Doris Akers - Highway to Heaven

[mrtheoneandonly83]

This song was written by the farther of gospel music Rev Thomas A Dorsey.

[sentrysgirl]

I've taught this to my students--they will be singing it as the finale in our Easter program. :)

[angelmrpaul]

In my comment I was trying to say that when Bill tries to move with the beat he doesn't have the rythym anybody can see that in the video but it took Jesse Dixon to show him how the song was sang and how to move with the beat of the music etc. Even Doris Akers noticed that lol I grew up A/G also. It was not intended to offend anyone Ningrn1

[ldoyle1043]

It is important to be on the right road in life! I am walking up the Kings highway. Highway to Heaven none can walk up there but the pure at heart!God is so good to us!

[ningrn1]

I grew up in the Assemblies of God and many of the pianists played this way or similar. Jimmy Swaggart is an example. Black gospel and blues music was infused in our music.  This arrangement of Highway to heaven, was sung just about this same way that it is done on this video. Since this is Doris's arrangement of this great song, I believe we must have received it from her. I remember singing it just this same way. Many of these churches were white.

[johninsanfran]

I also grew up in the AG denomination. I remember singing this song as well EXACTLY the same way.

My mother was a choir director and I started playing the piano for church choirs at the age of 16.

We took our mostly white choir to many black churches and would have black choirs sing at our church.

I cherish those memories!

[ningrn1]

I love the way she plays the piano. It reminds me of pianists I heard in church when I was growing up.

[LASZLOBOY1]

Weve been blessed to have this part of history, Ms Akers is so missed. THIS IS A NICE SONG.

Shame on those who were walking as she played.

[durantsjill]

Love this song, always have!

[drjoycejdorsey]

So inspiring!  God Bless all who have kept the memory of my late elder alive.

[angelmrpaul]

Love this Song! Bill Gaither bless his heart has no rhythm whatsoever but he tries!

[Bluzey30]

@angelmrpaul

LOL LOL LOL..God Bless him though..LOL

[angelmrpaul]

@angelmrpaul It's true he was not moving with the beat of the music anyone could see that.

[jddrew1000]

Doris Akers was a great pioneer

[titusone51]

I am glad she and Jessy did what they did. At times Bill Gaither and his group have a problem learning songs in in the African American tradition

[ningrn1]

@titusone51 I know of no one, other than perhaps Doris, who has tried to bridge gospel and Southern Gospel music more than Bill Gaither. Some of the comments stated here sound racist to me. Bill Gaither and his wife have written more songs than most of the gospel composers living and dead and have more songs in hymnals than most except for Fannie Crosby. He writes his own music, so I beileve he has rhythm. He has been very supportive of all Christian music and musicians.

[angelmrpaul]

@ningrn1 Nobody is being racist please stop being so sensitive and walk in love my friend, it's quite alright to make comments we are free to do that. Doris and Jesse taught the crowd along with Bill Gather something very important in the black church tradition. I love Bill Gather, he just didn't know how to sing the song correctly and most of the audience saw that along with Doris Akers. Bill Gaither even commented on that himself. :-)

[angelmrpaul]

@titusone51 I agree very good observation

[kingdombread]

LUV IT! One Family of God! One Church! This VDO proves teaches us that we gotta learn how to sing the song of the Lord together...instructing one another in humility...being patient with each other as we learn in love...that makes us good candidates for Heaven! (smile). Thanx 4 posting this classic! I luvd Mother Akers and adore Dr. Dixon & Dr. Gaither! B Blessed!

[toniwhite12]

go head doris she can get down on a piano!!!!

[cutiesmooch]

Truly A Pioneer In Gospel Music--Beyond Gifted!--I Do Not Have The Words---Wonderful Lady,Wonderful Talent,And Wonderful Spirit---God Bless--

[tbahl43]

This is the woman who introduced me to Gospel music at "Sky Pilot Revival Center at 54th and Western in Los Angeles...my mom was a soprano in that 100 voice choir...it was through our years with Doris that I became 'schooled' in Gospel music...Then came Motown, Michael Jackson and Quincy Jones...thank you Doris...

Tommy Bahler

[4freespeech]

Hey we found once you can finally get Yankees to clap on the UP beat that's half the battle! We traveled around alot years ago in the Pentecostal Church of God but our home was in Mississippi. There was a definite difference in the FEELING of the gospel below the Mason Dixon line... not necessarily BETTER, (although I'm partial being born a Reb) but different. Southern church folks have been in- fluenced by African Americans in their worship MORE than they may care to admit!

[thabluz7]

@4freespeech I meant thumbs up.... :-( just a slip.....a definite truth and a fact which pleases me much. 'Sorry 'bout that

[Anto18nio]

gotta love that bluesy touch she adds to it...LOL

[psychotropic7]

The commentor makes the comment about the "black church." This song transcends race and color.

Doesn't matter, really, so long as Christ's blood was RED...

[cincinnaticousin]

Praise the Lord! This takes me back so many years.

[Monk3597]

Thanks for sharing I had seen Doris on other videos but that was the first time I had seen her play the piano. She did do a better job with the piano than Bill.

[tttriplettt]

Thanks for the information on Geron. He seems very talented and brimming over with the Spirit. Also, this is the closest I've even seen Mr. Gaither come to dancing, he was having a blast.

[hkg02161954]

This son brings back real memories...A very good friend of mine recorded on reel to reel Doris Akers directing the choir at Los Gatos Assembly in California. The choir made their entrance single file singing this song much slower than this version. Ive never heard a person with such power and inspiration over the directing a choir...what a talent. The funny thing is until I found her on Youtube, I never knew what the lady looked like, I had only my friends recording of her.

[bluewingtip]

Ha, Ha, Bill is so stiff!!!

[tttriplettt]

Fantastic.. the joy in the room spreads from the piano and back. She is wonderful. Question, please, who is the young man who plays the piano with her at times?

[pianista21df]

He's Geron Davis :-D

[safestman2003]

@pianista21df By the way Geron Davis is an incredible talent. He wrote wrote "Holy Ground" and "In the Presence of Jehovah". He is no novice.

[pluto17dre]

wait, doris was black? idk that! my grannie is almost that tone AND SHE IS black too....IT REALLY DOESNT MATTER WAT COLOR YOU ARE I WAS just reading her bio in the AAR.....

[Anto18nio]

yes doris akers was black...even though it's hard to tell...LOL

[MoSvivor]

@Anto18nio Really?? I've been trying to research that for a while. Thank you!!

[Anto18nio]

@MoSvivor you're welcome

[gregzintx]

Im a little young to know Ms ACRES, But I am not BLESSED TO KNOW WHO SHE IS, I grew up singing this song, but Doris add's so much to it, WHAT A PLAYER, AND SOOOOOOOOO CUTE !

LOVE FROM TEXAS

[warmlandlass1]

Many years ago at Glad Tidings Temple, Vancouver, Canada, we had the remarkable opportunity to have Doris Akers teach us how to really sing gospel. This song, 'Highway to Heaven' was used among others as our evening service choir processional. Really took us higher!

[promo6p]

This song was the processional for the Sky Pilot Choir. You had to be there to hear it sung as they marched in. It was much slower, then after the invocation, it sped up like on this video. I have many fond memories of the church, Dr. Aubrey Lee, who was the Pastor, the Sutton Sisters of which Shirley was the organist for the choir. I will never forget those wonderful services, Doris and the choir. Doris was so gifted. I'm sure she is enjoying her heavenly reward now.

[karma342]

Thanks so much for sharing all your wonderful memories with us!!

[xXxPandaPuuxXx]

lol

2:26 - 2:32

lol tat man is awesome :3

[Anto18nio]

that's Jessy Dixon he used to sing with Rev. James Cleveland back in the sixties.

[bitterchew]

way to praise

[gospelthang]

Whoa, Doris still has it!! And she looks ADORABLE at 1:46 !!

"That's what I want!'"

[WilfCarterFan]

She sure can play that piano

[lovepencilart]

Aw I love this song! :)

[caddyorganist]

I'd love to know what her and Vestal were talking about at 3:59!

[proskaterhistory]

Wow! This woman can really pound the keys. What talent. Love this video and that SHE was in control. Thanks.

[karmalink342]

So cute and ... little... @___@.. and fragile!! Awesome song! LOL BILL SANG IT WHACK. Then Jesse had to take over, with dat soullll~