MOTOWN’S FIRST FEMALE SINGEREVANGELIST MABLE JOHNRELEASES NEW BOOKSANCTIFIED BLUES, A FAITH INSPIRED MYSTERY
Motown’s first First Lady, Mable John, is now a Los Angeles-area pastor and has just published her first novel Sanctified Blues (Harlem Moon/Random House), which is loosely based on her real life stories.
The book revolves around Albertina Merci, an R&B singer who has toured with Ray Charles and James Brown, —until the fateful night her voice gave out in front of a sold-out crowd. Encouraged by her fans, she offered a little speech in praise of Jesus instead of a song. Her spontaneous words became the seed of “Sanctified Blues,” a song that soon captured the hearts of millions and gave Albertina the financial security to follow her true calling as an evangelist—sharing the Gospel with those in need of spiritual comfort.
Sanctified Blues is the story of Albertina’s encounter with Maggie Clay, the biracial beauty who is TV’s reigning diva. A sudden mystery surrounding Maggie has the entire country wondering: Is Maggie having a nervous breakdown, and if so, why? What caused it? And who can save the star from self-destruction? Sanctified Blues kicks off a series about a former R&B singer turned full-time minister who’s full of spice and advice. When the Lord works in mysterious ways, it’s up to Pastor Albertina Merci to find out why…
Mable John is one of the few remaining members of Berry Gordy’s inner circle that created Motown records in 1959. She, Smokey Robinson and Marv Johnson were with Gordy when he was a struggling songwriter and decided to press up some vinyl on his singing friends. John enjoyed hits such as “Who Wouldn’t Love a Man Like That” (backed by the Supremes) before going to Stax Records in 1966 where she recorded the million-seller “You Good Thing is About to End.” From 1968 to 1977, John was the leader of Ray Charles’ Raelettes. In 1977, she was called into the ministry and currently pastors Joy in Jesus Ministries. The ministry, which has fed and clothed Los Angeles’ homeless community for nearly twenty years, has been featured on CNN, BET and TV One.
Upcoming Mable John Appearances:
Music Notes (Beverly Hills, CA) /Sunday, June 18, 2006, 2pm-5pm
Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Museum (Cleveland, OH)/ Sunday, June 25, 2006
Essence Festival (Houston, TX) / Sat-Mon, July 1-3, 2006, TBA
Georgia Center for the Book c/o DeKalb County Library/ 215 Sycamore Street (Decatur, GA) Thursday, July 6, 2006, 7:15pm
Barnes and Noble 3685 Market Place Blvd (East Point, GA) /Friday, July 7, 2006, 7pm
Country Music Hall of Fame 222 Fifth Ave. S (Nashville, TN)/
STAX Museum of American Soul Music (Memphis, TN) / Monday, July 10, 2006, 4pm-6pm
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