Gospel and Blues are two sides of the same coin. One uplifts, the other comforts a weary soul. There is nothing like the energy and soul vibrating power of a gospel choir on a Sunday morning. Whatever religion a person may ascribe to, gospel music can jump start anyone's faith in the power of religious music. Wherever one might live in the United States, chances are a church nearby will be shaking the rafters with the mighty voices and tambourines of a gospel choir. Afro-American gospel quartets and choirs had a profound influence on blues, jazz and rock 'n' roll. Aretha Franklin, daughter of a Baptist minister, found her earth-shaking voice behind the wooden rail of a gospel choir. Sam Cook cultivated his velvet smooth "You Send Me's" in the church choir, the son of a prominent minister. Other singers who found their gift for music in the gospel choir include Tina Turner, James Brown, Marvin Gaye, Al Green and Whitney Houston. If the urban playground is the training ground for the future Michael Jordans of the world, the gospel choir is the training ground for the future Aretha Franklins. For more information on gospel music, go to http://bs.yahoo.com/Entertainment/Music/Artists/By_Genre/Gospel/. To purchase gospel music online, go to www.amazon.com.   | Home | Cultural | Environmental | Musical | Ordinary | | Contact Us | About the Authors | © Copyright 2007 fiftythings