Melba Moore’s spiritual side shows through during testimony

Article and photos by Tomi Morris Johnson. Digital images edited by Kurk D. Johnson.

MPN Metro Correspondent / tomij@wingcomltd.com

April 21, 2002…In1989, Melba Moore’s voice was featured in the animated movie All Dogs Go to Heaven in which she played a little girl who talks to animals and has a magic touch. Now this Tony and Grammy Award winner is reaching out again to her adoring fans, with a CD released April 22 entitled I’m Still Here and a musical concert, A Night in St. Lucia, to be released on May 28, 2002 on DVD and VHS tape.

(Photo from Moore’s new CD I’m Still Here)

Moore, who realized the importance of holding onto the Bible and God’s teachings while she was going through a torrid divorce and child custody battle, recently gave her testimony at Atlanta’s New Hope AME Church in Buckhead where she defined her new songs as “double prayers with ties to the soul.” The occasion was Spring Praise Celebration 2002.

Moore knows firsthand the importance of security within the religious community and good public relations techniques. “If you have a problem, publish it at the gate,” Moore said.

A well-known singer and actress, Moore was born Melba Hill in New York City, New York on October 29, 1945. By age 25, Moore had already starred in Hair and then became a hit in Broadway’s Purlie (1970) that led to a recording and acting career. By the 1990’s, however, Moore faced financial problems. Since then, her musical career has been spotty, with a Broadway appearance in Les Miserables in 1996, an album Happy Together released the same year, and a one-woman autobiographical musical show, Sweet Songs of the Soul, in 1998.

Moore says she has made it through violent, low points in her life using God as a safe haven. “I didn’t know I was being sued for divorce until I got the papers out of the mailbox. My husband and I were still having conjugal relations and were living together in the same house.

“I had to explain what adultery meant to my daughter,” Moore said. “My child was in real danger because my manager/husband was abusive. It was then that I started using the Bible as a weapon.”

Moore is currently touring with Michael Matthew’s stage play Who Can You Trust and stops by a church whenever she lands an opportunity to sing and testify. Her new manager, Donald McIntyre, doubles as her musical director and on-the-road DJ.

For more information on Melba Moore’s repertoire of songs, go to: http://www.soulwalking.co.uk/Melba%20Moore.html.

New Hope’s Adult Choir, with soloist Tangela McFarlane, led off the praise celebration with the song, Somebody Ought to Testify.

Melba Moore packed the small church in Buckhead for a rare performance. The event’s MC was Radio Announcer Larry Tinsley.

Moore’s performance featured songs from her new CD, I’m Still Here.

Senior Choir Member Denise Jones consoles Moore after spiritually uplifting performance, while visiting minister Rev. Tolefree looks on.

LaTonya Reid, Celebration Chairlady, presents roses to Moore.

Posing with Moore are (l to r) Concert M.C. Larry Tinsley, on-air announcer for Atlanta’s gospel station WAOK radio; New Hope’s First Lady Barbara Bishop; and New Hope’s Minister, Rev. David R. Bishop, IV. “I was so excited that Melba Moore came to visit our church,” Bishop said.

Mary Milner stands in line to receive a copy of Moore’s autograph. Don McIntyre, Moore’s new manager, accompanied her to church.

Click on this link - MPN Metro Correspondent to e-mail Tomi Morris Johnson about this article, any suggestions, or other news stories of like relevance and interest to MPN viewers and subscribers. This information is the opinion of the author and, therefore, should not be construed as libelous. ©2002 WingcomLtd. All Rights Reserved.