Gospel music

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Gospel music
Stylistic origins
Cultural origins
First quarter of twentieth century: US
Typical instruments
Mainstream popularity International
Derivative forms Rhythm and Blues
Subgenres
urban contemporary gospel,
Southern gospel
Fusion genres
Christian country music

Gospel music is music that is written to express either personal or a communal belief regarding Christian life, as well as (in terms of the varying music styles) to give a Christian alternative to mainstream secular music.

Like other forms of Christian music the creation, performance, significance, and even the definition of Gospel music varies according to culture and social context. Gospel music is composed and performed for many purposes, ranging from aesthetic pleasure, religious or ceremonial purposes, or as an entertainment product for the marketplace. However, a common theme of most Gospel music is praise, worship or thanks to God, Christ, or the Holy Spirit.

Contents

[edit] Style

Gospel music in general is characterized by dominant vocals (often with strong use of harmony) referencing lyrics of a religious nature, particularly Christian. Subgenres include contemporary Gospel, urban contemporary Gospel (sometimes referred to as "Black Gospel"), Southern Gospel, and modern Gospel music (now more commonly known as praise and worship music or Contemporary Christian music). Several forms of Gospel music utilize choirs, use piano and/or Hammond organ, drums, bass guitar and, increasingly, electric guitar.


[edit] Gospel music subgenres

[edit] Urban contemporary gospel

Urban contemporary gospel (sometimes marketed as "Black gospel" to help distinguish it from other forms of Christian music, such as contemporary Christian music or Christian rock and Southern Gospel) is a subgenre of Gospel music.

[edit] Christian Country music

Christian country music, sometimes referred to as Country Gospel music, is a subgenre of gospel music with a country flair, is also known as Inspirational Country.

[edit] Southern Gospel

Southern gospel, is sometimes called "quartet music" by fans due to the original all male, tenor-lead-baritone-bass quartet make-up. this type of music deals with the everyday problems of life and how God answers those problems.

[edit] Progressive Southern Gospel

Progressive Southern Gospel is an American music genre that has grown out of Southern Gospel over the past couple of decades.

[edit] Bluegrass Gospel

Bluegrass Gospel music is rooted in American mountain music.

[edit] Gospel blues

Gospel blues is a blues-based form of Gospel music (a combination of blues guitar and evangelistic lyrics).

[edit] Further reading

  • Blackwell, Lois. The Wings of a Dove: The Story of Gospel Music in America. Norfolk: Donning, 1978.
  • Boyer, Horace Clarence, How Sweet the Sound: The Golden Age of Gospel Elliott and Clark, 1995, ISBN 0-252-06877-7.
  • Broughton, Viv, Too Close To Heaven - The Illustrated History Of Gospel Music, Midnight Books, 1996, ISBN 1-900516-00-4
  • Albert E Brumley & Sons, The Best of Albert E Brumley, Gospel Songs, 1966, ISBN na-paperback Amazing Grace
  • Darden, Robert, People Get Ready: A New History of Black Gospel Music Continuum International Publishing Group, 2005, ISBN 0-8264-1752-3.
  • Heilbut, Tony, The Gospel Sound: Good News and Bad Times Limelight Editions, 1997, ISBN 0-87910-034-6.
  • McNeil, W. K., Ed. Encyclopedia of American Gospel Music. Routledge, 2005. ISBN 0415941792.
  • Stevenson, Arthur L. The Story of Southern Hymnology. Roanoke, VA: Stone Printing and Manufacturing, 1931.
  • Zolten, Jerry, Great God A' Mighty!:The Dixie Hummingbirds - Celebrating The Rise Of Soul Gospel Music, Oxford University Press, 2003, ISBN 0-19-515272-7.

[edit] Professional organizations

Firebird Arts Alliance - Encourages all races and religions to join
Gospel Music Association - Acknowledges all forms of Gospel Music
Pacific Gospel Music Association - Known for Southern Gospel
Southern Gospel Music Association - Known for Southern Gospel
Gospel Wire - Primarily urban contemporary gospel

[edit] Media outlets

Black Family Channel
Bobby Jones Gospel
Gospel Music Channel
The Inspirational Network
Christian Broadcasting Network
Trinity Broadcasting Network
Entertain Your Belief
Christian Music Daily

[edit] See also

[edit] References