Music Important/People
Thomas Dorsey
Stacyona
How Did Gospel Music get started
 Gospel music started with African American
Slaves. They would sing songs while working
some of the songs were" This Little Light Of
Mines", and “ Praise House". Gospel music
consisted of hymns being sung that focused on
Jesus and Gospel values .While the roots of
gospel music comes from Christans ,it has
reached beyond those orgins.People who don’t
identify themselves as Christans singing gospel.
Who is Thomas Dorsey!!!
 Thomas Dorsey was one of the first gospel legends who sung gospel music.
Thomas Dorsey married Nettie Harper and had a son that died at birth
along with his wife. Thomas was born July,1,1899.He is the godfather of
Gospel music. He created gospel music in the 1930’s .His Father was a
Bishop and wrote songs and sung with Mahlia Jackson .Thomas wrote
songs to help get over his wife and sons death .The Famous song “ Precious
Lord” was written by Thomas Dorsey. He used his talent to help him
escape and later he used his talent to purchase his freedom .His first gospel
song “ If You See My Savior Tell Him You Saw Me” was published in
1932.One night onstage Dorsey noticed a unsteadiness and it grew worse
leaving him unable to practice, write or perform .His Breakdown persisted
for 2 years Dorsey sought treatment took time off .Nothing worked. He
Consisted suicide. Then began to think more seriously about his faith.
Thomas helped to influence more people to listen to his music. In 1916 he
moved to Chicago .From 1932 Dorsey was a choral director of the Pilgrim
Baptist Church in Chicago . He founded the National Convention of gospel
music choir and choruses in Chicago 1933, serving as it President for 40
years. He married again and his career continued to flourish and he
eventually composed 3,000 songs. He was Ordained a minister in the
sixties formalizing the union of worship , the Pilgrim Baptist Church
created the T.A. Dorsey choir to honor him in 1983. Dorsey died of
There has been a lot of changes to
Gospel music from 1930-2011
 Kierra Sheard is a contemporary gospel singer was born
June 20,1897. She is the daughter of Karen Clark
Sheard the founding member of The Clark Sister she is
the Granddaughter of Dr. Mattie Moss Clark. She sang in
the choir as a young girl. She was born and raised in
Detroit Michigan .Kierra spent her formative years
surrounded by influence of her family ,faith, and their
music. Kierra Sheard has sung songs with some well
known artist and they are Mary Mary, Karen Clark
Sheard, J dew Sheard, and James Fortune.
The Clark Sisters
 The Clark Sister were led by Organist,Vocalist,
they began in 1980s.The Clark Sister were Born
and raised in Detroit Michigan by there Mother
Dr.Mattie Moss Clark they each began singing at
a early age by the late 1960s they had won 12
or more Grammys. Some of there songs are “Is
My Living In Vain” and “You Brought the
Sunshine” These are the songs that went
straight to the top. The Clark Sisters has help
gospel music to change from slow tempo to
upbeat tempo. Now we have Gospel Rap and
Gospel Jazz. Its more modern its more
contemporary and more uplifting. This is how
gospel has change from 1930s-2011!!! .