Did You Know?

Facts about the Chicago Gospel Music Festival! 

• The first Hammond organ in a Church was The First Church of Deliverance, 43rd and Wabash many years ago.

• The Father of Gospel Music, the late Professor Thomas A Dorsey began the first Choir and Chorus Convention at Pilgrim Baptist Church, 33rd & Indiana Avenue.

• The Queen of Gospel, Dr. Albertina Walker began singing at the age of four at West Point Missionary Baptist Church, 35th and Cottage Grove Avenue where she is still a member signing in the choir.

• Dr. Albertina Walker is the first Chicago Gospel Recipient to receive The National Endowment of the Arts Award which is equal to the Nobel Peace Prize.

• Mahalia Jackson was the first gospel singer labeled The World's Greatest Gospel Singer!

• Pastor Maceo Woods is the first Pastor to begin a Church Choir labeled, "with Christian dignity and elegance" that appears yearly in a "Gospel Supreme" Concert in Chicago.

• Pastor Maceo Woods was the first African American to play the Hammond Organ at The APOLLO.

• The Late Reverend Milton Brunson & The Thompson Community Singers are the first Community Choir in Chicago that had year after year gospel hits on the Billboard and Gospel Charts.

• Chicago artist Eugene Smith and singer Delois Barrett Campbell yet, living gospel artists from The Roberta Martin Singers.

• Professor Robert E. Wooten Sr. recipient of the National Council of Negro Women Bethune Award for over fifty years of service as the Founder and Director of the Wooten Choral Ensemble.

• The First Church of Deliverance Radio Choir took Gospel first to Sweden, Denmark.

• The Soul Stirrers were among the first gospel artist to perform at Radio City, New York

• In 1926, Professor Thomas Andrew Dorsey composed his first Gospel hit (song) "If You See My Savior, Tell Him That You Saw Me."

• Gospel artist Eugene Smith composed one of the nation's leading gospel classic songs, "I know the Lord Will Make a Way," with The Roberta Martin Singers.

• Jessy Dixon composed one of the most outstanding songs in gospel music "I Am Redeemed" and has performed more concerts in India, Africa, Europe, Scandinavia, and over 500 concerts in Norway than any other Gospel artist performing.

• Sid Ordower gave Chicago its first Gospel artist television program, "Jubilee Showcase".

• Rev. Milton Brunson formed one of the oldest Chicago gospel community choirs named Rev. Milton Brunson & The Thompson Community Singers

• The Sallie Martin Singers were the first gospel music female group. Sallie Martin also formed a publishing house along with Kenneth Morris in Chicago.