The Gay Family

Five children were born to the union of Jerry and Fannie Gay in Chicago, Illinois. Each of them with a distinctively unique musical talent. Robert, the eldest boy established himself as a trumpet player, playing with the likes of Dizzy Gillespie and Sonny Rollins. Evelyn, Mildred and Geraldine began singing as children. Donald, the youngest of the group would begin his musical career at the age of 4. The girls soon formed a gospel trio, aptly named The Gay Sisters. Evelyn was the composer/arranger while Geraldine was known for her avant-garde style of playing and Mildred captivated audiences with her high soprano voice. They were prominently featured on the live historic radio broadcast from Pastor Lucy Smith’s All Nations Pentecostal Church every Sunday night in the early 40s . Pastor Smith, grandmother of the famed Roberta Martin Singers pianist Little Lucy Smith, was a gospel trailblazer, preacher and church builder in her own right with one of the first radio broadcasts going across the nation. Mother Gay and her children later united with the Church of God in Christ under the late Elder PR Favors, where she took on the role of choir director, and Evelyn and Geraldine served as accompanists.In 1946, the Gay Sisters went to New York and cut their first 78 record, “Just a Little Talk with Jesus” and “The Old Rugged Cross” on the Dolphin label. They continued to perform and soon caught the attention of Herman Lubinsky, President of Savoy Records. which led to their being signed by the label. Their Savoy sessions produced such gospel classics as “Little Wooden Church on a Hill”, “God Shall Wipe All Tears Away”, “I’m A Soldier In The Army of The Lord” (which is sung in devotional services regularly on Sunday mornings) and “We’re Gonna Have A Time”. However, their recording of “God Will Take Care of You” captured the hearts and minds of the country, catapulting them to nationwide acclaim. The record went on to sell over 75,000 copies. At the invitation of Mahalia Jackson (a family friend whom Evelyn had accompanied earlier in her career), Preacher Gay and the Gay Sisters appeared at Carnegie Hall in 1950.Preacher Gay and the Gay Sisters became the ambassadors of gospel music, representing the Church of God in Christ. Their many travels took them across America: to churches, universities, auditoriums, and theatres, including New York’s Apollo Theater, The Kiel Auditorium, The Astrodome in Houston, Texas and the Bicentennial Celebration of the United States at the Washington Mall. They appeared on national and local television and radio, and joined such major music personalities in performances and recordings as Dr. Thomas A. Dorsey, Clara Ward, Sam Cooke, Elvis Presley, Pops Staples, Andrae Crouch, Mattie Moss Clark, Alex Bradford and many others. Such well-known artists as Bishop Carlton Pearson, Aretha Franklin, Candi Staton, Pop Winans and Lyle Lovett have covered their music. The family was honored by the Smithsonian Institute for their contributions to the advancement of Gospel Music in America.With more than fifty years of carrying the gospel message via the medium of music to their credit, and although Robert, Evelyn, Mildred have joined their parents in heaven, their musical legacy continues on. Donald serves as pastor of the Prayer Center Church of God in Christ, the church founded by Mother Fannie some 40 years ago on Chicago’s south side. Dubbed the "Errol Garner of gospel music", Geraldine continues to mystify both young and old alike as the church musician. They continue to perform with the addition of children and grandchildren, telling the world, “Be not dismayed, whatever be tide, God Will Take Care of You.”Donald and Geraldine were featured on the Various Artists CD In The Right Hands released by The Sirens Records in 2004. The history of Preacher Gay and The Gay Sisters is documented in the book Uncloudy Days: The Gospel Music Encyclopedia publihsed by Backbeat Books in 2005.