James Blackwood
Encyclopedia
James Webre Blackwood was an American
Gospel singer and one of the founding members of legendary Southern Gospel
quartet The Blackwood Brothers
.
Mississippi
, to sharecropper William Emmett Blackwood and his wife Carrie Prewitt Blackwood. He was the youngest of four children, which included his brother Roy Blackwood (December 24, 1900 – March 21, 1971), sister Lena Blackwood Cain (December 31, 1904 – March 1, 1990), and brother Doyle Blackwood (August 21, 1911 – October 3, 1974).
In 1926, James and his brother Doyle had developed an interest in gospel music, singing at church gatherings, camp meetings, schools and any place they saw the opportunity. During this period, the brothers sang on WTJS
in Jackson, Tennessee
.
Blackwood formed a singing group with his nephew R. W. and his brothers Roy and Doyle. The Blackwood Brothers first broadcast was on radio station WHEF, AM 1500, in Kosciusko, Mississippi
in 1934. The quartet soon began broadcasting on the larger WJDX in Jackson, Mississippi
, later moving to Shreveport, Louisiana
in 1939, and Shenandoah, Iowa
in 1940.
James Blackwood temporarily left the quartet during World War II
to join the war effort as a factory welder in California. The quartet was based in San Diego, California
from 1944 to 1945, and then returned to Iowa in September 1945. 1950 found the quartet moving to Memphis, Tennessee
and radio station WMPS.
In 1951 they signed a recording contract with RCA Victor Records.
Soon they began traveling to their concert appearances by private plane with R.W. Blackwood and bass singer Bill Lyles as pilot and co-pilot. On 12 June 1954, the Blackwood Brothers won first place on the CBS radio and TV program Arthur Godfrey's Talent Scouts Show. On 30 June 1954 in Clanton, Alabama
, the quartet was preparing for concert at the airport for the Chilton County Peach Festival. During a few practice touch-and-go landings the plane crashed and R. W., Bill Lyles and family friend Johnny Ogburn died in the crash. The quartet re-organized following the plane crash with R. W.'s younger brother, Cecil Blackwood, baritone, and J.D. Sumner, bass. In 1956 the re-organized group appeared on Arthur Godfrey's Talent Scout Show and won a second time.
In the mid-1950s the quartet started traveling in a customized bus, another 'first' for the group.
James Blackwood, Cecil Blackwood and J. D. Sumner
founded the National Quartet Convention
in 1957, originally a 3-day event held at Ellis Auditorium
in Memphis, Tennessee .
In 1964 the Blackwood Brothers chartered the Gospel Music Association.
After singing with The Blackwood Brothers Quartet for 47 years, James (together with four other veteran gospel singers, Hovie Lister, Jake Hess, J. D. Sumner and Rosie Rozell) formed the Masters V Quartet
, the highlight being a joint concert with The Rivertown Boys in Cape Girardeau, Missouri. In 1990 he formed the James Blackwood Quartet.
.
Nomination
During his long career, James was probably honored with more awards that any other gospel singer. He is the only person in any field of music to have been nominated for a Grammy award for 28 consecutive years. He received 31 total nominations and won 9 Grammy awards.
In the 1990s at the request of Grammy Award-Winning artist-producer Art Greenhaw
, lifelong fan and musical disciple of James Blackwood, Blackwood began a series of critically acclaimed recording sessions with Greenhaw's band, The Light Crust Doughboys
. The collaboration resulted in 4 Grammy Nominations in 4 different years for Best Southern, Country or Bluegrass Gospel Album of the Year, 2 Dove Nominations for Best Gospel Album of the Year in either southern or country gospel categories and Inspirational TV's Nomination for Best Southern Gospel Album of the Year. The year of Blackwood's death saw the release of We Called Him Mr. Gospel Music: The James Blackwood Tribute Album (2002) which won the Grammy for Best Southern, Country or Bluegrass Gospel Album of the Year at the 2003 Grammy Awards in New York City.
voted him the GMA Dove Award Top Male Vocalist for seven consecutive years
inducted Blackwood as the third living person to be voted into the Gospel Music Hall of Fame
.
The Southern Gospel Music Association
inducted Blackwood into the Southern Gospel Museum and Hall of Fame
in 1997.
In 1983 the Golden State University awarded him an honorary Doctoral Degree of Music. In 1986 Memphis State University awarded him their Distinguished Achievement Award in the field of communications and fine arts. In 1997 the Memphis and Shelby County Optimists Clubs named his Citizen of the Year, presenting him with plaques and citations from 16 government and civic groups.
In 1994 the Singing News Magazine presented James with the Marvin Norcross Award. In 1997 the Gospel Voice Magazine gave him the Living Legend Award. These are among the highest awards in gospel music.
In 2001 he was presented with the General Superintendent's Medal of Honor from the Assemblies of God. The highest recognition from that organization.
He appeared on all of the major television networks, Arthur Godfrey Talent Scouts (CBS), Dave Garroway (NBC), Johnny Cash Show (ABC), Tennessee Ernie Ford Show (ABC), Tom Snyder Show (NBC), Dinah Shore Show (NBC), Hee Haw (CBS), Barbara Mandrell and the Mandrell Sisters (NBC), Statler Brothers Show (TNN), and on the 700 Club, PTL and TBN.
He sang in all 50 states, every Canadian province, and 35 foreign countries.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
Gospel singer and one of the founding members of legendary Southern Gospel
Southern Gospel
Southern Gospel music—at one time also known as "quartet music"—is music whose lyrics are written to express either personal or a communal faith regarding biblical teachings and Christian life, as well as to give a Christian alternative to mainstream secular music...
quartet The Blackwood Brothers
The Blackwood Brothers
The Blackwood Brothers Quartet are an eight-time Grammy award-winning American Southern Gospel group. They have been around for 76 years, and were pioneers in the Christian music industry.-Musical career:...
.
Biography
James Webre Blackwood was born on August 14, 1919, in Choctaw CountyChoctaw County, Mississippi
-National protected areas:* Natchez Trace Parkway * Tombigbee National Forest -Demographics:As of the census of 2000, there were 9,758 people, 3,686 households, and 2,668 families residing in the county. The population density was 23 people per square mile . There were 4,249 housing units at an...
Mississippi
Mississippi
Mississippi is a U.S. state located in the Southern United States. Jackson is the state capital and largest city. The name of the state derives from the Mississippi River, which flows along its western boundary, whose name comes from the Ojibwe word misi-ziibi...
, to sharecropper William Emmett Blackwood and his wife Carrie Prewitt Blackwood. He was the youngest of four children, which included his brother Roy Blackwood (December 24, 1900 – March 21, 1971), sister Lena Blackwood Cain (December 31, 1904 – March 1, 1990), and brother Doyle Blackwood (August 21, 1911 – October 3, 1974).
In 1926, James and his brother Doyle had developed an interest in gospel music, singing at church gatherings, camp meetings, schools and any place they saw the opportunity. During this period, the brothers sang on WTJS
WTJS
WTJS is a radio station broadcasting a News Talk Information format. Licensed to Jackson, Tennessee, USA, the station is currently owned by Forever South Licenses, LLC and features programing from Fox News Radio, Fox Sports Radio, and Premiere Radio Networks....
in Jackson, Tennessee
Jackson, Tennessee
Jackson is a city in Madison County, Tennessee, United States. The total population was 65,211 at the 2010 census. Jackson is the primary city of the Jackson, Tennessee metropolitan area, which is included in the Jackson-Humboldt, Tennessee Combined Statistical Area...
.
Blackwood formed a singing group with his nephew R. W. and his brothers Roy and Doyle. The Blackwood Brothers first broadcast was on radio station WHEF, AM 1500, in Kosciusko, Mississippi
Kosciusko, Mississippi
Kosciusko is a city in Attala County, Mississippi, United States. The population was 7,372 at the 2000 census. It is the county seat of Attala County....
in 1934. The quartet soon began broadcasting on the larger WJDX in Jackson, Mississippi
Jackson, Mississippi
Jackson is the capital and the most populous city of the US state of Mississippi. It is one of two county seats of Hinds County ,. The population of the city declined from 184,256 at the 2000 census to 173,514 at the 2010 census...
, later moving to Shreveport, Louisiana
Shreveport, Louisiana
Shreveport is the third largest city in Louisiana. It is the principal city of the fourth largest metropolitan area in the state of Louisiana and is the 109th-largest city in the United States....
in 1939, and Shenandoah, Iowa
Shenandoah, Iowa
Shenandoah is a city in Fremont and Page Counties in the U.S. state of Iowa. The population was 5,546 at the 2000 census.Once referred to as the "seed and nursery center of the world," Shenandoah is the home to Earl May Seed Company and the radio station KMA, founded by Earl May...
in 1940.
James Blackwood temporarily left the quartet during World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
to join the war effort as a factory welder in California. The quartet was based in San Diego, California
San Diego, California
San Diego is the eighth-largest city in the United States and second-largest city in California. The city is located on the coast of the Pacific Ocean in Southern California, immediately adjacent to the Mexican border. The birthplace of California, San Diego is known for its mild year-round...
from 1944 to 1945, and then returned to Iowa in September 1945. 1950 found the quartet moving to Memphis, Tennessee
Memphis, Tennessee
Memphis is a city in the southwestern corner of the U.S. state of Tennessee, and the county seat of Shelby County. The city is located on the 4th Chickasaw Bluff, south of the confluence of the Wolf and Mississippi rivers....
and radio station WMPS.
In 1951 they signed a recording contract with RCA Victor Records.
Soon they began traveling to their concert appearances by private plane with R.W. Blackwood and bass singer Bill Lyles as pilot and co-pilot. On 12 June 1954, the Blackwood Brothers won first place on the CBS radio and TV program Arthur Godfrey's Talent Scouts Show. On 30 June 1954 in Clanton, Alabama
Clanton, Alabama
Clanton is a city in Chilton County, Alabama, United States. It is part of the Birmingham–Hoover–Cullman Combined Statistical Area. At the 2000 census the population was 7,800. The city is the county seat of Chilton County.-History:...
, the quartet was preparing for concert at the airport for the Chilton County Peach Festival. During a few practice touch-and-go landings the plane crashed and R. W., Bill Lyles and family friend Johnny Ogburn died in the crash. The quartet re-organized following the plane crash with R. W.'s younger brother, Cecil Blackwood, baritone, and J.D. Sumner, bass. In 1956 the re-organized group appeared on Arthur Godfrey's Talent Scout Show and won a second time.
In the mid-1950s the quartet started traveling in a customized bus, another 'first' for the group.
James Blackwood, Cecil Blackwood and J. D. Sumner
J. D. Sumner
John Daniel "J. D." Sumner was an American gospel singer, songwriter, and music promoter noted for his extremely deep bass voice, his use of the vocal technique known as vocal fry, and his associations with Elvis Presley....
founded the National Quartet Convention
National Quartet Convention
The National Quartet Convention is an annual gathering of Southern Gospel quartets and musicians. It is currently held at Freedom Hall on the grounds of the Kentucky Exposition Center in Louisville, Kentucky.-History:...
in 1957, originally a 3-day event held at Ellis Auditorium
Ellis Auditorium
The Ellis Auditorium was a 10,000-seat multi-purpose arena in Memphis, Tennessee, USA. It hosted local sporting events and concerts. It was demolished in 1997....
in Memphis, Tennessee .
In 1964 the Blackwood Brothers chartered the Gospel Music Association.
After singing with The Blackwood Brothers Quartet for 47 years, James (together with four other veteran gospel singers, Hovie Lister, Jake Hess, J. D. Sumner and Rosie Rozell) formed the Masters V Quartet
Masters V
The Masters Five or Masters V was a Southern Gospel Music quartet founded in 1980 by Hovie Lister as a special consolidation of well-known performers from The Statesmen Quartet and The Blackwood Brothers. The group featured J.D. Sumner as bass, Rosie Rozell as tenor, James Blackwood and Jake Hess...
, the highlight being a joint concert with The Rivertown Boys in Cape Girardeau, Missouri. In 1990 he formed the James Blackwood Quartet.
Personal life
On May 4, 1939, James Blackwood married Miriam (Mim) Grantham. The couple had two sons James Jr. and Billy. He died of a stroke on February 3, 2002, and is buried at Forest Hill Cemetery East, in Shelby County, TennesseeShelby County, Tennessee
Shelby County is a county located in the U.S. state of Tennessee. It is the state's largest both in terms of population and geographic area, with a population of 927,644 at the 2010 census...
.
Grammys
Win- 1966 Best Sacred Recording (Musical), The Grand Old Gospel, Porter WagonerPorter WagonerPorter Wayne Wagoner was a popular American country music singer known for his flashy Nudie and Manuel suits and blond pompadour. He introduced the young Dolly Parton near the beginning of her career on his long-running television show, and they were a well-known duet throughout the late 1960s and...
& The Blackwood Brothers Quartet - 1967 Best Sacred Recording (Musical), More Grand Old Gospel, Porter Wagoner & The Blackwood Brothers Quartet
- 1969 Best Gospel Performance, In Gospel Country, Porter Wagoner & The Blackwood Brothers Quartet
- 1972 Best Gospel Performance, L-O-V-E, Blackwood Brothers Quartet
- 1973 Best Gospel Performance, Release Me (From My Sin), The Blackwood Brothers Quartet
- 1979 Best Gospel Performance, Traditional, Lift Up The Name Of Jesus, The Blackwood Brothers Quartet
- 1980 Best Gospel Performance, Traditional, We Come To Worship, Produced by Mark Blackwood, The Blackwood Brothers Quartet
- 1981 Best Gospel Performance, Traditional, The Masters V, The Masters V Quartet
- 1982 Best Gospel Performance, Traditional, I'm Following You, Produced by Mark Blackwood, The Blackwood Brothers Quartet
Nomination
- 1965 Best Gospel, Sacred, Inspirational Performance,The Blackwood Brothers Quartet
- 1966 Best Sacred Recording (Musical), How Big is God, The Blackwood Brothers Quartet
- 1967 Best Gospel Performance, The Blackwood Brothers Quartet Sings for Joy, The Blackwood Brothers Quartet
- 1967 Best Sacred Performance, Surely Goodness and Mercy, George Beverly SheaGeorge Beverly SheaGeorge Beverly "Bev" Shea is a Grammy Award-winning Canadian-born American gospel singer and hymn composer. Shea has often been described as "America's beloved Gospel singer" and is considered "the first international singing 'star' of the gospel world," as a consequence of his solos at Billy...
with The Blackwood Brothers Quartet - 1968 Best Gospel Performance, Yours Faithfully, The Blackwood Brothers Quartet
- 1971 Best Gospel Performance, He's Still the King of Kings (and Lord of Lords), The Blackwood Brothers Quartet
- 1974 Best Gospel Performance, There He Goes, The Blackwood Brothers Quartet
- 1976 Best Gospel Performance, Learning to Lean, The Blackwood Brothers Quartet
- 1977 Best Gospel Performance, Traditional, Bill Gaither Songs by the Blackwood Brothers, The Blackwood Brothers Quartet
- 1978 Best Gospel Performance, Traditional, His Amazing Love, The Blackwood Brothers Quartet
- 1997 Best Southern, Country, or Bluegrass Gospel Album, Keep Lookin' Up: The Texas Swing Sessions, James Blackwood and The Light Crust Doughboys
- 1998 Best Southern, Country, or Bluegrass Gospel Album, They Gave the World a Smile: the Stamps Quartet Tribute Album, James Blackwood Quartet and The Light Crust Doughboys
- 2000 Best Southern, Country, or Bluegrass Gospel Album, The Great Gospel Hit Parade: From Memphis To Nashville To Texas, James Blackwood, The Jordanaires and The Light Crust Doughboys
During his long career, James was probably honored with more awards that any other gospel singer. He is the only person in any field of music to have been nominated for a Grammy award for 28 consecutive years. He received 31 total nominations and won 9 Grammy awards.
In the 1990s at the request of Grammy Award-Winning artist-producer Art Greenhaw
Art Greenhaw
Art Greenhaw is a Grammy Award-Winning recording artist, producer and mixing engineer, having won the Grammy Award in 2003 in New York City for "Best Southern, Country or Bluegrass Gospel Album of the Year" for the album WE CALLED HIM MR. GOSPEL MUSIC: THE JAMES BLACKWOOD TRIBUTE ALBUM...
, lifelong fan and musical disciple of James Blackwood, Blackwood began a series of critically acclaimed recording sessions with Greenhaw's band, The Light Crust Doughboys
Light Crust Doughboys
The Light Crust Doughboys is a quintessential American Western swing band from Texas organized in 1931 by the Burrus Mill and Elevator Company in Saginaw, Texas. The band achieved its peak popularity in the few years leading up to World War II...
. The collaboration resulted in 4 Grammy Nominations in 4 different years for Best Southern, Country or Bluegrass Gospel Album of the Year, 2 Dove Nominations for Best Gospel Album of the Year in either southern or country gospel categories and Inspirational TV's Nomination for Best Southern Gospel Album of the Year. The year of Blackwood's death saw the release of We Called Him Mr. Gospel Music: The James Blackwood Tribute Album (2002) which won the Grammy for Best Southern, Country or Bluegrass Gospel Album of the Year at the 2003 Grammy Awards in New York City.
GMA Dove Awards
His peers in the Gospel Music AssociationGospel Music Association
The Gospel Music Association was founded in 1964 for the purpose of supporting and promoting the development of all forms of Gospel music. There are currently about 4,000 members worldwide...
voted him the GMA Dove Award Top Male Vocalist for seven consecutive years
- 1969 Male Vocalist of the Year
- 1970 Male Vocalist of the Year
- 1972 Male Vocalist of the Year
- 1973 Male Vocalist of the Year
- 1974 Male Vocalist of the Year
- 1975 Male Vocalist of the Year
- 1976 Male Vocalist of the Year
- 1977 Male Vocalist of the Year
- 1970 Album of the Year - Darol Rice; RCA Victor, Fill My Cup, Lord, The Blackwood Brothers Quartet
- 1973 Male Group of the Year, The Blackwood Brothers Quartet
- 1974 Male Group of the Year, The Blackwood Brothers Quartet
- 1974 Associate Membership Award, The Blackwood Brothers Quartet
- 1976 Associate Membership Award, The Blackwood Brothers Quartet
- 1977 Associate Membership Award, The Blackwood Brothers Quartet
Others
In 1974, the Gospel Music AssociationGospel Music Association
The Gospel Music Association was founded in 1964 for the purpose of supporting and promoting the development of all forms of Gospel music. There are currently about 4,000 members worldwide...
inducted Blackwood as the third living person to be voted into the Gospel Music Hall of Fame
Gospel Music Hall of Fame
The Gospel Music Hall of Fame, created in 1971 by the Gospel Music Association, is a Hall of Fame dedicated exclusively to recognizing meaningful contributions by individuals and groups in all forms of gospel music.-Inductees:...
.
The Southern Gospel Music Association
Southern Gospel Music Association
The Southern Gospel Music Association is a non-profit corporation formed as an association of southern gospel music singers, songwriters, fans, and industry workers. Membership is acquired and maintained through payment of annual dues...
inducted Blackwood into the Southern Gospel Museum and Hall of Fame
Southern Gospel Museum and Hall of Fame
150px|right|thumb|Entrance.The Southern Gospel Museum and Hall of Fame is a site operated at Dollywood, in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee, by the Southern Gospel Music Association. It was established in 1997...
in 1997.
In 1983 the Golden State University awarded him an honorary Doctoral Degree of Music. In 1986 Memphis State University awarded him their Distinguished Achievement Award in the field of communications and fine arts. In 1997 the Memphis and Shelby County Optimists Clubs named his Citizen of the Year, presenting him with plaques and citations from 16 government and civic groups.
In 1994 the Singing News Magazine presented James with the Marvin Norcross Award. In 1997 the Gospel Voice Magazine gave him the Living Legend Award. These are among the highest awards in gospel music.
In 2001 he was presented with the General Superintendent's Medal of Honor from the Assemblies of God. The highest recognition from that organization.
He appeared on all of the major television networks, Arthur Godfrey Talent Scouts (CBS), Dave Garroway (NBC), Johnny Cash Show (ABC), Tennessee Ernie Ford Show (ABC), Tom Snyder Show (NBC), Dinah Shore Show (NBC), Hee Haw (CBS), Barbara Mandrell and the Mandrell Sisters (NBC), Statler Brothers Show (TNN), and on the 700 Club, PTL and TBN.
He sang in all 50 states, every Canadian province, and 35 foreign countries.
Television appearances
- Arthur Godfrey's Talent ScoutsArthur Godfrey's Talent ScoutsArthur Godfrey's Talent Scouts is an American radio and television variety show which ran on CBS from 1946 until 1958...
(1954) - Sing a Song for Heaven's Sake (1966)
- The Johnny Cash ShowThe Johnny Cash Show (TV series)The Johnny Cash Show was an American television music variety show hosted by Johnny Cash. The Screen Gems 58-episode series ran from June 7, 1969 to March 31, 1971 on ABC; it was taped at the Ryman Auditorium in Nashville, Tennessee. The show reached No...
(1971) - 28th Grammy Awards (1986)
- Homecoming (1991)
- Reunion: A Gospel Homecoming Celebration (1992)
- A Christmas Homecoming (1993)
- Old Friends: A Gospel Homecoming Celebration (1993)
- Turn Your Radio On (1993)
- Bill & Gloria Gaither Present: Landmark with Their Homecoming Friends (1994)
- O Happy Day: Old-Time Southern Singing Convention (1994)
- Precious Memories (1994)
- Bill & Gloria Gaither Present: Revival with Their Homecoming Friends (1995)
- The Sweetest Song I Know (1995)
- Bill & Gloria Gaither Present: The Blackwood Brothers Family Reunion (1995)
- When All God's Singers Get Home (1996)
- He Touched Me: The Gospel Music of Elvis Presley (2000)
- Sounds of Memphis (2002)