Types of Gospel Music
Gospel music is a musical genre that contains themes related to Christianity, or is written and performed to promote basic Christian beliefs. Today it is known as an alternative to mainstream secular music, especially for Christians.
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Urban Contemporary Gospel
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Urban contemporary gospel is perhaps the most popular subgenre of gospel. It is marketed as "black gospel" since its main practitioners are black Americans. Its origin can be traced back to Thomas A. Dorsey (1899 to 1993), known as the "Father of Gospel Music." Famous figures of this subgenre include the Winans family, Mary Mary and Kirk Franklin, performers who have enjoyed wider success beyond their Christian audiences.
Country Gospel
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Country gospel is simply gospel musically influenced by country music. Like their urban contemporary counterparts, some country gospel performers enjoy mainstream success, Amy Grant being a good example.
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Southern Gospel
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Southern gospel is gospel music with distinctive southern roots. It is characterized by quartets that specialize in singing a cappella, or include a piano, guitar or banjo for musical accompaniment. This could be considered an umbrella that includes urban contemporary and country gospel, or at least overlaps with those subgenres.
Progressive Southern Gospel
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Progressive Southern gospel is an offshoot of Southern gospel. It is named so because it is more contemporary, blending Southern gospel instrumentation with country and pop music.
Bluegrass Gospel
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Bluegrass gospel has its roots in American mountain music, or has Appalachian origins. The musical backing is based on acoustic stringed instruments, namely the mandolin, banjo and fiddle.
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