Songs of Praise

Folklorists Carrie and Michael Kline were introduced to him during Maryland Traditions sponsored research in Calvert County . Recognizing his gifts, they produced a CD of his music A Brighter Side Somewhere, and helped him apply to the Maryland State Art Council’s Individual Artist Awards in 2004, in which he was awarded at the highest level by the selection jury. Mr. Mackall passed away peacefully in May of 2005, but his love of music and faith thrive in his family and commun ity. His funeral brought together people from the dozens of congregations that he had served, representing multiple generations that had been influenced by his music. His daughters, known as The Faith Singers performed, as did some of his grandchildren and great grandchildren.

Mr. Mackall, like many elders in the African American community, embodied the rich history of th ese traditions in his music. Comfortable with traditional spirituals, he was also at ease performing Gospel music inspired by the great Tommy Dorsey and his contemporaries. An early popular form of this style was a cappella quartet gospel, though few groups continue today.

In the Upper Eastern Shore, a gospel music scene has been brought to a wider public with the support of the Kent County Arts Council and scholar Karen Somerville. One of these groups, the New Gospelites from Worton, is an excellent example of the a cappella style from this area, and was also featured in the Mid Atlantic Arts Foundation’s Delmarva Folklife Project research and programming.

Further south on the Eastern Shore, the gospel group, the Zionnaires, has been thrilling churches in the region for over 50 years. This group performs with a complete band, and like so many others who practice this music, see it as a ministry. Featured on From Bridge to Boardwalk: An Audio Journey Through Maryland’s Eastern Shore, the Zionnaires represent an extended musical family with members coming from as far away as Baltimore to their base in Princess Anne. Most every weekend band members journey forth throughout the Mid Atlantic to spread the joy of their music and their witness.

These groups hardly scratch the surface of the tremendous creativity, talent, and joy in music that suffuse and inspire African American communities in Maryland . These praise traditions are celebrated in churches of every size, bridging old and new, keeping alive a thread of deep praise and mutual support in the face of adversity. Maryland Traditions has partnered with this community in documentation, recording and public programming and looks forward to continuing to help these traditions celebrate their heritage and to tell the story of this great part of our culture .

1 | 2