Shirley Caesar

Shirley Ann Caesar-Williams (née Caesar; born October 13, 1938), known professionally as Shirley Caesar, is an American gospel singer. Her career began in 1951, when she signed to Federal Records at the age of 12. Throughout her seven decade career, Caesar has often been referred to as the "First Lady of Gospel Music" and "The Queen of Gospel Music". 15 Dove Awards, and 14 Stellar Awards.

Caesar has released over 40 albums. She has participated in over 16 compilations and three gospel musicals, including Mama I Want to Sing. Her record sells exceed over 2.2 million albums, making her one of the top-selling gospel artists. She has made several notable televised appearances, and performed at the White House for President George H. W. Bush. Caesar also gave a speech on the evolution of gospel music to the US Treasury Department. In 2026, after 75 years of recording, she won her 12th Grammy Award in the Best Gospel Performance/Song category for "Come Jesus Come" with CeCe Winans.

Her honors include the SESAC Lifetime Achievement Award and the Rhapsody & Rhythm Award from the National Museum of African American Music, along with a star on Hollywood Walk of Fame. Caesar has also been inducted into the Gospel Music Hall of Fame.

Early life Caesar was born in Durham, North Carolina. She is the 10th of 13 children. "He's Working It Out for You", "Jesus, I Love Calling Your Name" and "You're Next in Line for a Miracle".

She has made a name for herself on the gospel music circuit, making guest appearances on the Bobby Jones gospel show and other popular television shows. Caesar credits Albertina Walker as her mentor and "Queen of Gospel Music".

Between 1981 and 1995, she received seven Dove Awards for Black Gospel Album of the Year for Live at the G.M.W.A., Celebration, Christmasing, Sailin‘, Live ... In Chicago, Go and Rejoice. She received two Black Gospel Song of the Year Awards for "He's Working It Out for You" and "Hold My Mule". She has performed with Patti LaBelle, Whitney Houston, Dorothy Norwood, Faith Evans, Dottie Peoples, Arnold Houston, Kim Burrell, John P. Kee, Kirk Franklin, Tonex, and Tye Tribbett, among others.

Caesar is also an actress. She acted in movies, such as Why Do Fools Fall in Love (1998) with Larenz Tate and Little Richard, Fighting Temptations (2003) with Beyoncé and Cuba Gooding Jr., and The Unseen (2005) with Steve Harris. She acted in an episode of The Good News in 1998 as Aunt Shirley. Caesar appeared on The Parkers in 2004.

In 2014, her song "Teach Me Master", which originally appeared on her 1972 album Get Up My Brother, was sampled by Dutch producer Bakermat as "Teach Me". It reached number 22 on the UK Singles Chart. In 2016, she found herself back at the very top of the gospel Billboard chart with her CD release Fill This House.

Education in later life After many years, Caesar finally accomplished her dream of completing her education. She had first enrolled at North Carolina College in 1956 to study business education, but left two years later to pursue her music career.

Personal life Caesar married Bishop Harold I. Williams in June 1983. The couple were co-pastors of the 1,500-member Mount Calvary Word of Faith Church in Raleigh, North Carolina until his death on July 4, 2014. While she does not have children of her own, she has two stepchildren from her husband.

Caesar is a member of Delta Sigma Theta sorority. She cites her mother as a strong influence in her decision to give so selflessly of herself. Caesar has committed a sizable portion of all concert sales to her outreach ministries. Recently, she has cut back on preaching and has appointed an executive pastor at her church, and he provides weekly sermons to the congregation while Caesar serves as senior pastor, but Caesar continues to record and perform in concert all over the country.

She continues to hold her annual outreach ministries conference. The outreach ministry provides food, clothing, shelter, toys for children, and financial assistance to those in need. She opened an eponymous store and uses the profits to help others during the holiday season.

When asked what would she still like to accomplish, she says: "I would like to do more acting...."

Discography

Albums +List of studio albums + compilation albums, with selected chart positions.TitleDetailsPeak chart positions US USGospel USR&B/HHFirst Lady Released: December 14, 1977 Format: Cassette, LP——36From the Heart Released: May 1, 1978 Format: LP———Jesus, I Love Calling Your Name Released: October 1983 Format: LP, CD—2—Sailin''' Released: June 1984 Format: LP, CD — 1 —

Released: December 1985 Format: LP, CD — 3 —

Released: March 1987 Format: LP, CD — 22 —

Released: 1987 Format: LP, CD — — —

Released: March 1988 Format: CD — 1 —

Released: November 1989 Format: CD — 2 —

Released: December 1991 Format: CD — 1 95

Released: September 1993 Format: CD — 3 —

Released: July 1995 Format: CD — 6 —

Released: November 1996 Format: CD — 37 —

Released: July 1996 Format: CD — — —

Released: April 29, 1997 Format: CD — 5 —

Released: October 20, 1998 Format: CD — 13 —

Released: October 30, 2001 Format: CD — 4 —

Released: August 2002 Format: CD — 7 —

Released: August 26, 2003 Format: CD — 4 —

Released: September 23, 2003 Format: CD — 6 —

Released: September 6, 2005 Format: CD — 3 —

Released: November 6, 2007 Format: CD — 8 —

Released: May 20, 2008 Format: CD — 38 —

Released: November 24, 2009 Format: CD — 8 —

Released: January 11, 2011 Format: CD — 4 —

Released: September 20, 2011 Format: CD — 36 —

Released: October 11, 2011 Format: CD — 41 —

Released: March 26, 2013 Format: CD 168 4 —

Released: October 15, 2013 Format: CD — 14 —

Released: May 4, 2015 Format: CD — 17 —

Format: CD—1—

Charting singles As lead artist + List of charted singles, with year, album and chart positions Title Year Peak chart positions Album US USGospel "No Charge" 1975 91 — 40 No Charge "Hold My Mule" 1988 — 1 — Live in Chicago "I Remember Mama" 1989 — — — 3 I Remember Mama "I Know the Truth (Lies)" 2005 — 10 — I Know the Truth "Sweeping Through the City" 2007 — 26 — After 40 Years...Still Sweeping Through The City "Nobody" 2009 — 16 —A City Called Heaven "Favor" 2010 — 18 — "God Will Make a Way" 2013 — 3 — Good God "It's Alright, It's Ok" 2016 — 7 — Fill This House "Fill This House" — 21 — "—" denotes a recording that did not chart or was not released in that territory."*" denotes that the chart did not exist at that time.

Guest appearances TitleYearPeak chart positionsAlbum US"You Name It (#UNameIt Challenge)"201615

Awards and nominations BET Awards

The BET Awards are awarded annually by the Black Entertainment Television network. Caesar has received 3 nominations. Year Award Nominated work Result 2007 Best Gospel Artist Herself 2009 2024 Dr. Bobby Jones Best Gospel/Inspirational Award "Award All of the Glory"

GMA Dove Awards The Dove Awards are awarded annually by the Gospel Music Association. Caesar has received 16 awards from 34 nominations. Year Category Work Result 1981 Inspiration Black Gospel Album of the Year Rejoice 1982 Traditional Black Gospel Album of the Year Go 1984 Jesus, I Love Calling Your Name 1985 Sailin 1986 Celebration (as producer) 1987 Christmasing 1989 Live... In Chicago Traditional Black Gospel Recorded Song of the Year "Hold My Mule" 1990 Long Form Video of the Year 1994 Contemporary Black Gospel Recorded Song of the Year "Stand Still" Traditional Black Gospel Recorded Song of the Year Traditional Black Gospel Album of the Year Stand Still 1995 Traditional Black Gospel Recorded Song of the Year "He's Working It Out For You" Traditional Black Gospel Album of the Year Live at GMWA 1996 Traditional Gospel Recorded Song of the Year "Patiently Waiting" Traditional Gospel Album of the Year Live... He Will Come 1997 Just A Word Traditional Gospel Recorded Song of the Year "Just A Word" 1998 "You're Next In Line For A Miracle" Traditional Gospel Album of the Year A Miracle In Harlem 1999 Christmas with Shirley Caesar 2000 Gospel Music Hall of Fame Herself 2001 Traditional Gospel Album of the Year You Can Make It Contemporary Gospel Recorded Song of the Year "Rejoice" 2002 Traditional Gospel Recorded Song of the Year "Steal Away To Jesus" Traditional Gospel Album of the Year Hymns 2004 Shirley Caesar & Friends 2006 I Know The Truth Traditional Gospel Recorded Song of the Year "I Know The Truth (Lies)" 2009 Traditional Gospel Album of the Year Still Sweeping Through The City After 40 Years 2011 A City Called Heaven Traditional Gospel Recorded Song of the Year "Favor" 2016 "It's Alright, It's Ok" (with Anthony Hamilton) 2017 Gospel Music Hall of Fame Herself 2025 Gospel Worship Recorded Song of the Year "Come Jesus Come" (with Cece Winans) 2026 Song of the Year "Come Jesus Come" (with CeCe Winans) Duo/Chorus Group of the Year

Grammy Awards The Grammy Awards are awarded annually by the National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences. Caesar has won 1 honorary award and 12 awards from 29 nominations. Year Category Work Result 1972 Best Soul Gospel Performance "Put Your Hand In The Hand Of The Man From Galilee" 1979 Best Soul Gospel Performance, Contemporary "Reach Out and Touch" 1981 Rejoice 1982 Best Soul Gospel Performance, Traditional Go 1984 Best Soul Gospel Performance, Female Jesus, I Love Calling Your Name 1985 Sailin'''

"Sailin' on the Sea of Your Love" (with Al Green "Rejoice" (with Anne Caesar Price)

Martin|

Celebration| Best Soul Gospel Performance By A Duo, Group, Choir Or Chorus "Jesus Is Mine" (with Albertina Walker

"The Lord Will Make A Way"

Live... In Chicago|

I Remember Mama|

He's Working It Out For You|

Stand Still|

Shirley Caesar Live - He Will Come|

Best Gospel Album By A Choir Or Chorus Just A Word|

A Miracle In Harlem|

Christmas with Shirley Caesar|

You Can Make It|

Hymns|

Shirley Caesar and Friends|

Best Gospel Performance "The Stone"

Best Traditional Soul Gospel Album I Know The Truth|

Best Traditional Gospel Album A City Called Heaven|

Best Gospel Album Fill This House'' Best Gospel Performance/Song "It's Alright, It's Ok" Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award Herself 2026 Best Gospel Performance/Song "Come Jesus Come" (with CeCe Winans)

NAACP Image Awards

The NAACP Image Awards are awarded annually by the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP). Caesar has won 2 awards from 7 nominations.

Year Award Nominated workResult 1987 Outstanding Gospel Artist Herself 1997 1999 2002 Outstanding Gospel Artist - Traditional 2004 Outstanding Gospel Artist Shirley Caesar and Friends 2010 Outstanding Gospel Album A City Called Heaven 2014 Outstanding Gospel Album - (Traditional or Contemporary) Good God

Soul Train Awards The Soul Train Music Awards are awarded annually. Caesar has received 1 award from 11 nominations. Year Award Nominated workResult Soul Train Music Awards 1987 Best Gospel Album - Solo Celebration 1988 Her Very Best 1989 Best Gospel Album Live In Chicago 1993 He's Working It Out For You 1994 Stand Still 1996 He Will Come 2013 Best Gospel/Inspirational Performance "God Will Make A Way" 2023 Best Gospel/Inspirational Song "All the Glory" Soul Train Lady of Soul Awards 1996 Best Gospel Album Shirley Caesar Live... He Will Come 1998 A Miracle In Harlem 2001 You Can Make It

Stellar Awards The Stellar Awards are awarded annually by SAGMA. Caesar has received 1 honorary award and 14 competitive awards from 27 nominations. Year Category Work Result 1986 Trailblazer Award Herself 1987 Traditional CD of the Year Celebration Traditional Female Vocalist of the Year 1988 What A Difference 1989 Live In Chicago 1991 Herself 1993 He's Working It Out For You Traditional Album of the Year 1995 Stand Still 1997 Traditional Female Artist of the Year Herself 1998 Albertina Walker Female Artist of the Year A Miracle In Harlem Traditional Female Artist of the Year Traditional Album of the Year 2002 Traditional Female Vocalist of the Year You Can Make It Artist of the Year Female Vocalist of the Year 2007 Traditional Female Vocalist of the Year I Know The Truth Female Vocalist of the Year 2009 After 40 Years... Still Sweeping Through the City 2011 Traditional CD of the Year A City Called Heaven Traditional Female Vocalist of the Year Music Video of the Year "Playground in Heaven" 2014 Albertina Walker Female Vocalist of the Year Good God Traditional Female Vocalist of the Year 2017 Albertina Walker Female Vocalist of the Year Fill This House Contemporary CD of the Year Traditional Female Vocalist of the Year 2026 Duo/Chorus Group of the Year "Come Jesus Come"

Miscellaneous honors Year Organization Category Work Result 2010 North Carolina Music Hall of Fame Herself 2016 National Museum of African American Music Rhapsody & Rhythm Award Hollywood Chamber of Commerce 2,583rd star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame 2021 Black Music & Entertainment Walk of Fame 2025 Missouri Gospel Music Hall of Fame

Caesar is a recipient of a 1999 National Heritage Fellowship from the National Endowment for the Arts, which is the United States' highest honor in the folk and traditional arts. Caesar performed for President Barack Obama and Michelle Obama at the White House in 2015, along with Aretha Franklin.