Gospel star Kirk Franklin to bring 'Reunion Tour' back to Columbus on Sept. 19
Acclaimed gospel singer-songwriter, choir director and producer Kirk Franklin, who brought his multiartist "Reunion Tour" to Columbus last year, returns with a new slate of co-headliners Sept. 19 to Nationwide Arena.
Ticket presales begin at 10 a.m. Tuesday and general sales start at 10 a.m. Wednesday at ticketmaster.com.
Franklin, winner of 20 Grammy Awards, is well known for leading urban and R&B contemporary gospel groups, including The Family, God's Property and One Nation Crew, among others.
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A musical prodigy as a child, he received his first contract at age 7, which was turned down by his aunt, who raised him. Instead, he joined the church choir and became music director of the Mt. Rose Baptist adult choir when he was 11.
During his early teens, Franklin went through a brief rebellion against his strict religious upbringing, but witnessing a friend's shooting death at 15 led him back to the church.
With his choirs, the 54-year-old "Reigning King of Urban Gospel" has scored hits on the gospel and R&B charts, including "Stomp," "Lean on Me," "Gonna Be a Lovely Day" and as a solo artist, "Looking for You" and "Imagine Me."
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Along with artists such as Michael Jackson, James Brown, Stevie Wonder and Beyoncé, Franklin was one of the inaugural inductees into the Black Music & Entertainment Walk of Fame when it was established in 2021.
He'll be joined on the "Reunion Tour" by noted gospel performers Yolanda Adams, Fred Hammond, Marvin Sapp, The Clark Sisters and special guest Kierra Sheard-Kelly.
This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: Gospel singer Kirk Franklin to perform at Nationwide Arena on Sept. 19
