mountain High... Valley Low, she released five albums, including one live and one greatest-hits package. Though Adams has a wider profile, her accomplishments pale in comparison to Caesar's 11 Grammys. She's the one whom gospel powerhouses from Adams to Kirk Franklin and Donnie McClurkin look up to. Aside from music, her appearance in 2003's The Fighting Temptations single-handedly lent credibility to the film, which starred Cuba Gooding Jr. and Beyonce Knowles. As chu'ch goes, the only accolades that will matter on May 11 will be the ones given up to God. If their track records for electric live performances hold true, Adams and Caesar will probably leave an indelible mark on the Hard Rock. It'll be the House of Blessings by the time they're finished with the place.
