Final answer:
The claim that Billy Preston's "Oh Happy Day" was the first gospel song to become a gold record is false; the first gospel song to reach this milestone was "Oh Happy Day" by the Edwin Hawkins Singers in 1969.
Step-by-step explanation:
The statement that Billy Preston's "Oh Happy Day" was the first gospel song to become a gold record is false. The credit for the first gospel song to achieve a gold record actually goes to the Edwin Hawkins Singers with their rendition of "Oh Happy Day." The song, which was released in 1969, went on to become an international hit and has since been covered by numerous artists. It blends the fervor of gospel music with a modern soul style, and its success paved the way for gospel music to gain more mainstream recognition.