While many white musicians gravitated toward country, folk, and old-timey music to express their spirituality outside of traditional Christian hymns, Black Gospel music drew heavily upon the traditional spirituals that had been passed down from the days of slavery, picking up its more driving rhythmic emphasis from blues and early jazz. Composer and singer Thomas A. Dorsey crystallized the style in 1932 with his epochal "Take My Hand, Precious Lord," and went on to compose a great many songs that later became standards. When performed in the churches, the music was traditionally sung by a choir, with individual soloists sometimes taking the spotlight; this often happened in a form known as "call and response," in which either the choir or the soloist would repeat and/or answer the lyric which had just been sung by the other, with the soloist improvising embellishments of the melody for greater emphasis. As the music developed, these soloists became more and more virtuosic, performing with wild emotion (and, in the South, physicality) in order to properly express the spiritual ecstasy the music was meant to evoke. The music was quite egalitarian in terms of gender, as both male and female performers -- Brother Joe May, Rev. James Cleveland, Mahalia Jackson, the Clara Ward Singers, etc. -- gained wide renown among both black and white audiences. The small-group format was also prevalent, with major figures including the Five Blind Boys of Mississippi, the Soul Stirrers, the Swan Silvertones, and the Dixie Hummingbirds; in general, these groups placed a greater premium on smooth vocal harmonies, although some performances could approach the raucous energy (if not quite the huge sound) of a choir-with-soloist group. As the years progressed, black gospel and black popular music influenced and borrowed from one another, reflecting the gradual change of emphasis toward R&B; black gospel also had an enormous impact on the development of soul music, which directed gospel's spiritual intensity into more secular concerns, and included a great many performers whose musical skills were developed in the church. As a recognizable style unto itself, black gospel music largely ceased to develop around the 1970s; progressing racial attitudes had helped black popular music reach wider audiences (and become more lucrative) than ever before, and tastes had turned towards the earthy hedonism of funk and the highly arranged, sophisticated Philly soul sound. The former wasn't quite appropriate for worship, and it wasn't all that practical to duplicate the latter in church services. However, the traditional black gospel sound survived intact and was eventually augmented by contemporary gospel (an '80s/'90s variation strongly influenced by latter-day urban R&B); plus, singers like Whitney Houston continued to develop within its ranks. Scripture Verse Wall Art
From setting the aesthetic of a room to showcasing your own personal taste, wall art offers a way to incorporate yourself into your home decor. Just take a look at this piece for example: Made in the USA, this textual art piece is produced on water-resistant canvas and then wrapped on a wooden frame, lending a rustic feel to your space. Showcasing a quote from Buddha, this is the perfect pick for any space that needs a bit of grounding and inspiration. Scripture Verse Wall Art
That said, it's up to you to determine who are the best gospel singers. If you notice that a gospel singer is missing, feel free to add them. This list answers the questions "who are the best gospel music bands of all time?" and "who is the greatest gospel musician ever?" If you know enough about the genre, please vote based on the quality of the band's music instead of just voting for the most popular gospel music bands that you might've heard of.  Christian Images

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This uniquely designed 'Our Family a Circle of Strength Founded on Faith Joined in Love Kept By God' Framed Textual Art on Canvas is the perfect gift or trendy update to any home or office space. An excellent addition to your classical design concept in your kitchen, bathroom, bedroom, man cave, game room, living room or studio.This is a shop that specializes in home decor.They create handmade art for every budget. Beautiful giclee prints on canvas with a custom picture frame for all your... Biblical Verses Image
This is a giclee print reproduction on stretched canvas with a solid wood frame. The art is mounted in the frame and is ready to hang. This is a high-quality giclee reproduction. They only use the highest quality materials to create your art. They use archival inks and museum quality archival certified acid-free canvas. A clear matte finish coat is applied which will protect your art against fading; dirt; moisture; and discoloration. The finish contains UV light absorbers and stabilizer. Biblical Verses Image

The artwork is crafted with cotton artist-grade canvas, professionally hand-stretched and stapled over pine-wood bars in gallery wrap style a method utilized by artists to present artwork in galleries. Fade-resistant archival inks guarantee perfect color reproduction that remains vibrant for decades even when exposed to strong light. Add brilliance in color and exceptional detail to your space with the contemporary and uncompromising style of East Urban Home. Biblical Verses Image


With a five-octave vocal range, Earnest Pugh is a powerhouse singer. He's appeared on networks like the Trinity Broadcasting Network (TBN) and Black Entertainment Television (BET) as well as on stage, acting in major plays such as "Love the One You’re With," "Secret Lover" (Michael Matthews), "Crazy Love" (D'Atra Hicks) and "Real Men Pray" (Angela Barrow and Lizzie Berry). Scripture Verse Wall Art
Bring a sense of spirituality to any space in your home with this textual art print, showcasing scripture from 2 Corinthians 5:7 in scrolling font with an arrow accent below. Crafted from wood, its frame features a brown finish with distressed details for a warm and weathered touch. A brushed white background completes the neutral look, giving this design the versatility to complement most color palettes. Measures 13'' H x 37'' W. Scripture Verse Wall Art
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