Woke Me Up This Morning: Black Gospel Singers and the Gospel Life

University Press of Mississippi

“Gospel music and the blues reflect two sides of the coin that is the African American experience. Blues often depicts the isolation and hopelessness of a lone individual, while gospel rejoices in the simple faith that God is here to guide us through the world. Journalist Young, a New Zealander, originally came to Mississippi and Tennessee in search of genuine blues music and found that style today almost exclusively supported by whites. Gospel, however, is a vital and evolving form still closely connected to the African American culture. In 17 interviews with people involved in gospel music, we hear not from recording stars but from everyday people whose commitment to gospel music and the church offers powerful testimony to a close-knit community held together by faith and love."