JEFF TURNER

One of my earliest memories of Gospel music growing up is the harmony of The Blackwood Brothers Quartet. The group, has been around for more than nine decades.

The Blackwood Brothers Quartet was founded in 1934 during the Great Depression, emerging from a deeply musical Mississippi family. It started as the Choctaw County Jubilee Singers featuring brothers Roy, Doyle, and James Blackwood, along with Roy’s young son R.W. Their musical journey began with local performances and radio broadcasts, eventually expanding to national recognition.

The group experienced significant challenges, including a tragic airplane crash in 1954 that claimed the lives of R.W. Blackwood and bass singer Bill Lyles. Despite this devastating loss, the Blackwood Brothers continued, with family members and talented musicians stepping in to maintain the group’s musical legacy.

Throughout their career, the quartet traveled through every Canadian province, all fifty United States, and appearances throughout Great Britain, Europe, Africa, and Asia. They became a cornerstone of Gospel music, setting industry standards and innovating performance practices.

Notable achievements include winning Arthur Godfrey’s Talent Scouts competition, launching the National Quartet Convention, and pioneering tour bus customization for musical groups. They also made significant chart history, with their song “Learning To Lean” holding the number one spot on the Singing News chart for an unprecedented 15 months.

The group has seen multiple generational transitions. James Blackwood’s sons, Jimmy and Billy, have been instrumental in continuing the family’s musical tradition. Recent years have brought further changes, with new members like Jonathan Mattingly, Eric Walker, and Jim Rogers joining to keep the quartet’s spirit alive.

Despite periods of disbandment and reorganization, the Blackwood Brothers remain a respected name in Gospel music.

The latest makeup of the Blackwood Brothers include Billy Blackwood, Baritone; Jim Rogers, Tenor; Jonathan Mattingly, Lead; and Eric Walker, Bass.