Doris Akers

On my CD, I recorded a couple songs written by Doris Akers who I believe wrote under the inspiration of God which came through much prayer. She was born in 1923, one of ten children, began playing the piano by ear at age six, wrote her first song at 10, and at 12 years of age had organized a five piece band. In 1958 this African-American lady started a racially mixed gospel group, The Sky Pilot Choir. During that year, she also co-wrote "Lord, Don't Move That Mountain," with Mahalia Jackson. One Sunday morning in 1962, while directing the Sky Pilot Choir, she said to her singers, “You are not ready to go in.” She didn’t believe they had prayed enough! They were accustomed to spending time with her in prayer before the service, asking God to bless their songs. She said, “I feel that prayer is more important than great voices.” They had already prayed, but this particular morning she asked them to pray again, and they did so with renewed fervor. As they prayed, Doris began to wonder how she could stop this wonderful prayer meeting. You can read more here: www.cbn.com/spirituallife/devotions/terry_sweet_spirit.aspx While researching Doris Akers, I came upon this video of Tim Spell singing one of her songs. (If anyone ever comes across a video of Doris Akers, please forward it to me.)