Editing Thomas A. Dorsey (section)

==Early life (1899–1918)==
Thomas A. Dorsey was born in [[Villa Rica, Georgia]], the first of three children to Thomas Madison Dorsey, a minister and farmer, and Etta Plant Spencer. The Dorseys [[Sharecropping|sharecropped]] on a small farm, while the elder Dorsey, a graduate of Atlanta Bible College (now [[Morehouse College]]), traveled to nearby churches to preach. He also taught black children at a [[one-room school]]house where his son accompanied him and listened to lessons.<ref name="harris 3-25">Harris pp. 3–25.</ref>{{efn|Accounts of how many children the Dorseys had depend on the source. (Harris, p. 24. states three, Marovich, p. 71 states five)}}

Religion and music were at the center of the Dorseys' lives, and young Thomas was exposed to a variety of musical styles in his early childhood. While often living hand-to-mouth, the Dorseys were able to own an organ, which was rare for black families, and Dorsey's mother played during his father's church services. His uncle was also a musician, a traveling guitarist concentrating on [[country blues]] while it was in its infancy. Villa Rica's rural location allowed Dorsey to hear [[Negro spiritual|slave spirituals]], and "moaning" – a style of singing marked by elongated notes and embellishments widespread among Southern black people – alongside the [[Protestant]] hymns his father favored. Furthermore, when Thomas' father traveled to preach at other churches, Thomas and his mother attended a church that practiced [[Sacred Harp|shape note singing]]; their harmonizing in particular making a deep impression on him.<ref name="harris 3-25"/>

The Dorseys moved to Atlanta to find better opportunities when Thomas was eight years old. The adjustment for the entire family was difficult, culminating in Thomas being isolated, held back at school, and eventually dropping out after the fourth grade when he was twelve years old.<ref name="harris 26-46">Harris, pp. 26–46.</ref>

Directionless, Dorsey began attending shows at the nearby 81 Theater, that featured blues musicians and live [[vaudeville]] acts. Soon he began selling concessions there, and aspiring to join the theater band, honed his musical skills on his family's organ and a relative's piano, picking out melodies that he had heard and practicing long hours. He studied informally with musicians at the theater and local dance bands, always playing blues. Despite being meagerly compensated, he played [[rent party|rent parties]], house parties, [[Juke joint|barrelhouses]], and [[brothel]]s, but enjoyed the social life of a musician. Due to the spontaneous nature of the events Dorsey worked, he became proficient at improvising, and along the way, learned to read [[musical notation]].<ref name="harris 26-46"/>