Despite his Grammy and world recognized sound, Richard Smallwood can’t seem to wrap his mind around his success. Smallwood sees his music as larger than himself. His music has the ability to unify people from all over the world, and …
“My bright and morning star” : Faith Over Matter in the Fresh Air Archives
Terry Gross has interviewed some of the greatest gospel and gospel influenced artists of all time. Artists like Al Green – who rarely agrees to interviews anymore – and Marion Williams, who passed away in 1994, are enshrined in the …
Why it took 46 years for Aretha Franklin’s Amazing Grace documentary to be released
Rolling Stone magazine has a terrific inside story on why it took 46 years for Aretha Franklin’s Amazing Grace concert to be released as a documentary. Considered to be one of Aretha’s greatest albums, and one of the greatest all …
Sam Cooke with American Bandstand’s Dick Clark on why he went from gospel to pop
In this interview on American Bandstand from April 4th, 1964, with American Bandstand host Dick Clark and Sam Cooke, Cooke explains why he left “spiritual” music for pop. At thirty seconds into the interview Cooke offers an honest explanation. Born …
Photo recap: The St. Thomas Gospel Choir live performance
Philadelphia’s St. Thomas Gospel Choir performed a jubilant musical service of gospel and gospel influenced R&B at a Gospel Roots of Rock and Soul event on Saturday, October 20th at the African Episcopal Church of St. Thomas in Overbrook. Under …
Keep the Music Alive: Philadelphia’s TCS Records on the Rise
Gwen Carter’s North Philadelphia home is impeccable. The whole house is color coordinated and on an average day the dining room is set with plates, cutlery, and cloth napkins as if awaiting a dinner party at any moment. There’s only …
In Gospel Music’s Heyday, Philadelphia was the City of Sisterly Love
The soul music of Philadelphia conjures images of male groups like the O’Jays and Harold Melvin and the Blue Notes with Teddy Pendergrass. But make no mistake: women put the City of Brotherly Love on the gospel music map. Of …
Photo recap: The McCrary Sisters concert at World Cafe Live
The McCrary Sisters – Ann, Deborah, Regina, Alfredo – and dazzled a standing room only crowd on Saturday evening, September 22nd at World Cafe Live in Philadelphia at the latest concert in the Gospel Roots of Rock and Soul series. …
Watch: The Dixie Hummingbirds live in concert at World Cafe Live
On Wednesday evening, August 29th, the legendary Dixie Hummingbirds kicked off their 90th year anniversary celebration with a live show for the Gospel Roots of Rock and Soul project at World Cafe Live in Philadelphia. A standing room only crowd …
Photo recap: The Dixie Hummingbirds concert at World Cafe Live
On Wednesday evening, August 29th, the legendary Dixie Hummingbirds kicked off their 90th year anniversary celebration with a live show for the Gospel Roots of Rock and Soul project at World Cafe Live in Philadelphia. A standing room only crowd …