Georgia Tom Dorsey

Biographers of Georgia Tom Dorsey like to make comments such as "his life was a living testimony of the power of God." But there was also a trashy side to the man, expressed best in song titles such as "Terrible Operation Blues" and "Pig Meat Blues." Ultimately, Dorsey chose the church over the honky tonk. In gospel music, his work as a composer and arranger is acknowledged to be so significant that he is often referred to as the father of gospel music. In country blues, he is just one of the gang, although the he kept great company with the likes of Ma Rainey and Tampa Red. ...