Sweet Daddy Grace

Marcy receives a mysterious email, which answers some questions but raises more. And she finally speaks to someone who knew Daddy Grace personally.
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From the time Daddy Grace founded the United House of Prayer in 1919, his life was not without controversy: from his appearance, to how much money he made (and the taxes he paid – or didn’t pay), to suspicions of Communism, and worse. In fact, Daddy Grace seemed to be constantly battling the US government on various charges. But how much of this was real? And how much was just an excuse for Uncle Sam to try to bring down a powerful Black man? 
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Daddy Grace’s relationship with money – how much he seemed to have, how his followers practically threw cash at him – bothered many people outside the church, including Marcy’s  relatives. But what was all that money used for? Sure, Daddy Grace had fancy cars and custom made suits. But in a time when it was hard for many Black people to get a mortgage, the United House of Prayer owned luxury buildings around the country: investment properties that guaranteed the church would last after Daddy Grace was gone. So was Daddy Grace just looking after his own well-being? Or was he actually a brilliant entrepreneur, ahead of his time?
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One of Daddy Grace’s lasting legacies is shout music: specifically, the horn-driven shout bands, whose presence – even today – is a constant at almost all United House of Prayer functions. In this week’s bonus episode, Marcy sits down with Lovett Hines, Artistic Director of the Philadelphia Clef Club of Jazz & Performing Arts (and former House of Prayer band member), to discuss his own musical upbringing in the church, as well as how he sees the tradition of shout music in the world today.
For more on Sweet Daddy Grace, check out SweetDaddyGrace.com
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As a child, Marcy was never allowed to attend a United House of Prayer service — her family told her it was taboo. But the church — which Daddy Grace founded in 1919 — is still going strong. So what’s going on?  Why did Daddy Grace want to start his own church in the first place? How did he manage to grow it so quickly? And what are the services actually like? Marcy travels down to Charlotte, NC to find out for herself.
For more on Sweet Daddy Grace, check out SweetDaddyGrace.com.
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