Louise McCord

A mezzo-soprano Gospel singer (February 9, 1940 - November 3, 2020).

She was mostly known as a soloist and member of The Voices Of Tabernacle and The Roberta Martin Singers.

For many years, McCord was a member of, and frequent soloist with, Detroit’s famed Voices of Tabernacle Choir, under the direction of Rev. James Cleveland. Among the songs she led or helped lead were “Down by the Riverside” (with [a2482571], “Yes God is Real,” “Jesus Be a Fence Around Me” and, with Rev. Cleveland, “There is No Greater Love,” “He’ll See You Through,” and “Plenty Good Room.”

In 1966, McCord was invited to join the Roberta Martin Singers, replacing Delois Barrett Campbell, whom she idolized. McCord led two songs on the group’s [r=6145817] album for Savoy. After Campbell returned to the group, McCord moved on, though she participated in the Roberta Martin Symposium sponsored by the Smithsonian in 1981.

In 1972, McCord signed with the new Gospel Truth imprint of Stax and recorded a tribute album to the recently-deceased Mahalia Jackson. Assisting her was [a6813395], whose namesake, Bishop Rance Allen, passed away just a few days before McCord. By 1977, she was with Savoy Records and cut the album I'm Going On with musical backing from emerging gospel superstar Minister Thomas Whitfield.