In 1948, the Reverend Milton Brunson organized a mass gospel choir at Chicago's McKinley High School; dubbed the Thompson Community Singers, the group -- affectionately known as "the Tommies" -- would emerge as the nation's oldest existing community choir, celebrating their golden anniversary with the release of 1998's hits collection 50 Blessed Years. In the interim Brunson and his singers became one of the most honored gospel groups of their era, issuing eight gospel chart-topping LPs and winning a Grammy award in 1995. Their 50th anniversary was also celebrated with the opening of a post office named in Brunson's honor. ~ Jason Ankeny