Gospel's Kirk Franklin honored by Rock Hall

[April 12, 2012]  CLEVELAND (AP) -- Grammy-winning gospel singer Kirk Franklin has been honored at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame's "Rock My Soul" celebration in Cleveland as part of the festivities leading up to this year's induction ceremony.

Performing during the two-hour event Tuesday night at the Playhouse Square State Theatre were gospel greats Donnie McClurkin and Fred Hammond.

Also taking the stage were the Olivet Institutional Baptist Church Ensemble, the Mount Zion Oakwood Village Praise Team, Mark T. Jackson and Final Call and Yarbrough & Company.

Franklin gave a short performance to end the celebration.

Hall of Fame President and CEO Terry Stewart tells The Plain Dealer of Cleveland (http://bit.ly/IijQze) that gospel is "an integral part of our music." Without gospel, he says, there'd be no rock `n' roll.

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Information from: The Plain Dealer, http://www.cleveland.com/

[Associated Press]

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