Gospel Music-a Timeless Genre
Although not well-documented, gospel music history can be traced back four hundred years ago to secular tribal African music. This music was different from European music which wasn't accustomed to secular music though they mentioned God occasionally. Tribal African music is better compared to Native American music as they both dealt with a harmonious combination of nature and the heavens. Traces of this music traveled to America in the 18th century, when African slavery was still in effect. During this time, slaves were made to worship God; however, since it was illegal for more than a few Africans to join together at one time without supervision, African slaves attended worship services with their masters. This didn't stop the slaves from holding their own secret worship services though, where they developed their own songs of worship using the hymns of their masters' churches as inspiration. These new songs were called "anthems," "spirituals," "jubilees," and finally, "gospel." "Gospel" is unconditionally accepted as meaning "good news," and although slavery was an indescribably horrible way of existence, the slaves kept both their spirits and voices high towards Heaven.
Once slavery was abolished, worship still remained a part of the Africans' lives, and as it grew into the 1900s, gospel music was influenced by other music genres such as the blues and jazz. In turn, the blues and jazz music began to take on characteristics of gospel. When the old gospel music seemed to be dying out, White publishers began to crank out a vast amount of sheet music popular with White parlors and churches for its beautiful nostalgia.
Thomas Dorsey has been called "The Father of Gospel Music" due to his great important to the genre post-WWII. His credits include being the first Black man to start a Black-owned music publishing company, the first Black promoter of the four basic braches of gospel music (choirs, acapella quartets, progressive quartets, and soloists), and he was the first to advertise and charge for gospel concerts.
Similar to Dorsey, Mahalia Jackson's impact on the growth of gospel music is immeasurable. Songs such as "Move on Up a Little Higher," "Walk Over God's Heaven" and "In the Upper Room" captivated audiences everywhere.
Today's gospel music is influenced by all types of other genres such as rock, pop, and country which has led to many different types of gospel music. Different categories include Southern gospel, Black gospel, Traditional gospel, Country gospel, and many forms of Contemporary gospel-all adding to the ongoing story of gospel music history.