Explore Black History

1978

A 33 1/3 rpm record album titled, Push For Excellence, by the Rev. Jesse L. Jackson and The Operation Push Choir. This object is comprised of a vinyl disc (a) of the long-playing record and an album cover (b).
2015.172.36a: A vinyl disc from the 33 1/3 rpm record album titled, Push For Excellence, by the Rev. Jesse L. Jackson and The Operation Push Choir. The vinyl record has a gradient orange circular label with a light orange starburst at the center with black text. To the left of the center hole is the album title, record label, side number, catalog number and copyright information: [PUSH / FOR EXCELLENCE / myrrh / side 1 / msb-6617 / ? 1978 WORD, / INCORPORATED]. To the right of the center hole are the track names and performers: [COME ON CHILDREN– WALTER HAWKINS and FAMILY], [THE COMFORTER– EDWIN HAWKINS], [REACHING FOR THE TOP– PUSH CHOIR], [I’M GLAD YOU FOUND THE LORD– PUSH CHOIR], and [KUM BA YAH- JACKIE VERDELL]. Side 2 is identical to Side 1. The tracks on Side 2 include: [ALL OF ME-DANNIEBELLE], [YOUR LOVE-BILI THEDFORD / and DANNIEBELLE], [CHRIST HAS MADE THE / DIFFERENCE- JESSY DIXON], [REV. JESSE JACKSON], [SOON AND VERY SOON- / ANDRAÉ CROUCH].
2015.172.36b: An album jacket from the 33 1/3 rpm record album titled, Push For Excellence, by the Rev. Jesse L. Jackson and The Operation Push Choir. The front of the jacket features a full sized color photograph of Reverend Jesse Jackson performing on stage. He is depicted in three-quarters profile facing the left edge of the jacket. He wears a dark short sleeve shirt and dark pants. Both of his forearms are raised in front of him, his hands are splayed, and his head is tilted slightly towards his proper left shoulder. Behind him is the PUSH Choir singing into microphones. The choir members stand closely together, facing Jackson. Two people in the choir have their hands raised in the air. Behind Jackson is a piano. There are amplifier on either side of Jackson. The stage is dark and there is a spotlight on the wooden floor. In the background on the right, are silhouettes of people standing on a catwalk, backlit with green lighting. A large graphic of a pink, orange, and yellow arrow cuts across the top left corner of the jacket and points towards large yellow text that reads [REV. JESSE L. JACKSON]. Jackson's name is also underlined with a thin red line. Printed in diagonal , white text above the choir are the names of the PUSH Choir members: [ANDRAÉ CROUCH], [WALTER HAWKINS], [EDWIN HAWKINS], [BILI THEDFORD], [JESSY DIXON], [TREMAINE HAWKINS], and [DANIBELLE]. Yellow, horizontal text printed below reads [AND THE OPERATION PUSH CHOIR]. Along the bottom edge is a yellow band with primarily black text that reads [PUSH FOR EXCELLENCE!!!]. The letter [U] is red, green, and white. Printed in the bottom right corner is the record label name [myrrh]. In the top right corner is the records catalog number [MSB-6617]. The back of the jacket is green with eight color photographs, white and yellow text, and two color graphics. The larger photograph is printed in the top left corner and depicts a headshot of Jackson. He is depicted in profile with his head turned towards the viewer. Printed in white text below are liner notes written by Jackson, producer credits, recording information, thanks, and photography credits. Printed in yellow and white text at the top right are the sides one and two track names and credits. Printed below are seven, pink outlined, color photographs of Danibelle, Jessy Dixon, Walter Hawkins, Edwin Hawkins, Tremaine Hawkins, Bili Thedford, and Andraé Crouch. All of them are depicted performing on stage, singing into microphones, against black backgrounds. The tail end of the large graphic of a pink, orange, and yellow arrow from the front of the jacket cuts across the bottom right corner of the back of the jacket. Overlaid on top of the arrow is a graphic of a black pin back button for [PUSH-EXCEL] with an identical arrow printed diagonally across its front. Printed in the bottom right corner in white text is the copyright information, record label information, and printing information.

National Museum of African American History and Culture Collection

Record Albums

NMAAHC (1400 Constitution Ave NW), National Mall Location, Second Floor, 2 050

Collection of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture

National Museum of African American History and Culture

2015.172.36ab

record covers
long-playing records

© 1978 Word, Incorporated
Permission required for use. Proper usage is the responsibility of the user.

(2015.172.36a): vinyl with ink on paper
(2015.172.36b): ink on cardboard

Diameter (a. vinyl disc): 11 7/8 in. (30.2 cm)
H x W (b. cardboard jacket): 12 × 12 3/8 in. (30.5 × 31.4 cm)

Title • Push for Excellence!!!

nmaahc_2015.172.36ab

NMAAHC

PUSH FOR EXCELLENCE!!!

National Museum of African American History and Culture

CC0

1970s

The People's Choir of Operation PUSH • Hall, Danniebelle • Jackson, Jesse • Hawkins, Tramaine • Myrrh • Maxwell, Bill • Hawkins, Edwin • Hawkins, Walter • Goss, Jim • Rose, David • Crouch, Andraé • Thedford, Bili Redd • Dixon, Jessy

District of Columbia • United States • North and Central America • Texas • McLennan County • Washington • Waco

Activism • Soul (Music) • Funk (Music) • Preaching • Religion • Gospel (Music)

Christians • African Americans

NMAAHC

City • Washington • State • District of Columbia • Country • United States • Continent • North and Central America • City • Waco • County • McLennan County • State • Texas

Phonograph records • Record covers

Yes

Images

Use Restricted