Flint’s Legendary Radio Personality Sam Williams To Be Honored At Gospel Music Celebration

FLINT, Mich. - May 22, 2013 - PRLog -- Flint’s Legendary Radio Personality Sam Williams To Be Honored

At Unprecedented Gospel Music Celebration

Proceeds to Benefit Local Veterans Organization

FLINT - For over 50 years Sam Williams has earned his stripes in radio and will soon be recognized for his broad career on the airwaves.  The Sam Williams’ Sunday Morning Gospel Show is touted as the longest running and highest-rated radio program in Flint.  On Saturday, June 15th, Alternative Veterans Solutions will present a Gospel Music Celebration Honoring Sam Williams beginning at 6 p.m. at The Whiting (http://www.thewhiting.com/index.aspx) in Flint, MI.  

Sam Williams has worked for three radio stations (including WBBC and WAMM) and survived 11 station owners.  He was instrumental in bringing the first black-owned radio station to Flint when he spoke before the Federal Communications Commission in Washington, D.C. as to why Flint needed a black radio station.  A successful trip, the commission granted the license for Flint’s first black-owned radio station, WDZZ-FM.  Williams hosted a morning show, became station manager and in 1989 he joined a group of investors and became part owner of the station which they sold two-years later.  However, Williams stayed on delivering messages of hope, remembrance for love ones gone before and inspiring the community through his “ministry of gospel music.” Sam Williams is truly an icon in the Flint area and one that truly needs to be honored.

This long-awaited tribute will be a riveting gospel concert and awards ceremony featuring local church choirs, quartets, praise dance and mime groups performing along with a special guest performance by the sensational Gospel Music Recording Artist and Composer J.J. Hairston & Youthful Praise singing hits like “After This,” and “I Am.”  MESHELLE, known as “The Indie-Mom of Comedy,” who pioneered the role of “Michelle” portrayed by Kimberly Elise in the film adaptation “Woman Thou Art Loosed” written by TD Jakes (http://www.tdjakes.org/) and Terry McFadden, will serve as Mistress of Ceremonies for the musical celebration.  Flint native Emuell Tedford will serve as the musical director.  

In addition to the Gospel Music Celebration, the inaugural Sam Williams Gospel Music Hall of Fame Award will be given during the event. The hall of fame award will be distributed annually to a notable community leader, pastor, musical director or outstanding choir who has contributed significantly to the gospel music industry.  

Proceeds from the Gospel Music Celebration Honoring Sam Williams will go towards the Alternative Veterans Solutions, a local nonprofit organization, founded in 2010 to assist veterans
returning home from active duty, homeless veterans and those at-risk of becoming homeless by providing basic amenities and help to connect those individuals with the training, education, counseling and rehabilitative services they need.  Williams is also a World War II veteran.

“We are excited about presenting the musical tribute and awards ceremony,” says Tredale Kennedy, founder and CEO, Alternative Veterans Solutions.  “Mr. Williams is an esteemed veteran not only when he served in the Navy, but also as a veteran in the music industry who is responsible for supporting and launching the careers of many musical artists and has given so much of his time and spirit to the community of Flint for five decades.  We cannot think of a better man to be honored in the Flint community,” says Kennedy.

Over 1,500 local government and community leaders, dignitaries, church clergy and their congregations along with citizens and guests from the Flint, Saginaw, Pontiac and Detroit areas will convene for this one-of-a-kind, highly anticipated fundraiser celebration honoring Sam Williams.

Tickets are available at The Whiting Box Office Ticket Center located at 1241 E. Kearsley, Flint, 810-237-7333; and the Music Planet, 517 W. Carpenter Rd., Flint, 810-787-0099.  If you would like to become a sponsor, or place an ad in the program book, contact 313-402-5722.  

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About Alternative Veteran Solutions

Alternative Veterans Solutions, a non-profit organization, was founded in 2010 on the belief that all veterans deserve to be honored and supported upon their return home from active duty.  Our focus is to assist homeless veterans and those at-risk of becoming homeless by providing basic amenities and help to connect those individuals with the training, education, counseling and rehabilitative services that they need in Genesee and Shiawassee counties.  Alternative Veterans Solutions partners with federal, state and local agencies to offer a full range of services to area veterans at its newly opened one-stop resource center. Together, we are working to break the cycle of homelessness while eliminating the barriers that veterans face in re-adjusting to civilian life.  Visit www.altvetsol.org for more information.