Dr. William K. McNeil, a historian with a Ph.D. in Folklore and American Studies, has been the folklorist at the Ozark folk Center in Mountain View, Arkansas, since 1976. Dr. McNeil has also worked for the Smithsonian Institution and the Office of State History in Albany, NY. In 1995, he was elected to the Fellows of the American Folklore Society.Dr. McNeil has writen sixteen books and contributed to many publications as an editor, columnist, or reviewer. He has also produced thirty-six recordings dealing with folk, popular, country, and gospel music. His Smithsonian Collection ofClassic Blues was nominated for a Grammy Award in 1993.

"The treatment is straightforward... McNeil's title will likely become the definitive work on the subject and fills a gap in a field that has had only sporadic reference documentation... Recommended for alllibraries." -- Library Journal"For scholars and general readers, this Encyclopedia supplies comprehensive information on both black and white gospel, not often combined in reference texts. Articles cover biographies of early and contemporaty performers and groups, significant events, radio stations, record and publishing companies, publications, and instruments. The editor includes bibliographies and discographies, and birth and death rates when possible." -- Reference & Research BookNews"McNeil has compiled an encyclopedia using a multicultural approach. He successfully led a team that has addressed the dearth of reference materials on gospel music, providing much more detail on performers, historical persons, ensembles, and styles." -- American ReferenceBooks Annual

• Entries include: 2nd Chapter of Acts Anointed Pace Singers Armstrong, Vanessa Bell Barbershop Quartets Bluegrass Canaan Records Cooke, Sam Davis, Rev. Gary Dixie Hummingbirds Easy Instructor Ely, Brother Claude Fairfield Four Five Blind Boys of Mississippi Georgia, Gospel in Gospel Music Hall of Fame Green, Al Harmonizing Four Homeland Records Inspirations, The Isaacs, The Jackson, Wanda Jones, Bessie King Records Klaudt Indian Family Lillenas Publishing Company Love Song McGee, Ford Washington Morris, Kenneth National Barn Dance Newsboys Oak Ridge Boys Original Gospel Harmonettes Performance Styles Presley, Elvis Quartet Contests RCA Victor Records Revivals Sacred Harp Shouts Taggart, Blind Joe Trumpet Unseld, B. C. Virginia Normal School of Music Vocal Styles Waters, Ethel WSB Yohe, Vicky Zondervan Company And many more