Gospel Greats: Singers That Transformed Gospel Music by Genice Phillips l Gospel Music Heritage Month l Gospel Music l Famous Gospel Singers l Gosepl Music History

Thomas A. Dorsey

Thomas. A. Dorsey is known in gospel history as the “Father of Gospel Music.” Born on July 1, 1899 in Villa Rica, Georgia, Dorsey grew up in a strict religious family; his father a Baptist preacher and his mother, a church organist.

At a young age, he was drawn to music, learning the piano. His family would later move to Chicago, and his musical talents led him to the Chicago School of Composition and Arranging in 1920.

Playing piano, he fell in love with blues but was conflicted over writing secular music. He took a chance anyway and started playing in several speakeasies and bars, even adopting the name, “Georgia Tom.”

After experiencing catastrophic breakdowns that limited his playing, Dorsey decided to turn his whole attention on doing God’s work. But tragedy struck. In 1931, his first wife died in childbirth, along with his infant daughter. Through the pain of losing his family, he would write the famed gospel song “Take My Precious Hand Lord.”

A year later he co-founded the National Convention of Gospel Choirs and Choruses. He would also become the choir director of the Pilgrim Baptists Church in Chicago until his retirement in the 1970’s.

Writing over 1,000 compositions, Dorsey combined his love of blues and gospel to transform the genre.

Mahalia Jackson

Her voice affected the world and touched millions of people. The Queen of Gospel, Mahalia Jackson is noted as one of the most influential gospel singers in music history.

She was born in New Orleans, Louisiana, on October 16, 1911. Her childhood was not easy, raised by her aunt and growing up in a home with 13 other family members. But she spent her youth at the Mt. Moriah Baptist Church, singing with the choir several times during the week. In her teens, she moved to Chicago, taking up small jobs, but eventually became a beautician and owned her own beauty shop.

She eventually crossed paths with Mr. Thomas A. Dorsey, and collaborated on several songs, touring with him for 14 years.

In 1947, her life changed with the single, “Move On Up a Little Higher.” It became the highest selling gospel single in history. The song drew much acclaim. She became the first gospel singer to perform at Carnegie Hall in 1950. She also sang at John F. Kennedy’s inaugural ball. She showed significant support during the Civil Right Movement and was friends with Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

In 1954, she had her own gospel program, which aired on CBS.

The Winans

The Winans, a musical gospel group from Detroit, continued the contemporary gospel movement that brought crossover success.

Music was a heavy influence in the Winans family, as several members released albums on gospel music.

The quartet was comprised of four of the Winans brothers – Marvin, Carvin, Ronald, and Michael. The brothers grew up in a Christian home and sang in several gospel choirs. By their late twenties, they came together to form a vocal group.

Introduced to Andraé Crouch, a leading producer and songwriter in gospel music, the Winans signed to his label, Light Records, and thus began their music careers.

They would go on the make 10 studio albums, win six Grammy awards, and perform at Carnegie Hall. Their music crossed over into R&B radio, popularizing contemporary gospel and pushing the music forward.

The Soul Stirrers

Considered the forefathers of R&B and creators of the contemporary quarter sound, The Soul Stirrers were one of the most successful vocal groups in music history.

The group, formed in 1926 in Texas, went through several singers over the course of their music career, but their popularity and devoted audience would remain.

During World War II, they sang for Franklin Roosevelt and Winston Churchill.

In the late 1930’s, singer R.H. Harris took the lead in the group, switching the traditional gospel sound with a more rhythmic feel. He also added a second lead singer, among other musical elements (ad-libs, four-part harmonies, etc.) that continue to be incorporated in the modern gospel sound.

After 10 years, R.H. Harris decided to retire, leaving the spot open for a young Sam Cooke to take over. He would record “Peace in the Valley” in 1951, which was later covered twice by Elvis Presley.

Cooke would venture off into a solo act but the Soul Stirrers continued to create music and perform around the nation.

Kirk Franklin

Kirk Franklin changed the gospel music scene with innovation and an ear for catchy gospel tunes.

Franklin was brought up by his aunt, who raised him in the Baptist Church. His aunt signed him up for piano lessons at an early age, which grew into a flourishing music career.

As a choir director and songwriter, he led several choirs that were featured on his studio albums, including God’s Property, The Family, and One Nation Crew.

Songs like “Stomp,” “Revolution,” and “I Smile” were instant hits and brought several accolades over the course of his 20 year career.

Franklin has now moved into the realm of television, serving as a host and co-executive producer for the BET series, Sunday Best. He is also the co-host of GSN’s The American Bible Challenge with Jeff Foxworthy.