The Gospel Proclaimers

Almost 50 years ago on the campus of Kingsway High School in Kingston, Jamaica, a male group was born.  In less than 5 years, The Gospel Proclaimers was nationally recognized as one of Jamaica’s leading and most sought-after gospel groups – selling out huge audiences throughout the country and later in Canada and America.

Beyond their ministry of singing and drama on “Broadway” stages and performance halls like Ward Theatre and Ranny Williams Center, The Gospel Proclaimers was the first independent music group to perform with the accompaniment of both the popular Jamaica Constabulary Band and the Jamaica Defense Force Band, and sung at many official state funerals in the country.

Mostly singing acapella, The Gospel Proclaimers rose to the top and was the winner of several national music awards because of its unique blended sound – merging the gifted musical artistry of Sam Cooke and the Soul Stirrers, The King’s Heralds, Mahalia Jackson, and Elvis Presley.

Early favorites for Gospel Proclaimers’ audiences included their innovative arrangements of “Didn’t It Rain”, “Chapel”, “Were You There”, “Shadrack, Meschach, and Abednego”, “He Gave Me Water”, “Dem Bones”, and “Lonesome Road.”

The Gospel Proclaimers focus heavily on the creation of a groundswell of rich harmony, merging 4 to 5 singing parts in a double-quartet, elevated by a versatile lead singer with a musical range well beyond average.  This group is gifted with many such talents, some of whom have moved on to solo careers.

Although most original members of the Gospel Proclaimers – like Rev. Dennis Dillon, Dr. Joseph Redley, Roy Turner, Dr. Raymond Dixon, Franklin Forrest, Errol Martin, and Leroy Gibbon – have moved on to a diversity of professional careers, the group remains a strong force with an ever-compelling sound in reunion performances.