Southern churches were where one heard congregational songs, ring shouts, quartets, sacred harp choirs, sanctified groups and even work songs.

Contrary to popular portrayal, black Gospel Music is a relatively recent music phenomenon emerging in the early 20th century. Thomas A. Dorsey is regarded as the Father of Black Gospel Music. Dorsey went on to work with gospel greats like Mahalia Jackson and Sallie Martin. Black Gospel groups like The Spirit of Memphis, The Soul Stirrers and The Blue Jay Singers began to tour the country in 1945.

White Gospel Music also played a major role reflecting working class Protestant ethos. This form of music began before the Civil War with camp-meeting songs, sacred harp singings and revival music.

With the formation of the Ruebush-Kieffer Publishing Company came James Vaughan, who started the South’s first home-based record company.

After World War Two, the Grand Ole Opry featured gospel quartets: The Oak Ridge Quartet, The Blackwood Brothers, The Statesmen, The Jordanaires and The Happy Goodman Family.

Today, performers like Dallas Holm, Amy Grant and Jars of Clay dominate Gospel Music.