Podcasts about black gospel music

With a B3 organ, a prophetic imagination, and a heart broken wide open by grace, gospel music legend Andraé Crouch (1942–2015) left an indelible mark on modern Christian worship music. In this episode, Stephen Newby and Robert Darden offer a sweeping yet intimate exploration of his life, spiritual vision, and genre-defining genius. Together with Mark Labberton, they discuss their new biography, Soon and Very Soon: The Transformative Music and Ministry of Andraé Crouch. Through laughter, lament, and lyrical memory, Newby and Darden—both scholars at Baylor University and coauthors of the first serious biography of Crouch—share stories of discovering his music, the theological and cultural forces that shaped it, and why his legacy matters now more than ever. They offer insights into modern musical history, spiritual reflection, and cultural analysis, inviting us into the soul of a man who helped bring modern gospel into being. Episode Highlights “Musical genius is where observation, curiosity, imagination, and humility are baked in the oven.” “He was always tracking what was going on in the room and in his heart. He understood the cues, clues, and codes of what God was doing.” “Andre felt it was important that the music was just as inspired as the lyrics. It was total praise.” “'Soon and Very Soon' is an ancient future song—we have to keep singing it, especially now.” “Andraé burned out a lot of musicians—but all of them adore him to this day.” Helpful Links and Resources Soon and Very Soon: The Transformative Music and Ministry of Andraé Crouch by Stephen Newby and Robert Darden (Penn State University Press) Black Gospel Music Preservation Project (Baylor University) “Jesus is the Answer,” by Andraé Crouch “Through It All,” by Andraé Crouch “Soon and Very Soon” **by Andraé Crouch People Get Ready!: A New History of Black Gospel Music by Robert Darden About Stephen Newby Stephen Michael Newby is a composer, conductor, and scholar. He serves as the Lev H. Prichard III Endowed Chair in the Study of Black Worship at Baylor University and is a professor of music in the Baylor School of Music. A widely recognized expert on gospel, jazz, and Black sacred music, he is also affiliated with the Black Gospel Music Preservation Project as an ambassador and collaborator. He is co-author of Soon and Very Soon: The Transformative Music and Ministry of Andraé Crouch. About Robert Darden Robert F. Darden is Emeritus Professor of Journalism at Baylor University and founder of the Black Gospel Music Preservation Project. A former gospel music editor at Billboard magazine, Darden is the author of numerous books on gospel music history, including People Get Ready: A New History of Black Gospel Music and Nothing But Love in God's Water. He is co-author of Soon and Very Soon: The Transformative Music and Ministry of Andraé Crouch. Show Notes Andraé Crouch called the “father of contemporary modern gospel” for his groundbreaking influence on the genre Guest Stephen Newby holds the Lev H. Pritchard III Chair in Black Worship and Music at Baylor University Guest Robert Darden is emeritus professor of journalism at Baylor and founder of the Black Gospel Music Preservation Project Labberton celebrates the book's narrative, musical, and sociocultural scope Crouch grew up in a Pentecostal context that encouraged musical exploration and spiritual improvisation Gospel rooted in KoGIC (Church of God in Christ) tradition, blending Beale Street sounds with evangelical fervor Darden describes Crouch's early music as “jazz, pop... but wait, it is gospel—they're singing about Jesus” Crouch and his sister Sandra composed “Jesus Is the Answer,” considered the first modern praise and worship song The book includes more than 200 interviews from gospel musicians, friends, and collaborators Crouch read the room and followed the Spirit—every performance was improvisational, responsive, alive “Through It All” composed after the heartbreak of a failed relationship; the grief birthed one of his most lasting songs Gospel music as lament and praise: “We hear the pain, we hear the resolve, we hear the lament turning to praise” Crouch's “Take Me Back” begins with Billy Preston on B3 organ—“He hasn't forgotten the church,” says Newby Earth, Wind & Fire, Motown, and classical influences shaped Crouch's orchestration and arrangements Darden: “He wanted the music to sound as good as the words. It was obsessive—but it was for God.” Andre's collaboration with producer/drummer Bill Maxwell led to a string of gospel albums with unmatched quality “We are going to see the King”: the timeless hope of “Soon and Very Soon” rooted in the Black spiritual tradition Crouch's music was not only groundbreaking—it was pastoral, prophetic, and profoundly personal Evangelistic to his dying breath, Crouch witnessed to hospital staff and janitors alike The book's subtitle “Transformative Music and Ministry” is more than academic—it's biographical theology Newby and Darden's friendship mirrors Crouch and Maxwell's cross-cultural collaboration Soon and Very Soon offers readers a chance to read with phone in hand—listening and learning simultaneously “Jesus is the answer” remains a musical and theological call across generations Production Credits Conversing is produced and distributed in partnership with Comment magazine and Fuller Seminary.

Few could match the power of Evangelist Rosie Wallace and the First Church of Love, Faith and Deliverance Choir of Philadelphia!

The Harold Smith Majestics could sing anything, from light classic to gospelized Broadway tunes to classic gospel like “The Lord Will Carry You Through.”

Led by Edwin Newberry, the always innovative Newberry Singers sound like no other gospel group on their own composition, “Trouble Will Soon Be Over.”

The incomparable Sarah Vaughan recorded a handful of spirituals during her long career, including this gentle version of “Sometimes I Feel Like a Motherless Child.”

The Patterson Singers' “I'm Moving Up” features an irresistibly up tempo closing gospel vamp.

When Darren Hamilton began university, he was shocked to find that there were no Black music courses and Black music professors. He grew up singing spirituals every Sunday in church. Now at the University of Toronto, Hamilton teaches Gospel Choir, U of T's first credit course in Black gospel music. Students of all backgrounds and ages come to learn and sing songs rooted in faith, freedom and joy. He says he started the course because he wanted Black music to be valued in music education, and he wanted Black students to have a music classwhere they "feel they belong." 

In there more than 70 years together, the Swanee Quintet released a host of great gospel songs, including this one - “The Lord's on My Side.”

The legendary Dorothy Love Coates was one of the true stars of gospel music and her powerful “99 ½ Won't Do” was adopted as a freedom song during the civil rights movement.

The Rev. Morgan Babb's passionate version of “Lord, You've Been Good to Me” spontaneously emerges from the altar call during one of his legendary sermons.

The otherwise unknown Singing Corinthians deliver an impassioned version of the old spiritual, “The Lord Will Provide.”

The Blend Wright Trio were a poppy, upbeat gospel group led by the multi-talented Eleanor Wright, who recorded for Savoy in the 1960s.

The Bible Way Church of God Choir's “What Do You Say About Jesus?” features the church's longtime pastor, Little Abraham Swanson.

The LP Believe in Me by the Melody Kings features a rousing version of Lee Wallace's gospel rave up, “I Pray.”

Don't miss this week's episode of Lin. Woods Gospel Entertainment Podcast when Lin. Woods talks with Billboard-charting recording artist, songwriter, and pastor — Tim Bailey of Tim Bailey and Judah Camp!He's riding high on the group's hit single “No Weapon”… and now, Pastor Tim is pulling back the curtain on his journey—from his Memphis gospel roots to being anointed to play music, songwriting, being drug to church, juggling ministries, and beyond.Hear how gospel legends like Marvin Sapp and the late O'Landa Draper shaped his sound…How loss inspired him to write “No Weapon.” And how God turned his pain into a purpose-driven ministry—using music as the vehicle to save lives.

The Kindly Shepherds' “Lend Me Your Hand,” produced by Monk Higgins, is much coveted by Northern Soul vinyl collectors.

Willie Banks' titanic sermon song “Things I Can't Change” features one of the most powerful vocal performances in gospel music.

“Leaning on the Lord” is an incredibly infectious gospel rave up by the otherwise unknown Heavenly Stars of Milwaukee.

Welcome to Gospel for the Glory of Jesus. We've got the latest in Black Gospel Music and a Word from the Lord from Pastor Emeritus Bishop Henry Hearns. Come Worship and Praise the Lord with us. Brother Mel Slade Pastor Emeritus Bishop Henry Hearns Living Stone Cathedral of Worship Listen live to the Living Stone […]

The St. James A.M.E. Youth Choir dedicates “I Don't Know Why He Loves Me” to their beloved pastor, Bishop John D. Bright Sr.

Prepare to be moved by Gwen Curtis' impassioned vocals on this titanic version of John Stallings' “Learning to Lean.”

The Rev. Oris Mays was one of the true originals of the incomparable gospel music scene in Memphis.

One of the earliest jubilee groups to record, the Selah Jubilee Singers' close-harmony “Judgment's Coming” is one of their best-loved numbers.

Welcome to Gospel for the Glory of Jesus. We've got the latest in Black Gospel Music and a Word from the Lord from Pastor Emeritus Bishop Henry Hearns. Come Worship and Praise the Lord with us. Brother Mel Slade Pastor Emeritus Bishop Henry Hearns Living Stone Cathedral of Worship Listen live to the Living Stone […]

The lone known recording by Mary Brown and the United Echoes is a spirit-filled romp titled “The Judgment.”

The Swindell Brothers with Bishop J.J. Wilkerson were one of the more unique quartets in gospel music – witness their charming “Judge Not.”

The Bells of Zion were practitioners of a particular sub-genre, a soulful, particularly Southern brand of downhome gospel music.

Chicago legend Jessy Dixon lends a hand to the Omega Baptist Church Radio Choir's thrilling version of “Joy Comes in the Morning

The Gospel Messengers' 45 “Joy Like a River” is a full-tilt romp – one long gospel vamp!

Welcome to Gospel for the Glory of Jesus. Come Worship and Praise the Lord with us. We’ve got the latest in Black Gospel Music and a Word from the Lord from Pastor Emeritus Bishop Henry Hearns Brother Mel Slade Pastor Emeritus Bishop Henry Hearns Living Stone Cathedral of Worship Listen live to the Living Stone […]

The Spiritual 5 released some fine gospel music during their few years together, including this dramatic rendition of “Sweet By and By.”

Bishop Wm. Morris O'Neile and the Voices of Universal's impassioned version of “My Tribute (to God be the Glory)” is the definitive interpretation of this classic.

Olivia Branch Walker may not be a household name in gospel music, but her “Jesus, the Baby King” is a great way to end the year!

For more than 40 years, the husband and wife duo The Consolers continued to perform old school, deeply traditional gospel music.

The Sunset Jubilaires, led by the multi-talented Barnes brothers, had a gospel hit in 1983 with “Let's Go to Church on Christmas Day

The pride of South Carolina, the Gerald Sisters have released passionate, high quality traditional gospel music for more than 40 years.

Deep-voiced Jimmy Jones was one of the few lead bass singers to lead his own group – the Sensationals – in the history of gospel music.

Detroit's The Shackleford Singers bring the gospel funk with their explosive record, “Been to the Water.”

The Victory Travelers are one of the last remaining examples of the hard-driving gospel quartet sound of the 1960s.

Anthony Butler and His Singers recreate the classic sound of the beloved Golden Gate Quartet with their song, “Judgement's Coming.”

While unknown today, Sister Barbara Jones' razor-sharp soprano gives the stompin' “Be Ready” a timeless quality.

The Drinkard Singers were one of the first families of gospel music, and whose members included Cissy Houston and Dionne Warwick.

The Mighty Inspirations of Nashville mix the sounds of the Winans with soulful R&B on “Miracle Man.”

The Spence Taylor-led Highway QCs transform the old classic “I'll Fly Away” into a Temptations styled psychedelic soul romp!

The Rev. “Singing” Sammy Lewis was dubbed the Crown Prince of Gospel for recordings like “Jesus Paid It” for Vee-Jay Records.

Welcome to Gospel for the Glory of Jesus, the Soulful Witness of Christ. Come Worship and Praise the Lord with us. Jason Nelson, Stephen Hurd, True Believers and more! Kraj 100.9 FM Sunday 7:30AM to 9AM  Listen live on Sunday Mornings Click to hear This Weeks New Soulful Gospel Music Spotlight

Columbus Mann and the Gospel Outreach Choir of the Pentecostal COGIC of Inkster, Michigan, Jesus Never Fails LP features the blistering seven-minute vamp, “Blind Old Satan.”

Sterling Glass and the Metropolitan Singers are best known for their dramatic, 5 ½ minute version of the old spiritual, “Mary, Don't You Weep.”

Check out the Golden Trumpets' array of superb soloists on this winsome mid-tempo jubilee number, “Jesus My Doctor.”

This version of “Jesus Made it Possible” by The Capitolaires of Dayton, Ohio, tells you all you need to know about this powerful quartet.