By Sheilah Belle
Doswell, VA — Kings Dominion, once again hosted Joyfest with some of the top names in Gospel Music. The powerful celebration of Gospel took place on Saturday, July 17th before a packed house.
This year’s featured performers included, Fred Hammond, J, Moss, Canton Jones and Donald Lawrence. Also joining the tour was Sinbad, who presented clean comedy that kept the audience laughing and in tears throughout most of his performance. Also returning as this years host was Bone Hampton along with co-host Ed Stephens.
This was truly a powerful celebration of Gospel Music that gave concert goers another opportunity to praise the Lord under the stars.
Opening the evening was J Moss. Dressed in all white with the powerful sound of 21:03 in tow, Moss was simply incredible, creative and anointed as he performed some of his many Billboard chart topping hits, including Restored and Praise on the Inside. However Moss also did a special musical tribute to Michael Jackson with the crowd applauding at times uncontrollably. With dance moves, that had the audience, trying to imitate every step, Moss was simply pure perfection.
Canton Jones was up next. He talked about the passing of his father and then went into his unique interactive singing and chanting with the audience. He had the people on their feet during his entire performance and had several screaming when he started to rap. Brother was hyped with many feeling his time ended too soon.
When Donald Lawrence was introduced next, there was a slight shift in the atmosphere, as his group, stylishly dressed, took their places behind the mics, the musicians got into position and finally Donald Lawrence stepped onto the stage. With the audience, one by one standing to their feet to receive him, it was nothing but back to back hits for the next forty-five minutes. From “The Best Is Yet to Come”, “Seasons,” to “There’s A King in You,” there was no way Lawrence could have sung a wrong note.
When Sinbad was welcomed to the stage, the audience once again, stood to their foot, as one of the funniest comedians in the world was standing straight and centered on the grounds of Kings Dominion. Before going on stage, Sinbad, told us here at The Belle Report, “You guys really didn’t have to bring me back to life, after they killed me off. I was making money off of that and I was finally hearing from other comedians and how they really felt about me.” Sinbad was talking about years ago, when a story came out that stated that he had died. Many people simply couldn’t believe it and it went on for five days. However The Belle Report was one of the first news outlets to announce that Sinbad was NOT dead. Sinbad said, “My brother was even calling me and I wouldn’t answer the phone,” he laughed.
When Sinbad hit the stage, he joked about that situation and brought up everyday situations that would cause anyone to look at a typical situation one way, but also see the humor in it another way. He was great!
Closing out the evening was Fred Hammond with three background singers and a full band. Sporting a little bling bling from his ear rings to his platinum, white crystal cross necklace, Hammond performed everything from “Jesus Be A Fence,” to “No Weapon”, and kept the park rocking until the very last note of his last song. He was simply phenomenal.
The evening also included a birthday celebratory moment for Ed Stephens and area Gospel announcers introducing themselves to the crowd.
It was truly fun and memorable evening for everyone in the house and under the stars.
(Photos by The Belle Report)
