Chicago, IL – April 16, 2024: The Chicago Music Industry Professionals is hosting a CHICAGO GOSPEL MUSIC HISTORY TOUR.
The tour is happening on Friday, May 31, 2024.
The ANNUAL CHICAGO GOSPEL MUSIC FESTIVAL is happening the very next day.
Date: The festival is scheduled for Saturday, June 1, 2024.
Location: It will take place at Millennium Park in Chicago.
Admission: The festival is free to attend.
Event Entrances: You can access the festival at the entrances located on Randolph Street and Monroe Street within Millennium Park.
If you’re in town, you may very well want to take advantage of this opportunity to experience Chicago’s rich GOSPEL MUSIC HISTORY. This is a 3-hour tour that will travel around Chicago’s South Side in a plush coach bus. Boarding will begin at 9:30 a.m. for the 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. tour.
The tour, which will start and finish at 3900 South Michigan Avenue in Chicago’s historic Bronzeville neighborhood, will visit the:
Former sites of Christ Universal Temple (founded by Rev. Dr. Johnnie Colemon), Pentecostal Word Explosion (Maple Reddick – Proprietor & C. E. O. of Meek Records), Gospel Sounds Music Store (Rev. Milton Brunson – Proprietor), Sallie Martin House of Music (Sallie Martin – Proprietor), Lillian Bowles Music Studio, and Martin & Morris Music Studio;
Former homes of DeLois Barrett Campbell & Billie Barrett Greenbey (The Barrett Sisters), Mahalia Jackson (1st Queen of Gospel Music), Albertina Walker (2nd Queen of Gospel Music), Thomas Andrew Dorsey (The Father of Gospel Music), Roberta Martin, Rev. Clarence Cobbs (Founder of First Church of Deliverance);
Mt. Pisgah MBC (Roberta Martin was music director), site of the former Poro Beauty School (where Thomas Dorsey began writing “Precious Lord”), Fellowship MBC (Rev. Dr. Clay Evans Founder), Ebenezer Baptist (Birthplace of Gospel Music – Rev. Darryl Person Host Pastor), First Church of Deliverance (Rev. James R. Bryson, Jr. Host Pastor), Christian Tabernacle Church-Baptist (Rev. Maceo Woods – Founder), Roberts Temple COGIC, and Pilgrim Baptist Church (Thomas A. Dorsey, Father of Gospel Music and co-founder of the National Convention of Gospel Choirs and Choruses, was music director), now slated to be the National Museum of Gospel Music.
ROBERT MAROVICH of the Journal of Gospel Music will serve as TOUR GUIDE.
For more information, email chicagoginnetwork@gmail.com or call (773) 991-7566.
To reserve your seat, go to https://cmip.ticketlocity.com/events/72761. Secure your ticket asap because there is limited seating. See you there!
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Written by : Bob Marovich
Bob Marovich is a gospel music historian, author, and radio host. Founder of Journal of Gospel Music blog (formally The Black Gospel Blog) and producer of the Gospel Memories Radio Show.
Hello. Would you please include the Wooten Choral Ensemble? This year they celebrate 75 continuous years of music ministry, making them the only choir in the nation to do so.
Dr. Robert E. Wooten, Sr. founded this group of singers in 1949. His son Robert E. Wooten, Jr. Is the direvtor.
The Wooten Choral Ensemble ministers at the Beth Eden Baptist Church at 11121 S. Loomis in Chicago. Dr. Craig M. Jenkins is the pastor.
This aggregation should be included in the history of Chicago’s history of Gospel music. Thank you.
I agree that the Wooten Choral Ensemble be included. ALSO:
Dr. Lena McLin, niece of Thomas Dorsey and composer of 100s of Gospel songs and spirituals. Thank you.
Yes, Dr. Palmore, on both counts!