I had met Aaron Gary Shackleford in the men’s bathroom during a gospel concert last year. His remarkable blue suit with matching shoes were amazing. We struck up a friendship, which is easy to do at these events. I had shared a photo of that meeting with him.
Pastor Shackelford invited me to document a Gospel Fest honoring Lady B.J. Shackleford and he, at Zion Hill Missionary Baptist Church with its old bell tower still in tack after several architectural improvements.
Family, friends and musicians began to arrive for the event and slowly the air conditioned church began to fill.
Myron Shorter (red shirt) and The Mighty Galations opened the show with cousin Nelton Shorter on the side of the stage dressed in one of his beautiful suits. Nelton dances and shouts out as the spirit moves him all day long. His son and grandson were in the backup band.
Pastor and Lady B.J. were seated in honor stage left dressed in green and white color coordinated outfits.
Pastor Aaron Shackleford is an accomplished multi-instrumentalist, singer, and second generation gospel performer, following the musical footsteps of his father’s leadership of Daddy Shack and The Shacks.
Reverend Boykins performed a solo act running through a range of guitar styles with a heavy influence of Chuck Berry.
The guests of honor and the audience were all in a great joyous mood when Pastor Shackelford closed the show with some heart pounding singing, that was surely carried home in the form of joy by everyone.