Southern gospel

==Early performers==
Southern gospel is sometimes called "quartet music" by fans because of the originally all-male, tenor-lead-baritone-bass quartet makeup. Early quartets were typically either [[a cappella]] or accompanied only by piano or guitar, and in some cases a piano and banjo in areas that were influenced by bluegrass music such as [[Appalachia]]. Over time, full bands were added and even later, pre-recorded accompaniments (soundtracks) were introduced.

In the first decades of the twentieth century, southern gospel drew much of its creative energy from the [[holiness movement]] churches that arose throughout the south. Early gospel artists such as The [[Speer Family]], The Stamps Quartet, The Blackwood Family, and The Lefevre Trio achieved wide popularity through their recordings and radio performances in the 1920s, 1930s, 1940s and 1950s. On October 20, 1927, The Stamps Quartet recorded its early hit "Give The World A Smile" for RCA Victor, which become the Quartet's theme song. The Stamps Quartet was heard on the radio throughout Texas and the South. A handful of groups were considered pioneers in southern gospel music for a series of "firsts." The Blackwood Brothers, with [[James Blackwood]] and [[J.D. Sumner]] became the first group to travel in a bus, which is on display at the [[Southern Gospel Museum and Hall of Fame]] at [[Dollywood]] in [[Pigeon Forge, Tennessee]]. Sumner also was instrumental in creating the [[National Quartet Convention]], an annual music festival where many groups, both known and well known perform for a week. The Speer Family was known for bringing blended groups to mainstream popularity where both male and female performers toured together. The best known group of the 1950s and 1960s was the [[Statesmen Quartet]], which set the trend for broad appeal of the all-male quartets that would develop years later. The Statesmen were known for their showmanship and introduction of jazz, ragtime, and even some early rock and roll. Elements into their music and their stage appearance with trendy suits and wide audience appeal and were known for their signature song, "Happy Rhythm" (Rockin and a'Rollin).