For over 35 years you have seen Everett Drake on cable television’s longest running show, BET’s BOBBY JONES GOSPEL, and in later years BOBBY JONES PRESENTS on the IMPACT TV NETWORK. As a vocalist in Nashville, Tennessee, and member of SAG-AFTRA since 1993, he has recorded with many noted Gospel, Country, and Pop Music artists, leading to concerts and tours with the likes of Donna Fargo, Barbara Mandrell, Lyle Lovett, and New Kids on the Block. After many years with Dr. Jones, Everett released his debut CD, AMEN GOES RIGHT THERE! On June 23, 2023, a new Hip Hop version of Everett’s signature song was released as AMEN RIGHT THERE by Christian Hip Hop artist EMCEE N.I.C.E. featuring Everett and CANTON JONES, which debuted at #1 Christian on iTunes! Everett has been recognized by many in the Gospel community for his contributions and has also received an Honorary Doctorate Degree in Sacred Music from the School of the Great Commission Theological Seminary in Augusta, Georgia.

Jerry: Please share one of your early achievements that has led to you receiving so many prestigious accolades.

Dr. Drake: When I first started out as a recording artist I was really just doing what I loved. When I began performing on the Bobby Jones Gospel, people became familiar with my face from seeing me perform weekly.  However, they were not as familiar with my name. The recording of my first solo project in 2011 accomplished bringing the two together. Promoting the record and the use of social media, helped people connect the face with the name. Once people realized who Everett Drake was this caused an influx of awards, such as the Lifetime Achievement Award and many others.

Jerry: Can you share a fond memory from your years with the Bobby Jones Gospel show?

Dr. Drake: I had so many wonderful experiences on that program. To meet some of the legends that I grew up listening to was probably the most amazing thing for me. I grew up listening to a little transistor radio, under my pillow. Late at night when I should have been sleeping, I was listening to WLAC radio. They would play the famous Caravans, which was my favorite group. I loved Dorothy Love Coates and the Gospel Harmonettes. I enjoyed so many other great Gospel artists of that time. I had the opportunity to see them in person on BET’s Bobby Jones Gospel Show. That was something I never dreamed I would experience. None of us had a clue that Bobby Jones Gospel would grow to become a part of black culture. We taped an entire year of shows in two weekends, most people do not realize that. We had to learn over sixty songs or more, in addition to where to stand and the choreography. It certainly taught us how to rehearse and prepare. During those times there were no do-overs. If you were not prepared then you grieved as you looked at television on Sunday morning!

Jerry: Do you still make the rounds of Television appearances?

Dr. Drake: Absolutely, I need television more now than ever with the new project out, “Amen Goes Right There.” I have been working the last ten years off of that song which has been a blessing in my life. I am also known, as “Mr. Amen Goes Right There.” It has afforded me a lot of work and travel. Dr. Bobby Jones is still doing television, and even though he retired from BET, he is now on the Impact Television Network. We are on every Saturday at 5:30 pm Central time, and 6:30 pm, Eastern Time. The great gospel artists are still coming, because it is really the only weekly television show that we have for Gospel Music. That is what Bobby Jones Gospel has always been known for. That is how a lot of the great artists that we know today got to where they are. Like, Yolanda Adam’s, Kirk Franklin, and many others like them. I am a witness, The Bobby Jones Gospel also helped me to have a career in Gospel music.

Jerry: You have a Distinctive Award that you give to selected candidates that promote positivity in the Radio Industry, tell us about that.

Dr. Drake: The Spin Awards in Atlanta Georgia, called and asked me about naming an award in my honor. This was one of the most humbling situations that has ever happened to me. Every October a candidate is selected to be honored during The Spin Awards. This is an annual award show that celebrates our Religious Announcers who spin the Gospel. The recipient receives The Everett Drake Distinction In Radio Award. In October of 2022, the recipient was Daulton Anderson out of New York.

Jerry: Please share what you are working on currently and how readers can follow and stay abreast of all that you are doing.

Dr. Drake: Recently, two celebrated young Christian Hip-Hop artists have just sampled my signature song, “Amen Goes Right There.” These young men have just dropped a Hip-Hop version of my song titled “Amen Right There” which I am most excited about. This song will have a brand-new community of people I would have never been able to reach. Hip-Hop is becoming, very strong on the Gospel music scene. To have Emcee N.I.C.E. and Canton Jones redo my song is absolutely awesome!

I have also been busy hosting a lot of award shows and doing concerts. I recently completed three stage plays and just finished a movie in Detroit, Michigan called “Granny’s Place.”  As previously shared I also received an Honorary Doctorate Degree in Sacred Music.

My website is www.everettdrake.com, for Bookings: Contact Jimmy Bender his email is  Jbendere@gmail.com (615) 873-0646 and his website is: www.jbenderentertainment.com

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Interviewer: Jerry Akins, Production Manager