Tyscot Records Marks 50 Years With Midnight Homecoming Concert in Indianapolis
Tyscot Records, the oldest operating Black-owned gospel label, celebrated its 50th anniversary with a Midnight Homecoming Concert on July 23 in Indianapolis. Gospel legend John P. Kee headlined the event, held during the Pentecostal Assemblies of the World convention. The label also won a Grammy earlier this year for Best Gospel Album.
Tyscot Records, the oldest operating Black-owned gospel recording label in the United States, marked its 50th anniversary with a Midnight Homecoming Concert on July 23, 2026, in Indianapolis, Indiana.
The event took place at the JW Marriott during the Pentecostal Assemblies of the World 111th International Summer Convention, which ran from July 19 through July 25. Gospel legend John P. Kee, who began his career with the label, headlined the concert. Tyscot alumni Ruth La'Ontra and Jason Clayborn also performed.
Founded in 1976 by Dr. Leonard Scott and his nephew, the late L. Craig Tyson, the label started from a practical need. The Christ Apostolic Church Radio Choir had recorded a debut LP, "Feel Good," but could not secure a deal with a major label. Scott and Tyson released it themselves, operating out of Scott's dental practice.
Over five decades, Tyscot grew into a major force in gospel music, launching the careers of VaShawn Mitchell, Bri Babineaux, Deitrick Haddon, and Anthony Brown and group therAPy.
The anniversary year has already produced significant milestones. In February 2026, the label won a Grammy Award for Best Gospel Album for "Heart of Mine," a collaboration between Darrel Walls and PJ Morton. The label also received 19 nominations for the 41st Annual Stellar Gospel Music Awards, scheduled for August in Charlotte, North Carolina.
Bryant Scott, president of Tyscot Records, said the anniversary is both a tribute to the label's legacy and a statement about its future direction in gospel music.
