In the region of West Georgia, a wealth of traditional sacred and gospel music can be found – Sacred Harp singing thrives at churches like Holly Springs Baptist thanks to the efforts of Bremen resident Hugh McGraw; the United Shape Note Singers travel from church to church on most Sundays of the year with suitcases full of songbooks to sing and worship; Southern Gospel singers draw crowds in the hundreds to their singing schools and conventions. These groups all have their own distinct styles, but one character remains constant – they all use shape-notes to learn and sing their music.
Introduction
August 17, 2016