101 # 1 Song of the Day 12-3-12

The 101 number one song of the day was recorded by a star of the Gospel circuit. But when he recorded a pop song under a pseudonym he was fired for crossing over into secular music.

He was lead singer of a Gospel group known as the Soul Stirrers and at that time someone who sang gospel just did not do anything else.  But he was approached a many named Bumps Blackwell who talked him into recording some of his songs.  Against his better judgement he did and when they were released using the name “Dale” his smooth, creamy voice was too obvious to disguise.  He lost his job as lead singer but his solo career was launched.  His influence can be heard in singers as disparate as Otis Redding, Rod Stewart, Marvin Gaye and Mick Jagger and on December 3, 1957 he owned the number one song in the land.  Here’s Sam Cooke (You Send Me)