Mahalia Jackson, the “Queen of Gospel,”was orphaned in early childhood and raised by an aunt. They lived next door to a church in New Orleans where she first heard gospel music. She also heard blues singers but remained a devoted Baptist who only sang gospel, Born in 1911, she brought gospel music to mainstream, secular audiences. She reached national prominence in 1947 with the release of “Move On Up a Little Higher,” selling two million records and reaching number one status on sales charts, a first for gospel music. In 1939, when segregation barred her from singing in Constitution Hall, first lady Eleonor Roosevelt arranged for Jackson to sing outdoors at the Lincoln Memorial to a far larger audience than would have fit inside any concert hall. She fulfills Proverbs 18:16, “a man’s (or woman’s) gift makes room for him (or her).” It’s also a demonstration of someone overcoming prejudice and hardships to win a vast audience and lasting victory. Jackson’s songs conveyed her faith. She said, “When you sing gospel you have a feeling there is a cure for what’s wrong. But when you are through with the blues, you’ve got nothing to rest on.” She established a path that encourages and edifies us all. Take time to find any of her songs online and be blessed today. |
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