Gospel music is rooted in spirituals, blues, shape-note songs ... the musical sounds of the Southern working class deep into American popular culture. Country music has become America's favorite.

With a lot of churches, no matter the denomination, moving to a contemporary style of music, Brown felt people would enjoy the opportunity to sing hymns and Southern gospel songs, and he was right.

Carrie Underwood and More Stars to Honor the Late Country Legend After some time, Rusty had a “change of heart” and returned to his gospel roots, earning several No. 1 Southern gospel songs ...