Review by Michelle Seaberg ’26
A Gospel Lover’s Dream Come True
Last month, I had the opportunity to see Fred Hammond, and let me tell you—it was the highlight of my junior year. If you know me, you know I live for gospel music. Kirk Franklin, Jekalyn Carr, Jonathan Nelson, and Tasha Cobbs Leonard are always in my rotation, keeping me grounded through life’s highs and lows.
You can imagine my excitement when I found out the gospel legend, Mr. Hammond himself, would be performing on campus. I had been talking about this all summer, telling anyone who would listen that this was an event they absolutely couldn’t miss. My word-of-mouth marketing game was coming in strong.
Fred Hammond’s Unstoppable Performance
The event itself? Amazing. No words; I was absolutely speechless and in awe, especially knowing Fred Hammond had to perform in a wheelchair due to an injury he sustained at the end of last year. Despite that, he didn’t miss a beat. His voice was exactly the same as the one I blast on my Spotify playlist every day. Every song, every testimony, every moment just made me smile.
A Story of Faith, Music, and Divine Connection
One story that really stuck with me was when he shared about a time two teenage boys, who were huge fans of his, called him at 2 a.m. He didn’t hesitate to stay on the phone with them, just talking about life. Years later, by divine providence, he ran into one of the boys, who had grown up to become one of the top surgeons in Texas. Thanks to their connection, Mr. Hammond was able to receive quality medical treatment. Oh, and a fun fact—the surgeon’s daughter goes here! What a small world!
An Unforgettable Gospel Concert Experience
Of course, no gospel concert is complete without getting the crowd involved. Fred Hammond had us moving and grooving all night long. At one point, he even taught us a three-part harmony, and if I do say so myself, we sounded pretty good! It took me back to all those times I used to belt out the alto and tenor parts in the car or around the house, living my best life pretending that I was on stage.
The Best Songs from Fred Hammond’s Setlist
The best part of the night? When he performed my favorite songs—You Are the Living Word, Glory To Glory To Glory, and We’re Blessed. I was up on my feet, dancing and singing like nobody was watching. It was pure joy. Honestly, that concert was the highlight of my year, and I’ll remember it for a long time.
What’s Next? More Cultural Collective Events at DPAC
I’ll leave it at this—DPAC is the best place to work. Keep an eye out for the rest of the Presenting Series’ Cultural Collective events happening this year! You won’t want to miss them.
*Fred Hammond cover photo courtesy of Kayla Holdread.
