Tribute to the Gertrude Ward Singers- "Waiting For Me"

[joehow100]

I love the words of this song. It gives me comfort to know that after the trials of this life my love ones are waiting for me. God bless all the saints ,those who wrote and those who sung these songs of faith and hope .

[bradyman24]

Thats it !! .. Holler it out sister !!! .. LOL

[gosplluvr]

Yes that's my dear friend Odessa Perkins of the Lathonetts singing.

[jddrew1000]

Oh boy Odessa's squalls! Jesus!! And the girls cheering her on

[jddrew1000]

She sounds like Ruth Davis

[WoodeytheBigEyedOne]

Whew, Odessa had a serious growl!

[UNDERTAKER730]

I hope you all remember the late Bishop GT Lathan who propelled Odessa Perkins to greatness along with Joe Garrett

[cjzzzzz]

The hair do's on this album were terrible. Gertrude Ward died in Nov. of 1981. She lost the church she founded and the home her and Clara shared after Clara died.

[jollysincere]

You know the Wards were known for their outlandish dress and yes, sometimes behavior as well. they could clown with the best of 'em'

[Snowhill3]

God bless da hair dresser...

[Rowoches]

...which happened to be Gertrude Ward. Lol!

[1joker88]

I was waiting for bees to start flying out...

[hjmcgill]

Where can I get a copy of this song/album?

[Rowoches]

I've seen the album on eBay several times.

[cdj5111]

hmmmmmmmmmm PRAISE PRAISE

[robbieware]

what a blessing!!!

[blessedover]

The mother Ward today is New York mama sister Patterson

[mrduragss]

Loved it

[pwrballer]

Is that Ruth Davis singing, or Gertrude Ward?

[Rowoches]

Neither! Ruth Davis didn't sing with this group. And no disrespect to Gertrude Ward, but she couldn't sing; for a couple of reason, including the throat surgery that she had.

The lead singer is a lady by the name of Odessa Perkins.

[mrduragss]

Please if you have any Marion Williams upload.

[lifeofchangesforme]

she does sound like ruth davis shes has mean growl

[vancoscellos]

no she does not sound like baby sis!, she is straining a bit too much! baby sis did it naturally!

[lifeofchangesforme]

oh ok god bless you

[vancoscellos]

NO, Gertie Ward couldn't sing, but she was a masterful show woman! and if you didnt watch out, she would talk you out of your MONEY! LOL! that woman was something else, if you could have combined her drive into a body with clara's talent, you very likely would have seen one of the worlds greatest ENTERTAINERS EVER!!!!!!!!!

[bradyman24]

@vancoscellos Amen !!! .. that dont sound nuthin like Ruth !!.. Ruth had Control and grace with her squalling .. this sister here just hollering ... i know her throat was tore up baby !! .. LOL 

[vancoscellos]

@bradyman24 Naw, baby Sis was a rare specimen when it came to gospel squalling. Between 1952 and 1958,,,,,,when ruth was at her peak, Maybe i'm bias, but in my opinion, Ruth Davis Really didn't have any peers. Dont get me wrong, Albertina,Inez,Frances,Marion were all good, But old Ruth, could vocally do battle with MEN, and in most cases, she would win.

[blessedover]

but she could talk a church crazy

[vancoscellos]

you anit lying! mother ward was not a singer by any stretch of the imagination!, she knew how to bring the best out of the fine singers she surrounded herself with, and she was a first rate show-woman! yes! lord!

[lifeofchangesforme]

you know alot about these ward sisters by the way how old are ?

[vancoscellos]

God bless your heart darling,Mama Van, is 73 years old, i often had a front row seat during the "Golden Age" of Gospel. I saw them all during their PRIME! the Wards,Davis Sisters,Caravans,Roberta Martin,...all of the male quartets, it was a great time.

[lifeofchangesforme]

while you have been around for a while so Ill bet you can sing to you get front row seats

I bet the presents of the lord in the air

[vancoscellos]

@Rowoches Ha,ha,ha....child you anit lying! Old Gertrude couldn't sing a LICK! but i tell you this, that old battle axe sure knew how to mold and cultivate a group into sheer GREATNESS. Her stage MOXIE was first rate.

[ButterflyOne1223]

The kiddies need to hear this. If it was not for these people, the "kiddies" would not be on program. And I'm serious about this. This is gospel singing because these groups risked their lives, even they faced racism and did not get paid. I hope and pray that the younger artists do appreciate those who stood on their shoulders.

[ennisel]

now would you believe some of us have gone out there and done jobs/ministered and still not been paid what was promised. there are those who still doing it for the love of ministering despite being treated disrespectfully by promoters etc

[blessedover]

Just hear the song it's all waiting for you and me

[drchrishamilton]

Thank you so much for posting this hard-to-find music. Like others, I have been a life-long admirer of Clara Ward, and I appreciate that we have a source for letting people know the genious of Clara and the Ward Singers.

[Rowoches]

You're very welcomed!!!

[donaldbwelch]

I enjoyed this. I am the writer and director of a stage play on Mahalia Jackson, and we recreate "clara ward and the famous ward singers in a segment. As a matter of Fact Willa Ward, mentions us in her book.... great job!

[Rowoches]

Thank You very much!! I'm a friend of Willa Ward's....she's a very nice individual!

[iwillii]

who are the people in the picture and who is singing this?

[Rowoches]

I listed some of the details in the "About This Video" section.

As far as the people in the picture, I'm not certain of them all...but...the 3 darker ladies going from left to right in the black is Odessa Perkins, Alice Houston, and Adele Schofield. I'm uncertain of the lighter ladies. Of course, Gertrude Ward is in the white dress. I'm uncertain of the light-skinned guy, but the darker guy is Bernard Davis. I hope that I didn't sound racial...LOL!

[iwillii]

are you prejudice against light skinned people? lol

[blessedover]

this is singing

[Rowoches]

Oh yes!!!

[whatuwatchingjoe]

DO you have Clara Ward's rendition of God Bless America? If so could you post it.

[Rowoches]

Yes, I do have the song "America, The Beautiful." She really sings that song. Once I finish creating slides for some of the other people on my list, I'll definitely consider doing that song! Thanks for viewing!