Gospel artist leaves legacy of joy

D etroit gospel artist Chris Jones was known for making people laugh and feel important, despite his growing fame.
Perhaps best known for his up-tempo gospel hit, "Dance," the Tyscot Recording artist's career was cut short when he died of a massive heart attack Sunday. He was 36.

"My heart is hurt; this is the greatest loss I have ever had," says his manager Mike Harlan, who formed a partnership with Jones 15 years ago with a handshake. "He was a man of integrity. He was loyal.

We were able to bless each other and the people with his music."
Despite his sudden death, Harlan says the former host of "Joy and Jones in the Morning" on WEXL-AM (1340) offered messages of his excitement about going to heaven, particularly in his song, "I Can't Wait," which makes references to his desire to sing, shout, jump and run and see the faces of his parents who preceded him in death.
Jones, a large man, struggled with his weight, but Harlan says he was trying to shed pounds.

Harlan credits Pastor Marvin Winans of the Perfecting Church with motivating Jones to get healthier. Winans recalls talking to Jones about his health recently when he was a guest on his Sunday morning show on WMXD-FM (92.3).

"He talked about a stroke he had in his sleep, and how he was doing better," says Winans, a member of the Grammy Award-winning group The Winans. "I told him we can't lose anybody else with Ronald's (Winans) passing just a year ago. We talked about getting healthy and being right when it comes to eating habits.

He was trying to be correct."
Keith Crosby, co-owner of DetroitGospel.com, says Jones was making an impact.

"Everybody knew him; he was so warm, so engaging, just real," he says. "If you've been around people in the music industry, usually once they've made it, sometimes they are not real. Chris was an artist who was so down to earth, and someone who gave you a sense that he really loved God.

"
Musical tribute: 6 p.m. Friday at Wings of Love Baptist Church, 17133 John R.

St., Highland Park.
Funeral: 11 a.

m. Saturday, Greater Emmanuel Church of God In Christ, 19190 Schaefer , Detroit..

The family hour will precede the service at 10 a.m.
Copyright 2006 The Detroit News.

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