"People automatically assume that there is a place that celebrates Christian gospel music somewhere in America, and there isn't. HIGHT: That's Jackie Patillo, president of the Gospel Music Association. There are separate institutions devoted to Black gospel and white Southern gospel. But Patillo, the first woman of color to lead the Gospel Music Association, set out to build a more comprehensive home for Christian music."
"STEVE GILREATH: We didn't want people to come in and say, where's the Southern gospel section? - and go right to one spot and then leave. HIGHT: So he and his team grouped performers according to what they share in common. Gilreath says what's consolidated in the 11,000 square-foot museum, on the other hand, are markers of commercial success. GILREATH: We have one little area we're trying to put all the gold records in."
The Museum of Christian and Gospel Music opened in Nashville near downtown churches and tourist bars. Gospel legend Dr. Bobby Jones led musicians, industry executives and politicians in song at the ribbon-cutting ceremony. Jackie Patillo, president of the Gospel Music Association and the first woman of color to lead the organization, aimed to create a comprehensive home for Christian music that bridges Black gospel, white Southern gospel and contemporary Christian genres. Executive director Steve Gilreath organized exhibits by shared characteristics rather than segregated sections. The 11,000-square-foot museum emphasizes markers of commercial success, including a dedicated area for gold records.
Read at www.npr.org
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