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Gospel performer Milton Brunson, born June 28, 1929 in Chicago, learned his craft from some of the most celebrated names in gospel’s history, Mahalia Jackson and Thomas A. Dorsey, whose counsel he sought while still a teenager. He formed the Thompson Community Singers in Chicago in 1948, establishing himself as the director of the choir. In the 1960s he became ordained and opened the Christ Tabernacle Baptist Church. Recordings by Brunson and “The Tommies”, as they were called, were not released until the 1980s, but over the course of seven years their traditional approach to black church music racked up five Number 1 gospel albums including Available to You, Open Our Eyes, and My Mind Is Made Up. Their 1993 album Through God’s Eyes ended that streak, topping out at Number 4, but earned them the 1995 Grammy Award for Best Gospel Choir or Chorus Album. Brunson passed away on April 1, 1997, but new material from The Tommies continued to be released after his death including 1998’s album 50 Blessed Years which included the track “It’s Gonna Rain”.
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