Now how did I miss this? My Blogging Story at the Black Weblog Awards

You'll recall that this Blog was nominated for an award by the Black Weblog Awards this summer. I didn't win, but there's always 2011! Well, back in October of this year, the Black Weblog Awards posted my blogging story on their blog. I didn't find it until today. C'mon Joe, get with it now, stop dragging!

If you'd like to read it, you can find it at this link:
http://www.blackweblogawards.com/2010/10/06/blogging-story-joseph-middleton/

It's not New Year's Day, but out with the old and in with the new anyhow!

I decided after over a year of the same old same old, it was time to give the blog a slight renovation. The first thing you've probably noticed is my new, self designed banner. The new banner contains from left to right, Roberta Martin, Rev. Thomas A. Dorsey, Rev. James Cleveland and Clara Ward. I also took the liberty of adding a few new widgets like a search bar, the ability to subscribe to my posts, and a contact form. That's standard stuff for most blogs. I know I'm late to the program, but it's finally here.

I've also created a Twitter page especially for the blog. I have a widget for that, too. Follow me @goldeneragospel!

The Library of Congress: Now What a Time: Blues, Gospel, and the Fort Valley Music Festivals, 1938-1943

The American Folklife Center at the Library of Congress has a collection of 100 blues and gospel recordings made between 1938 and 1943 at the Fort Valley Music Festivals held at Fort Valley State College (now Fort Valley State University) in Fort Valley, Georgia. Of these 100 recordings, approximately 44 of them are gospel recordings.

Visit the site at the link below to find more information and to hear the recordings.
http://memory.loc.gov/ammem/ftvhtml/ftvhome.html

The Golden Era Gospel Blog's "Young Folks + Classic Praise" series spotlights Shane Steward-Cowan

North Carolina is the home of Caravans alumni Rev. James Herndon and Pastor Shirley Caesar, and Rev. F.C. Barnes and the Barnes Family of gospel singers. North Carolina is also home to Shane Steward-Cowan, a young Golden Era Gospel aficionado.

TGEGB: When did you start listening to Golden Era Gospel Music?

I would say that question has two answers to it! Officially, I started being a fan when I was 18, and got my first computer and was just listening to music, when I ran into a song by Mahalia Jackson from a movie I had seen when I was younger, called Imitation of Life,the song being of course, "Troubles Of The World". So I started listening more to her music, and that lead me to listen to others, such as The Caravans, and The Original Gospel Harmonettes. And I would also say unofficially, I been listening to it my whole life! A lot of the songs that are sung by the groups, are songs I heard growing up here in North Carolina, where EVERYONE it seems like sings gospel! I remember hearing and singing songs like "Heavy Load" (Edna Gallmon Cooke) and "When The Gates Swing Open" (Clara Ward), and many others.

TGEGB: Who are your favorite artists?

The Caravans, The Original Gospel Harmonettes, Edna Gallmon Cooke, Willie Mae Ford Smith, The Five Blind Boys of Mississippi, And The Clara Ward Singers.

TGEGB: Who is your favorite golden era gospel artist(s) of all time?

I would say that would be Dorothy Love Coates and The Original Gospel Harmonettes! Their music had a passion and intensity that few could match! Oh and add, The Davis Sisters, The Meditation Singers, The Angelics, And The Roberta Martin Singers.

TGEGB: Tell us a little bit about your YouTube videos.

My videos are very much a mixture of different types of Golden Age Gospel. Posted, I have some very early material from people such as Arizona Dranes, and Clara Ghoulston (The Georgia Peach). I also have several WWII era sides from Sallie Martin and Her Singers of Joy, as well as The Gospel Harmoneers, later to become The Original Gospel Harmonettes. There is also a great amount of music from The Caravans, who rank with the Gospel Harmonettes as being my favorite group, lol. Songs such as their first cut, "Think Of His Goodness" in 1952, as well as songs they did over the years, such as "Steal Away", "Lord Keep Me Day by Day", and so forth. I also wanted to show case some other music that others may not have heard before, such as from the Group Sweet Honey In The Rock. I also have music posted by The Clara Ward Singers, The Golden Harps, The Brewsteraires, Edna Gallmon Cooke, The Original Gospel Harmonettes, and so forth.

TGEGB: Do you sing or lead any Golden Era Gospel songs in a group or choir?

I actually do, I sing with several groups, as I come from a hot bed of Gospel Singing! I sing with Steve Wilson And The Love Center Choir, The Hood Seminary Gospel Choir, and The Anointed Voices. One song in particular I am working on getting into the mix of our different types of songs, is Kitty Parham's "I"m Looking To Jesus"!

TGEGB: What's you favorite Gospel song?

I would say it would be with out a shadow of a doubt, the song "I'm Sealed" by the Original Gospel Harmonettes!

TGEGB: Is singing in your blood? Any particular Gospel artist have influence on your on personal style?

Why yes it is actually! My grandmother, and her sisters, and brothers, sung together as The Voices of Inspiration back in the 70s into the 90s. My great Grandmother, Etta Ree Allison Partee is also another singer, who at the age of 85 is still singing around North Carolina. And I would dare say the one gospel artist whom has influenced me the most, would be the late great Albertina Walker. I have a husky tenor voice, that I have musically without knowing adapted to Tina's singing style! Also the level of sincerity that she displayed has and will always be amazing to me! Will never be another like her!

You can view Shane's YouTube collection here: http://www.youtube.com/user/DaSourcespr06#p/u

Christmas Music, Golden Era style

By: Joseph Middleton

A fellow gospel music historian lamented about the homogeneity among radio stations today when it comes to chosing Christmas songs. As he put it, "If I hear "Grandma got run over.." one more time, I'm going to run over grandpa". Unfortunately, it sounds like grandpa will have to brace for impact!

Many of you are probably looking to alternatives to the Christmas songs being played over and over all month long. "Silent Night" by the Temptations is wonderful, but you grow tired of it after hearing it for the 3,693rd time! So, here are a few Golden Era Gospel Christmas Songs and albums to add to your listening rotation this season. I've provided links to songs and albums that are readily available for purchase. Some of these songs may be hard to find, but if you find them, you'll be pleased, no doubt.

1. "Behold That Star" by The Patterson Singers

2. "Away In a Manger" by The Galatians Singers

3. Album: Merry Christmas by James Cleveland and the Angelic Choir
Here's "Oh What a Pretty Little Baby" from that album.

4. Album: Christmas with the Famous Ward Singers.
Here's "Prince of Peace" from that album.

5. "The First Noel" by The Davis Sisters

6. "Christmas in Heaven" by Claude Jeter

7. "God Rest Ye Weary Gentlemen" by The Caravans

8. "Go Tell It on the Mountain" by The Swan Silvertones

Chicago Mag loves Chicago "Because gospel music is still being played in the very churches where it originated"

We all know Chicago is the birthplace of the black gospel sound, where Thomas Dorsey, Roberta Martin, Ralph Goodpastuer, Robert Anderson, Albertina Walker, Willie Webb, and many others cultivated their craft. Today, it is still is a hotbed of black gospel, home to gospel artists like DeAndre Patterson, the Barrett Sisters, Lecresia Campbell, Ron Barrett, Jessy Dixon, and dozens of others. Chicago Mag has chosen "40 Reasons to ♥ Chicago", and the fact that gospel music is still being played in the very churches where it originated is just one of those reasons.

Because gospel music is still being played in the very churches where it originated - Chicago magazine - December 2010 - Chicago

Texas Monthly asks: Who was Blind Willie Johnson?

Those of you who have followed my blog from day 1 may remember my September 25, 2009 entry titled "Golden Era Gospel In the Lone Star State." I made a brief reference to Blind Willie Johnson and that's about it. Now, Michael Hall of Texas Monthly is asking the question, "Who was Blind Willie Johnson?" If you're blessed enough to live in Texas, you can trot on down to your local grocery store checkout aisle and pick up a copy of the December 2010 issue. If you're outside of Texas and don't have a subscription (or you're in Texas and don't feel like going to get your own copy), you can read it online (for free for the next few days after this initial posting) at the following link.
http://www.texasmonthly.com/2010-12-01/feature3.php

Watch Steve James of Austin demonstrate the music of Blind Willie Johnson at this link:
http://www.texasmonthly.com/multimedia/video/home/15304