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BORN AGAIN GOSPEL

Program 05-09-18-A

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One of the top-selling songs last year was by rapper Kanye West. But it wasn't hardcore hip-hop, it was a gospel song called "Jesus Walks." In this hour of the Peabody-Award-Winning program To the Best of Our Knowledge, the rebirth of Gospel Music. We'll look at where gospel came from and where it's going. And, we'll feel the Holy Spirit of some 20,000 choir members at the largest convention in Gospel Music.

SEGMENT 1:

Cheryl Gilkes is an ordained Baptist minister who teaches Religious Studies at Colby College. She talks with Steve Paulson about the importance of the female soloist in the tradition of gospel music. And we hear lots of examples from Mahalia Jackson and others.

SEGMENT 2:

Craig Werner is the author of "Higher Ground: Stevie Wonder, Aretha Franklin, Curtis Mayfield and the Rise and Fall of American Soul." Werner tells Jim Fleming that the Soul Music of the 1970s combined the secular and the sacred and was heavily influenced by gospel music. And we hear lots of examples.

SEGMENT 3:

Gospel singers testify about why they sing this music and what they feel when they do. Also, we hear an excerpt from David Isay's documentary about the traditional gospel quartets of Jefferson County, Alabama. Some of these groups have been singing together for decades. And, the number one selling gospel artist last year is also a lightning rod in the Black Church. His name is Tonex and he talks with Anne Strainchamps, and of course we hear him sing.

Cassette copies are available at 1-800-747-7444. Ask for program number 05-09-18-A.

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Books:

• Craig Werner, Higher Ground: Stevie Wonder, Aretha Franklin, Curtis Mayfield, and the Rise and Fall of American Soul (Three Rivers Press)

Links:

• For gospel artist Tonex:
  http://www.yotonex.com
• For the Gospel Music Workshop of America (GWMA):
  http://www.gmwanational.org

Music:

• Ward Singers. "Surely God is Able" on "The Best of the Ward Singers" on
  Vanguard Records.
• Shirley Caesar. "Don't Be Afraid" on "Treasures" on Artemis Records.
• Mahalia Jackson. "I'm Gonna Live the Life I Sing About in my Songs" on "The Essential Mahalia Jackson" on Sony Records.
• Mahalia Jackson. "Precious Lord, Take My Hand" on "The Essential Mahalia Jackson" on Sony Records.
• United Southern Prayer Band of Baltimore. "I'm a Soldier in the Army of the Lord" on "Wade in the Warter: African American Congregational Singing" on Smithsonian Folkways.
• Kanye West. "Jesus Walks" on "College Dropout" on ROCAFELLA Records.
• Shirley Caesar and Tonex. "I Know the Truth (Lies)" on "I Know the Truth (Lies)" on Artemis Records.
• Tonex. "Ain't," "Nureau Ink." and "Believer" on "Out the Box" on Zomba Records.
• Tonex."Pronounced Toe-Nay" and "Personal Jesus" on "Pronounced Toe-Nay" on Zomba Records.
• Sweet Honey in the Rock. "Amen" on "All For Freedom" on Music For Little People Records.
• Stevie Wonder. "Higher Ground" on "The Definitive Collection " on Motown Records.
• Curtis Mayfield. "Keep on Pushing" on "The Anthology 1961-1977" on MCA Records.
• Curtis Mayfield. "People Get Ready" on "The Anthology 1961-1977" on MCA Records.
• Aretha Franklin. "Precious Lord, Take My Hand" on "Amazing Grace: The Complete Recordings" on Atlantic Records.
• Aretha Franklin. "Respect" on "I Never Loved a Man the Way I Love You " on Atlantic Records.
• Aretha Franklin. "Spirit in the Dark" on "Spirit in the Dark" on Atlantic Records.
  

Distribution dates:

week of 09/24/2006 - hour 1 week of 09/18/2005 - hour 1

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