Dr. Charles Fold Passes

During the time period of 1968-1974, Rev. James Cleveland began to perfect his style and craft; reshaping the models of traditional gospel music as it relates to choirs. He had an inner lust for perfected harmonies and desired to instill that on his recordings - predominately used in a live recording setting. He hit it big with the Angelic Choir of Nutley, a church choir based in New Jersey, during this time period and began to search for other choirs to release his newfound, effective formula with. In 1975, Cleveland decided to record with a new group based in Cincinnati, Ohio called the Charles Fold Singers and history was made as the album, "Jesus Is The Best Thing That Ever Happened To Me", went gold the following year and the title cut, a rendition of the Gladys Knight hit, was nominated for a Grammy. He later reduplicated that success with "Touch Me" in 1976 which featured the hits "May The Lord God Bless You Real Good", "Say You Love Me" and the title cut.

Fold became instrumental for helping to develop the Gospel Music Workshop of America (GMWA); serving as active president over the GMWA Chapter Representatives. He, along with the Charles Fold Singers, went on to record over twelve albums and won a Grammy in 1981. He was best known for his powerful vocal abilities, directing skills, and for accompanying many artists during the 1970s and 80s on piano. He passed away Friday, April 7, 2006, after "a period of failing health" (quote taken from Gospelflava.com). He will be missed and will be celebrated for his active ministry and contributions towards the gospel music industry.

Funeral and tribute arrangements are as follows:

Friday, April 21, 2006

Visitation:
5 p.m. – 7 p.m.
Lincoln Heights Missionary Baptist Church
9991 Wayne Avenue
Lincoln Heights (Cincinnati), OH 45215
(513) 772-5422

Musical:
7 p.m.
Lincoln Heights Missionary Baptist Church

Saturday, April 22, 2006
Calling:
9 a.m. – 10 a.m.

Service:
10 a.m.
Crossroad Community Church
3500 Madison Rd.
Cincinnati, OH 45209
(513) 731-7400

The photo below was scanned from the photo spread on the James Cleveland and the Charles Fold Singers Volume 2- Recorded Live "Touch Me" album.

[FOLD DEPARTS]

Dr. Charles Fold Passes (Gospelflava.com)
Gospel Music Workshop of America