Gospel
recording artist Shontelle Norman-Beatty was spirit-filled Monday evening as
some of her friends in gospel music bid her farewell in a rousing concert at
Shiloh Church of Memphis in the Raleigh-Frayser community.
A longtime gospel singer native to
Memphis, Norman-Beatty and her husband, Apostle Andre T. Beatty, are relocating
to Houston, Texas, and “stepping out on faith.” He’s accepted a pastoral
assignment, the singer said.
Celebrated for her searing vocals,
Norman-Beatty and her musically gifted brother – gospel recording artist Shea
Norman – are widely known in the industry. Norman-Beatty, however, has carved
her own niche, her friends attested Monday (Feb. 23).
 |
| Shontelle Norman-Beatty, her husband, Apostle Andrew Beatty, and their son, Ryan, make their grand entrance at Shiloh Church of Memphis, the venue for the farewell concert. |
“I will continue my music career and
I’ll still work on songs. But God knows best right now,” said Norman-Beatty,
noting that her music ministry will be put on hold temporarily until she and
her husband are settled.
The gospel singer, however, yielded
to her fellow gospel greats as they cranked out one spirited selection after
another. The musical tribute thus flowed throughout Shiloh and reached a
feverish pitch more than once. Norman-Beatty herself was awash emotionally.
Special guests included gospel
recording artists Andrew Knox & New Change, a group led by Knox, Shiloh’s
minister of music; the Rev. Darrel Pettis, pastor of Mt. Pisgah Baptist Church
in Olive Branch, Miss.; and the consummate Billy Rivers and The Angelic Voices
of Faith, the minister of music for Golden Gate Cathedral.
The Rev. Chris Williams of the group
Perfection and Christian Anderson also saluted Norman-Beatty in song, while 4
Given performed their own tribute. With Donte Everhart revving up the audience
in his role as emcee and Pettis adding to the mix a monetary offering for the
couple, the tribute proved to be a “blessed” sendoff.
Sitting next to her husband on the
first pew, Norman-Beatty was overwhelmed and imbued with love and admiration
shown by her friends. The powerful singer, whose silky voice permeates venues
here and worldwide, was delighted as well when her father, the Rev. James A.
Norman, offered his heartfelt sentiments.
Rev. Norman is the pastor of St.
James Church of God in Christ in Grand Junction, Tenn. He also serves as
superintendent of the Bolivar (Tenn.) district under Bishop Brandon B. Porter,
the prelate of the Tennessee Central Ecclesiastical Jurisdiction of COGIC.
Judith Norman, Norman-Beatty’s
mother, could not be present at the tribute, her father noted in his remarks.
Besides Shea and Shontelle, the Normans have two other children: Sharisse
Norman, a former American Idol contestant, and James VohShallen Norman.
Norman-Beatty and her sister have
worked and toured with a number of noted artists in the genres of gospel, soul,
blues, R&B, and hip-hop, such as Ludacris, Bobby Rush, Erykah Badu, the
North Mississippi Allstars, and Three Six Mafia.
“My dad got me started in music,”
said Norman-Beatty, 40, once the minister of music at his church. “Music was
what I always wanted to do and be a part of. I’ve been singing since I was 2
and professionally since 2000.”
The farewell concert, said Norman-Beatty,
does not end the long-standing relationships that she’s forged with friends in
Memphis and the local gospel greats who came to Shiloh to celebrate her
ministry and to wish her Godspeed.
Houston will reap the benefits of
Norman-Beatty’s arrival, her father said.
(For bookings, Shontelle Norman-Beatty can be reached at
shontellenorman@gmail.com)
No comments:
Post a Comment