Black History Highlight

Here is a Gospel Music Trivia Question – What gospel quartet group was purportedly the first group in Mississippi to use drums, keyboard and guitars? The Jackson Southernaires.

“In 1940, the Jackson Southernaires were organized by Frank Crisler in Jackson, Mississippi. The Jackson Southernaires began much the same way as the Mississippi Blind Boys. They began singing at an early age and did a lot of performing around their hometown. The Jackson Southernaires was the first gospel group to use bass, drums, keyboard and guitar in Mississippi.”

“The Jackson Southernaires have a long history of musical training and awards that have made them one of the best gospel groups in Mississippi. This group contains five members: Huey Williams, Roger Bryant Jr., Maurice Surrell, James Burks and Luther Jennings (the only remaining original member). Another member of this group, Franklin Williams, died in March of 1993.”

“In 1963, the group signed their first recording contract with Duke/Peacock Records. Their first release Too Late became one of the company’s biggest albums. From 1972-75 the group was signed to the ABC/Dunhill label. In 1975, Malaco Records, an independent blues and R & B company, decided to build a gospel label. The rock that they decided to build upon was the Jackson Southernaires. This decision would prove to be pivotal for both parties. Since signing with Malaco, The Jackson Southernaires have gone on to record twenty top ten albums, of which four have become number one.

The Southernaires are not only performers, but producers as well. They have produced albums by The Sensational Nightingales, J. J. Farley, and The Original Soul Stirrers, The Williams Family, The Truthettes, The D. R. Curry Memorial Choir, The Eveready’s, The Angelic Gospel Singers, and The Fantastic Violinaires.

In 1979, the Southernaires received a Grammy nomination for Teddy Bear. In 1985 and 1986, they received a nomination from the Stellar Awards and The Gospel Music Workshop of America as the Traditional Male Group of the Year. In 1987, they received a nomination from the NAACP Image Award as the Traditional Male Group of the Year. For the years 1987, 1988, & 1989, they won awards from the GMWA for the Traditional Male Group of the Year. In 1989, they were nominated for and won a Stellar Award for the Traditional Male Group.”

Black History Highlight

Here is a Gospel Music Trivia Question – What gospel quartet group acquired a portion of their name from that of a broadcasting company? The CBS Trumpeteers.

“Joseph Johnson, who learned his quartet skills as a member of the Golden Gate Quartet and the Willing Four Quartet, decided to organize a group that he could influence in both repertoire and style. In 1946 in Baltimore he formed a group called the Trumpeteers with Joe Armstrong, baritone; Raleigh Turnage, tenor; James Keels, bass; and himself on lead. The Trumpeteers were the personification of the jubilee quartet: tight and sweet harmony, tenor voice lead, and attacks and releases that were perfectly coordinated. Shortly after they were organized the Trumpeteers began singing over WCAO radio in Baltimore and were noticed by the Columbia Broadcasting System, whose executive signed them to a daily radio show. In honor of this collaboration, the group added CBS to their name. They, along with the Golden Gate Quartet and the Wings Over Jordan Choir, were among the few jubilee and gospel singers to have a network radio program.

Their contract with CBS lasted only two years, but he radio show gave the group national celerity and helped them land a contract with Score Records. The first recording session on September 12, 1947, produced their greatest hit, Theodore R. Frye’s arrangement to “Milky White Way,” a gospel blues song like Tindley’s “Stand by Me” and Eugene Smith’s “I Know the Lord Will Make A Way, Oh Yes, He Will.””

“Not until 1952, when the Bells of Joy released their “Let’s Talk about Jesus,” would there be another quartet recording that commanded the attention of every gospel music lover as “Milky White Way” did in the late 1947 and 1948.”

Minister, businessman, humanitarian, promoter, gospel singer, and Radio Angel are just some of the titles used to describe Minister Roderick E. Stanley.

Minister Stanley was raised as a military child, spending most of his childhood traveling, and meeting people of different backgrounds and religions. Minister Stanley’s mother, an evangelist, had ministered all over the world. In addition to her ministerial duties she is a gifted singer. She has been a member (for over forty years) of The Gospel Superiors, of Brunswick, Georgia. She passed on her live for the ministry and music to her son, Minister Stanley.

Minister Stanley did not learn how to play the piano (keyboard) by way of piano lessons. He is self-taught. He would actually watch videos of The Gospel Superiors, The Mighty Jubilaires, The Sensational Tones, The West Singers, The Singing Angels, The Pilgrim Jubilees and many others. Through his attentiveness, he allowed the Holy Spirit to guide his fingers across the keyboard.

He developed a desire to create something to bring people together. Thus, the RESB Gospel Agency was formed in 2000. At the time, he was only 14 years old. Minister Staley is emphatic that, “RESB Gospel Agency is not a business, but a ministry built on the foundation of willingness, gratitude, and full dedication to the independent gospel artists in the country. The RESB Gospel Agency is a non-profit organization that specializes in print style work, gospel bookings, gospel promotions, radio promotions, recording studio and much more.”

In 2003, Minister Roderick E. Stanley formed the quartet group, Roderick Stanley & The Gospel Spirituals. Shortly thereafter, the name was changed to Roderick Stanley & The Angelaires. Another change would occur and the name was changed to TruValue. The group’s current name is The Holy Spirit Believers. There is an interesting history behind each name change. Read more about the name changes at R.E.S.B.

Each year Minister Staley’s group celebrates their anniversary with a star studded concert in Brunswick. Guest groups have included Paul Beasley and The Gospel Keynotes, The Sensational Nightingales, Rev. Andrew Cheairs and The Songbirds, Women of Strength of Columbia, South Carolina, NuTestament of Jacksonville, Florida, and The Five Blind Boys of Mississippi.

Along with all of his other duties, Minister Stanley is the host and founder of Quartet Music Live. The program airs on WTLD radio station, 90.5 FM, in Jesup, Georgia. The program can be heard at 9:00 PM every Thursday and Friday.

It is clear that Minister Stanley is deeply involved in the gospel quartet genre. We encourage you to listen to Minister Stanley on the radio when you are near Jesup, Georgia.