Gospel pioneer Thomas A. Dorsey, b. Villa Rica, Ga., July 1, 1899, d. Jan. 23, 1993, grew up in a devout family but succumbed to the temptations of secular music. In his twenties, under the name "Georgia Tom," he played piano with blues stars such as Ma Rainey and Bessie Smith. Although he wrote some gospel songs while still active as a blues musician, about 1930, Dorsey devoted himself exclusively to religious music. He began composing songs that combined blues and jazz tunes and rhythms with religious lyrics and selling them to churches for choir music. As his songs began to sell, Dorsey opened the first publishing company for Black gospel music and, with gospel singer Sallie Martin, founded the National Convention of Gospel Choirs and Choruses, an organization he remained involved with until his death. During his long career he wrote about 800 songs, organized tours, discovered and encouraged new talent, toured with such singers as Mahalia Jackson and Roberta Martin, and brought Black gospel music to a mass audience. Dorsey's best-known songs include "If You See My Saviour" and "Precious Lord, Take My Hand" (both 1932).