Thomas A. Dorsey Father of Black Gospel Music an Interview

About the Book

Mr. Thomas Andrew Dorsey’s telephone number was given to the writer of this newly released book by the name Thomas A. Dorsey, Father of Black Gospel Music an Interview by a directory assistance operator in Chicago, Illinois. The writer, at the time (1975), took a chance and called, not expecting the first publisher of black gospel music to answer the phone. A very hoarse voice said “Hello,” and the writer recognized it immediately as being the voice he had heard on a recording about gospel music that Mr. Dorsey had done. After being asked if he would consent to being interviewed, Mr. Dorsey unenthusiastically said yes. He was unenthusiastic, the writer later discovered, because fortune hunters and status seekers had been plaguing him for interviews. Honored that Mr. Dorsey had said yes, the writer took a train from Kansas City, Missouri, to Chicago to interview this man who had written hundreds of songs.

About the Author

The year 1975, the author of this book was in Graduate School at the University of Missouri at Kansas City. He interviewed and recorded Mr. Dorsey at his home in Chicago, Illinois. Robert L. Taylor has also written and arranged the music for two Gospel music albums, Perfect Peace, 1979 and Relax in Jesus, 1984. He also coproduced and composed the music for an original musical play, Richard Allen Apostle of Freedom, which was performed at the Lyric Theatre 1984 also in Kansas City. Robert has also played piano and organ at Bethel AME Church in Kansas City, Missouri, and was minister of music at Trinity Baptist Church Pontiac, Michigan.