James B. Davis (musician)
Encyclopedia
James Bodie Davis was an American
gospel music
singer and a founder of The Dixie Hummingbirds
, one of the longest-lasting and most influential groups in gospel music.
In 1928, at age 12, he founded as the Sterling High School Quartet in Greenville, South Carolina
, but took the present name the following year. The group's sound changed when Ira Tucker
joined in 1938, and they recorded their first album on the Decca Records
label. During a lifetime of touring and recording, he was the business leader and disciplinarian.
Highlights include singing at the 1966 Newport Folk Festival
and recording with Paul Simon
on his 1973 song "Loves Me Like a Rock." The Dixie Hummingbirds cover of the Paul Simon song won a 1973 Grammy Award
in the soul gospel category. They also had a nomination in 2007 for best traditional gospel album, for Still Keeping It Real (MCG Records).
Davis retired in 1984. He died of a heart ailment in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
gospel music
Gospel music
Gospel music is music that is written to express either personal, spiritual or a communal belief regarding Christian life, as well as to give a Christian alternative to mainstream secular music....
singer and a founder of The Dixie Hummingbirds
The Dixie Hummingbirds
The Dixie Hummingbirds are an influential American gospel music group, spanning more than 80 years from the jubilee quartet style of the 1920s, through the "hard gospel" quartet style of Gospel's golden age in the 1940s and 1950s, to the eclectic pop-tinged songs of today.-History:Formed in 1928 in...
, one of the longest-lasting and most influential groups in gospel music.
In 1928, at age 12, he founded as the Sterling High School Quartet in Greenville, South Carolina
Greenville, South Carolina
-Law and government:The city of Greenville adopted the Council-Manager form of municipal government in 1976.-History:The area was part of the Cherokee Nation's protected grounds after the Treaty of 1763, which ended the French and Indian War. No White man was allowed to enter, though some families...
, but took the present name the following year. The group's sound changed when Ira Tucker
Ira Tucker
Ira Tucker Sr. was the lead singer with the American gospel group The Dixie Hummingbirds. He was with The Dixie Hummingbirds for 70 years, from 1938, when he joined at age 13, until his death from cardiovascular disease on June 24, 2008. Ira is the father of Sundray Tucker, Ira Tucker Jr., and...
joined in 1938, and they recorded their first album on the Decca Records
Decca Records
Decca Records began as a British record label established in 1929 by Edward Lewis. Its U.S. label was established in late 1934; however, owing to World War II, the link with the British company was broken for several decades....
label. During a lifetime of touring and recording, he was the business leader and disciplinarian.
Highlights include singing at the 1966 Newport Folk Festival
Newport Folk Festival
The Newport Folk Festival is an American annual folk-oriented music festival in Newport, Rhode Island, which began in 1959 as a counterpart to the previously established Newport Jazz Festival...
and recording with Paul Simon
Paul Simon
Paul Frederic Simon is an American singer-songwriter and guitarist.Simon is best known for his success, beginning in 1965, as part of the duo Simon & Garfunkel, with musical partner Art Garfunkel. Simon wrote most of the pair's songs, including three that reached number one on the US singles...
on his 1973 song "Loves Me Like a Rock." The Dixie Hummingbirds cover of the Paul Simon song won a 1973 Grammy Award
Grammy Award
A Grammy Award — or Grammy — is an accolade by the National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences of the United States to recognize outstanding achievement in the music industry...
in the soul gospel category. They also had a nomination in 2007 for best traditional gospel album, for Still Keeping It Real (MCG Records).
Davis retired in 1984. He died of a heart ailment in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Philadelphia is the largest city in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and the county seat of Philadelphia County, with which it is coterminous. The city is located in the Northeastern United States along the Delaware and Schuylkill rivers. It is the fifth-most-populous city in the United States,...
.
External links
- Zolten, JerryJerry ZoltenJerry Zolten is an American writer and advocate of roots music. He is known as the author of a book tracing the 30-plus year career of the African-American Dixie Hummingbirds gospel group and their influence on both sacred and secular music. Zolten is also known for numerous articles and CD liner...
, Great God A' Mighty!:The Dixie Hummingbirds - Celebrating The Rise Of Soul Gospel Music, Oxford University Press, 2003, ISBN 0-19-515272-7. - The Dixie Hummingbirds via Vocal Group Hall of Fame
- 1985 recording of "Jesus is Coming Soon" via State Archives of Florida