I asked A.I.: Teach me about the Reverend Doctor C.J. Johnson.
"Absolutely, Gary — Reverend Dr. C.J. Johnson was a remarkable figure whose life blended deep spiritual conviction with musical legacy. Here's a look at his story:
"🎤 Early Life & Ministry
- Born: May 16, 1913, in Douglasville, Georgia
- After his mother passed away, he was raised by his grandmother, Sarah Farley Johnson, a singer of traditional hymns
- His father, Will Johnson, was a shape-note singing teacher — a style that deeply influenced C.J.'s musical path
- By age 12, he was already pastoring at Antioch Baptist Church in Barnesville, Georgia"
"🕊️ Education & Pastoral Work
- Married Elizabeth Daniels, who supported his theological studies during the Great Depression
- Studied at Morehouse School of Religion, American Theological Seminary, and Carver Bible Institute
- Earned a Doctor of Divinity degree in 1963
- Founded and pastored St. Joseph Missionary Baptist Church in Atlanta"
"🎶 Musical Legacy
- Known for his unaccompanied gospel recordings, often featuring his congregation in a call-and-response style
- Released 20+ albums with Savoy Records, all recorded in his church rather than a studio
- His 1970 hit “I Wanna Go Where Jesus Is” became a gold-selling record
- His style preserved the tradition of lining-out hymns, a practice rooted in African American spiritual heritage"
"🏆 Honors & Influence
- Awarded a National Heritage Fellowship in 1987 — the U.S. government's highest honor in folk and traditional arts
- His recordings are considered vital documentation of rural gospel traditions and long-meter hymn singing"
"Dr. Johnson passed away in 1990, but his voice still resonates through the timeless recordings and the spiritual communities he nurtured. If you'd like, I can share one of his most iconic sermons or explore how his musical style compares to other gospel traditions."
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Claude_Joseph_Johnson
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G1vvnNm55cA
https://www.malaco.com/artists/gospel/dr-c-j-johnson/
What do you know about the songs "God is Not Dead" and "You Better Run to the City of Refuge"?
"Absolutely, Gary — both songs carry powerful spiritual messages, though they come from very different traditions and eras. Here's a breakdown:
"🎸 “God’s Not Dead (Like a Lion)” — Newsboys (2011)
- Origin: Originally written by Daniel Bashta as “Like a Lion”, first performed by Passion (with David Crowder) in 2010
- Popular Version: Covered by Newsboys in 2011, featuring Michael Tait and Kevin Max (formerly of DC Talk)
- Genre: Contemporary Christian music / worship rock
- Message: A bold declaration of faith — “My God’s not dead, He’s surely alive / He’s living on the inside, roaring like a lion”
- Cultural Impact:
- Became a platinum-selling hit
- Featured prominently in the God’s Not Dead film series, reinforcing themes of Christian apologetics and spiritual resilience
- Fun Fact: The phrase “God is dead” was famously used by Nietzsche — the song flips that idea on its head"
"🎙️ “You Better Run to the City of Refuge” — Rev. Dr. C.J. Johnson (1965)
- Origin: A traditional gospel spiritual rooted in African American congregational singing
- Johnson’s Version: Recorded on his album Father I Stretch My Hand to Thee in 1982, though earlier versions date back to the 1920s
- Style: Lined-out hymn style with call-and-response — raw, unaccompanied, and deeply communal
- Biblical Reference: Draws from the Old Testament concept of Cities of Refuge — places of sanctuary for those seeking protection from vengeance
- Lyrics Theme: Urgency of repentance and spiritual shelter — 'You better run to the City of Refuge'
- Legacy: Johnson’s rendition is considered a vital preservation of rural gospel traditions"
"These songs reflect two ends of the gospel spectrum — one modern and electrifying, the other steeped in historical tradition and communal worship. If you’d like, I can dig deeper into the lyrical symbolism or explore how these songs have been used in cultural or religious movements."
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/God%27s_Not_Dead_%28Like_a_Lion%29
https://media.pureflix.com/newsboys-gods-not-dead-connection-the-song-movie-that-inspired
https://www.songfacts.com/facts/newsboys/gods-not-dead-like-a-lion
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/I%27m_Gonna_Run_to_the_City_of_Refuge
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RyXkJmSOQow
Doctor Johnson did a song called God is Not Dead.
"He sure did — and it’s a powerful one. Reverend Dr. C.J. Johnson recorded “God Is Not Dead” in 1972 as part of his album You Can’t Go Wrong and Get By, captured live in Atlanta, Georgia. Unlike the contemporary worship rock version by Newsboys, Johnson’s rendition is steeped in traditional gospel — raw, unaccompanied, and deeply rooted in the African American church experience."
"His version features:
- Call-and-response with his congregation, echoing the communal spirit of lined-out hymn singing
- A slow, deliberate cadence that emphasizes conviction over performance
- Lyrics that affirm divine presence with lines like “God is not dead, He’s yet alive”, repeated with mounting intensity"
"You can hear it on YouTube or Spotify, and it’s also featured on his album The Old Time Song Service. If you’d like, I can break down the lyrical structure or explore how this track fits into his broader musical theology."
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yVF0skXw_TE
What can you tell me about the Soul Stirrers and Sam Cooke?
"Absolutely, Gary — the Soul Stirrers and Sam Cooke are foundational to American gospel and soul music. Their story is one of innovation, spiritual depth, and cultural transformation."
"🎙️ The Soul Stirrers: Gospel Trailblazers
- Founded: 1926 in Trinity, Texas by Roy Crain
- Style: Transitioned from jubilee quartet to hard gospel, pioneering the use of two lead singers and swing lead technique
- Innovations:
- Introduced ad-libbing, delayed timing, and background word repetition for emotional depth
- Expanded gospel repertoire to include newer compositions and looser arrangements
- Legacy:
- Influenced R&B, doo-wop, and soul music
- Inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame (1989) and Vocal Group Hall of Fame (2000)
- Their 1950 recording “Jesus Gave Me Water” was preserved by the Library of Congress in 2022"
"🎤 Sam Cooke: The King of Soul
- Born: January 22, 1931, Clarksdale, Mississippi
- Joined Soul Stirrers: 1950 at age 19, replacing R.H. Harris
- Gospel Hits:
- “Jesus Gave Me Water”
- “Peace in the Valley”
- “Touch the Hem of His Garment” — written by Cooke himself
- Crossover to Pop:
- Left the group in 1957 to pursue secular music
- First pop hit: “You Send Me” — a chart-topping success
- Business Pioneer:
- Founded SAR Records and Kags Music Publishing
- One of the first Black artists to own his master recordings
- Civil Rights Voice:
- “A Change Is Gonna Come” became an anthem of hope and resilience
- Tragic Death: Shot in 1964 under controversial circumstances at age 33"
"🔗 Their Connection
"Sam Cooke’s time with the Soul Stirrers was transformative — not just for him, but for gospel music. His smooth tenor and emotional delivery brought a youthful energy that drew in new audiences, especially young women. His gospel roots remained evident even in his secular work, blending spiritual depth with pop accessibility."
"If you’d like, I can walk you through how Cooke’s gospel phrasing shaped his soul recordings — or explore how the Soul Stirrers adapted after his departure."
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Soul_Stirrers
https://www.britannica.com/topic/the-Soul-Stirrers
https://www.blackpast.org/african-american-history/the-soul-stirrers-1926-1990/
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sam_Cooke
https://www.britannica.com/biography/Sam-Cooke
https://biographyhost.com/p/sam-cooke-biography.html
What is the backstory of Be With Me Jesus?
"'Be With Me Jesus' is one of the most emotionally resonant gospel songs ever recorded — and its backstory is deeply tied to the legacy of Sam Cooke and the Soul Stirrers."
"🎶 Origins & Composition
- Written by: Sam Cooke, during his time with the Soul Stirrers in the early 1950s
- First recorded: Around 1955, released by Specialty Records
- Style: A slow, heartfelt gospel ballad in the hard gospel tradition — rich in harmony, spiritual urgency, and emotional vulnerability"
"Cooke composed the song as a meditation on mortality and divine presence. The lyrics reflect a plea for Jesus to remain close during life’s final moments:
“'Lord, in my dying hour, stay with me Jesus'”
"This wasn’t just performance — it was testimony. Cooke’s delivery is intimate and trembling, backed by the Soul Stirrers’ ethereal harmonies that underscore the gravity of the message."
"🕊️ Cultural & Spiritual Impact
- The song became a gospel standard, covered by artists like Melvin Williams and Harvey Watkins Jr. in later decades
- It’s often sung at funerals and memorials, evoking comfort and spiritual assurance
- Cooke’s version is considered one of the finest examples of gospel’s power to express existential longing and faith"
"🔗 Legacy
"'Be With Me Jesus' marked a turning point in gospel music — blending traditional quartet structure with Cooke’s emerging soul sensibility. It foreshadowed his later secular work, where themes of hope and redemption remained central."
"If you’d like, I can walk you through how this song compares to Cooke’s later anthem 'A Change Is Gonna Come', or explore how gospel music shaped the civil rights movement."
Short Playlist/Prayers for Charlottesville and Central Virginia
