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B i o g r a p h y |
The Blind Boys of Alabama
are a gospel group from Alabama that first formed at the Alabama
Institute for the Negro Blind at Talladega, Alabama in 1939. The three
main vocalists of the group and their drummer/percussionist are all
blind.
Band member Jimmy Carter explained the story behind the band's name:
"In the beginning we weren’t The Blind
Boys; we were called the Hackerland Jubilee Singers. What happened was
there was another blind group from Mississippi called the Jackson
Harmineers. We were both invited to a battle of music, and the DJ, to
promote his program, used the gimmick, “The blind boys of Mississippi
gonna battle the blind boys of Alabama.” It stuck and that’s how we got
the name The Blind Boys of Alabama."
As of 2010, The Blind Boys of Alabama
continue to tour nationally and internationally, with Jimmy Carter
singing lead vocals. In 2006, Clarence Fountain, the group's former long-time lead vocalist and founding member limited his touring for health reasons. Founding member George Scott died on March 9, 2005 at the age of 75. Another founding member, Johnny Fields, died on November 12, 2009.
Releases by the group in recent years have been favorites at the
Grammy Awards—they won the Grammy Award for Best Traditional Soul Gospel
Album four straight years between 2002 and 2005. The Blind Boys of
Alabama were inducted into the Gospel Music Hall of Fame in 2007. In
2009, they were awarded the Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award.
In April 2011, the band released Take The High Road in Australia and
followed it with a headlining tour that included the East and West Coast
Bluesfest and the Sydney Opera House. The CD, which was also released
in the U.S. on May 3, features guest artists Willie Nelson, Vince Gill,
Lee Ann Womack, Hank Williams, Jr., The Oak Ridge Boys, and Nashville
heavyweight Jamey Johnson, who also co-produced the record.
Current members:
Jimmy Carter – vocals
Bishop Billy Bowers – vocals
Ben Moore - vocals
Eric "Ricky" McKinnie – drums, percussion, vocals
Joey Williams – lead guitar, vocals
Tracy Pierce – bass
Peter Levin - organ
Clarence Fountain – tours with the group as his health allows
Founding members:
Clarence Fountain - vocals
Johnny Fields (deceased) - vocals
George Scott (deceased) - vocals
Ollice Thomas (deceased) - vocals
Vel Bozman Traylor (deceased) - vocals
Past members:
Caleb Butler – rhythm guitar
Samuel Butler Jr - rhythm guitar, song writer and arranger, manager, second lead singer
Roscoe Robinson (lead vocals)
Lamont Blount-- (deceased) band manager
Official Homepage: www.blindboys.com
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