Close Harmony : A History of Southern Gospel

Traces the development of the music known as southern gospel from its origins in 19th-cent. shape-note singing to its emergence as a vibrant musical industry driven by radio, TV, recordings, & concert promotions. Southern gospel was marked by a lyrical focus on the message of Christian salvation. This book is filled with the stories of artists & groups who based their livelihoods on white gospel, such as Frank Stamps, the Chuck Wagon Gang, the Blackwood Brothers, the Rangers, the Swanee River Boys, the Statesmen, & the Oak Ridge Boys. These successful groups set the stage for the musical diversity that splintered the industry during the 1960s & 1970s, when barriers to interaction between white & black artists were broken. Over 100 B&W photos.Goff, James R., Jr. is the author of 'Close Harmony : A History of Southern Gospel', published 2006 under ISBN 9780756799472 and ISBN 0756799473.