Beatrice "Sistah Peaches" Haywood, owner of I Am Radio internet radio station salutes Mahalia Jackson this month for setting a standard in Christian music, and bridging the gap between Christian music. On February 1, 2012, Haywood updated her Facebook profile banner in honor of Mahalia Jackson for Black History Month. Haywood decided to incorporate her photo into the banner.
"I had recently sang at an event and posted some of the pictures that were taken of me on my Facebook page. I began to receive comments that I reminded them of the iconic Mahalia Jackson. They had no idea that she has been my "mind mentor" since I was a little girl."
The first song Haywood sang was Jackson's "Move On Up A Little Higher," as a member of the Young Adult Choir of Central Baptist Church located in Washington, D.C. She says, “I was 13 years old, and did not know who originally sang this song.
Three years later, The Gospelites, an original all women's choir at Central Baptist Church did a play that encompassed music down through the years. The Caravans, Sallie Martin and Mahalia Jackson were among the female gospel artists that these women portrayed. However, Mahalia's story and the performance given by the late, Floradell Crawford left a lasting impression with me about this incredible woman with a powerhouse voice.
The performance had quite an impact on the 16-year-old Haywood:
"I began singing at the age of 9 in the youth choir at my church. The kids would cover their ears, move away from me and talk about how loud I was when I began to sing. That really affected me. I couldn't wait to become apart of the Young Adult Choir because they were phenomenal! I was the youngest member of the choir. Yes, God favored me and I held the alto section down,” Haywood laughs. She continues, "Once I heard the story of Mahalia, the power of her voice, and the things she endured to set the path for me. I took it very personal. I loved her from that day forth."
The celebration of Black History Month will play a major part on her radio station. "Black History is being played and archived everyday on www.i-am-radio.com. However, we will take time to salute those great artists, songwriters, and producers who have made gospel music what it is today,” Haywood says. She encourages listeners to celebrate the rich history of gospel music. “We should never forget Thomas Dorsey, James Cleveland, Willie Mae Ford Smith, Mahalia Jackson and others who afforded us the opportunity to perform on the platforms in which we do today."
Read more about Mahalia Jackson at www.mahaliajackson.us.
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