Margaret Allison’s Angelic Gospel Singers. Formed in 1947

Back in the Golden Age of Gospel in the 1950s, Philadelphia produced the Clara Ward Singers, the Davis Sisters and many other great female gospel groups. Among them was Margaret Allison’s Angelic Gospel Singers. Formed in 1947, Allison’s group will celebrate its 60-year of continuous ministry next year. They were the first gospel group to score a Top Twenty R&B hit when their signature song “Touch Me Lord Jesus” reached #13 on Billboard’s R&B chart in 1949 when they recorded for Philly’s fabled Gotham Records label. Over the years, the group had several personnel changes, but Allison was the only constant – as was her simple quartet melodies. Her punchy keyboarding and husky alto graced such radio hits as “He Never Left Me Alone" and "Jesus, When Troubles Burden Me Down." They later moved on to Nashboro Records where hits continued to flow. Hollywood agents even came offering opportunities for mainstream success – if they would sin more pop-oriented material. Allison turned down such offers and stuck to the church music she felt called to sing. After Nashboro was sold, the group was picked up by Malaco Records, where they have recorded hits such as “I’ll Go” and “It Could Have Been the Other Way” for the last 25 years. Now, at last, this living legend is being honored for her accomplishments at the first annual En Sound Independent Music Awards on Saturday, August 19, 2006 @ 8:00 PM at the Robert Treat Hotel Grand Ballroom, 50 Park Place, Newark, NJ.  All tickets $28.50 and available at www.ticketweb.com. Others scheduled to perform include Rev. Timothy Wright, June Rochelle, Bryan Wilson, Bruce Allen and Patrick Lundy & the Ministers of Music, among others. For more info, log on at www.ensoundentertainment.com/esma.htm