Elder Charles D. Beck

The conventional wisdom is that modern African-American gospel springs from Thomas A. Dorsey and begins during the depression. However, there are figures from the formative years of contemporary gospel that appear equally important in terms of its development that have gained little, if any recognition. One such artist was the Elder Charles D. Beck, responsible for more than 60 recordings over his lifetime for a multitude of small labels. As a singing evangelist, Elder Beck appeared in tent revivals and in Black churches all over the United States during his long career, and i...