Date

6-16-2025

Department

School of Music

Degree

Doctor of Philosophy in Christian Worship (PhD)

Chair

Scott Connell

Keywords

Contemporary Gospel Music, Black Church, African American Worship, Black Gospel Music, James Cleveland, Andraé Crouch, Edwin Hawkins, Walter Hawkins, Jesus Movement, Jesus People Movement, Civil Rights Movement, Ralph Carmichael, Revival, Jesus Movement Revival, Black Side of the Jesus Movement, Hippies, Hippy, Black Hippies, Black Hippy, COGIC, Church of God in Christ, E.E. Cleveland, EE Cleveland, Ephesians Church of God in Christ, Black Panther Party, BPP, San Francisico, Oh Happy Day, O Happy Day, GMWA, Gospel Music Workshop of America, Teen Challenge Center, TCC, NCGCC, National Convention of Gospel Choirs and Choruses, FCGM, Forefathers of Contemporary Gospel Music, CCM, Contemporary Christian Music, Revival and the Black Church, Banjo, Gospel Music and Academia

Disciplines

Christianity | Music

Abstract

This study investigates the impact of James Cleveland, Andraé Crouch, Edwin Hawkins, and Walter Hawkins on contemporary gospel music following the Jesus Movement revival. Their music emerged concurrently with the birth of contemporary Christian music; however, their significant musical innovations have not been widely recognized as part of the Jesus Movement revival. Figuratively speaking, contemporary gospel music and contemporary Christian music are like “fraternal twins,” yet there has been insufficient research linking them together. The rationale for this study is to uncover the potential social and cultural barriers that contributed to their exclusion and disconnect. This research identifies these barriers and demonstrates how God utilizes music to draw His children closer to Him. Further analysis highlights the practical musical innovations introduced by these individuals, which transformed worship expressions within the Black Church and positively influenced contemporary culture.

This ethnographic, qualitative study reveals elements that demonstrate the musical relationship between the Jesus Movement and the Black Church. It examines shared behavioral patterns of hippies during the mid-1960s and mid-1970s as they relate to the Black Church. Primarily narrative in nature, the study employs books and interviews to present biographical information about everyone, explore their musical influences, and analyze their musical journeys.

The conclusions establish a connection between Cleveland, Crouch, Edwin Hawkins, Walter Hawkins, and the development of contemporary gospel music within the context of the Jesus Movement. Their relevance to the field of worship will be of interest to future worship leaders who may be unfamiliar with gospel music but are required to minister within multicultural congregations.

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