Dr. Bobby Jones honored with new NMAAM exhibit

Marcus K. Dowling, Nashville Tennessean
·3 min read
Dr. Bobby Jones speaks at the National Museum of African American Music.
Dr. Bobby Jones speaks at the National Museum of African American Music.

For four decades, Nashville native Dr. Bobby Jones served both host of Black Entertainment Television's groundbreaking "Bobby Jones Gospel" program and ecumenical tastemaker whose peerless status as a faith-led creator allowed for contemporary and traditional gospel music to grow as crossover sounds.

For his tireless efforts in aiding that cause, a who's who of Black gospel stars, important ministers and others honored Jones with the unveiling of "Living Legends: Dr. Bobby Jones," a front lobby exhibition at the National Museum of African-American Music (NMAAM) honoring the 83-year-old Grammy Award-winning singer, television host and radio broadcaster.

Curated by NMAAM's Dr. Bryan Pierce, an assortment of graduation robes celebrating his classroom excellence, choir robes noting his vocal career, plus various trophies highlighting his decades of acclaim will be presented in a quartet of cases at the museum. Notably, Jones was an early member of NMAAM's Board of Directors.

All four museum cases honoring the legacy of Dr. Bobby Jones at the National Museum of African American Music
All four museum cases honoring the legacy of Dr. Bobby Jones at the National Museum of African American Music

Via a press release, the museum notes that Jones is rooted in being "a simple country boy that loves the Lord, his family, friends, fans, and supporters" and has "sought to unite a part of this world in peace and love and will always do whatever he can to contribute to the betterment of humanity."

In comments made during a ceremony at the intimate, capacity-filled Roots Theater, Jones' wide-eyed curiosity at expanding his appreciation and awareness of creating an interfaith tradition across multiple Black Christian backgrounds was highlighted as he noted the influence of his own Methodist faith, plus Baptist and Pentecostal influences on his work.

As well, Bishop Joseph Walker, III, the Senior Pastor of the historic Mt. Zion Baptist Church of Nashville, Tennessee, spoke and highlighted Jones' "mid-wife [style] anointing," gifting him with the unique ability to "lift as he climbed" to mainstream renown.

The Nashville Super Choir performs at the ceremony honoring the new museum exhibition for Dr. Bobby Jones at the National Museum of African-American Music
The Nashville Super Choir performs at the ceremony honoring the new museum exhibition for Dr. Bobby Jones at the National Museum of African-American Music

"People want to crossover, but you took the cross over," Walker stated.

Moreover, Jones highlighted his work with two key acts -- his choir New Life, who were nominated for a Grammy Award for Best Performance by a Black Contemporary Gospel Group in 1982, plus a two-dozen vocalist strong act, the Nashville Super Choir. The latter performed a trio of contemporary and traditional gospel songs during the event. Notably, their take on the Edwin Hawkins Singers' "Oh Happy Day" drew a standing ovation from an enraptured audience.

With an understated joy -- Dr. Jones was two weeks removed from open heart surgery for three valve blockages -- he received the Americorps Points of Light Presidential Lifetime Achievement Award for his volunteer work with New Rising Ministries. Though he highlighted that he'd been recognized by United States Presidents dating back to George Bush's administration, he was still touched by the honor.

Dr. Bobby Jones receives the Americorps Points of Light Presidential Lifetime Achievement Award at the National Museum of African-American Music.
Dr. Bobby Jones receives the Americorps Points of Light Presidential Lifetime Achievement Award at the National Museum of African-American Music.

Jones' brief remarks included his discussion of graduating from high school at 15 and Tennessee State University at 19 with a bachelor's degree in elementary education. He then matriculated from the master's program at Tennessee State and later received a doctorate from Vanderbilt University.

At the tail end of his 30 years as an elementary and higher education teacher, he noted the beginning of his on-camera career as a singer and host.

Jones is a unique artist who can claim a scope of reach that touches country icons including Barbara Mandrell and Ronnie Milsap, contemporary gospel breakout superstars Kirk Franklin and Hezekiah Walker, plus myriad local, national and global fans and supporters.

One of four museum cases honoring the legacy of Dr. Bobby Jones at the National Museum of African American Music
One of four museum cases honoring the legacy of Dr. Bobby Jones at the National Museum of African American Music

"Bobby Jones Gospel was the economic engine that drove Black Entertainment Television," noted BET founder Robert Johnson via a video message. "You're a partner in the success of BET. [The network] was defined by your success and by bringing your diverse religious content to the network."

In 2001, Johnson led the sale of BET to Viacom Inc. for a rumored $3 billion.

Fans and supporters of Dr. Bobby Jones in attendance to honor the unveiling of his new exhibition at the National Museum of African-American Music.
Fans and supporters of Dr. Bobby Jones in attendance to honor the unveiling of his new exhibition at the National Museum of African-American Music.

The Bobby Jones exhibit will be open to the general public at NMAAM starting on January 17. It will run until April 15, 2023.

For more information, visit http://www.nmaam.org.

This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: Dr. Bobby Jones honored with new NMAAM exhibit