Accessibility links
Thomas Dorsey Thomas Dorsey artist page: interviews, features and/or performances archived at NPR Music

Thomas Dorsey

'Say Amen, Somebody' Restoration Unveils The Wonder Of The Gospel Pioneers

Thomas A. Dorsey was one of the gospel pioneers profiled in George Nierenberg's Say Amen, Somebody. The documentary was originally released in 1982, and has been remastered and re-released. Courtesy Milestone Films hide caption

toggle caption
Courtesy Milestone Films

Music News

'Say Amen, Somebody' Restoration Unveils The Wonder Of The Gospel Pioneers

Almost 40 years since its cinematic release, a restoration brings this documentary featuring Thomas A. Dorsey and Mother Willie Mae Ford Smith back to life.

'Say Amen, Somebody' Restoration Unveils The Wonder Of The Gospel Pioneers

Listen · 7:03
Transcript
  • Download
  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/809049852/809161969" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
  • Transcript

Music News

Fire Claims Historic Chicago Church

A fire has destroyed the landmark Pilgrim Baptist Church on Chicago's South Side. Built in 1890, the church became a catalyst for the popularity of gospel music in the 1930s under choir director Thomas Dorsey.

Fire Claims Historic Chicago Church

Listen
Transcript
  • Download
  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/5134310/5134311" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
  • Transcript

Music News

A 'Great Big' Biography of Tommy Dorsey

A major big band leader is the subject of a new book: Tommy Dorsey: Livin' in a Great Big Way. With his brother Jimmy, Dorsey helped define American popular music from the 1920s through the mid 1950s. Peter Levinson tells Linda Wertheimer about his biography.

A 'Great Big' Biography of Tommy Dorsey

Listen
Transcript
  • Download
  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/5077641/5077642" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
  • Transcript

Music Interviews

Thomas Dorsey, the Father of Gospel Music

Thomas Dorsey combined sacred and secular styles to create a revolution in music. His story is the latest in "Honky Tonks, Hymns and the Blues," a special 11-part weekly series on the creation of American musical traditions.

Thomas Dorsey, the Father of Gospel Music

Listen
  • Download
  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/1357001/1357002" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
'Take My Hand, Precious Lord'

Thomas Dorsey. Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images hide caption

toggle caption
Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images

The NPR 100

'Take My Hand, Precious Lord'

Sung at the funeral of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., it is the most-recorded gospel song ever.

'Take My Hand, Precious Lord'

Listen
  • Download
  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/1069272/18712215" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
Browse archive or search npr.org