Dorothy Norwood

Dorothy Norwood, an American gospel singer, songwriter, and producer, is a celebrated figure in traditional gospel music. She was born on May 29, 1935, in Atlanta, Georgia, and began her musical career in the 1940s, touring with her family's singing group at the age of eight. In 1956, she began singing with the legendary Mahalia Jackson, and she later became a member of the renowned gospel group The Caravans in the early 1960s. Norwood launched her solo career in 1964 with the album *Johnny and Jesus*. She is frequently referred to as "The World's Greatest Storyteller" for her narrative-style gospel performances. Her catalog includes songs such as "Victory is Mine," "Near The Cross," "Hold On to His Hand," "Denied Mother," "Tribute to Mama," "I Have a Friend," and "My Rock." Her 1991 album *Live with the Northern California GMWA Mass Choir* reached the number one position on Billboard's Top Forty. A nine-time Grammy nominee, five of her albums have achieved gold status. In 2023, she was inducted into the Women Songwriters Hall of Fame.