Gospel Music Heritage Month #Day14: SALLIE MARTIN (1895-1988) One of my heroes, Sallie Martin, known as the Mother of Gospel Music. So many of you have judged her based on what youve seen in SAY AMEN, SOMEBODY, but those who knew her best know that she was nothing like that. She was not mean, but she was strict. Theres a difference. Sallie Martin worked closely with the Father of Gospel Music, Thomas A. Dorsey, and helped to spread the GOOD NEWS through his music. Eventually, Sallie Martin organized her own groups (The Sallie Martin Singers & the Sallie Martin Singers of Joy) and people such Cora Martin, Eugene Burke, Sarah Jordan Powell & Dinah Washington were members at one point in time. Sallie Martin was a member of the First Church of Deliverance in Chicago, Illinois and was known for her solos of God Put A Rainbow In The Sky and Theres Not A Friend. She didnt mind being a background singer and would allow her singers to lead. She was also a very caring woman; one who would do anything for others out of love. In the early 1980s, Sallie Martin starred in SAY AMEN, SOMEBODY, along with Thomas A. Dorsey, Mother Willie Mae Ford Smith, The Barrett Sisters, The ONeal Twins, the Interfaith Choir, Zella Jackson Price and others. Over her long life, Sallie Martin made many appearances on tv shows, concert halls, and churches and was indeed very fiery! In 1971, Sallie accompanied Mahalia Jackson to the FLIP WILSON SHOW and if you pay attention, they get a few seconds of her clapping in the audience. In 1988, Mother Martin passed away of natural causes, but her contribution to Gospel will live forever. Below is a 1960s clip of Sallie Martin singing with the Refreshing Springs COGIC Choir, where the awesome Myrna Summers is a product of. Enjoy!
Posted on: Sun, 14 Sep 2014 18:22:11 +0000
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