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Gospel
Gospel Music is music that is written to express either personal or a communal belief regarding Christian life. Gospel and rhythm & blues are deeply rooted in the Sanctified church. Blues and R&B departed onto the secular world paths and then led to rock and roll. Gospel on the other hand remained on a strong spiritual path and has survived for many years. Gospel music sheds an undeniable influence on R&B and rock and roll. Urban contemporary Gospel is a form of Christian music and a sub genre of Gospel music. There is no exact starting date for urban contemporary Gospel but it started during the slave trade when the Africans were introduced to the Christian religion.

Shirley Caesar Shirley Caesar born October 13, 1938 in Durham, North Carolina is a world-renowned Gospel singer. She is a multi-award winner with eleven Grammy Awards and seven Dove Awards to her credit. She is a graduate of Shaw University with a degree in Business Administration. Her professional career began when, at the age of 18 as a member of the Caravans. She performed with The Caravans from 1958 until she pursued a solo career in 1966 and making a name for herself in the gospel music circuit. She is known as the "First Lady of Gospel music. www.shirleycaesar.com

Five Blind Boys of Alabama The Blind Boys of Alabama are a gospel group that first formed at the Alabama Institute for the Negro Blind in 1939. The three main vocalists of the group and their drummer/percussionist are all blind. As of 2008, they continue to tour nationally and internationally, led by the soulful Jimmy Lee Carter singing lead vocals. They won the Grammy Award for Best Traditional Soul Gospel Album every year between 2002 to 2005. The Blind Boys of Alabama were inducted into the Gospel Music Hall of Fame in 2007. www.blindboys.com

Kirk Franklin Kirk Franklin born January 26, 1970 in Forth Worth, Texas is an American Gospel Music singer/producer/choir director and is most notably known as the leader of soul contemporary gospel choirs such as the Family, God’s Property and 1NC (One Nation Crew). In 1993, Kirk Franklin & The Family released his debut album. It spent almost 2 years on the gospel charts, also charted on the R&B charts (very rare for a Gospel artist), and went platinum. It stayed at #1 on the Billboard Top Gospel Albums chart for 42 weeks. He is the recipient of five Grammy Awards. His gospel albums have crossed over numerous times reaching gold and multi-platinum status changing the face of gospel music. www.kirkfranklin.us

Mary Mary, Kirk Franklin, Deitrick Haddon, Men of Standard, Marvin Winans, Hezekiah Walker and The Soul Seekers. Perform on the all-star soundtrack of the faith-based film "A Good Man is Hard to Find." The soundtrack will be in stores Tuesday, June 24th.

The National Coalition on Black Civic Participation’s 2008 Spirit of Democracy Awards honors gospel legend Shirley Caesar. The organization honors many that are dedicated to increasing African-American participation in civil society. NCBCP has trained and engaged African-American leaders and community activist in overcoming institutional barriers that have hindered the growth of Black communities politically, socially and economically.

Gospel legend Bobby Jones and Time Life Music presents, "Ultimate Gospel," a seven CD box set which features the who's who in Gospel, past and present. The collection of CDs spans the history of black Gospel music. For more info visit www.timelife.com

BMA Gospel Picks

Ruben Studdard Love Him Like I Do Deitrick Haddon, & Mary Mary Love Him Like I Do Bobby Jones f. Karen Clark Sheard Can’t Nobody Kirk Franklin f. Da T.R.U.T.H. I Like Me Isaiah Thomas & E.O.P. The Greatest Ricky Dillard & New G Live in Toronto The Light Israel & New Breed A Deeper Level Vashawn Mitchell f. Kim Burrell One Over and Over   The Clark Sisters Live Blessed and Highly Favored Norman Hutchins Spontaneous Praise