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A. Curtis Farrow - photo credit: Don SherrillHow A. Curtis Farrow and McDonald's Gospelfest Keep the Faith, the Music, and the Community Alive - 43 Years Strong

Every spring, thousands gather - not for fame, not for money, but for faith. The lights dim, the choirs rise, and a roar of praise rolls through the arena like thunder. It's not just a concert; it's a revival, a reunion, and a revelation all in one. This is McDonald's Gospelfest, the nation's preeminent gospel celebration - and proof that gospel music isn't just alive. It's thriving.

A Legacy Rooted in Faith, God, and Community

For 43 years, the McDonald's New York Tri-State Owner/Operators have done something truly extraordinary - they've stood shoulder-to-shoulder with their community and kept Gospelfest alive through every era of change. Long before“corporate social responsibility” was a buzzword, these local business owners understood that giving back to the people who built their brand meant investing in faith, culture, and hope. And for all those years, one truth has guided it all: God is at the center. Gospelfest isn't just about the music - it's about the message. It's the good news, God's language, carried through melody and testimony. Because when something comes from God, it can never die - and that's why gospel music endures.

“They've never missed a year,” says A. Curtis Farrow, producer and visionary behind McDonald's Gospelfest.“Through recessions, pandemics, and everything in between, they've said: We believe in this. We believe in our people. That's what makes 43 years so powerful - it's not a sponsorship; it's a covenant.”

A Visionary With a God-Given Gift

Under the direction of A. Curtis Farrow and Irving Street Rep, Gospelfest transformed from a regional church competition into a global cultural event - drawing choirs, praise dancers, soloists, and spoken-word artists from across the nation and around the world. Farrow's vision has always been rooted in divine creativity.“God is the big Creator,” he often says.“We're made in His image, so we should always be creating.” That belief fuels everything he touches - from staging gospel in arenas to producing iconic performances that bridge the sacred and the spectacular. It was Farrow, through Irving Street Rep, who brought Aretha Franklin back to Madison Square Garden for a sold-out gospel performance - a moment that helped redefine how the world saw gospel music. He was among the first to bring major gospel shows into arenas, featuring multiple stars on one stage, proving that gospel deserved the same production value, scale, and respect as any mainstream genre. His creative direction and excellence earned McDonald's Gospelfest multiple Emmy nominations and three wins for its televised broadcasts on FOX 5 New York. Today, performers travel from as far as Japan, Korea, Brazil, and across the U.S. to compete, worship, and share their gifts on one of the most respected gospel stages in the world.

More Than a Concert - It's a Calling

Unlike other concerts or events, McDonald's Gospelfest is more than entertainment - it's a ministry in motion. It's in the community all year long - in churches on Sundays, at auditions in McDonald's restaurants, at local events that lift up everyday heroes. Each season begins with open auditions where anyone - from seasoned choir members to young voices discovering their gift - can stand up and sing for God. The event also honors pastors, first ladies, and community leaders, the spiritual anchors who keep faith alive on the front lines. That's what makes McDonald's Gospelfest different. It's not just on the stage; it's in the streets, in the churches, and in the hearts of the people it serves.

The Soundtrack of God's Good News

In a world of shifting trends and fleeting fame, gospel music remains unshakable because it carries something eternal - the good news of God. It's the sound of grace, healing, and rebirth.“Every time I see a young person on that stage,” Farrow says,“I see the next generation of believers - the next Yolanda Adams, the next CeCe Winans, the next Donnie McClurkin and the next Hezekiah Walker. GospelFest reminds us that faith doesn't fade; it evolves.” Because gospel isn't just a genre - it's a lifeline. It's God's anointing flowing through sound.

Looking Ahead: The Next Chapter

As GospelFest approaches its 43th year and prepares for the monumental 2026 celebration, the mission is expanding - with new digital outreach, global live streams, and programs designed to bring gospel to schools, platforms, and people everywhere. Through every change, one truth remains: when God is in it, the music never stops.“Gospel music will never die - because it's rooted in the human spirit,” says A. Curtis Farrow.“And for 43 years, McDonald's Gospelfest has been proof that when you mix faith,love, and community, the music never stops. Because God is always alive - and so is His sound.”

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