Gospel Legend

By Douglas Crank

Douglas MacArthur Crank tells his first-hand experiences of being a child of sharecroppers in North Carolina during the 1940s and 1950s. Poverty, racial segregation and a lack of education did not deter him from pursuing his dreams. Instead, he used these experiences as a source of inspiration to discover his passion of gospel music.

A natural-born storyteller, Douglas recalls stories of childhood racism in the south, and finally moving to New York City where he struggled to make his gospel dreams a reality as a musician and singer.

Douglas lived a remarkable life; his autobiography details his whirlwind adventures in New York City at the age of only 16. He later toured with the legendary gospel group The Five Blind Boys of Mississippi, The Mellotones of New York, and The Skylights of New York. He played behind gospel greats such as June Chicks, Shirly Caesar and numerous other gospels acts.

Douglas was a member of groups such as The Spiritual Echoes of the Bronx, The Mighty Gospel Giants of New York and is currently a member of The Legendaires. During all this time, he raised a family in New York but remained unwaveringly true to his love of gospel music.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Emerging Edge
• Release date: Dec 17, 2021
• ISBN: 9781005055448

Book preview

Gospel

Legend

Douglas MacArthur Crank

Copyright 2021 by Douglas Crank

Published by Simply Inspirational Books

Edited by Tasha Krank

Illustrations and Artwork by Tasha Krank and Jerry Krank

All rights reserved. Printed in the U.S.A. No part of this book may be reproduced in any form or by any means without the prior written consent of the Publisher.

The Scanning, printing, coping, and distributing of this book via the internet or in print or any other means without the permission of the publisher is illegal and is punishable by law.

Do not participate or encourage piracy of copyrighted material. Your support of the author’s rights is appreciated.

ISBN: 9798775627539

www.simplyinspirationalbooks.com

Table of Contents

Dedication

Introduction

Chapter One

Chapter Two

Chapter Three

Chapter Four

Chapter Five

Chapter Six

Chapter Seven

Chapter Eight

Chapter Nine

Chapter Ten

Chapter Eleven

Chapter Twelve

Chapter Thirteen

CDs of The Legendaires

Credits and Acknowledgements

Inquiries/Contact Information

Dedication

First and foremost, I want to give thanks to my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ for blessing me throughout these years. This book is dedicated to my mother and father, my family and to the people that I’ve met in my life that influenced me as a Gospel singer and musician: Moses and Ella Crank, my late wife (Zelma), my children (Tyrone, Tammy, Jerry and Tasha). My mentors (Charlie Hayes, A.C. Harper, Linwood Hargove of the Swan Silvertones, Richard Phillips of the Mellotones, and my good friend Lee Walker).

Moses and Ella Crank (Douglas’ parents).

Introduction

A Brief History of Black Gospel Music

Black Gospel Music can be traced back into the 19th century. It originated from African American folk style spirituals which began one hundred years prior. For African Americans, during this time, spiritual content about God is what encouraged many during the difficult times of slavery and racial discrimination. The use of hymnals consisted of repetition and the church replying often through the rhythmic response of hand clapping, foot stomping and music. During worship, over time, this evolved to inspire spiritual songs that created cultural tradition through gospel choir. After Emancipation, Black church music become popular in Black American communities. After the Civil War hymnals used in Black churches began to include music that was rhythmic and with a catchy melody.

The shift from folk spirituals to Gospel music became prominent during the 1930s to 1940s. Subsequently, Black church congregations evolved from hymnal music and Black spirituals to create Black gospel music well into the 20th century.

Southern Gospel Music

The oppression that existed in the south inspired many Black people in the South to turn to old spirituals, gospel music and the church for strength and encouragement. Also, during this time, during the early 1900s many African Americans moved from their communities in the south to northern cities in search for better opportunities and to escape the racism that they faced in the south. Many brought with them their worship culture and of course gospel music. The influence of southern gospel music found importance and relevance in northern cities such as New York City, Chicago, and Detroit. Around the very same time, Jazz and Blues music also became popular among Southern Black people that migrated to Northern cities. In these urban cities, up and coming artists would sing in the streets in the hopes of becoming discovered.

In the 1930s, the Black Jubilee quartets such as the Five Blind Boys of Mississippi and the Blind Boys of Alabama became popular in gospel music.

Prominent Gospel Figures

By the 1940s, gospel music had become more secular with catchy rhythmic beats.

Thomas Dorsey and Mahalia Jackson became prominent figures in gospel music. In fact, Thomas Dorsey is often referred to as the father of gospel music. Before becoming a Gospel artist, Dorsey was a prolific jazz and blues pianist and composer. He was also the son of a Georgia Baptist preacher. He faced backlashes due to his prior experience in secular music but his upbringing from the church helped him become a prominent gospel singer and musician. Mahalia Jackson became a prominent figure during the civil rights movement. She used gospel music not only as a form of musical devotion, but she also used her musical platform as a gospel singer to inspire prominent religious leaders such as Martin Luther King Jr. during civil rights movements of the 1960s

Women of African descent have always been active in gospel music since the early days of religion. Notable early female gospel singers include Sister Rosetta Tharpe, Marie Knight, and Madame Edna Gallmon Cooke.

Pastor Shirley Caesar is another prominent figure in Gospel music. Her success as a singer and song writer is well over six