Mahalia Jackson
Today I’d like to share one of my favorite illustrations from America the Beautiful. It is a poster for Mahalia Jackson. I listened to a children’s biography about her recently and found many things to admire in her. Once when Ray and I were watching one of the game show reruns we like to watch, she was a guest on the show. The host of the show made it clear to the panel that Mahalia Jackson did not sing in night clubs or other places like that because she was a gospel singer.
Jackson was born in New Orleans and later moved to Chicago. She began recording in the 1930s. Her first major success, “Move Up a Little Higher,” recorded in 1947, sold one million copies. Jackson had her own gospel music television show on CBS in 1954.
Jackson had opportunities to succeed in other styles of music, but she believed that God gave her her talent. She felt strongly that she should use it only for Him. Jackson sang at the March on Washington in 1963. She also sang at the funeral of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. in 1968.
And this is a poster advertising a concert she gave in 1967.
I love the colors and I love that she looks as if she is singing her heart out.
Sing to Him, sing praises to Him;
Speak of all His wonders.
Psalm 105:2