GMC Leads Gospel Music Heritage Month Celebrations
In celebration of America's first-ever National Gospel Music Heritage Month, Gospel Music Channel is highlighting the greatest names in Gospel music throughout September on-air, online and on-demand.
The fast-growing television network is also encouraging people this month to attend gospel music events, listen to gospel music, and learn more about the unique and beloved American art form.
"This is the opportunity for the millions of gospel/Christian music fans to have their own national month to honor and celebrate the rich heritage of their music," said Charles Humbard, founder and president of Gospel Music Channel, which earlier this summer launched the "Gospel Music Heritage Month" initiative together with Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee (D-Texas), Senator Blanche L. Lincoln (D-Ark.), Senator Kay Bailey Hutchison (R-Texas), Senator Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.), Congresswoman Mary Bono Mack (R-Calif.), and The Recording Academy.
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"We look forward to celebrating 'Gospel Music Heritage Month' [this month]," he added.
Two resolutions passed this year in the House of Representatives (H.Con. Res. 370) and the Senate (S. Res. 595) designated September 2008 as the first Gospel Music Heritage Month, honoring Gospel music for its valuable long-standing contributions to American culture.
In a statement, Senator Lincoln explained the significance of the legislative effort, identifying gospel music as "a cornerstone of the American musical tradition" that "has grown beyond its established audience to achieve pop-culture and historical relevance across the globe."
"Gospel music is an historical American art form that has spanned hundreds of generations and both inspires and entertains across racial, ethnic, religious, and geographic boundaries," added Congresswoman Jackson.
"We must officially recognize the great contributions to American culture that have derived from the rich heritage of gospel music and its artists," she said.
The creation, performance, significance, and even the definition of gospel music – like other forms of Christian music – varies according to culture and social context. Gospel music is composed and performed for many purposes, including aesthetic pleasure, religious or ceremonial purposes, and as an entertainment product for the marketplace. However, a common theme of most Gospel music is praise, worship or thanks to God, Christ, or the Holy Spirit.
Scholars have argued and some believe that Gospel music first came out of African-American churches in the first quarter of the 20th century, crediting Pilgrim Baptist Church in Chicago as the birthplace of gospel music in the 1930s. Thomas A. Dorsey, the "Father of Gospel Music," was the music director at Pilgrim Baptist for decades. Gospel singers Albertina Walker, Mahalia Jackson, Aretha Franklin, Sallie Martin, James Cleveland, The Staples Singers, and The Edwin Hawkins Singers are among those who have performed at the church.
There are also some who believe that gospel music was sung by predominately white Southern Gospel artists. But the argument, experts say, is based more on geography than fact.
Today, Gospel music in general is characterized by dominant vocals – often with strong use of harmony – referencing lyrics of a religious nature, particularly Christian. Subgenres include contemporary Gospel, urban contemporary Gospel (sometimes referred to as "Black Gospel"), Southern Gospel, and modern Gospel music (now more commonly known as praise and worship music or Contemporary Christian music).
Neil Portnow, president and CEO of The Recording Academy, said the national recognition of gospel music in the month of September "pays great homage to this influential and inspirational genre."
"In addition to its contribution to American music, gospel music has provided the cultural and musical backdrop across all of mainstream media, including art, books, television and motion pictures," added Senator Hutchison in a statement.
"It is infused in the DNA of our entire society and a month to recognize its importance and vast contributions to our country is long overdue."
People are encouraged to celebrate Gospel Music Heritage Month by attending concerts, events, watching and listening to gospel music, learning and reading about Gospel music and more.
GMC will be proclaiming and celebrating the heritage of Gospel music everyday during the month of September through world and network premieres, documentaries, original specials and series, short-form and interstitial pieces, music videos and more.
Gospelmusicheritage.com, a website run by Gospel Music Channel, meanwhile, will feature exclusive performances, expanded interviews, facts, figures and historical nuggets and trivia, local market calendars of Gospel-related events, and more.
