Well Friends, I think this brings this thread to an end. I've really focused on those differences that can be illustrated in a one hour workshop, specifically with my group and my friends The Beans. If I was in a workshop with a different group, like our friends on the West Coast, The Reedy Buzzards, the workshop would change to include early country gospel by the Brother groups (like the Stanley Brothers and Louvin Brothers) and the Blue Sky Boys. If we ever have the pleasure of doing a workshop with Wilco 48, or Richie and the Bluegrass Messengers, we'd explore other aspects of white gospel. There is much left to talk about... gospel and the blues, including people like the Staples Singers and Pops Staples, Blind Willie Johnson, Reverend Gary Davis, Thomas A. Dorsey and all the rest. There is a very strong link between black gospel and the blues. I'm not sure that I'm the one to explore it, though.

And then, there's the gospel of the Georgia Sea Islands, the black street singers (I have a wonderful CD of two blind street singers, Clay and Scott, recorded in Philadelphia) both black and white Sacred Harp singers, Southern White gospel (which I don't enjoy, so I'd be a poor choice to talk about that branch of gospel)and many more styles that you could add. I am not an expert on anything, and definitely not a scholar. I love to sing the music, and feel it in my soul. I'll leave the scholarly work to others... there are several scholars on Mudcat.

If anyone wants to carry on this discussion, they can always PM me, or e-mail me at gospelmessengers@msn.com. I am always trying to grow, musically and spiritually. Many Catters have written and are writing gospel. I just finished another song tonight, and expect that more will come. Whatever inspiration we can give to each other is worth continuing a discussion. Khandu is a fine writer, and nutty has written a fine gospel song. 53 says he's written several gospel songs if he can only find the tape, and I'm sure there are many others.

This thread has been great fun... thanks for starting it Wilco. You ain't heard the last of me yet.

Brother Jerry