Tagoe Sisters to celebrate 30 years in gospel music

The sensational gospel music duo, Tagoe Sisters, last Wednesday announced that between August and October this year they would stage a series of live musical concerts to celebrate 30 years in the gospel music industry. Tagoe Sisters, who made this known at a press conference at the Golden Tulip in Accra, disclosed that musical concerts would be staged in some selected regional capitals which include Kumasi, Takoradi, Cape Coast, among others, to raise funds to assist the needy. The proceeds from the concerts, according to them, would be used to establish the Tagoe Twin Foundation to support post-natal mothers and needy twins in the society. The gospel icons disclosed that their 30th anniversary celebration would be climaxed with a big gospel show at the Accra International Conference Centre on Sunday, November 20, 2011. The show will feature some selected gospel music heavyweights. Since they emerged on the gospel music scene, the gospel music duo, Lydia Tagoe and Elizabeth Tagoe have not looked back, and they continue to share their experiences with people all over the world who are affected by their music in different ways. The duo, in 1979, toured the whole country with groups like Advent Heralds and took part in big musical concerts throughout the country. With the Advent Heralds, between 1982 and 1983, the sisters performed during the Open Bible Crusade and were recognized as the first group or duo doing contemporary gospel music. Through their Godfather, Nana Ekumfi II, they met the late Reverend Amoako, who became their spiritual leader in 1985. “To us, Rev. Amoako was not just our pastor, he was a friend, great benefactor, daddy and mentor and he was instrumental in our musical career. “He encouraged, motivated and brought out all the hidden talents in us. He taught us how to operate in the power of the Holy Spirit and adopted us as his spiritual children,” Tagoe Sisters declared. With the support and encouragement from Rev. Amoako, Tagoe Sisters recorded their maiden album, ‘Nyame ye kese’ in 1988 in London with musicians like Bessa Simons, Alfred Bannerman, among others. The success of this release was phenomenal and their popularity spiralled dramatically. Today, Ghanaian gospel music is replete with female gospel duos, trios and soloists. But it was the Tagoe Sisters’ land mark success that really opened up the gospel music industry to female artistes and when the history of Ghanaian gospel music is written, the duo will go down as one of the pioneers of the game. Their exciting music has travelled all over the world, transcending cultural and political barriers, leaving joy and inspirations wherever they performed. The two-part style of singing and the occasional injections of the two-part harmony have come to stay, and other gospel duos and trios have picked that style. According to a section of music fans, God is using them to mend hearts, inspire and encourage people to believe in the Lord and above all, reach out to the poor and needy, bringing them hope and closer to the Almighty. ‘