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ACL: The Jones Family Singers
Yes, they did it again: no, “oops” about it. For the third year in a row, the Jones Family Singers — a group of Pentecostal shouters from Bay City — completely wrecked the house that used to be known as the gospel tent.
The Lord couldn’t pony up the sponsorship money, so the stuffy, covered area is now officially called the Washington Mutual stage. But from 1 p.m. until an hour later, it was owned by the JFS, who had a pretty full house waiting for them to start, but then had folks dancing on the fringes as the set peaked with a 20-minute holy ghost workout on “Fall Down On Me,” with its irrestistable “how long can you go” choreography, guitarist Fred Jones Jr.’s sanctified duck walk and a lead change, with Bishop Fred Jones Jr. giving his daughter a breather.
This family of five sisters, two brothers, their father and 15-year-old Ian Wade on drums just keeps getting tighter. At the center of this big wave of praise and love is lead singer Alexis Jones Roberts, whose got the smile to match her volcanic vocals. It was like hearing Aretha Franklin if she stuck to gospel and didn’t go pop.
As always, the group opened with a 15-minute blast of “I Am,” with its crowd-pleasing “Rock ‘n’ roll in Jesus” choreography and Roberts’ continual stoppage of the song to get the crowd — or her muscians — to add something to the jam. But when they slowed it down with the more-churchlike “I Love You,” the crowd stayed with them, instead of wandering off.
Only quibble during a set which had changed little since last year’s at ACL: the group should add a little more religious undertones to their version of the Isley Brothers’ “Shout.” Most casual gospel fans don’t know that “shouting” means dancing at Pentecostal services, so without that context, it seemed as if the JFS were just wringing the crowd with a cheesy number from “Animal House.”
But the Jones Family Singers were still as good as it gets at ACL.
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Permalink | Comments (9) | Categories: ACL Festival
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By Kenneth Bree
September 17, 2007 10:29 AM | Link to this
I read this article and I can agree, The Jones Family Singers are SUPER.” I Pastor a small church in the Bay City area and Bishop Jones is and has been a true friend to me for more than 20 years. Singing is not all he does, He is a powerful Holy Ghost filled proclaimer of the Gospel message , and He is a true lover of mankind.
By L.R.Bone
September 17, 2007 11:56 AM | Link to this
The Jones Family Singers and Bishop Jones are my neighbors and we are co-workers in the school district. This awesome and amazing group is a valuable ministry whereever they go. The are a show stoppper and can hold their own no matter who they perform with… ACL Festival really did it this time. I’ll be back next year along with the Jones Family for sure.
By Stanley Alexander, Jr.
September 17, 2007 12:54 PM | Link to this
It is a blessing to see The Jones Family Singers perform no matter where they are! Thank you ACL Festival for blessing the crowd at the 2007 event with this powerful, gospel group! Those who missed this group missed a treat. I look forward to next year!
By Kim Thompson
September 17, 2007 1:11 PM | Link to this
Bishop Jones and JFS are second to none. I’ve been knowing these great people for a long period of time and I didn’t think they could get any better from the first time I heard them and they proved me wrong! Wherever JFS feet tread…they blaze the trail and are forever remembered! I’m so proud to be an honorary member of JFS…..I’m pro-JFS!!!!!!!!
By Gerald Lyda
September 17, 2007 2:24 PM | Link to this
South Texas Gospel Music Association (STGMA) represents gospel artists and groups from all over Texas, Oklahoma, Arkansas and Louisiana, as well as New Mexico, Tennessee, Missouri, Kansas and North Carolina.
The Jones Family Singers are one of our newest STGMA members. Their recordings are truly Spirit-filled and I look forward to seeing them perform in person.
STGMA is proud to have The Jones Family Singers as a member of the STGMA gospel music family and invite other Southern gospel, black gospel, bluegrass gospel and country gospel artists to consider joining the association. Check us out at www.stgma.org. Membership application forms are available on-line.
God bless, Gerald Lyda STGMA
By mike robertson
September 17, 2007 6:48 PM | Link to this
TO THE GENERAL PUBLIC YOUR EARS WILL BE AMAZED YOUR HEART OVERJOYED AND YOUR SPRIRT FILLED TO COMPACITY AFTER YOU HEAR THE SOUNDS OF THE JONES FANIKY SINGERS OF BAY CITY TEXAS..IF THERE IS A SUCH THING AS GIANTS…THE ACL JUST WITNESSED THE BIGGEST ONE OF THEM ALL THE JONES FAMILY SINGERS…..AND YES THERE ARE STILL GIANTS IN THE LAND…..LOVE YALL MIKE (ENDURANCE)
By Flo Darden
September 17, 2007 7:51 PM | Link to this
I AM SO PROUD TO BE A FRIEND WITH THE JONES FAMILY SINGERS THEY’RE TRUE TO WHAT THEY SING ABOUT IT WAS A BLESSING JUST TO BE AROUND THEM KEEP SINGING AND GIVE GOD THE PRAISE!!!!!!
By VIZHION
September 18, 2007 8:46 AM | Link to this
We are so very proud of The Jones Family Singers! You help maintain the character and ingrity of gospel music. We are blessed to be your friends. Keep up the good work!
VIZHION
By PROPHET LEUNDRAY WRIGHT
September 20, 2007 10:41 PM | Link to this
WELL THIS GROUP HAS ONE THING FOR SURE AND THAT IS THE POWER TO MOVE ANYTHING THAT IS IN THE WAY MEANING IF THEY ARE GOING THROUGH ANYTHING ALL THEY HAVE TO DO IS SING THERE WAY OUT. WITH LOVE THE PROPHET OF GOD. FROM BISHOP FREDDIE PRINGLE SR. AND THE BIBLETTES