Shirley Caesar feels like family to me. Her autographed photo has rested in a frame on the wall of my grandmother's living room since I was kid, spending summers in Coosawhatchie, S.C.
The legendary gospel singer's music regularly filled that childhood home.
**Want the chance to interact with Pastor Shirley Ceasar live? Studio 5 will be hosting a Facebook Live event from Raleigh, N.C. July 21,2016 at 12:30 PM Eastern. Make sure you log on and tune in!
I also had the honor to meet the powerful singer as a kid. Caesar was scheduled to minister at Mount Olive Baptist Church in Jersey City, N.J.
As active members of the church, the pastor asked my Aunt Freddie and Uncle Frank to pick Ms. Caesar up from the airport. They let me tag along, and I can still remember the exciting ride back to church and the spirit-filled concert that followed.
Those childhood memories of the "Queen of Gospel" make it exciting for me to share that her new album has landed her at the No. 1 spot on the gospel charts for the first time in nearly 25 years.
Her "Fill This House" project climbed from No. 23 to No. 1, since its release in June.
But Caesar hasn't been absent from the music industry. She has collected 12 top 10s since 1992 and earned nearly a dozen Grammy awards.
The album's lead single "It's Alright, It's OK" pairs the Christian music pioneer and pastor with R&B soul singer Anthony Hamilton.
Prior to that single's release earlier this year, Caesar told reporters, "It has been more than two years since I have recorded a project. So needless to say I am very excited about my new release. It is my prayer that you will be blessed not only by this song but all the others that will be featured on my upcoming release."
That first single and now the album are proof the veteran artist has remained relevant.
I am pleased to report the Studio 5 team is at work to get her into the studio for a performance and interview in the very near future. Be sure to follow me to learn when we lock down a date and time.
In the meantime, add Casear's new music to your iPod rotation. It's certainly playing in my ear.