Body Quote by Mahalia Jackson

We used to go to church and, musically, I remember that being a massive influence. It had a band so it was very upbeat…

— Jonathan Bailey

Church was the thing for me. The fellowship and the message that was given and singing in the choir and singing the solos and…

— DeLisha Milton-Jones

The congregation that I was raised in was one that sang and a non-instrumental fashion. It was all a cappella singing, and so that…

— Dwight Yoakam

The first time I sang in church, when I was ten, the applause was so overwhelming that I started to weep. My mum had…

— Laura Mvula

Christian music was such a huge foundation for me, even as a kid, and I grew to love Christian music not only because of…

— Jay DeMarcus

From the church I received a spiritual foundation that has kept me balanced. From the gospel music I learned the importance of singing with…

— Oleta Adams

Most importantly for me growing up, it was a spirituals, it was a gospels, it was James Cleveland, Aretha Franklin, Marion Williams; and then…

— Cornel West

I sang in church, but growing up in the neighborhood, music was more of an expression of relief or entertainment.

— Q-Tip

I grew up in the church. My mother was highly religious. I was singing at the age of five for big congregations.

— Carmen Cusack

In my mother's church, everybody read the Bible and it was mostly about music. My mother had the most beautiful voice I have ever…

— Toni Morrison

I was mainly influenced by the Carter Family, Jimmie Rodgers, Loretta Lynn, Merle Haggard, and others like Bob Dylan, Johnny Cash.

— Iris DeMent

I grew up the son of a Seventh Day Adventist minister, so I was really close to the church and sang church music between…

— Al Jarreau