Mathews-Dickey Boys’ & Girls’ Club

‘Calvary Lord,’ a gospel CD, features a rendering of Barbara Washington’s late mother, Willie Mae Washington, braiding her hair on the front porch during a hot Mississippi summer day.

Mathews-Dickey PR Executive Launches Scholarship Benefit CD at 10th Annual ‘The Sky Is The Limit’
ST. LOUIS, August 2, 2004 - Mathews-Dickey Boys’ & Girls’ Club VP/PR & Special Events Barbara Washington has released ‘Calvary Lord,’ a gospel CD to establish a scholarship foundation for the organization’s ‘The Sky is the Limit’ career-readiness program. The event recently celebrated it’s 10th anniversary by awarding 200th $1,000 college scholarship and pairing its 2,250th student with a mentor. The campaign goal is to raise $40,000 for scholarships through the sale of the CD at $20 each, with the proceeds to be announced at Washington’s 50th Birthday gathering on St. Patrick’s Day, March 17, 2005.

“I started ‘The Sky is the Limit’ to give young women an opportunity to meet mentors who care, explore new career horizons and gain much-needed funds to pursue their college education. Singing and listening to gospel music has always remained a great source of inspiration in my life and I hope this CD will bring joy to listeners and the momentum to carry on through life’s challenges,” Washington said. “This presentation is even more special, because it is a tribute to my late mother, Willie Mae Washington.”

‘Calvary Lord’ features an all-star cast of musicians, including Alvin Jett & The Phat noiZ; jazz pianist extraordinaire Chaz Brown; Austin A. Layne, a professional recording artist/pianist and general manager of Austin A. Layne Mortuary; Professional Recording Artist Randy Mayfield and guitarist Dan Rubright, artistic director of Crossings Concerts. The CD is produced by Lead Work Productions President and professional recording artist Jamie ‘King James’ Dennis, who is Washington’s son. Her sister Jackie Williams and niece, Quarnisha, also make guest appearances as background vocalists.

The album is highlighted by 14 traditional gospel spirituals: ‘Intro to Surely He Died on Calvary (Calvary Lord)’; ‘Amazing Grace’; ‘Swing Low Sweet Chariot’; ‘Walk with Me Lord’; ‘ I’m Walking with the King’; ‘Wade in the Water’; ‘His Eye Is on the Sparrow’; ‘Where We’ll Never Grow Old’; ‘(In the Storms of Life) Stand By Me’; ‘He’s Got the Whole World in His Hands’; ‘Walk Around Heaven All Day’; ‘Nearer My God to Thee’; ‘If I Can Help Somebody’ and ‘Amen.’ The CD artwork, produced by St. Louis-based Obata Design, features a rendering of Washington’s late mother braiding her hair on the front porch during a hot Mississippi summer day.

In a career spanning 20+ years at Mathews-Dickey, Washington has initiated numerous youth programs and raised millions of dollars to support them. The acclaimed vocalist is well-versed in Gospel, country, adult contemporary and patriotic music. Just a few of her notable performances include ‘Amazing Grace’ at the special request of actress Linda Evans at the national ‘Spirit of Women’ conference; and ‘God Bless America’ at the Grand Opening of the Renaissance Grand Hotel with Marriott International Chairman Bill Marriott, and the National Anthem for the ‘Cardiac’ Cardinals football team and baseball Redbirds at Busch Stadium in St. Louis and opening ceremony of the ‘No Child Left Behind Conference’ with US Secretary of Education Rod Paige.

To get your copy of ‘Calvary Lord’ and support ‘The Sky is the Limit’ Scholarship Fund, call Bill Fronczak at (314) 382-5952, ext. 228 or Washington at (314) 382-5952, ext. 234.

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