'The Ultimate Guide to Gospel Artists and Recordings' Now Available

Featuring a foreword by Edwin Hawkins and introduction by Mavis Staples, Uncloudy Days: The Gospel Music Encyclopedia chronicles the careers of over 650 gospel artists and personalities from 1900 to the present day.

By Justin Camacho, Christian Post Correspondent Friday, September 09, 2005

For those who wonder if there was gospel music before Yolanda Adams, Uncloudy Days: The Gospel Music Encyclopedia is now available at your local bookstore.

Featuring a foreword by Edwin Hawkins and introduction by Mavis Staples, Uncloudy Days: The Gospel Music Encyclopedia chronicles the careers of over 650 gospel artists and personalities from 1900 to the present day, with some notable profiles including Thomas Dorsey, Mahalia Jackson, the Hawkins family, Clara Ward, James Cleveland, and the Winans.

“So many gospel artists die without leaving their legacy in print,” says author Bill Carpenter. “I wanted to let people know that we’re not in a vacuum, and that gospel music did not begin with Kirk Franklin.”

Containing over 100 artist interviews, Uncloudy Days reveals fascinating stories as how Philip Bailey’s record label pressed him to make gospel music that sounded like his pop hit “Easy Lover,” how a sex scandal almost silenced the Boys Choir of Harlem, and how 615-pound Gloria Spencer – billed as the world’s largest gospel singer- suffered circus-like exploitation.

Also included in the book is a glossary of gospel terms, trivia tidbits, and lists of the all-time best-selling gospel recording, gospel songs that crossed over to R&B charts, and gospel Grammy, Dove, and Stellar award winners.

Accompanying Uncloudy Days is a new 14 song CD from the Nashville-based Artemis Gospel label. Compiled by Carpenter and Artemis Nashville’s VP/GM Mick Lloyd, the Uncloudy Days CD will feature new gospel music by Rock N’ Roll Hall of Famer Mavis Staples, BET’s Ann McCrary and former Malaco Records child star Bryan Wilson, as well as classics by Clarence Fountain & the Blind Boys of Alabama , Andrae Crouch, and Walter Hawkins & The Hawkins Family.

For more information or to purchase Uncloudy Days and it’s accompanying CD, go to www.backbeatbooks.com.