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.
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Formed in 1946, this gospel group performed a weekly radio show on WGSW-AM in Greenwood, SC (Greenwood County). The members are Alphonso Devlin, Willie Dye, Pressley Murray, James Bryant Jr., Benny...
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The Brotherhood Gospel Singers of Mt. Pleasant were organized in 1977 from the members of several church denominations in the Mt. Pleasant area. The Gospel Singers perform a style of unaccompanied...
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Located in the small, rural town of Hampton, SC (Hampton County), St. Paul Primitive Baptist Church nurtures singing and preaching traditions over hundred years old. Pastors come from within the...
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The Sonoco Men’s Club is a group of men who have dedicated a great part of their lives to singing gospel and traditional music. Organized in 1960, the Sonoco Men’s Club is comprised mostly of retired...
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The story of two camp meetings, Indian Field and neighboring Shady Grove, is the story of the role religion has played in the shaping of rural life in the Lowcountry. The earliest camp meetings were...
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Shape-note singing convention held at Oldfield Bethel Baptist Church in Bradley, SC (Greenwood County) on May 29, 1988. Four choirs - Oldfield Bethel AME Church, Bailey Bethel AME Church, Mt. Sinai...
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Sam Porcher is a resident of Awendaw, SC (Charleston County) resident who likes to sing old gospel songs and do recitations of passages.
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Sam Porcher is a resident of Awendaw, SC (Charleston County) resident who likes to sing old gospel songs and do recitations of passages.
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Sam Porcher is a resident of Awendaw, SC (Charleston County) resident who likes to sing old gospel songs and do recitations of passages.
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Sam Porcher is a resident of Awendaw, SC (Charleston County) resident who likes to sing old gospel songs and do recitations of passages. The World War I speech Porcher recites from memory.
