PRAYZEHYMN Online | where gospel music lives [Gospel 101: Gospel Timeline]

pictured l. to r. (Top Row) Mahalia Jackson, Thomas A. Dorsey, Rev. James Cleveland, Albertina Walker, Yolanda Adams, Walter Hawkins, Sallie Martin Singers, Dr. Mattie Moss Clark, Mary Mary, Rev. Milton Brunson, (Middle Row) Sam Cooke, Curtis Mayfield, BeBe & CeCe Winans, the Clark Sisters, Al Green, Clara Ward, John P. Kee, Prof. Alex Bradford, Sallie Martin, Thomas A. Whitfield, Shirley Caesar, Kirk Franklin, Edwin Hawkins, Andrae' Crouch, Aretha Franklin, Sister Rosetta Tharpe, the Staple Singers, Rev. Charles Nicks, Dr. Bobby Jones

By J. MATTHEW COBB
Founder, Editor-In-Chief of PRAYZEHYMN Entertainment
Updated: July 16, 2006

THE EVOLUTION OF GOSPEL MUSIC has astounded many music critics with its wealth of innovative progression and continues to win new audiences since its creation. Ever since its early beginnings and its historic Southern roots, gospel music has been a remarkable trailblazer within the music world and shows no definite sign of stopping. Already announced this year, according to Nielsen Soundscan, gospel music has experienced a double-digit percent increase in its sales already this year in comparison to last year's marks; proving that gospel music is not just a Sunday morning practice. But the lifespan of this exciting genre of music tells the whole story of faith, joy and astonishing passion.

Dating back to the 1920s, gospel music began to develop its strongest fundamentals when Thomas A. Dorsey, whom is referred to by many historians as the "Father of Gospel Music", coined his brand of music "gospel". This was an unknown occurrence prior to Dorsey's new label. But there are very distinctive reasons why he branded his original creations something different from being a hymn or a spiritual. Dorsey adapted the freely, exuberant devotions of the Sanctified/Holiness movement to the sound of the mundane blues - something that highly religious leaders strongly opposed. But this new creation was too powerful to resist and it sparked a revolution of gospel singers and songwriters that committed themselves to making it a force to reckon with.

Throughout gospel music's history, we can trace very important events and dates that not only have shaped the religious and spiritual infrastructures of our society, but have also affected the wide stream of musical genres globally. The influences of Gospel music may have been on the sounds of the former aspirations (blues, the English 19th century hymn, Negro spirituals, work songs), but gospel music continues to inspire new talent and is proven to be one of the most recognizable and respected influences for upcoming artists in pop, R&B, hip-hop, jazz, blues and other leading musical styles.

For the first time in gospel music history, PRAYZEHYMN has decided to take on the task to create an accurate historical timeline of the important events that have shaped gospel music into the powerful force it is today. Of course, there are some important events that were not mentioned, but we have committed ourselves to preserving the strongest documented dates and information at this current time. Let the history begin.

Early Beginnings (1901-1946):

1901	Reverend Charles Albert Tindley copyrights nine of his compositions, which are now labeled classic gospel hymns, in Philadelphia, PA.
1903	Reverend Charles Albert Tindley pens "I'll Overcome Someday"; which is the foundation to the protest song "We Shall Overcome" - a keynote anthem song of the 1960s Civil Rights Movement.
1919	Lucille E. Campbell wrote her first hymn "Something Within Me" for the National Baptist Convention in Nashville, Tennessee.
1921	Gospel Pearls, the first book of songs published by a black denomination that used the name "gospel" in relation to the newly evolving style of Negro sacred music that would later be called "gospel music", was released. It was published by the National Baptist Convention.
1926	Arizona Dranes uses the traditions of the sanctified church with her innovative "barellhouse", rag-time-derived piano accompaniment on her Okeh releases.
1932	Thomas A. Dorsey's "Precious Lord" revolutionizes gospel music; developments of strong Chicago gospel roots originated. The first Gospel Choral Union was organized. The National Convention of Choirs and Choruses (NCGCC) was also organized in the same year by Thomas A. Dorsey and Sallie Martin, Theodore Frye, Magnolica Butts and Henry J. Carruthers.
1937	Golden Gate (Jubilee) Quartet, founded in 1934, reaches their pinnacle in their recording career - recording fourteen titles for Victor Records in less than two hours which is considered to bea musical achievement in any genre. They were known for singing in the jubilee quartet style. They got their start in Norfolk, Virginia.
1938	"This Train", recorded and written by gospel pioneer Sister Rosetta Tharpe, surfaced on the pop charts.
1940	Gospel singer Sallie Martin and keynote musician/arranger Kenneth Morris started the successful publishing business, the Martin & Morris Music Studio/Company. The company eventually became the leading gospel music publishing company; composing for Alex Bradford, James Cleveland, Sam Cooke, Dorothy Love Coates, W. Herbert Brewster and Lucie Campbell.
1941	Golden Gate (Jubilee) Quartet sings for Franklin Delano Roosevelt's inaguraation and were the first black group to sing in the Constiution Hall.
1946	Mahalia Jackson's "Move On Up A Little Higher" becomes the first million-selling gospel recording.

Golden Era of Gospel (1948-1968):

1948	Gospel music begins the Golden Era (enjoys its peak of mainstream popularity). During a Newark, New Jersey quartet contest, the Blind Boys of Alabama (led by Clarence Fountain) and the Five Blind Boys of Mississippi (led by Archie Brownlee) were both christened with their stage names. Both are two different groups that were very popular and influential post-war gospel quartets. Rev. Milton Brunson organizes the famed Thompson Community Singers at Chicago's McKinley High School.
1950	Clara Ward records "Surely God Is Able"; which is documented by most music historians as being the first ever million-seller post-war gospel record.
1951	Soul legend Sam Cooke joins the Soul Stirrers after renowned lead singer R.H. Harris decided to retire; his first 78 r.p.m. single with the famed quartet was "Jesus Gave Me Water" (Sun) and was a major hit. Chicago native Albertina Walker organized the Caravans. Original group members included Elyse Yancy, OraLee Hopkins Samson and Nellie Grace Daniels. The group later featured artists including Shirley Caesar, Inez Andrews, Dorothy Norwood, Cassietta George and Reverend James Cleveland. Nashboro Records, based in Nashville, TN, was founded by Ernie Young.
1954	Mahalia Jackson begins hosting her own weekly radio show on CBS. It was the first of its kind to feature the pure, sancitifed gospel style over national airwaves.
1957	Gospel music debuts at Newport Jazz Festival; notable performances included Mahalia Jackson and the Drinkard Singers featuring Cissy Houston.
1958	Dr. Mattie Moss Clark organizes the Southwest Michigan State Choir of the Church of God In Christ and is acredited for creating the three-part harmony technique; which is commonly used in in gospel choirs today.
1962	Clara Ward Singers records Clara Ward's "How I Got Over". Reverend James Cleveland and the Angelic Choir of Nutley releases the best-selling LP "Peace Be Still" on Savoy Records; which remained on the gospel music charts for fifteen years. This introduced choir-based gospel to mainstream America. This song also featured keyboardist and renowned organist Billy Preston.
1965	The Impressions released Curtis Mayfield's majestic "People Get Ready" and is the group's best-known hit (#3 r&b, #14 pop). After Sam Cooke's death, a posthumous single was released "A Change Is Gonna Come". This is a definite return to his gospel roots and is labeled by many historians to be his magunm opus. It reached #31 pop, #9 R&B.
1968	Edwin Hawkins Singers releases a major international hit, "Oh Happy Day" and also stormed Billboard's Pop 100 (#4/pop) and remained on the charts for a run of sixty-nine weeks. It is also hailed to be the first contemporary gospel song. End of The Golden Era of Gospel. Reverend James Cleveland establishes the Gospel Music Workshop of America (GMWA) in Detroit, MI. Mahalia Jackson's unforgettable solo of "Precious Lord, Take My Hand" was sung at Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr's funeral; which was one of his final requests.

Contemporary Gospel Period (1969-1979):

1969	Armen Boladian, the son of Armenian immigrants, established the gospel imprint of Wesbound Records named Sound of Gospel (SOG) and released its first album, "The Gospel According To St. James" recorded by Rev. Charles Nicks & the St. James Choir. SOG would become a mainstay in gospel music for two decades.
1970	The Recording Academy acknowledges (black) gospel music for the first time in its history by creating the Best Soul Gospel Performance category. Edwin Hawkins won the Grammy award for "Oh Happy Day".
1971	Maranatha! and Love Song release The Everlastin' Livin' Jesus Concert and Love Song. These records and events are considered to be the beginnings of Contemporary Christian Music (CCM).
1972	Soul legend Aretha Franklin releases the landmark "Amazing Grace" album. Reverend James Cleveland & the Southern California Community Choir provides background vocal duties. It is hailed as one of the most successful and best-selling gospel recordings of all time. Marvin Gaye's "What's Going On" ushers in a progressive movement of "social-gospel" or "message" songs. The Staple Singers delivers their #1 pop/R&B hit, "I'll Take You There". With its gospel foundations, spiritual awareness and friendly lyrics, the song is one of Gospel's definite crossover songs. Dorothy Norwood joins with Stevie Wonder as an opening act on a 30-state American tour for the Rolling Stones.
1975	LA based Mighty Clouds of Joy releses the single, "Mighty High", on ABC-Dunhill. It becomes a serious dance (disco) hit and opens up multiple doors of national exposure for the group. They were also the first gospel act to perform on Soul Train. Walter Hawkins landmark "Love Alive" album is released on Light/Lexicon. It help spearhead the movement of organized gospel choirs in contemporary gospel.
1976	Tyscot Records, based in Indianapolis, Indiana, opens its doors for the first time. Tyscot is considered to be the longest-running, black-owned independent music label in Gospel music.
1977	Reverend James Cleveland records the double-LP "Live at Carnegie Hall" and received immediate acclaim. He also took home a Grammy award for Best Soul Gospel Performance, Traditional.
1978	The Rance Allen Group's "I Belong To You", from the "Straight From The Heart" project, hit the Top 30 Billboard R&B charts. The song was one of the last hits on the infamous Stax music label. Professor Alex Bradford, famous for writing pioneering gospel hit "Too Close To Heaven", died during the production of "Your Arms Too Short To Box With God"
1979	Reverend C.L. Franklin was shot in his Detroit home during a burglary attempt and never regained consciousness; sending him into a coma. Dr. Mattie Moss Clark starts the Clark Conservatory School of Music in Detroit, MI.

Contemporary Gospel & Gospel Fusion Today (1980-):

1980	Bobby Jones Gospel debuts on the Black Entertainment Television (BET) network. It is the first and only nationally syndicated black gospel television show and is one of the network's most popular shows. Soul legend Al Green decided to record his first entry into gospel music with "The Lord Will Make A Way" (Hi/Myrrh).
1982	"Gospel", filmed at Oakland's Paramount Theater, is the first of its kind. This doucmentary concert film focusing on gospel music features Rev. James Cleveland and the Southern California Community Choir, Walter Hawkins & the Hawkins Family, the Mighty Clouds of Joy, Shirley Caesar and the Clark Sisters.
1983	The Clark Sisters' "You Brought The Sunshine" is a crossover hit, becomes a post-disco sensation and skyrockets up the Billboard Dance charts; begins the popularization of the Detroit sound in gospel music.
1984	Rock band Foreigner releases their gospel-inspired ballad "I Want To Know What Love Is", from their album "Agent Provocateur". It featured the New Jersey Mass Choir and Jennifer Holiday on background vocals. It was their only #1 hit and also made strides for future gospel-inspired crossovers.
1985	Producer Don Johnson establishes and debuts the Stellar Gospel Music Awards and was taped at the Arie Crown Theater in Chicago, IL.
1986	Malaco Records purchased the vast gospel divison, including titles and contracts, of Savoy Records. The historic label of Savoy dates back to the 1950s and contains classic recordings from Shirley Caesar, the Caravans, Reverend James Cleveland, Gospel Music Workshop of America projects, Dorothy Love Coates & the Gospel Harmonettes, the Georgia Mass Choir, the Florida Mass Choir and Albertina Walker. Gospel hits primetime with the American televised sitcome "Amen", which featured cast members Sherman Hemsley and Clifton Davis. It ran until 1991 on NBC. The theme song was entitled "Shine On Me" and was penned by Andrae' Crouch and was performed by Vanessa Bell Armstrong and the Andrae' Crouch Singers.
1988	BeBe & CeCe Winans debuts with "Heaven" on Capitol Records. They become the first successful gospel duo on the established musicl label and releases three successful, crossover singles ("Heaven", "Lost Without You", "Celebrate New Life"). Frank Williams, director of gospel promotions at Malaco Records, organizes the Mississippi Mass Choir. Their debut project was an immediate success on Billboard Gospel charts and was cited as being the "number one spiritual album of the year".
1989	Sparrow Records releases the popular "Saints In Praise" project; the first documented African-American church project performing praise-and-worship music using the term "urban worship". It featured the West Angeles Church of God In Christ Mass Choir & Congregation of Los Angeles, CA.
1992	Kirk Franklin organizes "The Family" and records his dynamic best-selling self-entitled debut. It was also the first gospel debut album to go platnium.
1994	Gospel artist and mega-church pastor Bishop Paul S. Morton, Sr. hosts the first Full Gospel Baptist Church Fellowship Conference, in which he also founded, in the Louisana Superdome in New Orleans, LA.
1996	"The Preacher's Wife", a soundtrack from the movie of the same name, featured both R&B and gospel songs performed by Whitney Houston, the Georgia Mass Choir, Shirley Caesar and Cissy Houston. The album was generally accepted by the public as being a secular project with the lead single being "I Believe In You And Me". The album was a success on the charts. Controversy loomed at the Grammy Awards when Houston decided not to attend because the album was not nominated in the Gospel categories since the album was predominately gospel-related. Gospel duo BeBe & CeCe Winans offically announced they will part ways to work on their solo careers.
1998	WOW Gospel 1998, the first in the best-selling annual Gospel compilation series, debuts. It is assembled by EMI Christian Music Group, Word Records (now Word Entertainment) and Zomba Recording Corporation.
2000	Mary Mary releases the Columbia debut "Thankful" and storms pop, R&B and gospel charts with the single, "Shackles (Praise You)" which elevated to #28 on pop charts and #9 on R&B charts.
2006	Nicknamed the "Birthplace of Gospel Music", the historic Pilgrim Baptist Church in Chicago caught on fire and was considered a total loss.

OTHER VALUABLE RESOURCES TO LOOK INTO:
We perish because of the lack of knowledge. Get schooled.

Dove Song.com: Black Gospel- Extensive information, mp3s, historical facts, and a wonderful bibligraphy is featured at this historcal online music haven.
Wikipedia: Gospel Music - Lots of history and detailed information here.
Uncloudy Days - The Gospel Music Encylcopedia.