Southern Gospel

Southern Gospel originated in the late 19th century from the lively church sounds of the American South, proving that even the divine can do with a little bit of a foot-stomping beat. Characterised by four-part harmonies and a whole lot of fervour, it sounds as if a group of blokes decided to turn enthusiastic prayer into a sing-along, complete with piano, banjo, and potentially a tambourine or two. The genre not only brought joy to church pews but also spawned a whole industry of fans who believe their favourite quartets are the true heirs to the biblical talent show.