The Encyclopedia of American Gospel Music is the first comprehensive reference to cover this important American musical form. Coverage includes all aspects of both African-American and white gospel from history and performers to recording techniques and styles as well as the influence of gospel on different musical genres and cultural trends.

With informative biographies, essays, and "music maps, " this book is the ultimate guide to the best recordings in rhythm and blues. 20 charts.

Chicago Soul chronicles the emergence of Chicago soul music out of the city's thriving rhythm-and-blues industry from the late 1950s through the late 1970s. The performers, A&R men, producers, distributors, deejays, studios, and labels that made it all happen take center stage in this first book to document the stunning rise and success of the Windy City as a soul music recording center.

The roots of soul and R&B run deep. This book charts the development of this uniquely American music form from the 1800s through to the present. It also shows how social, economic, and regional factors have all helped to shape soul and R&B over time and, in turn, how this music has gone on to influence other genres, such as Blues, Rock, and Jazz.

Legends are said to be those individuals who soar above the limitations of the average human experience. These special souls leave eternal footprints in the hearts of even the casual observer, and their message remains timeless. History books are full of stories about these remarkable people. While some of these dynamic leaders affect only their generation, others are birthed for the purposes of eternity. Arthur Lee Crume Sr. is such a man. Arthur is the owner, manager and longest active member of the widely acclaimed Soul Stirrers Gospel Quartet. Historians herald this group as the greatest quartet in the history of gospel music. Arthurs musical talents catapulted and held him at the top of his field for several decades. Although he enjoyed all the attention and accolades he received, he had one serious problem. Arthur did not have a personal relationship with the God he was singing about. All the notoriety and fame stroked his already inflated ego and caused him to become even more self-absorbed. His poor choices and fleshly appetites scarred the lives of those who loved him the most, leaving broken hearts littered along lifes highway. But God, who is rich in mercy, never gave up on Arthur.

The first true gospel music encyclopedia, Uncloudy Days explores the artists who profoundly influenced early rock 'n' roll and soul music and provided inspiration for millions of the faithful."--BOOK JACKET.

Reviews and rates the best recordings of 8,900 blues artists in all styles.

A lavishly illustrated collection of forty-two profiles of Texas music pioneers, most underrated or overlooked, All Over the Map: True Heroes of Texas Music covers the musical landscape of a most musical state. The first edition was published in 2005 to wide acclaim. This second edition includes updated information, a bonus section of six behind-the-scenes heroes, and fifteen new portraits of Lefty Frizzell, Janis Joplin, and others, spanning such diverse styles as blues, country, hip-hop, conjunto, gospel, rock, and jazz. D.J. Stout and Pentagram designed the reborn edition, with photographer Scott Newton providing portraits. Michael Corcoran has been writing about Texas music for more than thirty years, for the Dallas Morning News and Austin American Statesman, as well as in such publications as Texas Monthly and Spin. These pieces are based on his personal interviews with their subjects as well as in-depth research. Expertly written with flair, the book is a musical waltz across Texas.

Legends are said to be those individuals who soar above the limitations of the average human experience. These special souls leave eternal footprints in the hearts of even the casual observer, and their message remains timeless. History books are full of stories about these remarkable people. While some of these dynamic leaders affect only their generation, others are birthed for the purposes of eternity. Arthur Lee Crume Sr. is such a man. Arthur is the owner, manager, and longest active member of the widely acclaimed Soul Stirrers’s Gospel Quartet. Historians herald this group as the greatest quartet in the history of gospel music. Arthur’s musical talents catapulted and held him at the top of his field for several decades. Although he enjoyed all the attention and accolades he received, he had one serious problem. Arthur did not have a personal relationship with the God he was singing about. All the notoriety and fame stroked his already inflated ego and caused him to become even more self-absorbed. His poor choices and fleshly appetites scarred the lives of those who loved him the most, leaving broken hearts littered along life’s highway. But God, who is rich in mercy, never gave up on Arthur. Editing by Dixie Phillips and Karen Burkett of ChristianWritingServices.com.

Florida Historical Society Charlton Tebeau Award University of Tampa College of Arts and Letters Outstanding Scholarship or Creative Work Award When recalling the roots of soul music, most people are likely to name Memphis, Detroit, New Orleans, Muscle Shoals, or Macon. But Florida also has a rich soul music history—an important cultural legacy that has often gone unrecognized. Florida Soul celebrates great artists of the Sunshine State who produced some of the most electric, emotive soul music America has ever heard. This book tells the story of Ray Charles’s musical upbringing in Florida, where he wrote his first songs and made his first recordings. It highlights the careers of Pensacola singers James and Bobby Purify and their producer, Papa Don Schroeder. Florida Soul reveals how Hank Ballard created his international hit song "The Twist" after seeing the dance in Tampa and profiles Gainesville singer Linda Lyndell ("What a Man"). Miami’s Overtown and Liberty City neighborhoods produced Sam Moore of the legendary duo Sam and Dave, Willie Clarke and Johnny Pearsall of Deep City Records, and singer Helene Smith. Miami was also the longtime headquarters of Henry Stone, whose influential company T.K. Productions put out hits by Timmy Thomas, Latimore, Betty Wright, and KC and the Sunshine Band. Stone’s artists and distribution deals influenced charts and radio airplay across the world. Born in the era of segregation with origins in gospel, rhythm and blues, and jazz and reaching maturity during the civil rights movement, soul music is still enjoyed today, still very much a part of our collective culture. John Capouya draws on extensive interviews with surviving musicians to re-create the excitement and honor the achievements of soul’s golden age, establishing Florida as one of the great soul music capitals of the United States.