Here's a photo by Richard Holloway from our book, in which members of the Western Shore Singing and Praying Band march exuberantly between a chartered bus and two vendors' tents on Magothy's campground with Shawn Copeland leading the way.

Buy the book here:
jonathancdavid.com/books/togeth...

I was honored to be among and do research with the African American grassroots Methodist groups called the Singing and Praying Bands.

This photo is one of the incredible singers in the bands. It was marvelously shot by Lloyd Wolf, whose work is widely available online and in print.

Inside a temporary eatery at the camp meeting in Magothy, Maryland, two chefs proudly display food they have prepared to sell to those who attend. Photo by Richard Holloway.

Purchase our book about the Singing and Praying Bands "Together Let Us Sweetly Live" at: jonathancdavid.com/books/togeth...

This photo feels to me as if it shows some of my melancholy and inner thought at work. Sometimes, the world is a terrible place, but we carry on. It is my writing that is my rebellion, my protest, and my progressive voice that always seeks the truth.

In addition to being a writer, I'm a classically trained musician. I studied South Indian classical music in India when I was younger. I studied at the music school of Madurai University and Kalakshetra College of the Arts and focused on an instrument called the veena. This is me and my veena.

Another beautiful photo by Richard Holloway from my book "Together Let Us Sweetly Live" about the Singing and Praying Bands. Many of these incredible photos are in my book, which can be purchased by going to: jonathancdavid.com/books/togeth...

Raising his arms like the conductor of an orchestra, Joseph Spicer leads the Western Shore Singing and Praying Band in a give-out hymn. The photo is by Richard Holloway.

Listen to music by the bands and buy my book "Together Let Us Sweetly Live" by going to jonathancdavid.com/books/togeth...

This photo by Lloyd Wolf is of the Singing and Praying Bands “marching around Jericho” outside a church in Dorchester County, Maryland, ​which was closely associated with Harriet Tubman​.

When I began researching the bands, I was intensely moved by their religious services.

This photo from my book "Together Let Us Sweetly Live" is one of 80 spectacular photos by Richard Holloway. This is Mary Stewart and Ricky Bailey with the congregation seated behind them succumbing to “hallelujah fire” as the Singing and Praying Bands march at Antioch A.M.E. in Frankford, Delaware.

My latest book "The Flower From A Poisoned Seed" is a memoir about childhood trauma, sexual masochism, and eventually, a good measure of wellbeing.

The book cover was finely illustrated by David Loebman & beautifully designed by Eric Dale.

Yes, you can buy it here:
www.amazon.com/Flower-Poiso...