Margaret Allison and the Angelic Gospel Singers

Margaret Allison
and the Angelic Gospel Singers

The Angelic Gospel Singers were organized by Ms. Margaret Allison in 1944, who, in addition to being founder, is also manager, booking agent, lead singer and pianist player for the group. She, along with two other original member, Ella Mae Norris and Lucille Shird, were members of a gospel chorus called the Spiritual Echoes of Philidelphia PA. As a result of a dream by Ms. Allison, the three of them along with her sister, Josephine McDowell, formed the group known today as the Angelic Gospel Singers.

The group started out singing in and around the Philadelphia area. After a reasonable amount of success there, the group traveled to Asheville, N.C., Ms. Shird's home and Greenville, South Carolina, Ms. Norris' home. From there, the Angelic's travels became more extensive.

In 1947, the Angelics signed with Gotham Records and recorded their first song, "Touch Me Lord Jesus", which was an instant hit that still lives today. In 1950, the Angelics teamed with the Dixie Hummingbirds and together they recorded such songs as "Dear Lord Look Down Upon Me", "In The Morning When the Dark Clouds Roll Away", "Mother Left Me Standing On The Highway", "Wondering Which Way To Go", and many other. Through the years the Angelics have worked with such gospel greats as the late Mahalia Jackson, The Mighty Clouds of Joy, The Soul Stirrers, The Jackson Southernaires, Willie Banks and the Messengers, The Brooklyn Allstars, Slim and the Supreme Angels, The Swanee Quintets, The Danis Sisters, Evenagelist Shirley Caesar, The CBS Trumpeters, and The Sensational Nightingales, just to name a few.

Though the task has not been easy, the Angelics have managed to stay together singing praises to God for the uplifting of mankind for more than 50 years. There has been some changes in personnel, but the base of the group still remains the same. In 1951, Bernice Cole of New York City joined the group. Then in 1953, Lucille Shird left the group to get married. In 1955, Ella Mae Norris left the group for the same reason. In 1957, Bernice Cole left the group because of illness in her family. Through it all Margaret and Josephine continued to sing. Then in 1961, Thomas Mobeley came to the group and stayed for 12 years.

Geraldine Morris joined the Angelics in 1973 and stayed until the Lord called her home, one year later. In 1975, Bernice Cole returned to the group. Then in 1982, Pauline Turner of Franklin, VA joined the group. In 1984, the group was blessed with additional musicians: Darryl Richmond, bass guitarist, and John Richmond, lead guitarist, both of Danville, VA. The Angelics have been truly blessed of the Lord in that after 50 years, they are still able to travel and yet maintain the same style of singing, with it's close harmonies and down home bluesy sounding piano.

By the way of recording, the Angelic Gospel Singers can boast of consistancy being the longest selling female gospel group in history. Their long string of recordings started in 1947 at Gotham, with their first record, and I might add, their first hit, "Touch Me Lord Jesus". While with Gotham, they also recorded such songs as "He Never Left Me Alone", "Jesus, When Troubles Burden Me Down", and the original Christmas composition of "Glory To The Newborn King", and many, many others. Then in 1955, the Angelics moved to Nashboro Records and did a remake of "Touch Me Lord Jesus". They are also popular for the songs, "This Old Building Keeps On Leaning, I've Got To Move To A Better Home", "Welcome Home", "Thank You Lord For One More Day", "I Hope It Won't Be This Way Always", "I'm Bound For Mt. Zion", "If Anybody Makes It, surely I Will" and they keep coming. After 27 years with Nashboro, in 1983 the Angelics became a part of Malaco Records in Jackson, Mississippi. Since being with Malaco, the group has done nine albums, the first entitled, "Touch Me Lord Jesus", featured the songs "When I See Jesus", "What Have You Done For The Lord Today", "I Give The Lord All The Praise", "Walking And Talking With Jesus", "Sweet Home", "I'm Depending on Jesus", and another remake of the legendary "Touch Me Lord Jesus", including Ms. Allison's Testimony. The album has done very well for the group and as they say, "All the praise belongs to God". In December of 1983, Malaco released a second album on the Angelics, entitled "Don't Stop Praying", which I feel excels all other prerecorded materials. This is 8 tracks of good gospel go to church down home singing, from the beginning to end. There that bouncy new tune, "I'll Wait Until My Change Comes", followed by an old time gospel sound, "The Storm is Passing Over".

Also, included are the songs, "Angels, Angels, Don't Stop Singing", "Sometimes I feel Like My Time Ain't Long", "Going Over Yonder", the title cut, "Don't Stop Praying", "Jesus Never Fails", and a brand new sound, "I'll Meet You on The Other Side of Jordan".

In 1984, the company released an anniversary album on the Angelics commemorating 40 years of gospel. The Album features such songs as "If You Can't Help Me", and "Don't Stop At The Top Of The Hill".

The Angelics have recorded six other albums since that time that have all done well. They are "Out of the Depths", "Lord You Gave Me Another Chance", "He's My Ever Present Help", "I'll Live Again" and their most recent, "I've Weathered the Storm", which marks their fifteenth year in gospel.

These recordings on the Angelic Gospel Singers are written and God inspired that they may be a blessing to each listener; that some part of a song, at least, will reach out to someone who has lost the way and guide them to the feet of Christ out Saviour. It is the sincere prayer of the Angelic Gospel Singers that God would richly bless each and every individual who has been a part of keeping our songs alive these 50 years.

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