however, his success in the gospel field was not translated into crossover success in the white record market. he left specialty in 1958, and began recording his own compositions for the nashville-based nashboro label. he also performed and made recordings with his daughter, annette, and with singer jackie verdell. after returning to the south, may's popularity continued to grow in that region. in the early 1960s, he starred with marion williams in the musical "black nativity" in new york city, and toured the u.s. and europe with the production.