Elvis Presley

Elvis Presley's recording of "Peace in the Valley" 1957.
Courtesy Leola Greene.

Along with international popularity during the 1950s and 1960s, gospel record sales soared, a Chicago-based television show thrived, and many all-gospel radio stations emerged.

Many of the biggest stars from other styles of music had huge hits with recordings of gospel songs. Red Foley sang Thomas Andrew Dorsey's "Peace in the Valley" at Hank Williams's funeral in 1953 and later had a hit with the recording. Elvis Presley would top Foley's success in gospel music when he recorded two of Dorsey songs, "Peace in the Valley" and "Precious Lord, Take My Hand," on this album.