James Cleveland – Chicago, IL (1931 – 1991)
Songwriter, singer, choirmaster, former pianist for female gospel group The Caravans
Wrote over 300 songs… Most Famous song: Peace Be Still (1962)
Founder of Gospel Music Workshop of America (GMWA)…world’s largest gospel convention
Edwin Hawkins – Oakland CA (1943 – 2018)
4 time Grammy award winning songwriter, singer, choir director
Oldest sibling of the Hawkins Singers
- Most famous for “Oh Happy Day” (1968) – Then Anthem of modern gospel music
Oh Happy Day sold millions of copies