Gospel Music Online – GospelUniverse.com

The far-reaching effects of Gospel Music in today’s culture are mindboggeling. The different types of Gospel are Contemporary, Urban, Southern, blues, Pentecostal, and contemporary Christian music to name a few. The roots of Gospel stretch back to early African spiritual music. The reflection of the society each of the different types of Gospel sounds stem from all have the same denominator, music with the Holy Spirit Guiding the energy of the song interpretation from the group or individual.

In the 1920’s and 1930’s early Black Gospel were celebrated and recognized for the first time at the National Baptist Convention in Chicago. Musical vocals such as Mahalia Jackson and Jerry Lee Lewis were raising spirits and awareness of Gospel music. Elvis Presley celebrated his Gospel roots by singing praise and giving thanks as a normal part of his performances. His embracing of the music and religion made way for many contemporary singers and performers today. Most Black Gospel music centers on the chorus featuring an individual taking the lead vocal, sometime several in the same song. The lead may be the pastor, minister, or reverend that is also conducting the service. The worship centers range from small churches to huge worship centers that now are televised to reach the masses featuring gospel music and the spirit of worshiping.

Primarily White Gospel is mostly centered on the choral of singers. Early ministries reach back to the late 1800’s more recent names that are familiar are Billy Graham, Jimmy Swaggart, Oral Roberts and many, many more. These names and others changed worship forever, the faith healing and ministries reach millions on a daily basis and revenues to keep the movement going are astronomical. Tent revivals in the early 20’s and on that featured faith healing and ministries do still occur, and people in need of spiritual guidance. Schools and Universities have also been established to also carry on the ministries and education for followers.

The gathering of like economical neighborhood and family ties bring people together in neighborhood churches and gathering places. This explains the identifying color factor that is obvious in the many genres of worship, but it does not mean it is exclusionary. Worship for all should be and is an open door, and through song, music, and the spirit of the message, race is not a membership card, humanity and worship is.