My Urbana - log in

search

 

 

ENTER THE 20th CENTURY: The Black Sacred Music Scare

Early in the 20th century, literacy among African-Americans increased dramatically. Hymnbook worship became more common but it mellowed the usual enthusiasm of Black worship. Many Black Baptists and Methodists, shunning this "killing of the Spirit," moved over to the Pentecostal movement where lively music was still sung and encouraged. These Pentecostal, or "Holiness," churches kept alive the tradition of Black sacred music styles and forms.

As Rev. Wyatt Tee Walker says in his book, Somebody's Calling My Name, "The family of Black Christians is indebted to our brothers and sisters in Pentecostalism who kept the fires of faith burning with song."

THOMAS DORSEY:
The Father of Gospel Music

Thomas A. Dorsey (1899-1993) has been called the "Father" of Gospel music. He wrote "Precious Lord." (Track #4)

Audio clip: "Precious Lord" (Track #4)"

The son of a Baptist minister, Dorsey didn't plan to follow in his father's footsteps. He became an accomplished musician and as a young man accompanied some of the most famous blues singers of all time-specifically, Bessie Smith and Ma Rainey. He composed and arranged blues tunes.

At a National Baptist Convention meeting, however, he heard the songs of Charles A. Tindley (1851-1933), an early Gospel pioneer. Tindley is credited with the original version of what became the Civil Rights anthem "We Shall Overcome" (his song is titled, "I'll Overcome Someday.")

Dorsey liked what he heard and gave up his popular music career to focus exclusively on sacred music. He abandoned his secular lyrics, but not jazz rhythms or a blues flavor. Many in the church considered this blending of the sacred and secular as "the devil's music" and discredited it.

Dorsey didn't give up, though. Working with well-known singers like Mahalia Jackson, he brought this new musical elixir of Black Gospel into the world of popular music. He eventually wrote over 800 songs. To insure Gospel's continuation he founded The National Convention of Gospel Choirs and Choruses in 1932, an organization that still exists.

CHARLES A. TINDLEY:
Early Gospel Pioneer and Inspiration

Charles Tindley (1851-1933) never received any formal schooling. He taught himself to read and write. He wanted to become a minister so he took correspondence classes to be able to keep his job and support his family.

Eventually he was offered a position of minister at the Bainbridge St. Methodist Church in Philadelphia. He started with 200 members, but through his intellectual ability, eloquence and spiritual singing the Holy Spirit gathered over 10,000 members.

During this time, Tindley worked for civil rights, helped Philadelphia's poor and disadvantaged and wrote over 45 hymns including, "We'll Understand it Better, By and By" and "Stand By Me" - the song that became a national hit in the 60s.

MAHALIA JACKSON:
Gospel Diva

Mahalia Jackson (1911-1972) started as a gospel singer long before she signed a contract with Columbia Records in the 1950s. She sang just before Martin Luther King, Jr. delivered his "I Have a Dream" speech at the March on Washington. She sang again at MLK's funeral - the well remembered rendition of Thomas Dorsey's "Precious Lord" (Track #4).

THE CROUCH CONTRIBUTION:
Gospel Music Embraced by a Wider Audience

Andrae and Sandra Crouch were born twins on June 1, 1950. He combined the classic characteristics of Gospel, such as call-and-response, with pop song writing techniques and production, resulting in albums embraced by both Black and White audiences.

He has written such well-known and enduring Gospel songs as "Soon and Very Soon," "The Blood Will Never Lose Its Power," and "My Tribute (To God be the Glory)."

Sandra is an accomplished drummer, performer and songwriter. She wrote "We Need to Hear from You" (Track #6), a moving plea to God to speak to his listening people.

 

Watch
the
Videos