So, you wanna sing gospel: 12 Artists you should know.

Hey. How are ya? So, you wanna sing gospel music, huh? As a Christian and a singer, there's no music that brings me as much joy to sing as gospel, so I'm not mad atcha! Even if you're not a Christian, there's just something about those voices SANGIN' to Jesus that makes you want to join in, right?

Well, the doors of the church are open--just kidding! I'm not here to evangelize, tho' if you do want to talk about that, feel free to message me privately.

Most of today's gospel singers have LITERALLY been singing gospel since they were children--that part of it can't be taught. As one who didn't grow up in a gospel singing church (we did "The Messiah" at Christmas, and NOT the "Soulful" one!) but was always drawn to gospel music, I learned much of what I know by listening and finally getting to participate in college. Back then, my options were limited because gospel music wasn't really played on the radio except on the AM station on Sunday morning. (Yes, I'm old!) You have it so much easier nowadays with YouTube, Spotify, SiriusXM, Pandora, etc.

Just like any other type of music, gospel evolves. What I listened to then and the way they sing gospel now are fairly different. Over the next few posts, I'll be listing my top 12 albums/songs/artists that started me on my way and some that you should know as they pushed gospel to where it is now. While it's cool to be able to to all the riffs and runs and vocal licks that seem to make up today's gospel music, nothing beats having a solid foundation to begin. Listen to these regularly, concentrating on their inflections, phrasing and "tricks" to get your chops up:

1. Mahalia Jackson

Who better to begin with than "The Queen of Gospel." The older I get, the more I respect her. Not one for a whole lot of show, she just stood there and sang. No tricks, the occasional lick here and there, an octave jump, a shout, a growl. With a voice influenced by the blues of her hometown New Orleans, she just sang. But was steadfast that she would only sing gospel, no matter how many offers came her way. "I sing God's music because it makes me feel free,it gives me hope. With the blues when you finish, you still have the blues."

That's not to say she limited her performances to the church. Here's a clip of her performing at the Newport Jazz Festival in 1958 with Louis Armstrong.


2.  Walter Hawkins

Pretty much the closest thing to a "First Family of Gospel" are the Hawkins. Between Edwin, Walter, Daniel, Feddie, Carol and Lynette (and, by marriage Tramaine Hawkins) brought us some of the most memorable gospel songs of the 70s-90s. The only time my childhood church sorta stepped out of their "high praise" was when we sang "Changed." (We still didn't sing it quite like this as we had a pipe organ. That's right--not even a Hammond. Like I said, this was HIGH praise, y'all.)

Edwin and Walter were especially prolific writers, arrangers and producers, (Ever heard of "Oh Happy Day?) but I'm singling out Walter because of the series of Love Alive albums (from the church he founded of the same name) he put out from 1975-1990. To this day, songs from Love Alive's I-IV are sung by choirs around the world.


3. Kim Burrell

Kim Burrell calls her music "jazz gospel." It is resplendent with runs, riffs and tensions--she's never met a 7th/9th/11th/13th she didn't like. I can safely say she will never end a song on tonic or sing it the same way twice. She's only been around since the 90s, but has had a HUGE impact on where gospel music is now. Nowadays, to be a gospel solo artist, you HAVE to do these "tricks" (Don't believe me? Watch the Sunday Best competition on BET, where she is also a judge.) The facility she has with her ear is something that can NEVER be taught, only acquired through listening. Most of today's young artists grew up listening to her (and The Clark Sisters) and are able to pull these tricks off. I did not and can not.This is why I'll never be a gospel solo artist.

And I'm good with that, lol.

Be sure to come back tomorrow for #4-6!