Happy 4th Of July!
July 4th is celebrated as Independence Day. It the anniversary of the publication of the Declaration of Independence from Great Britain, in 1776. Now 244 years later, the national holiday will occur during the COVID-19 Pandemic, the major economic downturn with high unemployment, and the national and local protests over Black Lives Matter and calls for addressing racism and reforming local police forces. These assorted issues will take years to resolve, and let’s hope they are resolved! Still, can the 4th be a kick-off for a much better 2020. Right now, we look forward to 2021. We need celebration and unity, even beyond the United States.
There is still the American Dream, a belief that anyone, regardless of where they were born or who they are can reach their potential. Achieving the American dream might require sacrifice, risk-taking, and hard work. I might be dependent on a chance. After spending last Thanksgiving in New Orleans, with my family, we drove to Memphis, TN. We visited Graceland, home of Elvis Presley, and I spent two days at the Guest House at Graceland, next to the mansion. I have always been an Elvis fan. I liked his music and style and was excited to be there. However, I was unfamiliar with his childhood and youth, and the impact of his music worldwide. Elvis grew up in a two-room house, built by his father and a friend, in a small town in Mississippi; see https://elvispresleybirthplace.com/. The house lacked electricity. Can you imagine three people living in two rooms: a bedroom and a kitchen with a child, especially during cold winters? They were extremely poor, and Elvis never forgot the experience. He would become the first superstar and is remembered for his innovative style, sound, and voice. That’s why I love the emotional song, “If I Can Dream,” from his ‘68 Comeback Special’. That song quotes from Martin Luther King, Jr. and looks for an improved society—like the one we call for now!
With what I mention above, we also have the recent Supreme Court rulings on topics such as Transgender equality rights. Given all of this, the article highlights gospel songs by 12 significant artists together with videos honoring the holiday and events of this year. Gospel music dates back to the 17th century, with a focus on sacred songs and hymns, but it also draws on Black oral tradition and slavery. Let’s flashback to some old-time favorites.
Happy 4th of July!
1. Reverend Gary Davis
Reverend Davis, born in South Carolina, was a blues and gospel singer, who lived from 1896 to 1972. Also known as Blind Gary Davis, his fingerpicking guitar style influenced many artists. One of his songs was Glory Halleloo.
Glory Halleloo
2. Thomas A Dorsey
Dorsey (1899-1993), born in Villa Rica, Georgia, was known as “the father of gospel music.” One of his songs is “[There’ll Be] Peace In The Valley”.
[There'll Be] Peace In The Valley
3. Mahalia Jackson
Jackson (1911-1972), born in New Orleans, is known as “The Queen of Gospel.” She was an influential, internationally known gospel singer and a civil rights activist. One of her songs, Precious “Lord, Take My Hand” was also recorded by Thomas A. Dorsey and Elvis Presley. Below is her is her “I Will Trust In The Lord.”
Precious Lord, Take My Hand
4. Sallie Martin
Martin (1895-1988), born in Pittsfield, Georgia, is known as the “Mother of Gospel.” She helped to popularize the music of Thomas A. Dorsey. One of her songs is “He’s So Wonderful”.
He’s So Wonderful
5. Sister Rosetta Tharpe
Thorpe (1915-19730, born in Cotton Plant, Arkansas, was the first great recording star of gospel music and was among the first gospel musicians to appeal to rhythm-and-blues and rock-and-roll audiences. She was later referred to as “the original soul sister” and “The Godmother of rock and roll.” In the 1930s, it was rare for there to be a female guitar player. Here is her song “Didn’t It Rain?”
Didn’t It Rain?
6. Hank Williams
Williams (1923-1953). born in Mount Olive, Alabama, is one of the most influential American singers and songwriters of the 20th century. Among his songs were “Cold, Cold Heart,” “Your Cheatin’ Heart,” “Hey, Good Lookin,” and “I’ll Never Get Out of This World Alive.” Below is “I Saw The Light”.
I Saw The Light
7. James Cleveland
Cleveland (1931-1991), born in Chicago, Illinois, was known as the King of Gospel music. He was “a driving force behind the creation of the modern gospel sound by incorporating traditional black gospel, soul, pop, and jazz in arrangements for mass choirs” (Wikipedia). Below is his “Where is Your Faith in God”.
Where is Your Faith in God
8. Sam Cooke
Sam (Samuel) Cooke (1931-1964), born in Clarksdale, Mississippi, first number 1 on the Rock & Roll charts, in 1957, with “You Send Me”. He had many more hits and had wide appeal among teenagers, both white and Black. Known for his distinctive vocals and importance within popular music, he also was a civil rights activist. Below is his “A Change Is Gonna Come”.
A Change Is Gonna Come
9. Johnny Cash
Johnny Cash (1932- ), born in Kingsland, Arkansas, sold more than 90 million records worldwide. He started at the same recording studio s Elvis Presley in the 1950s. He embraced country, rock and roll, rockabilly, blues, folk, and gospel music, and, in particular, is known for “Folsom Prison Blues,” “I Walk the Line,” “Ring of Fire,” “Get Rhythm,” and “Man in Black. ”See his homepage, https://www.johnnycash.com/. Below is his “Ring of Fire”.
Ring of Fire
10. Elvis Presley
Elvis Aron Presley (1935-1977), born in Tupelo, Mississippi, is regarded as one of the most significant cultural icons of the 20th century. He is often referred to as the “King of Rock and Roll” or simply “he King.” His tombstone at Graceland mistakenly lists his middle name as Aaron. Next to the White House, Graceland, his home, is the most-visited private home in the United States. Below is “Glory Glory Hallelujah”; it is better known as “The American Trilogy”.
Glory Glory Hallelujah
11. Shirley Caesar
Shirley Ann Caesar Williams (1938- ), born in Durham, North Carolina, is known professionally as Shirley Caesar. For more than 38 years, this gospel singer has been associated with Outreach Ministry, which serves the neglected and those in need in the community. See and hear her “Yes, Lord, Yes”.
12. Aretha Franklin
Aretha (1942-2018), born in Memphis, Tennessee, is one of the best-selling music artists of all time, having sold more than 75 million records worldwide. See her homepage for coverage of her distinguished career, https://www.arethafranklin.net/. She appeared in “Blues Brothers 2000” and became the focal point as Mrs. Murphy. Below are her “I Say a Little Prayer” and her soulful “The Star- Spangled Banner”.
I Say a Little Prayer
The Star Spangled Banner
Article by Alison Hernon, Editor-In-Chief, PhotoBook Magazine
"Society,” which shows the driving forces behind the artists such as agents, producers who handle the grueling logistics to make things happen, and managers. “Society” puts a face to a name. And, “Society” keeps us informed of today’s news.
