Biography: Rev. Dan Willis, Rev. Edgar Vann Jr., Rev. Edward Clayborn, Rev. Emmett Dickinson, Rev. F.W. McGee, Rev. Gary Davis, Rev. J.C. Burnett, Rev. James Cleveland, Rev. James Moore, Rev. Julius Cheeks,

Browse Celebrities by Category

Video Clips

Celebrities A-Z

Celebrities - r

Rev. Dan Willis Biography, Photos, Pictures

A singer, composer, musician, and more, Rev Dan Willis released his solo debut album, Daniel, around Christmas time in 1997 Most of his recording career has been served with the Pentecostals of Chicago, also known as simply POC

Rev. Edgar Vann Jr. Biography, Photos, Pictures

The Reverend Edgar L Vann Jr accepted the position of pastor at Detroit’s Second Ebenezer Baptist Church in 1977; just 21 years old at the time, he assumed control of a church that had missed its last 31 bank payments and which claimed only 66 members

Rev. Edward Clayborn Biography, Photos, Pictures

Rev Edward W Clayborn (he is often listed as just Edward Clayborn, with the surname sometimes spelled Clayburn or Claeburn) billed himself as “the Guitar Evangelist,” and indeed he was, singing a kind of blues gospel not unlike the work of the better known Blind Willie Johnson

Rev. Emmett Dickinson Biography, Photos, Pictures

Between 1929 and 1931, the Rev Emmett Dickinson recorded over 20 sermons, primarily for the Paramount label, and though little else is known of his life, these recordings offer a remarkable glance at one of the most intriguing and elusive figures of early race recording history

Rev. F.W. McGee Biography, Photos, Pictures

Expertly blending lively congregational singing with powerful preaching, the Reverend FW McGee was among the most popular country gospel performers of the pre-Depression era

Rev. Gary Davis Biography, Photos, Pictures

In his prime of life, which is to say the late ’20s, the Reverend Gary Davis was one of the two most renowned practitioners of the East Coast school of ragtime guitar; 35 years later, despite two decades spent playing on the streets of Harlem in New York, he was still one of the giants in his field, playing before thousands of people at a time, and an inspiration to dozens of modern guitarist/singers including Bob Dylan, Taj Mahal, and Donovan; and Jorma Kaukonen, David Bromberg, and Ry Cooder, who studied with Davis

Rev. J.C. Burnett Biography, Photos, Pictures

Beginning in the late ’20s, Reverend JC Burnett began recording religous sermons, including a popular series released by Columbia One of the most exciting recordings of gospel music from a strictly secular standpoint was the combination of Burnett, producer Joe Davis and a group of session musicians Davis chose for the occasion fronted by keyboard player Porter Grainger

Rev. James Cleveland Biography, Photos, Pictures

The visionary behind the contemporary gospel sound, the Reverend James Cleveland was a pioneering composer and choral director whose progressive arrangements — jazzy and soulful, complete with odd time signatures — helped push the music past the confines of the traditional Baptist hymnal into new and unexpected directions, infusing elements of the sanctified church style and secular pop to alter the face of gospel forever

Rev. James Moore Biography, Photos, Pictures

Accorded entry into the gospel field thanks to a scholarship received at the 1974 Gospel Music Workshop of America, Rev James Moore earned a record contract with Savoy that same year and began releasing albums

Rev. Julius Cheeks Biography, Photos, Pictures

At the peak of his career, the Rev Julius Cheeks was the definitive hard gospel singer, famed for a gritty, powerful baritone which influenced not only the next generation of gospel performers but also secular stars including James Brown and Wilson Pickett