Music that explores themes of Christian belief and biblical history, and is popular among black and whites alike. Their renditions may differ significantly, in keeping with the cultural/stylistic traits of blues and old-time coun¬try/bluegrass, respectively. Early African American spirituals, church hymnody, and blues formed the basis for the rise of gospel music in the 1930s. Sacred music has many stylistic variations – 3 and 4 part harmony, shape-note, common meter hymn choir, call-and-response, and praise house are all a part of gospel’s foundation.
Content is provided by McKissick Museum, University of South Carolina.
For further information about any of the artists featured on Digital Traditions, send your questions and comments to hallagan@mailbox.sc.edu.
Audio
How developments on the island have changed the culture
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For the last century, African-American churches in McCormick, Greenwood and Edgefield counties have maintained a fellowship of song through the Springfield Baptist Singing Convention. Led for 25 years...
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Ahrens, Pat All Male Chorus of Blacksburg Arnold, Mac Ayers, Sara Basket, Nancy Baylor, Amos Bellow, Roger Bennett, Mary Jane Benson, JD Blackwell, Richard Boggs, Horatio Manning Bollack, James Booker...
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Produced by the Jackson Brothers and digitally mastered by Eric Rogers for Blackbyrd Records. The Jackson Brothers are Leroy Gilliard, Elliot Goodlett, Walter Thompson, Sr., Roosevelt Baker, Oscar...
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NOTE: Transcripts are not available yet for the audio. The use of the shape note method of reading music was an important thread in American musical history. Introduced at the end of the eighteenth...
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Audio transcripts for Father Tony Campbell. This interview took place on August 23, 1991.
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Father Campbell served as the pastor of Camp Baskervill in Pawleys Island, SC (Georgetown County)
