How a Black woman gospel singer helped pioneer rock ‘n’ roll

Journalist Cheryl Wills’ new book “Isn’t Her Grace Amazing!” details the untold stories of Black women gospel singers overlooked by the history books.

When you think of rock ‘n’ roll, you might not think of high heels and a long church coat. But it turns out one of the pioneers of the genre was a Black woman who survived Jim Crow and became one of the most influential guitar players in American history.

Sister Rosetta Tharpe, is just one of the many Black women gospel singers, profiled in a new book by NY1 TV anchor and journalist Cheryl Wills, called “Isn’t Her Grace Amazing! The Women Who Changed Gospel Music.”

“She was dynamic, the original soul singer,” Wills tells theGrio in a recent appearance on TheGrio Weekly. “She had a gift to sing, and she also had talent. She knew she wanted to play an instrument, so she decided to play the guitar. And people said, ‘Girl, you can’t play no guitar. That’s a man’s instrument.’ And she said, ‘OK, if no one will teach me, I’ll teach myself.’”

Born in 1915, Tharpe, was the daughter of cotton pickers who were members of the COGIC faith. Tharpe was considered a musical prodigy by age six, and traveled around the country playing her guitar and singing in church conventions.

Her signature bop and guitar style earned her accolades and a chance to record gospel music at just 23 years old. Her hit song “Rock Me” is the record that is most credited with inspiring the likes of Elvis Presley, Johnny Cash and Little Richard. In 2018, she was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Despite her achievements, Tharpe endured criticism for her crossover appeal and the decision to play in secular spaces like clubs.

“These women, of course, lived in a time when Black women, especially truly all women, but especially Black women, were to be seen and not heard,” Wills tells theGrio. She says stories like Tharpe’s and others motivated her to write a book that would elevate them to their rightful place.

“They really were pioneers and trailblazers in the music industry,” Wills said.

“Isn’t Her Grace Amazing!” also tells the stories of hitmakers with origins in gospel music such as Aretha Franklin, and modern-day music mavens like Yolanda Adams, Tamela Mann and CeCe Winans.

For Wills, this book project is personal. The longtime anchor’s grandmother, Opal Wills, was a storefront gospel singer in Queens, New York, at her husband’s church. Sister Wills traveled the country singing with him, healing souls with her words and music.

Wills bore witness to her grandmother’s power but also learned that even the gospel music industry could be sexist toward women singers.

“These women were marginalized,” Wills says. “They were told that this is a man’s platform.”

“So when you learn about the power of these women who took the spotlight, grabbed the spotlight and said, ‘Now my voice matters and I have a testimony up in here,’ when you see the power that they use, the inner strength in spite of people looking them up and down…for them to clap back and say, ‘no, my place is right on this microphone?’ The music you love today, they helped create.”

by Natasha S. Alford, VP of Digital Content and a Senior Correspondent at the Grio

Continued from Page 5

The 24/7 library is within walking distance to several westside neighborhoods, businesses and restaurants; the Young-Lilley Park, and it’s next to a Springfield City Utilities bus stop on West Chestnut Expressway.

Big George Foreman Movie in April

The upcoming film, Big George Foreman, is set to debut later this month and tells the story of the famous boxer’s remarkable journey from heavyweight champion to preacher and back to heavyweight

The 24/7 made its debut in early February with funding from the Friends of the Library and additional support from the State Library.

If you’re a grandparent raising grandchildren or know someone who is, helpful resources will be highlighted from 1-4 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 16, at the Library Station. Visit with representatives from area organizations and gather information on community resources. It’s sponsored by the Library, NAACP’s Be a Jewel and Grands Raising Grands. Registration starts Feb. 5; call 616-0683.

Here are two more programs for families:

Picky Eaters and Problem Feeders is the topic from 9:30-11:30 a.m. Saturday, Feb. 23, in the Library Center auditorium. If mealtimes and snacks with a child are a struggle, this is for you! Register by calling 883-5341.

Conscious Parenting: From Chaos to Calm, 10-11:30 a.m. Saturday, March 16, in the Library Center auditorium. Conscious Discipline supports children’s healthy social and emotional learning. Parents learn life-changing skills that decrease problem

June. Contact the MO Job Center at 417-887-4343 for more information.

Change 1000 Skills Academy champion once again. The film highlights Foreman’s two decades-long break between winning two heavyweight titles, one in 1973 and the other against Muhammid Ali in 1974.

2 Weeks – 36 Hours (6 hours a day) new job-training program for manufacturing, construction, transportation/logistics, information technology and healthcare industries. You can work another job while attending the training. At the end of training, participants are connected to employment opportunities with the same employers who designed the training program. Wages for most jobs start between $10 - $17 per hour. For more information or to register visit: www.changeonethousnad. org or call 417-887-4343.

Northwest Project

Offers a free program to help families revitalize their hope so they can set and meet personal goals with a community system of support. Program participants focus on specific ways to help families move from living paycheck to paycheck: Affordable Quality Housing, Quality Childcare, Transportation, Job Training and Educational Opportunities, Budgeting, Resolving Legal Issues, Accountability and Health and Well Being. For more information: contact the Northwest Project at: www. DrewLewis.org, SGFNWP@ gmail.com or 417-720-1890.

SEEKING Minority & Women Contractors

All Specialties of licensed and insured contractors are encouraged to participate in the City of Springfield’s “HUD” financed Housing Rehabilitation Projects.

One Door

• Sub-contractors covering all residential building trades

Questions? Call(417) 864-1031 Applications are available at: City of Springfield, Planning & Development Dept.

Are you without a home, at risk of becoming homeless, do not have a safe stable place to stay or need affordable housing, call 417-225-7499 or visit the Springfield Affordable Housing Center at 300 E. Central, Springfield.

Making Sense of Money

February 5, 12, 19 and 26 –(Basic Budgeting Series)

Free interactive class to learn how to manage money better. Registration is required and you must attend all four sessions. Contact 417-888-2020, ext. 150 or register online at http://www. cpozarks.org/financial-literacy/.

Letter to the Editor

Continued from Page 7 to being truly inclusive. Nevertheless, I dream of an inclusive society with mutual respect: something that Americans can be proud of. Above all, I love because of this revelation. “Disagreement does not equal hate.”