

The History of Gospel Music: Upward and Onward!
Episode 16
Episode date - July 11, 2025
This represents the final episode for this series. I’ve learned a lot and had a LOT of fun along the way, and I certainly hope that you did as well.
I figure since we’ve come this far, I don’t have a lot more to talk about, so I figured we should end with a strong emphasis on the music. Oh, I’ll still talk (nothing will stop me…), but this show will cover a few ‘contemporary’ pop songs (and I use the word ‘contemporary’ very loosely) that were heavily influenced by Gospel music.
Featured tracks include:
Uncloudy Day- The Staple Singers
I’ll Take You There- The Staple Singers
Live Medley – Leon Russell
That’s the Way God Planned It – Billy Preston
My Sweet Lord – George Harrison
Spirit in the Sky- Norman Greenbaum
Gotta Serve Somebody – Shirley Caesar
Lean on Me - Kirk Franklin
Said I Wasn’t Gonna Tell Nobody – The Abyssinian Baptist Choir
Channel 31 - The History of American Gospel Music
