It was some years ago that I first heard a Korean ensemble sing the Richard Smallwood classic, “Total Praise.” They did not just sing it, but they SANG it. If you closed your eyes and listened, you would have thought you were listening to a praise team straight from the pulpit of an African America Pentecostal church.
I have known for years of the influence Black contemporary gospel music has across the globe. It is more appreciated and compensated in countries other than the one of its origin. I learned that lesson after a conversation with the legendary Barbara Best of the BLS Singers. As a young radio intern, I asked her why we had not heard of her group performing around town lately. She said they worked overseas and are treated like rockstars
