Clay Evans (pastor)

Clay Evans
Birth name Clay Evans
Also known as Rev. Clay Evans
Born (1925-06-23) June 23, 1925
Brownsville, Tennessee
Origin Chicago, Illinois
Genres gospel, black gospel, urban contemporary gospel
Occupation(s) Singer, songwriter
Instruments vocals, singer-songwriter
Years active 1960–present
Labels Savoy, Jewel, Paula, Meek, Blackberry, Pro-Arte
Associated acts Charles Jenkins

Clay Evans (born June 23, 1925) is an African American Baptist pastor and founder of the influential Fellowship Missionary Baptist Church in Chicago, Illinois famous for its gospel music infused Sunday service and choir. Rev. Clay Evans released his first musical project in 1984, What He's Done For Me with Savoy Records. His latest album, It's Me Again, released in 2006 by Meek Records, yet this failed to chart. The last album to chart was Constantly, also with Meek Records, that charted on the Billboard charts. All-in-all, he has had eleven albums that have charted on the Billboard Gospel Albums chart over the course of his career. He received a nomination for the Best Gospel Album at the 1997 Soul Train Music Awards.

Professional life

Evans was born on June 23, 1925, in Brownsville, Tennessee, to A. Henry and Estanuly Evans.[1][2][3] He was a graduate of Carver High School, then he moved onto Chicago Baptist Institute for seminary education.[3] He attended Northern Baptist Theological Seminary, along with The University of Chicago Divinity School.[3] He was ordained to be a Baptist minister in 1950, and he founded Fellowship Missionary Baptist Church in Chicago, Illinois in 1958.[3] His sermons were broadcast on radio and television.

In 1965, Rev. Evans joined Rev. Jesse Jackson, Sr., to promote the civil rights movement in Chicago. In 1971 they founded the Operation PUSH coalition, to encourage black self-help. Evans served as chairman of the organization from 1971 and 1976, and he is currently its chairman emeritus.[3] He led his church until 2010, when Charles Jenkins succeeded him as senior pastor.[2]

Personal life

Evans married Lutha Mae Hollinshed more that sixty years ago, and together they reside in Chicago, Illinois. They have six children, Dianne (deceased), Michael, Ralph, Stevie (nephew), Claudette, and Faith. Seven grandchildren, Michelle, Toni, Brandon, Marcel, McCall, Freeman and Dianne. Two great grandchildren, Krystal and Carrington. [2]

Music career

Evans' music career started in 1984, and he has released thirty-eight musical projects, up until his latest release in 2006.[4] He has released albums and musical works with various labels; Savoy Records, Jewel Records, Paula Records, Meek Records, Blackberry Records, and Pro-Arte Records.[4] His album have charted on the Billboard charts at various times during his career.[5] He has had eleven albums chart on the Billboard Gospel Albums chart, during that time span.[5] He received a nomination at the 1997 Soul Train Music Awards for Best Gospel Album.

Discography

List of selected studio albums, with selected chart positions
Title Album details Peak chart positions[5]
US
Gos
What He's Done for Me 3
Things Are Going to Work Out Somehow 12
From the Ship 4
He'll Be There 16
Reach Beyond the Break 8
I'm Going Through 1
I See a Miracle 28
I've Got A Testimony 1
Coming Home 31
He's a Battle-Axe 36
Constantly 7

References

  1. ↑ Ankeny, Jason. "Rev. Clay Evans : Biography". AllMusic. Retrieved March 22, 2015.
  2. 1 2 3 Staff. "Rev. Clay Evans". Fellowship Missionary Baptist Church. Retrieved March 22, 2015.
  3. 1 2 3 4 5 Garner, Carla W. "Reverend Clay Evans (1925- )". Black Past. Retrieved March 22, 2015.
  4. 1 2 AllMusic. "Rev. Clay Evans : Discography". AllMusic. Retrieved March 22, 2015.
  5. 1 2 3 Billboard. "Rev. Clay Evans : Awards". AllMusic. Retrieved March 22, 2015.
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