The Black Gospel Choir and Gospel Music

Gospel music is believed to have first come out of African-American churches in the first quarter of the 20th century along with religious music composed and sung by predominately white Southern Gospel artists.The sharp division between black and white America, particularly black and white churches, kept the two apart. But the roots have grown into a mighty tree that gives praise and testimony the to grace of God.

BCM (Black Campus Ministries),UC Berkeley Students

| University of California, Berkeley

BCM (Black Campus Ministries), is a Christian based group compiled of the Black undergrad and graduate students in InterVarsity and of the Black and non-Black staff and faculty who serve them. It is currently being led by its Interim National Director (Rev. Paula R. Fuller) and by BCM's Leading Servants Team. The BCM Gospel Choir is directed by Adam Rogers (he's on the keyboard), and organized/directed by a student leader; Ashly Williams.

Tribute to The Blind Boys of Alabama
1939 -

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Since 1939, The Blind Boys of Alabama have sung a fervent blend of traditional and contemporary Gospel music. Much has changed during these seven prolific decades. Stylistic phases have waxed and waned; personnel has come and gone. 78 r.p.m. records have given way to LPs, followed by eight-track tapes, cassettes, and CDs. The Blind Boys’ audience – once rigidly segregated and confined to traditional Gospel venues – now reflects the group’s eclectic, global following, while their repertoire has expanded to embrace secular songs with a strongly spiritual message. Such wide acceptance is also evidenced by four Grammy Awards, an honor that didn’t exist when the Blind Boys started out. Even so, the Blind Boys’ lengthy saga remains a steadfast testament to constancy. Singer Jimmy Carter, who was there when the group was first formed, leads the band today with the firm conviction, joyous commitment, and gravitas that befit an elder statesman.

As of 2008, they continue to tour nationally and internationally, led by the soulful Jimmy Lee Carter singing lead vocals. In 2006, Clarence Fountain, the group's former long-time lead vocalist and founding member limited his touring for health reasons. Another founding member, George Scott, died on March 9, 2005 at the age of 75.
The Blind Boys of Alabama were inducted into the Gospel Music Hall of Fame in 2007 and the long list of accomplishments include their rendition of Tom Waits' "Way Down in the Hole" was used as the theme song of the HBO series The Wire in its first season. Their cover of Ben Harper's "I Shall Not Walk Alone" was featured in the first season of ABC's Lost, in the episode "Confidence Man".

Bio Credits
www.blindboys.com & wikipedia.org

Gospel talent competition has double benefits
Is yours that choir that moves people from the pews to their feet Sunday morning, or are you the soloist whose seven-octave voice or baritone keeps them spellbound in the sanctuary?
For $25 and the nerve, yours could be the next face on a CD cover.......

The roots of gospel music are not well documented. Early recordings were lost. Stories behind the songs weren't written down. A book recounts the history of the beloved American art form. NPR's Michele Norris discusses the rich history of gospel and spirituals with Robert Darden, author of People Get Ready. Click Here: www.npr.org