Milton Brunson and the Thompson Community Choir in the '80s and later John P. Kee and the New Life Community Choir established and continue to demonstrate standards of excellence for choirs; and other choirs of the '90s show that there remains a continuing variety of styles in these larger groups. Leaders are Hezekiah Walker and the Love Fellowship Choir, O'landa Draper and the Associates, and Donald Lawrence and the Tri-City Singers. But it's unfair to give even this abbreviated list of contemporary choirs because there exist far too many of excellence--the Dallas-Fort Worth, Wilmington-Chester, Florida and New Jersey Mass Choirs are only a few of the ones that come to mind.

Eighties

From its early roots through many legends along the route to the modern sounds finding a renewed popularity all their own today, it seems evident that gospel music is here to stay. The test for gospel reflects one that all Christian musicians must wrestle with: Can it continue to increase its fortune in the mainstream marketplace while still maintaining its spiritual base? Modern music lovers, especially the younger audiences, require more "bounce and groove" it seems, and many of them are moved by urban contemporary sounds as supplied by BeBe and CeCe Winans and Take 6; some others, meanwhile, stomp to hip-hop.

Gospel music soon extended far beyond the African/American communities and became much more accessible to white people. One of their biggest stars was Amy Grant. Amy made her debut as a teenager with a number one hit on Christian Radio, followed by another accolade two years later. Her album ‘Age to Age’ was the first contemporary Christian album to be certified Platinum. She has received a Grammy nomination for Best Gospel performance, and continues to be one of America’s best selling Christian artists, rightly earning her place on Hollywood’s Walk of Fame.

U.K Gospel Music

The U.K has also produced its fair share of Gospel magic over the past few decades. Disco Diva Candi Staton performed as part of a Gospel trio as a teenager, and after a string of Disco and R&B hits returned to Gospel music with her Husband in tow. Also the London Community Gospel Choir are very popular. Initially made up of members from over 30 black churches in London, they have toured, released C.Ds, and shared the stage with a diverse range of music stars. These have included Will Young, Blur, and Madonna.

more to come were just getting started

Credits to Lauren John, Phil Petrie, Michael Tanner