caption birth_name birth_place label image_size background birth_date instrument genre image article_title name occupation
calvin earl calvin earl square gatesville , north carolina , u.s. back to basics records 200px solo_singer 16 january 1952 vocals , guitar , percussion , piano african-american spirituals calvin_earl . png calvin earl
 calvin earl singer , speaker , songwriter and filmmaker
calvin earl

calvin earl , -lrb- january 16 , 1952 -rrb- , is a performing artist , musician , storyteller and documentary film maker specializing in the history of african american spirituals .
his passion for the preservation of the spirituals led him to lobby for the introduction of twin resolutions -lrb- h. res .
120 and s. res 69 -rrb- in the united states congress in 2007 , to honor american slaves for their contribution to the american nation and recognize the african american spiritual as a national treasure .
he is referred to in the legislation as a `` noted performer & educator of the african american spirituals '' .
because of his successful efforts in the passage of the legislation , earl became affectionately known as the `` ambassador of the african american spirituals '' .
he has recorded two albums of spirituals -lrb- for back to basics records -rrb- , including `` gratitude '' which is sold at american historical sites including monticello , mount vernon , jamestown , and the jimmy carter national historic site in plains , georgia .
