Gospel Memories

This episode is an hourlong survey of Simpson Records, the eponymously-titled gospel label of Richard "Bishop" Simpson. Artists include the COGICS, Utterbach Concert Ensemble, Kendrix Singers of LA, Gospel Descendants, Gospel Clefs, and others.

Today, Gospel Memories pays tribute to Arizona Dranes on the 100th anniversary of her initial recording session: June 17, 1926; also music from the Tommies, Fairfield Four, Gerald Sisters, Greater Rosehill B.C., Dorothy Norwood, and others.

This episode includes a long set in celebration of gospel legend Lorenza Brown Porter (pictured, Argo Singers), as well as selections from the Flying Clouds of Detroit, Aretha Franklin & Southern California Community Choir, Lumzy Sisters, Watkins-Bell Singers, and others.

Music from Elder Charles Beck, Voices of Christ, Radio Four, Maceo Woods Singers (pictured), Biblical Gospel Singers, Silver Stars, Robbie Preston Williams and Billy Preston, and others.

This episode features selections from the Mighty Clouds of Joy, Roberta Martin Singers, Cora Martin, James C. Chambers & ECC (pictured), Williams Brothers, Swan Silvertones, and others.

Selections from the Staple Singers, Bells of Joy, AARC Mass Choir, Shaw Singers, Canton Spirituals (pictured), and others.

William Luck guest hosts this week, with music from the Skylarks (pictured), Flying Stars of Brooklyn, Steward Gaskin and the Sonics, Rainy Teens, Humble Gospel Singers, Mighty Griffin Singers, and others.

For its 25th anniversary episode, Gospel Memories replicates the playlist of the very first hour of the very first Gospel Memories episode, which aired Sunday, May 6, 2001, at 2:00 a.m. Central Time on WLUW-FM Chicago.

Stanley Stovall, longtime Chicago choir director, is our guest this week. He talks about working at Mt. Eagle BC, with Rev. Ernest Franklin, Lavelle Lacy, Robert Wooten, Charles Clency, and others. Music samples galore!

This episode includes music from the Original Gospel Harmonettes, Pilgrim Jubilees (pictured), Davis Sisters, Edwin Hawkins Singers, J. Robert Bradley, These Are They, Five Blind Boys of Mississippi, and others.