Dr. Alfonza "The Bishop" Hobbs

Alfonza Earl Hobbs, 71, of Indianapolis, transitioned to his eternal home, Thursday, July 31, 2014.

A true servant of God first, and businessman second, he was a visionary and a force in the gospel music community. He founded ALEHO International Music record company, and ALEHOEnterprises event and marketing company.

Hobbs, deemed a legend in the Gospel Industry, served as the Executive Vice-Chairman of the Gospel Music Workshop of America (GMWA) and Chairman of the Gospel Announcers Guild (GAG). Over the years he labored in the Indianapolis community as Vice President and General Manager of WTLC Radio Station, founder of StarQuest Talent Competition, Fall Fest, founding Board Member and Director of Marketing for Indiana Black Expo, Inc.

As demonstration to his passion for the Indianapolis community, Hobbs founded the annual Christmas Season event, ?We Can Feed the Hungry.? This program provided groceries for thousands of needy Indianapolis area families. He has received numerous honors including, aSagamore of the Wabash ? Indiana?s highest civic honor; the Dove Award from the Gospel Music Association, and the Broadcaster?s Hall of Fame. In 2007, he celebrated 50 years in Gospel Music, and was honored by the Stellar Awards for his contributions to Gospel Music.

Hobbs was preceded in death by his wife Gabrella Coleman-Hobbs in 2002, and survived by his three loving children: Alex Hobbs, Asha Hobbs, and Bridgett Hobbs.

In Lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the ?Al ?The Bishop? Hobbs Scholarship Fund established at Old National Bank, Lafayette Road Branch. The fund will benefit students pursuing broadcasting or music careers.

Al's Visitation is Friday, August 15, 2014, 3pm to 6pm, with a Musical Prelude from 6pm to 7pm. A Musical Tribute will commence promptly at 7pm. All events will occur at Christ Church Apostolic, 6601 Grandview Drive. A second Visitation will take place on Saturday, August 16, 2014, 8am to 10am. His Homegoing Celebration will commence promptly at 10am. Again, all activities will take place at Christ Church Apostolic. His burial will immediately follow at Crown Hill Cemetery.

For Indianapolis Hotel information, attached is a link to contact hotels with rooms blocked under 'Al "The Bishop" Hobbs' or "Gospel Music Announcers" Please copy and paste the following:
http://visitindy.com/gospel14

DR. AL ?THE BISHOP? HOBBS?A HISTORICAL PERSPECTIVE

Already a budding Gospel Entrepreneur, Al Hobbs came to WTLC radio station to
purchase airtime for a gospel concert he was promoting. He requested of the station?s management that he be allowed to cut his own commercial. They said, ?Yes?, and he cut his first commercial spot. Over the next few weeks the spots rang-out over the airwaves of WTLC and sold many a listener on attending the concert. During the spot?s run, Al?s distinctive voice came to the hearing of then general manager, Tom Mathis, and when Al come into the station to pay his bill, Mathis offered him the position of gospel announcer. During this time Al worked as general manager of a local 7 to 11 Supermarket and his
work schedule would not allow him the freedom of working the time schedule to become the station?s gospel announcer and he had to decline the position.
A few weeks later, Tom Mathis phoned Al and offered him a salesman position that had just become available, they met and Al took the job. Shortly afterwards, Tom asked Al if he would take over the reigns of gospel announcer, and he eagerly accepted the challenge.

Thus began Al?s career as a gospel announcer. With an immediate positive
response from TL?s gospel audience, Tom Mathis announced, ?That?s my man?He?s my Jesus freak?my Bishop of the Airwaves! Hence, Al ?The Bishop? Hobbs was born. For over two decades, Al ?The Bishop? Hobbs has been a major contributor to the improvement of quality of life in our city. First as an account executive and host of his weekly Sunday gospel program, ?THE LOVE EXPRESS?, Al Hobbs has developed into one of the Nation?s foremost Religious announcers, Gospel music impresarios, and broadcast manager. Over these past twenty years his broadcast leadership has given our community:

· Operation Push Radio-thon
· The Gaither Quints? Radio-thon
· Because We Care Reading Program
· Dollars for Scholars Program
· Mozel?s Thanksgiving Dinner
· We Can Feed the Needy Christman Program
· Starquest Talent Competition
· Vice-Chairman Marketing/Sales Indiana Black Expo
· BRE?s 1989 General Manager of the Year

He is also highly respected in the Gospel Music Industry as:

· Recording Artist and Performer
· Composer and Arranger
· Producer
· Gospel Announcer
· Executive Vice-Chairman of The Gospel Music Workshop of America
· Chairman of the 700 plus member Gospel Announcers Guild
· Founder and Host of the WTLC?s Fellowship Hour Live Broadcast
· Founder/Director of The Indianapolis Mass Choir
· Coordinator of The Indianapolis All City Choir
· Producer of :

Gospel United To Save America?s Youth
The National Gospel Excellence Awards
McDonalds? Gospelfest, Indianapolis
Starquest, Gospel
The Walker Theatre Gospel Series
Jubilation Gospel TV Show

Al has demonstrated a steadfast belief in his Creator, indomitable energy, a penchant for creativity and a tireless zeal for excellence. We honor him.