CYNTHIA GOODLOE PALMER - Official Site

2005:

January has been an exciting month for me. In addition to celebrating my birthday on the 14th, I celebrated the birthday of the late Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. My mother and I were the special guest’s participants at the annual celebration in Ft. Wayne, Indiana. It was a grand celebration.

The Mississippi Opera presented the gospel opera, “The Gospel at Colonus”. Not only did I sing, but also I was featured along side acclaimed actress “Tonea Stewart.” Tonea starred opposite Samuel L. Jackson in the movie “A Time To Kill”, for which she won an NAACP Image Award. She is most recognized for her role “In The Heat of the Night” as Aunt Etta Kibbe. I also served as Associate Producer for this magnificent production. This was the first sell-out crowd for the opera.

One of the special highlights of my life was to perform at the Lincoln Center in New York, New York. I was invited to help kick off Black History Month with a special concert along side of international gospel jazz saxophonist, Kirk Whalum and other local artists. What a thrill for me!!. I love New York.

February ended with a special Fellowship 2005 Conference sponsored by my organization, Canton Gospel Music Association. My special guest clinician is M. Lamar Campbell of Houston, Texas. Lamar is a 4-time Stellar Gospel Music Award Winner. I was thrilled to have him visit my hometown of Canton to help further the gospel through music. Thanks Lamar!

2004:

January is always a special time of the month for me. I was the special guest singer for the annual Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Holiday Banquet in Dayton, OHIO, held at the Dayton Convention Center. In addition, I sang at the National Community Service Conference held in Jackson, Mississippi at the Crown Plaza Hotel.

In April, I founded the Canton Gospel Music Association in my hometown of Canton, Mississippi. This organization consists of Choir Directors, Musicians, Minister of Music’s, Recording Artist and Choir Directors from approximately 40 different churches. Our first activity was sponsoring the 1st Canton Gospel Music Celebration, where we “Saluted Canton’s Best” in the field of gospel music. As a result, I was awarded “Female Soloist of the Year”. What an honor.

In addition to singing, I have been cast in several plays. In June, MADDRAMA THEATRE TROUPE presented, “Unsettling Memories.” This powerful musical production pays tribute to those who suffered, bled and died in the struggle for racial equality in the south. Special emphasis is placed on the life and death of Medgar Evers, Emmett Till and Goodman, Schwerner and Chaney, the 3 civil rights workers who lost their life in Philadelphia, MS.

June was also a great month for me. I was a featured artist at Jubilee Jam. Jubilee Jam is an annual 3-day musical event that energizes downtown Jackson, MS. This festival gathering features all forms of music including gospel, rap, country, R & B and rap.

In August, I was honored to be the special guest singer for the 1st National Black Sisters Conference sponsored by the Catholic Church. Approximately 600 Black Catholic nuns throughout the country attended this gathering. I had a wonderful time.

October was a special month. I accompanied my mother to the Kennedy Center in Washington, DC. She was honored along with 10 other women who were active in the Civil Rights Movement in Mississippi The movie, “Standing On My Sisters Shoulders”, which chronicled the lives of these courageous women, was premiered before hundreds of New York’s philanthropist. My mother was the first female elected to public office since reconstruction in Canton, Mississippi. Way to go ma!!!

I participated in the Net 2004 evangelistic meeting, which was held in the city of Baltimore, Maryland. Elder Walter Pearson was the guest evangelist. “Experience the Power” was broadcast via satellite to 16 different countries through 865 locations. Praise God for technology to spread the gospel

2003:

This was an incredible and exciting year for me. In JANUARY, I produced the first CD for Message Magazine entitled, "Gospel Praises Vol. 1". Message Magazine is the oldest African American magazine in North America. It features 15 dynamic and spirit filled artists.
In MARCH, I traveled to Cape Town, SOUTH AFRICA. The biggest hightlight was traveling to Goree Island and touring the jail cell of NELSON MANDELA. It was a chilling experience. In addition, I visited Cape Point. This is the southern tip of South Africa where the Indian and Atlantic Oceans meet.
In AUGUST, I was a winner at the 25th annual Bell South Mississippi Gospel Music Awards. My CD, "Heaven Is The Place To Be" WON Album of the Year Recorded by a Local Artist. In 2001, I also WON Album of the Year and Song of the Year for my CD entitled "Just Enough Faith To Try". What a double honor!!!
As a result of my winnings, my parents (Flonzie Wright and Edward Goodloe, Sr.) hosted a reception in my honor on the 21st floor of the Crown Plaza Hotel. A special presentation was made by Mayor Fred Esco, proclaiming October 7, 2003, Cynthia Goodloe Palmer Day.