Mr. Thomas Andrew Dorseys telephone number was given to the writer of this newly released book by the name, Thomas A. Dorsey, Father of Black Gospel Music An Interview, by a directory assistance operator in Chicago, Illinois. The writer, at the time, (1975) took a chance and called, not expecting the first publisher of Black Gospel Music, to answer the phone. A very hoarse voice said Hello, and the writer recognized it immediately as being the voice he had heard on a recording about Gospel Music that Mr. Dorsey had done. After being asked if he would consent to being interviewed Mr. Dorsey unenthusiastically said yes. He was unenthusiastic the writer later discovered, because fortune hunters and status seekers had been plaguing him for interviews. Honored that Mr. Dorsey had said yes, the writer took a train from Kansas City, Missouri to Chicago, to interview this man who had written hundreds of songs.
A propos de l’auteur
The year 1977, the author of this book was in graduate school. He interviewed and recorded Mr. Dorsey at his home in Chicago, Illinois.
The author has been at Detroit Service Learning Academy for the past twelve years (2000–2012).
He has a bachelor’s degree (BME) from the University of Kansas and a master’s degree (MME) from the University of Missouri at Kansas City.
At DSLA he taught music education (vocal) for eleven years and, his last year, monitored customized online instruction (Study Island), to students needs in math, reading, social science, and science while allowing students to study in standard test format, interactive game mode, or using interactive response systems.
The author retired from DSLA in June 2012.