Gospel House Genre
John T.’s Gospel House genre was influenced very strongly by his mother, Telia Elizabeth Cotton Davis Flynn (1910-1993).
“She loved Gospel music and so do I and I’ve learned why. Gospel means “THE GOOD NEWS” (GODSPELL). And what’s the good news? The 2nd coming of Christ The Messiah, His Father and our Father. I am that I am. He says He’s coming back to fulfill the rest of a prophecy, and am I ever glad.”
When John T.’s mother passed away in Newport News, Virginia in 1993, John T. brought back several items from her house, including …
- A photo of his mother
- A photo & news clipping of the great Gospel singer Mahalia Jackson
- The painting that graces the cover of the Glory Man album and CD label
- A tapestry that John T. sent to her from Acapulco when he played on his 2nd boat cruise
- “Her Bible, that I’ve almost worn out since ’93. It celebrates her life that I had a privilege to be part of.”
Other people who helped instill the Gospel House spirit into John T.’s soul are George A.Cotton, Julia Cotton, Willie Mae & Nora Jean Cotton, Hillory W. Cotton, George Jr. Cotton, James O. Davis (Jimmy), John Thomas Davis Sr., Ms. Henrietta Fenner, Hilda Cotton Perry, Shirley Cotton Spicer and Jate Davis.
The painting G.I.V.E. in the slide show above was painted by a fan and friend, R. Lizotla, to commemorate the Gospel House song of the same name, G.I.V.E. It was painted during a performance where John T. played the song and given to John T. as a gift.
You can search for all songs in John T.’s Gospel House genre on the Find A Song page.