Shirley Caesar Biography And Net Worth

Who is Shirley Caesar?

Shirley Caesar is an American gospel singer, songwriter, and pastor known as the “First Lady of Gospel Music.  Caesar began her career in the early 1950s, singing with her group, The Caravans. She later went on to form her own group, The Shirley Caesar Singers and released her first solo album in 1966.

Bio Data

Early Life

Shirley Caesar is an American Gospel Singer who was born in Durham, North Carolina. She is the tenth of 13 children. All of her siblings are now deceased. Her father Jim Caesar was a well-known local gospel singer but he died suddenly when Shirley was seven years old. Her mother Hallie Caesar was semi-invalid due to a lame leg. Caesar had a special bond with her mother and took care of her until her death in 1986.

However, Throughout her career, Caesar has won multiple Grammy Awards, Dove Awards, and Stellar Awards for her contributions to gospel music. Her powerful voice and dynamic stage presence have made her one of the most respected and admired figures in the industry. Caesar has also been involved in humanitarian work, including founding a shelter for battered women and serving as an advocate for the homeless.

Biography

Caesar first began singing and performing for family and friends. She began singing as Baby Shirley Caesar all over the Carolinas as invitations poured in. She could only perform on weekends due to being in school during the weekdays. Her professional music career began in 1958 at 19, when she approached Albertina   Walker about joining The Caravans, one of the most popular gospel groups at that time. Albertina wanted the vocally talented young Caesar in her group after hearing her sing a solo. Caesar decided to halt her education to join the group.

Caesar signed with a secular record label called Roadshow Records in 1977 and released the debut album entitled First Lady. The producer of the album titled the album First Lady because Caesar was the first female to ever record on the label. The album contained songs with strong gospel lyrics, but many within the gospel community felt that the music itself was “too worldly,” and many gospel DJs refused to play it on their radio stations. One song, however, “Faded Rose”, later became a Caesar classic. Overall, the album sold poorly, but the “First Lady” title caught on within the gospel industry, and concert announcers, DJs, and gospel promoters everywhere started introducing her as “The First Lady of Gospel Music”, a title that has been associated with her ever since.

The second and final album she recorded for Roadshow was From the Heart in 1978; it was poorly received for the same reason. Caesar searched for a gospel label and finally decided to sign with Word Records in 1980 and went on to win several more Grammy Awards during the next several years and beyond. She stayed with Word for many years and recorded some of the biggest hits of her career such as “God’s Got It All in Control”, “Hold My Mule” (which later went viral as a Thanksgiving-related Internet meme under the title “You Name It”), “He’s Working It Out for You”, “Jesus, I Love Calling Your Name” and “You’re Next in Line for a Miracle”.

In 2014, her song “Teach Me Master”, which originally appeared on her 1972 album Get Up My Brother was sampled by Dutch producer Bakermat as “Teach Me”; it reached number 22 on the UK Singles Chart. In 2016, she found herself back at the very top of the gospel Billboard chart with her newest CD release Fill This House.

Personal Life

Caesar married Bishop Harold I. Williams in June 1983. The couple were co-pastors of the 1,500-member Mount Calvary Word of Faith Church in Raleigh, North Carolina until his death on July 4, 2014. While she does not have children of her own, she has two stepchildren from her husband.

Caesar is a member of Delta Sigma Theta sorority. She cites her mother as a strong influence in her decision to give selflessly of. Caesar has committed a sizable portion of all concert sales to her outreach ministries. Recently she has cut back on preaching and has appointed an executive pastor at her church and he provides weekly sermons to the congregation while Caesar serves as senior pastor but Caesar continues to record and perform in concert all over the country. She also continues to hold her annual outreach ministries conference. The outreach ministry provides food, clothing, shelter, toys for children, and financial assistance to those in need. She opened an eponymous store and used the profits to help others during the holiday season.

When asked what would she still like to accomplish, she said: “I would like to do more acting…

Awards

• 1999 National Heritage Fellowship from the National Endowment for the Arts
• Induction into the Gospel Music Hall of Fame in 2000
• Induction into the North Carolina Music Hall of Fame in 2010
• Rhapsody & Rhythm Award from the National Museum of African American Music in 2016
• Star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in 2016

Net Worth

 Shirley Caesar is an American gospel singer whose Net worth is $6 million. Shirley Caesar has released over 40 albums during her seven-decade career. Shirley dubbed “The First Lady of Gospel,” has won several Grammy, Dove, and Stellar Awards, and in 2017 was given a Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award. Caesar has made a number of notable appearances over the years, including on televised programs and at White House events. 

FAQs

• Scottie Pippen’s Biography And Net Worth
• Yolanda Adams Biography And Net Worth
• Vanessa Hudgens Biography And Net Worth