Shirley Wahls

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Shirley Wahls (born 28 December 1941) is known as one of the young pioneers of Gospel music. Singing in the church since the age of three, she began her singing career in the junior choir of the Mt Pleasant Baptist Church under the direction of Ruth Jones (better known as Dinah Washington) and later Phillip Gilbert, Jr. Her professional career began with such legendary groups as The Argo Singers, the Ward Singers and Dorothy Norwood Singers. Although she only cut a handful of secular 45s in the late 60s Shirley Wahls showed that she had the vocal talent to be a big big star. As even the most cursory listen to any of her singles will tell you, she had a big background in the church, working with the Argo Singers, Gertrude Ward Singers and the Dorothy Norwood Singers before trying her hand at soul around 1965/6. By now she was resident in Chicago having been born in Marvel, AR on 28 December 1941, and all her secular music was created in the Windy City. Her first solo disc was produced by Bill Sheppard and leased out to King. ListenWhy Am I Crying is a good easy mid paced beat ballad, but the thing that set it apart from so many others in the same vein was Shirley's great deep voice, full of fire and emotional strength. She has claimed it sold about 65,000 copies in Chicago. But good as that 45 was far better was to come. Sheppard tried one follow up on Calla but "Because I Love You" lacked all the charm of the previous 45. The flip, written by Wahls herself was a much better

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