Dove Award winning artist Tonéx comments on performing the title track with Caesar, "Working with Pastor Caesar was nothing short of amazing”, said Tonéx.  "Not only is she young and hip, she wanted to do the hard stuff in hip-hop that I didn't expect to happen."

Caesar tells me how she hooked up with Tonéx, "We were looking for something different and I ran into this song. Tonex sent it to me. Tonéx is doing all of the parts in the background. He is a genius. Tonéx is not only a singer but one of the most powerful preachers…" her voice trails off and then she comes to life wanting to know if I have heard him preach. "You have got to hear him (she says twice for emphasis). He is anointed. He preaches like an old school preacher. It was just a joy. He said anytime you need me I want to be there with you. He feels that my life has blessed him but oh no his life has really blessed mine."

During my conversation with Shirley Caesar I couldn't help but think if she ever had to consider her singing as just a career she would have quit long ago. She leaves no room for doubt concerning how she views this part of her life. "I love gospel music and I love ministry. I love touching the people. I love getting right down where they are so whatever songs I choose to sing I want it to really minister to them."

Given her statements it should come as no surprise that she counts Dorothy Norwood as one of the people in the music industry that she is fond of. "Dorothy Norwood reminds me a lot of myself. (When she sings) she goes at it with all of her heart. She doesn't just sing for fashion. That is me every step of the way. This is not something that she copied from me. When I met her that is the kind of singer she was."

Knowing that Caesar and I both shared a common theme as advocates for more women in leadership roles in the Christian church I asked what she thought needed to happen to change the perception in those more narrow thinking circles that still have a bias against women in these roles. She thoughtfully responded, "Necessity is going to change it for a lot of people. Some people will not be able to call anybody but that female preacher or that female pastor. People want to know that there is somebody who can get a prayer through. They will call whoever they feel can get their prayer through. They know that women have that kid glove soft touch. They are looking at (people such as) Joyce Meyers. They are seeing how God is moving through their lives. Some of those brothers who will not allow women in their pulpits after awhile will find themselves slapping an approval on their (women's) ministry because they know that we are now in the big club. We will be here when they come and we will be here when they go. (She then recites the cliché) if you can't beat them join them."

Just like the title of her most recent album "I Know the Truth" suggests, Shirley and husband Harold know prayer is still the balm that gets them through difficult times. "I go to my rock. I go to my prayer closet and say Lord I don't know what to do about this situation. Then I will speak to some people who have already walked that way. They have already gone through it and will help me to get through it."

About Harold she says, "Number one I think he is the most wonderful man, let me just change that, he is the most wonderful human being that I have ever met in my life. He is a very prayerful man. He walks the floor in the wee hours of the morning just praying for our members and praying for other things."

Interviewed by Joe Montague

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December 2005