which a group was formed, becoming known as the Williams Singers; this group gained popularity in Chicago's church going community.
The West Point Baptist Church was the scene of numerous performances by leading gospel artists, including Mahalia Jackson. These figures deeply influenced the direction of Albertina's musical development, pointing her firmly towards gospel music. Her early career gained impetus when Walker began to receive media exposure through radio performances with the Robert Anderson band.
Walker made her first recording with Robert Anderson's band and on Anderson's retirement, she formed the Caravans in 1952. The group was to play a significant role in the future development of gospel music. The Caravans attracted many personalities that later became household names, including James Cleveland, Shirley Caesar, Dorothy Norwood and Inez Andrews and others.
In the ensuing decade the group took centre stage in the gospel musical arena and performed in every corner of the World to popular acclaim. A new member was added to their ranks in 1958; that name was none other than Shirley Caesar whose powerful vocal range later made her the Caravans' lead vocalist.
The phenomenal success of the Caravans peaked during the sixties. Having gained popular acclaim and recognition as a group, there was an overwhelming desire among the group's members to pursue solo careers and they disbanded in 1967. Albertina Walker's successful career as a soloist began when she made her first record with Savoy Records. She has since participated in many successful gospel projects with other notable gospel artists and has produced dozens of albums during her illustrious solo career. Some of these albums became household hits among discerning gospel fans.
Walker gained a Grammy nomination in 1993 for her energy and powerful vocal range in Albertina Walker Live. She is popularly know as the "Queen of Gospel" for her immense contribution to the gospel music industry spanning several generations. In 2006, Walker made an emotional comeback performance with the surviving members of the Caravans with the release of the much acclaimed album Paved The Way. Popular with lifelong nostalgic fans of the Caravans, the album featured in the top 40 charts for sixteen weeks.
Walker continues to maintain a busy life from her base in Chicago, where she plays an active role in collaborative gospel projects with other notable names. Walker founded the Albertina Walker Scholarship Foundation. She is a prominent contributor to the organization, which funds promising gospel talents, helping them to establish within the gospel music industry.
For over half a century, Albertina Walker has carved a granite-like name that has earned a permanent and well deserved place in the annals of gospel music. Her contribution to the gospel music industry is not only immense, many successful gospel artists themselves owe their early success to her, through exposure with the Caravans
half a century earlier.
Much of Walker's energy and passion comes from her lifelong yearning to serve God and improve lives, Walker continues to do just that, not only in the pleasure she has given millions of fans through her music; but also in her continued involvement in projects specifically set up to give other potential, budding gospel divas the opportunity to come through and establish themselves in a long line of illustrious gospel divas. A long line among whom, surely, the name Albertina Walker merits the title "Queen of Gospel" music.
You can view Christian gospel song lyrics along with Albertina Walker gospel lyrics online.
