MAKING A JOYFUL NOISE: THE THIRD GENERATION, RALEIGH, NORTH CAROLINA

By the time the Cade family got to the Apollo Theater, more than 500 people were already waiting in line.

"We didn't realize how the auditions work. It's first-come, first-served," remembers Gregory Cade, father of the six siblings who make up the North Carolina gospel group The Third Generation. "We were number 564."

After days of traveling and hours of waiting, the Cade kids finally took the stage of the historic New York theater. "We amazed them," Gregory says with pride. "We won first place that night, beating out all of the adults."

Growing Up on Gospel

Following their auspicious Apollo debut, the youngsters performed at the Mother A.M.E. Zion Church, the oldest African American church in New York. A local television station heard about the visitors and followed them around the city. "They did a series of reports on us, and that's when it really started happening," Gregory says.

The family's newfound fame brought them invitations to sing at the inauguration of North Carolina Gov. Michael Easley, appear with gospel greats such as Shirley Caesar and the Reverend RC. Barnes, and return to the Apollo. "We've been back six times-and won first place twice," Gregory says. "The kids are teenagers now, and they continue to amaze me."

Although they range in age from 13-year-old LaSheryl to 17-year-olds LarTey and Gregory Matthew, the Cade kids have been singing gospel for nearly a decade. "From the time they were born, my wife, Priscilla, and I would line them up on the front pew at church," Gregory says. "I play piano for the choir, and they'd sit there watching Daddy."

The kids finally got their chance to join their dad in 1997. "They sang 'God Has Smiled on Me' at Mt. Olive A.M.E. Zion Church in Elizabethtown, North Carolina," Gregory remembers. "They got a good reaction from the congregation. One day my mother called me and said, 'Those children are good enough to sing at the Apollo." So we loaded everybody in the car and took off."

Harmonizing at Home

When they aren't in New York amazing Apollo audiences, the kids are at home, honing their talents at Raleigh's Community Music School. In addition to singing, each youngster also plays a musical instrument.

LarTey serves as the organist for the group during performances, while Gregory Matthew joins in on drums. LaTodd, 15, the youngest son, excels on saxophone, while his sisters, LaToya, 16; LaFrancis, 15; and LaSheryl all play the flute. "Their mom is the only one in the family who's not musically inclined," Gregory says. "She keeps the rest of us in tune."

While their parents are understandably proud of The Third Generation singers, Gregory and Priscilla say that they aren't the reason for their children's success.

"Most kids are shy when they get up in front of an audience, but ours have never suffered from stage fright," Gregory says. "They just love to go out there and sing for the Lord. They know he's with them, so nothing can go wrong."

-JAMES T. BLACK

THE THIRD GENERATION'S PICKS: Some of the Cade kids' favorite gospel CDs include Shirley Caesar's Greatest Gospel Hits, Kirk Franklin's The Rebirth of Kirk Franklin, and the Reverend F.C. Barnes's Heal the Land. In addition to the Third Generation, other rising gospel stars include DeNetria Champ and J Moss.

Copyright Southern Progress Corporation Apr 2006
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