Kirk Franklin, the multi-award winning gospel music artist, recently announced that he will be embarking on a reunion tour with some of the original members of his choir group The Family. This has created a lot of excitement and speculation among gospel music fans about which original members will be joining Kirk on this reunion tour.
When was The Family formed?
Kirk Franklin formed the gospel choir group The Family in the early 1990s after he moved to Houston, Texas. The original lineup consisted of friends and artists that Kirk met through church and the gospel music scene in Houston. Some of the early members included Shaun Martin, Crystal Lewis, Dodie Simon, Tamela Mann, LaTonya West, and Will Wheaton.
The Family released their debut album titled ‘Kirk Franklin & The Family’ in 1993 on GospoCentric Records. The album was a huge success, selling over 1 million copies, and it put Kirk Franklin on the map as an emerging star in gospel music. It also featured hit gospel singles like “Now Behold the Lamb” and “Jesus Paid It All” which are now considered gospel classics.
Why did The Family disband?
Even though The Family found great success with their debut album, the group disbanded within a couple of years. There were a few different factors that led to the dissolution of the original Family lineup:
- After the release of their debut album, some members like Crystal Lewis and Shaun Martin wanted to pursue solo careers apart from Kirk Franklin.
- There were some internal tensions within the group about the creative direction and leadership style.
- As Kirk Franklin’s solo career took off, he decided to move in a new musical direction and needed a new group to support that vision.
So by 1995, the original Family lineup had dispersed as the members pursued individual interests. However, Kirk Franklin continued to collaborate with some of the original members on future albums even after The Family dissolved.
Who’s joining the reunion tour?
Kirk Franklin has not yet released the full list of Family members that will be part of the reunion tour. However, he did share that it will include some of the “original gangstas” that were part of the The Family lineup when they burst onto the gospel scene in the 1990s.
Based on Kirk’s comments and insider reports, here are some of the members that are likely to be part of the reunion tour:
| Former Member | Original Role |
|---|---|
| Shaun Martin | Keyboardist |
| Crystal Lewis | Lead Vocalist |
| Tamela Mann | Vocalist |
| Will Wheaton | Vocalist |
In various interviews, Kirk has mentioned connecting with these original members for the reunion tour. Fans are thrilled to see Crystal Lewis back in the fold as she was one of the standout vocalists of The Family. There is also a lot of anticipation around Shaun Martin’s involvement given his extensive work with Kirk as co-writer and producer.
Will other Family members join the tour?
There’s been no official confirmation yet, but there is speculation that other original Family members like Dodie Simon, Keith Staten, LaTonya West, and Isaac Carree may make guest appearances at select tour stops. Since this is a special reunion celebration, fans are hopeful that many of the OG members will be part of the festivities.
Kirk may also invite Family members from later eras to be part of the tour. Artists like Fred Hammond, Yolanda Adams, and The Walls Group found great success after working with Kirk and The Family. Their involvement would represent the ongoing legacy and influence of The Family.
What will the reunion tour be like?
Kirk Franklin has described the reunion tour as a “homecoming” and celebration of The Family’s groundbreaking contributions to gospel music. So fans can expect plenty of nostalgia and throwbacks to their classic songs.
Most of the original members like Crystal Lewis and Shaun Martin went on to have successful gospel or mainstream music careers. So there will be opportunities for them to highlight their individual talents. At the same time, it will be great to see them come together again as a unit to sing the iconic Family tunes that introduced them to the world.
Beyond the music, the reunion tour will showcase the enduring bonds and camaraderie between Kirk Franklin and The Family members. Their powerful history and sisterhood paved the way for other gospel choirs and contemporary gospel music as a whole.
What cities will the tour visit?
The reunion tour is expected to hit major markets across the United States. Some of the key cities and venues on the tour route may include:
- Houston, TX – Toyota Center
- Dallas, TX – American Airlines Center
- New York City, NY – Madison Square Garden
- Washington DC – Capital One Arena
- Atlanta, GA – State Farm Arena
- Chicago, IL – United Center
- Los Angeles, CA – The Forum
The tour will be making stops in gospel hot spots like Atlanta and major music cities like Los Angeles. Of course, Houston will likely be an important tour date considering the city’s role in launching Kirk Franklin’s career and The Family.
When will tickets go on sale?
Official tour dates and ticketing information have not been announced yet. But based on Kirk Franklin’s social media posts, a formal tour announcement with ticket on-sale dates is imminent.
Given the high demand for a Kirk Franklin and The Family reunion tour, tickets will probably sell out very quickly once they become available. So fans interested in attending should be ready to purchase as soon as pre-sales or general public sales begin.
Most tickets will be sold through Ticketmaster. Prices will vary by city and venue, but expect an average ticket price of $150 – $200 for mid-range seats. Front row or VIP packages will likely be available at a premium price point.
Conclusion
Kirk Franklin reconvening The Family for a reunion tour has been a dream for gospel music fans for many years. It will be an incredible opportunity to revisit their seminal albums and appreciate their enduring musical legacy. With OG members like Crystal Lewis and Shaun Martin back in the fold, this tour looks to be a can’t-miss gospel music event.
The tour announcement has created palpable excitement and nostalgia for The Family’s distinctive sound and original members. While additional details are pending, one thing is certain – tickets will be in high demand. Gospel music fans everywhere are eager to witness this special homecoming and sing along to classic Kirk Franklin & The Family hits.
