Margaret Wells Allison

The Angelic Gospel Singers

MARGARET WELLS ALLISON was born 25 September 1921 in Plum Branch (near McCormick), South Carolina, daughter of Joseph and Mozelle Wells, the third of six children. Her family moved to Philadelphia when she was four. As a young teenager she developed an interest in playing piano, inspired by Valerie Starks, a local singer-pianist who frequently performed at her church, the Little Temple Pentecostal Church. As a teen, she joined the B.M. Oakley Memorial Church of God in Christ and had opportunities to play and sing there. Around 1941, she was invited to accompany a gospel group called the Spiritual Echoes. A few years later, she had a vision for forming a group of her own, so she recruited Ella Mae Norris and Lucille Shird from the Spiritual Echoes, added her sister Josephine Wells McDowell, and launched The Angelic Gospel Singers in 1944 or 1945.[1]

In 1949, she was persuaded by a promoter, Otis Jackson, to connect with Gotham Records in Philadelphia. The group was signed on the strength of Allison’s arrangement of “Touch me, Lord Jesus,” a song by Lucie Campbell. This initial recording sold over 100,000 copies and was used as a theme song for multiple radio programs. From 1949 to 1954, The Angelic Gospel Singers recorded 50 tracks (25 2-sided discs) for Gotham. Owing to fiscal mismanagement by the record company, the group pursued other options and had their contract purchased by Nashboro Records of Nashville, Tennessee, in 1955. Over the next 27 years, the group recorded dozens of 45-rpm singles and LPs for Nashboro, until their business relationship soured. In the 1960s, they had a publishing relationship with Martin & Morris music in Chicago, featuring arrangements of their songs by Kenneth Morris. Margaret Allison could not read or write music, which generally limited the group’s published output. In 1982, they were picked up by Malaco Records of Jackson, Mississippi, and they continued to tour and record. Their last album of new material was Touch Me Again, released 20 May 2008, making them one of the longest continually-running gospel groups in history. Margaret Allison died 30 July 2008 in Philadelphia. She had been preceded in death by many of her former bandmates. Over the course of sixty-four years, the group’s personnel had included Bernice Cole, Thomas Mobley, Geraldine Morris, Pauline Turner, Darryl Richmond, John Richmond, and Teresa Burton. Allison’s compositional catalog of 131 titles is registered with BMI.

by CHRIS FENNER
for Hymnology Archive
26 January 2021

In interviews and articles, the formation is often given as 1944, but note the dates of two albums: Together 34 Years (1979) and 40 Years (1985).

Featured Songs:

Jesus, Jesus, oh what a wonderful child

Related Resources:

Viv Broughton, Black Gospel: An Illustrated History of the Gospel Sound (NY: Sterling, 1985), p. 74.

Horace Clarence Boyer, “Angelic Gospel Singers,” How Sweet the Sound: The Golden Age of Gospel (Washington, DC: Elliott & Clark, 1995), pp. 111–113.

Sherry Sherrod DuPree, “Angelic Gospel Singers,” Encyclopedia of American Gospel Music, ed. W.K. McNiel (NY: Routledge, 2005), pp. 13–14.

Bil Carpenter, “Angelic Gospel Singers,” Uncloudy Days: The Gospel Music Encyclopedia (San Francisco: Backbeat Books, 2005), pp. 20–21.

Margaret Allison & Bob Marovich, Interview, Gospel Memories (Chicago: WLUW 88.7, Oct. 2003): MP3

Bob Marovich, “RIP: Margaret Allison of the Angelic Gospel Singers,” Journal of Gospel Music (31 July 2008): JGM

Tony Cummings, “Angelic Gospel Singers: Margaret Allison still singing ‘Touch Me, Lord Jesus,’” Cross Rhythms (3 April 2011): http://www.crossrhythms.co.uk/articles/music/Angelic_Gospel_Singers_Margaret_Allison_still_singing_Touch_Me_Lord_Jesus/43165/p1/

Cedric J. Hayes & Robert Laughton, “Angelic Gospel Singers,” Gospel Discography 1943–2000, vol. 1 (Canada: Eyeball Productions, 2014), pp. 32–34.

Margaret Allison, BMI Songview: https://repertoire.bmi.com/Search/

Publications of Songs:

“Glory, glory to the newborn King,” by H. Carney (Philadelphia: Andrea Music Co, 1951): WorldCat

“I’ve weathered the storm,” by R. Moore, arr. Mary Wiley (Philadelphia: Clara Ward Publications, 1958): WorldCat

“My sweet home,” M. Allison, arr. Kenneth Morris (Chicago: Martin & Morris, 1960): WorldCat

“Sometimes I feel like my time aint long,” M. Allison, arr. Kenneth Morris (Chicago: Martin & Morris, 1966): WorldCat

“I hope it won’t be this way always,” Barbara Allison, arr. Kenneth Morris (Chicago: Martin & Morris, 1969): WorldCat

“You don’t know what the Lord has done for me,” M. Allison, arr. Kenneth Morris (Chicago: Martin & Morris, 1969): WorldCat

Discography:

Gotham G-605 (1949)
“Touch me, Lord Jesus” [Lucie Campbell, arr. M. Allison]
“When my Saviour calls me home”

Gotham G-609 (1949)
“Jesus”
“There is no friend”

Gotham G-613 (1949)
“Just Jesus” [M. Allison]
“This same Jesus”

Gotham G-618 (1949)
“Yes, my Jesus cares”
“Somebody saved me”

Gotham G-627
“My life will be sweeter”
“There must be a heaven somewhere” (H.J. Ford)

Gotham G-633 (1949), also G-7633
“Remember me”
“Follow in his footsteps”

Gotham G-640 (July 1950)
“Back to the dust”
“He has never left me alone”

Gotham G-649 (1950)
“Do Lord, remember me”
“Almost persuaded”

Gotham G-663 (1950) with Dixie Hummingbirds
“Jesus will answer prayer” (Tucker)
“In the morning”

Gotham G-675 (1950)
“Glory, glory to the newborn King” (Carney)
“Jesus Christ is born” (Ford)

Gotham G-683 (1951) with Dixie Hummingbirds
“Dear Lord, look down upon me”
“Standing out on the highway”

Gotham G-685 (1951)
“All to Jesus” (Graham)
“Keep me all the way”

Okeh 6858 (1951), with Dixie Hummingbirds
“One Day” (Spiritual)
“Today” (Spiritual)

Gotham G-694 (1952) with Dixie Hummingbirds
“I’m on my way to heaven anyhow”
“Glory, glory, hallelujah”

Gotham G-699 (1952)
“Call on Jesus in secret prayer”
“I heard mother call my name”

Gotham G-704 (1952)
“Tell the angels”
“My faith looks up to thee” (“Theme song of the Angelic Gospel Singers”)

Gotham G-711 (1952)
“If Jesus goes with me”
“The Blessed, blessed Jesus” (Allison, McDowell, Shird, Morris)

Gotham G-717 (1952)
“Bread of heaven”
“Milky white way”

Gotham G-723 (1952)
“Since Jesus came into my heart”
“Jesus is all the world to me”

Gotham G-729
“My Lord and I”
“Jesus will carry you through”

Gotham G-740
“I thank you Lord”
“Do not pass me by O gentle Saviour”

Gotham G-743 (1953)
“If it wasn’t for the Lord”
“God’s roll”

Gotham G-747 (1953)
“A child is born”
“Christmas morning”

Gotham G-755
“Angels watching over me”
“I’m going home to Jesus”

Gotham G-760
“Jesus paid it all”
“I want to see him”

Gotham G-774 (1954)
“Jesus is the light of the world”
“Only a look”

Constellation SS-103
“Uncloudy day”
“Will you know me”

Nashboro 45-558 (1955)
“Jesus never fails me” (arr. M. Allison)
“I’ll be alright”

Nashboro 45-607 (1957)
“I’ve weathered the storm”
“Every day”

Nashboro 45-644 (1959)
“Yes! Nobody knows my troubles” (arr. M. Allison)
“Touch me, Lord Jesus” [Lucie Campbell, arr. M. Allison]

Nashboro 45-659 (1959)
“Out of the depths” (arr. M. Allison)
“All that I need is Jesus” (arr. M. Allison)

Nashboro 45-673 (1960)
“My sweet home” (M. Allison)
“Jesus is a way-maker”

Nashboro 45-687 (1961)
“I’m getting nearer,” part 1 (M. Allison)
“I’m getting nearer,” part 2

Nashboro LP 7003 (1961)
Angelic Gospel Singers

Nashboro 45-709 (1962)
“Goin’ over yonder” (M. Allison)
“Everybody ought to pray” (M. Allison)

Nashboro 45-726 (1962)
“He never left me alone” (M. Allison)
“Be sure! He’ll take care (arr. M. Allison)

Nashboro 45-787 (1963)
“I shall know him” (arr. M. Allison)
“I want to go to heaven” (M. Allison)

Nashboro 45-809 (1964)
“Do Lord remember me”
“Yes! He’ll take care of you” (M. Allison)

Nashboro LP 7021 (1964)
Songs from the Heart

Nashboro 45-879 (1965)
“Sometime I feel my time ain’t long” (M. Allison)
“Don’t know what I’d do (without the Lord)”

Nashboro 45-907 (1967)
“Standing on the highway” (Allison)
“Jesus, when troubles burden me” (Allison)

Nashboro LP 7047 (1967)
The Best of the Angelic Gospel Singers

Nashboro LP 7061 (1968)
Jesus Paid it All

Nashboro 45-946 (1968)
“Glory to the new born King” (Allison)
“Father, I stretch my hands” (Allison)

Nashboro 45-951 (1969)
“I hope it won’t be this way always” (B. Allison)
“You don’t know (what the Lord has done)” (M. Allison)

Nashboro 45-960 (1970)
“Somebody saved me” (M. Allison)
“Will my mother know me there” (Traditional)

HOB 296, with Dixie Hummingbirds
Move on Up a Little Higher

Nashboro LP 7088 (1970)
Somebody Saved Me

Nashboro N 1000 (1973)
“Jesus will never say no” (Edna G. Cooke)
“I will trust in the Lord” (Public domain)

Nashboro LP 7136 (1974)
Jesus Will Never Say No

Nashboro LP 7150 (1975)
I’m Bound for Mt. Zion

Nashboro NB-1027 (1975)
“I’m bound for Mt. Zion” (M. Allison)
“All I need is Jesus”

Nashboro LP 27170 (1975)
Live in Concert

Nashboro NA-1041 (1976)
“This old building” (M. Allison)
“Just Jesus” (M. Allison)

Nashboro LP 7178 (1977)
Gotta Find a Better Home

Nashboro NA-1054 (1977)
“Hold to God’s unchanging hand” [Jennie Wilson]
“When my Savior calls me home” (P.D.)

Nashboro NA-1068 (1978)
“Thank you for one more day” (M. Allison)
“Welcome home”

Nashboro LP 7196 (1978)
Margaret, Josephine & Bernice

Nashboro NA-1075 (1979)
“We shall meet” (M. Allison)
“I want Jesus to make up my dying bed” (P.D.)

Nashboro LP 7207 (1979)
Together 34 Years

Nashboro NA-1090 (1981)
“I shall not be moved” (M. Allison)
“Don’t be uneasy”

Nashboro LP 7236 (1981)
I’ll Go with Jesus

Nashboro NAC-7230 (1982)
The Best of the Angelic Gospel Singers, Vol. II

Malaco MAL 4381 (1982)
Touch Me, Lord Jesus

Malaco MAL 4388 (1983)
Don’t Stop Praying

Nashboro LP 7270 (1983)
Standing on the Highway

Nashboro LP 8715 (1984)
The Early Years

Nashboro LP 8789 (1984)
Rejoice! The Best of the Angelic Gospel Singers

Malaco MAL 4398 (1985)
40 Years

Malaco MAL 4404 (1985)
Gospel at Christmastime

Malaco MAL 4407 (1986)
I’ve Got Victory

Malaco MAL 4424 (1987)
Out of the Depths

Malaco MAL 4436 (1989)
Lord, You Gave Me Another Chance

Malaco MAL 4447 (1991)
He’s My Ever Present Help

Malaco/Xenon Pictures VHS (1991)
The Gospel in Motion

Heritage HT CD 11 (1992)
Touch Me Lord Jesus
[Reissues of 22 tracks from Gotham]

Malaco MAL 4459 (1993)
I’ll Live Again

HOB-3806 (1993)
Touch Me, Lord Jesus

Malaco MALC 4466 (1994)
I’ve Weathered the Storm

Nashboro NASH4509-2 (1995)
The Best of the Angelic Gospel Singers

Nashboro NASH4520-2 (1995)
Nashboro Nativity: A Christmas Gospel Collection, Vol. 1

Nashboro NASH4531-2 (1996)
The Best of the Angelic Gospel Singers, Volume 2

Malaco MCD-4477 (1995/6)
Try God

Malaco VHS (1995)
50 Years Live in Birmingham
YouTube

Malaco MCD 4493 (1997)
The Big Question

601 Records (1998)
Jesus Is A Burden Bearer

Malaco MCD 4507
Home in the Rock

Malaco MCD 4532 (2004)
Go On

601 Records SXDVD 9903 (2005)
I Want to See Jesus

Malaco MCD 4552 (2008)
Touch Me Again