What is the Gospel?

Gospel music in general is characterized by dominant vocals (often with

strong use of harmony) referencing lyrics of a Christian nature.
It is often written to express personal or group belief, regarding Christianity.
Gospel music combines Christian praise with the rhythms of jazz and
the blues.
Performed for many purposes:

Aesthetic pleasure

Religious or ceremonial purposes

Entertainment product for the marketplace.

Gospel music can be traced to the early 17th century, with roots in
the black oral tradition. Hymns and sacred songs were repeated in
a call and response fashion.

Most of the churches relied on hand clapping and foot stomping as

rhythmic accompaniment. Most of the singing was done a cappella.

The church choir consisted of a group of volunteer singers from the

church congregation.

Importent people in gospel music:

Thomas Andrew Dorsey (July 1, 1899 January 23, 1993) was known as "the
father of black gospel music" and was at one time so closely associated with the
field that songs written in the new style were sometimes known as "dorseys." [
Mahalia Jackson (/mhelj/ m-HAYL-y; October 26, 1911 January 27, 1972)
was an American gospel singer. Possessing a powerful contralto voice,[2] she was
referred to as "The Queen of Gospel".[1][3][4] She became one of the most influential
gospel singers in the world and was heralded internationally as a singer and civil
rights activist.[5] She was described by entertainer Harry Belafonte as "the single
most powerful black woman in the United States".
Rosetta Tharpe: A pioneer of twentieth-century music, Tharpe attained popularity
in the 1930s and 1940s with her gospel recordings that were a unique mixture of
spiritual lyrics and rhythmic/early rock accompaniment. She became gospel music's
first crossover artist and its first great recording star, referred to later as "the original
soul sister" and "the godmother of rock and roll".

Subgenres

Gospel blues:

Gospel blues or holy blues is a form blues-based gospel music that has been
around since the inception of blues music a combination of blues
guitar and evangelistic lyrics.
https://youtu.be/_GtxQQg5pyY

Country gospel:

Is a form of Christian music and a subgenre of both Gospel

music and Country music. Like other forms of music the creation,
performance, significance, and even the definition of Country Gospel varies
according to culture and social context.
https://youtu.be/QS1VlOkhskk

Progressive southern gospel:

Progressive southern gospel is a form of Christian music and a subgenre

of gospel music and southern gospel. It uses Christian lyrics, soulful threeor four-part harmony singing, and sometimes the playing of instrumentals.
https://youtu.be/jrsW2M0QBiU